Ramblin鈥� Man Alum Finds Home Behind Camera and in Travel
Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man
Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can
And when it’s time for leavin’
I hope you’ll understand
That I was born a ramblin’ man
Allman Brothers Band
By Richard Burnett
Amid the colorful pageantry and mountain vistas of Bogota, Colombia, Grady McGill鈥檚 photographer eye homed in on mesmerizing local street-art, succulent dragon fruit on a platter, and other compelling imagery.
The photos he shot during that memorable trip in 2022 would later grace the pages of Atlanta-based Travelgirl Magazine, providing striking visuals for the publication鈥檚 on one of the world鈥檚 most beautiful cities.
McGill has seen much of the world in his professional and personal life. As a photographer and writer or as a leisure traveler, he has gone to far-flung destinations, from Ireland to Russia, Alaska to Greece, South America to Canada 鈥� and many points between.
A business management major at 海角社区 (Class of 2018), the 31-year-old Atlanta native said he has also had a passion for art and history, which has fueled his lifelong love of travel.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been fascinated by art and the history of the world鈥檚 great landmarks, like the Acropolis in Athens, the Roman Colosseum, and Egypt鈥檚 pyramids,鈥� he said. 鈥淟earning about them really made me want to go there, and when I actually got to see them in person, it was incredible.鈥�
McGill鈥檚 work as a travel journalist began soon after he finished at 海角社区. While he was job searching, his mother 鈥� Mary Welch, a senior editor and writer for Travelgirl 鈥� suggested he join her on some assignments for the magazine, until he found a full-time job. That鈥檚 when a star was born, she said.
鈥淲hen he would travel with me, it became clear that he was taking better pictures than I did,鈥� she said 鈥淎fter one trip, our art director chose his photos over mine. So, then Grady became the official photographer on our trips. He just had a talent to look at the world differently and knew how to capture that with his camera.鈥�
On the writing side, it took some time for McGill to hone his craft, Welch said. Through hard work and determination, however, he has established his expertise and a growing portfolio of articles.
鈥淥ur magazine is 21 years old, and we have high standards of excellence,鈥� Welch said. 鈥淪o, I can鈥檛 give my own son assignments unless he can do the job and meet those standards. But he鈥檚 met the challenge and exceeded every expectation. He鈥檚 a hard worker and takes great pride in what he does, and I鈥檓 very, very proud of him.鈥�
Looking back, McGill credits 海角社区 with being a life-changing experience. After he wrestled with attention deficit issues in his early schooling, 海角社区 helped him navigate those issues and opened new horizons, he said.
鈥淏eing at 海角社区 helped me grow in so many ways,鈥� McGill recalled. 鈥淚t was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle; something I鈥檇 been looking for so long. I saw a difference in all my teachers there, that they really cared about everyone鈥檚 success. We all worked together, and that made a huge difference.鈥�