This is the true story of a man named Grover Cleveland. Not a bum, but a man. For a very short time I knew him as a friend and a teacher.

Grover Cleveland was a man who sat outside my physics 101 class when I was a freshman in college

We use to give him money, food, clothes, and sometimes beer

The rich kids would walk by him, called him names, and often times spit on him

I remember watching one take a sandwich from him. The trust fund bastard spit on it and gave it back to him

I thought to myself “What a jerk!”

Still, I really didn’t do anything

Grover Cleveland lived in a box

Often times he invited a few of us over to his “house” to chat

Grover Cleveland lived in a box

It was his house, it was his castle

Grover Cleveland lived in a box behind a church

Behind a church

Behind a church Grover Cleveland lived in a box

Still, they didn’t do anything

Peace and good will on earth, now get that dirty bastard off the church property

They had him arrested, the preacher assaulted him, and they wouldn’t even give him food

He lived in a box, behind their church

They give money to the white-haired rich guy on TV with the $2500 rhinestone jacket, but they had him arrested and wouldn’t help him eat….in god we trust

It never seemed to bother Grover Cleveland though

Nothing ever got him down

He knew he had a place in heaven, he had it planned out

He told me he was going to live next to Jesus, in a mansion

I guess that made it ok to live in a box behind the Lutheran church

He was a very interesting man

If half of what he said he did was true we would all be lucky to live in that box

I gave him my shoes once

They were too big on him but he didn’t complain

As a matter of fact I never heard him complain…about anything

He loved the shoes

Black and white canvas shoes

It’s all I could afford, but more than he had

I had an old pair that had a little bit of wear on them

Besides, I knew if I asked my mom and dad they would get me a pair…mom knew where they went

Later that winter Grover Cleveland stopped coming around

After a couple of weeks and I went looking for him

We went to his “house” and we found him

He froze to death

In an effort to get him to move away from the church property they, the church, took his blankets and clothing and threw them away

I remember joking once that it would take a fire to kill the smell

I wasn’t laughing about it anymore

Grover Cleveland was a good man

Grover Cleveland was a just man

Grover Cleveland froze to death in a box behind a church

Behind a church

In a box

Alone

Hungry

I miss him even still today

It’s been ten years

He was a good teacher

Because of him I learned a lot about myself and the person I wanted to be

Grover Cleveland was a bum who froze to death in a box behind a church…he was a better man than anyone in that church

I believed in the church in those days

I believed in God in those days

Those days are gone

Grover Cleveland was a good man, who lived in a box behind the church

He doesn’t live behind the church anymore…they killed him

If you want to talk to him you’ll have to wait

He lives in a new house, next to Jesus. If Jesus is there.

I hope

I hope

I hope he’s warm now…

I know nothing about this church or it’s members. I am sure they are all wonderful people. This photo was shot after midnight.

April should bring a lot more good stuff. I’ve been putting my life and photography on hold because of some unfortunate issues with a person I thought was a good friend. I’m hot into setting appointments, and  other gigs. Have I made any memories for you? Let’s get together. 

This has been a more interesting month. I turned 41. Wow… I don’t feel that old. I feel at least 30 I bought a new car. I got a Land Rover. I figured as much time as I spend in the back country it’s a good idea. Plus, it really has been something I’ve wanted for a long time. Sarah and I talked about it for a really long time. She was the one who finally pushed me into buying it. On a totally unrelated note: She’s driven it more than I have.

Nothing else is really new. No snow, unless we go to the mountains. The kids are good and happy. I know I need sleep, but that doesn’t seem to be coming any time soon.

It is Feb. 29th. Leap year of 2012. I guess it’s fitting we get an extra day since it’s our last year on earth according to the Mayan clock watchers. So happy leaping humpday! (Thanks Eric) Go do something good for yourself. I think that we spend so much time looking out for other people that we often forget about ourselves. I know I do. A lot of things have been said about me. Mostly by people who don’t know me, or are going on rumors other people have told them. It’s too bad, but that’s life. I practice the idea of “Be Happy” or try anyway

I keep saying I want to blog more, but I seem to let life get ahead of me. Let’s see what March brings…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As a photographer I’m very lucky. Life is created moment by moment. Behind the camera I get to see that people really live their lives by the things that take their breath away. I get to be there when they say I do, sing happy birthday, or celebrate a life well spent. I’ve photographed babies being born, A Korean boy’s first birthday, a sweet sixteen, a twenty first kegger, and the funeral of a decorated war vet.

There is a down side. I spend time with other families more than my own. Sometimes, even when I’m home I am editing or cleaning equipment. I still think I get to see my family more than other people. I try to have coffee ready for my wife in the morning; I get my kids dressed and ready for school. I make everyone breakfast. Then as soon as I’m finished I grab my backpack and head out the door. Some days I shoot a lot, some days I find nothing worth keeping. It’s still good to be out.

I’ve won awards, been published, and got to travel to some really incredible places. Things and places other photographers only dream about. I often get to take my family. I don’t get to spend a lot of time with them, but they get to enjoy the trip with them It’s a comfort knowing they’re close. There are the other trips though, the ones where I’m alone. Sometimes it’s good, 20 miles from people, days without talking or noise. I realize then how lucky I am. I get to see things most people don’t. Go places where most people can’t, just me and my gear.

I chase light and capture moments. I live my life out of a Lowepro backpack…

December was been a busy month. Just a few things I’ve done are photograph Touch of Class Choir. http://www.thetouchofclasschoir.com/
I love this choir. Awesome people and awesome musicians. If you get time, you should really go see them or sign up to sing with them.

I also got to photograph one of my best friends Fawn. She’s also a fellow photographer.
Like many of us, she’s not so easy to get in front of the camera. I don’t understand it with her,
because she’s very beautiful. We shot in an old apple orchard next to the Columbia River.

I also shot my good friend Andrew. He’s a hoot to work with, and will actually be helping me a lot in the future.

I got to shoot my rock star friend Jeni, and her friend. It was fun because I adore Jeni and we were invaded by homeless people.
They wanted photos taken of them with the women. It was a good time. I hope to get out again soon with them.

January has started out slow, as usual.

I have photographed a woman, a friend, for her maternity shoot. I think we’ll be getting together every couple weeks to shoot photos.
She wants a running photo log of the progress and I’m excited to shoot it.

I scouted a few locations in the Gorge for an upcoming magazine cover. I’ll post some of the photos for your review.

I’m still working my day job. I don’t ever plan on quitting, I love it there. I hope they plan on keeping me as well lol

I guess that’s it up until now. My wife and kids are healthy and I’m pretty good, all things considered.

Please find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/inmylight

I’m going to plan, for now, to update my blog every other week. I’ll start migrating the stuff from my old blog as well.

This week I though I would talk about things I carry in my trunk that most people I know (back in Ohio anyway) might not carry in their car that never seem to leave mine. Well, I never leave them in my car, but they usually go with me lol

These are in or on my backpack…

An ice axe
Crampons
Ropes, harnesses, and other stuff needed to climb or foolishly tie myself up on the sides of cliffs (What? Do you think some of my shots can be found trail side? Not!)
A snow shovel
Snow shoes
Snow probe
Trekking poles
A head lamp and a hand crank flashlight
A weather radio
Tarps, various sizes
A tent and sleeping gear
Three changes of clothing with sandals
A portable stove and food
A bear canister (to hold the food)
Bear mace
Towels
A picnic basket with plates and plastic wear
A water filter
Nalgene water bottles and a bladder bag
Maps and cases
Books on birds, trails, and almost everything else
A giant first aid kit
All sorts of extra photography equipment and tripods
A wildlife blind
Rain gear, a heavy jacket, and boots

I know I’m missing something.

The weather and terrain change so much it’s always good to have a lot of gear with us. We have been know to start off of Mt. Hood and end up on the beach. Life is good…

Anything you think I should carry but isn’t listed?

Hello everyone. My name is Tanis. I have been a photographer for 20+ years. I look forward to sharing a bunch of stuff that only matters to me, because let’s face it, no one is going to read my blog except me