Well, she'll be here tomorrow morning. Had to get her overnighted but my current clients for September, just paid me in full and they're camera people and said, "We want the MarkIII at our wedding, here's a check!" LOL...

Of course God's been good and along with this purchase, I'm paying off our car loan. Thanks for all the prayers.

My 1DMarkII becomes my backup body, and my 40D and an Opteka grip is for sale in our buy/sell forum.

God bless you all, and I can't wait to try THIS 1D camera as I love my current!

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

I hope you've got a real dark sense of humor, and that this is a joke.
(It's hard to know over the interweb!)

Nope... no joke. Got a great deal, couldn't turn it down.

btw - Congrats on the great studio opening.

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

I'll take "What Carrie said" for 400 Alex.

Thanks for the support. =o) Some people like to _ee in the _ool I guess.

I mean... I've been so busy booking and shooting in the past week and a half that I havn't even been logged in much.

I'm no braggart, just happy to have top of the line equipment to offer my clients.

Thanks again... I'll post some samples when I can. I used to sell cameras for a living, and I've owned and shot with the 300D, XT, 20D, 30D, 40D, 1DMarkII, 1DMarkIIN, and now the 1DMarkIII.

I'm quite experienced in the usage and reviewing of such peices of fine craftsmanship. Perhaps it'll even convert a few Nikonians. =o)

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

I have typed a couple of comments, and they just don't sum up what I want to say, so I erased them.

I hope your children are well.

+1

I don't mean to offend, but have you ever had your IQ measured?!

I am concerned that you are either the least ethical person in America, or possibly, ummm, well...

Kudos... =o)

and thanks.

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

Never offended brother. =o) The IQ is fine, and ethics have no bearing in this conversation.

While I don't have to disclose my bills and business practices, lets just say God's been very good.

Not only have I eclipsed last year profit margin already, but more bookings are coming in the mail as we speak. God is good, all the time, and I was and still am appreciative of all the support and well wishes and prayers for my children.

My wife's job is stronger than ever, I have too much work currently and we even paid off some major bills.

Heck, my wife even gave me the go ahead to do this. =o)

So it was definately a God thing! Heheheh.

Talk to ya later, thanks for stopping by. I'm grateful for your and everyone's friendship.

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

**Edit...guess I didn't know the whole story...

AWESOME Tim!


I guess that means you'll be able to pay back all the OSpers who sent you money, that's great!

...gambling away savings, ... or making foolish business investments, ... lashing out when others don’t go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticizes their behavior.

• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences

Sound familiar...they are symptoms...

i'd like a refund please. i donated in the last round and now i could use a little extra cash.....

congrats on the turn of good fortune! all the medical bills and stuff must be well under control then, and i'm glad to hear it! how are the kids feeling, btw? better I hope! also glad to hear that the wife's job is going well finally. i would have had to punch the boss if he told me i couldn't stay with my kids in the hospital...and i don't even have kids!! your wife must be a patient woman...but i digress.

as far as trading out for a new camera....well, i'm sure you have given it good thought and "keeping up with the jones's" wasn't your *real* reason... but food for thought, don't sell that 40D just yet and don't let that wedding be the first place you try it out. Make sure you love the new camera first (I heard of a lot of people who weren't satisfied, and traded back...so just make sure!)

I wouldn't get one of those monsters if the clients actually bought it for me....but that's got a lot to do with my freakishly tiny hands.

of course with the next windfall of good fortune, i'd love to see you build up a savings account so that the next time your wife's boss gets cheeky...she can tell him to shove it! ....actually, that's on *my* list of things to do, LOL.

Hi, I am new here. Where is the smilie icon of a trainwreck?

This is a joke, right? I'm going with the assumption it is.


Lol, she does!

Hey JK, how's it going out on your coast?

It's (the camera) is Canon certified and all fixed up. I'm putting her through my normal testing phase (my kids! ahhhh, who are RUNNERS!) and an Engagement session Thursday. Then it's back to back weddings, but things should be fine.

I've still got my MarkII and 40D.

The kids are doing good, all safe and healthy and momma's doing well too.

The title, hehee... =o) I can have a little fun too right? Everyone else has fun titles... *grin* Now I digress, hehe.

Take it easy, I promise no letter writing is in need, thankfully!

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

I love my 1D Mark III

But I soooooo wish I had bought the cheaper 40D instead. That $4,000 sitting on my credit card really didn't need to be spent!

But what's done is done. Now I have to work extra hard to pay off my CCard, cause I got the "I wants" instead of banking the money for lean times.

The toughest part of this business for me was learning how to not spend the money when it comes in. It's not my money until I deliver the images after the wedding.

aw cool, i was meaning less it being a bad egg, and more that you wouldn't like the style/size etc. but i guess if you already have a mark II it's not a far strech.

glad to hear the kids are up and running!

Oh I am excited that I won't have to lug the heavier older brother, aka MarkII as much. I'm thinking about rocking out the Rapid Strap option and shoot dual cameras since I'm a solo shooter.

I've got a great camera buddy doubling me up, in Kansas City and then I'm solo back home in Springfield. He's driving and paying for gas, cause he had to go home to KC anyways.

Just another blessing. He called me up last week and offered, remembering my schedule.

How are things out in your part of the woods? weather, health, family?

I think about everyone here often (even when busy working) and try to pray for OSP as a whole, at the least. If David didn't set this place up think about how many un-Love Cat's there would be!

What do you think about David's new ShowMe Sites and his offer cause of Blu? I'm a dual Blu website (I host elsewhere and my DB"s are self contained as well!), and had no issues, thank goodness.

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

funny how this was ignored. seriously, have you considered paying everyone back?

how can you sit there bragging about your purchase when so many people contributed to your last financial trainwreck?

you have got to be the biggest . . . (i'm going to exercise a little restraint here, but i am sure i am voicing what so many people here are thinking).


grow up tim and accept a little responsibility and do right unto others.....

Tim:

With all due respect...you mentioned $50,000 in student loan debt in a previous post. I'd send that camera back and knock down some of that debt if I were you. Between my wife and I, we have seven college degrees...we never carried more than $20,000 in student loan debt (and that was debt I married into!). We worked very hard to pay that off within our first two years of marriage. $50,000 in student loan debt is FREAKIN' HUGE on a photographer and teacher assistant salary in Springfield, MO (the interest alone per year is a Mark III).

Think of your kids, man.

You can take great pictures with one Mark series camera...shoot, I can take great pictures and I don't own a Mark II or III.

Absolutely God is great...but I think Tim is penny wise and pound foolish. (maybe just the latter)

Just my opinion...I really wish you the best.

Dan

EDIT:
BTW -- I'm clueless...did people really send you money to help with your financial situation? Why not send that back if life is so wonderful? Can you not afford to?

check the link

***PS Start Reading at the second paragraph*** of the link- this is for your state specifically.

If you can have all that gear, plus buy a new camera............. maybe your shutter is set a little too slow. There are seriously needy people in this world that could benefit from the aid you claim to be receiving in you previous post, please be an example that the God you so easily praise and thank, would be proud of!

I type this out of a broken heart, not anger ... so sad.

I've been here for a lot less time than a lot of these good people, and for the past hour or so i keep coming back to this, start writing something, stop, get up, walk away again, biting my tongue... In the past few months, I've read about not being able to pay $400 in rent, using food stamps, relying on the generosity of the people on this board to make ends meet etc... I'm just thinking that the camera could have been a down payment on a house there... That would have been a far better investment. Or paying off loans... something that could benefit the whole family.

Yeah, about the same amount of money that a Mark III costs... oddly enough.

I'm no longer clueless. More like speechless. (And that don't happen too often to me, folks...)

I, and my family are eternally grateful to any and all help that has come from OSP and OSP'ers. It has always been unexpected and appreciated in those hard times beyond words.

The numbers mentioned in the previous big thread are far from factual and did not warrant a response at that time. Apparently they do now. While not the numbers discussed in the huge thread 2 weeks ago, the number is large enough to make a dent in a bill or two.

This statement does not disregard the need at the time and the thankfulness of the receiver and the willingness of the giver.

Without OSP, we would of not had rent for our then upcoming August rent in 2007. Again, losing two incomes that were counted upon and having to pay for hotels and gas to and from the doctors.

Likewise in early 2008, with everyone's help we were able to move out of a crime infested townhouse complex and now live in a nice duplex on the good side of town. 200 yards away from a sports shooting complex of soccer fields and a job that I wouldn't be able to get to without living so close.

Because of OSP my kids are safe. I can never express how thankful I am.

God knew... and I am forever grateful. We will be paying it forward whenever and whereever we (The Miller Family) can.

Thanks for your time, I hope you have a good evening.

-tmiller
Tim Miller Photography
http://tmillerphoto.com

This thread just makes me sad. Tim, do the right thing.

pay it forward now.

+ 1

NOW.

And because of your irresponsibility they're in danger. Grow up, seriously. Get some help. Talk to a pastor, a mental health professional, do something.

Do you think that a comminuty full of people who've helped you twice financially, very recently, are really going to be receptive when you announce that you've purchased a $4000+ camera two weeks after stating you cannot pay your car payment? Even though many of your montly bills (groceries, housing, etc...) are paid by the government (the money WE pay in taxes) by your own admission, you have no savings, no emergency money, and apparently a lot of debt... and we're supposed to congratulate you for making a ridiculous financial decision? You realize most of the people who sent you money to help you can't afford gear like what you're sporting? That the ones who can probably don't because they don't *need* it and the money is better spent elsewhere (or *gasp* put in to a savings account)...

You need help. I really don't understand why you can't see it. I really worry about your kids a lot. I may sound like an ass - but good grief, how does a person get through to you? Every person here can see the mistakes you're making - except you.

Sometimes I wonder if you're just stirring up drama.

Tim, dude!

In the immortal words of Brian Harnuois:



You've done pissed off the women of OSP.

I speak from experience. Get your head start and don't stop.

That is what my link was about- F R A U D - it is serious. Not fun and games. Maybe you should re-check that list of requirements.

morally corrupt.

when one is morally corrupt, they do not see things like normal people do.

get off the government teat tim and support yourself and your family. stop expecting everyone else to pay your bills.

arent you even slightly embarrassed????????

I'm confused, this isn't a joke?

Doesn't look like it.

Tim,

Please read this.... it's totally changed the way that we process any money that we make. Can't even tell you how much it's blessed our business.

We are absolutely more than happy to send you the materials and answer any questions you may have about it. We've gotten some great feedback and it looks like it's helped some others as well.



Rent it.



Camera's been out for over a year. Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure there are already a couple reviews out on it.

Good post, and good points, as always. Thanks for the info.

-Tim

he has his fingers stuck in his ears, while chanting 'lalalalalalalalaa'

his client has paid in full. he does not have a package that is $8000 does he? so this means he has spent the full payment on this camera, so where will the money come from to purchase the albums and prints, etc.?????


tim, when are you going to get off the government arm and support your family on your own? does the welfare agency know that you just got all this money, spent it on a camera you did not need, yet are still collecting food stamps?

if they dont know, then maybe they need to know.....

your screwing the system. your not a man, your a user, a handout taker, a morally corrupt individual.



if your wife did indeed give you 'the blessing' then she is just as stupid as you are. two weeks ago you guys had zero in the bank and you cried to osp people, in hopes of another fundraiser.

in fact, you said no bookings were coming your way, you were actually worried about that fact, and your wife 'lost her job' but in reality, she really hadnt, but was close to it.

and all of a sudden, in this short rim of two weeks, things have so turned around for you that you are buying this camera and have so many bookings, your profit margin is soaring....

your deep in denial. your head is so far up your arse, you can't see the reality of day.

at some point, you have to tell welfare that your doing this well and can start sending those food stamps back, or maybe someone should tell them for you?

Aesop

~The Boy Who Cried Wolf~

"A shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out, "Wolf! Wolf!" and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains.
The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The Shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: "Pray, do come and help me; the Wolf is killing the sheep"; but no one paid any heed to his cries, nor rendered any assistance. The Wolf, having no cause of fear, at his leisure lacerated or destroyed the whole flock".

Moral? There is no believing an exaggerator, even when he speaks the truth.


Tim, I am very glad to hear that your family and business are doing much better. But one month does not a year make. Perhaps your previous posts were written in a fit of panic and were not as dire as they came across to the rest of OSP. You seem like a truly compassionate person, but I worry that you are headed down a dangerous path that will leave you isolated and without support when you need it most.

I've been biting my tongue, but this is the last straw.

Tim, I sent you $100 during one of your earlier episodes of being down on your luck. Remember that old saying, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me"? In addition to the OSP handouts, I along with every other U.S. taxpayer is subsidizing your lifestyle as you draw foodstamps and other social welfare benefits. Take a good look at the link Tawnya shared about MO Gov. Blunt's crackdown on welfare fraud. You're a criminal despite your clinging to God - God does not condone criminal behavior. You're cloaking your sin in rationalization that hides your wrongdoing from yourself, invoking the name of God to absolve you of your deviant and fraudulent ways.

For those so inclined, the state attorney general's office in Missouri processes welfare fraud abuse claims: 573-751-3321 or 573-751-2711.

I'll reply for Tim (because it's so very hard to type while you've got your fingers stuck in your ears or your hands covering your eyes):

Hey Lori!
Great to hear from you!
How's the weather over there on that coast? Kids good? good...good...
great to hear from you...


llalalalallaallalalalallalallalallaaaa


God is so good

Now that's funny!

i needed that bit of hilarity to take away some of my anger......

oh and i hope they let him keep his bible while he is in his jail cell.....

+1000000000BAZILLION

You are either completely INSANE or you're a big fat liar who just likes to piss people off. I hope you made all that up about your kids ... if you really do have kids, I feel SOOOO bad for them

I'm 99.99% sure that we define friendship a little bit differently.

See, when your ass is sitting in jail, I'm not gonna be writing you, visiting you or bringing you lube so that your showers with Bubba don't hurt so much...

"Aewsome! I'd love to do that. I'll just add in 2 weeks rental fee to your coverage so I can rent it for a week to get used to it, and then use it the week of your wedding."

Tim, I've been where you are/were/definitely will be again. I used to do the same things you're doing. You can't pay your bills, don't see any way to catch up, and then you do. God bring's business or provides some other way, perhaps through donations from friends. The elation from that immediate pressure being lifted is so great that you feel like celebrating. You d that by making a purchase to make you feel good, and it does. You get new gear, you feel like you've accomplished something, but in reality the budget just went south. Again. You're back at the hard place again, with a shiny new camera you now feel guilty about looking at.

I'm going to suggest you take a hard look at your spiritual life. God is *not* a big celestial genie in the sky, waiting to shower you with goodies. You have got to be a good steward of the little you do have, in order for him to bless you with more. In fact, you say God has been good by bringing you money, and i'll challenge you that money is a favortie tool of Satan, and it may, just may, be him brigning money to you, because he knows money management is a weak spot for you. He knows you will manage it back into a hole again. I'm not saying that's what is happening, only that it is a possibility.

Be a good steward. Bank that windfall. Rent's due every month as are all the other bills. Get about 6 months bill money in the bank, then reward yourself by getting that camera without using bill money.

Like others, I am dumbfounded at your logic, and wish it was just you. But you have a wife and children, and that makes me have a concern. If it were just you, well, honestly, I'd write you off.

Romans 2:23-24
"Do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you..."

Basically, by bragging about God's blessings while doing something foolish, you're giving a bad name to God. With all the facts that we have... you need to repent, brother, for God's name sake. He is not mocked. You reap what you sow.

Tim...

I've got to agree with the majority of the people here who are baffled not only with this terrible decision, but by the fact that you jumped onto OSP to brag about your new equipment after your posts in the last few months.

I agreed to help you out with your pricing structure so you could keep your head above water. I honestly wish I had not done so. You are putting your material desires above the needs of your family. I wouldn't pull God into the equation on that one.

I've heard that the MarkIII is a pretty heavy camera. Good luck trying to stay afloat with that thing around your neck.

To others:

Please don't resort to name calling and school yard taunts. This is a very, very sad situation.