NEWS & AWARDS
Photography is more than a form of art; it is a way to preserve history like no other medium can. By taking a picture, a moment in time has been captured just as it happened. That look of surprise as a woman sees her boyfriend get down on one knee or that look of awe as a groom catches his first look at his bride. A laugh, a hug, or a tear, all these emotions have been caught on camera like no artist ever could. Photography has the power to convey our reality and ensure that it will be passed on for generations to come. Causes, events, and movements have been forever frozen in time and will live on. Shelby is proud to be the home of our own award-winning photographer, Randy McNeilly, who has been capturing moments since 1979 and specializes in custom portraiture and fine art printing.
A Quality Product
Randy has been printing his own work for over 30 years, providing credibility in his field as he has carefully honed his craft. Printing in his studio has also enabled him to have full control over his work. He makes a big production out of creating the print, including taking a light and color meter reading where his clients intend to hang the finished portrait.
“Digital photography is the best thing that’s happened to photography, but the worst thing to happen to professional photographers,” says McNeilly. “That’s why printmaking is such an important component to our business. It’s about providing a custom product to my clients.” (from an interview given to LexJet)
The printing process is part of the craft and the product, so it is given the same amount of care as everything else, ensuring a quality product.
Award-Winning
Randy has received several prestigious awards and appointments, including becoming the 100th photographer in the world to receive the Fellowship Degree from the American Society of Photographers in 2009. In 2012, he was honored to receive a lifetime appointment to Camera Craftsman, one of the world’s most highly respected independent photography organizations. It is an impressive accomplishment as they are an exclusive group of 40. He has also been a recipient of multiple Print Awards Winners. He has earned the equivalent of six Master of Photography degrees over the years and continues to pour himself into his work. We also want to add that since this blog was posted, Randy also placed in the Team USA 2020 finalist world photographic cup.
“After more than 35 years I am still passionate about my work.”
Passing It On
Any craft is worthy of passing on to the next generation, or it will be lost. Randy is dedicated to imparting his wealth of knowledge to the new, budding artists. He has given multiple keynote speeches across the country and is a lecturer as well as a teacher. Randy has also encouraged others to pursue their dreams in the photography field, including Joe Campanellie, who was inducted into the American Society of Photographers Fellowship in 2010.
McNeilly stresses that spending time with each client is an essential part of capturing their personality and learning what story is inside, begging to be told. This is the essence of what it is to be a photographer; they are storytellers. They find those pieces of history hidden within each person, that part that makes their story unique, and capture it for all to see.
We are proud to have someone like Randy McNeilly living in our town of Shelby, and at Greenbrook Design, we are honored to have some of his work on display. We invite you to tour our showroom and get a close-up look at some of Randy’s work, making this another great reason to visit Shelby, NC. Randy offers custom-sized prints as well as framing if needed.
Greenbrook DesignMaking the decision to open our own showroom was not done overnight. It began as the answer to a need for our clients. They needed a place where they could come and explore the possibilities that awaited them for their home renovation. It was important to our owners, Travis and Stacey Walker, that their clients could see and feel the products, enhancing their design experience. As the idea became a reality, the Walkers realized the added benefit of having more than just cabinets featured in the showroom. Greenbrook Design is proud to be an authorized dealer for not just four lines of cabinetry but multiple home furnishings and decor companies like Europe 2 You and Moe’s. Get a peek inside the showroom here and listen to Stacey share her vision of the showroom.
We have all witnessed the transformation this past year, bedrooms become offices, kitchen tables become classrooms, and your basement doubles as a home gym. The problem is that most of these spaces were not ready to accommodate double duty. Multifunctional means one area of the home can handle multiple duties, while this sounds great, no one wants it to look like it’s a three-in-one, which is where good design comes into play. Selecting furniture pieces that can serve several purposes or planning a layout that can fulfill multiple needs is key to creating a home that suits your family’s unique lifestyle and routine. Let’s discuss what goes into designing these spaces and how you can make the most of the space you have.
Walker WoodworkingDesign is more than just creating a layout that is functional and beautiful; it is about turning a house into a home that has an atmosphere just right for you. A functional home is good, but a home where you feel at home is best, which is the end goal for every designer. One way to have a welcoming environment is to draw inspiration from nature, which is a trend that is gaining momentum in the design world.
Walker Woodworking When you think of a closet, you envision a space within a room that opens with a door. For some, it means enough room to hang up clothes or store larger items. It has, however, evolved to become much more than a mere stash and go-to spot for necessities. From hall closets to pantries to linen and bedroom closets, they serve multiple purposes. Today, it can be a mini dressing room, a place to keep all the kids’ sports equipment, and even a place of meditation ( really, it’s a thing). It is a great way to gain extra storage in the bedroom for personal items and is considered an extension of the home.
Walker Woodworking Are you feeling like something needs to change inside your home? Tired of the same old decor pieces greeting you when you come home? Maybe your taste in style has changed, and you’re looking for a little update? The good news is you don’t have to do a full-blown renovation to achieve your goal; sometimes, it takes a little freshening up to update your home.
Greenbrook Design