Randi Edwards crouches down beside her subject and adjusts the feathery

boa. "Oh, you look beautiful," she tells the

little girl beaming up at her. "Click, click,

click." She fires off three shots and resumes

talking in her soft, reassuring voice. A few more minutes, and a few more shots,

and the session is over.

Edwards is a woman with a mission; figuratively and literally. Blessed with

an artistic eye, she offers to take pictures of children in their home environment,

playing and using their imaginations, and in turn, will accept donations for Christ

the Healer mission group working to help children in Uganda.

As a member of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church in Peachtree

City, Edwards became aware of the pressing needs of Ugandan families and the

work her congregation is doing to help.

"These people need many things. They need

medical supplies, shoes, clean drinking

water," Edwards said. In her own small way, Edwards intends to make a difference

in the lives of others who are less fortunate.

"Bring me a roll of film and an hour to photograph your child," Edwards tells

parents.

She turns the film over to the parents when the session is over and forwards

the donation to her church.

Edwards allows the children to select their props or costuming for their photo opportunity. She is often spotted in local thrift shops hunting down floaty chiffon scarfs, picturesque hats and glittery costume accesories for her young models. "I like to capture their

imaginations at work," she said. "I prefer to take pictures of children when they are playing and not dressed in their Sunday best," she added.

During the day, Edwards works at NCR in Peachtree City as a return parts administrator working on making exchanges with customers in 65 countries. In her free time, she is likely to be found behind the lens of her 35 mm

camera, crawling around on the floor with her tiny subjects.

Edwards' love of photography began at age 15. "My first camera was a one of those Instamatic jobby do's," she recalls. "I was living in an apartment complex at the time and I took pictures of everythingthe parking lot,

cars, wheels, bumpers," she laughs.

"One day I saw things in a different light; when I was looking through the lens and when I wasn't looking through the lens," she said. Edwards sees everything as potential photograph.

"One day, recently, I thought, how wonderful to photograph children," she said. Starting with friends, and their children, she began working her magic. "Until God tells me to do something different, I'll continue with this

project," Edwards said.

To schedule an appointment with Edwards, call 770-304-9246.

<!--##############