The breathtaking scenery of the Lowcountry has been captured for years by Bluffton photographer Marge Agin, who launched her third book collection of photographs Thursday.

During an event at her Palmetto Bluff home, Agin signed copies of “What It Means To Be Here: Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, The Lowcountry and Beyond.”

The 152-page book features 207 of Agin’s original photographs from around the Lowcountry and 12 photographs that can be converted to aerial videos by the reader using a smartphone application.

Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and Palmetto Bluff marketing director Courtney Hampson contributed essays to the book and read excerpts Thursday. Lowcountry native and marine biologist Amber Kuehn wrote prose for the book and Bluffton firefighter and photographer Jeff Kuehn contributed the bonus aerial videos.

Bluffton chef Ryan McCarthy catered the event, using a menu inspired by the book, including shrimp, oysters, catfish, sweet tea, lemonade, RC Cola and Moon Pies, among other foods.

The event was held under a tent near Agin’s home and featured live entertainment.

Agin said she would donate 40 percent of the book sales Thursday to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, a nonprofit that works to protect the development’s environment.

The book is available for purchase at www.starbooks.biz.

Original Article posted on blufftontoday.com by Scott Thompson