Destin beautiful Beach in the middle of the spill Late June.

Well another summer season has come and gone on the emerald coast and I have to say I am very disappointed with the media.  You know so many great people make their livings on the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Its beauty is enjoyed by those of us who live here and is a massive draw to others all over the country as well, thus our way of life revolves heavily around tourism.  As a Destin photographer making his living by the very heart of what makes Destin and the Beaches of South Walton work (tourism) I am so mad at the way the media portrayed the oil spill.  I am on the beach just about every day of the week and I have to say we had virtually nothing to worry about.  But because the media talked about the oil and the entire region being a disaster the livelihoods of the folks that make their living on the gulf coast have had their businesses threatened, most everyone has had a nonprofit season and the season typically carries everyone through to next season.  The worst case is that some businesses have closed and the ones that haven’t are holding on by a thread.  Media is powerful and before they start making all kinds of assumptions about how catastrophic things are they might want to make sure that catastrophic is really the case.  Our area has had very few hard-hitting issues with regards to the environment as far as I know.  To be clear the literally four or five tar balls that I actually saw were no bigger than my thumb nail.  Yet as a result of the media, businesses all over town have suffered.  We have all heard about the domino effect.  Do we really know what that means?  From my perspective it means for example we start with a vacation planed by the Jones in January of 2010 to stay at xyz resort or with xyz vacation Rental Company.  The media announces our area is devastated and doesn’t let up.  The Jones call and cancel their vacation.  Multiply this effect times the number of folks we see during our season, and then attach the domino effect.  No bookings means no revenue for the company which means they have to cut back in every aspect of how they run their business.  Further, food from ice cream to five-star dining, water activities from fishing to canoeing, movies, night life, grocery stores, retail establishments, golf courses, Weddings and beach portrait photography.  Every single thing that we have to offer in Destin and The Beaches of South Walton has been affected by the media and how they portrayed our little spot on the map.  Don’t get me wrong I am not saying we shouldn’t be concerned about the state of the areas that took the hits however, I don’t feel that we should be plastering an 800 number all over the news  to cancel vacations  because of the devastation that happen miles and miles away from us.  We shouldn’t assume devastation to areas based on nothing more than a guess.  There are too many people’s livelihoods at stake to make such a blanket statement that could and has affected the area so badly.  The oil has almost been completely capped at this point and we still don’t know how much oil or to use BP’s term “Plums” are under the water  so we still don’t know what’s going to happen or how much the oil is going to continue to affect our environment.  All I hope is that Destin and the Beaches of South Walton stays clean and the media changes the way they present the news.  Our communities are strong and we will get through this.  So everyone that’s reading this is already thinking about coming back and I say to you come enjoy The Beaches of the Emerald Coast and enjoy your vacation and don’t forget to schedule your beach photography at www.TheDestinPhotographer.com

On a Red flag day our family rule is that the children can get their feet wet and that is it.  The rip tides in the Gulf can be terrifying and hard to spot, but if you see the red flag – keep your children and anyone else in your party away from the water.  Instead of catching a wave or two, we all hunkered down in the sand and got some natural vitamin D while the children built sandcastles, dug their way to china and eventually started to bury each other and get as much sand as possible in every crevice – even their ears.  Bleh!  Thank goodness the Whales Tail at Seascape Beach has an outdoor shower that we can hose them off under before we let them climb back in the car.

Although Joe is a Destin Photographer – we didn’t really pull out the camera very much.  We both just wanted to enjoy the time with the kids and forget about work for a while.  Plus – it’s hard to worry about photography when you are trying to make sure your tan *or sunburn in my case, comes out even.

After the beach, we headed to the house, washed ten pounds of sand down the bathtubs and jumped in the car for a ride out to our favorite seafood restaurant – Old Bay Steamer on Okaloosa Island.  If your idea of the perfect coastal cuisine is a heaping pile of fresh steamed shrimp, crab and other tasty sea creatures – then Old Bay is by far the best spot to quench your craving.  A little pricey but worth every dollar…. the atmosphere is coastal casual.  Shorts, flip flops and just off the beach attire is just fine.  For those in your group that think sea creatures belong in the deep blue and not on the dinner table, there is plenty of other choices on the menu including fantastic steak, bbq ribs, chicken and pasta dishes.  Every meal comes with a salad to start that is very refreshing with a light citrus vinegrette.  There is nothing lacking at Old Bay Steamer except for the view – but to be honest, they really don’t need it.  During the busy season, prepare yourself for a wait.  With two floors and ample seating – there will still be a line out the door if you go during peak dining hours.

Guess Who!!!

Destin Photographers

are often all lumped into one group of individuals who run around town with digital cameras trying to capture tourists and their families in matching outfits posing on beautiful beaches.  Joseph is different – he has a camera at all times – seriously.  I wake up – flash, I walk out of the bathroom – click, I’m cooking bacon and eggs in my pajamas – giggle, flash, click, click.  It gets annoying – especially because I have really long, curly Italian hair and it’s not tame until after my first cup of coffee and half a bottle of frizz ease.

Joseph is a prankster – I was at work the other day and I thought he was showing my employees some photos he had just taken of some of our Destin Condo Rentals.  Nope – he was showing them his gallery of “Amber’s not paying attention to the fact that I have a camera in my hand photos”.  They were laughing, I was snarling – Joe was proud.

Ironically – I really don’t enjoy getting my photo taken.  I’m not particularly photogenic, my skin is too pale, my hair has not been dyed lately – etc.  But this weekend – I had to get a headshot taken for a board of directors position I accepted on the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association.  I had avoided sending them a photo for two weeks… they had asked several times.  I caved and let Joe pose me in front of our fireplace.  I was embarrassed in my own home.  I think the photos all look goofy…. but Joe says they look perfect.  So does that mean I’m perfectly goofy?  Ugh!