What a cutie pie!

Oh this little guy was so much fun. He was born three months premature and really hasn't been able to go out very much, so this was his first time experiencing grass. It was so cute to see his reaction when those little feet touched the grass. What a joy it was to spend time with him and his mom.

What would you give?

What would you give to be able to freeze these moments, these expressions to be able to look back on them in years to come and remember? I was once in a store and D was being a total handful. An older lady approached me and could tell that I was flustered. She said, in the sweetest voice, "Honey what I wouldn't give to have my little boys back on their very worst day". That totally stopped me in my tracks. I'm sure she's right and I've reminded myself of that on those very frustrating days. That was such a gift she gave me that day. I hope to remember every smile, every pout, every expression and am so greatful that I've captured him throughout his life. I can't imagine that I'll forget, but what if I do? Those pictures will be priceless to me and even to look back on those baby pictures, they are already.

Fall

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.
John Muir



I am so amazed at how beautiful the leaves have gotten just in the last few days. I've been so excited waiting for autumn this year and so glad that it's finally here. Don't forget to take time to go out and enjoy the weather before winter sets in. There's a few more spots left open for fall sessions. Give me a call asap if you want portraits for Christmas cards.

Family ties

I met up with two sisters and their families the day before one of them moved to Alaska for a few years. It was so neat to see the relationship between these kids and to be able to capture it before they moved away. They were such a wonderful family to work with, we really had a great time. It's usually hard to get a good shot of a big group of kids but they all did such a great job. Thanks guys. Looking forward to seeing you all again sometime.

Family

I've known this awesome lady for a few years now and just love her. It was a pleasure spending some time with her beautiful family. I'm so glad that we were able to capture their relationship before the girls get too much older and have moved on to the next stage of their life and before little man get's too much older. Thanks so much guys for choosing me to capture these precious times in your life.

Drowning Prevention

I'm so greatful that my son can finally swim. This opened my eyes though (with him being a new swimmer) if he could really survive in a scary situation.

This video is truly amazing to me!
http://www.childdrowningprevention.com/index.html

Breathtaking

I always love to photograph her. I've had the pleasure of knowing this young lady her whole life and to be best friends with her mother my whole life. I can truly say that she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. Love you Con!

I remember when Conner was little and toddling around. It seems like yesterday. Please don't forget to capture your little ones as much as possible. When your memory of the detais fade and they're all grown up you'll wish you had images of them just as they were. To me, that's more important than the next trip to Target or those new pair of shoes. These little ones are our life. Your family is what matters in the end.

Everything is starting to look so pretty, please call for your fall appointment. Very few slots still available.

So, how's your attitude?

I am reading THE BEST book! It's called "Lord help me change my attitude (before it's too late)".

I am sooo loving this book. It has really helped me view things differently. Just thought I'd pass this along in case there are others that need this book as much as I do. ;)

Here's a section of the book that really struck a chord with me tonight -
"A farmer stood by the road one day and observed a large wagon filled with household goods moving toward him. Dust flew as the wagon pulled to a stop and the driver shouted, "We're moving from Brownsville to Jonestown. How much farther is it?"
"About thirty miles" said the farmer.
"And what kind of people shall we expect to find there?" asked the traveler.
"Well, what kind of people did you leave behind in Brownsville?"
"Oh, they were so negative and so cheerless, so deceptive and so ungrateful, just a godless bunch, all of them. That's the main reason we are moving. What kind of people will we find in Jonestown?"
"The very same kind, I"m sorry to say", said the farmer."

"The way that we look at a matter, the attitude that we choose, has direct bearing on how we experience reality".
Wow!

The best laid plans...

Nice solid shirt that will blend with nature - check!
Shirt staying clean until we get to the apple orchard - check!
Visions of grandeur of the perfect images that
I would get of my two men at the orchard - check!
Two cooperative subjects that would look at
me so that I could take a few captures - ..................

See! It happens to all of us. Remember, one of the reasons that I can
capture wonderful images of your family is because I'm not
you! LOL.

I was busted already!

Shortly after midnight last night. The sad thing is, I was awake and looking through portraits that I had taken this weekend.

Congrats Kirsten Heffron!! You will receive a free session to be used any weekday in 2008. I had a great time with you guys before. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again.

See! I told you guys I'd forget =). Time to step up my game - LOL.

Looking for Senior Models!!!

Currently looking for senior models from each high school. You will get lots of cool stuff for being the HS representative so please apply now. Here's one of my recent seniors. She is so gorgeous. I had a great time with you guys Amanda!

Mini Sessions

So we've filled this weekends mini session and I then opened one for October 21st. That date wasn't good for anyone so we opened another one for November 4th and now that one is full. If there is anyone that is interested in a private session for fall and for holiday pictures please let me know as soon as possible. If there's anyone interested in October 21st mini sessions, please let me know, as I've started a waiting list to see if it will fill.

Cheeeeeeeeeese!

Ironic, given that's something you'll never hear me say while taking your portraits ;). This is a fun lunch idea that I put in my sons lunch box on occasion. It's just two apple slices with peanut butter and mini marshmallows. He loves it!! =)

Sorry folks crazy day volunteering at school. More fun stuff in store tomorrow. I've also not forotten about those who don't have an apt for their mini session. Working on it and I will call or email you in the morning.

Wow!!!!! You guys are QUICK!

Okay, this weekend was pretty much full as soon as I sent out the newsletter - lol. So, here's what I'm going to do for those of you who weren't able to get on this weekends schedule. I have a whole bunch of people that want to do the mini sessions so I'm going to squeeze in some more for next Sunday. Right now here's what I have for Sunday 10/21. If next Sunday doesn't work please let me know if you're still interested and I'll add you to be one of the first contacted if I open another mini session day at the park. Also please let me know if you'd be interested in a weekday appointment as those are easier to come by.

Sunday - Oct 21st openings

4:45 - 5:15 (be there no later than 4:30 to fill out paperwork)

5:30 - 6:00 (be there no later than 5:15 to fill out paperwork)

6:15 - 6:45 (be there no later than 6:00 to fill out paperwork)

From what I saw last night, these will probably go in the next few hours so please let me know ASAP if you're interested.

If you're just joining our program =), what we're talking about are mini sessions at the park - please see below.

Newsletter incentive

If you forward the newsletter that you received (from Tammy McMillan Photography) to someone that has not already received it, you could possibly win a $15.00 Gift Certificate. If this person schedules and completeles an appointment with us, you will then receive a $15.00 GC to use toward prints on your next sitting.
How easy is that??

Don't forget

to add your email address to the blogarithm for email notifications when this blog has been updated.

"Catch me if you can" Contest is now underway!!

We will begin a 30 day contest, starting today. The rules are very simple, if you catch me not blogging in a 24 hour period be the first to contact me via email at jeffandtammymac@aol.com to win a free private session within 35 miles of Marshall Virginia (If you live beyond that, there will just be a small travel fee). Your free session must be redeemed any weekday/weekday evening in 2008.

Every day I will post something - sometimes sessions (some old some new) inspiration, contests, chances to win free stuff, great deals and more. We really have alot of exciting stuff planned so make sure that you check us out every day to see what's new and for the chance to "catch me if you can" =)

As I said in the newsletter, I have a lot going on right now and am a wee bit A.D.D. ;) so your chance are actually pretty good ;)

This Sunday - Mini Sessions at Sky Meadows State Park

This Sunday we will be having an afternoon of mini sessions at Sky Meadows State Park in Deleplane Virginia. We currently have two spots available. These sessions will be 30 minutes in length and the sitting fee for this will be $60.00. It's also a beautiful drive and a gorgeous park to spend some time with your family. Bring a picnic to enjoy when your session is complete =).

Here are a few images from some mini sessions that I did at Sky Meadows last fall. Browse through my website to see many other images from this beautiful park. These spots will go quickly so please call if you're interested or if you want to be on a waiting list if we should do another. I tend to do these last minute mini sessions when I have a cancelation or sudden opening in my schedule. Please let me know if you'd like to be contacted for future openings if this Sunday doesn't work for your schedule. I also find that weekdays are not as popular, but if you'd like to come to a mini session on a weekday, please let me know that as well. If I get a large enough group, I'd be happy to do a weekday mini session.

**** PLEASE NOTE ****

I've discovered that the "contact us" section of the website is not working and hasn't for some time. I guess I didn't notice it because the majority of my customers are referred to me by other people. So please do not email me through my website for now. Please email me instead directly to jeffandtammymac@aol.com.
I'm so sorry if there are those of you who have tried to contact me and haven't gotten a response.
Thanks so much everyone.

Good bye Summer

From the sounds of it, today was our last warm day. We've been trying to say goodbye to summer for a while, but it doesn't seem to want to give in to fall. We had such an awesome summer full of camping and more camping, swimming and just having some nice D and mommy time. I'm ready now to really enjoy a good campfire, to bundle up in sweaters, to put pumkin spice creamer in my coffe and sit back and enjoy the leaves. So goodbye summer, thanks so much for a great time and welcome fall!

I'm still here!!!!!!

Okay, every time I pull up my blog and see "Happy Valentines Day" I'm reminded of what a terrible blogger I am. There are so many sessions that I haven't blogged and so many thoughts I haven't spoken about. Enough crying over spilled milk and time to get back on the blogger bandwagon and do it again. The tides are changing folks. Big things coming tomorrow!!!