Time was, we didn’t download stock shots — we cast real people, even for print ads. Clients like Magnolia Federal were great to work with. Every image on this page was shot by local lensmaster Gib Ford, and art directed by yours truly. We called in local actors, friends, and sometimes grabbed props ourselves. The Motorcycle Mama was none other than the late, great Virginia Metz — who was also my first call for local talent. The convertible belonged to retired art director Sherril Nelson (that’s him standing by it). The wild piano man is Curtis Vance, one of our account execs. It was hands-on, homegrown, and way more fun than rummaging through stock libraries. We could control every detail. (Sigh) They don’t make ’em like we used to. Even though we still could.