Release of the Butterflies

On a recent visit to help with some photography for the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf (MOSD) I was told that some of the older students were going to release butterflies. I don't know the whole story on how this tradition came about, but I quickly drew a parallel between the children and the butterflies.

I was told the children watched and nurtured these caterpillars until the day they became butterflies and then today they would release their butterflies out into the world. For several years the teachers have prepared the students that are about to graduate for this tradition of nurturing the caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. The tradition coincides nicely with the fact that the students are now about to go into the world to start a new chapter in their lives away from MOSD.

I know it sounds simple but these children, with the help from the amazing teachers and staff at MOSD, are nurtured just like the little caterpillars, they too will emerge beautiful butterflies. With technological advances and the development of hearing aids and the cochlear implant, these children are taught to listen and to speak, as well as, taught the skills they need to take their place in this world. Without this great school, life would have been very hard for these students. Many would have been placed in special education programs, etc. but because of the hard work and dedication of this school, all the teachers, staff, volunteers and sponsors, these students will be starting kindergarten in public school systems, and are ready to excel just like the average 5 year old. In other ways, as I see how these children have developed year after year, I see just how special MOSD is because these students are often ready to surpass all expectations required of a kindergarten student. Just looking at Teresa Swartz, the administrator at MOSD, you can see the love and appreciation for these children. It can be seen all over her face, as well as every teacher and volunteer that steps foot in the school. This truly is a labor of love.

I have been inspired by these children and their overcoming spirit. So on this graduation day the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf will release their sweet little butterflies into the world. The lives of these children and the lives of everyone that has come in contact with them at the school will never be the same. I am so honored to have been a small part in their lives and to have captured a small part of this beautiful story through my photography and paintings.

~Richard Ramsey

Good Luck to our 2010 Graduates!

It's graduation season! The little graduate in the Fox13 news piece is a student at the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf (MOSD). We've been a sponsor of MOSD since 1996 and have seen lots of little children come in and out of the school. We are always in aah to see how much they change and develop through their short time at the school. Autumn is special to us, she's always got a glimmer in her eyes, always a smile on her face and always ready to conquer the world, so you can see how she's managed to capture our hearts. We're so excited to see that Autumn is ready to move on to kindergarten in a public school, but we're going to miss her cute personality around MOSD. It's amazing how much these students have grown and developed in order to be able to attend a public school. This year it's pre-school graduation, but before you know it she'll be graduating high school. Congratulations to Autumn and our 2010 High School Seniors! We congratulate you on all your hard work and achievements and wish you the best of luck as you move forward into the world. May God bless your lives!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Charles, Emma, Broc and Ebby
want to wish Grandma Southall a
Happy Birthday!

It was a surprise to their mother for her birthday. Tracie Stokes and Crystal Hill thoughtfully planned a portrait session to surprise their mother, Sharon. Sharon had bought the dresses for the little girls not knowing that a beautiful portrait would be created using those same dresses.

Emma found it hard to keep the secret from her grandmother, but Friday is Grandma's birthday, so she gets to present her with her gift, their portrait!

Richard and I have know the Southall family for years. Crystal and I grew up together on the softball field and ended up graduating high school together when I transferred to CHS my junior year. Of course, Richard has known the Southall's from around the community as well, but can remember photographing Tracy and Crystal since they were toddlers. Crystal mentioned how people still comment on the family portrait hanging in the Southall home that was taken when she was 5 years of age. Now she and Tracie both have children of their own.

Its families like this one that Richard has watched grow up through the eye of his camera, its almost as though he's been a part of the family. He remembers stories from their childhood, and reminisces about portraits past...his favorite moment was one of the first portraits for the Southall family. Tracy was a toddler, he was photographing her in their front yard, and all of a sudden she pokes her head through the fence and gives a big happy smile. "She had the cutest blond hair!" he said. I'm sure Ms. Sharon still has that portrait, and I'm sure it brings as big of a smile to her face and as much love to her heart now, as it did then.

For Richard, it is such a joy to see Tracy and Crystal all grown up with babies of their own, Charles & Emma (Tracy's children) and Broc & Ebby (Crystal's children). It's such an honor that they have chosen him to produce such a special gift of portraiture for Mrs. Sharon on her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Sharon!

Tuesday's Child is Full of Grace

These are just a few of the images from our Tuesday's Child Promotion. Its unusual, but almost all of our sessions this year were boys! They ranged from timid and shy to curious and silly, but they are were good, sweet boys! The Tuesday's Child Promotion was AWESOME savings, like none other we've ever had at Ramsey's. If you missed out I really hate that, but look at or website for future promotions. Currently, our Family, and Seniors Promotions are listed.

Give us a call today, 901.372.0020, so that we can answer any questions that you may have regarding a session with Ramsey Photography.