Michelle Amaral

Michelle Amaral is a neuroscientist at UAB who enjoys freelance writing on a variety of topics. As a graduate student, she served as a senior staff writer and then news editor for the UAB Kaleidoscope newspaper. She has also contributed articles to local and international magazines such as Lipstick, Natural Awakenings, and Jareeda. In 2009, Michelle was chosen as 1 of 10 official "Neurobloggers" at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, where she kept over 30,000 people abreast of conference happenings.

A native of Anchorage, AK, Michelle serves as the Events Chair for YPBirmingham, a group dedicated to connecting young professionals in and around the Magic City, and devotes much of her time to volunteer work with the Shelby Humane Society.

Audrey Pannell

Audrey Pannell is currently the Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator at The Wilbanks Agency Public Relations & Marketing, where she develops, coordinates and executes public relations campaigns for a wide array of clients.  Audrey earned her Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, in Public Relations and minor in Business Administration in 2009 from Auburn University, one of the leading schools to produce young and innovative social media talent through its pioneering social media program.  Additionally, she currently serves as PR and Social Media Chair for Catalyst of Birmingham, Junior Board Member for the Autism Society of Alabama and is a member of both the Social Media Club of Birmingham and Young Professionals.

Ashley Riddle

After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design from Auburn University in 2008, Ashley went to work as the Knitwear Design Assistant for Tory Burch in New york. After a in the big apple, she decided to return to her roots in the south and moved to Birmingham. Ashley has since become the Director of Corporate Communications at ABC Polymer Industries where she serves the company's public relations and graphic design needs. She has kept pursuing her passion for style, design, and writing by taking on special projectswriting and styling lifestyle pieces for a variety of publications.

Meg Houston

Meg Houston, a recent graduate from Samford University, has always enjoyed studying the different forms of writing and communication. While receiving her degree, she worked in various internships at some creative agencies in Birmingham. First, at the advertising agency Cayenne Creative, she assisted with traffic and production on various ad campaigns for clients like UAB Health System and Bayer Properties. Then as a marketing intern at Coastal Living, she helped brainstorm about event planning and managed the magazine’s advertising submissions. Now as a post-grad, she is actively pursuing a career in communications, marketing and writing. Currently, she is working in Product Management and Marketing for DAXKO, a web-based software company that serves customers such as the YMCA and JCC associations nationwide. Meg recently moved to Homewood, and enjoys cooking with her roommates, reading, and group exercise classes at the Y.

Arik Sokol

Arik Sokol loves to create images in the photographic style using a camera. His work is a combination of whimsy, graphical study, personality, and cheekiness. He's shot for magazines, advertising agencies, and an occasional symphony. You can view more of his work at www.ariksokol.com.

Carmen Michael

Carmen Michael earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Alabama in Studio Art with an emphasis in photography. Her college years were spent exclusively shooting film and developing in a darkroom (an art she's proud to have studied). She now shoots digitally utilizing natural light. Her focus is to capture candid emotion with light and vintage overtones. Carmen lives in Birmingham with her husband, Kent, and dog-child, Heidi. You can view more of her work at www.cbmphoto.com.

Katie Cesnick

Katie Cesnick graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. During her time at Alabama, she developed and executed a PR campaign for the Blackburn Institute and raised awareness for her sorority’s philanthropy, Juvenile Arthritis. After graduation, she worked as an inside-sales assistant for the technology company, The Clicker Girls. She was responsible for all client contacts and handled all media publications. Following The Clicker Girls, she began work as an intern at the Public Relations firm, Wilbanks Agency. When not working, she enjoys reading, watching movies, following Alabama football and relaxing with her fiancé and friends.

Joel Wheat

Joel Wheat is an Art Director/Designer who happens to enjoy taking the occasional photograph. He's currently the Creative Director for Concept, Inc (thinkconcept.com). Joel has been nationally and internationally recognized many times over for his work, including the Birmingham Ad Federation's 2009 "Art Director of the Year" and has had his work featured in numerous design annuals, most recently the Graphis 2010 Poster Annual. See more of his work at www.joelwheat.com

Eric Holsomback

Eric Holsomback is a Graphic Designer/Photographer that specializes in portraiture photography. His style is very considerate of mood and atmosphere. He has shot for many families around Birmingham along with magazines, ad agencies and boutique shops. When not shooting, editing or designing, he enjoys walking his dog, being competitive and taking naps. To view more of his work, check out www.wholesomecreative.com.

Andrew Hester

Andrew is a 21 year old Senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Visual Journalism and minoring in English. Andrew is also a freelance photographer for www.myscoop.us and also enjoys the art of fashion photography and blogging. You can view more of his work at flickr.com/awhesterphotography.

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