Panama City Beach Christmas Lights

This Panama City Beach home is part of the News Herald's Shining Lights Christmas contest this year. (Andrew Wardlow/Panama City News Herald)

Panama City Surf Photogaphy Show

The Panama City Surf Photography exhibit is in the process of being boxed up at the Bay County Public Library in Panama City on Wednesday. (Andrew Wardlow Photography)

After a month adorning on the walls of the Bay County Public Library, my surf exhibit now resides in boxes in my car. The amount of time & money that went into the show was far more than I expected, but so was the turnout. Opening night was a success and throughout the month I have gotten calls from friends saying they went and checked it out. I want to thank everyone that took the time to come out and see the show. Hopefully I will get the chance to do another show in the future. Will it be surf photography? I don't know. We'll see. Until then feel free to purchase framed photos from me. They make great stocking stuffers! - Andrew

Movember in Panama City

From left, Dale Moore, Jacob Smith, Ryan Crawford and Andrew Willard display thier mustaches outside TGI Friday's in Panama City on Tuesday. The guys are growing the mustaches in support of Movember, a world wide movement bringing attention to men’s health issues by growing out their facial hair. (Andrew Wardlow | Panama City News Herald)

Andrew Willard sports a mustache in Panama City on Tuesday. He is growing the mustache in support of Movember, a world wide movement bringing attention to men’s health issues by growing out their facial hair. (Andrew Wardlow | Panama City News Herald)

The Raconteurs in Atlanta

Jack White performs with The Raconteurs at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. Visit my Raconteurs photo gallery. © Andrew Wardlow Photography

I was one of the lucky few who got to photograph the first three songs The Raconteurs performed in Atlanta last weekend. I applied for a photo pass months ago, but only found out I could photograph the show the day before. Needless to say, I was excited when I got the news. When the time came to shoot the performance, I was escorted to a location behind the soundboard. There was no pit access that night. (Maybe because the show was sold out?) By the time we got in there it was pretty cramped. I wound up having to shoot through heads and hands....it made for a real challenge. The first three songs went really fast and before I knew it I was being escorted out of the building. I took my real camera back to the car and came back in to find my wife who had saved me a seat on the upper balcony.

The Raconteurs take a bow after their performance at the Tabernacle on Sunday. © Andrew Wardlow Photography

After the show we left down the outside staircase and saw the tour buses and a small crowd gathered near them. We decided to go check it out. After meeting some people and chatting for a bit we figured that we would stick around to see if The Raconteurs would come out and say hi. Well....two hours later they did. A gentleman came out and told the crowd of 40-50 people waiting that there would be no time for photographs, but the band would sign autographs. My wife & I had not planned on this and had nothing for them to sign. A nice lady offered to give us a diaper to let them sign, but she could not find it and gave us her ticket stub instead. 

Jack White signs a ticket stub for Kendra after the Raconteurs show at the Tabernacle. © Andrew Wardlow Photography

Kendra met all of the band members and got their autographs. (I didn't get to meet Jack White or Brendan Benson because I was shooting photos) I met drummer Patrick Keeler and bassist Jack Lawrence. Both of them took time to talk. My wife & I wound up having a great night together. We were on cloud nine until we got back to the car to find a boot on it. I'll save that story for another time. Click here to view a photo gallery from the show.

The Raconteurs autographed this ticket stub for Kendra Sunday in Atlanta. © Andrew Wardlow Photogaphy

Fox Sports Photo Gallery - Andrew Wardlow

Rena Johns participates in the bowling competition during the Florida Panhandle Senior Olympics at the Washington Rehab & Nursing Center in Chipley, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/The News Herald/Panama City, Fla., Andrew Wardlow) When I send photos to the Associated Press I never know where it will end up.This photo was included  in Fox Sports' "The Week in Sports Photos" gallery.

Chevy's 100th Anniversary Celebrated in Panama City

Don Parmer checks out a classic Chevrolet on display at Bill Cramer Chevrolet on 23rd Street in Panama City, Florida. Chevrolet celebrated its 100th birthday on Thursday. (Andrew Wardlow/Panama City News Herald)

Young Gymnast in Panama City

Anna practices in Panama City on Saturday. She was the only gymnast from the state of Florida to earn a roster spot on the elite ‘A’ team that is part of U.S. Gymnastics’ National Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs) following a national test held Oct. 1 and 2 at the U.S. Gymnastics national training center in Waverly Hills, Texas, 60 miles north of Houston. (Andrew Wardlow/Panama City News Herald)