Shown above is the old Cooley house after it was purchased. You can see that groundbreaking has begun for the new addition of the dome. Pictured in the photo is young Michael Cunnyngham. (Photo Cunnyngham Archives)

Cunnyngham Studio Capturing Happy Times for over a half century

In the fall of 1939, two lifelong friends, Madge Wooden Cunnyngham and Ethel Snyder Swafford, shared a special moment that would bind their families together for generations. Madge and Ethel had grown up as childhood friends, and by chance, they both found themselves at Broyles Hospital in Dayton, Tennessee, preparing to welcome their first children into the world.
Madge, born in 1918 in Bledsoe County, had married Walter Allen Cunnyngham of Dayton in October 1937. Walter, born in 1914, was by her side as they awaited the birth of their child. Madge had brought a small pink dress to the hospital, hoping for a baby girl.

On October 7, 1939, Madge gave birth to a son, James Allen Cunnyngham, affectionately known as Jim or Jimmy. Just three days later, on October 10, 1939, her friend Ethel gave birth to a daughter, Shelby Swafford, with her husband Lacy Swafford of Pikeville.
Though Madge didn’t have the daughter she expected, she passed the little pink dress to her dear friend Ethel, who used it to dress her newborn daughter to bring her home. It was a simple gesture, but one that beautifully symbolized the bond between the two women and the new lives they had brought into the world—just days apart, in the same hospital, under the same roof where their own friendship had begun.

Little did Madge and Ethel know that the paths of their two children, Jim and Shelby, would one day cross again in a meaningful and lasting way—connecting the lives of two families not only through friendship, but also through love.As Shelby grew up on the mountain, she attended New Harmony School and later Bledsoe County High School, where she served as a majorette all four years.Jimmy was the only child of Walter and Madge Cunnyngham. As he grew up during the golden era of the 1950s, he attended Dayton City School, followed by Rhea Central High School, where he played on the school’s football team.

The Cunnyngham family lived in South Dayton on Idaho Avenue. Across the street lived Birch Arnold and his family, and Jimmy shared a special childhood friendship with Gaynell Arnold. Also residing nearby were the families of Dr. Agnew Thomison, Thad Manis, and Bishop Byron.
Behind the Cunnyngham home lived the Robinson family. Jimmy and their son, Jack Robinson, were frequent visitors to Miss Myrtle’s grocery store on Market Street—until a scuffle between the two boys in the store brought that chapter to a close. Miss Myrtle, broom in hand, chased them out and firmly instructed them not to return until they had learned how to behave.

Among Jimmy’s childhood friends were the Sharp siblings — Reba, Coy, and Roy. The nearby locomotives parked on the tracks near Market Street provided endless entertainment for the boys, until one harrowing incident changed everything. One day, while Jimmy was playing beneath a train, the engine suddenly started. Thankfully, he escaped unharmed, but after that close call, the group found safer ways to amuse themselves.

Jimmy’s close friend Glen Langley Jr., known to everyone as “Googer),” lived in town. The two were regulars at Otto Daniel’s Café, a modest eatery located near the train tracks behind what is now Middle Tennessee Gas. Otto’s signature dish was a simple but hearty plate of cornbread and pinto beans — a favorite among the locals.

Another popular hangout spot was the creek at Pocket Wilderness, particularly the swimming hole known as the “Blue Hole.” Jimmy and his friends often walked to Morgan Town to meet at the home of Ethel Jones, whose son Bobby eagerly joined their adventures. Along the way, they would roll large boulders into the creek and swing from tree limbs using ropes tied above the Blue Hole. Remarkably, despite their daring antics, no one was ever seriously injured.

One of their favorite pastimes was going to Mr. Woodlee’s movie theater in downtown Dayton. In search of extra mischief, the boys once caught a jarful of moths and released them inside the darkened theater. The insects swarmed the large screen, disrupting the film and delighting the pranksters. Their fun, however, was short-lived — Mr. Woodlee banned the gang from the theater for nearly a year.

Jimmy’s first job came at the age of 11, delivering newspapers in South Dayton. He had 104 customers, and the job brought many new adventures. One customer, looking to play a prank, handed Jimmy a $500 bill in place of the $5 payment due. The customer and his friends were eager to see how Jimmy would react. Realizing their game, Jimmy kept a straight face, quickly hopped on his bicycle, and peddled off as fast as he could — and soon, quite a chase ensued.

One of Jimmy’s favorite customers was Mrs. Vic Welch. She had a young daughter named Nancy, who always met him at the door with his payment and a shy smile before quickly shutting the door. As Jimmy left the porch, he could always hear a big giggle from inside.

Over two years of delivering newspapers, Jimmy earned $75. With that money, he and his father ordered a darkroom set. His dad built an outdoor darkroom in their backyard, and at age 13, Jimmy fell in love with photography. Together, they went to Violet Camera Shop in Chattanooga and purchased Jimmy’s first professional camera.

Forty years later, Mr. Lester Cohn of Violet Camera Shop wrote Jimmy a note that read:
“When you and your dad were purchasing your camera, I wondered what in the world that man was doing spending that much money on a professional camera for the boy!”

Jimmy’s second job was baling hay for Mayor Jim Abel. He also mowed Mr. Abel’s yard and the neighboring yard of Mrs. Leota Ewing. Mrs. Ewing, who had an interest in the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, later gave Jimmy a job delivering Cokes.

Jimmy graduated from Rhea County High School in 1957. He served as class president during his sophomore year and was football captain in his senior year.

In the fall of 1957, Jimmy enrolled at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). By that time, he was deeply passionate about photography and began doing news work for the Knoxville newspapers.

However, his time at UTK was short-lived. He soon returned to Dayton and, in late 1959, opened his first portrait studio in a rented space above the old Dayton Fire Hall.

After high school, Shelby Swafford moved to Chattanooga to attend McKenzie College. It had been twenty years since their birth before their paths crossed again.

In the spring of 1959, Jimmy and his friends were hanging out at the Dayton Bus Station. When the Trailways bus from Chattanooga arrived, he noticed a red-haired girl step off, pass through the station, and get into a waiting car nearby.

Intrigued, he asked around and learned that her name was Shelby Swafford from Bledsoe County. Jimmy soon called her, only to find out she had a boyfriend. But it wasn’t in Jimmy’s nature to give up easily.

He waited patiently, and in time, he won her heart. The two were married on May 26, 1962, at the Pikeville Church of Christ, with Minister Jim Mac Foust officiating.

Jimmy’s mother said it was fate at work. She fondly recalled how, all those years ago, Jimmy and Shelby were born just three days apart at Broyles Hospital. She’d smile as she remembered the tiny baby girl in the bassinet beside her son—Shelby.

When Jimmy joined the National Guard in early 1962, he temporarily closed his studio. After completing his service at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he returned to Dayton, and he and Shelby reopened the studio together.

Jimmy Cunnyngham and Shelby Swafford Wed

Soon afterward in 1963, they decided it was time to move to a larger space and relocated the studio to the Hotel Aqua, just down the block on Main Street. As their business continued to grow, they made another move in 1968, this time to a building on 2nd Avenue, located across the street from Dr. Lester Littell’s office.
While building the business at that location, Jimmy came across an article in Professional Photographers of America magazine about a unique combination photography studio and botanical garden in Vancouver, Canada. Intrigued by the concept, Jimmy and Shelby flew to Vancouver to see it for themselves.
Inspired by what they had seen, the couple returned to Dayton with plans for an expansion based on the Vancouver model. Shortly thereafter, they purchased property that contained two houses on the corner of 3rd and Walnut Streets, which had previously been the home of the Ray Cooley, and McKenzie families. They renovated the Cooley house and constructed their own botanical garden on the site.
In 1975, they opened their new studio and botanical garden at that location, where they remained for the rest of their years in business.

The new location opened doors to the community’s needs when it comes to photography. Jimmy started his career using Rolleiflex cameras and ended it using his beloved Hasselblad cameras. When Jimmy began his career, photography was B+W. Color films were in its infancy.

The first wedding photo Jimmy ever took was while he was still in high school. It was of Billy Joe Wilkey, a high school teacher. Although the pictures weren’t from the actual ceremony, he captured a series of portraits afterward.
In the first year of opening his studio, Jimmy photographed two newlywed couples: Billy Neal and Naomi Vaughn, and Phyllis Hayes and Tommy Smith. Both weddings took place around the same time, shortly after Jimmy began his professional photography career.
Donna Reed and Tom Taylor’s wedding on June 9, 1963 was the first to be photographed using color film. It was captured in both black-and-white and color formats.
In the early years, Jimmy used various photo labs. However, in the mid-1970s, CPQ opened a photographic lab in Cleveland, Tennessee, and Jimmy quickly became one of its early customers. Around that time, he received an urgent aerial photography assignment from the E.I. Dupont Company in Chattanooga. Acting swiftly, Jimmy and his pilot, Guy Jones, flew the exposed film directly to the CPQ lab. In a dramatic and efficient handoff, they dropped the film from the plane while CPQ lab technicians waited on the ground to retrieve it. Impressed by their speed and professionalism, Jimmy remained loyal to CPG and continued using their services for the remainder of his career.

Jim and Shelby had two sons: Michael Allen and Andrew Steven. Both boys worked at the studio during their younger years and continued to help through college. They grew into accomplished and talented young men. Michael, with a strong interest in computers and electronics, pursued a career in communications. Andrew Steven, the younger of the two, followed a different path and became an attorney—just like his great-great-grandfather, T.N.L. Cunnyngham.
In addition to his career in photography, Jimmy was deeply involved in public service. He was elected to the Dayton City Council four times, serving his final four years as mayor. Remarkably, his great-grandfather, T.N.L. Cunnyngham, had also served as Dayton’s first mayor in 1885.
By virtue of his position as mayor, Jimmy also served as chairman of the City of Dayton’s School Board. Early in his tenure, longtime teacher Miss Lillie Campbell approached him with a playful smile and said, “Jimmy, I can’t believe you’re now—at least theoretically—my boss. When you were my neighbor all those years ago, chasing my birds and stuffing firecrackers in my mailbox, I had a very different career in mind for you!”

A few humorous memories from Jimmy’s past stand out. One time, while photographing a wedding at a small country church, Jimmy was trying to get a better angle of the minister and the young couple. He leapt onto a pew directly in front of the bride and groom. Suddenly, the pew tilted, and Jimmy came crashing down in the middle of the ceremony. After a moment of stunned silence, the entire congregation broke into applause. Jimmy quickly regained his composure and finished the wedding with his usual professionalism. That evening, as he recounted the story to Shelby, a deep chuckle came from the next room. It was their little son, Michael, calling out, “Dad, tell that story again!”
On another occasion, Jimmy photographed an outdoor wedding beside a peaceful, scenic lake. Just as the priest was solemnly instructing the couple on the seriousness of their vows, a lone fisherman stood up in his boat in the middle of the lake and began wildly waving his arms and shouting, “Don’t do it, buddy! Don’t do it!”
There were also deeply touching moments. Jimmy once photographed a wedding where the groom had broken his leg shortly before the big day. Refusing to postpone the ceremony, he defied the doctor’s orders and, using old-fashioned wooden crutches, valiantly walked down the aisle to his bride.
Another unforgettable memory came at the close of a wedding day. After the ceremony and photographs, the bride and groom had said their goodbyes and driven away for their honeymoon. But just moments later, the groom returned. He jumped out of the car and rushed back to his father, extending his hand and saying, “Thank you again, Dad—for all the love and sacrifices you and Mom have made for me. I owe everything I am to you.” His father’s face lit up with pure, unfiltered joy.

The stories could go on and on from Jimmy’s remarkable 55-year career in photography. Over the decades, he captured more than 10,000 high school senior portraits and documented over 4,000 weddings. His lens preserved countless family milestones—from anniversaries and reunions to baby portraits, proms, class photos, graduation sittings, and formal dances—each frame a snapshot of joy, legacy, and love. In addition to individual portraits and events, Jimmy also assisted in providing photography for three Spring City High School yearbooks and forty-two Rhea Central/Rhea County yearbooks. In a touching tribute to his lifelong dedication, the 2024 Rhea County High School yearbook was dedicated to Jimmy Cunnyngham by the journalism class, honoring him for his years of service.

In his later years, Jimmy had the rare privilege of photographing several 50th wedding anniversaries for couples whose weddings he had originally photographed—a testament to the trust and enduring connections he built with families. His final golden anniversary session was in August 2015, when he photographed Tommy and Sue Boyd Travis, just as he had on their wedding day five decades earlier.

For more than half a century, Jimmy was entrusted to photograph life’s most cherished and celebratory moments. But not every assignment was joyful. One of the more solemn services he quietly provided was photographing families at local funeral homes during their time of loss—a task he never found pleasant but always approached with compassion and respect.

Throughout the years, many individuals contributed to the success of the studio. The very first employee was Jane Cook, while the final hire before closing was Dean Wilson. Among them all, Susan Day Dodd held the distinction of being the longest-serving member of the team a testament to the enduring sense of family and dedication that defined the business.
The Botanical Garden dome was a vibrant maze of flowers, trees, and rocks in every shape and size. Its roof, made of a translucent material, allowed natural light to filter through, enhancing both the atmosphere and the photography. Among the most memorable props were a fig tree, a hand painted “Gone with the Wind” backdrop, a well-used wicker chair, and a wooden rail fence crafted by Marshall Wright. Other iconic features included a concrete bench gifted by Alvin and Pat Gravett of The Plant Place, several pieces of driftwood provided by Jimmy McKenzie, and a pink velvet children’s chair that originally belonged to Stanrich Studio in Chattanooga.

After 55 years of capturing life’s most cherished moments, Jimmy and Shelby made the bittersweet decision to retire in 2016. With heavy hearts, they began the process of winding down a business that had become so deeply woven into the fabric of the Dayton community. The studio held not only the tools of their trade but also decades of memories, thousands of negatives, portraits, wedding albums, and mementos from families they had come to know and love.
As the days passed, plans were made for the future of the property and its contents. In time, the studio was sold to local businesswoman Wanda Smith, and by Wednesday, August 30,2016, the building was completely emptied and vacated.
In the thirty days leading up to the closing, Jimmy, Shelby, and longtime friend and employee Dean spent countless hours sorting through the archives. Together, they uncovered 55 years of documents, photographs, props, and history—each item a thread in the tapestry of a remarkable legacy. Dean would later describe that final month as one of the best of his life, filled with stories, laughter, and quiet reflection. It was a rare and sacred time—one that allowed him to truly grasp the depth and beauty of the Cunnyngham family’s contribution to their town.

Jimmy and Shelby expressed their heartfelt thanks to the many customers who have supported them over throughout those 55 years. To them, these weren’t just business relationships—they were bonds that felt more like family. As Jimmy prepared to close this chapter of his professional life, he wished to give special acknowledgment to Shelby, who was truly the backbone of their business. While Jimmy captured the moments behind the camera, it was Shelby who brought the real magic to life—handling the details, perfecting the final touches, and ensuring every photograph told a story worth remembering.

Following Jimmy’s retirement, both of his sons—Michael and Andrew—had married. Fittingly, Dean Wilson, who had come to know and love the family deeply, was given the honor of photographing both weddings. Sadly, Michael passed away suddenly on December 21, 2019, leaving a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him. His brother Andrew—known to many as Andy—continues to carry forward the family’s proud legacy. He married Rachael Stout, a nurse, and now works as an attorney. The couple resides in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Jimmy and Shelby are enjoying their retirement years in Dayton. Occasionally, when someone spots Jimmy in public, they’ll shout his signature phrase—“Happy Times!”—a joyful reminder of the countless lives he touched through his lens and laughter.

After the studio’s doors closed for the last time, Dean and his wife Bonnie took possession of the remaining negatives and many treasured props, including the iconic wicker chair—still fondly remembered and asked about to this day by those who recall its place in countless portraits.
Though the lights dimmed and the doors closed, the spirit of that little studio on the corner of 3rd and Walnut lives on—in every preserved photograph, in every cherished memory, and in the hearts of those whose lives it so lovingly framed.

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