In 1996, a friend I met at the Ozarks Professional Photographers Association, (went to speak in 1996 and attended the following two years, they were all so nice and fun). He was a photographer in Fayetteville and told me how busy he was, that business and NW Arkansas was booming. At the time I had a great studio in my hometown of Alamo TN, a small town of about 2300, I photographed several weddings, families and a couple hundred seniors a year, however, I was keeping my ear out for 'greener pastures'.
So, I visited Fayetteville several times over the next few months staying with a family my brother knew. After a few visits, I found a location I liked on the east side of Fayetteville. I brought my parents, who were not fond of the idea of me moving 400 miles away, to see the area. Just like many who move to Arkansas, I did not ever expect to live here, but once here, I loved it and my parents did too. Over the course of 6 months, I added on two camera rooms and total space of 2500 sq feet for a studio and moved in November 1998, 25 Years ago.
To say the past 25 years have flown by, would be an understatement, I've been through a lot of highs and lows, but I've never regretted my move. It took a lot to leave my hometown, parents, family and friends, but it was time for a new chapter with new opportunities.
I went down memory lane and created a few composites of a sample of images, clients and friends over the years (the only photos not listed are weddings). Looking through hundreds of images, I could actually remember each and every session and the fun in creating the photos.