PHOTOGRAPHY-DEJA ROZIER

Deja is an impressive young woman with a plan.  Born in sunny Ft. Lauderdale in 1995, she moved to Atlanta in 2003 when her Mom received a job offer.  I think Deja brought the sun with her in her personality because it is just about as sunny as they come. 

She began working at Nelson Mullins in May 2018 and has aspirations to become a powerhouse attorney who is also recognized as a community leader and socialite.  Deja wants to be a door opener for others, encouraging them to come behind her and inspiring them to follow their own dreams through her actions.  Somehow, I believe her door is going to swing widely, and she will be a positive force for many. 

She is a young lady with a vision to create a non-profit down the road with the mission of shedding light on the challenges that Black and Brown children face in our education and criminal justice systems.  Admitting that the idea itself is a work in progress, she is also very certain that the purpose is clear. 

When asked how she wanted people to remember her, she said that “I hope that my legacy is rooted in humility, self-sacrifice, and truth.  Ultimately, I want to be remembered for being a woman who was kind, considerate, and passionate.  When people reflect on my life and all the things that I was able to accomplish, I want them to be able to say, ‘Deja lived a full life, and she lived on purpose.’” 

When Deja is not working towards her career goals, she enjoys shopping, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with family and friends.  She is a big music enthusiast, stating that music has always been a staple in her life, and she loves making random music playlists almost weekly, classifying it as her hobby. 

Deja, you are amazing.  Twenty-three, beautiful, full of passion and purpose, and living the authentic life you want for yourself.  You, my dear, are going to shine bright like a diamond.  You already do. 

PHOTOGRAPHY-DUY NGUYEN

Duy is a Project Assistant at Nelson Mullins, the law firm where I work.  He has worked on our team for almost a year, beginning in May 2017.  Project Assistants help the paralegals and attorneys with various different projects.  Putting it bluntly, they work their BUTTS off.

He is one of those guys who is very quiet at first, but given time, one learns that he has an incredible personality and sense of humor.  He was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,  In 2008, his parents were sponsored by his grandparents, and he moved to Atlanta with them. 

Duy will be leaving Atlanta and moving to New York City soon … as he will be volunteering with the Episcopal Service Corp. No doubt, he will make a huge contribution to their efforts.  He likes to read, go out, watch Netflix and work out – not necessarily in that order.  His philosophy on life is to “do unto others as you want to be done to you.”

When asked if he had anything else that he wanted people to know about him, he said that he has a cat who literally entered into his home from the back yard and now claims his house as its personal living quarter. Yep … cats are like that!

I told Duy that he should look up the Humans of New York guy … because he is very comfortable in front of the camera and did a great job!

Go make the world a better place, Duy. I look forward to hearing about your ventures!

PHOTOGRAPHY-GRETCHEN SHANNON

Gretchen is a Senior Operations Assistant at Nelson Mullins, the law firm where I have worked for 16 years.  She has worked with the team I work on since December 2006. 

We on the North Team didn’t think she could possibly do as good of a job as the person who had been handling our operations needs prior to her arrival, and she had some very large shoes to fill.  Indeed, most of us were not pleased at all that our operations assistant was being replaced, and we probably made life a little bit difficult for Gretchen at first.  Sorry, Gretch. 

But, being Gretchen, she persevered and won us over – not only with the quality of her work and her willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our ability to do our jobs to the best of our ability – but also with her winning personality. 

While little in size, her personality is large and in charge, and it is a rare moment when Gretchen cannot be seen laughing and smiling.  She is an amazing little force to be reckoned with, and she has become not only a vital part of our team, but a friend as well.  

When Gretchen is not devoting her time and energy to us on the North Team at work, she likes to travel or just enjoy some down time with her two dogs, Pooch and Starr.  Gretchen’s bubbly personality is a true reflection of who she is and for what she stands.  In her own words, she “tries to live each day to the fullest.  Life is too short for BS.” 

Keep on living large, Gretchen! 

PHOTOGRAPHY-SANDRA WAKEFIELD

     My second Face in a Flash came to me on the same day that my first one did.  Again, I wasn't trying to find her … but when she appeared in front of me, I KNEW she had to be photographed for this series.

      I was outside with a group of friends waiting to be seated at a restaurant in Grapevine, Texas. We were in front of a local shop, and out she walked.  She was striking, and I smiled just to see her.  I told her that I loved her dress.  She lit up, and her glowing presence became instantly obvious.

      We talked for a little while.  I learned that she is a Christian author, and she was on her way to a book signing for her latest book at the local coffee shop, Holy Grounds.  Cute name for a coffee shop, huh?

      Her name is Sandra Wakefield, and she is an amazing woman.  Not only is she an author, but she is a conference speaker and an award winning actress and vocalist.  She truly walks her talk, and she is a force to contend with.

      Thank you so much, Sandra, for agreeing to be one of my Faces in a Flash.  I am so happy that our paths crossed and to have spent a moment getting to know you a bit.

      You can learn more about Sandra at www.sandrawakefieldministries.com. 

PHOTOGRAPHY-KAYE AND MINDY

A couple of weekends ago, I was in Texas working with some fellow photographer friends on off-camera flash.  We scheduled three sessions, two senior sessions and a maternity session.  

I was taking a break and enjoying our venue, the Grapevine Botanical Gardens, when I spotted this beautiful lady enjoying the day and walking her dog.  I knew in an instant that my first subject for a series I have been tossing around in my mind for a few months had just presented herself to me.  

I asked Kaye if I could photograph her and her sweet little Mindy, and she was more than happy to pose for me.  I explained that she was my very first subject for my new series, which I am calling "Faces in a Flash."  She was absolutely thrilled.  She lived in Savannah, Georgia for 20 years and had recently moved to Grapevine.  She is an active volunteer at The Rec there, where she helps with programs for the senior citizens.  

She has a contagious zest for life.  Her shirt (which I didn't notice until I was working on this post) absolutely reflects who she is.  She was thrilled to learn that I was visiting from Georgia, and that my husband had been born and raised in Savannah.  What a small world.  I think there was a reason that she became my first Face in a Flash.    

Thank you, Kaye and Mindy.  My day became brighter because of our brief connection.