“People always asked me what I wanted to do with my life, and I honestly never really knew.  When I got to college, I decided to major in Chemistry with the idea that I would go to medical school,” reflects Chase Richardson.  “But by my junior year, I realized I did not want to go to medical school.  That same year I received my first DSLR camera for Christmas.”

The camera changed everything.  Taking photos of friends and family and documenting life through his lens quickly became a passion for Chase.  “Social media fueled that fire because everyone always wants something to show when they’ve done something cool.  I started photographing events at school and just carrying my camera around with me.”  Chase began posting his photographs on Facebook, and offers came pouring in.  Chase was asked to shoot head shots, events, and eventually, his first wedding in 2012. 

Chase laughs, “Looking back from where I am now, I realized I had very little clue as to what I was doing!  But one thing I took away from that first wedding was that I really enjoyed photographing something that was real.  The emotions on a wedding day are oftentimes high and all over the place – and are usually completely authentic.  I liked that.”

Chase worked in the Public Relations Department at Mississippi College for two years and shot weddings on the side.  One day, he received an incredible offer.  Robby Followell of Followell Fotography asked Chase if he was interested in becoming an associate photographer with his company. Chase says with awe, “Even today I would say Robby is the best photographer in Mississippi, so naturally I was (probably overly) eager to get the chance to learn from him and be part of his business.”  Chase joined Robby and his wife, Jessica, in June of 2014, and the partnership has been extraordinary.  Chase laughs, “I’m booked for 30 weddings in 2015 and already booking for 2016 as well.  It’s been crazy how quickly things have progressed since joining Robby and Jess!”

Robby says, “Chase is super talented and was, literally, the perfect person to give us the opportunity to grow.”  Business is booming, thanks to the incredibly talented trio behind Followell Fotography.  “Robby and Jess are special people.  Robby has a lot of wisdom about a lot of things extending way beyond the realm of photography, and Jess is one of the kindest, most considerate people you will ever meet,” says Chase.  “They welcomed me in and treated me like I had been a part of the business all along.”

For more information on Followell Fotography, and to view more of their lovely photographs, please visit their website here!

Blue Magnolia Films is embarking on an extraordinary journey throughout Mississippi.  Founded in 2013 by Alison Fast and Chandler Griffin, the documentary film company celebrates small towns, and the people and projects that are powering a new culture of the South. They are traveling the state, sitting down with Mississippians, and beautifully sharing their stories.

“Our logo, the Mississippi magnolia tree, symbolizes the renewal of deeply held values, passed down through generations.  Through storytelling, we create more resilient, connected communities,” says Alison.  She adds, “Our goal is to produce well-crafted stories, celebrate the people in them, and deliver them back to the communities from where they came.” 

Today, we are pleased to share more about Blue Magnolia Films through the eyes of its brilliant founders, Alison and Chandler:

Tell us the history behind Blue Magnolia Films.  What inspired you to start the company?
Alison: “We started Blue Magnolia Films in 2013 after ten years of teaching documentary filmmaking in the Mississippi Delta, in Clarksdale. We have 100 films and photo stories about that community, produced by our students through Barefoot Workshops. We wanted to expand our documentaries to other small towns, and do something special for Mississippi's Bicentennial in 2017. Natalie Irby of Corner To Corner Productions, immediately got on board with this vision, and together we are producing a series of films that will celebrate people who are modeling revitalization from a small town perspective across the state. Our goal is to produce 25 short films that we will tour back through 50 small towns and communities in 2017. These are personal stories of everyday people modeling a new culture of the South. Wherever we highlight challenges, we're also highlighting resilience and creative solutions.”

 

Tell us a little bit about both of your backgrounds!  Are you both from Mississippi?  Do you both have experience in the film industry? 
Alison: “I have lived in Los Angeles for 15 years, and have a history producing documentaries for television. After working at MTV for three years, I directed my first film for NBC/Universal and won a Peabody Award. After meeting Chandler in 2006, we traveled full-time teaching internationally in the Middle East and Africa. We learned a lot about how to adapt media to different contexts, to empower people and their communities. We decided to bring all of that experience back to Mississippi, to tell a story here, about what is working, instead of what is not working. We want to make visible people in small towns who are connecting local assets in new ways, and showing us how to bring life to our communities. That's who we want to celebrate, the people who are rolling up their sleeves, making things happen, taking risks, and bringing their community with them.”

Chandler: “I was born and raised in Jackson, MS.  I went to college in Savannah, GA, where I double majored in film and photography.  I always assumed I’d be a cinematographer making feature length fiction films based in NYC.  In school, my photography was definitely in the realm of fine art using a large format camera and alternative printing processes.  My filmmaking focus was mastering the craft of ‘painting with light’ and shooting on 16mm film.  For the most part, I was that guy who only shot with a 4x5 or 8x10 big wooden photo camera and I only shot with an Arri SRII 16mm film camera.  I definitely felt that ‘real’ craft only came from using those traditional tools.  My senior year, I was the cinematographer for a short film that ended up getting shortlisted for an Oscar nomination... so I figured my path was set.  Two years later, I went to Zimbabwe and that totally shifted my attention to the power and importance of the documentary process.  I don’t think I’ve looked back since.  For the most part, I’ve stayed away from the mainstream ‘film industry’ but I’ve shot for everything from PBS National to the Ford Foundation.”  

Tell us about the subjects of your films!
Alison:  “Whether our subjects are artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs or community leaders, they are deeply engaged in learning by doing, and leading by example. We focus on people who are catalysts, who show us diverse ways to support economic and cultural revitalization. I've started to call people in our films ‘Yaysayers,’ in stark contrast to ‘Naysayers,’ because they don't take 'No' for an answer. They keep adapting until they get it right! And we admire this quality. There is no formula for revitalization. It looks different in every town. Some of our stories focus on health and wellness and farm-to-table, others on racial reconciliation, arts and culture. The point is, we can all do something where we live, and we learn best from our neighbors, our peers. So, this series of films is meant to expand a circle of support, and working solutions, especially in rural areas.”

 Tell us about the process of creating one of your documentaries - from finding the subject, to filming and editing the piece.  
Alison:  “Finding a subject. We are usually in conversation with someone, talking about this movement of creatives in small towns in Mississippi, and they will say, ‘Have you heard about X?  He/She is related to Y’ and we make the connection. There is a natural intelligence to the stories we tell, and a handful of people in small towns who are key influences. We also consult statewide actors like Mississippi Main Street and Office of Creative Economy and Culture. We are also exploring a research and data based approach. We factor all of this into our decisions, along with other indicators: Is the story adaptable, affordable and accessible to people in small towns?  How does it balance the other stories? There is no ‘right’ answer. We consider ourselves curators of a ‘living narrative’ that is unfolding in front of our eyes.”

What is your favorite thing about filming in Mississippi?
Alison:  “The unpredictable magic of place. Mississippi leads. We listen.” 

Chandler:  “My stock story is that I left Mississippi for college and vowed to never return.  Like most who feel this way, it’s because I didn’t really understand Mississippi.  I had a VERY narrow view of the state and the people.  The documentary process has given me the chance to start to understand where I come from and why I had those feelings of not wanting to be from Mississippi.  When you meet people and really start to listen…  it’s fascinating.  You can’t NOT understand and start to love a place like Mississippi when you have the experience of story.  The camera has become an excuse to listen and learn   ---  Ernest Herndon in his canoe on the Pascagoula River witnessing the beauty of place.  Seeing his paddle dribble dots of water across a mirrored sunset surface and hearing him talk about the sacredness of place and how we should respect and take care of the river. Then filming a racially mixed group in Money, MS a few weeks ago, through the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, stand hand in hand to honor Emmett Till sixty years after his murder.  Watching Johnson Benjamin, a twenty something entrepreneur in Corinth, start a new business of making hand crafted bags that are, well bags, but really they are crafted pieces of art that your grandchildren eventually inherit.  Hearing how his father and grandfather both worked in the garment industry in Hill Country, Mississippi and how he is continuing a legacy of craft.  Last year we filmed a Japanese woman, Reiko Yamada, living in Water Valley who took a broken accordion and used it as a way to interact with the community.  On paper, it seems completely absurd but when you watch the film, it’s absolutely brilliant to witness this outsider become a part of the fabric that holds a community together.  It becomes an emotional process to see the diversity in Mississippi.  We have example after example of those stories and those people and experiences start to shift and change how you see everything.”

How do you think your films can change people's perspective on Mississippi and the South? 
Alison: “A lot of news and documentaries reinforce negative stereotypes about the South. We can ‘flip’ the story by telling a new story, and engaging communities in reclaiming their narrative. Sometimes, our most valuable ‘assets’ are in our backyard, and we just need to learn to see them in new ways.” 

Thank you, Alison and Chandler, for sharing your incredible photos and videos with us.  We cannot wait to view your powerful documentaries in 2017! For more information on Blue Magnolia Films, please visit their Facebook page here.  You can also follow them on Instagram!  @bluemagnoliafilms

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}

Mississippi's most beautiful interior design showroom is celebrating a decade of impeccable style!  The SummerHouse staff says they are "as passionate about helping our clients as we are about design and beautiful things."  We concur.  We reached out to the warm, creative and richly talented staff, and asked them why they love working at SummerHouse!

"The atmosphere at SummerHouse is so positive! It makes it easy coming to work everyday and being able stay productive. I am very blessed to have the work family that I have in my life!"  Mary Courtney Johns (interior designer)

"SummerHouse has the ability to be whatever the client needs....as much help or as little help as they need.  We focus on client experiences and want the client to have the best experience no matter what they need." Todd Prince (interior designer)

"Being a SummerHouse designer is an incredibly challenging and therefore rewarding experience. We have great resources at our disposal and extremely educated clientele that stay current on design trends. They come to us with a high level of expectations. I love continually being pushed outside of my design comfort zone and being able to fulfill not only our customer's needs but give them a very personal design experience!"  Elish Moon ( interior designer)

"I have worked at SummerHouse for almost 4 years.  I love the feeling of 'family' that I receive from the owner and all of the employees.  Also, I love being able to look at all of the beautiful furniture and accessories everyday.  It's like Christmas all year round!!"  Stacy Bunch (Assistant business office manager)

"SummerHouse makes me so happy! I love walking into work and seeing my coworkers. I don’t know what I would do without my SummerHouse family! The atmosphere up here is bright and energetic - It’s just what I need to keep me going throughout the week!"  Laurel Donahoo (Social Media director)

Happy 10th Anniversary, SummerHouse!  To learn more about SummerHouse, please visit their website here!

We at Inspiration Mississippi wish you a happy, healthy and relaxing Labor Day!  Today honors you, your hard work and dedication, which have greatly strengthened the beautiful country we call home!  

Labor Day opens the door to one of our favorite seasons.  Fall is truly a magical time in Mississippi, and an especially wonderful time to visit Vicksburg!  Imagine walking around the charming city on a crisp fall day, soaking in all of the history that makes Vicksburg such a unique town.

Vicksburg is also attracting impressive musical acts!  On Saturday, September 12, country favorite Sammy Kershaw will take the stage at Lady Luck Casino.  Kershaw has recorded 10 studio albums, and his latest album, “I Won’t Back Down” is the country crooner’s first release in over four years.  Some of our favorite Kershaw tunes include Vidalia and Queen of My Double Wide Trailer.  This is a concert you will not want to miss!

On Friday, September 18, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will be playing at Ameristar Casino!  The Chicago Tribune once wrote, “Though he enjoys the creativity of the recording process, Shepherd says the whole reason to make records is to do what he really loves, which is to play live shows.”  The Louisiana born musician has sold millions of albums, dazzling fans as a rock blues guitarist.  We cannot wait to see this guitar legend's incredible show! 

“We are so fortunate to be able to bring great musicians to perform in Vicksburg,” says Laura Beth Strickland, Communications Manager of Vicksburg CVB.  “During the day, our visitors visit our national park, museums, art galleries, shops and tour homes. We are able to provide great nighttime entertainment to keep our visitors staying longer in our city and boosting our local economy.” 

We can’t think of anything better than listening to live music in one of our favorite cities.  Happy Labor Day!  We hope to see you in Vicksburg!

It is officially college football season!  We know many of you will be tailgating this weekend:  laughing with friends and family, catching up over delicious fare, sipping toddies, and cheering for your beloved team. 

Today, we are thrilled to share some of our dear friends' favorite tailgating traditions with you!

"Having bayou food on the LSU game day."  Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Catering & Floral

"I love how friends from all over are in basically the same spot each and every year.  You can find them this way just to say hi and catch up!  We always laughed that there was a Jackson section of the Grove and a coastal section, and how the Grove is almost divided up like the state or states.  This makes it such a fun family friendly atmosphere where you can see friends old and new, and watch children grow as the years go by."  Jennifer Walker

"Trying everyone's cooking!!!"  Shelley Brown Floyd of Brown Bottling Group

"We paint and carve Ole Miss pumpkins for the first home game in October every year.  I love bringing the holiday to the Grove!"  Bethany Daws Cooley

"Seeing good friends and knowing that you'll always have the fall to catch up with buddies that you don't get to see the rest of the year."  Luke Chamblee

"I love the smell of the grills and just people around visiting while watching other games on TV.  Waking up early in the morning and setting up and gearing up for the game."  Jeff Chao of Chao Photography

"I love watching the Eagle Walk right before the game!  When the team and players walk through campus and the band is playing!  It's so much fun!  Definitely gets everyone in the spirit for the game!"  Whitney Giordano Foster

"To me, the tradition of setting everything up the morning before, seeing all of your friends and family start showing up with food, drinks, decorations.  For me at least that means its time to get the day going, so you know you can go visit with people at your tent and then make a loop around visiting all your other buddies at their tents, and seeing people you haven't seen in a while."  Lee Hutchinson

"My favorite thing is that we have been tailgating with family since I was a little girl in an Ole Miss cheerleader uniform...It's so fun to have your parents, brothers, aunt, uncles and cousins (many, many cousins!) and now tons of babies all together for Ole Miss football.  Our sweet mommas still cook all of the food...Favorites include hot ham sandwiches, Monroe pizzas, tootsie dip and iced brownies!  Nothing like having all your family together every Saturday!  When it's time to go to the game we all walk to the stadium together...so fun!"  Neely Nasif Moffett

"Connecting with my sorority sisters before homecoming game.  We usually meet at one of the fraternity tents (Kappa Alpha Psi) to eat & partake in 'spirits!'  Then we go back afterwards for the finish line party!"  Lori Jackson

Cheers to college football season! 

All of the precious clothing for our shoot was provided by our favorite children's store, Sweet Dreams Children's Boutique in Madison!  They have an incredible assortment of clothing and accessories, perfect for your sweet sports fans!  Click here to visit the Sweet Dreams Facebook Page! 

Thank you to Christina Foto for capturing these little football fans so beautifully!  Click here to view her gorgeous website.