Name: Gracious Graduate (1 Hour Session)
Brand: Self & Soul Photography
SKU: 53db8ee2-cd5b-41c1-8392-8eb2c0eed1cf
Price: 300.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0

Ashland, VA 23005, USA

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Natalie Parker

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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.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hXIuADGpgZI

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xfaSdiyIuGs

https://www.youtube.com/embed/nJcK3pTXmac

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.
&nbsp;
<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.
&nbsp;
<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>

https://www.youtube.com/embed/gIIrQtSJ8fU

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'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

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At Self & Soul Photography - It's All About You!

What kind of Photography does Self & Soul specialize in? And why.

More About Self & Soul Photography

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.

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