Nothing brings out people in Statesboro more than the opening of a new restaurant.  One of the most awaited openings is the new El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant near the mall.  Last night and tonight they held a VIP soft opening and tomorrow at 11 AM you will have an opportunity to see for yourself how incredible this place is.

Edie Grace calls it "the palace" because the domed gold roof gives it a palace look.  College students nick named the original El Som "the Hat" and call this "the Hat on speed".  This is an accurate description.

Abel, the owner and founder, is a good friend.  His story of success is tremendously inspiring.  The building was designed by LGPFA client and architect Kevin Palmer with Maxwell Palmer Architecture and built by LGPFA client Rob Kicklighter of Dabbs - Williams construction.  They all should be very proud!

For those of you who love their adult beverages - you will be pleased to know there are two bars - one downstairs and one open air one upstairs.  We get so many invitations to these type events in Savannah and Statesboro - it is very hard to work these into my schedule.  However, this was one that I would not miss and was thrilled to be included as part of the preview group.  Now, through this blog, you can tell your friends that you too got a sneak preview!

Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

  I remember the first day Beverly and Dustin walked into our church.  They were both tall - so they stood out.  In addition, they were young, vibrant and so full of life.  The recent newlyweds had both just finished law school and had located to Statesboro where they both accepted jobs.  Bev is a staff attorney in the Superior Court of Bulloch County and Dustin is at a law firm in Savannah.  We got to know them better through a life group which met weekly at our church.

A few weeks ago, after finding a lump on her breast Bev received the most terrifying news a woman could ever hear - "you have breast cancer."  With the faith of Abraham and the due diligence of Perry Mason - these two have tackled this bump in the road as aggressively as anyone I have known to go through this.

I had the opportunity to photograph Bev and Dustin and Bev’s siblings last week.  They have all come to town to support them.  After photographing the family they all left to give us some time alone.  Just before I left - I asked Dustin to share with Bev what made her so special that he knew she was the one and then tell her why he would do it all over again.  You will see from the collage of images - the reasons must have been pretty compelling.

I ask you to join me in praying for this beautiful, talented, faithful couple today.  30 is much to young to be going through this.  I do know that prayer works!  One of the most incredible sources of strength I received during my journey of fighting cancer - was the emails, notes and letters from absolute strangers who told me that their Sunday school class, church, etc. was praying for me.  Today is the 6th anniversary of my last cancer surgery - I was 33.  Like me - I know God has an incredible plan for this wonderful couple.  Pray for healing and strength to keep an open heart and mind so soon they will discover the reason for this medical challenge and how God will use them through this to touch so many people in unimaginable ways.

Bev has allowed me to place her email address here and I know she would love to hear from you today - even if it is only FIVE words…"I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!"  It will mean so much to them!

Email her and Dustin at:    beverlybarr@gmail.com

  " Be careful I am a preacher!" is one of DeWayne’s lines in the play celebrating the life of legendary coach Erk Russell.  Well DeWayne is not REALLY a preacher (although he can lecture with the best of them) but he does portray Dr. Bill Perry in the play.  This weekend they opened to sold out houses and will perform the play again on Wednesday and Thursday of this week at the Averitt Center for the Arts.  They take off the holiday weekend and the show reopens in the Black Box Theatre on the GSU Campus for three more performances.

I know you expect me to be nice with my review because DeWayne is in the play - but this is really a "must see" play.  It is a powerful story about how one man motivated an entire community to do the undoable.  He pulled our community together in such incredible ways.  DeWayne and I were fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know him and his family.  He was a "larger than life" sort of person.

No matter whether you are a football fan or not, whether you know the story of Erk or even live in Statesboro - this play will inspire, touch and move you.  It will encourage you to "DO RIGHT!"

For ticket information or more information about the play go the the Averitt Center web site by clicking here.

Next Saturday, August 30 the Georgia Southern Eagles will open their season between the hedges at Sanford Stadium in Athens when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs.  Well, I don’t have tickets yet - but I do have a great place to stay in walking distance of the stadium.  Over the past few weeks, many of you have called and emailed and wanted to know if I was coming to Athens.  One client would not take no for an answer and invited us to stay at their home.  You might say they are UGA super fans.   

We will be arriving on Friday evening and be there through Sunday.  I am offering a limited number of sessions in Athens on a first come-first serve basis.  If you are interested please email me at info@lorigrice.com or call 912-764-7274 to get on the list.  We will follow up with you as soon as possible.  Please let us know specifically when you will be in Athens and what window of time would work best for you.

Look forward to seeing all of you in ATHENS!             (preferential treatment WILL be given to anyone I can purchase three tickets from!)

  The journey mom and dad have taken already just to get Spencer in the world could fill a novel.  Never have I have met a couple that deserves the incredible joys of parenthood  more than these two.  They have a wonderful journey of photography planned for the first year.  But that pales in comparison to the plans mom and dad have for this little one.  You probably have seen their expecting images if not check them out here.

We can not wait to artistically document this journey for years to come. 

Don’t you just love this birth announcement?

  SENIOR…what???  How can that be???  I first photographed Emily when she was only two or so.  Boy, time flies!  I am STUNNED at how beautiful she is.  I always count it a blessing to stay in families’ lives throughout my career.  To get to record your history through images…what a blessing indeed.

We had such a good time creating images and playing with Stella, the kitten.  Stella was as good of a model as Emily was!  Even outside! 

Emily plans to attend GSU then hopes to transfer to SCAD-Atlanta.  One of my favorite stores, West Elm, highlights SCAD-Atlanta student’s work.  I bet I’ll see Emily showcased there one day!

I am amused from time to time as other photographers brag about photographing a "celebrity".  When I see this it is a great reality check for me.  Photographing famous people is an everyday encounter for me.  I think if your not famous before I photograph you - you certainly will be afterwards.  Especially if your featured on my blog or web site!  Clients tell me all the time they can not believe how many people saw their portrait in my window here in Statesboro or in the Savannah Mall, or on my website and blog.  It really makes you feel special when someone stops you and tells you that they saw you on or in a Lori Grice product.  I guess I should do a better job of  pointing out my "celebrity" clients - but just assume if I don’t make a point to tell who they are - that if they have selected me as their portrait photographer either they are somebody special or soon will be!  Ok enough of that.  You definitely would recognize Emily’s Dad…he is a local celebrity.  You can catch him every night on WTOC channel 11 in Savannah.  We are almost as proud of him as we are Emily.

It seems like yesterday we were coming home from the hospital with our incredibly beautiful, miracle baby - Edie Grace.  It certainly seems like just a few hours ago she boarded the bus last year for her first day of school as a first grader.  Click here to see how much she has changed in ONE year.  Friday she boarded the bus and headed for her first day of school at Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville.  Thursday night we went to meet the teachers and see the new school.  We were all stunned at how fast they have completed the $4 million addition and renovation.  With nearly 700 students, Pinewood is one of the largest and strongest private schools in Georgia.  The new addition includes a beautiful new lunch room, more class rooms and administrative offices. 

Edie Grace was thrilled to learn her 2nd grade teacher is Mrs. Faye Royal and her teaching assistant is Jennifer Bradley.  Mrs. Royal’s husband, Luther, is the Mayor of Claxton and Mrs. Bradley’s step father is Edie Grace’s "GOD Uncle" Judge Darin McCoy.   "Uncle" Darin was the best man in our wedding almost 20 years ago.  Darin and his wife Anita remain to be some of our closet friends.

It is going to be an great year for Edie Grace.  We are so excited for her.  We have forgotten how early you have to get up to catch a bus at 7:25 in the morning!

This is a little late, but you just had to see how fun this party was.  DeWayne had to clip my wings a few years ago on birthday parties because he felt like I was going to have Ringling Brothers come in eventually.  This party was a blast!  Thank you, Adelind and Sela, for sharing a fun morning with us!  

p.s.  Adelind’s uncle re-furbished Adelind’s mom’s first Schwinn two-wheeler.  What a cool & retro thing to do!

Well maybe not the lions and tigers… but definitely a lizard!  With mom being a science professor at GSU, I felt sure that these two would enjoy their outdoor session.  However, I would’ve lost the bet on which one would be the lizard trainer!  Her mom says that she LOVES them.  Luckily, I do too…can’t say that I am half as good at catching them as Iris is though.  By the way…the lizard was just a surprise bonus to the session–not a prop they brought.  However, we do welcome scales, fur and fins to any of your sessions…just give us a heads-up and we are happy to accommodate ALL members of your family into your portraits.

These girls are so beautiful and wonderful to photograph.  I traveled recently to their home in Anderson, South Carolina to spend a day with them.    The results are incredible.  This is a annual tradition for this family that I look forward to each year.  Enjoy a few of my favorites.