Daily Blog + Tiberius Images

Brian + Marcie E-Session

2009-02-24T12:07:00.002-05:00

Brian and Marcie will be married on March 28 at Ada Bible Church. I was already booked, but I was able to connect them with my Associate photographer Theresa who will be shooting their wedding. Marcie and Brian chose a unique location - the Lacks Cancer at St. Mary's Hospital which has some great spaces to shoot images in. Click on an image to view their entire e-session.

Dennis + Katie - Valentine's Day Wedding

2009-02-14T23:00:00.003-05:00

What an easy way to remember your wedding anniversary - Valentine's Day! Dennis and Katie were married at St. Mark's in Grand Rapids and the reception followed at San Chez. It was a pleasure to be part of their wedding day. I met them after photographing Jason and Kristin's wedding in 2007 and these guys put a wonderful day together. From riding around on the Trolley between the ceremony and reception, to being troopers and venturing outside even though it was FREEZING out, the entire wedding party was a blast!

Thanks Dennis and Katie for choosing us to be part of your day! -- Russ and Rebecca

Fun with the Photo Booth at Freeze Frame Publishing

2009-02-13T11:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Local First held it's monthly networking event at Freeze Frame Publishing and Color House Graphics on Grand Rapids, SE side. Ken and Laura (along with Local First director Elissa) asked that I come and speak about improving your photography skills during the evening event. In addition, I set up a small photo booth during the beginning of the event. We took photos of each of the attendees and then used those images to create a book by Freeze Frame Publishing right on the spot. Below you will find a link to the book put together and given to the attendees before they left. Enjoy the photos and let me know what you think - would this be a great "add-on" service for weddings, events, anything else you can think of?

View the Sample Book by Clicking Here - http://share1.sendtoprint.net/bshare.php?hashid=5a4b2df3e2c5e51353ed

Photography by Grand Rapids Photographer Tiberius Images

Gilda's Club Grand Rapids

2009-02-09T14:33:00.003-05:00

(Afton Devos, Development Manager at Gilda's Club)

I never knew anything like this existed. Honestly, I didn't. When a friend or family member is struck by cancer (and I think everyone has experience with this), they start going through treatment at a hospital to heal their bodies. But what about the mind and soul? Where do they go to deal with all the emotional issues that accompany something like cancer? Last week I had the privilege of visiting Gilda's Club Grand Rapids. It is one of thirty clubs across the country founded by former Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner who battled cancer in the 80s.

I was invited by Afton Devos, the Development Manager for Gilda's Club Grand Rapids to attend a luncheon for the Young Professionals Leadership Council (YPLC). Afton is trying to get young professionals involved in championing the mission of Gilda's Club in the West Michigan community. I for one, think everyone should be involved in helping spread the world about cancer support in the West Michigan community.

The house is located near downtown Grand Rapids and offers FREE CANCER SUPPORT to anyone who walks through their doors. I honestly can't believe that anyone would not take advantage of this - from families dealing with cancer, to the elderly and children dealing with the issues of cancer as well.

Best of 2008 Weddings

2009-02-03T14:52:00.003-05:00

Over the past few days we have been putting together the 'best of 2008' - let me know what you think by commenting below! Enjoy!

Featured in National Trade Show

2009-02-02T10:46:00.003-05:00

Check out this release below and the links to the actual books below! We are so excited to take part in the show in Vegas!

Tiberius Images Featured in National Trade Show

Tiberius Images was selected by local vendor, Freeze Frame Publishing, and their international partner, Xerox Corporation, to produce materials for the 2009 PMA International trade show in Las Vegas.

PMA, formerly known as the Photo Marketers Association International, has a membership that includes commercial photographers, scrap bookers and retailers. The 2009 international trade show, held in Las Vegas, is expecting thousands of industry supporters.

Freeze Frame Publishing, of Lowell, MI, has been hand selected by Xerox to be the exclusive printer of their 2009 digital photobooks- the latest trend in photo printing. Using the Xerox’s newest software (the IGen 3), Freeze Frame will shortly launch the next generation of photobook publishing .

In order to test the software capabilities for both companies, Tiberius Images created several different types of books – from small keepsakes to large 12x12 wedding albums. The books will be on display at the Xerox exhibit.

Best of 2008 Weddings

Steve and Krista - September 2008

Families and Engagements

Connecting through Community

2009-01-26T22:31:00.003-05:00

I finally gave in - I am posting my info so we can connect via facebook or LinkedIn. Not sure if you use either or both, but I've found both to be very helpful.

LinkedIn is great for business to business contacts and it has allowed me to recommend other vendors and people that I know very easily (great way to gather testimonials!)

Facebook is great to connect with people who you haven't seen in a long time and might be scattered around the globe. If you're looking to stay "in the know", then facebook is the place for you!

Be sure to click through and make a connection today - in the 21st century we are finally connecting through community.

A Little Validation

2009-01-16T16:32:00.003-05:00

This is one of the best 15 minutes I've ever spent in front of a computer! Take a look at this video that highlights the need for every human being to be validated and appreciated. It made me think, "how many times have I said thank you to those that have walked along side of me during my journey?". How about you? I heard a great statement recently - "To be happy, you must give happy!" I have bought into this idea, have you? Enjoy the video and be sure to say thank you to those that encourage you along the way!

If Only We Would Have Listened...

2009-01-15T10:56:00.002-05:00

I came across this today after a friend sent it my way. This clip is from 2006! If only we'd not joked about it so much and actually 'not bought stuff', our country might just be in a better position. Thoughts?

New Year and New Way of Life

2009-01-06T13:02:00.003-05:00

First of all, happy 2009! I realized today that I hadn't posted in a while. There have been tons of changes around the house here with the start of 2009. The biggest change for 2009 is the addition of my wife, Rebecca, to the world of Tiberius Images. For the past four years she has diligently worked in politics trying to make a difference in the state of Michigan. Her boss was recently term-limited from his position and we decided that instead of commuting 2 hours a day to Lansing, it would be best if she came on board here at home and worked along side of me! This is something we've always wanted and now it's actually happening and needless to say, we are both very excited! Here is an image from her last day at the 'office' from my cell phone camera - I was there to help clean out her office, which on one level was very difficult, but on the other hand was very exciting!

She will be in the office with me and helping on photoshoots and weddings! We are very excited about where the photography world will take us in the next couple of years. I will be posting new images in the near future, but please let me know if you have any immediate needs. And in case I can't get back with you, my wife will!

Don't Quit - Give It Your Best

2008-12-18T12:50:00.002-05:00

I came across the following clip on a leadership blog that I follow. Take 6 minutes and watch it! This clip will inspire you to push through whatever you're facing right now!

Don't ever forget, you can always push harder and further to achieve what you've always wanted to achieve.

Blue Angels in San Fran!

2008-12-11T14:15:00.003-05:00

Thanks to my friend Bruce for sending this over - I think every little kid wants to be a Blue Angels Pilot and this just gives me one more reason to keep my dream alive. Take a look! I mean seriously, who wouldn't want to do 600 mph at 20 feet off the deck with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background!

Also, if you'd like some still images, visit Bernard Zee's gallery from Fleetweek in San Fransisco!

Brad + Emily E-Session

2008-12-09T09:22:00.003-05:00

Brad and Emily live in Chicago and will be getting married in Grand Rapids in August 2009. They've put together a fantastic wedding day and wanted to have their engagement photos done early enough for "Save-the-Date Cards". We took an hour on a Sunday afternoon when they were in the Grand Rapids area and visited the studio, braved the cold for about 10 minutes and captured some great images! Be sure to view the entire gallery by visiting Brad and Emily's Engagement Photo Gallery.

Introducting...Matthew Lewis Abid, Jr.

2008-11-23T21:18:00.004-05:00

My best friend Matt Abid is now a SENIOR! Just over six weeks ago he and his wife Laura welcomed their first little miracle into the world - Matthew Lewis Abid Jr. Looking at Matt Sr.'s baby photos, the young guy is a spitting image of his old man! My wife Rebecca (who will begin working for me soon!) and I travelled to their home, set up shop and took the following images. I really don't promote baby photos, but since these guys are friends, I wanted to hook them up. If you're looking for baby photos, take a look at these local folks:

Lindsey DeYoung - http://www.deyoungphotography.com/
Amber Antozak - http://www.invizionphoto.com/ (I used to work for Amber)

Either way, hopefully you'll enjoy these photos - I know we enjoyed putting them together.

BTW - all I did for the background was purchase a black linen from a fabric store and bring 2 lights (you could substitute a couple of lamps for sure) and put it together in their living room. It's a great set up for those stay at home moms that want to begin taking better images of their kids.

Reiffer Family

2008-11-18T13:36:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago (before the leaves all came down), my wife and I had the chance to photograph some of our good friends from church and their two boys. Mike and Andrea live in the Hastings area and we simply stepped out back and grabbed these images below. Andrea said it was WAY easier than having to go to JC Penny or Sears for the family photo! Enjoy!

Engagement Photos for 2009 Weddings

2008-11-11T17:29:00.004-05:00

Over the past few weeks I've had the pleasure of photographing some of my 2009 weddings. These couples are amazing and have big plans for their wedding day. A couple of them are referrals and the others found me by searching online (maybe just like you are doing right now). We met, they liked what they saw and decided to hire me. It's been a huge blessing getting to know all these couples that are so much alike because they are beginning a new life together, but yet so different in who they are and what they do. Enjoy the photos!

20% Off November Print Orders

2008-11-07T12:58:00.005-05:00

To all my fantastic 2008 clients, their friends and families,

For those interested in purchasing prints for friends and family this Christmas, I am now running a special on individual prints from today through the end of the month. I have reactivated almost all (if you can't find yours, please let me know) of the 2008 events that I have been a part of just for this sale!

All Individual Prints (wallets, 4x6s, 5x7s, 8x10s, etc) are on sale at 20% off when you order online through our print partner Pictage!

Here's what you do next:

1) Visit either the web link emailed to you and visit our printing partner Pictage through that webpage, or visit http://www.pictage.com/ directly and search for your name (search by last name).

2) Load your cart up with TONS of prints because they make fantastic holiday gifts

3) Check out and spend that 20% you saved on someone else (or at least something else) this year!

Enjoy and don't forget that we are offering great deals on Christmas and Holiday Card orders for you and your friends! Be sure to click below to view all the details!

Seriously...Go Vote!

2008-11-04T09:16:00.002-05:00

I don't care that you're "too busy" today to go vote...if you don't go out and vote today I don't ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever want to hear you COMPLAIN about our country! You don't have the right to complain because you didn't vote!

Great Quote + Family Photos

2008-10-29T10:17:00.003-04:00

I heard the following quote this morning and was blown away:

"For all of you that have bought into the notion that 'one person can't change' the world....have you flown lately? All it took was ONE person to change how we live in the 21st century."

I thought this was a great new perspective on how every day we really can make a difference and go out and change the world. Remember, any huge success was just a bunch of small successes that you did not see along the way!

Also, a few weeks back I photographed my in-laws and their two girls. They are such a cute family with two around the house right now and a third due in December! Click through to see their photos and don't forget to check out our Christmas Card offer below as well!

A Slow Fade and the Death of Common Sense

2008-10-27T14:11:00.003-04:00

I recently heard this song on the radio and wanted to see what the video was like. Casting Crowns did a great job with this song and video.

Isn't it true that changes usually don't happen suddenly, but gradually over time? Couples don't get married with the intention of divorcing, but almost 50% of marriages end in divorce. An employee gets a job to pay the bills, but somehow ends up racking up credit card debt. There are many things that seem to happen slowly over time. Take a look at the video and then continue reading about the death of common sense below

THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE

By Lori Borgman

Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States from heart failure on the brink of the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes and factories, and helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple credos: sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and winning isn't everything (it's okay to come in second).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived trends including body piercing, whole language, and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned but overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero-tolerance policies.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports. Finally, when a woman, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers and a stepsister: My Rights, Only Me and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Christmas Cards for 2008

2008-10-23T16:39:00.004-04:00

I sent out my monthly e-newsletter earlier today and in it I included information about an offer for Christmas and Greeting Cards for the 2008 Holiday Season. Take a look at a couple of the designs below and visit www.tiberiusimages.com/greeting-cards to view the details of the offer!

Be sure to get your orders in early as the demand last year was out of control!

What are you focusing on???

2008-10-08T10:35:00.003-04:00

I thought the video below was priceless. You have to watch the 60 second video before scrolling down, then I'll give you my thoughts on the video.

Here are my thoughts. I think WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE are doing exactly this with their lives right now. They are so focused on what we are TOLD to focus on by the media, like the stock market or politics, that we end up focusing on the things that are actually important to us on a day to day basis, like our families and friends. My best friends last night had their first child, a little boy and I don't think he was too concerned about the stock market and what happened in another state that he has no control over. I'm not saying that what's going on in our country isn't important, because it is and what we do in the next 12 months will ultimately determine the next 10 years for all of us. Somehow we forgot that we live in America, the MOST PROSPEROUS NATION IN HISTORY! Where 3 BILLION people around the world would love to come here and have the "declining house value" problems that we have.

I suggested to a friend this morning that we all play the "pass your problem game". How it works is you take the biggest problem you're facing in life today, write it down and put it into a hat with 20 to 30 of your closest friends. Then you pass the hat around and each pick out a piece of paper and now you have the problem that you pick out of the hat. I'd bet that everyone who agreed to that game would want their own problem back. How does the old saying go, "the man with no shoes stopped complaining when he met the man who had no feet". I think our country needs to have a collective gut check, remember who we are and be proud of it! We live in the freest, most prosperous country in the world where a "nobody" can start a business (just like I did) and have great success with hard work, determination and help from God.

Kevin + Lisa @ the JW and Frederik Meijer Gardens

2008-10-06T12:59:00.003-04:00

Kevin and Lisa were referred to me from Frederik Meijer Gardens. Unfortunately, I had already booked a wedding for their big day (Sept 20), but I was able to connect them with Tiberius Images Associate Photographer Theresa Milanowski and from the photos and how Theresa spoke about their wedding day, it was a match made in heaven! Both Kevin and Lisa started the day off getting ready at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids and then had their ceremony and reception at Frederik Meijer Gardens. It was a beautiful day and I just had to post some of my (and Theresa's) favorites. Enjoy!

Lisa looking beautiful in her amazing dress!

Having fun with the boys at FMG's Waterfall

These two were meant for each other!

Steve + Krista @ The BOB

2008-10-02T11:50:00.003-04:00

I always tell couples that I work with that all the weddings I photograph, I photograph for some reason. On Steve and Krista's wedding day, I figured out that when I was young (5 years old) I was babysat by a woman named Mary Cherry. Come to find out that is one of Steve's Aunts and Mary and her family were there on their wedding day! What's more, Steve and I knew each other when we were both 5 because we BOTH were babysat by Mary!

It was definately a crazy wedding day, but a beautiful celebration of Steve and Krista's new life together. The wedding was held at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Byron Center which is a new church, built in 2007. What an amazing place! They actually have two churches and they rent out the "old church" for non-catholic weddings. We then visited Aquinas College where Steve and Krista met and the Pedestrian Bridge in downtown GR. The reception was on the 3rd Floor of the BOB and Gilmore, as always, did an amazing job!

Steve and Krista found me through friends of theirs, Pat and Lyndsay Lucas. I photographed their wedding in 2006. They had a beautiful day at the beach. Krista was at their wedding and Pat and Lyndsay were at the wedding this year as well. It was great seeing them!

Steve and Krista - Thanks so much for allowing me to be part of your amazing wedding day!

Don't Vote! No, Seriously, Don't Vote!

2008-10-01T16:36:00.003-04:00

Regardless of your political leanings, one question I have is are you registered to vote? Check out the video below, let me know what you think. It's a little over the top for me, but it makes a dramatic point. In Michigan we only have 5 days left.

Be sure to visit this link: www.maps.google.com/vote