The Marriott Ranch

If you've not visited this wonderful place, you must. It is the perfect getaway. The views are breathtaking and what a wonderful place to relax and get back to the important things in life. Whether it be for the weekend, a week or for an event that they're hosting you won't regret it. They also have some wonderful horseback trails (with picnic lunch provided) planned for a few dates in October. http://www.marriottranch.com/welcome.html



So here, I've planned it - You'll come spend a nice romantic fall weekend at the Ranch. You'll go by horseback through the gorgeous fall foliage (ahhh I can almost hear the leaves rustling now). Then you'll go to some of the gorgeous vineyards that are close the Ranch or go on a canoe trip down the Shenandoah river. The next day you can visit some of the local orchard's to get some of the delicious local apples this season (They're yummy this year!).

So there you are - all within 45 minutes of the beltway. For those in the Virginia Piedmont it's right in your back yard in Hume Virginia. I was honored to come capture the beauty of this place and take pictures during one of their events. You don't know what you're missing!

Click here to view a slideshow of the manor, the views and all of the lodging - www.TammyMcMillan.info/Slideshows/Ranch.exe

Sir Charles......

Okay Kim, I know that I say this every time, but I think these may be my favorites =). This little guy and his family have spent alot of time with me over the last 7 months or so. Charles is a natural when it comes to having his portraits taken. He's always so cooperative and it's so easy to make him smile. It's also a lot of fun to watch him explore new things because you can almost hear the wheel's turning in his head. He cracked me up when we put him in the grass. He really wanted to crawl away but was afraid to put his arms in the grass to do it. As always, I had a great time with you guys. Can you believe his next session will be for his first birthday?? I just wanted to give you a little teaser of some of the favorites of mine that I've come across so far.

Maternity and family.....

Suanne, what a great idea this was to capture some last moments of your family (as it is now) before the baby comes along. It is so easy to see from the way you look at your daughter how very much both of you adore her. How fortunate she is, as will this new addition be, to have fun and loving parents like you! You guys were so much fun to work with and I hope that I get a chance to meet the newest addition. Here's a little sneak peek for you.

Cierra Cierra Cierra

Just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. A smile that could light up a room. Fun spirit.
What a great time we had!!! Well, I did anyway, she may have been slightly
abused =). I've known Cierra since she was a little girl so I made her be more
brave than I'd force some to be. She was such a tropper though and the results
are phenomenal!!! I'm still looking through her pictures, but here's a few of my
favs so far. I told her that her Senior pictures would for sure be original!

Frequently asked questions -

Yes, she IS indeed in the middle of the road on a couch. Well, we DID stop traffic for her! =)

Yes, we drug this couch all over town (compliments of the neighbors who were selling the couch)

This poor guy was just mowing the field minding his own business when we came along, but he was kind enough to indulge us for a bit.

No I haven't fallen off of the earth......

I'm trying to get caught up because I've got a lot of fun stuff to share with you all! I'm tired, but I love my job! How blessed am I? =)

Precious life

We often think that our little ones are so fragile and our husband can conquer the world. So we go through life worried about the little ones, watching every step they take - "don't go in the road, don't touch that hot stove". In the mean time, these big strong men of ours get overlooked at times. Of course we do need to watch over and take care of these little guys, but I often have to remind myself to make sure all of the big guys needs are met also.

Anything can happen in life. In just a second our lives can come tumbling down around us. So savor every single second and make sure that the ones that we love know how much we love them. God has loaned us these little ones and has gifted us with these irreplaceable men in our lives. He's hand picked these guys for us no matter how mismatched we seem to be =).

If you've not heard this wonderful song, you just have to!! It's all about perspective. A guy that I went to school with (from the time I was little) was killed in a freak bobcat accident this week. I can't even imagine what his family is going through right now. This song has been on my mind a lot this week and it just makes you stop and think about how fragile and how precious this life is. Last day of my life - Phil Vassar

For those local and who also went to school with John- here's funeral info and where you can donate money to the family -
http://www.wper.org/html/johnmills.html

An incredible gift for yourself or someone you love..

They're called Thumbies. I've never seen anything quite like them. You use the fingerprint of someone you love or your babies footprint or handprint from the hospital. This company will create a charm with the prints that you provide them. I can't imagine a better heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. You can also use your pets noseprint or pawprint. You have to check these out! http://www.thumbies.com/index.asp

Beautiful Miss Alison.....

I just can't believe that another baby planner has turned a year old. Where did the time go? Where did my babies go? Okay, maybe not MINE, but I sure do develope a great relationship with these little ones (and parents), so seeing these guys turn one is bittersweet. I know that I'll see them all again, it's just so surprising to see them grow up so quickly!

This little woman is so spunky! She has her own agenda and is a take charge kinda' kid. I just love her! She has so much spirit and it's been neat to see her turn into a little toddler. Her mom and I used to work together (for those that don't know I was a Kitchen Designer in my former life ;). So Anita, here's your sneak peek. I know that curiosity has been killing you! I've got a special challenge for you to get a free image - check your email! =)

Tough Guy

Sweet
Tough
Shy
Happy
Beautiful Blue Eyes
So many words could describe this little guy. He was so flexible with us dragging him all around the house trying to find some light on a foggy day. He hung with us though and just rolled with the punches. I love his tough guy look! Okay mom here's your preview. I'm going to experiment with you. I'm watching my blog count. If you get 75 people to look at my blog between now and when I put your pictures online, you'll receive a free 5x7 of your choice ......Go! =)

Are you tired and stressed out to the max?

Well, my sister this is the book for you! I've actually read this book, which is quite surprising since I have NO time and I'm as ADD as the day is long =). It's a quick read and it just gives you such a sense of peace. Check it out!

It's sad that as women and mom's that we need to have someone else justify for us that it's okay to rest. Quite frankly to be a good mom, wife, human, we really NEED rest and we need time to ourselves. I know what you're thinking, it's impossible, right? Well even if you get a chance after the kids are in bed for a bubble bath, lay back and light a candle or read a good book. It might not be a lot of time but every little bit helps.

Summertime food.....

Looking for a cool munchie to serve at your next cookout? This stuff is so yummy! We can all thank my SIL's mom for this one.

Velveeta Southwestern Corn Dip
1 lb (16 ox) Velveeta cut up
1 can (11 ox) corn with red and green peppers
drained
3 jalepeno peppers (seeded and minced)
1 med red onion finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
1/2 cup Breakstones sour cream

Mix velveeta and corn in large microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for five minutes or until the velveeta is completely melted. Stir after three minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve hot with wheat things, triscuits or veggies.
Enjoy!

Exciting thing #1

Okay, although I realize that photography is MY love and I adore my customers I recognize that you're all not as passionate about photography as I am. So....... although I will still continue to feature my favorite shots and talk a little about my new friends, I will also be adding other things that may peak your interest as well. Things totally non-photography related. I'll be featuring some music that I like so hopefully you'll be exposed to some fun stuff that you've not heard. I'll also be trying to give you all some fun gift ideas and some of my favorite things. I may even feature a few local business's so if you have a business that is blog worthy and you'd like to talk about it, let me know =)

Fun things in the air!

There's going to be a lot of new and exciting things happening here at Tammy McMillan Photography. Contests with great prizes, offer of some free sessions for a certain niche' that I'm looking for, opportunites to get some free portraits, etc. Stay tuned!!!!

What's new on Tammy's ipod?

When I get where I'm going by Brad Paisley
She's everything by Brad Paisley

Taylor

Another baby planner that I've so enjoyed capturing this past year. I think this little girl has had a smile on her face since the day I met her. She has such a sweet spirit about her and can truly light up a room when she's in it. I had a terrible time picking a favorite so I just grabbed a few. It's hard not to capture her smiling. Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Sweet little Kadyn

((sniff sniff)) Finishing up these baby planners always makes me sad. It's so neat to watch these babies grow up and while creating their slideshow for their last session I always get nostalgic. It's so flattering to be chosen to preserve the milestones of these sweet little ones. Kadyn was not happy about having her portrait taken this day, but mad or not she is just so stinkin' cute!! Don't you just want to pick her up and squeeze her? I've become very close to this family over the last year and it's been a pleasure every step of the way!!!

Portraits

I've considered creating a stock collection and selling them as a piece of art to frame for your home. This is one that I did for a friends daughter who was getting married and moving from the area, where this picture was taken, to Ohio.

Rain, rain go away.........

Come again another day! Have you ever? This weather is just the craziest that I've ever seen here in Virginia. Okay, if I build an ark you're all invited! I'll need to keep my business going ya' know? ;)

Sky Meadow's State Park

What a fun day this was! I know that they had a great day together and I truly enjoyed watching them and capturing the moments between this wonderful family. This is one of my most favorites places to shoot (as most of you know). For those of you that don't know, if I mention Sky Meadow's State Park, this is it.
I've got to tell you as I proofed these pictures I got teary eyed many times while working on pictures of this couple. They were so comfortable with each other and so in love after all of these years. I've got to say that they are truly inspiring to watch. Not just their obvious love for one another but also their love for their daughters and grandchildren as well. Happy Anniversary guys!
Well, you can tell by looking at these images how close these families are and how much fun they are.

For those that don't know, I always "try" my hardest to remember to pull the couples aside - out of the family pictures and away from the children and capture their relationship for a minute. Most of the time people are pretty hesitant but they always seem glad in the end that they took a minute to capture what started it all in the first place. That's so important to me to capture. It's so easy with children to place that aside (especially when typically all that most parents are concerned with is making sure the kids are doing what they're supposed to be doing=).

Baby Charles........and family

Okay there were so many that I loved, but these just happen to be some of my favs. What a neat family this is. Kim is so sweet and always makes it a point to let me know how much she appreciates the portraits that I do for her. You may recognize this little guy middle front. Six months and looking me dead in the eye no matter what's going on around him - that's my boy! =) I just love the way Charles has his toes curled up in this image. He's definately not sure about the grass touching his feet.

I love this picture because this is soooo how Charles was feeling at this point. It had been an hour - hour and a half and he had just about had enough. They were all such troopers!

I love love love this image! It just makes me smile every time I see it. Is it wrong to hang pictures of other people's children in my home ;). I mean really, do you blame them? Who could possibly resist kissing those cheeks?