http://www.tombagby.com/Blog/Latest updates from the man himself.(c) 2008, Tom Bagby Photography. All rights reserved.5<p class="MsoNormal">They always started and ended the same. Some of my fondest memories of my grandfather were of the “Wild Hoguns” he told us. We grandchildren would compete for his lap and the stories he told. “One time once….there were 2 little boys, and these little boys were sisters” he would say as he spun an intricate story of little boys being lost in the woods away from the house. A “Wild Hoggun”, a creature which in my childhood mind was truly much more frightening than my grandfather intended, would inevitably chase the boys up a tree. The helpless boys would call for their “Pa” at the top of their lungs for what must have been hours and our very own hero would always come just in the nick of time with his shotgun to rescue us. The story always ended with my grandfathers huge calloused index finger slapping the palm of his hand as he said “and the Wild Hoggun’s tail went thump…thump….thump” I always felt a sense of relief that I once again was safe even though I KNEW how the story would end when he began. Even though my children never met Pa, it seemed only right that they hear those cherished tales originally spun by the man I loved so much…only this time I was their hero who came to their rescue. Like me their favorite part was the tail “thumping at the end. When Caitlin was small….too little to talk…I would ask her “What does a “Wild Hoggun’s” tail do?” She would always “thump” her hand with her finger. When I “experience” this portrait of her, not only do I see the innocence of a child and remember the time we spent together, but I see a loving grandfather who was at his happiest with a grandchild in his lap listening intently to every word and waiting for the “thump…thump…thump.</p> <img src="/Blog/Images/caitlinblog2.jpg" />Caitlin at one year<br /> <br /> <img src="/Blog/Images/caitlinblog3.jpg" />Caitlin at 21 years<br /> http://www.tombagby.com/Blog/?ID=11Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:03:00 GMT<p>We are the lucky ones... on a daily basis, we get to experience and tell stories through photography.  Some happy-some life changing-some inspiring-some funny-all important.  People have portraits made at different points in their lives for different reasons.  It may be to celebrate new life and a new family member with a portrait of a newborn, or it may be reaching a milestone like the first day of school.  When kids lose their first tooth or cut their own hair, a portrait seems to be called for to record the "fun".  A senior portrait signals the end of an era or the beginning of a new one.  Milestones like these often prompt people to have a portrait made, and their intention is to simply record the moment.  But then something special happens-the portraits become so much more.  The same eyes that looked up at you and said "I love you mommy" you see in their senior portrait.  The little expression that you see over and over at home makes your heart warm as you look at your child's portrait.  You begin to realize that you don't merely  view the portrait...you experience it.</p> <p>We see this magic everyday as portraits begin to tell stories...the stories of people's lives.  These stories...all different are what make us truly lucky to be in this profession.  It is our plan to share these stories with you through this blog (and all of the cool things we are up to!)  Check back often and join us in experiencing the stories...your stories.</p> <p>Its only appropriate that the first story be my story... Stay tuned.</p> <p>Tom</p> http://www.tombagby.com/Blog/?ID=10Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:31:00 GMT