Last month we happily packed up our gear and headed for scenic Pine Mountain for our 7th year covering the Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride. Donations raised through the 2-day ride support the Georgia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, whose programs, services and research make a huge difference to those fighting the devastating effects of MS.
This year’s event returned to the beautiful Callaway Gardens. Riders got to choose from three different scenic routes covering 30, 60 or 100 miles of scenic South Georgia roads. 
Once the kick stands were down for the night, cyclists enjoyed great food, music, games and a massage tent. Entertainment was provided by indie rock band Iambic Underground and Grose, Worrell & Callahan.
None of this would be possible without generous corporate partners. Cox Enterprises showed their ongoing support by serving as the event’s Title sponsor. Sponsors KPMG, Coca-Cola, UPS, MS One to One, Genzyme, Callaway Blue Spring Water and Lockheed Martin were all instrumental in making this year’s ride possible as well. 
We’re always honored to photograph the many amazing riders and volunteers who dedicate time and money to achieving the The National Multiple Sclerosis Society‘s vision: a world free of MS. Thank you, Tyrene Hodge, for including us again!
Posted in Atlanta Event PhotographyTags: Bike MS,Callaway Blue Spring Water,Callaway Gardens,Coca-Cola,Cox Atlanta Ride,Cox Enterprises,Genzyme,Georgia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,Grose,Iambic Underground,KPMG,Lockheed Martin,MS One to One,Pine Mountain,The National Multiple Sclerosis Society,UPS,Worrell & Callahan
Last month we had the pleasure of covering the 2014 Circle of Care Celebration held by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The event honored the contributions of nearly 450 donors.
Tommy Holder, Chairman of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, and his wife, Beth, graciously opened their beautiful Atlanta home to CHOA guests.  
Foundation donors fund programs that take care of kids in many nontraditional ways. Music and art therapy, and even therapy dogs, make a stressful hospital experience a bit less frightening. Insurance doesn’t typically pay for these sources of comfort, so the personal donations of Circle of Care members are critical to keeping the programs alive.
We helped welcome two of Children’s own music therapists, Beth Collier and Cori Snyder, as well as patients Drew Kelly and Jacob Moore for a wonderful performance of The Beatles’ classic song “Here Comes the Sun.” 
Jonathan Goldman, Chairman of the CHOA Board of Trustees, and Donna Hyland, Children’s President and CEO, reported on the remarkable growth of the Circle of Care and the many initiatives donations have helped support. They asked guests to connect with potential new members and help widen the Circle of Care even further.  
We are proud to call CHOA “our” children’s hospital, which was ranked among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report this year. Many of us on the AEP team have kids, and we’re grateful as parents to know that CHOA is there. We are also grateful for the many guests we photographed who combine joyful spirits with incredible generosity.  
Kudos to event designer and caterer, Legendary Events, on a gorgeous and delicious outcome!
B King’s Audio Visual Services also ensured professional quality presentations. Thank you to Katie Hammett at Children’s for including us in a beautifully coordinated event that we hope will quickly expand the Circle of Care.
Cox Enterprises is a company we’re honored to work with because they always bring something positive to the community and their workforce. Most recently, we covered Cox’s annual Services Summit, which included a wide variety of vendors that all offered products and services at a great discount to Cox employees.
The fair offered something for everyone, with enough focus on fitness and health consciousness to satisfy any corporate wellness specialist. This was nicely balanced by sweets and savory snacks at many vendor tables, plus ice cream floats and other complimentary goodies provided by Cox. No matter what an employee may be interested in seeing or sampling, there was a booth for them.   
The event was very well attended by Cox’s enthusiastic employees.
For the first time Cox offered headshots for employees at the Services Summit that can be used for both work and personal purposes. Jason Hales and I captured many smiling faces and demand was so high that we’ll be adding another photographer to next year’s event.
Special thanks to Tish Spearman and Wendy Erlich for inviting us to cover the event and take the headshots. We look forward to next year’s summit!
Posted in Atlanta Event Photography,Atlanta eventsTags: Atlanta designers,Atlanta premiers,Craig Koch,Design Star,Hankook Taqueria,HGTV,Live in Vern's House,premier party,red carpet,Rosemary Beach,The Pie Shop,Vern vip Designs,Vern Yip
On May 17 we were honored to cover Strayer University‘s commencement ceremony at the Georgia Dome. A crowd of about 1,000 people gathered for the celebration.
The joy, pride and spirit of the graduates–along with more than a little creativity–were evident throughout the Georgia Dome. 
One thing we’ve learned in working with Strayer is that they’re committed to their mission of providing higher education that works for working adults. Going to school as an adult is an entirely different ball game from when you’re barely out of the teenage years. It takes a different kind of support for students who are often juggling work, family and school. The faces of the proud graduates we photographed suggest that what Strayer delivers is working.
Dr. Michael Plater, president of Strayer University, addressed the graduates and their families.
Some of the most exuberant were the graduates honored with awards…but mortar boards were thrown everywhere with glee!
Thank you to the graduates, faculty and administration at Strayer for allowing us to be part of their event!
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