MEDIA KIT 2022 | 2023
Introducing Seeing Southern
Seeing Southern is an online magazine of first-hand accounts written exclusively by editor and author Judy Garrison and featuring photography by award-winning photographer, Len Garrison. Launched in 2013 with a print, website and social media presence, Seeing Southern has written and photographed people and places in the South, throughout the United States as well as around the world.
Both are freelancers and members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW),
the most prestigious professional travel organization in the world.
Our work can be found in the following publications:
17th South
AAA
AAA Go Magazine
AARP.org
BBC.com
Blue Ridge Country (bi-monthly online column)
Delta Sky Inflight Magazine
Deep South Magazine
DeSoto Magazine
Food Wine and Travel magazine
Georgia Connector (Editor Judy Garrison)
GoNomad
International Living
Interval International Travel Magazine
Lake Oconee Living
Marlboro EMC
North Georgia Living
Northeast Georgia Living
Peach State Publications
US Airways Inflight Magazine
Simply Buckhead
South Carolina Currents
WHERE
Wine Dine & Travel
Books
North Georgia Moonshine: A History of the Lovell Family and Other Liquor Makers,
Arcadia Publishing, July 2015
100 THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS GA BEFORE YOU DIE
Judy Garrison | Writer | Len Garrison | Photographer
Reedy Press, Fall 2022
100 THINGS TO DO IN NORTH GEORGIA BEFORE YOU DIE | Contributing Photographer | Len Garrison
Reedy Press, Fall 2022
Our Story and Vision
We inspire men and women, travelers of all ages, to explore local and far-away destinations. We narrate stories of those who have shaped a particular destination, providing a more intimate look at culture and traditions. We offer travel suggestions in the narrative genre, including
hints and tips from weekend getaways to weeks abroad. However, we offer more than lists or highlights;
we dig deeper into the location’s history, giving you a reason to want to be there. We are dedicated to quality writing.
Through images and words, we tell their story.
Portfolio
Find an updated listing of Seeing Southern’s work on their portfolio page on this website.
Audience
Seeing Southern targets baby boomers (ages 52-65) who find themselves with the desire and ability to travel and make discovery an important part of their lives. Most still work at a full time job, but more and more, they are taking single days off, spending long weekends, and possibly setting aside two-to-three weeks out of the year (at different intervals) to search for unique destinations and quality experiences.
We ARE this demographic.
We target readers who are more interested in the behind-the-scenes narratives rather than lists, inserting ourselves into the narrative and providing a first-hand tale of each moment. We enjoy the simplicity of travel while dabbling in soft adventure and unique experiences.
We specialize in travel for two.
Reach
Average monthly unique visitors: 25K
Average monthly page views: 40K
Demographic: 45% female; 54% male
(Google Analytics)
80 percent of traffic comes from
Google.com; remainder, social media
Social Media
Seeing Southern is found on all social media platforms.
Facebook (3 accounts): We utilize three separate Facebook accounts (professional and personal);
the primary travel site is Seeing Southern where all our travel updates/articles/photography are posted.
Our client-based photography is posted under Seeing Southern Photography.
Judy Garrison: 2.2K+ followers
Seeing Southern: 2.5K + followers
Seeing Southern Photography (client based): 1K + followers
Twitter (2 accounts)
JudyHGarrison: 1,800 followers
Seeing Southern: 4K followers
Seeing Southern: 1,600+ followers
Seeing Southern Photography: 1,000+ followers
Seeing Southern: 78.6 K monthly views
Custom Social Posts
All social posts across each platform are designed for sharing as well as discovery by others. Content is crafted in the voice of Seeing Southern and communicates our brand and inspires readers to share content. Research regarding each story, destination and partners are made prior to posting, ensuring that each post garners the most traffic possible, utilizing hashtags and re-postings for maximum exposure.
We do not charge for social media coverage or posts but feel it is a responsibility of the relationship we have with you to provide
the most comprehensive coverage possible.
Recognition and Memberships
Society of American Travel Writers
2020 SATW Muster Award (photography): Honorable Mention Natural Scenic, Len Garrison
2021 Eastern Chapter SATW Media Contest: Honorable Mention, Photography, Len Garrison
2021 SATW MUSTER Award (photography): GOLD, Cultural, Len Garrison (San Fermin, Pamplona, Spain)
2022 SATW Easter Chapter Media Contest: Honorable Mention, Photography, Len Garrison (Chapel of Ease)
Professional Photographers of America
Media Trips
We're excited to be hosted by PR companies or locations. We accept these gladly.
We are not paid for coverage. All viewpoints are our own.
Travel Writing
We write about experiences that we are proud to share with friends and family. We are hosted on many trips, but we never exchange services or products for positive words. We do not guarantee placement of stories with specific outlets in exchange for hosted trips. We write all editorial content that appears on our website, and all ideas and impressions are ours.
Travel Photography
Both professional photographers and members of the Professional Photographers of America,
we provide corresponding visuals to aid in storytelling.
To view a sampling of our work, visit our travel photography portfolio.
Affiliates and Partnerships
We love promoting the best in travel writers. They are not paying to be on our site nor are we paying to be on theirs.
They are excellent resources, and we're happy to share their world with you.
We're excited to offer the services of excellent tourism companies. We have traveled with these people and have used their services.
We are not receiving payment for promoting them. If the tour is comped, we'll disclose in the editorial.
PR and Tourism Destinations With Whom We Have Partnered
United States
LRC Media
Travel South | Domestic Showcase
Visit Gatlinburg
Discover South Carolina
North Carolina Tourism
Leigh Cort Publicity
Pineapple PR
Alabama Tourism
Jackson County NC Tourism
Cody Yellowstone Tourism
Explore Georgia
Outer Banks NC
Martin Arms PR
Visit Madison-Morgan Tourism
Visit Oconee Tourism
Thoroughbred Country, South Carolina
365 Degree Total Marketing
Four Seasons Orlando
International
Viking River Cruises
Danai Beach Resort and Villas, Nikiti, Greece
I Live Spain, Pamplona
Dalriada Kingdom Tours, Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
Giant Tours Ireland, Ballycastle Ireland, Northern Ireland
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin, Ireland
2022 Travel Itinerary
Iceland | January 2022
Virginia Beach | February 2022
Oak Ridge, Tennessee | March 2022
Brasstown Valley Resort | April 2022
Onslow County, North Carolina | May 2022
Indiana | July 2022
Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Orlando | August 2022
Yadkin Valley, NC | August 2022
Cancun | December 2022
2023 Travel Itinerary
Rome, Italy, and Palermo, Sicily | January 2023
Huntsville, Alabama | April 2023
San Antonio, Texas| May 2023
J&E Riggin, Maine | July 2023
Up Close with Judy and Len
Although their history is brief, it is no less inspiring. Their union had perfect timing. They are the best of both worlds – Judy’s Southern laid-back charm and Len’s Sicilian/Jersey-tude. They like to think they are more than boiled peanuts and gooey lasagna, but admit, those are two very good parts. Judy is a writer – always has been, and Len, a master IT specialist. After falling in love with each other, they fell in love with the power of photography and the weight it has when combined with Judy’s words. Continuing her writing and editing, Judy commands the words, and Len completes her story with complementary images. They travel the South – and the world – in search of narratives which capture the culture and spirit of incredible places and unforgettable people.
Praise for Seeing Southern
It is with great pleasure that I recommend Judy and Len Garrison
should you be looking for a highly talented, productive freelance travel writers team.
I spent four wonderful days with Judy and Len on a FAM trip to one of my client’s properties, and they not only were extremely professional and interested in doing in-depth research on the property, as well as engaging interviews, they did it with a polished, seasoned flair.
It would be an honor to work with Judy and Len Garrison again … and I hope to in the near future.
~ Jane Bozza, Director of Communications
365 Degree Total Marketing
I wanted to reach out after finding your book North Georgia Moonshine in a local store. My 91-year-old mom has absolutely loved it! Mom is nearly blind from glaucoma, but still manages to read if the print quality is good. She doesn't get out much and has out-lived too many relatives and friends. Reading has long been a passion and source of pleasure for her. She is the daughter of Della Kastner Noblet, who was Lillie Kastner Lovell's first cousin. She knew many in the book and so enjoyed reliving her childhood in Habersham. It's opened the door for us to talk about her memories. I just wanted to say thank you for the enjoyment you've given her, and me as well, as our conversations about her memories and stories have been a gift. My best to you...
Thank you, Jeff
Not only are Judy and Len Garrison talented photographers and excellent story tellers,
they are even better people and fun fun fun to hang out with.
I had the pleasure of hosting them in three different destinations, and each host response was the same … when are they coming back?
~Martin Armes, PR, Raleigh, NC
Seeing Southern always brings the viewer deep into the experience. Their photography captures its heart and soul. Whether it is an intimate park wedding, a Civil War battle (reenactment of course), or a stroll along the beaches of Bermuda, you are treated to a visual journey leaving you with the memory of practically being there yourself.
~Bennett Brian, photographer, Atlanta
Judy has a way of drawing her readers into a place and making you want to be there.
~Rick LaMangue, Team One, Suwanee, Ga.
When journalists research a story with genuine interest and passion for the subject, the results are usually excellent.
Judy didn’t leave a photo on the table. Her story about The King and Prince AND St. Simons Island is spot-on.
She’s a MARVELOUS journalist and photographer.
~Leigh Cort, publicist, The King and Prince
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
I've been covered by the media dozens of times and I've almost never been so accurately and thoughtfully depicted in print. Judy and [her husband] also did a great job communicating with my students in a professional and thoughtful way.
~Charles Parrott, Department of Theatre & Performance Studies, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga.
Captivating! Packed with emotions! Portraits framed with an artist's insight and vision!
Worthy of documentary status!
~Carlene Holder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Hemingway said "there is nothing to writing. All you have to do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
This came to mind because Judy has a way of creating a tone and atmosphere so palpable you can almost touch it.
She put her blood, sweat and tears into it.
She's amazing.
~Jessica B. Adamson, Statham, Georgia
Contact Information
Judy and Len Garrison
P.O. Box 1259
Hayesville, NC 28904
770.356.1358
seeingsouthern.com
seeingsouthernphotography.com
seeingsouthern@gmail.com
judy@seeingsouthern.com
len@seeingsouthern.com
info@seeingsouthern.com
licensed and insured
