VWP Specials, News and Events

Lightening

2010-07-06T16:48:00.000-05:00

There are two things that South Mississippi is well known for...big trees and volatile weather.
The two don't necessarily go well together. In 2005 we were treated to a lady named Katrina. The eye of the storm passed directly over us. Over 100 tornadoes were reported by NOAA over our little town which is located 70 miles inland from the Gulf. On our place, we lost more than 100 large oaks, pines and hickories, some of which were almost 100 years old. The storm began pounding us at about 7:00 AM, and 10 hours later it began to slack off a bit. At 2:00 in the afternoon I decided to go outside to check on the horses in the pasture. We had moved them away from barns to minimize the danger. The wind was brutal and the rain was torrential. I could barely walk through the pasture. I realized I was tasting the ocean...it was raining salt water. When I got to the horses, they all had their butts turned to the wind and rain, grazing as if it was just another day. They had the good sense to be out in the open away from trees and other potential danger.
Which brings me to an observation that I have made many times over the years that I've been breeding horses. How do they know?

Yesterday we were having another typical Mississippi summer afternoon. Clouds were gathering from the south and east. I was sitting on the porch watching the clouds rolling in. I could smell the rain. Soon the wind started to blow, and I knew we were in for a big storm. From where I was sitting, I could see the horses standing under a small grove of pine trees at the far end of one of the pastures. They were totally unconcerned. From having watched this same scene many times in the past, I knew that they were aware of the situation, but it was not time to move. Several minutes more went by and all of a sudden, as if pushed by an unseen hand, they all spun around and began running toward me...away from the trees. I knew they were headed for the clearing where there are no trees. They know. I have provided shelter for them where they can get out of the weather...if they choose. Most of the time they don't. If the weather is going to be bad, they want to be out in the open. Yesterday they headed for the clearing just before the lightening began. How do they know?

Remember Benji?

2010-07-06T15:05:00.001-05:00

Some of you may remember that we sponsored a fundraiser for the Spay/Neuter Clinic. Our special guest was Joe Camp, who wrote and directed all of the "Benji" movies. And of course, Benji paid us a visit also. Just wanted you to know that Joe has written a new book and I guarantee that you will be inspired by this story. Check it out!

Former Clients

2010-07-06T14:43:00.000-05:00

First of all......we are not going out of business! I know how rumors get started... and when I say what I'm about to say, some will jump to the conclusion that we are going out of business. Not true. What we are doing is trying to create some much needed room. In less than two months, we will be getting our first shipment of Vaughn's new book, "Tell Me about that Horse". We need every bit of space available. So, for the next few weeks, we are selling sets of wedding negative and sample portraits. If you were ever in the mall for display or were one of our wedding clients, please call if you are interested in purchasing the negatives or portraits. After that, we will be disposing of them! So, please pass the word and call us!

4th of July

2010-07-06T14:35:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Many thanks to all of the armed forces that keep our country safe and allow us the freedoms we take for granted.

Summertime & Seniors

2010-06-23T14:10:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a special senior season at VWP. That's because our daughter, Emily, is a senior at Petal High school this year. I have to admit that it causes a lump in my throat to know that this is our year for a Senior. Emily's first session was during our recent vacation to St. Maarten. I guess there may be more beautiful places on earth, but this is definitely at the top of the list!

As always, I urge seniors to have their portraits taken early and don't procrastinate. Depending on the school attended, senior portrait deadlines may be as early as October 1st.

Call now to reserve your special Senior Portrait session and don't forget to ask about our Senior Special on Oil Portraits.

Have a great summer!

They're here!

2010-04-28T14:27:00.000-05:00

The wildflowers are in bloom! Right now we have a mixture of white daisies and yellow tickseed. I can never tell how long they will remain, since the weather is so unpredictable. Call and book your wildflower appointment! The best time of day for these flowers is late afternoon.

3 Days of Kids & Bunnies!

2010-03-04T14:06:00.005-06:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual Easter Portrait Special. It was a fantastic success! There's nothing like real bunnies to bring smiles to little faces. The bunnies were very cooperative and have gone to a great home. Some of my favorite images are the ones that truly tell the story of our life photographing kids!

SENIORS!!!

2010-01-27T15:39:00.000-06:00

Most of you have noticed the sign in our studio that says "Please don't let your procrastination become our emergency." Well, that applies mostly to our senior portrait clients. Senior year is packed full from start to finish with "things to do". But, please don't delay ordering your senior portraits! You will want to have them in plenty of time for invitation mailouts and graduation. Please allow us a minimum of 3 weeks to prepare and complete your order. We recommend that all senior portrait orders be placed by April 1st at the latest!

Cowgirl Hall of Fame

2010-01-27T15:23:00.000-06:00

As I write this, Vaughn is on his way home from another trip to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. I am very proud to say that he has been commissioned, once again, to create paintings for the 2010 inductees to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum. The names of this year's inductees have not been released yet, but they are sure to be very interesting and notable ladies. As soon as we learn more, I'll post it.

Vaughn's Book

2010-01-08T12:10:00.000-06:00

We've just set up a new website that tells about Vaughn's new book, "Tell Me About That Horse". The book is at the editor's and in the design process right now. We hope to have it available by March or April. If you would like to read more about it, go to http://www.tellmeaboutthathorse.com/

EASTER PORTRAITS!

2010-01-08T11:23:00.003-06:00

I can't believe that we're talking about Easter Portraits! We just got through Christmas and New Year's! However, Easter is very early this year, so we have set the dates for our annual Easter Portrait Special. Yep, with live bunnies. Mark your calendar for March 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. Appointments are required.

There will be a $10.00 session fee. This fee will be donated to the Hattiesburg Junior Auxillary to support their many projects benefitting children in our area. I am proud to be a member of JA and cannot say enough about the charitable work that this organization supports.

We are taking appointments now....so, book early for best times.
Here are some favorites from last year.

Thanks Jamie!

2010-01-08T11:04:00.000-06:00

Hopefully some people still read newspapers. If so, you might have read the terrific article in the Hattiesburg American about Vaughn's paintings and other projects. Jamie O'Quinn wrote the article and did a fabulous job of condensing a ton of information into an interesting and easy to read piece. Thanks Jamie!

Paintings at the Nutcracker

2010-01-07T16:31:00.000-06:00

The Pine Belt Ballet performed their annual production of the "Nutcracker" this past weekend. It was wonderful as always. Yvonne Bergeron was gracious enough to invite Vaughn to display his paintings at the Performing Arts Center. These paintings featured an array of dancers in various styles. Dancers are always beautiful subjects and such fun to paint. Many thanks to Hilary Bounds, our model, for this beautiful painting.

My New Year's Resolution

2010-01-07T16:15:00.000-06:00

My New Year's resolution concerning this business is to do a better job of updating this blog! I think about it alot....just don't get down to actually writing. We hope that all of our friends had a wonderful and joyous Christmas. Hopefully, this economy won't get any worse and we will all see better days ahead. Our daughter, Emily, will be a senior next year with college looming in her future. So, retirement is definitely out of the question for Vaughn and me. We'll be here for all of your photography needs.

CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT SPECIAL

2009-10-20T12:56:00.000-05:00

It's time for Christmas card photos! We're changing things a bit this year. The South Mississippi Medical Alliance and Vaughn Wilson Photography will be offering Christmas photos as a fundraiser to benefit their Weathering The Storm Fund. This fund helps pay medical costs for individuals with insufficient or no medical insurance. The details are below. Call if you have questions!!!

CARDS FOR A CAUSE

When:            November 2nd & 3rd. By appointment
Where:           Canebrake Country Club
Session Fee:   $40.00   (tax deductible)
Call:               Connie Derhgawen,  601-818-2567, for appointment time.

Many portrait packages available as well as 4" x 6" card photos.

Pray for Lacey

2009-10-14T14:46:00.000-05:00

We have had the privilege of photographing Lacey Cofield Bolling several times. We first met Lacey when she was Ms. William Carey College 2006 and was preparing for the Ms. Mississippi pageant. She was named first alternate to Ms. Mississippi. Like anyone that meets Lacey, we were charmed by her beauty, wit, and sweet disposition. God broke the mold when he created Lacey.

Then, came portraits of Lacey with her fiance, Jeremy Bolling. And most recently, portraits of Lacey with their beautiful baby, Elyse. This is one of those occasions when you just say that "It isn't fair!" It's not fair that Lacey is suffering from devastating pancreatitis. It's not fair that such a wonderful lady should have to endure this kind of pain.

It appears that the next step is a removal of her pancreas. Please include Lacey, her family, and her doctors in your prayers. This is a very invasive surgery, yet we are reassured that she has the very best doctors and the support of a terrific family. We love you Lacey!

Times Flies

2009-10-14T14:15:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that it's already been a month since I've added to this blog. It's definitely something I intended to do more frequently. We've been extremely busy with Senior Portraits the past month. I've got to say that I'm so impressed with the kids graduating this year. A really great group with lots of ambition and enthusiasm.

I'm still getting ready for the big BENJI extravaganza for the benefit of the Spay/Neuter Clinic. Anyone that considers themself an animal lover needs to get involved with this project! Too many unwanted animals are suffering due to the negligence of their owners. If anyone wants tickets to the movie screenings of BENJI on October 10th and 17th, I will have a limited supply. There are limited seats, so call early. Tickets are $3.00.

Finally, here's one of my more recent favorite photos. Thanks to the Blanchard family for this one!

BENJI IS COMING TO HATTIESBURG!

2009-08-28T12:25:00.003-05:00

Vaughn and I are proud to be sponsors of a fundraising effort to benefit the Spay/Neuter Clinc of Southern Pines Animal Shelter. Benji, the loveable canine that has captured the hearts of children and adults alike through films, books and television will be in Hattiesburg for several events in late October. Take a look at the fun events surrounding Benji's visit and make plans to take your favorite child (or child at Heart) to meet a new floppy-eared friend!

BENJI OFF THE LEASH
Saturday, October 10 & 17 @ 10 am
The Grand Theatre - Hattiesburg

LIVING LIFE WITH PURPOSE - ON PURPOSE
Thursday, October 22
11:30 am - 1 pm
Southern Oaks House and Gardens

Join Forrest General's Spirit of Women at an event featuring Joe Camp, director, producer and writer of the Benji films and books, as he presents his talk on "Living Life With Purpose - On Purpose.

GOING TO THE CATS AND DOGS
Friday, October 23 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Forrest General Support Services Building
125 South 28th Avenue

Benji along with his accomplished humans, Joe and Kathleen Camp, will be appearing and welcoming guests. There will be lots to 'bark and meow' over with great food, libations, a live auction for wonderful items, and live music....presented by our own talented Vaughn Wilson and his group Southern Station.

BARKING FOR A CURE
Saturday, October 24 - 8 am
Kamper Park

Benji and owner, Joe Camp, will make a cameo appearance to kick off Waiting for a Cure's annual dog walk.

BENJI'S COMING HOME FOR HOMECOMING
Saturday, October 24th 3-4:30 pm
USM's Jr. Eagle Funland

Celebrity canine Benji will appear at the Southern Miss Homecoming game! Be sure to visit the Forrest General tent next to Eagle Funland and have your photo made with Benji.

We're Honored!

2009-08-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

We are so honored that Vaughn has been commissioned by the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum in Ft. Worth, TX to create paintings of their 2009 inductees to the Hall of Fame. Vaughn has just completed trips to Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma to photograph these exceptional ladies and will now start working on their paintings. The paintings will be unveiled at the induction ceremony on October 16th.

This year's inductees are Deborah Copenhaven Fellows, Kay Whittaker Young, and Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie. This year's Gloria Lupton Tennison Pioneer Award is awarded to former first lady, Laura Bush. Needless to say, we are hoping to have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Bush.

For someone that loves Western heritage as much as Vaughn, this has been a dream assignment!

We're Blogging Now!

2009-08-28T10:39:00.002-05:00

The last couple of months have been a real learning curve for this lady! I wanted more control over our website and the ability to make immediate changes. The natural direction was that I had to create our website and be my own webmaster. Well....I'm still learning and will continue to change and update the site as I become more proficient with this process.

In the meantime, I welcome your input and comments on the new look. This blog will keep all of our clients updated on special events, portrait specials, and seasonal specials. I will also be posting some of our favorite portraits from various sessions. Kids are just so much fun and I love some of the expressions that we capture. So, check in frequently and see if you might recognize a familiar face! Oh, be sure to sign our guestbook.