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Loralee Beard
of Magic Moment Photography
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By Beth Volpert-Serrero
GRAYSON – Every person who lives in a community has a different view or “take” on what they see on an every day basis. One of our community members sees most of our “goings on” through the camera eye. Loralee Beard didn’t really start out to be a photographer, but behind the camera is where she has been for most of the last 15 years. Whether it is church, school, sports or portrait sittings, Loralee has been documenting the faces and places connected to the Gwinnett County area long enough to become a part of the fabric of our community.
Loralee has been many places, from Vanderbilt University, where she met her husband Les, to Tinseltown where she worked at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. “I had fun, but I am primarily a family person,” says Loralee. Even the glitter and glam of the LA scene paled in comparison to what she sees every day here in her own town.
After earning both a double major at Vanderbilt and a Masters in Social Work from UGA, Loralee settled in to raising her children. An Italian from “up north”, Loralee says that family is her primary goal and motherhood her most rewarding career. Loving your career is very important to Loralee. “My time spent in social work made me see that when you get down to living in a nursing home or a room with a relaly a family person,” says Loralee. Even the glitter and glam of the LA scene paled in comparison to what she sees every day here in her own town.
After earning both a double major at Vanderbilt and a Masters in Social Work from UGA, Loralee settled in to raising her children. An Italian from “up north”, Loralee says that family is her primary goal and motherhood her most rewarding career. Loving your career is very important to Loralee. “My time spent in social work made me see that when you get down to living in a nursing home or a room with a relative, it is the photos that become the most cherished of possessions” reflects Loralee. “I keep that in mind each time I photograph a Prom Queen or a kid playing in a league sport. That photo may someday become among the most important things a person has.” With that in mind, she and her staff make sure to take extra special care of each client.
If her business card is any indication, Loralee is certainly not kidding that family is important. Two of the young women, Taryn and Meghan, pictured on the card along with Loralee are her own daughters. (Sons Bert and Alex did their stint in the business but are now in Nashville where Bert pursues his career in Health Administration and Alex is attending Vanderbilt University). In addition to working with the daughters pictured, there is also a family friend who is as much a part of their daily lives as any blood relative. Meredith Chastain, fits seamlessly into their lives and business practices. Les Beard, Loralee’s husband, plays an intricate role in the family business. Recently retired from Emory Eastside, Les, who from the beginning showed an apittude for photography, now not only handles business functions, but has his sport candid images showcased in locations throughout Gwinnett county. Of the camera bug that bit Loralee more than fifteen years ago, she says, “I found myself at home without kids and needing something creative and fulfilling to do.” Photography had always been an interest of hers along with horses, down on their luck dogs and people in general. Having already secured an equine pal and having no trouble finding a “woman’s best friend”, connecting to people seemed like a natural. “Photography just really interested me.” Armed with plenty of what Loralee calls “booksmarts”, she came to realize quickly that some training in photography was a must. “I enrolled at Gwinnett Tech and really came into my own,” says Loralee. “I spent a year working on anything that was not people and then, in the second year, I found my calling. I am a people person and it shows in my work.” There is plenty of that people work around. It would seem that Loralee has rarely ever advertised, but found herself busy from all of the word of mouth recommendations she receives from former clients, friends and family.
She has photographed families, events and schools for years. Yearbook work holds a great deal of satisfaction for Loralee and her staff. “It is very rewarding to look up from your camera at a prom to hear a beautiful young lady say that even though I may not know her personally, I had been photographing her since she was little.” And while Loralee stays primarily behind the lens, those in the community often recognize her as the force that manages to take, process, coordinate and deliver all those league sports buttons and team packages in a timely manner and with a smile. “Those days are a whirl of activity, but worth it to get great memories,” says Loralee.
As a woman, Loralee encourages all other women who find themselves ready to “reinvent” their role in life to capture something that really suits them. “I hope that my choices help to inspire other women to go out and do what makes them happy.” Pursuing a dream is very important to Loralee. Dreams are almost as important as family. According to Loralee, “you can have both.”
