Southern Sweets - 2017 Issue 1 (3).compressed

Powder Bathroom
Simple
Transformation
DIY
new side dish recipes to bring to
Discover
summer backyard BBQ
any
Easy and Affordable Tips to
10
Your Home Up for Spring
Spruce
SOUTHERN SWEETS
A H O M E A N D L I F E S T Y L E D I G I T A L I N T E R A C T I V E M A G A Z I N E
SPRING YOUR
HOME FORWARD
A BEFORE AND AFTER LOOK
8TH ANNUAL
ONE MUSIC FEST
FOOD, DRINKS
& BACKYARD PARTIES
I S S U E 0 1 • J U L Y 2 0 1 7 • F E A T U R I N G N O L I M I T E X P O S U R E

the look
Shop
some of our
for
things
favorite
spruce your
to
Creating
stunning
transformations
small spaces.
in
kabobs
Chicken
a great side
make
for any bbq
dish
cookout
SOUTHERN SWEETS
what's inside?
4
Koya Tyson Making Waves
and Shaking Things Up
6
Meet and Greet At Home
with Michelle Gowdy
18
Feature Spotlight:
Taji Harris
3
Editors' Note
8
Home Decor: Spring Your Home
Forward
10
DIY: A Before and After Look
Simple Powder Bathroom
DIY Transformation
12
Food, Drinks & Backyard Parties
Discover new side dish recipes to bring
to any summer backyard BBQ
14
Lifestyle: Jammin' On The One
The 8th Annual One MusicFest
16
Getting Involved:
2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's
home for spring

the Editors
We're beyond excited and thrilled to welcome you our very first digital interactive
magazine issue for home decor, lifestyle, travel, and culinary art inspirations. As you read,
be on the lookout for clickable Shop the Look links of your favorite rooms, download
From
recipes, or sign up to major upcoming events and activities.
We wear many hats to bring you the latest news, do-it-yourself (DIY) tidbits, travel
adventures. and home decor inspirations, but know that all of this comes from our labor of
love and passion for home design and living life to the fullest. We hope you're just as
interested and excited to join us on this new journey. We welcome you into our world, into
our homes, and we hope you leave just a small enough space in your hearts to embrace us
into yours.
KOYA TYSON AND MICHELLE GOWDY
CREATORS | WRITERS | EDITORS OF SOUTHERN SWEETS MAGAZINE
E D I T O R S ' N O T E | 3

Tyson Making Waves
Koya
Shaking Things Up
and
Her Aspiring Dream to Follow the Heels of the Home and Living
Hear
Mogul, Martha Stewart
Business
At home with
Koya Tyson for
Southern Sweets'
first photoshoot
by Michelle Gowdy
Koya and I have been close friends for over eight years now and despite the hussle and bussle of our everyday
lives, still manage to talk to each other every single day, throughout the day. When the idea came of working
together again to create a decor and lifestyle magazine, there was simply no surprise or hesitation to the
thought. Actually, this was something we individually had in mind to do as solo projects, so it only made sense to
join creative forces and take a leap forward into something we both are passionate about and have some fun in
the process. And believe me, it's guaranteed fun hanging with Koya.
As I'm thinking of what questions to ask her when I pull up to her house for the interview, I'm anxious to hear
her responses. For me, it's always heartwarming and inspiring to hear others' dreams and goals.
K O Y A T Y S O N M A K I N G W A V E S | 4

M: You ready? Let's start with this one, what or who
inspired you to become interested in DIY projects?
K: (Laughing) You’re not going to believe this but PBS. Growing
up we didn’t have cable so we watched A LOT of PBS and on
the weekends we’d stay home, so we watched the food and
diy shows. This Old House, Yin Can Cook, Julia and Jacques,
Martha Stewart, and Justin Wilson, the classics, the greats.
M: Well you definitely do a lot of house projects, are there
any DIY tools or products you keep on hand with you at
all times?
K: Screws, nails, washers, nuts, and bolts. You know how they
give you extra parts when you put furniture together? I always
keep them. That way, when I get a piece that’s missing a part
or I end up stripping the nail, I have a backup.
M: The drum roll question this morning, why do you call
yourself the next Martha Stewart?
K: Actually, that’s what other people called me in college and I
liked it. I researched her story and it’s great. Model turned
stock broker turned caterer turned cookbook author turned
cook show star. Who does that? Her story is inspiring. I’ll be
engineer turned event planner turned magazine editor turned
TV cook/diy star. I’m on the right path.
“I’ll be engineer turned event planner
turned magazine editor turned TV
cook/diy star. I’m on the right path.”
M: Random, but if you were on an island and could only
bring three things, what would you bring?
K: Something to make fire, a knife, and a companion. I need to
be able to cook and stay warm, cut things, and someone to
talk to.
M: What would you say is your absolute dream job?
K: The answer changes. As a kid, I wanted to be a professional
dancer, a lawyer and a teacher...all at once. Lawyer and law
professor by day and professional dancer at night. By middle
school I wanted to be a computer analyst. In high school I
learned about computer engineers and that was the goal. In
college, I wanted to be the guy who made weapons for James
Bond (laughing). My first job out of college was as a software
engineer with the US Department of Defense. I had my dream
job by 25. I was ready to quit by 27. I love my job now, but
ideally, I want Ina Garten's job. I want to travel the world and
cook dinner for my husband. Her and Jeffery are relationship
goals!!!!! Along with Chip and Joanna.
At home with Koya Tyson
K O Y A T Y S O N M A K I N G W A V E S | 5

At home with
Michelle Gowdy for
Southern Sweets'
first photoshoot
and Greet At Home
Meet
Michelle Gowdy
with
by Koya Tyson
One Half of the Creative Duo Behind Southern Sweets
Our story starts when we met in college while working in a research lab. After about four months of working different
hours, we finally started working the same hours. This posed a problem because we were working at the same
desk. We were given a small office to share and immediately made our way to IKEA to decorate the "prison-like"
room. This is when it all started. Since then, we’ve decorated three apartments and three houses. We’ve collaborated
on recipes, outfits, décor, men, hairstyles…. you know, typical girl stuff. Now, that we’re steady in our professional life,
I am now a homeowner and Michelle is a wife with a beautiful family and home, we’ve realized that it’s time for us to
get back to working together, but this time, we’re going to share our creative journey and lifestyle tips with you.
Before you embark on this journey with us, let me introduce you to my dear friend, Michelle Gowdy.
M E E T A N D G R E E T A T H O M E W I T H M I C H E L L E G O W D Y | 6

K: Okay, so here we go. Eight years later and round two working together. Why do you think we make
great business partners?
M: Well I know you and I are both very creative and independent individuals, however, I also know we work very
well when collaborating with others, as we often do in the nature of our current work. We know how to listen to
each other and respect our differences. In this particular new venture, this is something that we both are very
passionate about and both feel blessed to have an opportunity where our passion meets the crosswords of our
careers. Regardless of how this turns out, I know we’ll both be enjoying the ride and just having fun.
K: So what are you most looking forward to in our new adventure?
M: (Laughing) Well I’m just looking forward to having fun. We have fun together when we travel, whenever we
hang out, and when we’re at various outings, so I think this will be the same way. We’re both excited, we’re both
passionate, so nothing but good positive things can come out of it.
K: I know we both love to decorate and share meal recipes. If you had to live out your remaining days as
an interior designer or a master chef, which one would you choose?
M: Well, I'm still trying to step up my cooking skills in the kitchen, so definitely an interior decorator. I love, love,
love to decorate. A house is a blank canvas to me. Even if it looks like a Crayola box, or needs repairs, it’s easy for
me to look past that and lay out a creative vision. I love to go back and look at the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of
different rooms. I sometimes wish I could have several empty homes built just so I could decorate them in
completely different ways.
K: Is there an inspirational quote or words you live by when decorating your home, cooking, or working
on DIY projects?
M: I remember hearing Oprah once say that your house should always rise to greet you. That literally has stuck
with me since I first heard it, well before I even owned my first home. It’s those words I hear in my head when I’m
spending countless hours looking for a specific piece of furniture or ordering 50 different paint swatches. The
second I walk through the door, or anyone for that matter, I want my home to feel warm and inviting. I want it to
feel like my safe place where I can put my feet up and relax and be with those I love. And that’s it, my home is a
place where I can just be.
K: Tell me something most people don’t
know about you.
M: I love to sing. Am I the greatest?
Absolutely not, but I still sing every day in
the car, in the shower, outside, around the
house. Girl, I can hold a few notes now.
Gotta catch me though (Laughing). When I’m
alone, I sing as if I'm Beyonce, in my head. I
can probably count on one hand, the
number of people who have ever heard me
really sing and that’s because I am very shy
and don’t like to be the center of attention.
But I love it and do it anyway. I’m my own
audience.
At home with
Michelle Gowdy
K: In your spare time when you’re not
working on projects, where are you
spending your time?
M: Always with family. My husband and I
have large families so we’re always
planning family vacations or a cousins’ hang
out night. Those are the absolute best. I
have the greatest times.
M E E T A N D G R E E T A T H O M E W I T H M I C H E L L E G O W D Y | 7

Easy and Affordable Tips to
10
Your Home Up for Spring
Spruce
PLANTS
LIVE
only do household
Not
your home, help
inside
illness, and helps
deter
CABINETS
WHITE
could use a
Kitchen
facelift? Painting
quick
cabinets white can
the
ART
DIGITAL
your colorful vacation
Use
or take pictures
photos
in the backyard or
outside
park. Print them in
local
format, frame and
large
on your walls for
hang
visual appeal.
new
home, such as a
your
to paint over.
bathroom,
spaces are
Small
for trying
conducive
colors or using
bright
patterns.
bold
GOOD
SMELL
SCENTS
filling your
peppermint
freshens the air with
home
aromas, bringing
sweet
favorable
those
Your
Spring
Forward
Home
by Michelle Gowdy
As the temperatures get warmer and the days get longer,
we oftentimes look for ways to invite that same warm,
invigorating, outdoorsy vibe into the comfort of our own
homes.
A ROOM
PAINT
a small room in
Select
Here are 10 simple, fast, and affordable tips to spruce your
home up for spring, and will last well through the summer.
Time to bring some of the outdoors indoors and let your
home reflect those warm rays of sunshine.
your space,
brighten
you a fresh, clean
giving
and open feel.
scent of lavender,
The
jasmine, or
vanilla,
just look good,
plants
help clean the air
they
improve productivity.
outdoor scents in.

FLOWER
BOUQUETS
flowers are
Fresh
and seasonal.
fragrant
flowers to
Coordinate
your decor and
match
to your table
add
to amp
centerpieces
out the color or
Changing
a print design for
selecting
curtains can have a
your
impact to your space.
nice
your curtains floor to
Hang
for an even more
ceiling
the shop
look
your windows to
Clean
more natural lighting
allow
your room, which
into
helps make a
visually
appear larger
space
it may be.
than
BRIGHT
COLORS
can add just about
You
for that pop of
anything
to change the vibe
color
a space, be it your
in
or
Monogrammed
pillows offer a
phrased
more personalized
bit
to your space.
touch
fun with it. The
Have
the merrier.
more
WINDOWS
CURTAINS
dramatic look.
PILLOWS
up the look.
ottomans, throw pillows,
or coffee table trinkets.

Before A
After Look
&
Powder Bathroom
Simple
Transformation
DIY
by Koya Tyson
When I bought my home I instantly fell in love. I knew
it was the one. I loved everything about it...except the
powder room on the main level. The previous owner
had the entire home painted a neutral color, but they
left the floor to ceiling gold sheer curtains in
there. Please note that there is no window in the
powder room. There was also a clam shell pedestal
sink. There were just so many issues. So naturally,
this was the first major project for me in my home.
Here's how I redesigned my powder room for less
than $500.
I've been in love with grey walls since 2010. So
naturally, I decided to paint the walls a neutral
grey. I used XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Since it's a small
"PERFECT FOR
PARTIES AND
CELEBRATIONS"
space, I only needed one gallon of paint.
Next, was replacing the pedestal sink. Since the grey
can make things a little dark and there is no natural
light in the space, I decided to brighten things up
with all white trim, vanity, toilet, and silver fixtures. I
purchased a basic vanity with top from Home
Depot. I like to stalk the ads for a few months
before starting a project. I actually found this one
during a sale.
I purchased a silver wall mounted toilet paper roll
from IKEA, but it didn't stay mounted more than a
month, so I ended up switching it out for this self
standing toilet paper holder which holds magazines
and extra toilet paper. I caught this on sale during
Black Friday for only $15.
It was great that I had leftover paint, so I was able to
patch up the holes and paint over them. I replaced
the mirror with a frameless square mirror also from
IKEA.
Before
A B E F O R E & A F T E R L O O K | 1 0

the shop
look
After
In Progress
Houzz
$29.69
Better Living
Toilet Caddy
IKEA
Home Depot
$199
$34.99
GODMORGAN
Glacier Bay
Marble Vanity
Mirror
A B E F O R E & A F T E R L O O K | 1 0

new side dish recipes to
Discover
to any summer backyard
bring
FOOD, DRINKS
& BACKYARD
PARTIES
POSTMODERN
PAINTING. Stella
alternately paints in
oil and watercolor
BBQ
by Koya Tyson
It's that time of the year in Atlanta, when
everybody and their momma is having a BBQ. As a
southern gal, I was taught never to show up empty
handed. Here's a list of my favorite side dishes for
a backyard BBQ: pasta salad, chicken kabobs, and
semi-homemade baked beans.
F O O D , D R I N K S & B A C K Y A R D P A R T I E S | 1 2

Light and Easy Pasta Salad
Ingredients
1 lb box of pasta, cooked (I like the tri color pasta)
16-24 oz Wishbone Italian Dressing
1 pint Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 broccoli crown, chopped
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cucumber, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Directions
1. Microwave chopped broccoli for 2 minutes.
After microwaving, stop the cooking by placing the
broccoli in a bowl of ice and cold water.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, 16
oz Italian dressing, cherry tomatoes, broccoli,
cheese, cucumber, and Italian seasoning.
3. Refrigerate for 4 hours or longer.
4. Serve chilled.
Tip: The pasta will absorb a lot of the dressing, so
before serving be sure to mix the pasta salad to
incorporate any lingering dressing in the bowl. If it
seems to be a little dry, add a little more dressing
to your liking.
Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
1 l b chicken breast, cut into chunks
2 onions, chopped into large chunks
2 bell peppers, chopped into large chunks
Webber's Kick'n Chicken seasoning
Wooden or metal kabob skewers
Directions
1. Season chicken with Webber's Kick'n Chicken
seasoning. Place seasoned chicken into a freezer
bag.
2. Add chopped vegetables to freezer bag.
3. Mix chicken and vegetables in the bag to get
seasoning onto the vegetables.
4. Assemble kabobs on skewers. Leave a little
space between the meat and vegetables to ensure
that the meat is cooked thoroughly.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or grill
kabobs for 20 minutes on grill. Flip kabobs halfway
through.
Tip: If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in
water for an hour prior to assembly. This will
prevent them from catching fire on the grill. A
water bottle or tall cup works perfect.
Semi-Homemade Baked Beans
Ingredients
2 28 oz cans VanCamps Pork and Beans
4 strips bacon, chopped
2 strips bacon, chopped (for topping)
1 cup brown sugar
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons bbq sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb browned and drained ground turkey, beef, or
chicken (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Heat olive oil in skillet. Once heated, add onions
and bell peppers. Cook until sweated.
3. Add brown sugar to onion and peppers mixture.
Mix until sugar is melted.
4. In large baking dish, mix all ingredients. Top with
2 strips of chopped bacon.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.
6. Enjoy!!!
What if I don't want to cook?
I'm a firm believer of not cooking on weekends.
Below is a list of tasty options that you can pick up
on your way to the cookout.
Publix Potato Salad - You can't eat everyone's
potato salad, but everyone can eat Publix potato
salad.
Hot dogs and buns - This is the perfect snack for
kids and adults who don't want to wait for the
food to finish cooking.
A refreshing beverage - Everyone loves a
refreshing fruity beverage like strawberry
lemonade on a hot summer day. You can always
spike it with some vodka or rum for the adult
only bbq.
Fried chicken - Everybody has that one uncle
who always brings a family box of chicken to the
family gatherings. It's okay to be that uncle. We
all love fried chicken.
Download Recipes Here
F O O D , D R I N K S & B A C K Y A R D P A R T I E S | 1 3

your get
now tickets
18
Jammin' On The One
by Michelle Gowdy
The 8th Annual One MusicFest
Before you start packing up those picnic baskets, blankets, and maxi
dresses, there's one more hot event Atlanta is bringing to the scene,
guaranteed to set the stages ablaze - the 8th Annual One MusicFest.
One MusicFest is the largest Southeastern annual urban music festival,
bringing together the best and most diverse sounds of music in hip-hop,
R&B, alternative and rock. With that, comes an eclectic crowd jammin' on
the ones to their favorite beats. A few more musical acts are yet to be
announced, however, tickets are known to sell out fast, so please don't wait
until the last minute arrives. Grab your crew and head on out to see some
of these amazing artists at this year's two day event.
If I'm fortunate enough, this will be my first year in attendance, and I can't
wait. That's one thing I love about Atlanta, its richness in culture, arts, and
music, and it's never too late to immerse yourself in these new experiences.
Featured Performers
JILL SCOTT
DAMIAN "JR GONG" MARLEY
SEAN PAUL
JIDENNA
KAYTRANADA
YASIIM BEY (formerly known
as Mos Def)
His last performance ever
in Atlanta.
TOO $HORT
THUNDERCAT
RO JAMES
J.I.D
ARI LENNOX
TANK AND THE BANGAS
This is one epic event you
sure don't want to miss!
When and Where
Friday, September 8th @ 8PM - 1AM
OMF KickOff Party @ The Tabernacle
152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Saturday, September 9th @ 12PM - 11PM
ONE Musicfest @ Lakewood Amphitheater
2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta, GA 30315
T H E 8 T H A N N U A L O N E M U S I C F E S T | 1 4

If you so happen to miss this particular amazing event, no worries, we got you covered. Here's a preview sample of
several other Atlanta music festivals you can catch this coming late summer and early fall.
Soul Food & Music Festival - September 2, 2017
Enjoy ribs, fried chicken, grilled shrimp, peach
cobbler, soul music, and R&B at Taste of Soul next to
Mercedes Benz Stadium. Free except reserved seats.
Caribbean Jerk Festival - September 2, 2017
Enjoy exotic flavors and rhythms at Caribbean Jerk
Festival and Family Fun Day. Jerkfest has jerk cuisine,
a cook off, vendors, games, and dancing to Reggae,
Dancehall, Calypso, and Soca at Georgia
International Horse Park in Conyers.
Midtown Music Festival - September 16-17, 2017
Music Midtown attracts big crowds for a great lineup
on three stages at Piedmont Park, with food
vendors. No pets.
Imagine Music Festival - September 22-24, 2017
Imagine Music Festival features multiple stages of
dance music at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Jazz Legend Concert - September 24, 2017
John Coltrane Birthday Concert is an annual tribute
to an early American jazz saxophonist and composer
at the Velvet Note in Alpharetta.
Sweet Auburn Music Fest - September 30, 2017
Sweet Auburn Music Fest is an R&B, hip-hop, and
gospel music festival on Auburn Avenue at Jackson.
Candler Park Festival - September 30, 2017
Fall Fest has live bands, 150 art booths, gourmet
food trucks, a kids’ area, 5K, 1K, and Sunday home
tour.
T H E 8 T H A N N U A L O N E M U S I C F E S T | 1 5

18
Getting Involved
by Cheryl Hodges
2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's
It never dawned on me the things we take for granted until now. Like
someone saying, “I love you” or calling your name or even saying “Good
morning.” Every time I look into my mother’s face, I wish those words would
come out of her mouth. Hell, any words for that matter. Daughter…. Meka, I
love you, I’m proud of you, anything. The head nods and teary eyes don’t do
it for me. I know I sound selfish. She is trying, right? But really no, she’s not.
Not really. But let me explain though.
This woman has given me everything under the sun except life itself, yet I
still want more. I crave it. I need it. Cry for it, beg for it. How is it that I went
from needing my mama, to not needing her, to feeling like I won’t be able to
live without her and to her needing everything from me? I need her! Like
air. Sometimes I feel like the grief from watching her fade away will
suffocate me. Snuff me out like Alzheimer’s does the light in her eyes. Grief
swallows me like dementia swallows her. It has devoured every known
piece of her until the only thing that’s left is this shell of a person; who
doesn’t speak, wears diapers and can’t do anything for herself. Where is she
I wonder? The woman who raised me. The woman with the fire, the sass,
the spunk. The woman who wiped my tears, calmed my fears and often
brought me back to reality.
Ten Early Signs
of Alzheimer's
According to the Alzheimer’s
association there are several
warning signs of the
development of Alzheimer’s.
1. Memory loss that disrupts
daily life
2. Challenges in planning or
solving problems
3. Difficulty completing
familiar tasks at home, at
work or at leisure
4. Confusion with time or
place
5. Trouble understanding
visual images and spatial
relationships
6. New problems with words
in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and
losing the ability to retrace
steps
8. Decreased or poor
judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or
social activities
10. Changes in mood and
personality
A moment with Cheryl
Hodges and her
mother in a car ride
2 0 1 7 W A L K T O E N D A L Z H E I M E R ' S | 1 6

donate
today
18
Losing my mother to Alzheimer’s is horrible. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and the only cause of
death in the Top 10 for the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down. Now that I look back, I saw
the signs for years, but I just assumed it was old age. She would call me, asking me how to spell certain words.
Sometimes the words were pretty easy too. Then, she started getting lost going to places she had been to dozens of
times. I kept telling myself I would buy her a GPS and never did. I only knew about a few instances of getting lost, a few of
my family members knew about other times.
If you are concerned an older loved one may be at risk, please get them checked by a doctor. My single greatest regret is
that I didn’t appreciate my mother while I had the chance. I didn’t call her enough or spend enough time with her. If you
are reading this and lucky enough to still have a loving mother, appreciate her while you can today because tomorrow
may be too late. For more information of this disease, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at alz.org.
How to Get Involved
The Walk to End Alzheimer's event is the world's largest walk event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's. It is
held annually in over 600 communities nationwide and 19 locations in the Georgia region. This event welcomes
participants of all backgrounds and ages to come together and support this great cause as one. Donations are used to
help The Alzheimer's Association continue their mission in raising awareness, support to the families and individuals that
are facing this disease, provide educational programs, and many other initiatives across the globe, in efforts to making a
difference.
The Greater Atlanta Walk to End Alzheimer's will be held Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the Kennesaw State University
Sports and Entertainment Park. Registration begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Cheryl has started a team to walk for her mother in the Atlanta Walk to End Alzheimer's. If you wish to donate and
support the cause, please click here.
For more information on the Walk to End Alzheimer's, please click here.
2 0 1 7 W A L K T O E N D A L Z H E I M E R ' S | 1 7

Feature
Spotlight
No Limit Exposure
Taji Harris
Southern Sweets is a small, independent startup digital magazine. We know how difficult it is to start a business, so
we've decided to use our platform to introduce our audience to other small business owners. In every issue, we will
showcase an Atlanta small business owner who is doing great things around the city. For this issue, our first issue, we
have our very own photographer, Taji Harris of No Limit Exposure. Continue reading to learn a little about the
California born Atlanta bred photographer.
Introducing Atlanta's Next Up and Coming Photographer
F E A T U R E S P O T L I G H T | 1 8

Minutes with Taji ...
Five
SS: Is there a person or place you would love to photograph, but haven't yet?
T: Both, actually. I want to photograph all my close friends either in a place they love or doing something they are
passionate about. Something about when people are in a head space or comfort or extreme delight, it produces
something intangible in pictures that draws you in. Maybe shared joy? I don’t know, but it’s pretty dope.
SS: What inspired you to be a photographer?
T: My son. Watching him go through constant metamorphosis, seemingly weekly, made me realize how few pictures
I have of my childhood. The only ones are hanging up in my Granny’s place (including one terrible freshman high
school pic where a bad haircut rendered me the “son of Sinbad”).
SS: Where do you see your career in five years?
T: Quitting my 9-5, making a decent living, and flying all over the world with my wife and kids to take pics.
SS: Best piece of professional advice you've ever received?
T: “Never fuck for free.” A friend told me that a few months ago. She’s in the tech industry, which is hard enough for
women, but she found that people would try to procure her services without compensation. It’s something that’s
prevalent in a lot of instances, especially if you’re just starting to build your brand. But what I’ve taken away from
experience is that compensation doesn’t have to be money. I love bartering. I just try to make sure no one is left
feeling used, without a warm wet rag.
F E A T U R E S P O T L I G H T | 1 9

SS: Best advice you would give to an inspiring
photographer?
T: I know it's cliché but “TAKE PICTURES
EVERYDAY.” Working on your craft is pivotal. Trust,
I know life gets in the way, but if you’re stuck at
home or are just too tired after a long day at the 9-
5, take dope shots of random shit at the house. Or
create “moodygram” inspired dick pics (that you
will not send to an unsolicited person).
“I want to photograph all
my close friends either in a
place they love or doing
something they are
passionate about.”
SS: What type of photography does No Limit
Exposure do?
T: All types, but I tend to shoot more stylized
lifestyle pictures and cityscapes.
SS: If one of our readers wanted to hire you,
how can they contact you?
T: My email (nolimitexposure@gmail.com) is on
my Instagram, but IG DM works as well.
SS: Biggie or Tupac?
T: Wow! That’s like asking which one of my
ventricles do I prefer…Biggie.
If you'd like to reach out to Taji for your
photography needs, he can be reached via email
at NoLimitExposure@gmail.com. Samples of his
work can be seen on his Instagram account
@nolimitexposure.
Taji Harris on an
outdoor set
photoshoot
F E A T U R E S P O T L I G H T | 2 0

“LIFE IS
UNCERTAIN.
EAT DESSERT
FIRST.”
Ulmer
Ernestine
Writer

SOUTHERN SWEETS
Creative Directors: Koya Tyson / Michelle Gowdy
Editors in Chief: Koya Tyson / Michelle Gowdy
Contributing Photographer: Taji Harris
Contributing Writer: Cheryl Hodges
Photo Credits: IKEA / Houzz / Home Depot
contact us
Atlanta, Georgia
southernsweetsmagazine@gmail.com
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