{Name}  Rachael White & Cody Greer
{Hometown} Ridgeland, MS
{Event Site} Engagement Session at the MS State Fair 10/13/15

{What inspired your event location and theme?}
When we were brainstorming ideas for where to take our engagement photos we knew we wanted to do something different. Sitting in a field of grass or hanging out around an abandoned warehouse just didn’t seem like us. They make for beautiful pictures- but I can’t think of a single time either of us have done any of those things. We wanted to do something fun- since it was getting close to fair time I thought that it was a perfect idea. Cody was not sold on the idea- it definitely took some convincing (he is terrified of heights). I googled some photos of other sessions, showed him, and he conceded that it was a good idea. Neither of us knew anyone who had taken pictures at the fair before so we decided, “Why not!?” We have both joked around about how the whole idea of an engagement session at the fair was over the top but we decided to embrace the ridiculousness of it all. We have so much fun together in normal life that we wanted that to come through in the photos

{What inspired your color scheme/flowers?}
There was really no official color scheme, but everything revolved around that dress. Once I finally talked Cody into getting on board with the location, the next step was figuring out what to wear. Keeping with the over-the-top theme for the whole day, I knew I wanted a fantastic dress - and already had one in mind! The dress I wore was in the running to be bridesmaid dresses, but I decided I wanted to be selfish and keep it for myself. I think we tried 5 different suits before we happened upon the one we picked for him. In my head I just kept picturing what the colors would look like against the rainbow of lights at the fair. I think it paid off.

{What’s your favorite event detail? Is there a story behind it?}
In Cody’s words, “That there are not many posed pictures.” I agree. Robby did a fantastic job of truly capturing the essence of our relationship. I knew our pictures would be beautiful because Robby can’t take a bad photograph, but I was blown away at how he was able to capture what our relationship is really like. We are more than just partners, we are best friends and we have fun wherever we go. Most of the time we are slightly inappropriate in the nature of our jokes, but we are always laughing and having fun - even if it is just hanging around the house. Cody makes me laugh in a way no one has ever been able to do before.  The day after our first date my stomach was sore! He gives me those good, make your cheeks hurt, can’t breathe, deep in your belly laughs. Cody says he can look at those pictures and hear our laughs. I think that’s both our favorite part, he laughs like a mixture of Seth Rogan and a little boy; and I, apparently, cluck like a chicken laying an egg. It works for us. I think the best relationships are ones where the couple doesn’t just love each other, they like each other too. Cody is my favorite person in the entire world. I think Robby perfectly captured the love and laughter between us.

{What was your favorite part of the event planning process?}
My favorite part of planning our photo session was picking Cody’s suit. We spent an afternoon at Belk and Dillard’s going through the suit department- and of course trying on every outrageous suit they had. Surprisingly there were a few! Of course we had to have a mini photo shoot (practice makes perfect, right?) Cody said he felt like he should have been on an episode of Miami Vice. We wound up finding the perfect jacket- it is a deep burgundy, almost duo-chrome effect. In most of the photos it looks almost black, but there are a few where you can really appreciate the strange color. We originally bought the pants that matched, but of course those got lost on the day of pictures…. Suspect.

{What was your favorite moment of the event day?}
Mine was being on the ski lift, particularly at the point where the cart transitions to the next set of tracks and the cart kind of bounces up and down for a few seconds. Cody is terrified of heights, and I remember him almost white knuckling the handrail, the look on his face was priceless. Robby happened to capture that very moment in a photo- and it is one of my favorites. That moment is not only framed in my mind, it’s now framed on my wall.

Cody says the carousel was his favorite, because it was so close to the ground. The fact that Robby was also running around the barricade of the carousel to get a good picture, it was fantastic. He was such a good sport. I truly cannot say enough good things about him and how special he made that day for us.

{Your favorite picture from the event day?}
Cody has two- the black and white one on the ski lift (he says because I’m laughing at his terror, but I think it’s just a great photo) and the one outside the capitol building where I’m attempting to do the robot… go figure.

My favorite is the sister photo to the robot - he’s standing there and I have my head thrown back laughing at him- that photo sums up our relationship.

Photographer: Followell Fotography
Venue: 2015 MS State Fair
Hair- Chelsey Jordan Williamson @ Gloss Salon Ridgeland
Makeup - Christine Cody @ MAC Belk Flowood
Dress- Kenna by Donna Morgan

Travel should be a lovely, eye-opening and magnificent experience.  Whether you are driving a few hours or flying across the world, you want to be certain your trip will be a memorable one. 

Clinton is home to Custom Travel Professionals, LLC, an award-winning Travel Agency.  “I started Custom Travel Professionals in July of 2011,” reflects Jill Hiers, Owner and Vacation Designer of the company. “I had been booking travel part-time and was also working in real estate.  The real estate market had really taken a dive and it took a lot of praying to know which direction to go.  I took that moment of white space, had a one-on-one with God, and as quickly as I finished that prayer, my travel business exploded!”

Jill brings something truly special to the travel industry.  She is warm, generous and kind, and has a great passion for booking marvelous trips.  She smiles, “One size doesn’t fit all with travel!  I truly love booking custom travel.”  Many clients prefer all-inclusive trips, but Jill really loves finding that hidden gem or secret piece of property.  “Whether it is a jerk chicken spot on the side of the road or a magnificent waterfall down a hidden trail, I really like taking travel to a new level,” she says.

Jill hopes her clients will truly experience places during a trip.  “I want my clients to immerse themselves in different cultures, and I love to focus on the details!” she says.  “I travel often, but not to the point that it is a detriment to my clients.  It is very important for me to go and view the places I am recommending to people.”

Jill notes that the Internet has done both wonderful and terrible things for the travel industry.  She says, “You can look at a destination and be overwhelmed with the information you find.  Or you can read reviews that just aren’t genuine.  The pictures online might look wonderful, but in person it looks completely different.  So much of the information found online isn’t accurate. You might even find something that hasn’t been reviewed well, but is truly fantastic!”

When booking with Custom Travel Professionals, you know you are getting a genuinely wonderful property.  Jill’s clients are spread all over the country, and many found her by word of mouth.  She says, “It is so neat to have someone call and say, 'My aunt booked a trip three years ago with you and raved about the help you sent her!'  Many of our clients travel frequently, and some only vacation every few years.  When they continue using us, it is a testament to our company.”

Jill currently lives in Clinton with Chuck, her husband of fifteen years, and their children Caroline and Garrett.  Jill has thirty agents working for her and they are located across the nation, from New Hampshire to California.

Jill smiles, “When I am booking a trip for my clients, I often refer to Ernest Hemingway’s quotes, ‘What if I fall?  Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?’  This helps to remind people that sometimes you have to go outside of your comfort zone to experience everything the world has to offer.”  Hoping for an unforgettable trip?  Visit Custom Travel Professionals’ website here, or click here to visit their Facebook page.  You can also call 1.888.220.0915.

Thank you to Kelly Dillon Creative for taking Jill's beautiful family photos!  All other photos courtesy of Custom Travel Professionals, LLC.

Oxford’s beloved Thacker Mountain Radio Hour is hosting a Membership Party TONIGHT on the square!  “It’s a fun party with lots of music, a silent auction, and delicious food and drinks.  It is our biggest fundraiser of the year and a great way to support Thacker,” says Kathryn McGaw, Executive Producer and Director of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour.  “This party helps keep our programming free and open to the public both locally and abroad.  We are broadcast worldwide on the Internet!”

Tonight’s party promises music by Thacker Mountain Radio’s house band, The Yalobushwhackers, a signature cocktail by Snackbar, and beer from Yalobusha Brewery.  The Silent Auction features incredible items such as a ghost tour of Oxford, dinner for 8 prepared by John Currence, and a private reading of an unpublished work by Larry Brown, read by his son, Shane.

Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, an award-winning music and literature program, has been charming fans since 1997.  It was created by two Southern Studies graduate students at Ole Miss and has continued to grow rapidly.  The free show is hosted every Thursday at 6:00pm during the spring and fall, and is rebroadcast every Saturday night on Mississippi Public Radio.  The weekly show features live author readings and impressive musical performances on the square in Oxford. 

Tonight’s party is from 6:00 to 9:00pm at Southside Gallery.  Kathryn says, “The party is free for members, just come right on in!  Or, to become a member, it is $75 for a partner membership, $50 for an individual membership and $20 for a student membership.  You can join online, send us a check, or simply join at the door tonight!”

Members not only support this wonderful organization, but can also attend another party in the spring, and gain access to information about Thacker Mountain Radio and its seasonal schedule before it is publicly announced.  To become a member or donate to the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, please click here.  You can also learn more about Thacker on their website here. 

We hope to see all of you on the square in Oxford tonight!  Let's gather and celebrate this extraordinary radio show that brightens lives each and every week.

“I have always liked the process of creating something.  Creating anything, really.  When I was younger, I enjoyed making music.  After college, I fell into doing wedding videos,” reflects Brian Flint, owner of B. Flint Photography in the historic town of Oxford.  “The camera I used to capture videos was a DSLR.  I was in the right place at the right time, and a lot of my friends started getting engaged and married, and asked if I would take some photos of them.  I said sure, and one thing led to another.  I decided to launch B. Flint Photography – a different brand of photographs.”

One glance at Brian’s photographs and you are sure to gasp at the beauty he captures.  Brian is a self-taught photographer, and approaches weddings with a journalistic eye.  He laughs, “I stay out of the way, honestly.  Most people don’t even know I’m there!  I like capturing very romantic and intimate portraits.”

His photos are truly impeccable.  Some of Brian’s favorite moments to capture are during a couple’s wedding reception.  “I like getting into the crowd, really getting into it, and capturing people having a great time.  I love roaming free and catching people having fun and celebrating!”  He adds, “I like shooting real moments.  Not staged or fake.”

Brian’s style of photography is simply breathtaking, and he gathers much of his inspiration from local bookstores.  He says, “I gravitate toward the photography section.  I don’t really enjoy looking at other people’s wedding photos, but I get a lot of inspiration looking at other artists’ work.  Some of my favorite books are just filled with street photography – portraits of random people on the street.  I also love looking at old black and white film photos from the 1930’s.”

Brian enjoys shooting both color and black and white photographs at weddings.  But most importantly, he wants the bride and groom to fall in love with their photos.  He says, "When couples get their photos back, I want them to look at a photo and remember what a sweet, awesome moment it was.  I want to capture them naturally.  I do guide them, but I want couples to be themselves.  That will be expressed beautifully through a photograph.”

For more information on B. Flint Photography, please visit his website here.  You just might find yourself spending hours on his site, gazing at all of his incredible photos.