Southern Spotlight

He believes,

“Our relationship with our pets is the rawest form of love that wecan experience. They have no ulterior motives, no intent to deceive, just loyalty and love. Each has a unique personality that will forever live in your mind long after they have left your side.”

For Parsons, photography is not just a job, it’s a way of life. It’s his profession, hobby, and passion. He holds one-hour sessions at his studio located on the basement level of the Public Works Art Center in Summerville. They begin with a meetand-greet outside of the Arts Center; then progress to the studio. In the studio, he lets the dog inspect the surroundings. While they are sniffing every corner, Parsons keeps his presence to a minimum and allows the dog to approach him while he assesses their disposition. He reiterates that the dog dictates the session. If they are shy or nervous, he spends more time making them feel at ease. Once the dog is comfortable, the photoshoot begins. One of his first clients, co-worker, Kathryn Miller, reveals,

“The patience and adeptness Justin displayed photographing my dogs was amazing. His gift to hold their attention long enough to capture their mannerisms is exceptional. I am thankful for his immortalization of my furry babies. His portraits communicate their meaning in my life and the time we have spent together. I am forever grateful.”

Seasoned to view the world through a lens, Parsons’ dog portraits transcend the ordinary; they capture what dog owners see and feel every day. Parsons' finished work speaks volumes for his aesthetic acumen. His photojournalism experience taught him to portray the subtleties of life embedded in the ticks of time. For the casual observer, Parsons’ portraits elicit a shared familiarity. They bear witness to the dog’s spirit, universally memorializing an intrinsic value for all to see. For the owner, his photographs visually work in concert with memories. They are tangible reminders of the special place their canine companion holds in their hearts. Polished and sophisticated, Parsons’ work is a testimony of unconditional love and friendship to be treasured for a lifetime. AM

Best Friends

Justin Parsons with his dog Luna

In the heart of Downtown Summerville, comes a new place to gather.

Welcome to The Azalea.

Inspired by the signature style of Azalea Magazine. Craft cocktails by professional mixologists, specialty curated wines, a selection of local craft beers, and a menu of special Southern favorites, offer uptown sophistication just around the corner. The bar’s historic location and unique urban garden give The Azalea a flavor that is quintessentially Summerville.

the southern

Fishing Buddies Ralph Phillips and David Fladd know the Lowcountry waters well; the jig mimics the real thing

Eyes on the Prize

Eye Strike Fishing™ owners, Ralph Phillips and Davis Fladd, upending the jighead fishing lure industry

by Eliza Chapman Bailey

TThere are few products that, with a little tweaking and ingenuity, revolutionize their prospective markets. Products like the Post-It Note, the Walkman, and the Band-Aid. Believe it or not, here in Summerville, two friends have developed such a product—one that has revolutionized an industry and taken the fishing world by storm.

The Trout Eye Jighead is game-changer. Ralph Phillips and David Fladd, co-founders of Eye Strike Fishing (formerly Ralph Phillips Inshore Productions) improved the traditional hook and lead jighead by adding a large eye to the lead. Armed with a keen sense of the parlay between predator and prey, Phillips (a businessman and avid recreational fisherman) and David Fladd (an engineer and angler) developed a jighead rooted in their observation that predatory fish strike the eye first. Building on this concept, they designed a jighead with an enticing 3D eye. The large eye summons the predator to strike. Astute, yet powerfully simplistic, this concept has revolutionized the angling market.

Their company started in 2014 with the manufacturing and marketing of their first lure, the Trout Eye Jighead. Designed for the challenges of fishing the inland waterways of the Lowcountry, this trailblazing jighead set them on a trajectory few can only imagine, let alone accomplish. After designing, producing and marketing the prototype, Phillips and Fladd shared their innovation with local anglers and tackle shops. In an industry saturated with products, they began to make a name for themselves. Recognizing the demand for Trout Eye would exceed their production capacity, Phillips and Fladd faced a conundrum. They could relocate to a bigger space, purchase more equipment, hire more people, outsource production completely—or not.

The duo presented their products to North Charleston based company, Z-Man Fishing Products. After several fishing trips with the Z-Man pro staff, a partnership between the two companies was formed. Z-Man would manufacture, market, and distribute Trout Eye through its worldwide network. Phillips and Fladd would continue to design and develop new products.

The partnership with Z-Man was logical. Both companies are committed to customer service, innovation, and quality. It was a natural fit. Grateful and pragmatic, Phillips relays, “Eye Strike jigheads and Z-man plastics are a perfect combination to attract

EAST WINDS

134 S Main St, Summerville, SC Phone: (843) 875-8985 eastwindsonline.com

Reel Deal An Eye Strike jig with artificial bait; got him

and catch most salt and freshwater species. They complement each other.” Their agreement not only solved the need for brick-and-mortar expansion, but it also catapulted them from the local arena to the global marketplace. Humble and astonished by their market reach, Fladd, recounts “The affirmation we were truly global, came when I saw a Facebook posting from India with two anglers touting their catch, showing the Trout Eye Jighead and singing its praises.”

Phillips and Fladd are emphatic that Z-Man’s collaboration and guidance was responsible for their being able to infiltrate the global marketplace at an accelerated pace. Local social media posts echo Phillips’ sentiment that Z-Man and Eye Strike Fishing Products work handin-hand, producing great results. Kevin Jackson shared a link on Eye Strike Fishing Artificials Facebook page exuberantly offering, “Get out there and try artificials