Working in journalism and interviewing people for a living, it’s obvious that you get to know individuals in the community that you work.

Many times, conversations last five or 10 minutes while I ask someone about their event or whatever the story may be. I get back to the office, type it up and it usually goes in the next day’s paper. Although I interview the person, I don’t truly get to know them outside of the event.

But for our magazine, we get to spend a lot more time with the person or people we are featuring and get to dig a little deeper than we usually would.

In many cases for a magazine story, I actually go to someone’s house to interview them and take photos of them drawing, painting, sewing and more.

I get to sit down with the person and talk with them for a while about their craft or hobby, and I really get to know them.

I usually end up spending a little more time than I probably should at the stories because by the end, they’re asking me questions like they’ve known me for years.

A few months ago, I did a story on Wayne and Gail May of Sincerely G. The two are both retired from education and have since started their own printing company. The day I went over there, I got the address to their house and used my GPS to get there. Once I found it, I grabbed my camera bag and headed to their door. I had only met the couple once at the library very briefly, but they graciously welcomed me into their home.

After talking with them for about an hour, they took me back to where they design and print some of their many items. To my surprise, they had already printed me out some cards, complete with my name and everything.

I couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple to interview. They were so generous and welcoming, and I left there with two new friends.

Before that, I got to spend time with Kate Wood and her daughter for a story on Kate’s baking and her dream to write a cookbook. Watching her mix up ingredients while her daughter tried to help, or eat them, kept a smile on my face long after I left.  For the February-March edition of Selma The Magazine, I got to meet Porter Rivers, a very talented college student that enjoys drawing and painting local architecture. He and his mom were a pleasure to talk with, and it was fun to see him in his element.

For the upcoming edition, I got to talk with Manera Searcy about her business selling Doncaster clothing. I got to photograph Joyce Christian and her beautiful Gypsy Vanner horses out in Marion Junction. I also got to head out of town to tour the Hill View House where Ken and Joanna Nichols have built their dream home. This magazine will feature even more unique people of Dallas County, and I’m excited for the community to see the people that our staff has had the opportunity of getting to know.