As a portrait and event photographer based in Ashland, Virginia, creativity is the lifeblood of my work. But when I&rsquo;m not behind the lens capturing moments and stories, you&rsquo;ll often find me diving into my other passions&mdash;traveling, music, dancing, writing, yoga and lately, something that&rsquo;s quickly becoming a new love: cooking. Recently, a friend invited me to a &ldquo;cookbook party&rdquo;&mdash;a gathering where each guest prepares a dish from the same cookbook, and we all come together to share a meal. It&rsquo;s like a potluck with a literary twist. The chosen book for this gathering was Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin, and let me tell you, this was no ordinary cookbook.
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A Cookbook With Deep Roots
Jubilee isn&rsquo;t just a collection of recipes&mdash;it&rsquo;s a journey through history. Through each dish, Toni Tipton-Martin paints a vivid picture of African American culinary tradition, deeply rooted in resilience, creativity and cultural influence. From refined Creole classics to comforting Southern staples, every page reflects the contributions Black cooks have made to American cuisine&mdash;often without recognition.
The recipes are as rich in flavor as they are in narrative. You&rsquo;ll find everything from Baked Ham with Red Eye Gravy to Spoonbread, Shrimp Creole and a soul-satisfying Sweet Potato Pie. But what makes Jubilee truly special is the context Toni provides: stories of the cooks, chefs and culinary pioneers behind the food. It&rsquo;s a testament to the artistry, intellect and expertise of African American cooks who shaped the nation&rsquo;s palate.
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Who Is Toni Tipton-Martin?
Toni Tipton-Martin is an award-winning food journalist, historian, and author. She has long been a champion for the often-overlooked legacies of African American cooks, bringing to light the rich tapestry of Black culinary excellence through meticulous research and passionate storytelling. Before Jubilee, she authored The Jemima Code, a groundbreaking book that examined over 150 African American cookbooks and challenged the stereotypes surrounding Black cooks. For her work, Toni has earned a James Beard Award, one of the highest honors in the culinary world, not once but twice&mdash;solidifying her place as one of the most influential voices in food writing today. She was also the first African American editor of a major daily newspaper&rsquo;s food section (the Cleveland Plain Dealer) and has served as editor-in-chief of Cook's Country magazine. Her work is a beautiful blend of food, history, and justice&mdash;and it&rsquo;s changing the way we talk about American cuisine.
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<h3 data-end="2910" data-start="2885">Cooking Up Connection</h3>
The cookbook party was more than a culinary adventure&mdash;it was a celebration of community, culture, and connection. Sharing these dishes, prepared with intention and appreciation, brought a new level of understanding and joy to the table. I left that evening not only full in body, but full in spirit, too. As someone who works with people from all walks of life through my photography business, I deeply value the stories that bring us together. Whether it&rsquo;s through a portrait session or a pot of gumbo, these stories remind us of who we are and how far we&rsquo;ve come. If you&rsquo;re looking for a cookbook that does more than just feed your stomach, but also feeds your soul and challenges your perspective&mdash;Jubilee is it. I can&rsquo;t recommend it enough.
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Toni Tipton-Martin's work reminds us that food is a powerful vehicle for connection, memory and identity. Jubilee isn&rsquo;t just a cookbook I&rsquo;ll use again (and again); it&rsquo;s a book I&rsquo;ll cherish, because it reflects the kind of storytelling I strive to capture in my own work&mdash;authentic, soulful, and rooted in love.

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Cooking with Community and Culture: A Celebration of Toni Tipton-Martin's Jubilee

As an event photographer based in Ashland, Virginia, I&rsquo;m always looking for ways to enhance the experience for my clients&mdash;and their guests. Whether it&rsquo;s an organizational anniversary, a winter ball or a birthday celebration, people want their special moments captured beautifully and shared instantly. That&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;ve invested in a cutting-edge photo delivery platform called Spot My Photos&mdash;a game-changer in real-time event photography.
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<h3 data-end="924" data-start="893">What Is Spot My Photos?</h3>
Spot My Photos is a powerful platform that allows me to deliver professional-quality event photos to guests instantly&mdash;often within seconds of capturing the image.
It works seamlessly in the background during an event. Using a unique combination of facial recognition (with opt-in privacy controls), secure cloud-based delivery, and mobile-friendly access, guests can receive their personal event photos on their phones as the event is happening.
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<h3 data-end="1411" data-start="1381">What Makes It Special?&nbsp;Here&rsquo;s why Spot My Photos is such a valuable addition to any event:</h3>
<h4 data-end="1514" data-start="1482">✅ Instant Gratification</h4>
Guests don&rsquo;t have to wait days or weeks to see their photos. As I take them, they&rsquo;re delivered in real-time to each guest&rsquo;s device.
<h4 data-end="1690" data-start="1648">✅ Private &amp; Personalized Delivery</h4>
Each guest gets their own private gallery of images featuring them&mdash;no more sifting through hundreds of photos online. It&rsquo;s quick, secure, and personalized.
<h4 data-end="1881" data-start="1848">✅ Branding Opportunities</h4>
For businesses and organizations, Spot My Photos provides an opportunity to brand each image with logos, messages, hashtags, or sponsors&mdash;perfect for social media sharing and event promotion.
<h4 data-end="2110" data-start="2074">✅ Seamless Guest Experience</h4>
I handle all the technical stuff so your guests can focus on enjoying the event. From QR code check-ins to facial recognition, the process is fast, easy, and fun.
<h4 data-end="2313" data-start="2275">✅ Professional-Quality Images</h4>
You&rsquo;re not sacrificing quality for speed. The photos I deliver through Spot My Photos are fully professional&mdash;crisp, vibrant, and thoughtfully composed.
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<h3 data-end="2515" data-start="2472">Why I Chose to Offer Spot My Photos</h3>
Spot My Photos requires a specific combination of hardware and software&mdash;and I&rsquo;ve made that investment because I believe in giving my clients the best. This platform adds an interactive, tech-savvy, and premium element to any event. It transforms photography from a passive service into an active, engaging experience for your guests.
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<h3 data-end="2883" data-start="2859">Want to see how it works? See It in Action:</h3>

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Check out a few of the events where I&rsquo;ve used Spot My Photos to deliver real-time magic:
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<h3 data-end="3143" data-start="3093">Let&rsquo;s Add Some Instant Magic to Your Event</h3>
If you&rsquo;re planning an event and want photography that delivers more than just beautiful images&mdash;let&rsquo;s talk. With Spot My Photos, I can elevate the guest experience and help you create shareable, unforgettable moments in real time.
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📍 Serving Ashland, Richmond, and Beyond 📸 It&rsquo;s All About You at Self &amp; Soul Photography

Instant Event Magic: How Spot My Photos Elevates Your Experience

Williamsburg, Virginia, with its rich history and picturesque landscapes, offers an idyllic backdrop for senior portrait sessions. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing a high school senior, amidst some of Williamsburg's most scenic locations.
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Bicentennial Park is a passive park located at the corner of Nassau Street and Newport Avenue, minutes away from Downtown Williamsburg. A brick walkway surrounds a peaceful green area with gorgeous eastern redbud trees. Benches placed around the park offer the perfect place to take some amazing portraits, soak up the sun or just sit and read.

The Goodwin Building on North Henry Street is another stunning location. The building's courtyard is framed by symmetrical brick facades, featuring classic Georgian architectural elements. It's paved with bricks and adorned with neatly trimmed shrubs, providing a serene outdoor space. Wrought iron gates and brass fixtures add to the courtyard's historical charm.

Williamsburg's diverse landscapes and historic charm offer endless possibilities for creating unique and memorable senior portraits. Collaborating and photographing in these beautiful settings was a delightful experience. I'm thrilled with the collection of images we created together.
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If you're a senior looking to capture this exciting time in your life, consider the scenic beauty of Williamsburg, Virginia, for your portrait session. Let's create some amazing senior portraits together!

Williamsburg, Virginia: A Beautiful Senior Portrait Location

Empowering Moments: Behind the Lens at the Innovate to Elevate Annual Conference March 2025 | Fredericksburg, VA
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In March 2025, I had the honor of photographing the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce&rsquo;s Innovate to Elevate Conference in beautiful Fredericksburg, Virginia. This dynamic gathering brought together a powerful community of entrepreneurs, change makers and visionaries. Each one committed to strengthening and uplifting Black-owned businesses across the Commonwealth. As a photographer, I don&rsquo;t just capture faces&mdash;I capture energy, purpose and connection. And from the moment I stepped into the conference space, I could feel all three radiating from every introduction, handshake and smile.
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Innovation and Elevation in Action This year&rsquo;s theme, Innovate to Elevate, couldn&rsquo;t have been more fitting. Attendees engaged in powerful conversations about growth, technology, funding, marketing and generational wealth. Panels and workshops were led by experts who didn&rsquo;t just talk about success&mdash;they lived it and generously shared the tools to build it. I watched as attendees took notes, asked questions and networked like their next big breakthrough was in the room.
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Black Business Brilliance From seasoned entrepreneurs to new business owners taking their first bold steps, the room was filled with Black excellence, creativity and tenacity. It was more than a business conference&mdash;it was a celebration of resilience, innovation, and community.
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My Role: Capturing Legacy in the Making Photographing events like this is more than a job for me. It&rsquo;s a responsibility and a joy. Through my lens, I aimed to freeze the magic&mdash;the genuine smiles, the intense focus during workshops, the pride in each product display and the sparks of connection that lit up every corner of the conference. These images are a visual legacy of what&rsquo;s possible when we come together with purpose.
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Why It Matters As the founder and owner of Self &amp; Soul Photography, I&rsquo;m passionate about telling stories that matter&mdash;and this one mattered deeply. Black-owned businesses are a vital part of our communities and conferences like Innovate to Elevate provide the fuel, strategy and support needed for them to thrive.
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To everyone I had the pleasure of photographing&mdash;thank you for your brilliance, your boldness and your beautiful energy. It was truly an honor to witness and document your journey.
Until next year&mdash;keep innovating, keep elevating.
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With Gratitude,
Natalie Parker, Self &amp; Soul Photography
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Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce: Innovate To Elevate Conference

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September 16th, 2023 was a very special day. The much-anticipated Florence Neal Cooper Smith Sickle Cell Anemia 5K Fundraising Walk took place at Dorey Park, Henrico County, Virginia. It's a beautiful location known for its variety of activities, scenic walking trails and ponds. This event was not just a walk; it's a movement against Sickle Cell Anemia, a disease that affects thousands across the country and millions globally.
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Named in honor of Florence Neal Cooper Smith, a pioneering advocate for Sickle Cell Anemia awareness, this event aims to keep her life's work alive. Smith&rsquo;s tireless work in the field of health, particularly her dedication towards improving the lives of those living with Sickle Cell Anemia, has left an indelible mark. This walk is a tribute to her and the cause she dedicated her life to.
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As participants laced up their shoes and took to the trails of Dorey Park, they not only walked for fitness but also for a cause. Each step taken was a stride towards a future free from the pain and hardship caused by Sickle Cell Anemia. The 5K walk aimed to raise funds that will be directed towards research, supporting those who live with the disease, and most importantly, increasing awareness about the same.
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The Florence Neal Cooper Smith Sickle Cell Anemia 5K is more than just an event; it's a beacon of hope for those affected by the disease. It's a platform that brings together individuals, families, and communities to join hands in the fight against Sickle Cell Anemia. In partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University MCV Foundation, this event is sponsored and hosted by the Richmond FACTS Committee (Finding a Cure Together 4 Sickle Cell) and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
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This years event will be held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024. This event is open to all, whether you are a seasoned athlete, a casual walker, or someone directly affected by the disease. The 5K walk encourages community participation, symbolizing the collective effort required to fight against Sickle Cell Anemia. As board members prepare for this monumental event, the air is filled with anticipation and a sense of purpose. It's not just a date on the calendar; it's a day dedicated to change, hope, and unity. So, mark your calendars and join us as we walk towards a brighter, healthier future at the Florence Neal Cooper Smith Sickle Cell 5k Fundraising Walk!

Florence Neal Cooper Smith Sickle Cell 5K

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Congrats to the couples who for this Valentine's Day, dared to try something unique, fun, and utterly adorable! Imagine being at Stony Point Fashion Park, surrounded by laughter filling the air, a paintbrush in hand, and a playful little goats at your feet. This is the delightful scene at the Valentine's Paint Night with Goats, an event hosted by the ever-innovative Goat Yoga RVA.
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This event isn't just about painting; it's about creating memories, bonding, and doing something a little out of the ordinary with your loved ones. Whether you're an expert artist or a complete novice, the friendly team at Goat Yoga RVA will guide you through the process, ensuring that you leave with a beautiful, self-made piece of art and a heart full of joy.
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But what's the role of the goats, you ask? These adorable creatures add an element of fun and relaxation to the evening. Known for their therapeutic effects, the goats will roam around, nudging you for a pat or a cuddle, or perhaps just to give you some artistic inspiration. They're friendly, gentle, and love human interaction, making them the perfect companions for this creative night out.
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Stony Point Fashion Park offers an ideal setting for this event, with its beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, wide array of shopping and dining options, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. It's the perfect place to continue your Valentine's Day celebrations once you've finished painting.
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Events like these occur year around. So next time you're looking for a fun outing, why not skip the traditional dinner and movie and try something completely different? Grab a paintbrush, pet a goat, and create some unforgettable memories. For more information, visit the Goat Yoga RVA website (<a href="https://goatyogarva.com/">https://goatyogarva.com/</a>). Happy painting!

Valentine's Paint Night with Goats Photos!

A Unique Valentine's Experience: Paint Night with Goats at Stony Point Fashion Park

Natalie of Self and Soul Photography took care of me from the beginning to the end. She made the process convenient and assisted in coordinating a makeup artist prior to the shoot. She is very patient and knows how to capture the best. Try her for sure. You won't be disappointed.

Pamela, HR Professional

Oh my gosh! My photo session with Natalie - Self & Soul Photography was so awesome! I felt like a super model. She is knowledgeable, professional and so supportive. I felt so comfortable. I could really see how much she loves her work and how important it was to her that I was happy....which I am. My photos are beautiful! Such great quality. Thank you Natalie, Self & Soul Photography!

Sonya, Licensed Therapist

I had an A+ experience during my recent head shot session with Self & Soul Photography! Natalie is a talented professional. She created a comfortable and relaxed environment that resulted in a great session and quality pictures! I would not change anything and am looking forward to my next experience!

Kemal, Consultant

I can’t say enough great things about Self & Soul Photography. Natalie is a phenomenal visual artist who has truly perfected her craft. Her passion for photography shines through in every detail. She’s incredibly talented at bringing your vision to life in full, vibrant color.

Natalie was patient and kind during my kids’ graduation photo shoots. She took great care to make both of them feel comfortable and relaxed, which made the entire experience enjoyable and stress-free. The results? Absolutely stunning. The quality of the images exceeded my expectations—they’re beautiful, professional and full of personality.

I recommend Self & Soul Photography for any event. Natalie is a gem, and her work speaks for itself!

Trina, Parent of Graduating Students

The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce is proud to highlight the exceptional work of Self & Soul Photography, a business that truly reflects the spirit of creativity, professionalism and community excellence. 
From the moment you engage with Self & Soul Photography, it’s evident their craft goes far beyond simply taking pictures. They possess a remarkable ability to capture meaningful moments that feel timeless. 
What sets Self & Soul Photography apart is their technical expertise and commitment to creating an inclusive, empowering experience for every client. Their work beautifully celebrates diversity, capturing the essence of individuals and events with authenticity and care. We wholeheartedly recommend Self & Soul Photography.

Ernisha, President of VA Black Chamber of Commerce

Natalie photographs every one of our in-center events here at Stony Point Fashion Park, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our events can get pretty busy, but she continuously (and flawlessly) captures the joyous connections and experiences of each event attendee and vendor. Her perspective and attention to detail are everything you could want out of a photographer, for any occasion. I personally plan each of our events, so it takes a huge weight off my shoulders knowing she is present, capturing every perspective of how the event not only looked, but felt.

Alexis, Marketing Director

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Professional & Personal Head Shots (30 Minute Session)

Outstanding & Notable Event (4 Hour Event)

SpotMyPhotos - Instant Photo Delivery (4 Hour Event)

Elegant & Exquisite Event (3 Hour Event)

Exhilarating & Exceptional Event (1 Hour Event)

Micro Wedding Capture (3 Hour Session)