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"Thanks for being so awesome for our special day. You were perfect for the job." - Tom
Client Raves
"Thank you for my beautiful pictures!" - Stephanie
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"Andrew you made my day!!! Thank you so much. Phil and I love all of them." - Angie
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"Thank you so much. I am so, so happy to have had you as our photographer, and these shots are really beautiful. Thanks again for your time and your obvious concern for capturing our day beautifully. " - Katie
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"The pictures are amazing!!! You did such a great job! I love how you 'captured the moment!' We really enjoyed working with you." - Darah
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"WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE PICTURES!!! Everyone thinks the sunset pictures are a backdrop because they are so beautiful!! We happily reassured them it was a TRUE Panama City Sunset!!!" - Lisa
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"You did a phenomenal job on our pictures! Thank you so much for your time and making us feel very comfortable and important during our special time." - Casey
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"If you want to have fun taking pictures hire Andrew! I've hired him on several occasions and he's a true professional. He's sensitive, kind, considerate, and enjoys life. He cares about his work and his clients." - Shirstie
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"You're the masterpiece man." - Kendra
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"I cannot tell you enough how great a photographer you are. Thank you for taking my pictures for SUP Wheels. They turned out Amazing!" - Colette
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"Thank you so much for our photos!! They turned out beautifully! We will definitely recommend you to our friends :-)" - Maria
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"Our wedding photography session with Andrew was easy and fun...with fantastic results! We are still getting compliments on how absolutely beautiful and unique the pictures are. Andrew has a great work ethic and creative eye. We would definitely recommend him for any event!" - Kenya & Kyle
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"I have spent a significant amount of time looking at web pages and seem to find myself back at your page. Your pictures have an artistic flair and just seem to be a bit different and stand out from the rest." - Mendy
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"I’ve known Andrew for well over fifteen years, and he’s always pushed the limits with his photography. It’s so easy to work with him and he consistently brings depth, stories, and character to whatever he’s shooting. His photos appear as art to me; strategically-arranged compositions. When I look at his photographs, I always feel like I’m a part of the story; not just a bystander. It’s that talent he sees through the lens that has established Andrew Wardlow’s style." - Brian
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"Andrew did our wedding photos and they turned out great! He's professional and very creative. He truly has an artistic eye and found some unique locations for our pre-wedding pictures, and was also able to capture the moments candidly during the ceremony and reception. I'd definitely recommend him for any event. Always great work!" - Jessica & Drew
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"I have known Andrew more than 20 years. Since we were kids I could see his visual talent. You could say I was one of his first guinea pigs. He would take wonderful pictures at an early age. I can honestly say when he started photography it was before digital. He captured the beauty of images and worked in a dark room whereas most photographers of recent days only know digital. He is a very good person and very dependable and his work gets better each day because he is humble and always studies his craft - his work proves it." - Mike
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Tag Archives: spring break
Panama City Helicopter Photo Shoot
The Bay County Sheriff's helicopter cruises past Spring Breakers in Panama City Beach. (Andrew Wardlow/The News Herald)
I have averaged about one helicopter ride a year since I started working as a photojournalist with the Panama City News Herald. This makes my third trip up with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, but the first during Spring Break. This helicopter ride-along was part of a larger Spring Break law enforcement story by News Herald reporter Chris Olwell.
I am always a bit nervous before and during lift-off, but once in the air I am focused (no pun intended…scratch that…pun intended) on getting the best possible aerial picture for whatever story I am working on at at the time. Once we got into the air, we flew directly over my house. (and our yard looked terrific) As we made our way to the beach I photographed Grand Lagoon and parts of Thomas Drive just for fun. It’s always a good idea to photograph things like that for future stories.
As we cruised by Club La Vela, there was no missing the crowded beach below. You could barely see the sand for the Spring Breakers. All along the beach there were pockets of kids having fun and enjoying the clear water and warm sun. As we approached the M.B. Miller County Pier we took an “elevator ride” as the pilot called it. With no warning, the helicopter shot straight up and over the pier. I screamed like a little girl riding a roller coaster for the first time. The Sheriff’s Officer riding in the back with me got a nice laugh out of that. Don’t get me wrong…it was a lot of fun, but a little warning would have been nice.
The flight continued and we checked on an abandoned jet ski to made sure there were no swimmers in distress. The pilot called the dispatcher and asked them to inform the Panama City Beach Police of the abandoned ski and then we continued on patrol.
All along Panama City Beach the Spring Breakers waved (and did other things) as we flew by. Everyone, including us, was having a good time and enjoying the day. If only every day could be like this.
Dept. Chad Harrell scopes out the beach from the Bay County Sheriff's Helicopter. (Andrew Wardlow/The News Herald)
Spring Breakers crowd the beach in Panama City Beach. (Andrew Wardlow/The News Herald)
Dept. Chad Harrell, left, cleans oil off of the Bay County Sheriff's helicopter after patrolling the beach with his pilot, Sgt. Kenneth L. Smiley. (Andrew Wardlow/The News Herald)
News Herald reporter Chris Olwell does his best "Top Gun" impression after a helicopter ride along Panama City Beach. (Andrew Wardlow/The News Herald)
Spring Break in Panama City Beach
Spring breakers dance during a bikini contest in Panama City Beach. (Andrew Wardlow/Panama City News Herald)
Spring Break…what can I say. It’s a crazy time down here in Panama City Beach. I have lived here for the past six years and have photographed the last six Spring Breaks. I have shot thousands upon thousands of Spring Break pictures. There is always some sort of activity happening. The only slow time is from about 5 a.m. until 10 a.m (even the biggest party-goers have to sleep sometime). Besides those times, Spring Break is in full force from the end of February until the beginning of April in Panama City Beach.
Working with the Panama City News Herald I have had the opportunity to photograph some interesting Spring Break stuff. I have been on ride-alongs with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department and the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages of Tobacco. I’ve seen many gallons of beer consumed on the beach and many other gallons dumped on the side of the road by the police. There is a free pancake giveaway by the Lifeway Christian Resources that serves 60,000 pancakes to Spring Breakers every year (and it is always a hit!). There is usually some pretty big artists that roll through town, too. Kenny Chesney made some surprise appearances in the last few years along with various rap artists. Since I’ve been here there have not been any really cool rock-n-roll shows. I’ve been bummed about that. When are kids gonna get back into rock? But I digress….
99% of what I shoot is the fun stuff. Kids enjoying themselves for a week without having to worry about school, parents or anything else. Just people having fun. What could be better to photograph than that? Give me a shout if you see me on the beach….I’ll be easy to spot. I’m the crazy person wearing pants.
A sea of Spring Breakers and flags dot the skyline in Panama City Beach.
Spring Breakers from Minnesota pause from the fun to get a photo taken in Panama City Beach.
Left, a Spring Breaker runs along the beach in Panama City Beach. At right, Kenny Chesney performs at Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City Beach.
A Spring Breaker enjoys the cool water of the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach.
A spring breaker takes on the ropes course near the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Panama City Beach.
Left, a Western Kentucky University student enjoys her last day of Spring Break in Panama City Beach. At right, An underage drinker sits cuffed after being caught by the Panama City Beach Police Department.
Spring Breakers play in the gulf near cutouts behind Sharky's in Panama City Beach.
A group of girls from Texas State get a photo taken in Panama City Beach.
Left, Spring Breakers from South Carolina take on the obstacle course behind Club La Vela in Panama City Beach. At right, a Spring Breaker slides down the "Hippo" in Panama City Beach.
Beer is poured out after underage drinkers were busted by the Panama City Beach Police Department.
Spring breakers slide down a water slide on Panama City Beach.
Left, Spring Breakers play a game of dodgeball in Panama City Beach. At right, Spring Breakers pose for a photo while sitting in traffic.
Left, a Spring Breaker plays a beach game. Center, Spring Breakers dance the night away at Spinnaker Beach Club. At right, girls play a game of dizzy bat in Panama City Beach.
