Terri Gillis Photography Blog » Families and Children

2012 Gift Certificate Special!

Terri — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:41:12 +0000

So I love black Friday and cyber Monday as much as all of you, who doesn’t want a great deal? I’ve had a fantastic year this year and to show my appreciation I’m doing something I have never done and that’s offer a gift certificate special. I’m offering 4 gift certificate options for 2012 sessions from now until 11:59pm on 11/28/11. Each certificate is discounted $50!

Click here to purchase!

If you’ve been neglecting getting your family photo done or you know someone who is having a baby, this is a gift you or your loved one will absolutely love, long after your iPad2 has passed. I recently read a post on why people put off getting their family photo done, 2 reasons….1.) the same old excuse….I don’t like how I look, I hate my hair, I need to lose weight….2.) $$$. Let me address both of those…I love every photo I have of my parents as well as my husband’s family. I’ve asked a few people recently…”Do you ever look at your family photos and say…I would love this photo if only my mom was a little thinner or her hair styled differently?”…Isn’t that ridiculous? of course not!! ….Secondly, my clients who have said to me….”when we first getting our kids photographed it seemed expensive and we weren’t sure we wanted to do it, as our kids have grown we look back and are so happy we made this investment, they grew up so fast, we can’t imagine not having our photos. They’re memories we can’t afford to live without”. A to the MEN!

It’s time people!! Commit to having fabulous photos in 2012! Gift certificate are available for purchase until 12/17/11 but only on sale until 11:59pm on 11/28/11.

Certificates will be mailed directly to you but can be mailed elsewhere if you indicate that in your order. Sessions must take place before 10/1/12 and expire on 11/1/12 (because its just not pretty outside after that).

Can’t wait to see your beautiful smiles in 2012!

Happy Monday!

Terri — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:13:14 +0000

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Mondays? Today is the first day of summer vacation and my children are being unusually cooperative. I don’t think they’ve reset their summer vacation switches which works for me because it’s been a dig out day in my office. I’m thankful for the clouds out my window because if the sun was calling my name I would have to put the shovel down and run for the sun. The summer season is really winding up with tons of sessions on my schedule, many families that I work with year after year and a few new faces coming my way. My variety of spots seem to be a little wider than normal which is nice to mix it up a little but I do have my favorite, tried and true, spots. I took this family downtown Rockford which is really becoming the hot-spot for a lot of photographers and it’s no wonder because the area is so lush and beautiful right now and there are endless spots to work and create beautiful photographs. Take all of that and add in a cute family and a little girls in a cute colorful outfits and suddenly we’re creating something beautiful and fun that you’ll love forever.

How can you visit Rockford and not get ice cream? I frequent both Rocky’s and Custard by the Dam since I have fav’s at both but I am always amazed that children will always select Supeman or Rainbow sherbet, it must be some unspoken rule among children that ice cream is only worthy if it’s wonderfully colored. Do you ever hear a young child order plain chocolate ? Why don’t children willingly sample brown food? At what age do we truly discover the magnificence of chocolate?….and how come they never offer adults those little candy eyes for their ice cream? So many questions that I’m pondering today….which gives me an idea. The wheels just never stop spinning. Happy Monday!

Dawson – 3 months

Terri — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:50:39 +0000

I love taking photos of my nieces and nephews and I get started with them out of the gate. When I show up with a camera the mood changes and becomes very serious because they know there is a job to be done. (If only my own sons could be so accommodating.) I took these photos of my little nephew Dawson a few weeks ago and in the craziness of life I JUST got to editing them today. Isn’t he darling? I’m going to just hold on to these and when he’s 18 I’ll photoshop his face right over this first one and it can be his senior picture. I can never get over how much a baby can grow and change in just 3 months. He has the sweetest little personality and is so cuddly and gorgeous. This is some serious competition for JoT.

Cancer sucks….

Terri — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:20:19 +0000

Cancer sucks. I sat here and tried to think of a nicer way to write that and then realized when there were a few other choice words, that WAS the nice way of saying it.

I know several people that are in the battles of their lives fighting this dreadful disease and although I can make a meal for them, or just offer support I never feel like I’m doing enough to help fight this war. The first time I attended Relay for Life in Rockford 4 years ago I was impressed by the outpouring of support in our community. I didn’t realize how many people could fit on the track at North Rockford Middle school. It’s an amazing experience, a great cause, I love being a part of it and I’m excited to parter with Sable Homes for this fundraiser. As many of you know I’m not a studio photographer due to the fact that I most enjoy working in a variety of settings (and I get tired of my backdrops very easily!). These model homes are beautifully decorated and offer several unique settings for these portrait sessions. Sessions are for everyone! Join us in our fundraising efforts and if you’ve been putting off updating your photos, wait no longer! You will love this.

Sweet faces…

Terri — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:54:36 +0000

I go waaaaayy back with this family. I have a history with them. I knew them before they were a family, shooting an engagement session and then their wedding several years ago. A few years later I grieved for them when their first son was stillborn and was thrilled for them when they were expecting Brennan. I witnessed how tenderly they cared for him after he was born and how thankful they were for his little life. Last summer I went back to their home after Ruby was born. Life was different with a busy toddler and a newborn daughter. Although exhausted, it was obvious that they were loving every minute of it. Last week during our session I saw them learning to negotiate with a busy 2 year old (as long as you have a snack, it is possible!) and how they look at their precious daughter with adoration (she’s so smiley and cute I can’t stand it!!!). I witnessed them laughing, still loving each other and embracing family life. This is hands down the BEST part of my job! I work with a LOT of families, but I don’t always know the whole story. I won’t pretend to know all the details of their day to day life but I feel privileged to have been a part of some of their most precious memories. I love that they trust me with their children, that when we’re together we laugh and feel like we’re old friends. Like everyone, I have my fair share of days where I am uncertain about this path in life, questioning if it’s still working, still worth it, still right for me? When families return to me time and time again I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the connections I’ve made, the moments I’ve witnessed and for the opportunity to take photos of these sweet faces.

Getting my blog on…at last!

Terri — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:43:14 +0000

Yay!!!! I’m up and running with my new blog. I have a few more things to fine tune but for the most part I’m satisfied with how it looks and am happy to share it. My daughter just asked me this morning what my blog was for (she must have been sensing my recent obsession with it) and I though for a minute and told her….”I have so much to share, to talk about, photos that I want to show friends, family, clients and other photographers. This helps me keep everyone in the loop with my crazy life.” My blog might not look as “professional” as another photographer and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m terrible when it comes to grammar and run-on sentences. It might sometimes be more about work and other times more about my personal life…..but what I promise it will always be, aside from any and all obvious imperfections, is the real me. Read, enjoy, correct me if you must, comment if you will….I’m glad you’re here!Gabe & Betsy invited me to their gorgeous home for a family photo session. They were so sweet, their girls were so adorable and friendly. A lot of people hold out for summer for an outdoor family photo (myself included!) so I’m excited to share this and show how beautiful a family portrait can be when done indoors, just on your sofa, or in your master bedroom. Simple casual clothing, everyone barefoot….I love it!
I am trying to make sure that I get a sweet photo of every couple when I do a family photo session. If you haven’t had a nice photo of the two of you taken since your wedding it’s time to update it.

So after we were done (for the most part) with the photo session I asked Betsy if the girls had any frilly dresses and they did. We took some really sweet photos of the two of them, but of course I can help but notice how gorgeous Betsy is so I say “Besty, any chance YOU have a frilly dress?” and this is what she pulled out…DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. So I showed up for a family portrait session and managed to also get these in as well. The look on Gabe’s face as he admired his lovely ladies was priceless (of course I didn’t take a photo of it!! ugh!).