KROSS, THE BEACH BUM (NAPLES, FLORIDA CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER)
In the hustle and bustle of our travels back and forth to Indiana, I realized this week that I hadn't taken any photos of Kross for his 8 month anniversary. So...I we headed out the door last night to watch the sunset at the beach and to snap some "beach baby" shots of Kross. Needless to say, Kross was stoked. I'd love to know what he was looking up in the sky at in the top image and what he was thinking at that moment. If he could talk, I believe he'd be saying "Power to the surf" in this shot below...
Beings that Kross was born with the love of the beach running thru his veins, there is no doubt that he is a certified beach bum by DNA association due to his Mother being a beach bum at heart. So when he began sugaring his hands and toes in the sand the moment he got there...I knew he felt right at home. What I would have given to have grown up on at the seashore, on the coast, in the warm gulf waters with the wicked white surf.
It's a good darn thing a little sand ingestion never hurt a kid before because Kross ingested enough last night to feed a small army. Well ok...maybe a small bucket load anyway. LOL!
As a friend of mine said, he looks like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar here...
Like..."Who me???"
I love this boys smile. He can light up a room in an instant with these looks...
I think one of my favorite parts to the evening were these shots though...the blackmail shots of the future...
He was waving to passing beach-goers in this shot below. They were cracking up that he was "nek-ed." He kept on smiling and just kept waving to all of them like it was no big thang. :)
OK...I lied. My favorite part of the night was this moment...when Brennen was swimming with his baby brother...
BEACH SESSION - NAPLES, FLORIDA BEACH & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
If there is one thing that intimidates me as a photographer, it's groups. Groups of people for a session. Beings that I live in a tourist area where the beach is many peoples location of choice for photography backdrops, I end up with "groups." Many times, just like the family shown here, you get calls from a large family wanting images which include their mom, dad, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc. When I get those calls, my body starts to shiver and shake with not only excitement but also intimidation. Shooting groups of people, especially with children involved, is tough. Very hard to say the least. Add the harsh sunlight coming in off the gulf waters on the beach and you've got your mind made up before you ever arrive to do the job that it could be a potential disaster waiting to happen.
Thankfully though, once again, I didn't allow my negative thoughts to win and instead this particular shoot turned out to be a blast. Que Allyson and her family. She wanted images taken of her and her siblings as well as their children for their parents. Their family ROCKED! All of them. They knew exactly what they wanted, how they wanted it, and didn't mess around when we were attempting to achieve it. Allyson knew when to quit, when to push on with the kids, and when to call it a day. I absolutely loved working with her and the rest of her clan. Not only was this family gorgeous but everyone was a ton of fun too.
Allyson's family is from Miami but they were in town in Naples for this session. Her two boys look like something straight out of a Gap ad. And her sisters little one was too cute for words. What a happy baby - full of smiles.
The above shot was a candid, spur of the moment shot, between a Mother and her son. LOVED IT!
Above Allyson is with both of her boys. Such little studs! :)
The entire family was gorgeous. I couldn't have taken a bad image of them had I tried.
This last shot shown below was one where their entire family was trying to get Allyson's one little guy to smile. I love how relaxed yet energetic they all are here. It's probably one of my favorite shots of their session. Very candid and very real. Family is a gift and this family is truly blessed.
A huge thanks to Allyson and her family for the opportunity to work with them. I had a ball with you guys. :)
Lastly, on a totally different note, you can probably guess that we are back home from Indiana. We got in late Saturday night. Although a very short trip, it was well worth the time spent with family and friends. I have a few photos to share with you from our Griswold adventure and will be sure to post those in a day or so. Stay tuned. In the meantime, have a FAB week. Blessings, Angie
Last week I got the honor of photographing a young girl for her modeling portfolio. This was the first time she had ever done photographs for a modeling spread. However, you'd never know that by looking at her images here. She seemed like a natural and could have fooled me. If you were watching her, you would've thought that she had done this 1000 times over again. She didn't seem nervous or stiff to me in any way, shape, or form. In fact, she was very footloose and fancy free in my opinion. That type attitude always makes for a very laid back and casual session with no pressure. Her relaxed demeanor plays out big time in these images...
We went to my favorite spot here in Naples...what I call Secret beach. Secret beach is near the location that my friend Lacey gave me a heads up about when we first moved here last year. Her parents live here in Naples so she had told me about a spot far out of the way where little to no public traffic is present. When you go there, there are usually very few people. And when you walk farther south, you run into the end of the coast line and it opens up into nothing but vast ocean. It's a great place to go and feel God's utmost presence. It's just you, him, and the sea. I absolutely love it there.
On this particular night though, "Miss A" had a stalker. LOL! I chuckle about it now but at the time it really wasn't funny. Long story short, we were approached by a very strange man on the beach who started out inquiring about why I was taking photographs of her. He tried to pull the "Oh yeah, I majored in photography" card so that he could continue chatting a bit longer. He moseyed on down the beach for a bit but came back to us a short time later. "Miss A" was changing her clothes and while she was away, he approached us again and this time asked if he could "join in on some shots with her. If so, he said...I can position my knife I have on me to be hanging out of my mouth during the shots with her." He also mentioned something about getting in the "bushes" and taking some shots with her there and so forth. Needless to say, we were quite spooked at this point. Luckily we had another male photographer who had joined us for the shoot that night and therefore, we weren't alone with this idiot. After explaining to him that his ideas weren't an option, he eventually left but not after having stood there for what seemed like forever - just not going away. UGH! For Naples, this kind of individual was a rare breed. I've not encountered anything like that before while here. He clearly reeked of alcohol and was not from around here. By the time I got to my car that night, darkness had completely fallen and I found myself repeatedly thanking the big man upstairs for keeping us out of harms way. That could have turned into a really scary event had someone not being watching over us.
Aside from that ordeal at the end of the night, the beach was as beautiful as ever during this session. If there is one thing I can be sure of, it's that we live in paradise everyday here in Naples. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm so blessed to be able to call THIS my "office."
And I'm even more blessed to photograph clients that know how to work it...like this...
As I listen to everyone we know back in the Midwest talking about how the temps are cooling down and Fall is approaching...I find myself remembering that this is why we moved here. It's this time of the year that Florida is known for. From October thru May, it is the place to be. And here "we be." I'm so looking forward to Florida's Fall temps and the weather cooling down a bit. It's good to know that we'll be far far away from the snow and ice of the Midwest this again this year. Being on the beach during this shoot that night reminded me even more of why I love the shoreline so very much. How could you not love the beauty of the sand and the sea?
And for the end of this particular session, we broke out some paint. Yes, paint. This client was up for the challenge and totally ROCKED the paint idea. I mean can you get anymore gorgeous??? Just look at her...
I had a ball! Thanks Miss A. for allowing me this opportunity to work with you. I just hate it that you don't live here in Florida so that we could plan more sessions on a regular basis - minus the scary weird dude of course. Ha ha! You were way too much fun!Let me know if you are ever back in the area and want to hook up for some future sessions.
As for this evening, the "hubs" and I have dinner plans with some friends. I'm off to go conquer some errands before we head out tonight. Tomorrow, I have a fun job in another city within Florida - shooting at a Pirate Festival. I can't wait to see what kind of fun images come from that event. Then, I have a family session scheduled for this Sunday morning. Lots going on. Good times ~ good times! Hope all of you have a spectacular weekend. Until Monday, tu ta lou! XOXO, Angie
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.
His stance couldn't look anymore like a 16 year old here than it does.
His aggravated look on his face because of my cameras presence couldn't scream teenager anymore than it does. His style couldn't be anymore handsome than it is. Quite a good lookin' kid if you ask me. I know you didn't but I'm just sayin'...!
When he wears his under armour sunglasses he reminds me of the movie TOP GUN. GQ'ish and stealth like. Which character is he..."Goose" of course. Cocky and good lookin'! The hair is almost an exact resemblance.
I love that I convinced him many many years ago that real men wear pink. To this day, he'll throw on a pink polo and not even think twice about it. Oh yes...one day he is going to make that wife of his a very lucky girl.
In 10 days he will be 11 years old. It feels like just yesterday that the doctor looked at me and said..."He's breech. We'll need to do a C-section." That was my first clue that nothing about Brennen would ever be of the norm. He is a special kid. One who is madly in love with the idea of protecting his baby sister. (except when she comes into his room and dumps all of his cars) I'm so blessed and thankful for his caring and loving spirit. He has an overflowing heart filled with compassion which is just out of this world.
I love how he shares my same love of music. We share Itunes songs back and forth all of the time. He loves everything from Christian music to hip hop - just like his Mama. Yes, this child knows a good tune when he hears it. He makes me smile when he cranks the computer in his room and listens to my playlist on this here ol' blog. I hear him belting out tunes and think..."yeap, that's my boy."
In 10 days, he will be eleven. In 3 months, he will graduate from being a 5th grader in elementary school to a big 6th grader in junior high. I basically have three months before our world gets turned upside down. Let's face it...middle school was the starting point for all of us. The start of the distance which ensues between parents and their children. It makes me cringe at the thought. I want him to be 2 all over again. I want the chili bowl haircut back. I want the blues clues videos back that he would dance to, and the sound of his little voice when he would say "Close the gate Papa, close the gate!" (old joke amongst him and my Dad) Geez...one minute he still looks so very small, playing like a child would when I gaze out at him...
and the next minute he stands so very big, straight, and tall - looking like he is 10 going on 25.
I'm clinging to each day - hour by hour.
Yes, he is growing up right before my eyes. They always do. Today I'm feeling it a little more than the usual. Because of that, I came here to journal those feelings and embrace them. Embrace the growth and the power of life. I love this boy. Love him to the sun and back ten gazillion times over.
Oh what a day. It was gorgeous for the most part. I began my day listening to the warm Florida rains pour down like a raging waterfall. That type of rain is rare here. While taking in the sounds of quiet other than the rain, I cranked up Ray Lamontagne in the house and rocked out to his mellow tunes while listening to the rain outside my windows and while finishing some final edits on a few images. It was a blissful morning. Relaxing, peaceful, and slow going. Loved that. There is something to be said for warm Florida rains, having my laptop in my hands doing what I love (editing photography) and jammin out to good ol' Ray. I found myself saying "Thank you God for warm Florida rains, for my camera, and for Ray...of course." LOL!
The rain quit after about 30 minutes and then the sun came out full force. Typical Florida weather. When that happened, I grabbed "Big Pappa" and headed to the beach with Ray now jamming on my stereo in the car on the way. It was a stunning day at the shores edge. I went scouting out some new photography locations. Found some good ones too. A perfect day.
On another note...I visited a new cardiologist down here in Naples yesterday. I've been having some really strange episodes of palpitations in the middle of the night. They are three times as intense as my older ones and my blood pressure drops way down when it happens which sends my pulse racing - ultimately waking me up from a deep sleep each night. The cardiologist seems to think I might have a specific kind of palpitation that could ultimately result in needing surgery to be treated effectively. He says I am too young to be going thru this at my age. I agree. I am being sent to an electrophysiologist now. I don't see him for another three weeks which makes me nuts but apparently this doc specializes in only patients with severe palpitations. I'm nervous yet eager to hear what he thinks and what he has to say. Please pray for me, once again, regarding these heart matters. It was almost a year ago when I was diagnosed with the PFO issue to do with my heart. Now this. I'm trying to remain upbeat but it is scary at times. Scary at night a lot. I'm tired of being tired and tired of worrying. Just trying to have faith that God is in control and that hopefully this can be treated without a surgery - maybe with a different prescription or something. And lastly, I was skyping with my Dad the other night and he had a girl scout come to his door selling cookies. I told him that I hadn't seen any girl scouts here in Florida yet. I was craving my favorites...the thin mints. Low and behold...about 3 days later...look what showed up at my front door...
Wait for it...
Waaiitttt for it...
Yeap, not only did he get me some thin mints and shipped them to me but my StepMom made homemade chocolate chip cookies and homemade brownies for me too. Well...for the kids and I anyway. Ha ha! Guess it is good to share, right? LOL! Don't hate. You heard me...don't be a "hater." Do I need to get you guys some hater-ade? Hee hee! Yes, I am absolutely spoiled rotten. I have wonderful and amazing parents who definitely take good care of me. It was great to get a little taste of home. Thanks Dad and Cath...I love you guys so very much! Needless to say, the cookie and brownie stash was gone in two days. I had 1.5 brownies and one cookie out of it before the rest was depleted by little monsters. Gotta' love em'! They saved my hips for the week. Bwwwaahhhhhh!
Hope all of you are having a great week thus far. Enjoy hump day tomorrow. Hugs, Angie
Here is another one of those shots where there is just beauty in the mundane. Call it my obsession with lines again, I donno. Whatever it is...I just love when birds are all lined single file up on an electrical wire - let alone on a pretty day - right above the beach with blue skies AND pretty white fluffy marshmallow clouds. I took these image several weeks ago and something lead me to share it today. Although it means nothing to you guys, it makes me smile. Can you imagine just chillin' with your B/F/F's all day long up in the blue pillow-y skies with the beach down below? WOW! What a rough life that would be. Real, real, rough. Fo' sho'! :) In the end, this is just another example of how we pass this type of stuff daily and the images never register with our brains that they mean anything or that they are beautiful enough to be noticed. The beauty in the mundane again. The stuff we see day in an day out but never truly "feel" when we see it. I snapped this image because I wanted to remember what I felt when I saw it and I wanted to feel the smile that it brought to me when I thought about hanging with my gur-frens on a live wire all day long. At.the.beach! This was another scene that being a photographer taught me to see that I otherwise would not have.
For now, I'm off to tend to my littles - my Kenidi Grace - who has been home sick since Monday. She is sitting right here beside me eating chex mix and popcorn now that she finally has an appetite back. I'm just glad to see her eating - I don't care if it is bucket loads of chocolate at this point. Hoping you are all having a great week. PS...I'm starting to get lots of calls from clients about wanting professional beach portraits done when they travel here to Florida for Spring Break next month. If you are heading to the Ft. Myers Beach, Naples, Marco Island, Sanibel Island, or Cape Coral areas for your upcoming travels and would like to schedule a session with me...shoot me an email. I'd be honored to photograph you, your family, your children, etc. A huge thanks to all of you who continue to pass on my name to others in regard to photography needs. Your word of mouth referrals are priceless. I can't begin to express how much they mean to me.
I've had many of you blog readers ask for shells from here in Southwest, Florida. For those who've asked, I've gone shelling to pick them out and then those who want them have paid for the shipping costs to ship them from here to their particular state. While I had another set out today getting them ready to ship, I thought I'd take some pictures of them just for the fun of it. I've been dying to get out and shoot since this weekend so this helped temporarily. :)
These particular shells came from Sanibel Island. My Mom and I walked on the beach over there one day and we grabbed these as we walked.
Sanibel is known for their "shelling." They have gorgeous shells over there - pretty good sized ones too.
We found coral too.
I love the way my 105mm macro lens just picks up every little minor detail of these shells. You can almost feel the grit of the sand still on them.
I found this one (below) still in tact and connected...two halves still attached...
And this shot below...ummm...it's my new fav. Again, the detail that the macro lens provides is nothing short of amazing.
And oh yeah...I forgot to mention that we found some dead star fish on that walk too. I decided to bring them home for Brennen to see. No...I didn't ship these to my blog readers with their shells. LOL! I did take photos of them though. How cool is this shot??? (below)
and another...just a bit further back...
And this last one...another one of my favs...
Hoping that the receiver of this package of shells loves them. They sure were fun to find and collect. Any afternoon in the sand, sun, and surf makes for tons of fun though. :)
