IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

Happy Father's Day

I wanted to shout out - "Happy Father's Day" to all Daddies!

General Douglas MacArthur
1942 National Father’s Day Award Speech

Nothing has touched me more deeply than this honor given to me by the National Fathers Day Committee. By profession I am a soldier and take great pride in that fact, but I am prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build. A father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentialities of death. The other embodies creation and life. And while the hoards of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son when I am gone will remember me not from the battle but in the home.

Certified Professional Photographer

In addition to creating quality images, our studio is also committed to maintaining high professional standards. In order to make sure we’re doing that, I will be participating in the Certified Professional Photographer program offered through the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

Once I complete this process, I and one other photographer in the Chattanooga area will possess this prestigious certification!

While there are several technical requirements for being Certified, the best way to explain it is to compare it to the difference between a regular doctor and one who is Board Certified. While you can assume that both of them have a certain level of knowledge, the certified doctor has been tested…and the certifying agency takes steps to ensure that the doctor continues to add to his or her expertise through education.

It’s the same way with photographers. As a Certified photographer, you can be assured that I possess enough technical knowledge of my art to consistently create good images for you…and I continue to take courses to maintain my technical and creative edge.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on this journey.

I will keep you posted on my progress!

Parkridge East Baby Fair

Please come join me at the annual Parkridge East Baby Fair that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28th. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon. See you there!

Check out the article detailing the event posted in The Chattanoogan!

I Haven't Posted in a While

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I have been getting ready for the new year! I hope that you all had a great Christmas and an awesome New Year.

Chat back soon!

Rhonda

“Parkridge East Babies”

You are cordially invited to the showing of “Parkridge East Babies” by Rhonda Mathis Photography at The Birth Place - Parkridge East Hospital located at 941 Spring Creek Road on Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to TriStar Medline at 800-242-5662.

And check out the awesome article posted in The Chattanoogan!

New E-Mail Addy

Just a quick note - My e-mail address has changed from r_mathis@comcast.net to rhonda.mathis@comcast.net. Due to this, the contact form on my website was not working properly, but I have corrected this. If you tried to contact me through the contact form and I did not respond, please try again and I will get back with you.

Local Custom Framing

Just wanted to pass on some new info - Richard's Frame Shop has just opened! Richard handcrafts exquisite custom made frames and mats for your portraits. He is currently working on his website and as soon as it is up and running I will post the link. Until then, you can contact Richard at 423.488.4386.

Rockin Bebe' Collection

We are pleased to now offer our Rockin Bebe' Collection. This session offers four sessions during your baby’s first year. After the fourth session, you will receive an exclusive, custom–designed album of your favorite images brought to life with the thoughts and feelings you experienced throughout this memorable year.

Click here to see a sneek peek of our gorgeous new album!

New Templates for Your Christmas Greetings!

We have new templates for you to choose from to express your Holiday Cheer this year. We have from traditional to fun and funky!!! Here is a sneak peek: