I kept trying to detour my thoughts from the cravings regarding the creamy guacamole dip but I lost the battle. It's been gorgeous here in Naples and every time I looked out at our pool, it was just craving for our company along with some guacamole dip and lime chips - pool side. So Saturday...we spent some family time around the pool and I whipped up the guac dip in order to please my tummy. It hit the spot. Totally! I was in heaven.
The stalling it took to capture these images before digging into it all just about killed me. My mouth was salivating for the taste of this creamy dip and boy was I a happy girl once I got it. Yum, yum, yum!
It has been a great few weeks around here. I feel like I'm slacking on the blog so much over the past 2-3 weeks given all of the excitement. Bare with me. I'm slowly starting to put my feet back on the ground and get myself firmly planted back into reality again. It's been a process that I like to call "overcoming the shock and awe" but trust me when I say that I've overcome it. :) Last night my emotions got the best of me and all I could do was thank God for HIS plans and not mine. I found myself just so incredibly grateful for his gifts and blessings that I was barely able to forge thru my "ugly cry" in order to regroup and smile incessantly again over the "surprise." Oh a woman's emotions. They sure are potent, aren't they?
Many have asked for more formal details. They are coming. For those who know, please continue to keep us on your prayer list. As most know, I'm a spaz during this process and there is so much riding on us, on it, this time around. Your prayers are so comforting and bring tons of peace to my already "worry wart filled days." In due time I will formally announce/share the surprise. In due time. I've battled with when but right now I'm just enjoying the moment(s). I know I will share no matter what the outcome so truthfully, I'm unsure why I am holding back at this point. However, for now, I'm just relishing in this crazy beautiful and wonderful surprise gift that God has blessed our lives with. Please join us in praying for a happy and very healthy 214 days. And no worries, I'll share the details way before the end of that 214th day. :) I promise.
As many of you know, my next online beginner photography class starts next Saturday, May 1st. I currently have three openings left for the class. The class has always sold out in the past so I fully anticipate that it will repeat history and do the same with this one as well. My real reason for this reminder though is because my schedule is fixing to change drastically in the coming months. A surprise that I wasn't planning for has sprung itself and therefore that surprise is going to alter my "normal" schedule as I once knew it. With that said, this May 1st class will most likely be my last class for a while. I would like to be able to say that I will continue on with a July 1st class as originally planned but I'm confident that won't be happening now. We will also be traveling the first of July which makes this option even more impossible. So...if you are at all interested in taking this online course for beginners, I would highly recommend that you sign up for the May class if your schedule and your budget shall allow it. I cannot guarantee when I'll be offering another class at this time. Because of that, I would hate for anyone to miss out on this one. I hope and pray that all goes well and that I'll be able to continue a somewhat "normal" schedule in the near future. When I'm able to confirm that, I'll eventually post new dates for new classes. Until then, the May 1st class will be my last one for a bit.
If you aren't familiar with my class that is being offered, feel free to click HERE for details. It is a great way to learn the basics of photography as well as the key to success with your camera. If you are a beginner, this class is for you. :)
To all of my past students, these classes were only possible because of the faith you put in me as your instructor. I cannot find the words or the way in which to thank you enough for the support you guys have all given me thru this endeavor. I'm so very honored to have been able to work with each of you thru all of these classes. For my past students, I am hoping to plan a "Critiquing and post-editing" class in the near future. If you have taken my classes before, you might have heard us mention this class as a future option. This particular class is in high demand and many of you are banging down my door to sign up for it. I continue to get emails on a weekly basis requesting it. The details are still being ironed out but I'm ready to offer it just as soon as I can confirm what life is going to be like in my next few months ahead. Therefore, stay tuned. It is coming. God just threw me a surprise curve -ball and I'm attempting to catch it successfully. Once caught, I'll be able to start scheduling some things again. :)
Five. Yeap, just five. Not much else to say today other than "five." Hummmm...what does that mean you ask? Well it could be that...
5 of you were right.
or five of you were wrong.
Could it mean that there are five days in a week? Oh no, actually there is seven. Sorry!
Kenidi turns 7 in June. Take 2 away from 7 and that equals 5. Funny, eh?
Maybe it is just that we all have five fingers on each hand and that we have five toes on each foot. No? Still not it?
5 meaning for Brennen and the 5th grade?
Maybe 5 stands for the 5000 of you who privately emailed me in between Tuesday and today and said..."Tell me now. I must know. You CAN'T do this this us. We are your loyal blog followers. We've been following you since Brennen and/or Kenidi's birth. Therefore we have senority and must know the story. The secret. The news. Anything! We just have to know."
But then again, I bet 5 stands for the 5000 times I replied back and said..."But it's classified. If I tell you, I'd have to kill you." HA!
Could it be that the 5 stands for the fifty five people that called or emailed my parents and close friends yesterday asking..."Is Angie...?" My parents were sending emails with ???????? all across the page and basically asking me..."What should we tell them?" LOL! It could be that I guess. But then again it might pertain to the 55 times I wrote back or told my friends to just say..."You'll have to ask Ang." :)
Five could count for how many times I've now bent over and picked my jaw up off the floor this week. Or maybe it is the five times a day I am still saying to myself..."I can't believe this."
I know, I know...I bet the 5 resembles how many times I've craved guacamole dip and chips this week but yet told myself I couldn't have it. Period!
Better yet, I bet the 5 is in regards to the FIVE Kosher dill pickles I inhaled in just one afternoon yesterday. Yeap, that has to be it. I knew it all along. Didn't you? It's just a note about the five pickles I ate yesterday.
WHEW!!! Glad we all worked as a team and figured that one out.
Oh but wait...now I get it. I really get it now. I'm positive this time. The 5 stands for...
Ever have those moments when you are trucking along thru life's pathways - thinking that you know where your next step will lead you? Ever have those moments where life looks as though it is leading you one way but then God intervenes and sends you down a totally unexpected path? You know...the path that looked narrow but straight has now become cock-eyed and blurry...
Well...that is my life - our life - right now. Just when I think I've got things figured out in this world and truly have a plan of attack, God throws me a "Surprise, Angie!" message that completely changed that course of direction in which I was headed. It's definitely not a bad surprise. It's definitely not bad news. It's just very, very, very unexpected news. I am a creature of habit, organization, and planning. Therefore, when something jumps in my path that throws me for a complete whirlwind and proves to me yet again that I AM NOT IN CONTROL, I have to chuckle and say..."OK God...I give. You got this! I don't! I get it now. My life is your life. And my plans are not your plans. I'm reminded that my surprises are definitely no surprise to you. YOU ARE IN CONTROL - not me!"
News like the news I got this week is rare. For some, it is news they will never know. It is because of that rareness that I'm adjusting, soaking it in, and embracing what is ahead. I'm thanking God for his unexpected surprises, feeling grateful for my lack of control in this matter although stunned by it, and am also truly questioning Gods sense of humor at this point. ;) I hope he is having fun with this because he's left me sitting in wonderment with this one. So...join me while I put one foot in front of the other and tackle my next roller coaster in this thing called life. I cannot wait to see and share what blessings come out of this one. Now that it is here, I'm praying for nothing but a positive road ahead. God is clearly in control. What will be - will be. God is good!
In him, Angie
PS...Pardon my absence lately as I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor. :)
It is "Fix it Friday" over at the I heart faces blog again. I haven't done this in a few weeks so I thought I'd play along again today. The "before" photo that a fellow I heart faces member submitted for "fixing" was a doozey. It was totally under exposed but had a beautiful young girl in the image whom which was dying to be seen in a proper light. I love trying to fix images like these in photoshop. They are such a challenge and really cause me to exhaust all options when it comes to my photoshop abilities. Fun stuff. Here are the before and after shots shown side by side below:
And here they are in stand alone images...
And the final image once photoshop and I worked some magic on it...
For more fix it Friday examples, head on over here.
Like this pelican, my Dad flew into Southwest Florida yesterday. He is supposedly here for a "guys trip" with some of his best buds. He has never taken part in the "guys trip" down here before even though my Step-Mom has always tried to encourage him to. This is his first time to embark on such an adventure. Ask Brent or my step-mom and they'll tell you that their hunch is that the only reason why he came down here with the guys this year is because his daughter and his grand kids are now living in Southwest Florida. (a.k.a me, Brennen, and Kenidi) I chuckle to myself because they just might be right. No matter what the reason, I'm so very glad he is here. I'll take any excuse he wants to give as long as he is within hugging distance. :) I'm glad he is down here and able to have fun with his buddies but I'm also glad that we get to steal him away from the said "guys trip" and soak him in for these next few days while he is in town. We are spending the whole day together tomorrow so I hope his buddies aren't jealous. LOL!
So...hoping you guys are enjoying your next few days because I know we will be. I've got the disappearing walls on the back of our house open to the pool today - letting the sunshine and the fresh Florida breeze flow into the house. The sounds of the fountain flowing out back, the seagulls calling to one another and the palm trees swaying are almost too much for my little heart to handle. The rich and exotic tropical flowers are bursting with color down here right now. They are screaming for my camera. I love living in the tropics. Just love it. Especially when my Dad is here too. :)
A couple of weeks ago I was at the beach - alone - and happened to have my camera with me that day. Imagine! Just me and big papa (a.k.a - my camera). While there that afternoon, I noticed an elderly man who came walking by with his orange cooler and his 1980's beach/lawn chair. He caught my attention because one...he reminded me of my Grandpa who passed away - 2 months before my wedding - back in 1994. If he was alive today, I know without a shadow of a doubt that he'd be on that beach with me - fishing up a storm. And two, I noticed this man because of how he just plopped down in the sand and immediately began staring out into the ocean. I was taken by his ability to sit down and expel his "goings on" that fast. Normally it takes me an hour just to wind down and quit fidgeting. I was close enough to him that my lens was able to capture his demeanor. I sat there for three hours watching this man watch the sea. At times, I wish I'd had a penny for his thoughts. For most of the day his outer appearance gave me every indication that he was a content man. Very still. Just taking it all in. Then at other times though, he seemed sad, lonely, and run down. I noticed him looking down - into his lap a lot. It broke my heart. You could tell he was troubled.
I began to wonder how much time God had planned for him here on this earth. I wondered what kind of man he was. Was he a father, a husband, a widow, etc.? My mind raced with anxiety for him when I began to dissect how much of his life is already over. I got to thinking about how when I was 15, 30 seemed so old. Here I am now 34 years old and isn't funny how 80 seems so young? I don't know how old this man was but it was clear that he was in the final 1/3 of his time here on earth.
I admired how he wasn't a dirty old man that would watch all of the young girls in bikini's. Their existence never even phased him. Most men would have had tongues hanging out of their mouth as they sat and watched the pretty passer by's. I admired how he came prepared for a relaxing day in the sun. No books. Just his 80's lawn chair and his old orange cooler with a sandwich, chips, and a frosty cold beer inside. Actually he had a couple of frosty cold beers during his time there. I guess more than anything though, I admired his love for the sea. You could tell it was embedded in every fiber of his being. I don't know if he is a Florida native or if he moved here later in life. Either way, like me, he had a love affair going on with the ocean. He was clearly there to soak it all in with no interruptions. No, not even a book.
As God blessed me with the reality of an unexpected surprise today, I look back on the image of this man and just pray that I do all I can for this world and within this world before my time expires here on earth. I pray that one day when I'm his age and sitting in front of the sea, I can look back on my life and know that I lived it to the fullest extent. I want to look back and know that I built a firm foundation for myself with the bricks that others happened to throw. I pray that I will have fulfilled God's purpose for me here on this earth and that when I get to heaven he will reward me not with riches but instead....a reward that involves discovering he has the most incredibly gorgeous ocean and blue sky ever none to man up there. I pray that he will reward me with a reserved beach chair for not only myself but chairs lined along side mine for my loved ones too. I pray he has been to Target and found me a good pair of cheap rubber flip flops for that magnificent beach he is hiding up there. And who knows, he might even stop off by the beauty supply house and pick me up some "afro sheen" to help me with a good ol' fashioned sun tan. :) Ya never know. I have faith - don't hate! :) I pray that the clouds that line that sky up there are the most awesome of white pillowy clouds and that somehow I'll be able to continue photographing beauty. Eternal beauty.
I don't know who that man was on the beach that day. I don't know what kind of life he has lead. I don't know how much "time" he has left to sit in front of our seas here on earth. However, I took the time to pray for him, myself, and many others that afternoon. My visual of this man left me praying about the fact that I hope he knows you God. I hope he loves you. And in the end, I hope you have a 1980's beach chair and a cooler, no matter the color, waiting for him in heaven. I know, I know...we'll scratch the cold frosty beers. ;)
Praying that you all know "Him" and love "Him" today too. In his grip, Angie
There is nothing I love more than continuing education when it comes to photography. Even though I teach classes myself, photography leaves you with an opportunity to learn more on every given day. No one ever "knows it all" in the realm of photography. There is always something new to learn. Always. Take this food photography class that I attended today for example. I have fun taking photos of products - especially food. I think product photography is near and dear to my heart because I had to learn how to "sell my designs" via photographs when it came to my Angelica Grace line. I began to fall in love with product photography not only with my clothing designs but mainly with my jewelry collections. Therefore, food falls along that same category with "products." I love the color in food and I love shooting food in different angles to give it more character.
This class today was taught by a published food photographer who definitely knew his stuff. He taught us all kinds of secrets, tips, and tricks when it comes to getting the most out of food images. It was a tad bit different than my portrait and landscape photography that I'm normally used to. However, it was great fun to learn new things. I'm hoping to try out those talapia recipes y'all sent to me and then use the new food photography tips and tricks to post them here on the blog. I knew this class was coming up so I've waited to share those until after this was over. I wanted to try and put my new info into practice.
I love this photography club that I'm involved in here in Naples. Indiana definitely needed something like this. Aside from the awesome classes they consistently offer, the club here in Naples has been great in aiding & establishing new friendships for me. I love knowing and interacting with other people who are passionate about photography. Not only does it connect you with them because you have something in common but it is also a great way to learn from one another. The photography world is very competitive, very territorial, and extremely cut throat. It's nice to surround yourself with professionals whom are there to just help each other and not tear one another down. I've seen many top photographers look down on one another in my short time within this industry. I find that very, very sad. I've said it before and I'll say it again..."there is plenty enough business on this earth for everyone." I am the same with with my AGD lines. If I can help someone out, teach, or just give back regarding the learning process...I will in a heartbeat. The most successful people in this world - photography and beyond - were and are willing to share their knowledge with others. For that reason I am so very blessed and thankful for the photography club I'm now involved in as well as any of the pro instructors I've ever learned under or been able to mentor with thus far. They've all made a HUGE difference in where my skills are today. I still have a long way to go but thank you, thank you, thank you for those willing to help me get there.
I had the wonderful privilege of photographing a beautiful young lady during sunset on the beach a couple of weeks ago. Due to my laptop being in the shop, I am just now getting around to sharing these. Here is a sneak peek of the fun we had and the absolute beauty that this sweet girl exudes. This next image...yeap...it is my absolute fav.
It happened to be quite windy and extremely chilly on this particular evening here in Naples, Florida. However, this girl was such a trooper. She ROCKED this session and never complained even once. I had a ball with her and can't thank her and her family enough for their time in front of my camera.
Again, this shot below is another one of my favorites. She has such natural beauty...
If you or your family happen to have a need for family portrait sessions on the beach here in Southwest Florida (Naples, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and Miami/South Beach), email me at Angie@AngieSeamanPhotography.com to schedule a session with me. I'd be honored to photograph you and/or your loved ones. To reach my photography website for pricing and details, go HERE. If you would like to follow my photography blog along with this particular blog, feel free to click HERE.
When we were home in Indiana last week, we spent some time at Brent's Moms house. (otherwise known as Grandma "D's house" to all of the grand kids) Whenever we are there, Kenidi goes straight to her beautiful white piano. She loves to bang on it and it makes me a nervous wreck. I fear she will knock it out of tune or something when she does it. Grandma D says she is OK but it still makes me cringe to hear her press so hard on the keys. The other day though, she was being so gentle on the piano so I grabbed my camera and snapped these shots of just her little hands and fingers as she was playing on it.
I love the way this series of shots turned out. Her cute little fingers on the keys make my heart melt. Kenidi is such a music lover and is infatuated with singing and dancing. While home in Indy, my Dad and Cathy got her hooked on the movie "The sound of music" one night while they babysat her. Apparently she wouldn't take her eyes off the screen while it was on. They said she would doze off during commercials - almost falling asleep - and then as soon as she would hear the "sound of music" come back on, she would perk right back up. Funny stuff. :)
Grandma "D" is so gracious to let her granddaughter bang play on her stunning white piano. Kenidi clearly feels as though she is too hot for words when she makes noise on it. I hope that she can one day exercise her love for music/dance somehow. The girl has more rhythm in her one pinkie toe than I do in my whole body. She is quite impressive to say the least. I don't just say that because I'm her mother either. Wink wink! ;)
I hope all of you are gearing up for a great weekend. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of my "blog" friends here in Naples this weekend. She and her family are moving here to Naples from Colorado. Some of you might know Rachel from the blogging community. I met her several years ago while we were both heavy into blogging. She has since quit blogging but we've kept in contact via facebook and my blog. Love her! She actually used to reside in Orlando but moved from there to Colorado. She is now missing the beach and the Florida sunshine which is just one reason why she is so eager to get back down here. They should be arriving sometime on Sunday. I'm eager to finally get to meet her in person. I know we are going to have a ball together. She has a son the exact same age as Brennen and a daughter who is just a year younger than Kenidi. Rumor has it that her husband has Italian running thru his veins and is the "cook" in the family. Oh you know I'll be inviting myself over for dinner on every chance I can get. LOL! Italian food is like chocolate to me. With Italian running thru my veins as well, I'd take pasta over a steak any day. HA! Rachel wrote this in an email to me recently..."Who would have thought over 3 years ago when I found your blog living in Orlando and you in Indiana (you lived in the house you are trying to sell now) that we would be living so close in Naples next to the beach where we both belong...GOD is fantastic!" I agree girl. God is fantastic. Can't wait for your arrival this weekend. We are going to make great beach bums together. :)
(Our downtown Indianapolis during Final Four weekend)
(The parties happening on the streets of downtown Indianapolis during Final Four weekend)
(Lucas Oil Stadium from afar)
I'm sure you've guessed that we are back home in Florida country by now. We got home late Monday night after a wonderful week in Indiana with my parents and friends. I spent yesterday unloading suitcases, doing the dirty laundry, re-hanging the clean laundry, getting the kids ready to go back to school and so forth. I then made my way over to Best Buy and stood in a line the size of Texas in order to pick up my laptop. After thanking God about 1000 times for the legs he gave me to stand there in that line, I finally reached the counter and they handed my "baby" back to me. Apparently the LCD screen was defective so they replaced it for me. I am so thankful that I now have my left arm back. (a.k.a the laptop itself) It's been a very long three weeks without it. I haven't been able to edit any of my images or merely even play in photoshop since it has been gone. I am like an addict on crack tonight - getting my fix now that I have it back in my hands. I'm just running around the house - holding it close to my chest - grateful to have her home. Yes...I.AM.A.FREAK! Ha ha!
Anyway, back to our trip to Indiana. It was a blast. I got to spend some wonderful uninterrupted time with my parents. After being away from them for the first time in 34 years, I needed that desperately. It had been 4.5 months since I'd seen them last (other than via skype) and I was feending for their hugs. I spent 7 days coming and going there - just like I was a kid with my drivers license - driving their car again. LOL! My Step-Mom was ever so generous and gave me her SUV for the week while she drove her Mom's car back and forth to work. My Dad experienced some "growth" this week as he got to watch his Granddaughter finger print all of the windows in their car as she occupied and literally took over the backseat with her coloring books, crayons, diapers, crumbs, etc. As a young girl, I was never allowed to touch windows or fingerprint the car windows especially. Clearly Kenidi is his granddaughter and he must love her more because she got by with it and I never did. HA! In fact, I think he has rubbed off on me in my old age because her fingerprints drove me to the windex bottle on a couple of occasions whereas they never seemed to bother him one bit. My how times have changed. :)
Being that totally awesome and oh so cool Dad that my Dad is, he had tickets to the Final Four games and ultimately chose to take Brennen. He could have sold them 100 times over again or taken one of his buddies but instead he elected to take Brennen. I think that he pretty much ROCKS if you ask me. I tried explaining to Brennen how incredible it was that he was going to these games and that he was part of history in the making for the city of Indianapolis. However, I still don't think he understands the significance of it all yet. Maybe some day when he reflects on the memories of the night. The photo at the top of the blog and the one below are from the Final four festivities. We spent some time in downtown Indy just soaking in all of the action and feeling special because one of our home teams was in the championship games. Yes, Butler is the bomb! "Holla for the Colla" (as seen on my Dad's shirt above) became my favorite new phrase for the week. Although Butler lost to Duke in the final game, we are so very proud of our Bulldogs. They are amazing and gave the state of Indiana a great season. My Dad and Brennen had a fabulous time at the final four together - aside from Brennen dropping his iphone two stories down and shattering the screen on it. Yes, his same iphone that survived my washing it thru the washing machine last year. That phone has been cursed from the get-go apparently. :(
This shot below is horrendous due to the lighting inside our convention center but I still liked it. It is of my Dad and Brennen standing beside the final four championship trophy.
The next shot is one that I took right before we left to take Brennen and my Dad downtown for the games. Everyone, including my step mom Cathy, was wearing their Butler fan gear for the big event...
These next couple of shots are some of my favorites. My Dad has had motorcycles for as far back as I can possibly remember. I have vivid memories of quick rides with him as a young girl. He infuriates me though because he never wears his helmet and it worries me so very much. He'll wear his seat belt in the car but he won't wear his helmet when on his motorcycle. I feel like the child raising the parent when I harp on him about it. Either way, he has taken Brennen for rides on his bike before but Kenidi had never been. Until now. She got her first ride this past weekend and it brought back so many memories for me as I watched him and Cathy get her buckled into her helmet and up on the bike. Amazing how certain things trigger such strong childhood memories. Isn't it?
This shot below is of my Dad holding Kenidi while sitting in the driveway of my Grandma Dixie's house. We were hanging out with her for a bit and Kenidi was trying to escape down the sidewalks and into the street etc. Therefore, we had to keep her up in the chairs or else we'd have a "runner" on our hands. :) I snapped this one of her and my Dad laughing together and I just love it. Although I detest the cluttered background - which comes from the photographer within me - it is still a very meaningful and emotional snapshot for me. Soooooo llooovvvveeeeee it! Kenidi adores her grandparents.
These are just a few photos that I was able to get downloaded onto my computer thus far. I have over 200 from the whole week we were in town. I grabbed the ones that pulled at my heart strings most tonight and these were just a few of them. I began getting emails from blog readers telling me that they were "still" waiting on my new updates and pictures regarding our trip. So...I figured I'd better get back to blogging or else I just might have a riot on my hands. LOL! Thanks for caring and for even being interested in this little ol' life of mine. It means more than all of you will ever know.
I'll have more stories and more photos to come in regard to our trip back to Indiana. I'll just have to spread them out over a few days. I'm glad to be back in Florida but leaving my parents broke me once again. I made it all the way to the point where I went to hug them at the airport and say goodbye. At that moment...I lost it. I looked like a goof as I traveled thru the airport with mascara running down my face. I'm sure most thought I was there auditioning for the newest band member for the group KISS or something. Yeah...it was that bad. Then...Brent kept making the mistake of asking me if I was going to be ok and that only made it worse. Thankfully, I finally re-grouped and pulled my stuff together. I dried the tears and began counting the minutes until April 15th. On April 15th, my Dad is flying in to Ft. Myers to spend a few days on a guy trip with his buddies. They'll be down here boating and such. Thankfully, we get to steal him a time or two while he is in town with them. That piece of knowledge - knowing he was coming to my area in a couple of weeks - helped me to straighten up and get back in gear at the airport. I'm such a Daddy's girl and therefore...after having never been away from home in my 34 years of life, moving out of state -- away from my parents and girlfriends -- has just about killed me. The goodbyes - or the see you soons - are just downright painful. Someone please tell me that this WILL get easier.
For now, I'm off to go watch the results from American Idol tonight. And for those of you who've asked who my pick this year is or who I'm rooting for...you had to know I'd be rooting for "Lee" all the way. Love his scruffy/raspy voice. Love his humbleness and the way he gets so nervous. Great guy. Hope he wins it all.
Just wanted to pop on and remind everyone that the next Angie Seaman online beginner photography class starts May 1st. I just finished up a class with some impressive and wonderful students this week and I'm once again blessed beyond belief for the opportunity to have worked with each of them and am now blessed by their friendships. Here are what a few of the students from this most recent class had to say about their experience in the "Angie Seaman Photography course...
__________________________________________________ Angie: What an amazing class! I have learned so much over these 4 short weeks. You made everything so easy to understand. I have now moved the dial from Auto to Manual and I feel confident leaving it there. Thank you for being so approachable and available to us. You always gave quick and thoughtful responses. I'm hoping you offer a Photoshop class and an advanced photography class in the future. Thank you so much for everything! ~Natasha in North Carolina
Angie: Where do I start?! I have been so blessed to be apart of this experience! Today, as I work on my final assignment, I am amazed at myself. At what I can do, that I thought I would NEVER do! Your ability to explain things in terms the "average joe" can understand and your patience, friendliness, and knowledge have made this all possible for me! I can't WAIT to see what is next!! I hope you know that you have made a new friend, in me! I hope this isn't goodbye just "talk to ya later"!! Take Care Angie and God bless you and your family! ~Tiffany P. in Texas
I am so glad that I took this course! I didn't think it was possible, but in 4 short weeks I have gone from using my camera on auto only to shooting in manual with no fear. I am so bummed the class is over already - definitely looking forward to the next one! Thanks so much for all of your help. ~Brandy in Indiana
I am incredibly thankful I decided to take this class. I literally thought my camera was broken but come to figure out I just didn't know how to use it!! Thank you to Angie for letting me rediscover my passion for photography!! It has been a TRUE pleasure learning from you!!! ~Stephanie in Kansas
Angie: I cannot believe what a difference you have made in my photography life these past weeks. If anyone had told me that I would go from only using Auto to feeling confident using Manual in just 4 short weeks, I would have strongly doubted it! However, that is exactly what has happened. I have learned more in these past weeks than I have managed to learn on my own in the past 8 months. Thanks you so very much for your kindness, understanding, patience and for sharing your valuable knowledge with each of us ~~ You are a truly gifted teacher! Anxiously awaiting the next class, Rhonda in Oklahoma
Who would have thought that I would actually move to manual in just four weeks. Angie made everything so easy to understand, and if at any time, we had a question, she was more than willing to answer it. If she didn't know specifics to our personal cameras, she would research to find out or point us in the right direction. I learned so much from this class and am bummed that it is over! Once you go manual, you'll never go back!!! Thank you Angie!!! ~Kelly in Texas
Thank you, Angie! This class has been amazing! I have felt so blessed to learn under your guidance, wisdom, and instruction. While I cannot believe the class is already over, I am overwhelmed and delighted by the knowledge and the skills that I have gained through taking your course. I use to call the auto mode on my camera my BFF, and now I am awe-struck with the results I am achieving by utilizing Aperture, Shutter Priority, and even Manual mode. My pictures have never looked better. This class was worth every penny and more and the four weeks simply flew by! When is the advanced class???? ~Kristi in Texas
If you are ready for an online basic, beginner, photography class...go HERE to sign up. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Angie@AngieSeamanPhotography.com. All of the classes in the past have sold out. Don't wait...seats are filling up daily. We'd love to have you join us for this May 1st session. (Session runs for 4 weeks)
Blessings, Angie
PS...For those of you interested in the weekend photography workshop I'm offering for beginners this September, feel free to go HERE for more details. I've decided to offer a payment option for those interested in signing up now. I had many requests for split payments so I decided to set that up for those who wish to use that option. If you are one of those individuals, please contact me at the email address above for details. We'll be teaching by the beach here in Naples, Florida and learning photography under the palms. It's the first ever "We shoot people" tour hosted by Angie Seaman Photography. Along with a weekend get-a-way of fun and photography in the sun, you'll also be given a fun swag bag to boot. I've called in the troops and contacted some awesome sponsors for the event who will be providing some of the incredibly fun and all things photography goodies inside those swag bags. Good times~good times!
Hello fellow blog readers and friends. Greetings from Hoosier land...otherwise known as Indiana. It's Friday night and I'm enjoying myself thoroughly here in my hometown with friends and family. I just returned home after a fun night with my parents and the kiddo's. We drove into downtown Indianapolis to check out the final four festivities. Our Butler Bulldogs made it into the final four this year so our town is hoppin' right now. It's so awesome to see all of the excitement for another one of our Indiana teams so soon after the Superbowl events. We have a spectacular city and I'm proud to call Indiana my "home." My Dad has tickets for the final four games this year and he is taking Brennen with him. Lucky DAWGS! Brennen has no idea how blessed he is. This city is going to be rockin' and rollin' tomorrow night once the games begin. Fun stuff! We went to Dick's sporting goods today and got all of our Butler fan gear for the games. It was a mad house in there to say the least. Not only that but I looked like something the cat drug in yet managed to run into everybody and their brother while there. Never fails - whenever you look like crap - you see everyone you know. Today was no different. It was great to see everyone though - even though I looked like I'd been thru a "hell hath no furry tornado." :)
FYI...the real reason why I'm writing tonight is to let you guys know a quick tid bit regarding my blog tomorrow. My web gal, Amy, is migrating my blog over to a new blog address which might take several hours tomorrow (Saturday). Therefore, if you visit the blog at all tomorrow and it is down, you'll know why. You might have to check back later in the day or evening once the migration has taken place. The new blog address after the migration is complete will be http://www.angelicagracedesigns.blogspot.com/ Blogger updated their servers and such which required us with FTP publishing to update along with them. Please mark your bookmark for my blog accordingly after tomorrow so that you can still find me after the migration. Hopefully everything with transfer smoothly and we won't have any glitches. :)
I know I said I wouldn't blog until next Tuesday but my web gal thought I should post a heads up for each of you in case you come to the blog and have problems viewing it tomorrow. Therefore, I'm borrowing my Dad's laptop and blogging. It has been an absolutely beautiful week here in Indiana. We've had 80 something degree weather and sunshine since we arrived. All of my resources really nailed my weather requests before our arrival. LOL! I've been able to visit with girlfriends, veg out with my parents, see some of my parents dear friends while in town, and just enjoy being home overall. Dad and Cathy have fed us like they were feeding an army everyday. They've cooked for us, taken us to my favorite restaurants that I've been craving since moving to Florida and baked good ol' brownies as well. I'm in heaven. I've missed being home and this week is exactly what I needed.
Brennen spent the day in Carmel with a good buddy of his and had a ball. He's had sleepovers with all of his cousins and bounced off the walls since arriving back home. I paid a visit to my favorite cupcake shop, Holy Cow Cupcakes, while up in Carmel today. I got to see my friend/store owner, Karen Sutton, as well as grab some of my favorite cuppies while in town. YAY! We spent the night reminiscing with my parents last night. We ran by the firehouse and visited with some of my Dads best buds for a bit. Again, great to see everyone. Across the street from that fire house was where we did some of our reminiscing. There is a park - called Garfield park - in that area of town. Inside that park is a hill that we all call "Tickle Belly Hill." As a kid, my parents used to drive me over the hill as fast as the car we were in would go and it would give you the biggest butterflies in your belly. As I got older, my Mom owned several corvettes over a certain amount of years. We'd get over in that area on rare occasions but when we did, she'd always take me over the hill in the vette(s) for the fun of it. That hill and that park in general bring back so many memories for me as a young kid. So...this time...I decided to introduce it to my own kids. Needless to say, they loved it. Kenidi especially. The first time I took her over it, she kept signing the word "more." LOL! It was hysterical. I'm so very thankful for childhood memories that can be passed on to my own children now. All that reminiscing had me going by the house I grew up in as a kid, the house my Dad and Cathy lived in as I was growing up, the elementary school I attended from K-2nd grade and so forth. Maybe the moving out of state brought it all out but something in me just needed to see those places one more time. Strange I know. However, it gave me comfort - almost a confirmation that yes...Indiana and many of its cities are still my hometown even though I reside in Florida full time now. There is just something about "home" that helps fulfill the soul when it is needing replenished. Even though we live in Florida now, I'm so blessed by the family I have and the friends I have which help complete this town that I call my real "home." Without them, home means nothing.
For now, I am going to finish watching this movie with my parents and then hit the hay. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. For most of the day, we'll be at our old house in Center Grove doing some touch up work before any new/future occupants move in. And for those of you who understand this joke...NO, I'm not in jail. YET! LOL! Check back with me after I've been at the house all day tomorrow. Most of you are on stand by - just waiting for a potential collect call from me from the county lock up. HA HA! So far no appearences have been made. As long as it stays that way, we'll be good to go. Wink wink! ;)
As I said before, I'll be back to regular blogging and sharing my newest photography images come Tuesday. Stay tuned. Thank you for your patience. It's greatly appreciated.
PS...My next round of beginner online photography classes that I teach are starting on May 1st. Seats are filling up. If you want to register or would just like to get info on them, goHERE to do so. We would love to have you join us in the next class. Much love, Angie
