It is such an honor to partner with the Statesboro Herald annually to recognize 20 of our communities most impressive leaders under the age of 40.  It is so inspiring to meet, photograph and get to know these impressive young leaders.  It certainly makes you feel good about the future of our community.  Congratulations to each of you!

Reposted from GSU’s Center for Entrepreneurial Learning and Leadership Publication

March 11, 2011 by Brittanie Barber Leave a Comment

Lori and DeWayne Grice

It is evident after meeting this husband and wife duo that giving back plays an important part in their lives. The couple strives to live according to the “Rick Warren concept” of living on 10% and giving away 90%. But had it not been for one photograph, the Grice’s may not have been able to play such a vital role in their community.

Since the age of eight Lori has had a camera in her hand when her Uncle entered the photography business and later founded Regency Photo.  When she was 18 years old she had the opportunity to attend her first Georgia Southern football game. Working her way through college in her uncle’s photo lab, it was a rare occasion when she got a Saturday off to go watch the Eagles. Given that opportunity, she was sure to take her camera with her. She snapped many shots but one in particular of a Georgia Southern Eagle running the ball, with his teammates cheering him on in the background, for a touchdown.  The owner of Archibald’s, which is now Gnat’s Landing, saw the photo and asked Lori for a print for his restaurant where the famed Erk Russell frequented. Coach Russell fell in love with the portrait and requested that the action shot be used in GSU’s marketing campaigns.  Erk’s endorsement of Lori’s work gave her the boost she needed to launch her highly successful photography business.

“My aunt actually said after that ‘it’s such a shame that you have reached your peak at 18,’” laughed Lori.

DeWayne, Lori and their daughter Edie Grace with GUS before an Eagles’ game.

DeWayne started off as a co-op student at GSU where he later graduated with a BBA in entrepreneurship.  While in college, he co-founded Cable Ad Concepts, a consulting agency for Northland Cable.  In this role DeWayne helped establish the advertising, production and news divisions in Northland Cable systems throughout the southeast. While managing Cable Ad Concepts, then Georgia Secretary of State Lewis Massey convinced DeWayne to come to Atlanta and help lead his gubernatorial campaign. In 1997 DeWayne founded Z to A Solutions, a nonprofit and political fundraising company. DeWayne’s company made a tremendous impact in the political and nonprofit arena by raising more $20 million in the short time he presided over the company. But this fast paced life wasn’t quite right for the couple who wanted to start a family.

John C. Maxwell, a successful leadership development author and motivational speaker, spoke to Lori and DeWayne while they were trying to figure out their path and said to Lori, “you have no idea how lucky you are and how wonderful it is to know what your gift is.” He also challenged DeWayne to find his gift, and DeWayne knew that leading political campaigns just weren’t his primary gift. So, DeWayne merged his company and returned to Statesboro full time to join Lori in her photography studio downtown.

Photography is more than just a portrait session and portrait sales for DeWayne and Lori, they pride themselves on their work and their community involvement.

“It doesn’t matter who we photograph, we have made it our goal to be proud to display our prints in any home across America,” said DeWayne.

In 2002, just 14 months after the birth of their daughter Edie Grace, Lori was offered the opportunity to travel to France and train with other professional photographers on a Thursday, on Friday she was chosen for Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 under 40 and the following Monday she was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. After being diagnosed, while holding her baby in her arms, Lori realized that if she couldn’t beat the cancer the only memories Edie Grace would have of her mother would be captured in portraits. Lori was reaffirmed of the power and importance of her job as a family’s portrait artist.  The cancer was caught early enough that Lori did not have to undergo Chemo-therapy.  After several surgeries and treatments, Lori is living cancer free. But she looks at life and photography in a new way.

“The greatest gift of the cancer, I realize, is that every day that I go into the studio I create the images and memories that may be someone’s last. So no matter how I feel that day I have to give my A-game.” says Lori.

Statesboro’s Averitt Center for the Arts as it stands today. The efforts of DeWayne Grice and community members led the renovation of a dilapidated bank into the arts center.

On top of their commitment to quality, the couple is dedicated to building their community. Lori and DeWayne played a fundamental role in rebuilding Downtown Statesboro. As President of the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, she played an integral role in the redevelopment of several downtown buildings that were in ill repair including what is now City Hall. DeWayne was appointed by Statesboro professionals and then Mayor Hal Averitt to restore an old bank and movie theater into the successful Averitt Center for the Arts. DeWayne was a charter member on GSU’s Board for the Center for Continuing Education. DeWayne led the effort to restructure the largest nonprofit organization in the world, the American Heart Association, by streamlining the organization and creating just 12 regional offices instead of 51. DeWayne served as Chairman of the Southeastern Affiliate of AHA and as a national board member. Lori is an activist and national spokesperson for the HPV vaccination and early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. They were the first husband and wife team to be listed in Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 under 40 and have both received gubernatorial appointments. Lori has been named Georgia Photographer of the Year in 2007 and twice named International Photographer of the Year. She is 1 of 2,000 photographers nationally certified out of the Professional Photography Associations 20,000 members. Lori was only the 14^th photographer in Georgia to be inducted into the prestigious American Society of Photographers.  In 2008, Lori was chosen to create an ornament for official White House Christmas Tree by First Lady Laura Bush, after being nominated by Congressman John Barrow.  Lori was the only photographer to be chosen. Currently, Lori and DeWayne are integrally involved in founding the Hearts and Hands Health Clinic in Statesboro.  DeWayne serves as the President of the clinics’ Board of Directors and they are committed to raising awareness and funds for the clinic, which offers free health care to those in the community, who have lost or cannot afford health insurance.

For more information about the husband and wife team or to schedule a Portrait Session please visit their website: lorigrice.com

Edie Grace wants your kids to join her at camp!

There are just a few slots open each week so don’t procrastinate!  Mrs. Ann is our neighbor, our friend and just plain out one of our favorite people in the whole world!  She has put together four weeks of fun for our kids 6-7 and up.

Here is the 411:

Campers enjoy completing a variety of different art projects.  The curriculum includes techniques that are challenging and fun.  A snack will be provided.

Sessions are Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 12:30pm

• Session One:  June 14 – 18
• Session Two:  June 21 – 25
• Session Three:  July 12 – 16
• Session Four:  July 19 – 23

The cost is $135 per week for each child.  There is a 10% sibling discount.  Registrations are required with a $50 non-refundable deposit.  Balance will be due on the first day of camp.  Space is limited.

Edie Grace and Madison (Mrs. Ann’s grand-daughter) have been busy this week testing out some of the activities and they don’t think you should miss out on the fun!

If you have further questions, just call Free Spirit Pottery @ 912.489.3232

Oh, and by the way…Father’s day is just right around the corner!  So go this week and create something Dad will love!  Today, I saw some of you in there creating cool stuff with your children’s handprints and footprints.  How priceless will that be someday???  Of course, we could create some portraits to go with those he would love too!

YaY!

Here are my award and ribbon winning images:

Thank you, GPPA, for awarding my images the following awards:

Best of Show: Wedding/Social Events

American Society of Photographer’s State Elite Award

Kodak Gallery Award

First Place Award Bridal Portrait

First Place Fine Art Scenic

                                                                                Distinguished ~ Portrait of a Woman

                                                                                Judges Choice Ribbon {& other ribbons too}

Here are a few images of the awards.  I apologize…I took the award pics really quick because I was so excited about sharing all of this with you!  I am truly overwhelmed by all of this!  This is the cool part… 1/2 of these images are fine art pieces but 1/2 of these are from actual client sessions.  Thank you for sharing in this journey with me! 

By Friday or Saturday I am sure to be in a cotton-candy coma…but for now…I am just so happy that Edie Grace loves the fair just as much as I do!!!  Our fair is still one of those friendly community activities that takes you back to your childhood.  Reliving those happy memories through Edie Grace’s eyes is such a bonus!!!

Please be sure to check out our fair booth this year…we were promoted!!!  I know that I have had the same fair booth for 13 years…maybe even longer….so we are totally excited that we got to move up to the front of the building!!!  (sort of like the first time I got to sit at the “adult table” at my grandma’s house!) 

Yes, the video takes a while to watch…but is worth the wait!  Be sure to check it out!

Also, be sure to call us to book your “early bird” holiday card special (we have extended the special so we can get everyone on the list in!)

OR a Halloween costume session…

OR Santa!

They are ALL right around the corner!  More blogs to come with the details…but get on the list TODAY!!!  

912.764.7274 or info@lorigrice.com

On the way to shoot a day of sessions in Metter today I passed this double billboard.  It was so wild to see a double billboard filled with my images for some of my clients – IHS Pharmacy and Sea Island Bank.  Currently I have nearly 10 billboards up throughout the area featuring my images.  How ironic to see two together like this.

Keep me in mind when you need to give your business marketing images the extra edge that you expect from your portraits that I create for you and your family.

I want your marketing to soar above your competitors – because I understand that the better you do – the better I will do.  So let me help you take your business marketing to the next level.  If I am your families portrait artist – then you will get the best value and internationally honored creativity.  Contact DeWayne or I at info@lorigrice.com to get a quote today on your businesses’ marketing photography needs.

Commercial photography is not something we market and offer first to our family of clients businesses.  In this economy, we want you to capitalize on market share growth so we will all come out of this so much stronger!

Last year I was commissioned by Sea Island Bank to create images for their marketing campaigns for Statesboro and Metter branches.  This has been a great opportunity to feature many of you in ads for SIB.  The campaign is heavily driven on photography and customer stories.  The ads have been everywhere so I am sure you have seen them.  We have kicked off the new year with SIB Connect with your Banker campaign.  Billboards throughout the area are up now featuring five key bank SIB employees.  Here is a sneak preview of the billboards and the campaign.  If you know any of these people please make sure and tell them how you have always wanted a billboard size Lori Grice portrait!

Please keep me in mind for any commercial or marketing projects you may have for your business.  Great photography can help carry the campaign over the top.  In this environment – you need all the edge you can get.  Commercial photography is not something we market – but it is something that breaks me out of the norm and I really enjoy the challenge.

  Well the suspense is over.  Tonight I joined a distinguished group of artists from around the country at the White house as the guest of the First Lady, Laura Bush.  Each of us in attendance were selected as the artist to design the Christmas ornaments for the Blue Room Christmas tree.  There were over 300 artists who were selected to design one ornament for the tree.  Being one of only a few photographers selected, my ornament really stood out.  Tonight was a private reception for the artists.  Tomorrow, the First Lady will make a public announcement regarding the theme of this year’s Christmas Tree and White House decorations.  I can tell you more tomorrow after her “official” release about this project.

I have been honored in many ways from awards to client recognition.  But tonight was one of the most special opportunities of my career.  To stand with some of the countries’ most prestigious artists tonight in the White House with the First Lady and see my work of art on her (our) Christmas tree was extremely  overwhelming.

Here are some pictures from the reception and a few of the ornament on the tree.  Tomorrow, when we return, I will share more details with you. 

You can now tell your friends that your families’ photographer is one of Georgia’s only Master photographers who has been named Georgia and International Photographer of the year AND has designed an ornament that is currently hanging on the Blue Room Christmas tree in the White House.  I promised you it was BIG news.  Now do you understand why this has been so difficult NOT to share with you?

  Jan is a great friend, client and a terrific County Commissioner in Bulloch County.  DeWayne, Edie Grace and I have been long time supporters of Jan.  We have hosted events for her and been great cheer leaders for her throughout her tenure.  Of course, you know I am all about "girl power" so I always enjoy supporting and encouraging capable women in positions of leadership.  From her first election, Jan has exceeded our expectations.  She quickly became a much needed moderate voice on our commission.  She is known for studying the issues and LISTENING to both sides before making her decision.

If you do not know Jan, she is certainly someone you need to get to know. 

As an elected county Commissioner, Jan is a member of an organization comprised of commissioners throughout Georgia.  It is the Association of County Commissioners (ACCG)  It is an important and powerful group of elected officials who unite in one voice on issues of importance to all of our counties in Georgia.

Several years ago Jan was elected to the ACCG board of directors.  In January, she will become President of this impressive organization.  As part of this distinct honor, she will be featured in their monthly magazine in January.  In addition to featuring Jan, they will also feature our community and region that Jan is such an integral part of.

Even though my week has been tremendously hectic just returning from being out of the country for nine days – I made room for Jan to update her head shots for the publication.

Nothing thrills me more than to see friends and clients continue to give of their time and abilities to lead our communities.  Jan is certainly a great example of this. 

I also predict that this is just another step along a very bright path for Jan.  We anxiously await the next step of her journey.