Ho! Ho! Ho!

Hellooo!!!!!!

Wow, guys I can't believe it was Halloween when I last posted something. How time flies. I can hardly believe it is already into December. Feels like I have been in the middle of a tornado the last couple of months!

So, here is a quick post with some recent updates on what I have been busy doing the last couple of months!

As I wrote earlier in the fall I have had the opportunity to photograph some great families lately! Recently, many of them have come to me to design their Christmas cards. Typically when someone asks me to do this for them, I come up with 3, 4, or more designs for them and they can choose the one that best suits them.

So! Since I don't want to spoil the surprise for any one of you who may be receiving a card from one of these families, I will not post the ones they actually chose. I will post, though some of the other samples I did for them.


This is something I really enjoy doing! As much as I love my work as a photographer, the part of me who studied graphic design in college, really loves getting to create something from scratch, just a plain white screen, and see it turn into something beautiful.


I always love to see how a card shows the personality of each family. You can tell a lot about them by the card they choose. Whether it is classic and simple or modern and trendy.

Some choose color and others like the look of black and white. Personally I love them all. I always have a hard time creating my own because I just can't decide.

Well, it is back to the drawing board for me now! I would love to go on and on, but I am going to have to hold off on my ramblings until...... well, probably January.

I still have a lot of work to do! (If you are one that is waiting on me to finish yours, I promise this post didn't take me away for too long!)

Until then, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!! Enjoy the time with your family and friends, and never forget the REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Happy Halloween and stuff!!

Wow, so hard to believe it is the end of October! Seriously, folks where has the time gone this year?

I have been swamped lately (a good problem, no I am not complaining) so I have really fallen behind in my promise to be a better blogger... not much I can do now except apologize and post a little something about what I have been up to!

Well, the fall promotion is in full swing! I have had the opportunity to photograph some great families this year. This year's promotion is being shot at the Cloverbottom Mansion in Donelson. All I can say is WOW!! It is always a beautiful place to shoot, but this time of year is breathtaking.


In addition to the fall promo, I had the joy of photographing a friend of mine's new baby girl. Oh, she is just so sweet! As you know I have 2 boys, so I am happy to borrow my friends' little girls ocasionally. Look at this precious little thing!!!
I have also been juggling my "mom" responsibilities, which means getting set for Halloween. My kids are just like me, they LOVE this holiday. Not just for the candy, which is an obvious benefit, but for the costumes, spooky decorations, and scary movies. They are not happy unless there are "gravestones" in our front yard and spooky lights and music.... You should see the homemade gravestones.. the dollar store was sold out so Christian and I decided to make our own. He did such a great job, this little project made him happy and didn't cost us a thing!

Last weekend we had "Trunk-or-Treat" at our church. Anyone here look familiar?

The "scary scarecrow" is Cameron, and the cutest "Dracula" ever would be Christian. They were so proud! This was the first year Christian ever allowed me to put anything on his face, so he was especially excited to show off his new look, even though half of his face paint had been rubbed off by the time we drove the 5 minutes to church. Why does your nose only itch when you aren't supposed to scratch it?

They have convinced me to dress up this year, so there will be a "witch" joining the crew this Halloween.

Later I will post pictures, and maybe I will even tell you how little these costumes cost us this year! Oh yes, I am thrifty with this too. No way am I going to pay full price for a costume....

Fall Special!

Yes, that's right it is that time again!

Can you believe it is already fall? Seems like yesterday we were heading to the pool and buying new flip flops.

Although it still feels like summer, fall is here. That means it is time to start thinking about the upcoming holidays!

I know, I said it.... The holidays are coming. Its hard to think about gifts and Christmas cards when it still feels like summer, but it is time to start making plans. Every year it seems to sneak up on me!




So! Book your appointment for fall photos now! I have 2 exciting locations to choose from this year, and 3 promotional dates currently available. Act quick, though because they will fill up fast!

I will once again have a wide range of Christmas Card styles to offer, as well as specials on print pricing for those of you who take part in the fall promotion!

If you have any questions feel free to ask. You can reach me best by email at tamfisher@gmail.com. I will give you the details on locations and times available!

Frame special!

Isn't she beautiful!?

I know, it's hard to take your eyes off the adorable redhead in this portrait.

However, the focus of this post is not my sweet niece, Lilly, but the frame she is in.

Every now and then I get special rates from my suppliers, which I then like to pass on to you! This is one of those great deals!

This solid wood frame is size 11x14. It is a beautiful bronze/brown color with gold leaf trim, but I can get them in solid colors as well! Obviously they look nice with a color portrait, but would also be stunning with a black and white portrait!

Normally this frame would cost somewhere in the range of $60, but I am offering them for $45! So get in touch with me and grab one while they last!

To make the deal even sweeter, I will give my customers 10% off the cost of an 11x14 portrait for each of these frames you buy! Even better than one is a pair, right?

Photo for the day - or two...

Well, it has been a while so I figured I would try to get a photo of the day posted. Since it has been so long I may as well post 2!



This is Brittany. I had the pleasure of photographing her wedding this past May. Isn't she beautiful!

In case I have not mentioned it before I have a business partner that I shoot weddings with, Angie Davis. We discovered, after some time shooting weddings by ourselves, that it goes much more smoothly when there are 2 of us! Plus, we have very similar photography styles!

So, a few years ago, we decided to give it a try.

Wow! What a difference!
It was at that point Fisher Davis Weddings was created! We have found that it is no longer just a job, but truly something we enjoy doing! We work really well together, and that is certainly the best part! Imagine getting to go to work for a few (or 8) hours with your friend? It actually makes it fun!
Stay tuned, I am working on getting a Facebook page established with some of our work, etc. Plus, we will have special rewards for those followers who refer a bride, who books us for their wedding!

Where were you?

Today's Friday Fives is going to be a little bit different. As usual, I like to link up to Beth's blog for the fun it brings on Fridays. Today's will be more serious.

Sometimes it takes the serious stuff to make us really appreciate all the fun.

There are several dates in history to which people will say "Where were you when...." Some of them are in my lifetime, many are not. I remember where I was when Princess Diana got married, and when she died. I remember the Pan-Am Lockarbie bombing. However, I was not here yet to remember the Kennedy assassination, Pearl Harbor, the end of WWII, etc.

So, the big day in history that will forever stand out in my memory is September 11, 2001. I remember it so clearly, it is almost as if I can go back. I mean, I remember even the minute details of what I was doing that day. Strange..... the things that stick with you on days like that.

The first thing I remember was Chip getting in from work, as I got up to feed our newborn baby. He worked the midnight (all night) shift. Cameron was only 6 weeks old then. I went into the nursery and sat down in the rocker. I remember it was a nice morning, and very quiet. As I finished feeding him the phone rang, it was my dad. All he said was "you need to turn on the TV, something is happening and its bad. An airplane just flew into the World Trade Center."

From that point on I was glued to the TV. Chip slept most of the day, although I would stick my head in the bedroom occasionally and give him updates. He would just sit up, half-awake, and shake his head in disgust.

I just remember crying. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. I remember thinking that this new child I had just delivered 6 weeks earlier would automatically grow up in a world so different from what we had been accustomed to. I remember wanting to protect him. It scared me to think that he could grow up not feeling the safety and security that we had known until that point. How sad.

From that point on it seems like the world stopped. This was all anyone could think or talk about. All the little things like errands and housework seemed unimportant. For days we were on news and information overload. We sat and waited to hear good news of some amazing rescue, but mostly we heard stories of people who were still wondering and waiting to hear from someone they loved....



Now, Cameron is 9 years old. Now he asks me about it.

Now, I tell him that some very bad people attacked us that day and we are fighting very hard to keep it from ever happening again. I tell him how blessed we are to live in such a wonderful country and that we should continue to thank God for keeping us safe and pray that it never happens again.

I tell him that is why the brave soldiers are fighting in far away places and we should thank them every chance we get. But there were also many heroes that day, who died honorably trying to protect and save people they didn't even know.

Friday fives! MORE random questions....

Well, whether you want to or not, you are going to learn a few more things about me today! It is time for the Friday Fives again over at my friend, Beth's blog. So, read on if you are curious....

1. Something I am OCD about....

Hmmm.. well, it is scary but there are lots of things that fall into this category! I will not bore you though and just narrow the list down to one!

So, I would have to say that the top of the list is my kitchen cabinets. I am SO OCD in my kitchen. Everything, from the flour, to the dishes, to even a box of crackers has a specific place and it drives me nuts if someone (sorry, sweetie) puts it in the wrong place.
Is it just me? Surely not.
Really, if I go to someone's home and I see stuff crammed in their cabinets, falling out when you open the door, I have to fight the urge to take everything out and rearrange it.
I am not so bad that all the labels have to face the same direction, but wouldn't that be nice???

2. Your favorite quote
Since I am not one to "quote" people or keep up with random quotes various people have said, my answer to this one is actually a verse:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that all who believe in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
It's an old favorite, you just can't go wrong if you remember what this verse says. No matter what happens in my day to day life I know I can let it go, because this life is a drop in the bucket compared to what lies ahead in eternity.

3. What is the farthest you have been from home?

I visited the armpit of the world south Korea when my husband was in the military. He spent a year over there, and since I had some pretty good flight benefits while I was a flight attendant I decided to go and spend a couple of weeks. I can tell you it was very interesting and quite disgusting educational!!


4. Do you have a real or fake Christmas tree?
Well, I have recently changed my status on this. I LOVE real Christmas trees. I have always enjoyed taking the kids to help pick out the tree, the smell of it in the house, and just the look of having the real thing. I grew up having a real Christmas tree, so I never really gave it much thought.

BUT! It is so hard to keep them watered, the needles fall with the slightest touch, the really nice ones are rather pricey, and they are generally a pain to clean up. This past year I made the switch!
I bought a PRE-LIT fake tree from someone on Craigslist the day after Christmas the year before. I got a really nice one, the sticker was still on the box reading $299.99. I paid him $50 and it had only been used once!

I have to admit that I am now hooked! I never went to bed wondering if it was so dry that it would catch fire the next day. It looked great and I didn't have to string the lights!! Hallelujah!! I would love to have a real tree again some day (when I have a maid) but for now I am LOVING my easy tree.

5. First blog you ever read?
My sister's blog: Littlebits Designs was the first blog I ever really read. She is the one who got me started. I also read Beth's blog, who got me into the Friday Fives! Now I have several that I check regularly. It is a really great break from the daily grind!

What i've been up to...

Wow! I have been a bad blogger this summer!
I am sorry, my life has been a total whirlwind it seems since May when my kids were officially at home ALL THE TIME!
I don't know about you, but summer seems to be so exhausting! I remember summers as a kid being fun and relaxing. You know, sleeping late, sitting by the pool, maybe a part-time summer job.
Not anymore. I honestly don't know where it went! One day I am making plans to try and figure out how I will keep the kids busy, the next I am buying school supplies.

We were blessed with many family members, who came to visit from New Orleans, many activities, and one family vacation to Florida. Whew!

So, last week the kids started back to school. Not just that.... my youngest started Kindergarten!

Ouch.

I have to say that with Cameron, my oldest, I was a little more prepared and relieved because I still had a baby at home. Not that I wasn't sad, I was. Everyone cries a little when you take your child to their first day of school. This time is different. Now, when I drop the kids off at school, I drive back home and there is NO ONE there.

Yes, I do enjoy the quiet and the fact that I can get some work accomplished! But, at the same time it scares me because I really realize now how fast they grow. They will be grown before I know it.

So, now I am pledging that I will do better! I will get more posts up, more often. So, stay tuned!

I also plan to start the "Photoshop How-To" posts again. Let me know if there is something in particular you want to know and I will try to address it.

I am going to try and get some more Flordia photos up soon, too. So stick around and I will try to keep it interesting!

Photo for the day

Ok, there may be more than one. I am just now getting these edited, it was a very busy week. I will try to post more as I get them done!

Beautiful, huh!? Our view of the sun setting over the beach from the deck of our beach house. Truly awe inspiring.

I am a few days late with this one, too. My sweet Cameron turned 9 years old our first day at the beach. He is getting so big, I can't believe he will be in 3rd grade this year.
Happy Birthday Baby!!!

Friday Fives time! Random questions....

Today's Friday Fives are some random questions about me. My friend, Beth came up with these.. not sure where she gets them?? Anyway, whether you want to know these things or not, here goes!

1. If you could be on a show (talk show, game show, anything...) what would you pick?
Well, I guess my answer to this one would have to be LOST. I loved this show! I know, it's already over. I just think this would have been a fun one. And, since it was filmed mostly in Hawaii that would be the perfect reason for me to finally get to visit there!
Plus, let's be honest, have you seen the cast? Why would I not want to hang out on a beach in Hawaii with those beautiful cast members!?

2. What was your first job?
I am not going to count the numerous babysitting jobs I did. So, my first "real" job was at a little market across the street from David Lipscomb, where I went to school. It was called "Granny's Pantry." I worked there a couple of days a week after school. Mostly, I sold candy bars to high school kids, made Icees and sandwiches. It was actually fun! I didn't make squat, but it was easy.



3. What's one of your guilty pleasures?
That would have to be chocolate ice cream with magic shell on top!
I know, I have said it before (and yes, I realize that I am not a kid anymore..... but I am too old to care!)
I can give up a lot of things, but there are just a few that I won't. I have to say that Dr.Pepper and coffee should be equals on this list! There could be worse things, right!?

4. Would you ever vacation alone?
Probably not. I don't mind going to movies by myself, shopping alone, etc. But, after all the years as a flight attendant spending night after night alone in my hotel room, I wouldn't want to go anywhere by myself. Been there,done that. It was fun and relaxing at first to have the room all to myself, but that wore off fairly quickly. Why travel somewhere fun without someone to share it with?

5. Democrat, Republican, or Independent..... or even Green Party (whatever that is)?
I am a proud Republican! More than that I am a conservative. I don't often bring my political views into my blog, but she asked the question! I promise not to rant and rave, this isn't the place.

Home project and my sis is a genius....

I was standing in my home studio Saturday baffled. I have tried repeatedly to figure out how to get things better organized in there for months. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do, and how I imagined it would look. But, for some reason I couldn't get it there.

I have a variety of things on hand for work. I knew I had to keep these things, but had run out of storage space and could not figure out the best way to store them without letting my new work space look like a junk storage room!

Then the light bulb came on.....

I remembered my sister's post here on her blog from several months ago where she had a very similar problem, with a pretty cool (and cheap :) solution. SHE IS A GENIUS!

So, that took care of my dilemma for storage. BUT, I still did not have a place to put my new organizing system! I needed something to put them on. A shelf, a unit, SOMETHING!

SO, my husband suggested I head to Lowe's after I stop for the materials I needed for my organizers and see if there was anything on sale. He knows I will NOT buy anything at full price. It had to be a bargain. When I got there the only "bargain" was a 3 foot mahogany shelf for $20. NOPE. Not gonna do it. I had to get really creative.

I decided I could do much better than that myself. I headed over to the lumber and found a 2"x10"x8' piece of wood for $6.63, some spray paint for $3.87, and a couple of $1.29 brackets. Now, that is MUCH BETTER! I had the nice man at Lowe's cut the wood in half, giving me two 4ft. pieces. That's enough for TWO SHELVES! Plus, I had only spent around $18 so far.

I was so excited! I went home with my finds, my husband just shaking his head at me (wondering if I could really pull it off.) I got right to work!


I spray painted the brackets and gave each piece of wood 2-3 coats as well. While they dried, I went inside out of the heat and made my "Littlebits" inspired organizers.


Finally, everything started to come together. When I brought in the new shelf I managed to distress the edges like my sis has shown me, although I must say I don't have her particular talent for this. I did my best, though.


I then recruited my husband to hook up the drill and hang my new shelf. It was so exciting, knowing that I started from nothing.

But, once I got my new organizers loaded and put on the shelf, then hung my backdrops in their new home it really made a HUGE difference.


Finally, my studio is beginning to look like just that. I already have customers booked to come in tomorrow, and I can't wait to show it off. Maybe soon I will run a new special just so I can take advantage of my newly re-designed space!

Friday Fives - My wish list!

It's time for the Friday Fives again! Today's topic is the top 5 things on my wish list. I am going to go off the assumption that since it is a wish list, this means that I can really dream, so here goes....

1. A Maid!!! Wow, this was an easy one. I cannot express enough how much I hate cleaning. I don't mind it occasionally, but I can't imagine how bad my house would look if I only cleaned occasionally. Sadly, I prefer to keep my house spotless, with everything in it's place. LIKE THAT EVER ACTUALLY HAPPENS!!! I do try, but such is life I guess.



2. Unlimited home improvements!
I have an older home, built in the 60's. I love the old houses, they have so much character. I wanted a house that I could change and work on. I LOVE working on my house. Probably too much. I could spend all day (and way too much money) in Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.... Since I am blessed with that creative brain I am always coming up with new things I would like to do to my house. At the moment my list is getting quite extensive (pave the driveway, new patio, new sidewalk, deck, shrubs....). Thankfully, my goal of painting my brick exterior in under way right now, so I can check that off my list soon. (Although not until the heat goes back down a little...)
If only I could just have a carpenter on staff I would get it all done!


3. A million dollars? Or two??
Don't we all wish for this? Who doesn't have things they could use a little extra cash for? Save for kids' college, retirement, MAID!


4. A new camera!
Being a photographer, I always have a wish list of stuff I would like to get for work. Right now at the top of my list is a new camera. My current one works fine, but I have my eye on a new one. It's the Canon 50d and it is AWESOME!



5. Cricut cake!
Have you seen this thing? It is amazing! It's made just like the Cricut scrapbookers use, except it's for cake. It cuts fondant, etc. into anything you can imagine for decorating a cake.... Oooooooh, I would so love to get my hands on one of these! With my new hobby of decorating cakes this would just be awesome!! "The icing on the cake", you could say....