Lori Grice Photography » White House Blue Room Ornament

American Society of Photographers magazine features Lori Grice

lori — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:08:00 +0000

The American Society of Photographers (ASP) is a Who’s Who of the worlds best photographers. To be considered for membership you must be have earned the prestigious Master of Photography degree or Craftsman designation by the Professional Photographers of America. So many of my mentors and hero’s in the industry are included in this elite group. This years president Ernie Johnson befriended me years ago. He is one of those “guiding light” leaders in the ASP and our industry as a whole. He has been a tremendous encourager and supporter of me and my work. I am grateful for his friendship and dedication to our trade.

In this months ASP magazine the editor, Kalen Henderson, featured me. She wrote an incredible story about my White House honor. It is very humbling to be a member of this prestigious and elite organization. It is a pinnacle that few – very few photographers ever accomplish. But it is tremendously overwhelming to be featured in one of their publications.

This recognition is wonderfully kind – but it reminds me of how important the work you commission me to do every day is. In today’s economic environment, I know that it is even more important than ever that you select a portrait artist that has the skill sets, talent and ability to deliver a portrait that exceeds your expectations EVERY time. Since I began my business 21 years ago – this has been my goal daily. Thanks to this commitment and your support of me as your portrait artist – recognition like this is earned. I never forget however, that it begins every day with you!

Thanks for allowing me this opportunity.

Lori on WTOC Mid Morning Live today

lori — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:13:05 +0000

This morning I made my third appearance on WTOC TV’s Mid Morning Live with Jody and Sonny.

Click here to watch the interview on WTOC. They invited me on the show to tell them about the ornament and our White House visit.

You will be happy to know that Sonny joins you in being an addicted Lori Grice blog reader! So THANKS Sonny, for not only reading my blog – but also having me on your show again.

Jody and Sonny are really two of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. They LOVE their job and it shows. They also love sharing good NEWS. The last time I was on the show many of you emailed me with LOTS of questions about the experience. This time I asked DeWayne to take some "behind the scenes" pictures so you can get a feel of what it is like on the set. The best way to describe it is organized chaos.

You asked me what Sonny and Jody are like in person. Well, what you see on TV is what they are REALLY like. Sonny – well he is even more animated in person than on TV. He knows EVERYONE. He will ask you about your parents, grandparents…and your grandparents neighbors and cousins. He has an phenomenal ability to remember details – LOTS of details. He ALWAYS has a kind word about you and SOMEONE you both know. He is scattered – but controlled – thanks to Jody. Now Jody is more reserved off and on camera. She is incredibly composed and does her homework. She also has an incredible memory and pays great attention to detail. She brings the "girl power" and the BALANCE that makes things tick around WTOC. She is normally the first on the set – with her cue sheets and list of guest very organized. As they begin the countdown to go live – in comes Sonny and the room lights up!

When the camera goes live – they blend together perfectly making the show interesting and engaging.

Sonny – did I describe it correctly? We will all await your comments.

Thanks again for the wonderful honor of being on your show and for all both you and Jody do for the Coastal Empire.

Lori Grice on Studio Statesboro

lori — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:08:15 +0000

On Sunday, the Statesboro Herald published a full page story about the creation of the White House Ornament and my trip to the White House. On Monday, they placed the video interview on their online show – "Studio Stateboro". The interview was really great and they used a lot of the images I took at the White House. Thanks a million to all the great folks at the Statesboro Herald for this great story!

Click here to see the full interview on Studio Statesboro.

Statesboro Herald Lifestyle article

lori — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:56:14 +0000

I have had a busy few weeks since returning from the White House reception. Of course, my main priority has been to get all of your Christmas portrait surprises completed in time for Santa to deliver on Christmas. I have also been a little busy with the merger and partnership of Regency Photo and the launch of the new consumer options with Lori Grice Express Photo. In between all of this I have been talking and talking and talking to reporters from ALL over. I can’t tell you all the places you will see me in the next few weeks – but I can talk about a few. Today on the front page of the Statesboro Herald – in addition to the cover of the Lifestyle section you will see a tremendous story written by Holli Bragg about the White House Ornament. For my Claxton and Metter clients watch your local papers this week for a story and for those of you who are home on Tuesday morning – tune in to Mid Morning Live with Sonny and Jodi on WTOC TV – I will be a guess on their show at 10AM.

White House Reception Pictures…

lori — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:39:00 +0000

I have been so overwhelmed by your calls, notes and emails about the White House selection. Several of you have actually been to the White House and saw my ornament on the tree. You all keep asking for more and I am working on a slide show which I hope to have up soon. Until then here are a few more images from inside the White House which is what most of you keep asking about. Here are a few of my favorites. The photograph of the couples back is Senator Johnny Isackson and his wife Diane. As we were leaving the President and first Lady left also – it is amazing how fast they shoot the limo’s out of the driveway. We were just a few feet from them – when the secret service asked us to step back. The gates began to open and lots of armed police came from nowhere – then we figured out why. The blur gives you an idea of how they travel.

I will catch up on my blogging after I catch my breath in a few days. We are working around the clock to insure all of your Christmas surprises arrive on time! From portraits to gift certificates, I think lots and lots of people are going to be VERY surprised by what Santa as asked me to do for you.

STATESBORO ARTIST TO REPRESENT GEORGIA’S 12TH DISTRICT WITH WHITE HOUSE

lori — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:50:23 +0000

For Immediate Release: December 9, 2008

STATESBORO ARTIST TO REPRESENT GEORGIA’S 12^TH DISTRICT WITH WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT DESIGN

Washington, D.C. – Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) has chosen Statesboro resident and Master Photographer Lori Grice to create the Christmas ornament to represent the 12^th District of Georgia on the 2008 official White House Christmas tree. The tree is decorated with 369 ornaments which were hand-decorated by artists from around the country. The ornaments were selected by their respective Members of Congress.

The theme for this year’s Christmas tree is “Red, White, and Blue.” Grice’s ornament perfectly captures this theme and features photographic images reflecting the spirit of Georgia. Among the images Grice included are Dr. Michael and Audrey Guido, representing the importance of faith; the Georgia Southern Bald Eagle, representing freedom; and several Georgia families, representing the power of love and commitment. The ornament is featured prominently on the front of the tree in the White House’s Blue Room.

“I’m very pleased to announce that Lori’s ornament will be representing the 12^th District,” said Barrow. “Her ornament really captures the spirit of Georgia. The holidays are a time when we should be reflecting on the things that we all cherish — family, freedom, and our faith.”

Lori Grice is the founder of Lori Grice Fine Art and Photography. In 2004, she earned the prestigious Master of Photography degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and was only the ninth woman in Georgia to receive this honor. She lives in Statesboro with her husband, DeWayne, and daughter, Edie Grace.

A Red, White and Blue Christmas 2008 Ornaments – Georgia

lori — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:05:34 +0000

This is from the White House web site. It features all of the artists throughout the country that created ornaments. There were nine ornaments from Georgia. Here they are in order of Congressional District. To keep up with all of this years White House Christmas activities click here to go directly to the White House Web site.

Georgia

Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson selected artist Dianne Isakson to decorate the State’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop selected artist Kuanita Murphy to decorate the 2nd District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland selected artist Vicki Turner to decorate the 3rd District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman John Lewis selected artist Donald Bermudez to decorate the 5th District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman Tom Price selected artist Coe Steinwart to decorate the 6th District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman John Linder selected artist Karron Denaple to decorate the 7th District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman Jim Marshall selected artist Charlotte Hope to decorate the 8th District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman Phil Gingrey selected artist Gail Romport Re to decorate the 11th District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Georgia Congressman John Barrow selected artist Lori Grice to decorate the 12th District’s ornament for the 2008 White House Christmas Tree. White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Lori Grice on the CBS Early Show

lori — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:09:49 +0000

Oprah is still on my To Do list – but this week I did make the CBS Early Show. On Wednesday morning, after the Artist Reception that we attended at the White House on Tuesday night, the First Lady was live on all of the morning shows. The CBS Early Show camera’s were very kind to me and my ornament on the Blue Room Christmas Tree. So indirectly I made it on the CBS Early Show – at least a piece of my work was there. There are two videos here. The first is the from CBS’s web site. The video quality is better – but you can not start at a specific place during the interview. My ornament is prominently shown between 2:05 and 2:11 in the interview. I posted the image of the ornament from the tree so you can get an idea of what your looking for. It is quick – but it is there.

White House Blue Room Christmas Ornament designed by Lori Grice

lori — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:46:35 +0000

Over the summer, I was contacted by Kristen Fulford from Congressman John Barrow’s office. Kristen told me that the First Lady Laura Bush had asked each congressman to nominate an artist from each of their districts to design an ornament for the Blue Room Christmas tree. Kristen reminded me that the Blue Room Christmas tree is the official tree of the White House. She told me that Congressman Barrow had personally selected me to represent our Congressional District. A few weeks later, I received my first correspondence from the White House. This included guidelines and information about the process. After completing this process, I then received a silver, 19″ in diameter, Christmas Ornament. Then the fun began. I had to create, design and complete the ornament and have it returned to the White House by October 1st.

The theme was Red, White and Blue and the goal of the ornament was to share the spirit of our district with the world. I decided that I wanted to use images that I had created for clients. When new clients contact us we explain my difference to them. One of the real differences you experience with me is the perfection, planning and artistic difference I put into every single image that I create. This was a perfect opportunity to showcase this. You, my clients, allow me such artistic freedom that I could actually peruse client sessions and select images that would become this Christmas ornament. The ornament is so special that it is placed on the Blue Room Christmas tree. Our nation’s “official” tree. So special that over 60,000 people will personally visit the Blue Room to view it along with the other ornaments on the tree.

I then spent hours and hours combing through some of my favorite images through the years. Here were the final selections and why they were chosen: (keep in mind that my wish would’ve been to put EVERYONE of your images on this ornament!!!)

Dr. Michael and Audrey Guido: This portrait was a Fine Art Water Color portrait I created a few years ago of them. It was their 60th wedding anniversary portrait and Christmas Card portrait that year. Of all the portraits I have created of the Guido’s this is by far my favorite. They have the original hanging in their studio welcoming all who come through the doors. There is much symbolism that is encapsulated in this portrait. The primary one is Faith. There is NO greater example in the world of the power of FAITH than you will experience in Guido Gardens with Michael and Audrey Guido. (Faith, Religion, Wisdom, and their living example of Love) (Metter, Georgia)

Freedom: Freedom is the living mascot of Georgia Southern University. He is also a Bald Eagle which is our National Symbol. This portrait was taken on the sidelines of the Georgia Southern vs. University of Georgia football game earlier this year. With this image, I capture the spirit of not only our country but our district. Both Georgia Southern and University Georgia are well know facilities of higher education, also both known for excellence in sports. (Education, Football, competitiveness, and freedom to express ourselves) (Statesboro and Athens, Georgia)

Emory Jane Betz, daughter of Katrina and Travis Betz: Mom wanted to honor dad who is active duty military and was about to be deployed to Iraq. She wanted a portrait that would honor her husband and his commitment to our freedom. She also wanted to celebrate the incredible joy their daughter had brought to both of them. This portrait has become one of my most recognizable and talked about portraits. Many of you have emailed or commented to me about how this portrait moved you. For the ornament, it represents the importance of our military to our district and country. It reminds us of the price of freedom and the sacrifices so many wives and children make to support their husbands in times of peace and war. (Military, Family Sacrifices, power of love and commitment) (Pooler/Fort Stewart, Georgia)

Trenton, Trevor, Tania and Jeff Cole: I have been their families’ portrait artist since the birth of their first child, Trenton. I could have created ornaments for the entire Blue Room Christmas tree from this families portrait history. They are extremely photogenic and pay me the highest creative compliment in giving me complete creative freedom each and every session. Watch for a great coffee table book from this families’ sessions. In fact, another portrait of their son Trevor helped me capture the Georgia Photographer of the Year award last year. The ornament portrait is one of my favorite family portraits I have created for them. It was captured at Tybee Island at sunset. It displays the special bond of family and the unmatched beauty of the beach. (Family, Beach and Coastal Region) (Tybee Island and Effingham, Georgia)

Hannah, Harrison, Emmi, Jasper, Laci, and Dean Stone: This is one family that keeps me very busy. In fact, their newest addition Laci was not in this portrait. Both mom and dad are pharmacist and small business owners. Mom’s family have farming interests. This portrait was taken on the family farm. It represents agriculture, small business and health care. They also obviously LOVE children. (Agriculture, Small Business, Healthcare, Children) (Metter, Georgia)

Will, John Gregory, Virginia, Kristin and Clark Dean: The Dean’s live in Buckhead and vacation in Savannah. I have photographed the children several times. The last session was very special for two reasons. First, Mom had hand-made Virginia’s dress and second they wanted a fine art portrait to be the centerpiece of their home in Atlanta. We selected Forsyth Park to compliment the colors and design of her home. The children did so well that after we had created the portrait mom wanted we ended up having some fun. The children holding hands walking toward the fountain was the watercolor that I selected for the ornament. Of course, this represents Savannah and it’s history and beauty, but it also represents the important impact tourism has on our district. (rich history and tourism) (Savannah and Buckhead, Georgia)

Edie Grace Grice: Well of course I had to select an image of Edie Grace. The image that came to mind and that fit perfectly with the design was this image. It was created for my healing art collection and has been one of my best sellers in the collection. It was shot at our condo at Tybee. It represents the importance of the beach, the innocence of childhood and the freedom we all experience in life. Whether it is freedom from cancer or some other disease or the freedom to just be you. (the beach, childhood, freedom, survival) (Tybee Island, Georgia)

Olivia Long and Santa. Olivia is the daughter of Melissa and Jason Long: It is a Christmas ornament so I had to get the most famous symbol of Christmas incorporated somewhere. This image was created of this very special little girl with Santa enjoying a bottle of Coke. (Mom works for Coca Cola Bottling United). She also happens to be my niece. Olivia is a tremendously special little girl. She arrived 11 weeks early and spent 40 days in NICU with a grade 4 cerebral hemorrhage. As you can tell from this wonderful image, Olivia is a completely normal three year old. She is a fighter and one day I am sure will join Edie Grace in taking over the world. I could write all day about Olivia and how she inspires me. Every time I look into her precious little eyes I am reminded of the power of prayer and miracles. God sure wanted her to be with us. I assume it will take a little more time to discover the specific purpose of her tenacity – but I predict it will be worth the wait. (Wonderment of Christmas, miracles and the power of modern medicine which we are richly blessed with in our district) (Statesboro, Georgia)

The inspiration and creative energy I have enjoyed through this project has been powerful. As you can tell by reading this, I put a tremendous amount of thought into selecting the perfect images that will tell the story of our Congressional district. Through the years, I have competed with images that I have created for clients and have been blessed to win some prestigious awards through the process. Many of my peers spend months creating and designing images just for the competitions. I have always challenged them to work that hard every day for your clients and the returns will be much greater than the awards. Both the International Photographer of the Year and Georgia Photographer of the Year awards to me were from juried images that I had created for actual client sessions or my Healing Art Line. Several times I have created something just for the competition. It never fails that is the one image that scores the lowest.

This project has allowed me to again prove this point. No matter what your budget is or where you are on the social ladder – the one thing you will know every time that you commission me as your portrait artist is that I will give you my very best. Who knows where your portraits that I create for you may end up?

I also want to thank my incredible team that helped with this project. Two key individuals that hung in there with me through this process is our production coordinator, Josh Riggs and the team leader for my graphic design division, Sean Haynes. These are two very talented guys and I am very happy to have the as part of my team.

The ornament is now official property of the Bush White house and will be archived as such. I am not allowed to replicate the ornament for sale. Many of you have already inquired about that. I have created a replica of the ornament. It is an almost exact replica and was the one we used to test the technique for the final design.

I am loaning this replica to the Guido’s so it can be on display for all of you touring Guido Gardens this Christmas season.

A final note to this post. It is not normal for me to use any names at all — especially names of children. I have requested and received permission from each of these wonderful families to use their images for this project.

Artist Reception at the White House

lori — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:58:10 +0000

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?