Tonya McGue

I grew up in the tiny town of Chandler (pop. approx. 3,000) in southern Indiana. I'm proud to say I'm a first generation college graduate on both sides of the family. At Western Kentucky University, I started as a photojournalism major and switched to public relations because I like to write and do graphic design in addition to shooting photographs. I completed a master's degree in public relations from Ball State University while I was working full time in Indianapolis. During most of my career, I've specialized in publications - writing, editing, designing and taking photos for regional magazines, industry magazines, company newsletters, brochures and advertisements. When my three children were between 6 and 10 years old, I wrote a young adult novel called Running Home, as part of a master's degree in creative writing at Valparaiso University. 

My career diverged a couple of times when I was executive director of LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra and then later a franchise owner/operator of three Jimmy John's sandwich shops in the Charleston, South Carolina area.

I have been married to John McGue for 32 years. I cannot imagine my life without him and his unwavering love and support. We have three adult children who are doing an excellent job navigating their lives. 

We live on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, an island paradise surrounded by a beautiful Atlantic Ocean beach and an intercoastal waterway filled with dolphins, boaters and pelicans. Life is better at the beach. That saying is true. I wish everyone could experience it. 

My days are relaxed and slower now. I have more time to enjoy all the good in life - family, friends and the beauty all around us. My two favorite possessions are my camera and my bike, which I ride on the beach and around the island year round.

I LOVE to take photographs. In addition to jumping at the chance to take people's photos, going on photoshoots and wandering around for the sole purpose of taking pictures, I am a newborn photographer with Bella Baby Photography. I have taken over 1,500 newborn's photos creating galleries of babies and their parents in their hospital rooms using natural light from the window and capturing the story of the love, excitement and adventure of the first 24 hours of life. It's fun and rewarding.

I've also enjoyed helping people write their memoirs as the leader of Writing Your Memoir classes and as a coach for individual memoir writers. I have designed and printed many memoir books and one family cookbook. It's an incredible experience for me and the client. 

I hope you enjoy my photographs. Each one is a special memory, a moment in time captured through the lens of my camera. Sharing the images is half the fun of taking them. I am happy to print the images for you if you would like one for your home or office.

Beauty, love and goodness are all around us.