Photo of the Month | Joseph Sanders - Palmetto Bella Magazine

Photo of the Month: Joseph Sanders

My journey in portrait photography came in stages that were out of order from what one would typically think. Most of the time, someone will start with taking photos of family and friends, slowly learn the mechanics of the camera, and eventually master the editing techniques needed to produce professional looking headshots. For me, it was quite the opposite.

Starting my freshman year at Williston-Elko High School, I began to explore the world of Adobe Photoshop in my computer graphics class. I liked it so much that I took that same class twice over my four years there just for fun. Once I moved to my new home at the University of South Carolina, I took a photography class on a whim and quickly became enthralled in the mechanics of DSLR photography. After many times of going out and taking pictures of bugs, leaves, water, and other natural environments, I realized what was missing for me was human interaction. I began seeking out friends, family, and models to take pictures of, and I instantly fell in love with the art of portraits.

Fast forward to last fall. I had come home to visit my family one weekend and heard that my little brother, Tre’ Sanders, had missed his 4th grade school pictures. Obviously he was upset, so in order to cheer him up, I took him out to Lemon Park in Barnwell, South Carolina to make sure his growth that year was well documented. Little did I know he was such a photogenic young man!

Photo of the Month | Joseph Sanders | Palmetto Bella

The Aiken Center for the Arts presents: “Burd Brain”

Marius Valdes, also known as Zoo Valdes, is known for creating a menagerie of lovable animals and whimsical creatures that pop off the page. Valdes, who teaches graphic design and illustration at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, will share his colorful characters in the main gallery at Aiken Center for the Arts while students are in camps this summer. These works, which are based on a children’s book the artist is working on, will give students insights into the process of creating art. “Burd Brain,” the children’s book he is writing and illustrating through a grant from the University of South Carolina, includes words and illustrations that tell

Our Flag | June 14, 2020

I’m known by many names: Old Glory The Stars and Stripes The Star Spangled Banner The Red White and Blue That Grand Old Flag I demand care, respect and honor. I stand for all that we citizens hold dear: Freedom and Democracy Our government — OF, BY, and FOR the People. That’s Us! I represent a living country. Citizen soldiers follow the flag into battle “Some carry the flag in peaceful protest And sometimes not so peaceful.” From that huge banner That flies over the Capitol Dome and in all 50 states, To the flag posted at the door of the most modest home, To the flag draped over a

The Edge of Creativity | Creative of the Month

“Let’s get a little crazy here.” Bob Ross Art and the creative world have always been important to both Bella and me personally, and with that, we have decided to introduce a new Creative each month. Not necessarily an Artist, but a Creative and, at least to me, it is important to note the difference between the two. Although I think Creatives are Artists, I do think using the title “Creatives” expands the series in an important way. Let’s take just a minute to explore the differences between Art, Artist, and Creative. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Thomas Merton Art, according to

Introducing the Aiken Bella Magazine Book Club

Each month we will select a book to read and then publish a review. The selection will be posted on Instagram and Facebook before our publication date for anyone who would like to read along. This month we read Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate. This story caught our attention because of its partial setting in Aiken, South Carolina, as well as its basis in the true events involving the Memphis Children’s Home scandal. I, for one, am looking forward to the books Nichole “Book Nerd Nikkie” Miller will select in the future. Be sure to follow Aiken Bella Magazine on Facebook and Instagram for updates and our next