Yesterday marked SIXTEEN years of Terri Gillis Photography. I love celebrating this anniversary of the day I took a leap of faith.  I had a toddler on my hip as I walked accross the Calder Stage area  to the county building to register my business with a skip in my step and a dream in my heart.  To everyone else it’s just an ordinary day but that day put me on a journey I couldn’t have every even dreamed of.  I am such a sentimental person so celebrating this anniversary, even if it’s only me celebrating, is not something I overlook or take lightly.

These 16 years have required A LOT of learning and exploring and just good old-fashioned work.  Snapping pictures is fun but this is a business and for it to be successful it required me to invest my heart and soul.  The return on that has been so much more than a paycheck.  I’ve traveled near and far and had the opportunity to learn from some absolutely amazing photographers including Michelle Celentano, Jasmine Star, Susan Stripling, Laura Brett and my absolute favorite…. Anne Geddes.  I’ve been to Hawaii (HAWAII!!!! If I didn’t have the images to prove it I wouldn’t beleive it myself!).  I’ve witnessed births and the miracle of that first breath…… I’ve also had the opportunity to photograph some people who knew it would be their last photos ever and would pass on shortly thereafter and the joy that would come with having those photos.  I’ve watched kids grow up, I’ve photographed over 300 (THREE HUNDRED!!) weddings.  Those weddings have become the foundation of my business as I’ve gone on to photograph many famlies as they’ve grown. ( It’s amazing!!)  I’ve learned so much about computers & graphic design and it has really become a huge love of mine.  I never learned to speak another launguage but I’m fluent in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and THAT is something.  I’ve cut back significantly on weddings.  I still take them, I just don’t push for them.  After working weekends all summer long for 15 years I felt like I was ready to step back from that.  I love having summer weekends off with my husband. To fill in that gap I take a lot of design work now and I really REALLY enjoy it.  Designing cards, books, albums has always been part of my routine but in the last year I’ve added logos, invitaiton, a little bit of web design, marketing materials….. and I even do a little bit of business consulting and have helped a few people launch their own businesses!

So after 16 years, I can tell you this…. I am so grateful for every single opportunity that has been put in front of me. For every face that has graced my camera and my life.  Grateful for every session, wedding, child, project that I have been entrusted with.  Grateful for every mile I’ve driven, every click of my shutter, every day that I’ve had to throw a camera bag or a briefcase over my shoulder and head out the door.  It has been an amazing journey and I’m thankful to call it mine.

For the free download of my design above just click HERE!  ENJOY!!

CHEERS TO A SWEET 16 YEARS!

I wrestle with the fact (almost daily) that I haven’t blogged for over a year. Why haven’t I you ask? So many reasons…. mainly, I think I’m the only one who ever reads it. I was also a little burned out. Burned out on the hustle of photography, burned out from the schedule, exhausted from working and I needed a break from anything I could get one from, so the blog was the first to go….. and then it was the photography. I needed to put some space in there to see what it was that kept me working this job that seemed to be taking me down. Being a photographer became my identity… and without a camera hanging around my neck I felt a little lost…. and a little empty. When you realize people only are calling or reaching out to me, sometimes inviting me to things…. because they need a photographer. And my social calendar, without a camera, is nearly non-existant. I had a deep desire to change this but terrified that if I stepped away from it, it would be the equivalent of stepping out of my soul. Truly terrifying. And what if this really was all there was to me? But I had to do it….. and I did. After a 7 month hiatus with only limited contact with my equipment, some serious soul searching and “weeding” things out of my life,  14 months later I feel so differently about everything. Having an opportunity to step back and regain my perspective. It hasn’t been easy and the most difficult part is to be careful not to fall back into old habits. I love this job, and the amazing blessing it has been in my life, but I love having an identity… and not just a job.  For the first time in 10 years we took a summer vacation. I also attended a wedding as a guest (and realized how difficult it was for me to enjoy a wedding without photographing it) I was the equivalent of a fish out of water. My Mom is battling cancer and that has sort of rocked our world and it was another thing that gave me permission to step back a little and not take on the same hefty workload that I might otherwise have. I also had an opportunity dropped in my lap to do graphic design with the flexibility to work at home or in the office and never dreamed how much I would truly enjoy the comraderie of co-workers.

Where is she going with this?? Success doesn’t just come in the form of your paycheck. It comes with anything you want it to. Some days success is getting in the shower before my kids go to school, or getting through my to-do list, actually having a phone call with a friend and not just a series of texts. It’s time with my husband and kids, chatting at the kitchen table with my Mom, completing a project for a client, photographing an awesome newborn session or trying a new recipe and actually having it work out (thank you Pinterest for the pressure!). Whatever hat I’m wearing at the moment…. Wife, Mom, daughter, aunt, friend, seamstress, photographer, designer, chef, makeup artist, maid, baby whisperer my goal is and will be to simply seize the day and enjoy moments that I just am completely unwilling to miss out on….. Carpe Diem!

This is just a small splash of some of the sessions I’ve done in the last year that just made my heart sing.   My family that I love to care for, my husband who I simply could not adore more than I already do, some new clients and some old one’s…. Some of these faces I look at and am overwhelmed by the miracle staring back at me.  Selecting after a year of not posting was painful…. I would love to post one from every single session time and energy are a precious commodity…. and  I have to go make dinner now and an evening with my crew awaits. Happy Leap Day!  DAY it forward!!  I hope you WIN! XO!

They are the typical family. They book their session with high hopes of having family photos to remember these precious days. The most important thing I can relay  is to just relax.  Sometimes having Mom and Dad walk into the other room is just enough to take the pressure off; that’s  when the magic begins.  Thankfully Jeffrey and Amy have trusted me with so many of the sweetest moments of their lives that they gladly let me have my fun with their kids.  A little time and a lot of patience is all that’s required to create images that will surely capture your heart. 

If a 4 year old wants to assist with posing her parents for a photo you just go with it.  Priceless!! 

I gave each of them the opportunity to pick their “pose”.  Keaton required his Cheetah and preferred not to smile.  Caroline put her hand on her hip and told me “Just tell me when you’re ready”…. Hahahahahaha…. I could hardly take it.  it was so cute!

Caroline offered MANY time to take my photo… “Just pass me your camera”… She settled for this photo with me.  {I might frame this in my office!}

The last image from our session…. so precious.

I wear this necklace nearly every day.  I’m not a big one for a lot of jewelry and I actually bought this for myself.  I love the “g”.  Whenever I put it on I think of “g” words… Of course there’s “Gillis”…. that’s a “given” (Ha..Ha..)…. but when I put on my necklace I  want to be ….. gifted, generous, gentle, graceful, glamourous (why not?), gorgeous, good…. but I always end the thought with grateful.  For all that I have, all that I am, where I’ve been, where I’m going, the blessings and the lessons. As sappy as it sounds I really am beyond grateful.

To celebrate I’ll offer my once a year sale on Mini-sessions! $200 for a mini-session/disk special.  Here’s the 411 – Must take place in the Greater Grand Rapids area and must be completed before 12/31/14. Please call a minimum of 4 weeks in advance to schedule. Any questions feel free to call (616-550-8997) or email me at gillisphoto@mac.com

Here is a link to PURCHASE GIFT CERTIFICATE! Your gift certificate will be emailed to you!!

THANKS FOR CELEBRATING WITH ME AND FOR 14 GREAT YEARS!!

We’re almost half way through January and I’ve had a wonderful long relaxing break.  Wow, did I ever need that!

There’s always a winter slow down.   I’ve got a few sessions here and there but most of my time is spent reorganizing, planning for the year and the dreaded preparation for taxes.  Working with the little faces is way more fun than that so I’m offering a winter special to get out of this cave!

Here’s the 411 –

Sweet & Simple – “Little Me” –  winter special – $150 (normally $250).

I’ve had visions of tu-tus, neck-ties and crazy colorful clothes all on a one day mini-session but my gut kept bringing me back to …. Sweet & simple.  Dress your little one however you like and let’s focus on their sweet little self.  1st child is $150 and additional children are $50 each.  Limit of 2 outfits per child.  Recommended ages 3mos and up.

I will also have some sweet new products to show you as a way to display your photos, or give them as a gift for gradparents (or for yourself).

XO – Terri

When they ask for advice my first response is always…”Stay away from uniforms.  Outfits should coordinate not match.” I can not emphasize this enough. In 1970 it was extremely popular to have everyone in the family wear matching outfits usually a crew neck cardigan with a turtleneck and matching Lee jeans.

Over and over I have people say…. Well, we might just do white shirts and jeans and I stop them right there…. don’t do it (DON’T.DO.IT).  I know that this seems easy but I promise that you will not be satisfied with your images later. There are too many colors in this world to wear white…. Unless your a bride.  If you’re a bride, it’s definitely safe to wear white!  

This family did a great job.  She purchased her girls outfits and her own shirt from Matilda Jane.  I love their line of clothing and all the colors and patterns.  If you’re not into online ordering or trunk shows but headed to the mall I would say start at   The Gap.… They make it easy for you.  Typically if you purchase everything on the same day the entire collection will coordinate.  This includes if you’re hitting up The Gap outlet.  If you’ll notice in the outfits I have featured below, she took the patterned outfits and pulled from those colors when selecting what the boys will wear.  So even if you’re not shopping Matilda Jane or the Gap, simply take your most patterned outfit that you have selected (usually for your youngest person in the photo) and pull from there for your colors for everyone else.  Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, stripes or polkadots but add in your solids also somewhere…. put solids on the boys or one of them, in a scarf or a sold cardigan over a patterned dress.  It’s really that easy and will make for some pretty photos.

1.) Being on time, prepared  and excited for this session!

2.) Not leaving during the session even though they  probably wanted to.

3.) Being super patient with me.  This is our very first time working together and this session was about 3 weeks ago (I can’t shoot and edit at the same time – I’m a little behind).  After the session they probably think I took their money and ran.

As you look through the photos you’ll notice  that everything seems absolutely “picture” perfect.  The sky is beautiful, the family does not appear to be sweating (Hello!!  Why the heck is it so hot IN SEPTEMBER?), and notice there are no extra bodies around on the beach.  When we arrive I swear I could hear a choir of angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus….. it could not have been more ideal of a situation if I asked…. In August!!   And then we were there for about 5 minutes and I knew why the beach was empty….. Black. Flies.  They seriously attacked us and when editing I had to remove over 100 flies off of their legs, ankles and feet.  This session was a mini-session and was only scheduled to last “about 30 minutes”.  And that’s exactly how it went, 30 minutes and we could not get off that beach fast enough.

So although my visit with them was short and sweet, I know these beautiful photos will be cherished forever.

The great thing about this session is her Mom put thought not just into her outfit but to spice it up she brought along little hats, bathing suits and the things her girl loves most. Clara is at an age (8 Months) where she wants to have something in her hands all the time. I can pull out my bells and rattles but NOTHING evoked the response we got when we pulled out her lambi…. her Sophie (apparently the worlds most expensive infant teething toy)…. or…. best of all…..her beloved potatoe masher! Who knew a potatoe masher could be so amazing?!?

You want your photos to not only convey the look of your child but also t their personality drawn out as well. Bring their beloved toys!! Even if it’s a potatoe masher!!!

Jaxson’s Dad sent along his hats and dog tags.  Jaxson loved & enjoyed these items completely unaware of the symbolism, bravery or sacrifice that they come with.  What a treasure these will be to Jaxson….. His Dad Rocks.

You may have seen them before…. I did an engagement session with Mark and Sarah on seriously the COLDEST day I’ve ever worked outside.  (I have a new rule, no outdoor sessions if it’s below 20 degrees….Brrrrrrrr….).  Their wedding comes on a March day that is 60 degrees, humid and the trees are all in full out bloom…. I spend the day absolutely amazed (and warm).  They notify me shortly after their wedding that a baby is on the way and we plan a maternity session for a beautiful fall day…. It’s 80 degrees, in October.  (We nearly sweat to death but they appear cool and comfortable in their sweaters).  Titus makes his arrival, just in time for Christmas.  When we meet again it’s snowy, it’s December 30th and another season is upon us.  A year ago they were a couple planning the wedding of their dreams; they’ve transitioned so nicely from newlyweds to a sweet little family.  Enjoy this little re-cap of some of my favorites of them from the year.

No big changes on the horizon for me.  I’m just here doing the daily duties that come with owning a business.  I’m more content than ever though and looking forward to the next chapter, the next age, the next stage…. enjoying every season for what it brings.

Happy New year!!