Hi friends. Not a lot of time to write but I wanted to pop on and let you know that we are just an hour away from embarking on our 18 hour road trip back to Indiana. Yes, we are headed home for a full two weeks. I am soooooo looking forward to seeing my Dad and Cathy and all of my friends. We'll be driving into the night tonight - making a pit stop at some point for a few hours sleep in a hotel - then picking back up mid day tomorrow to finish out the drive. If all goes as planned, we'll be arriving late in the middle of the night Saturday or early Sunday morning.
I apologize for my lack of blog posts this week. Long story short, my laptop went on the fritz again and had to go in the shop at Best Buy for a few days. They fixed my hard drive but I still have to take it back to them once we return from Indiana so that they can finish fixing the touch pad/mouse area which has gone completely bazerk!!! I'm using a corded mouse to get me through for the next 2-3 weeks until I can get back to Florida and send it out to be worked on once more. Thank goodness for extended warranty plans. This laptop is just now a year old and it has given me more fits than I care to discuss. Needless to say, I'm over it. I needed it while in Indiana though because I have a class to teach from afar while I'm there. Electronics! They will be the death of me.
With that said, I will have access to email via my phone and my computer once we arrive and are settled. If you need to reach me, you guys know how. Please pray for safe travels for us as we tackle this long journey with Kenidi. With me pregnant, flying was just not an option with her. It wouldn't have been a pretty sight. Driving also allows us to have our own car the whole time we are in town instead of me having to bother my parents with borrowing one of theirs like my last visit. Although I know they don't mind, I do. I don't like inconveniencing their normal routines. The good part about our stay this time is that we get a good two weeks with everyone. I can't wait to hug my Dad, to catch up with everyone, & do some photo shoots while there. I also can't wait to enjoy my Dad's pool everyday without our Florida cage over it - more vitamin D for Baby Seaman and I that way (Ha ha!) and I'm busting at the seams to spend all night laughing hysterically with all of my girlfriends during our planned sleep over/slumber party together. It's going to be a wonderful trip back home. As usual...I'll be in touch with blog posts and facebook updates. Feel free to contact me about Indiana photo sessions between now and August 13th. I'd love to schedule a shoot with you if you're in the area. Oh...and you still have time to sign up for the two new online photography classes that are quickly approaching as well. Details can be found by clicking HERE. For now, thank you in advance for all of my prayer warriors who are sending up those prayers as we speak for our safe travels. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it ladies. Hugs to all of you. Blessings, Angie
After a full year of being asked to offer a post processing techniques photoshop class, I've finally taken the leap and decided to schedule one. So many of you take my beginner online photography class and then want more. I've been asked to conduct a level 2 photography class as well as the post processing techniques class. For now, I'm going to embark on the post processing request and see how it goes. If this class is received as well as the beginner photography classes, I hope to continue offering it in the future (schedule permitting baby Seaman's arrival - and for those who've asked...no...we still haven't agreed on his name yet. LOL!) Anyway, the first photoshop post processing techniques class will be offered LIVE on the night of August 18th from 7:30pm-9:30om. What does LIVE mean? It means that you will log onto a site and watch/hear me walk thru photos and post process them right on your computer screen. You will need either a phone or a set of headphones with a mic (preferred option) for this class. I use the headphones which Brent got for me from Radio Shack one time and I love them. They allow my hands to be free during the classes. For an hour and a half (maybe a bit longer given how the class goes), you will get to watch how I would post process images. You will be able to see my computer screen LIVE and hear me in real time as I teach you the process of going from point A to point B with a photograph that came straight out of the camera.
Each student in the class will be asked to submit 5 photos of their choosing. I will select at least one image from each student - maybe more - time permitting and edit those images in front of you via our computers. The cost per student is $99 for that 1.5-2 hour class. I am only allowing a maximum of 15 students for this class. I know it is a much smaller number than we normally offer for the beginner photography course but the reason being is time. I want to be able to answer all of your questions and get thru as many images as I can so I intend to keep the class # low to stay on schedule that evening. If you are interested in the class, feel free to sign up HERE. I have already had numerous students ask for me to hold them a spot. I cannot hold spots until payment has been made. Therefore, act quick! This class is and always has been in high demand.
Minor details...yes, you can join us if you only have photoshop elements. Some topics discussed won't be an option for your software program but they are still good things to learn for when you make the upgrade to the full photoshop program. We will also be learning things that DO pertain to what you can do in Elements. If you have an older full photoshop program like CS or CS2, you can still take the class as well. Also, you do NOT need to have gone thru my beginner photography class in order to take this one. We welcome you either way. However, if you've taken my beginner class...this class will be that much easier to understand. For those still wanting to land a seat in my beginner photography class that starts online this coming Sunday evening, you can also register HERE for that class too. We have a few seats remaining and intend on those to sell out before the end of the week this week.
Lastly, here are just a few of the topics we will discuss/touch on in the post processing photoshop techniques class (geared toward beginner photoshop users)...
1) Tools/Tool bar 2) Cropping 3) Curves 4) Layers 5) Masking 6) Opacity 7) Opening/Saving images 8) Color correction (we will briefly discuss this) 9) Sharpening for web & prints 10) Workflow
11) Hue/Saturation
12) Popping colors
13) ...and so much more
I will also give you a link to a particular website that has great discounts on Photoshop programs at the end of class. I'm also hoping to have a couple of other photographers donate a discount code for some of their textures/actions that I will be using in the class. In the meantime, please let me know should you have any additional questions about this class. Register HERE...now!
So much for tropical storm "Bonnie" here on the Gulf coast. The Florida weather men had us buckling down as though we were in for a very windy, wet, rainy and miserable weekend. However, it appears to us Midwesterner's that this is just another day in Naples paradise. I took this shot out above our front door this morning with my camera phone. It doesn't get much better than a white cloud and brilliant blue sky such as this. Because it is so gorgeous here today, we've decided we are headed to sun n' fun lagoon for the afternoon. The kids love the water park and so do I actually. Floating down the lazy river all afternoon does wonders for this big ol' pregnant body. :)
Enjoy your sky and your clouds today - no matter where you are or what they look like. Until next week, be safe and have fun.
Last night I got the true pleasure of being the "paparazzi" at a red carpet event here in Naples. Well, it was the Hilton hotels idea of a red carpet event anyway. The Hilton needed photographers for their Oscar themed red carpet event and I went with bells on - ready to shoot the night away...true paparazzi style.
The hotel here in Naples is stunning and was done up to the hilt for last nights event. Marino transportation had their staff and owner there as well to promote the night. The marketing executive for Marino transportation gave us all t-shirts at the end of the night that had "I LOVE TONY" on the front of them. Tony is the owner's name. The back side had their corporate logo on them. I thought it was funny considering how Tony is also my Dad's name. I initially thought I'd give the shirt to my step-mom beings that it says I LOVE TONY really big but I quickly realized that the XL size would swallow her whole. Therefore, it is going to be my new "bum around the house" pregnant tee. :)
Everyone that came to the event looked FAB! It was a huge party for over 300 travel agents across the country. The Hilton really put on a show - drawing back to the old world theme of the Oscars back in the day. They handed out colorful boas to all of us, sunglasses, tiaras, big cocktail rings, etc. just to add to the party flare. I brought most of my loot home to Kenidi. Of course the bubble gum pink boa and the big pink cocktail ring propelled her right into her element. LOL!
Marilyn Monroe was there. So was Anna Nicole Smith. My favorite was the Audrey Hepburn look alike. (of course) And on the far left end of the image below, you will see Peggy. Peggy is in black and wearing the tiara on the far right end of this image. She is the leader of our Naples photography group. We love her! Such a great gal.
Below you will see more of the Audrey Hepburn look alike again. I missed Cher - didn't get to snap her photo before she left. Bummer! The night was full of smiles and tons of laughs. Loved that!
The best part to the evening was just being able to hang, gather, laugh, and shoot with my fellow "paparazzi pals." These are just some of my camera obsessed friends from the Naples photography group I belong to. There is nothing better than enjoying moments with others who share the same passion as you.
When the people walked the red carpet, they loved every minute of the Hollywood style Paparazzi action. Some of them really soaked it up - making it even more fun for us.
The Hilton had women in mermaid suits out in their pool, dancers who rocked the dance floor to songs like "I gotta feeling," the Naples improv group came and did their thang', and even the Naples Zoo came in with animals and reptiles to entertain the attendees. It was a great night had by all...
And in the end, the Hilton not only gave all of us photographers a free dinner and free drinks for the night, but they also gave us a gift certificate for one free nights stay in one of their rooms in between now and December 2011. They were extremely generous in the compensation department. Again, it was a FAB evening - the images just do not do it justice. I'm so thankful to be a part of the Naples photography community with all of these wonderful peers of mine. They've really helped make my move here all that much easier. It really helps that they have cameras as appendages just like myself. :) Huge thanks to Peggy, Shannon and the staff at Marino transportation, the Hilton hotel in Naples and its entire staff, etc. for such a wonderful night chalked full of fun. Good times! Good times!
You've deemed your socks are only for bowling. You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes. A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade. You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites. Anything under 70 degrees is chilly. You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix. Every other house in your neighborhood had blue roofs in 2004-2005. You know that anything under a Category 3 hurricane just isn't worth waking up for. You dread love bug season. You know what a "snowbird" is and when they'll leave. You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average. 'Down South' means Key West. Flip-flops are everyday wear. Regular shoes are for business meetings and church You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt. You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls. A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level. You know the 4 seasons really are: hurricane, love bug, tourist and summer. You can pronounce Okeechobee and Kissimmee. You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat than have a boat yourself. You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas and New Years.
You can't wait to get home to Indiana so that you can sun next to a pool without a cage over it again. (Just had to throw that one in there too) Wink Wink! ;-)
I love life as a Floridian. Indiana will always be home to me. Always. But daily life by the sea is such a gift.
Looking to learn how to use your camera better? Want to learn how to take better photographs of your kids? Do you want to get off the little green "auto mode" on your camera and learn how to shoot in manual instead? Does learning how to get those creamy/butter/blurred backgrounds like the pros interest you? If so, look no further. I'm once again offering the next round of photography classes via Angie Seaman Photography. This is just a reminder that the next class begins August 1st, 2010. Many of you have already registered and I've confirmed your seat in class if you have. Registration is still open with a few spots remaining. If you are interested in taking a beginner photography class that teaches you the basics of beginner photography, how to better use your camera and its settings, etc., then this class is for you.
The course is done online. There are no specific times each day that you must check in for class. You'll be given private access to a forum/discussion board where you can log in at any time throughout the day - as much or as little as you'd like. You make your own schedule. Some people check in everyday, others just check in a couple of times of week. We have one lesson a week that is posted on a certain day. Once posted, you are then given an assignment to do which pertains to that weeks lesson and what we've learned thus far. All questions and notes will be posted on the forum for everyone to read so that we all learn together. It's a very laid back atmosphere with zero pressure. You can participate as much or as little as you prefer. Of course the more you participate in the class, the more you learn. You have one week to turn in each assignment. I then "constructively critique" your assignment and let you know how great the shot is and/or how you can improve for next time. I'm on the board/forum everyday so I'm always there when someone has questions or needs additional help. As for what I'll discuss or teach during the 4 week class, here is a list of just some of the topics that we'll learn:
1) Getting tight and close with your images 2) Uncluttering a photograph 3) Framing your images in camera 4) Composition (rule of thirds) when shooting 5) ISO 6) White Balance 7) Changing up your angles 8) Aperture Priority Mode 9) Avoiding and forcing the flash 10) Your cameras highlight warning & what it means 11) Learning your histogram 12) Exposure compensation 13) What is burst/continuous mode? 14) Shutter Priority mode 15) Getting those soft creamy/blurry backgrounds like the pros
16) Graduating to "manual mode."
...and many other topics along the way.
Here are just a few of the comments and feedback I've received from past classes:
"This class has been amazing! I used to consider manual settings as impossible and scary but now that's my 'go to mode' and my camera is constantly set on it! All of a sudden my camera can do so much more than I ever realized it could... and that's all thanks to Angie! She is an incredible teacher, she's so encouraging and was willing to help whenever I had questions. I am so much more confident when using my camera now, and I finally know what all the numbers mean! I can't recommend this class enough, it's SO worth it!" ~Caroline
"Simply stated, this class was priceless. Angie has a unique way of explaining photography terms in everyday language that is easily understood. She is open and honest in the way she approaches photography. And she is encouraging and extremely "hands on" through out the entire class. The class forum is unlike any other I've ever been apart of. It's simple and easy to use. Angie invites questions of all sorts and answers them completely for each student. Angie Seaman is very gifted and artistic. She loves art, she loves life, and she loves sharing with the world through her pictures. Above all else, I've learned that "beauty is in the eye of she who holds the camera!!" ~Amanda in Texas
"This class ROCKS, as Angie would say!!! I have a Nikon D60, and have for the last year, I learned more about the options/menus of my camera in the first week, than the entire time i owned it!! I was able to tackle things, that I would have not tried, and really enjoyed it!! Angie is a great teacher, she is easy to communicate with and speaks in "human" terms, when it comes to teaching.. I was very happy taking this class, it is has been a great experience and very rewarding!! I am even more addicted to my camera than I was before, and I actually know how to use it, now!! Haha!" ~Christina in California
"Angie Seaman really knows her photography! She is a passionate teacher who is able to connect with all of her students. The forum is well organized and easy to use. I highly recommend taking this class. It is truly a gift that I have given myself. I encourage you to give yourself the same gift and sign-up for Angie's photography class! You are an amazing teacher and I love how you take complicated topics and turn it into manageable chunks for beginners to understand. I enjoy reading your writing and your personal photography is beautiful. I love how this class was organized as well. You can tell that you put a lot of time and effort into this class. Thank you very much! I would recommend this class to anyone and everyone. Plus, I can't wait to take other classes that you offer. I will continue to be a loyal reader of your blog and I am always available to give feedback to potential clients or customers." ~Bernie in Maryland
"I don't know if I can sum up how wonderful this class was in only a few sentences...I'll try. This photography class was hands down amazing! I was a little hesitant to sign-up for an online class thinking, how much can I really learn through the Internet?, but I totally proved myself wrong with how much I have walked away with. Before I was terrified of every button on my DSLR and now with Angie's stellar lessons and consistent feedback I feel more confident in capturing our life's important moments. Thanks again Angie...please keep me on your e-mail list if you should do a next level up class (okay you have to do another...no pressure)." ~Meg in Texas
"I am a busy mom of four kids. My lack of knowledge with my camera prevented me from trying anything other than point and shoot situations. Time is of the essence and I also needed someone I could trust to show me the ropes (not someone trying to sell me products or with their own "spin"). Enter Angie Seaman photography classes! Through Angie's class I learned what makes a photograph great, how to read all the settings on my camera (this was BIG for me) and it also took the intimidation out the huge manual for my camera. This class is easy to understand and simple to follow. I recommend to anyone wanting to sharpen their photography skills in a short amount of time. Thanks Angie!" ~Kristin
If you are ready for a basic, beginner, photography class...go HERE to sign up. From there, you can walk thru the registration process. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Angie@AngieSeamanPhotography.com. Every single one of our classes in the past have always sold out. Don't wait...we'd love to have you. Blessings, Angie
Meet baby Seaman in his alien form at 19 weeks. :0)
He cooperated quite well for the ultrasound tech yesterday which made me a happy Mama. He even gave us a cute little foot shot below...
What I was most concerned with was making sure he showed his lil' parts so that we could learn the sex of who was in there. And like a pro...he did...
And like the pro's that all of you are, I asked for a vote on facebook yesterday evening regarding the four boys names I liked the most. Out of those four, one of them was a "maybe" in Brent's eyes. So...after you all came in droves like the good people you are to vote on the names and help us out a bit, the names have clearly been narrowed down to just two now. After well over 100 different facebook wall posts from each of you, there were two names that were neck and neck - in a tie with one another - after your votes and input. Those two names are Beckett and Kellen/Kellan. 99% of you voted for us to pick either Beckett or Kellan as our little boys name. Brent likes one of those names better than another but we are still undecided and accepting ideas. For the moment though, we are tentatively leaning toward one or the other unless something else comes along in the next four months. Beckett was the first name that came to mind when I began looking at boys names. I loved it immediately. I think it can sound like a nice strong jock name as a young kid but it can also sound like a big wig executive as he grows older too. Kellan came from the Twilight star "Kellan Lutz" who plays Emmett in the Twilight movies. I think it totally sounds unique and goes well when you say it as Brennen, Kenidi and Kellan. However, Brennen, Beckett, and Kenidi sound good too. As you might remember, his middle name will be my own Father's middle name (Anthony). We have to get our Italian heritage in there somewhere. LOL!
The other two names I had listed as options on facebook didn't even make the cut. You guys pretty much nixed those ASAP. I think maybe four of the 100+ people voted for one of them (which was Channing) and the other name got ZERO votes (which was Draven). Draven was beat up pretty badly with one person telling me that "friends don't let friends give their kids bad names." NO ONE liked that name at all. Funny thing is, I love it. I still do. And I love it even more so now that I know everyone else dislikes it. It's that "out of the box" - "wanting to be different" part of me that insists on being the rebel that I am by going against all of the favorite votes. ha ha! I'm a freak that way. Why be Normal, right? No other kid I know has the name Draven and I like that. :0) So...we'll see where we end up. We've got four months left to make a decision. I totally appreciate all of your input though. It really helped to hear why each of you did or did not like the names. It gave us some good insight into several things we hadn't thought of before. Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping us out and taking the time to give us your opinions. We truly appreciate it. Nothing like getting honest feedback from 100 and something people in a matter of hours regarding a baby name. The power of social networking is AMAYYYY.....ZZZIIINNNGGGG!
On another note, I'm laying in bed typing with warm compresses on my eyes because I just got back from the doctor this afternoon where they informed me that I have pink eye in both eyes. Oh joy! We are having fun now. And even better...the doc won't give me medicine for it because I'm pregnant. Now that is some REAL fun - no medicine for pink eye. BWWWAAAHHHH~! He told me I need to keep hot compresses on my eyes about 6 times a day over the next few days. I'm just completely slap happy over that, lemme' tell ya! Needless to say, I came home and left a voicemail for my OB nurse begging and pleading with her to give me a prescription if they can. The last thing I want to do is pass this on to Brent and the kids over the next few days if I don't have to. Anyway, I'm waiting on a call back from the OB to see if she is against the eye drop prescription like my family doc was. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get some sympathy here and she writes me something for it.
Lastly, I wanted to mention that I have just 7 seats left for my next photography class beginning August 1st. It is a beginner online photography class that lasts 4 weeks. If you'd like to register for one of those final seven seats or at least read more info as to what the class entails, click HERE. We'd love to have you join us. For now, I'm off to go soak up the Florida rain - in bed - with my hot compresses over my eyes like a freak - this afternoon. Between my big ol' pregnant belly and the green guk seeping from my blood shot eyes, I'm looking real sexy. Don't hate! I know you all want these beauty attributes too. hee hee!
Do you want me to spill the beans on what the gender is???
OK...OK...
Here are two hints...
Brennen got his wish...
and my Dad finally gets a kiddo with his middle name...
And you can bet that the first purchase I'll be making for this little guy will be this onesie...
Yeap, Mommy's little Edward Cullen. Love it!
Needless to say, Brennen is on cloud nine because he wanted a little brother so very badly. I'm happy to give him that and I'm happy to be able to give this little guy my Dad's middle name. As soon as the nurse went for a peek at the genitals, there was no denying that it was a boy. I knew what I was looking for (after three kids) and noticed right off the bat that he had boy parts rather than the typical three lines for a girl. There was no denying his boyhood. LOL! The ultrasound tech said that everything looks great and that the baby was measuring right where he should be. I'm so thankful for that. I will continue to pray that he doesn't have anything like Kenidi has though once he is born. Unfortunately, we thought Kenidi was healthy as pie too when we had all of our ultrasounds with her. Her diagnosis didn't come until she was almost 15 months old. (although we knew something was wrong well before that, it just took that long for me to be able to convince our pediatrician the same thing.) Again though, I know God's hands are wrapped tightly around this child.
Thank you to all of you whom have prayed for us and this baby so far. I cannot begin to express what your prayers mean to us. I also had fun reading all of your guesses on facebook this morning as we were in the doctors office. You guys helped us pass the time as we waited patiently to be called back for the ultrasound. :)
Now comes time to argue over the name for this little guy. Brent wouldn't even discuss boy names with me until now because he was just CONVINCED that it was a girl. I have about 4 names picked out but Brent doesn't like any of them. Well he said one was "maybe." So...I'm going to post those names here on the blog in the coming days and get your opinions on which one you guys like best. I want to take a vote. Hopefully you guys can help us narrow some of them down. Until then, thanks for sharing in this excitement with us. I'll post the ultrasound photos tomorrow. For those of you who've asked, I'm 19 weeks along this week. We are almost to the halfway mark. YAY! My due date is December 9th but my repeat c-section appears as though it will be scheduled on or around December 2nd.
PS...I decided to post the four boys names on facebook that I like the best. We are taking a running vote on what all of you think in regard to those names. Feel free to friend me if you haven't already on facebook and let me know your name vote. (I'm found under "Angie DeNease Seaman" on facebook) Huge hugs! Angie
We are leaving in like 30 minutes to head to my OB's office for our gender ultrasound appointment. My appointment time is at 10:40am so I'm pleading for all of my prayer warriors to be praying up some healthy prayers for our little one in the next hour or two. I'm so excited and yet nervous all at the same time. We are taking the kids with us so that they can see and hear whether it is a girl or boy as well. I'll try and update as soon as I can today once we are home, settled, and know what it is for sure. I'm praying the baby will cooperate so that we can get an answer on the gender. Most of all though, I just want to hear them confirm that the pregnancy and baby look great - no matter what the gender.
Thanks in advance for your prayers and support. It means the world to us. Last chance to put in your guess. What will it be? A girl or a boy?
LITTLE "G" MAN - NAPLES, FLORIDA NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER
I had another newborn shoot recently. This little man was only 9 days old and was so very tiny. If I didn't have baby fever, I definitely do now. :) It's a good thing my 3rd little one will be arriving soon. Four and a half more months seems like a long way off though. I'm so very impatient. Little "G" man was perfect for this shoot. Another wonderful newborn who behaved perfectly during the session.
"G" man was awake during 90% of the session even though we prefer newborns to be asleep during their shoots. However, with these eyes...why not be awake???
This last sneak peek image just had me cracking up when I went thru all of the shots. Therefore, I just had to share it. What a great little half pucker expression. :)
Thank you to little "G" man for a great session as well as to his Mommy for allowing me the opportunity to work with him. Such a doll!
LITTLE MR. "E" - NAPLES, FLORIDA CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER
I had the opportunity recently to shoot a session with this adorable little guy. These are a couple of the sneak peek shots. The backdrop and props were chosen before I arrived. The darker feel to the images was a different approach for me beings that I normally shoot bright and very light and airy sessions. It was a fun challenge. This little man was 2 weeks old and couldn't have been a more perfect baby. He cooperated perfectly during the session with the exception of the bathroom breaks he continued to take on his Daddy. LOL! The joys of a naked newborn photo shoot. :)
He was so very calm and lasted forever barely making a peep during the shoot. Not only was he a doll but he had the best temperament ever.
Seeing how cozy he was the whole time made me want to curl my pregnant self up and take a nap as well. HA! A big thank you to his parents and to little Mr. E himself for allowing me this privilege.
I'll be returning home to Indiana for two weeks come July 30th. If you would like to book a session with me while I'm in town, please contact me directly at Angie@AngieSeamanPhotography.com. I'd love to schedule a session with you and/or some of your family members. Until then, have a spectacular weekend. Blessings, Angie
Do you wonder why you have to, feel the things that hurt you, if there's a God who loves you, where is He now?
Maybe, there are things you can't see and all those things are happening to bring a better ending some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see
Chorus: Would dare you, would you dare, to believe, that you still have a reason to sing, 'cause the pain you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming
so hold on, you got to wait for the light press on, just fight the good fight because the pain you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning
My friend, you know how this all ends and you know where you're going, you just don't know how you get there so just say a prayer. and hold on, cause there's good who love God, life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time, but you'll see the bigger picture
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe, that you still have a reason to sing, 'cause the pain you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming
so hold on, you got to wait for the light press on, just fight the good fight because the pain you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning yeah, yeah, before the morning, yeah, yeah
Once you feel the way of glory, all your pain will fade to memory once you feel the way of glory, all your pain will fade to memory memory, memory, yeah
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe, that you still have a reason to sing, 'cause the pain you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe, that you still have a reason to sing, 'cause the pain you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming
com'n, you got to wait for the light press on, just fight the good fight because the pain you've been feeling, it's just the hurt before the healing the pain you've been feeling, just the dark before the morning before the morning, yeah, yeah before the morning
BEFORE THE MORNING LYRICS - JOSH WILSON
________________________________________
Just one of those rare posts that don't require a photo.
Just because. No other reason for these images other than that. Because.
Because this child cracks me up. That's all.
We rolled up to the front of Sephora today and she immediately started rubbing her lips with her index finger saying..."ips, ips, ips." Apparently we've made one too many trips to the Sephora store where she has witnessed the purchase of lipsticks or lip gloss. Amazing what this child will pick up on. I say it every day but I'll say it again...she is way smarter then we give her credit for. I know this. I really do. However, sometimes it just takes life moments like the Sephora store outings to remind me just how much she really does "get it."
She gets fashion more than I even get fashion. She truly understands style and loves compliments on things like her clothes, shoes, and sunglasses. Holding true to form, she has a thing for sunglasses just like her Mama.
In other news...it's been a pretty low key week around here thus far. I'm currently pouting over the fact that I just discovered that there is an official TWILIGHT convention tour going on in Indianapolis this weekend and of course I won't be there to go to it. Some of the wolf boys, the one wolf girl (Emily) as well as the girl who played Bree Tanner in Eclipse will be there to sign autographs. No Taylor, Rob, or Kristen though. If so, you can bet your butt I'd be on a plane back home to Indy like last week. LOL! Can you believe the tour is in town 2 weeks before I am set to arrive back home??? What a joke. It's just my luck. Then, the same tour is coming here to Florida - in Orlando - come December. But guess what...I'll have just given birth to our new little bundle of joy at that time. Another strike out. If you are interested in finding out more about the convention tour and whether or not one is coming to your area, click HERE. And if you go, you'd better send me pictures - maybe even an autograph or two if you can pull it off. :-)
Yes, you heard right. We'll be driving back home to Indy for two weeks on July 30th. We'll be in town thru August 13th. Several of you have contacted me about scheduling a photography session with me once in town. Beings that I'm home a bit longer than normal this go round, I am taking a few clients while home. If you are interested, please email me directly at Angie@AngieSeamanPhotography.com. I have about 3 slots left. Aside from some fun with clients, I'm looking forward to time with my family and pool days with my girlfriends as well as the sleep over/slumber party we've all lined up together. Good times. Good times.
Kenidi starts horse therapy again tomorrow. She has been off for the summer and is really missing "Dotty." The staff at the stables asked her to participate in a riding group that they formed for a select few kids this summer and we were honored to have the spot. She is thrilled to be booting back up and riding again. Needless to say, her pregnant Mama is not looking forward to being at the stables in this Florida heat though. No, not so much. Thank goodness I have our battery operated fan water bottles from Disney World though. I'm thinking that those silly $17 water bottles are fixing to come in handy yet again.
Other than that, I haven't been doing much this week aside from stuffing my face with some fresh peanut butter fudge from Kilwin's down on 5th avenue here in Naples. I finally had to toss it though because the sugar in it was giving me heart palpitations that were out of this world and because I've got to weigh in at my OB appointment next Wednesday morning. HA! I don't dare step on that scale and have any extra fudge baby weight. I've only gained one pound in my 5 months of pregnancy thus far and I thoroughly intend on keeping that number as low as low can go while I finish out this next 4.5 months. I was so sick in the beginning that I think the nausea helped with no weight gain. Now though...fudge is my enemy. Why I couldn't have behaved this way with my eating habits in my first two pregnancies I have no idea. With Brennen and Kenidi, I ate enough food on any given day to feed Ethiopia and several other areas too. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate was what I ate with Brennen. I craved it like it was oxygen. I literally gained 60lbs. with him while preggo. While pregnant with Kenidi, I ate chips and salsa daily from Chili's restaurant. I mean "daily." I would call in to go orders and pick them up all the time. All that salt on their chips was clearly not a good idea. I gained 40lbs. with her pregnancy. With this pregnancy though, I haven't even thought about chocolate one time or junk much at all. My biggest cravings this time around has been salads, soups, and fruit. Go figure! It would be nice if I could keep that up once I had the baby too. I'm sure that will NEVER happen though. Wishful hoping I guess. Either way, I'm behaving for now. My OB was so proud at my last doctor appointment. She is so strict about unnecessary pregnancy weight and I'm grateful for the amount of intimidation she causes me when I want to consume that 4th bite of fudge. LOL! For now though, I'm off to chill for the evening. We spent a long day today running much needed errands. My feet are paying for it. Much love, Angie
PS...Confession time. Eminem's new song, Love the way you lie, (playing on my playlist right now) featuring Rhianna is one of my new favorite tunes. I realize there is some rough language in parts of it. Please bare with me as I wear this song out and eventually delete it from my playlist. Until then, if you find that Eminem isn't one of your more favorite singers, you might want to turn your volume on your computer off or hold you hands over your ears as you read. However, if you are like me and thoroughly love this song, rock on sista's - rock on!
THE B-STER (NAPLES, FLORIDA CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER)
I've found that one of my favorite things to do since living down the street from the beach is to go right before or right after a big thunder storm. There is just something about the sky and the clouds over top of the ocean as a storm is rolling in that makes you realize just how powerful Mother Nature really is. Storms are way different here than they are in Indiana. A storm rolling in off the ocean is a force to be reckoned with and there is something so intriguing about it. We made an impromptu stop down at the beach yesterday and I was able to snap some shots of Brennen on the fly. As you can see in the lenses of his sunglasses above, the storm clouds were incredible and had just down poured in the hour or so prior to our arrival. Great timing.
I look at this shot above and can't get over how big he looks here. Each time I photograph him, there is always one photo that seems to stand out and help remind me of how quickly he is growing up. This time, it was this capture above. I swear he looks 16 here.
I have an obsession with feet/shoe shots. Of course you guys already knew that though. Why does he have on jeans? Who knows. I tease him and say, "Are you forgetting that we live in a 100 degree climate now?" I guess he is like his mom in that aspect. He loves a good pair of beat up jeans and some flip flops. Well, the flip flops are still out for debate with him. LOL!
We went to "secret beach" when I took these yesterday. Oddly enough, I found some graffiti on a sea wall right by where we were shooting. Graffiti in Naples??? SHOCKER! Truly! I directed Brennen over to the wall with the writings. He wasn't too keen about it initially but he eventually caved.
Of course you know how well I follow trespassing signs when I have my camera in my hand. What fun is it to follow the rules? I scouted out some new locations in a few back alley's I found recently. Can't wait to share the shoots from there. The joys of scouting and then shooting in those locations without ending up in jail is always a plus. It's also an adrenaline rush. :-0
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We stopped by the fireworks show at the beach late last night. Another perk to living down the street from the sea shore. For now, I'm off to enjoy another day vegging out. We were up way too late last night watching "Remember Me" again as well as the movie "The Shooter" with Marky Mark. Two awesome films. However, I'm paying for it today. This pregnant Mama is dragging like a zombie. Apple TV is going to e the death of me one day. It just makes movie going way too easy and far too convenient. PS...Just a week and a half until we find out what we are having. Boy or girl. What is your guess?
