The Graduates

Well it is soo hard to believe that 18 years have already gone by.....where did it all go?  I am so proud of my "mantha" she is all grown up.  She has the world in front of her now and that is exciting for some but for Samantha well she is my kid who sorta hates new environments and new people.....so for her having the whole world  with new people and things to do laying in front of her is overwhelming.  I pray the good lord comforts her as she beings this new journey I pray the lord gives her more confidence in the beautiful woman she has become.  May she find herself and who or what she wants to be.  I know this all comes in time, but as usual I would prefer it to be sooner rather than later....as I have never been really good at waiting. :(  Its funny how your kids can grow up and be very different from ourselves.  I never had trouble talking with people.... as a matter of fact my second great teacher called me Tammie talk alot. I hated it at the time but now think its funny.  I have always wanted to connect with people and know things about who they are and what makes them happy.....these very things and questions seem to drive Samantha crazy.  As Samantha finds her spot in this world I guess the good lord is going to guide me in having some patience to be able to stand by and allow her to find her way on her time and gods....  Now that will be a a test of patience eah????  I guess they say the lord doesnt give you more than you can handle So he must be going to give me some patience!  ha ha!   I have never been good at sitting, watching or waiting......so this will be an interesting journey for all of us!  On the other hand Samantha is good at sitting, and watching so maybe its about opposites???     Maybe that is all part of the lords plan.   Hummm......Well here is my favorite photo of Samantha at graduation.

Mattawan Hockey

Okay, in case some of you have not followed the hockey team at Mattawan they had a Great Season, one that each of them should be proud of.  They won regionals and went on to play in Lansing at the quarter finals.  They may not have won the game when it comes to the score board but I think they had a winning season. They made Mattawan Hockey team history!  These boys were the first team at Mattawan to qualify for Regionals and then make it to the quarter finals!  Great Job guys it was fun to watch you play and be able to shoot your hockey photos!  I will see you all Wednesday at the Radison for your Banquet and we will rock the place with some fun photos of you, your trophy and your parents!

Promotional Postcard

Well the postcard is done and I was able to have a display at the high school this week to promote the photos and the new logo....  I know that your all dyin to see it so here you go!  

Give me some feedback.  I'd love to hear what you think.

Tamm

Logo Design

Well its official!  The Design is pretty much done and I should be rolling that out in the next week with some promotional stuff!  I love the journey and pray that the lord continues to bless me.  I love seeing things through my camera and shooting everyday life.....Its funny how the simple things sometimes become my most favorite photos just because its "REAL"....

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and support without you I would not be where I am today!  

I love you all!

New Logo!!

I am soo excited about working with a designer on a new logo that I can hardly stand waiting to see the new designs!!  I have soo many new things that I want to do with the business this year that I am really looking forward to the changes and updates.  

I will be attending more workshops, more classes and more learning and growing!  I love that! I used to get a little cranky when it came to growing and trying new things that were unknown but I am beginning to look forward to new things....I guess this  is just one of those things that God has changed in me and I am thankful.

New Domain Name

Well I am finally getting a new domain name for my website....Yeah!!!

The new site will be: www.tams-cam.com

I hope to make many changes in the coming months to really improve things!

Keep checking back!

Photoshop CS4 and John Pottenger

Well over the last two Friday afternoons I spent the day with John Pottenger in Grand Rapids!  I have to tell ya, if you ever need a video guy, or photos!  He is the guy! He Rocks!  

Having the opportunity to learn some of the technical stuff from John has been huge!  He is one of those guys that's just genuine and I love that about him.

Anyway,  my afternoons were seriously a blessing and I just love that he is willing to take some time out to help those of us that are just starting photography businesses. I was full of questions and he always had an answer and some great suggestions!

Anyway, one little taste of CS4 from John and he had me hooked!  I had to have the upgrade.  What an improvement!  Lovin it!  They really added some great time saving features that I am addicted to.

Anyway if you get a chance check out Johns work.  (Coastline studios)

Nature....

Well today I met with my step son Dustin for his senior photos.  I think he was not excited about meeting with me where I told him to meet me.  However I think once he got to my location he saw the beauty that I saw when I found this location.  We walked the trail and as we did we saw about five deer.  One was only a few feet away and here is the photo.  I think Dustin was really happy with my pick of locations.  My husband  and Dusing try to get away each year for a backpacking trip (man trip) so I felt like the natural nature setting for him was perfect!  Here is one of our favorite photos of him and our Deer.....

Sometimes it just takes one little deer for you to remember that the lords beauty is always among us...we just need to keep our eyes open.  

Thank you lord for the reminder of the beauty among us.

Senior photos

Well its soo hard for me to grasp, but my daughter is a senior and the time has come for her senior photos.  She wanted me to take them and I have been nervous and emotional about the whole thing.  Nervous because I wonder if someday she will hate that her "mom" did her photos and emotional because this has been a moment that she has been looking forward to and I have as well but in that same breath, it also seems as if my job as "mom" is done and that makes my heart ache.... I keep asking myself.... have I taught her all that she needs to know?? Have I shared all of the mother daughter secrets that I should have?  Have I been the mom that she needed??  I love that she she seems to have grown up soo much over the past year but as I say that it still tugs at my heart knowing that she is moving on and I am needed less and less these days.. I miss my "babe"...I miss the mornings that she would crawel in bed with me and say mommy can you watch Barney with me??  and Mommy can we have a stay at home day today and will you color with me? Sometimes it was the simple things that we miss the most.   

My "babe" is more than I ever thought possible and definitely a wiser person that I was at her age.  Maybe that is because she saw me make sooo many mistakes as a young wife and mother but either way I will continue to thank the lord for giving me such a beautiful girl!

Mantha you continue to be an inspiration every day!

Thank you, your beautiful and I Love you more every day.

Mom

The learning curve

I was able to attend a one day workshop with some professional photographers and it was truley amazing!  I learned soo much in just one day that I still have a hard time putting my brain on the fact that I just didnt get some things until they said try this.....  and then I would think, why did'nt I ever think about this BEFORE!  GRRR!  I am soo thankful to everyone that was there and helped me to move closer to where I want to be.  I am soo greatful to each of you for your help.  I have soo much more to learn but I feel that I took a giant leap after this workshop!  Oh and my husband thinks ALL of the models were HOT! ;)  I told him that was fine cause I thought you GUYS were Hot as well and I think my daughter is ready to pin some of you guys up in her room. LOL!    I give thanks to my husband for encouraging me to take this workshp and for the good lord is has been behind me every step of my journey.  I am blessed to even be a small part of the photo world.   As you have all said, its amazing to be a small part of the joy the is among us all and to be able to caputre that each day is a gift from above.

Hydrangea's

Well I went on another road trip this weekend to get Lauren from Camp and then on to check out a wedding reception location.  

While checking out the location, I saw these flowers and thought of Brittney's wedding.  These are your colors girl!  Matt loves them by the way!

Anyway enjoy the photo and we will chat soon!  Your big day is just around the corner!  I can hardly believe it!  

Outlaw Football

I got asked to shoot photos of the Outlaw football game in Vicksburg.  It was a hoot to be on the side lines listening to grown men.  I can't tell you how many times I had to bite my tongue so that I did'nt burst out laughing!  Samantha went with me and also shot photos with me.  She has learned alot and this was our first official shoot together.  It was nice to have her with me.  I will continue to pray that God helps her grow in her photography.  Here is a photo from the game...

The Lighthouse

Matt and I hiked to see this lighthouse and it was huge!  Its funny how small they look until your right next to them.  This lighthouse is just over 100 feet tall!  

I am not sure why but lighthouses have always touched my heart and had a spiritual meaning for me.    Heres my thought, sometimes I think that God is my lighthouse who will always keep his light on to guide me through the storms in my life.   I thank God for his light every day and the light he gave me in my husband.

Walking the Beach

Matt and I took a little time to walk the beach this past weekend. I still love spending time with him and being out in nature. It is so peaceful listening to the waves and the birds.... Here are a couple of my favorite photos from our walk.   I just loved that there were private benches everywhere on the beach.  My favorite one was this one in the last photo because it was up on a little hill over looking the lake.  Now if I could just build my house there! 

Kent Bottenfield

Matt and I had the opportunity to meet Kent Bottenfield in July.  He was a MLB pitcher for several teams and years.  He is since retired and is now singing Christian music.  His songs have a spiritual message and each time I listen to them I find God revealing something new to me.  Anyway if you get a chance check out his music.  One of my favorite songs is  "Back in the Game".  He has such a gentle spirit and amazing musical talent.  Kent is truly using his God given gifts to touch others.....Kent Keep using your platform for the lord.

Oh and Jon if your reading this be inspired to check him out!  Heres a photo that I took when I met him.

Anniversary

My third year anniversary is here and my husband surprised me with a bouquet of flowers just like the ones that we had at our wedding.  It was sweet that he took the photo of our flowers out of our wedding album and took it to the florist so that they would be sure to make the bouquet just like our wedding.  These flowers instantly took me back in time to that very special day.  Here are a few photos that I took....  God gave me the perfect husband and I will continue to thank him every day.

Coaches Clinic

Once again this year my husband and I went to a coaches clinic. There are some great professional players and coaches that speak.  I enjoy having time to speak with other coaches wives who understand what it is like being married to a coach.  I left the clinic knowing that there are things that God wants me to do to be a better wife and mom.  Things that uplift those relationships.  I pray that God continues to help me grow closer to him, my husband and my kids.  

I pray that people see and know that I am a woman of faith and that god uses me to bring others close to him.

Prayers to each of you!

Photos

I took the girls to take some photos of  them for my class.  I think that I am getting better at having sharper photos.  I pray that God continues to help me grow.  I really love capturing moments but I will admit I like the candid stuff much better than the portrait stuff.  I hope you like these.

Oh Sooo Happy!

I got a new Mac and it has a photobooth camera on it.  My man and I took this photo....

The Beauty among us.

While hangin out with the fam, I was able to see and appreciate some of the little things like grandmas garden. Sometimes we forget to see the beauty around us. I hope each of you keep your eyes open and see all the beauty around you.