Photography by Sean Ponder

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Sober

“Once you realize your efforts to keep others hydrated means you will never sip first, you will learn to stay focused on quenching your own thirst.” Angela Shannon Ponder

Disclaimer: This blog post is not in reference to any alcohol dependency, smoking addiction, or substance abuse. This post is about a recovering mindset as it relates to an addiction to people pleasing. Knowledge without action is NOT powerful, but it has potential. Action taken to advance and apply that knowledge is called execution and within THAT lies power. Now let’s go!

Greetings Readers!

Happy New Year! I trust each of you ushered in 2024 in a safe and joyful way, and to kick off the start of the new year, I think it is the perfect time to discuss sobering up. So, what exactly do I mean by that? Well, being sober means that you are free from intoxicating influences; to make or become more serious, sensible, and solemn. Heavy emphasis on sensible. Intoxicating influences huh? For most people, that would include the usual suspects: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sugar or other illicit or addictive substances. Those things that can gain control of you by making you feel stimulated, excited or even euphoric. However, I want to address a more unlikely addiction. One that I have dealt with personally for decades. One that still has many others in a chokehold, unknowingly, and that addiction is “people pleasing”. A moment of transparency for me is acknowledging that I too was once a people pleaser, as of very recent, actually. I had done it for so long that I didn’t realize I had become addicted to it. I have always been that person that everyone could depend on; always very accommodating. It made me feel good, so I made sure I continued to be that person that would always come through. I wanted to always be a blessing. I intentionally used my gifts and my abilities to help enhance the lives of others, but what I found was that the sentiment was rarely reciprocated. In hindsight, I now know that reciprocation is a necessity and is a more than reasonable expectation. Reciprocity is essentially “The Golden Rule” activated and it is intended for mutual benefit. It is a concept that we learned when we first started school, but somewhere along life’s journey, the selfish and self-absorbed conveniently forgot to abide by it. Somehow, they feel a few of the rules no longer apply to them.

A moment of truth, I was bullied throughout middle school, junior high (I guess I’m telling my age here) and part of high school by the same group of people. I understand now that those girls were miserable, broken and evil on the inside, but I grew to think that it was something that I did wrong to cause them to treat me in such a despicable way. So, I developed a coping mechanism that caused me to go out of my way to prove to others that I was a good person. I overextended myself and made sure I was available, even when I was exhausted and spent. I feared rejection and anyone who sensed it took full advantage of my kind-hearted ways, but I was oblivious. I started making excuses for how badly people treated me. Looking at their circumstances and giving them more compassion than they deserved. Giving people all access to me, while they offered limited access to themselves. In the beginning, I would shower people with my time, my talent and my treasure, because I wanted to make them feel special. However, because I had given them all access to my time and my person, they immediately came to expect this from me. When you don’t know the history of a person… who they are, where they’ve been, what they’ve done, what they’ve been through or who they have been connected to, you don’t have clear sight of the damage that has taken place before you entered the equation. Not everyone has good intentions for you, and many come with an agenda and plans to use you, if they determine you will provide them with what they need to achieve their goals. So, while I was always happy to help, they were always happy to receive more. I had officially become a people pleaser.

There is a popular phrase that has been around for years that is often used when it comes to dealing with people that states, “Hurt people, hurt people.” Well, I like to say, “Broken people, break people.” Many will never tell their story, because they see it as a weakness and are afraid that others will use it against them, but trust everyone has one. It is impossible to take the fragments of someone else’s broken life that you did not destroy and put them back together for them. That burden is not your responsibility, it is theirs, and it is a compromise you shouldn’t be willing to make. Your wellbeing should be your priority, and as a part of the process, so should well set boundaries. Although they can’t put the pieces of their shattered life back together and expect it to look like it did before, they can still retrieve the scraps and create something new and beautiful, but again, it’s up to them. Don’t become the person they use to help them repair their life, because if you do, you run the risk of them leaving you just as damaged. I had to learn that “No.” is a complete sentence and a healthy response, and you should do the same. Once I decided I was done with compromising my own happiness for someone else’s when their only intent was to manipulate me, I began to move different… strategically if you will. Now to protect myself, I intentionally distance myself from people and situations that trouble me, cause me trauma on any level, or that do not serve my greater good. I am now in a peaceful place, and I love it here.

Last thoughts:

If someone is committed to misunderstanding you, let them. Don’t waste your time or your energy trying to explain yourself or trying to make others comfortable in a situation you did not create. Some people tend to stir up drama, discord and confusion simply because they are miserable.

Pay attention to attempts to manipulate you the FIRST time. Stop giving people the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to continue to control you. You saw what they did and you heard exactly what they said. Don’t let it confuse you and have you out here questioning your own worth. Don’t let it go over your head.

Life can be sobering. Be always in pursuit of a better YOU. When you focus on those things, you won’t have the capacity to give attention to what others have going on.

Don’t blur the lines when it comes to your relationships. Know where people stand in your life and what value they bring to it. If they don’t bring any value, why are you there and what purpose are they serving?

Remember that reciprocity and respect are requirements in EVERY relationship, so if that is not your experience or your expectation, then it is possible that you too are a people pleaser. Here is help with that addiction.

Special thanks to the absolutely gorgeous Jasmine Murphy, affectionately known as “Jazzy” for bringing that HEAT to this concept! She always does an amazing job! Until next time… Sober Up!

Cigars courtesy of:

Essence Cigars

Owner: Radir Annoor

615.260.0102

Email: Essencecigars@gmail.com

Follow on IG: @EssenceCigars

MUA:
Tynita Lee
Booking Info:MakeUpbyTynita@gmail.com or

Makeup by Tynita on Schedulicity.com
Instagram: @makeup_by_tynita

As always, thank you SO much for visiting our blog. Keep up with the Team at Photography by Sean Ponder by visiting our website at PhotographybySeanPonder.com or on FaceBook at Facebook.com/PhotographybySeanPonder (Like our page!). You can also follow us on InstaGram at Instagram.com/PhotographybySeanPonder.

Until next time, Peace, Love and Light!

Angela
The Creative Director

Friday, September 8, 2023

Envy

“Envy isn’t always about beauty, power, or wealth… people can envy you because you love yourself.” ~Angela Shannon Ponder

Greetings Readers!

I have a question. How dare you?

How dare you be someone worth admiring? How dare you be intelligent? How dare you be gifted? How dare you have the ability to effectively communicate? How dare you have less than me, yet still make me feel as though I don’t have enough? How dare you have strengths that make me feel as though you have exposed my weaknesses? How dare you not acknowledge and celebrate me, despite my blatant refusal to celebrate you? How dare you not dumb yourself down in my presence so I can feel important? How dare you be so secure in the knowledge of who you are? How dare you? Now, let’s talk about Envy.

You know, I have never understood exactly how envy works. Like how someone could have more than you do financially and a higher status in society, yet still envy you. It took what feels like a lifetime of learning before I realized that it isn’t even about the money, the material possessions or status, but it’s about you. Your ability to radiate a light no one can dim. Your ability to create magic from a simple thought. Your ability to excel seemingly effortlessly. Your ability to intimidate the insecurities in others. Your ability to drive people to dislike you just for being you, or could it be that favor and anointing that they see all over you? Understand this… people who are consumed by their own desperate need for validation will be aggravated by your confidence. They will throw not so subtle shade, they will find reasons to nitpick, they will be passive aggressive, they will laugh at your expense, and they will go low whenever they “sense” you are getting the upper hand, because they feel it is their duty to humble you. How dare you not feel the need to be validated, when they see you as flawed and wonder why you don’t seem to view yourself the same? They watch you relentlessly, because they can’t help themselves, but are completely unaware that you see them.

Let’s be honest, envy is nothing more than intense feelings of disappointment redirected and aimed at someone else. That is called displaced dissatisfaction. It is projection. Envy comes in all forms, from success, to physical appearance, to popularity, to intellect and competence, to opportunities, to God-given gifts and the list is truly endless. It all starts with the mind games they play on themselves when they look at others as either competition or a come up. They start to watch and compare, and we all know that comparison is the thief of joy, right? They are so caught up and fixated on others, they refuse to deal with the fact that their misery is the direct result of not dealing with their unaddressed childhood trauma. It has nothing to do with anyone else. If someone else’s blessings and gifts make you feel some type of way, go seek some help.

Social media doesn’t make things any easier. In fact, it only intensifies those feelings of inadequacy and diminishing self-worth, especially if all they do is sit around watching the pages of people they actually admire, trying to find the imperfections in their lives and in their relationships. Looking for ways to critique and criticize and throw more shade than a cloudy day, because after all, it’s got to be fake anyway. No one is THAT happy. Searching for traces in a post that prove you feel the same way about them as they feel about you, because they desperately need to know that their bad behavior is justified. Feeling targeted by social media posts and memes, because they read them through the lens of a perpetual victim. Hanging out in someone’s stories but never liking a post on their page, as if they’re invisible? We all know that no one watches you harder than someone who cannot stand you, but still wants to know what you are up to. How about the ones who read your posts and never acknowledge them online but will bring them up the very next time they see or talk to you. People who refuse to show public support for you, do so because they secretly don’t like you or have been privately discussing you. Engage your spiritual discernment and don’t waste another drop of energy on people who do not add value to your life.

Do you ever wonder why some people act peculiar towards you, especially around others? Why they seem to avoid you, never speaking first or acknowledging that you are even present at all? When you know you have done nothing wrong, yet they treat you like you stole their inheritance, don’t doubt that what you are seeing is envy. You see envy has nothing to do with money, power, title, education, social status, or influence. Envy at its very core, is knowing you possess something they do not feel you are worthy of having, regardless of what it may be. It’s not what you do, it’s the fact that it’s YOU. Maybe people love on you publicly, maybe you can work a room gliding through with ease, maybe, just maybe you are a creative beast while they struggle to come up with the first idea. Sometimes people will look down on you to make you feel like they do. Envy will smolder below the surface for so long that folks will forget WHY they don’t like you, but they will never forget that it’s true. Bless their hearts.

Let’s wrap this… it’s always been said that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, but I think it’s just a lack of ambition borrowing from another’s genius without permission. The envious don’t know any different, so all they know to do is attempt to duplicate the vision. It’s quite irritating but remember, they can always copy, but the paste will never equal. They could never create a sequel. It will never be as profound or moving trying to do what you are successfully doing. It will never be as authentic as the original, so when you find yourself surrounded by a sea of envy, accept that there is something special about your potential.

It was beautiful day to shoot this concept, right at the golden hour. We are grateful that the beautiful, Asia Moore was present to represent beauty, grace, and humility in the most amazing way. She is one of our FAVS and someone who has absolutely been on the receiving end of envious behavior, but still she thrives! We hope you enjoy this post entitled, “Envy” and all of the images from that concept. Thank you for your indulgence.

MUA:
Tynita Lee
Booking Info:MakeUpbyTynita@gmail.com or

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Elevation

“Sometimes the only way to transform from ordinary to extraordinary is during periods of isolation. Even the caterpillar knows the way to experience elevation.” ~Angela Shannon Ponder

Greetings Readers!

Excuse me while I take a moment to Reflect.

When I look back over my life, I recognize that I have learned many critical lessons… some good and some not so much, especially over the last decade or so. I’ve learned a lot about myself, what I like and what I don’t like, what brings me peace and what disturbs my spirit. I’ve also learned a lot about people. How they can distract you and throw you off course and how they can drain your energy stores if you let them. Each new year brings me greater understanding of my purpose and reveals to me a clearer path to get there. However, just when I think I am making a little bit of progress, here come the distractions again. Now don’t get me wrong, I do realize they have purpose as well, but I had to learn to balance my life and put all things that did not add value in their proper places. To do that it required me to have an elevation kind of mindset.

My peace is Resolute.

Let me tell you a little bit about peace. Peace is comforting. It’s calming. When the world is full of noise and gloom, peace is like a soothing sound in a silent room. Peace is preserving and once you get a taste of it, you will refuse to allow anyone in your life that threatens to disturb it. Yet there is one important aspect about peace that we should understand… not everyone knows how to access it for themselves. There are those who will even try to engage with a catalyst thinking they can help them crack the code. Truth be told, there are some really unhappy people in this world who are struggling with the absence of discipline, a lack of ambition, low self-esteem, fear and the inability to improve their own quality of life through skill, intellect or creativity. These same people will, unbeknownst to you, make YOU the object of their misery, simply because they can see the joy you are experiencing in your life and they don't know how to tap into it. NEVER let them draw you into their circus or make you feel bad about being happy. You are neither the source or the solution for their issues, so leave them with the freedom and opportunity to figure things out on their own. Be at peace with placing distance between you. Be okay with walking away. Their internal battle is not your concern. One thing I know for certain… at this stage in MY life, I refuse to pacify anyone else’s paranoia or insecurities to provide them with a plethora of peace.

My energy is a Resource.

Elevation sometimes requires you to go into isolation. It is occasionally necessary for you to step away so you can heal from experiences that may have left you bruised, reflect on possibilities, and discover new and exciting opportunities. It calls for you to step aside so you can prioritize you: your peace, your purpose and your passions. You are deserving, especially when you assess just how many demands you have on your time. Personally speaking, I am intentionally impactful in all of my efforts, so if I am called to fall back, my energy is missed. However, instead of me redirecting my energy to my own hopes and dreams in that moment, I tend to give it away, sometimes to people who are not even worthy of it. So many people need you, they lean on you for advice and guidance, your creative mind, your structure, your resources… you know, your time, talent and treasure. Yet with all that you have going on, sometimes you neglect a major part of your life that needs your attention in order for you to advance to your next level. Do you want to know what that is? YOUR GOALS. You are distracted daily, and going into solitude every now and then will help you recalibrate and silence the noise that continues to grab your attention. The noise that is diverting you from doing what you need to do for yourself, to instead do what you feel you have to do for others. So how can you elevate if you rarely devote the time? Let’s go deeper.

Let your decision be Resounding.

Be intentional. Elevation requires separation. It’s not personal, it’s purposeful. In other words, make time for yourself. Today… give yourself grace for the unhealthy patterns and decisions that you have made in life that disturbed your peace or prevented your progress. Going forward, honor order in your life and remove yourself from the company of anyone who creates disruption. Make it a point to not retain toxic ties. For your own well-being, they must be severed as soon as they are identified. Get to a place where you no longer waste energy where reciprocation is not respected. Remember that empty vessels in need of a refill are in search of someone like you for a fill up… never pour from an empty cup. They are not entitled to your abundance, so if you are not consciously and selectively supplying from an overflow, tell them, “NO.” Be authentic and true, because authenticity produces confidence, empowerment and alignment. Unauthentic people do not understand that assignment. Stop feeling guilty for your ambitions. You don’t owe anyone else anything and guilt will only give way to opportunists who come with an agenda… and the gag is, their intentions will never benefit YOU. Finally, stop waiting around for a handclap of praise. Learn to succeed without being affirmed and validated, clap for yourself when you need to be celebrated, and take time away to prepare to be elevated. You owe it to yourself.

We are so grateful that the gorgeous Tomecka Patterson joined us for this concept! Tomecka has a uniquely powerful presence about her that is so emerging that she just seems to jump off the page, yet in a quiet and peaceful way if that makes sense? She is like that “soothing sound in a silent room” and we absolutely LOVE working with her! We hope these words and images from our concept entitled, “Elevation” resonate. Until next time, enjoy!

MUA:
Tynita Lee
Booking Info:
MakeUpbyTynita@gmail.com
Makeup by Tynita on Schedulicity.com
Instagram: @makeup_by_tynita

As always, thank you SO much for visiting our blog. Keep up with the Team at Photography by Sean Ponder by visiting our website at PhotographybySeanPonder.com or on FaceBook at Facebook.com/PhotographybySeanPonder (Like our page!). You can also follow us on InstaGram at Instagram.com/PhotographybySeanPonder.

Until next time, Peace, Love and Light!

Angela
The Creative Director

Thursday, August 11, 2022

PRESSURE

“Funny thing about pressure… it can burst pipes, it can create magnificent diamonds, it can cause catastrophic storms, and when perfectly placed, it can make everyone in the room uncomfortable.” ~Angela Shannon Ponder

Greetings Readers!

No matter how hard you try and no matter your efforts, you cannot convince anyone to like you if they have already made up in their minds that they don’t. It’s just not going to happen. People are miserable and they are out here holding grudges over nonsense, intent and misunderstandings, and generally those people are not trying to get clarity. They could not care less. So if they don’t like you and you know you have done absolutely nothing to harm them, then they don’t want to like you and that’s a personal problem that you need to leave them to deal with. Moving right along.

Stay on your grind and in pursuit of your dreams. Continue to enjoy life, love who you are, and be comfy cozy in your beautiful skin like a chenille blend. Do not let anyone else disturb your groove or destroy your mood. They are evil and they are after your peace. It’s clear that there is something about you that causes them to reflect on their own individual lack. If you have a special gift or ability, if they consider you more intelligent or more educated, if they assume you are more successful, if people are instinctively drawn to your good-natured spirit; and my personal favorite, if they cannot CONTROL you, then nine times out of ten, they will not like you. The latter is actually the most dangerous, because a person that cannot control you will try to change the narrative and influence how others perceive you. Those kinds of people will speak negatively about you to anyone who will listen and inject their own disdain for you then flip it, as if YOU are the one with the ill-feelings. Unfortunately, those who listen to the discontent will believe everything they hear about you instead of using logic in their discernment. But that’s their issue, we’ll move on.

All of this unwarranted dislike is the direct result of pressure applied. Whether you are a man or a woman, it can be intimidating to come face to face with someone who appears to have their shit together, particularly if you don’t. When a person not only has goals, but a plan and the ability to make it happen, that is pressure. When someone is bothered because you're attractive, that is pressure. Pressure is applied anytime favor is on full display and there is nothing anyone else can do to change it or benefit from it. Some will get irritated and think that it's their responsibility to knock you down off of the proverbial high horse they think you are sitting on... with rigor. These poor pitiful souls are envious and they want what you’ve got, so I guess pressure is like a loaded gun and they're triggered. Know your worth and never let anyone else assess your value. Keep on shining.

You can have humility, you can be friendly and outgoing, you can live a life of discretion, but it does not matter to someone who has been made uncomfortable just by you being your authentic self. They can’t stand you! The truth of the matter is that a person can admire everything that you do and they can love everything about you and still not like you. I believe Jill Scott said it in this way… “If I could give you the world on a silver platter, would it even matter? You'd still be mad at me.” Don’t waste your valuable time trying to clear things up with someone who is already dazed and confused. You don’t owe them your side of the story. Let them believe whatever it is they want to believe and you continue to get good sleep at night. Lean in... I’ll let you in on a little secret. You can’t be extraordinary without first being extra. You can’t be outstanding if you’re too afraid to stand out. Keep letting the world know what you’re about, apply that pressure and if you do, you won’t die with greatness still stuck inside of you. My god-daughter, model Jasmine Murphy bodied the persona for this concept, but I knew she would. She always applies pressure and brings the heat, and I would expect nothing less. Enjoy the images that follow and don’t forget to press!

STYLIST:
Rovonya Smith
Instagram: @Seamstress_Queen

STYLIST:

Jasmine Murphy

Statement Piece Jewelry:
Tena Bingham
Instagram: @tenasuniquepieces

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Mr. G.Q. - The 3rd Annual Photographers' Collab Group Project

Greetings Readers!

We recently wrapped up our 3rd Annual Photographers' Collab group project. The theme for this year's concept was "Mr. GQ" and let me just say that the models did not disappoint. Just to give a bit of background, the term G.Q. originates from the Gentleman's Quarterly Magazine (later renamed GQ Magazine). In popular culture, "GQ" refers to a good-looking, fashion forward, well-groomed man. Basically, someone worthy of being on the cover of the magazine from which the word derives. It is a very complimentary term, not bestowed upon every man, but one who is polished, has impeccable style and exceptional taste. A GQ man is authentic, effortless and capable of making a statement... without saying a word.

The "Mr. GQ" group concept featured models Alexander and Lawrence, two gentlemen who completely embodied the essence of the GQ man. Special thanks to all of the creatives who participated in this year's project: Sheila Upshaw, Reneka Swims, Otis Robertson, Carl Edmondson, Dedrick Roberts and of course, Sean Ponder. Please enjoy samples of their work from the project. Until next year!

Sheila Upshaw

sheilaupshawphotography.com

IG: sheilaupshawphotography

Reneka Swims

renekaswimsphotography.mypixieset.com

IG: Swimsfoto

Otis Robertson

otiscrobertson.com

IG: otisrobertsonphotography

Carl Edmondson, Jr.

cejrphotography.com

IG: CEJr. Photography

Dedrick Roberts

drobertsphotography.zenfolio.com

IG: robertsphotography2020

Sean Ponder

photographybyseanponder.com

IG: photographybyseanponder

Models:

Alexander Daniel

IG: @alexanderbdaniel

Lawrence Jones

IG: @simplylawrencej

As always, thank you SO much for visiting our blog. Keep up with the Team at Photography by Sean Ponder by visiting our links below!

photographybyseanponder.com

Facebook.com/PhotographybySeanPonder

Instagram.com/PhotographybySeanPonder

Until next time, Peace, Love and Light!

Angela
The Creative Director

Friday, January 21, 2022

Conscious Soul

“Now keep in mind that I’m an artist, and I’m sensitive about my shit!” ~Erykah Badu

Greetings Readers!

Good vibes and peace to the soul tribe! It’s been a while. So I decided to take a different approach with this blog post, and make it a poetry piece that I wrote, to change up my style. For this concept, we got the chance to work with the GORGEOUS Tomecka once again... we hope you enjoy it!

You can feel it when you’re in the presence

of a woman with powerful energy.

She is undeniable.

She’s captivating, almost intimidating,

yet draws you in for more…

That’s what they call allure.

Her confidence can overwhelm you,

Like a rushing river can consume you right?

Her mindset, like food for thought,

satisfies the insatiable appetite.

She’s the kind of energy that can’t be diminished.

Magnetic, when she walks into a room,

she owns everything in it.

Intelligent, commanding, capable, aligned,

She’s not just beautiful on the outside,

that’s aesthetics,

But she’s got a beautiful mind.

She is compassionate with a deep understanding

of the human condition.

She advocates for those in need;

with intention, she makes it her mission.

A bold beauty wrapped in mahogany dipped skin,

She’s an enigma.

She is zen and she holds within,

Divine knowledge and wisdom.

She uses it to nurture and raise powerful children.

She is mother in the earth,

Her hand rocks the cradle of the universe.

She invests time and energy into her legacy,

and she does it with such vibrancy.

Her aura is contagious, absolutely outrageous.

You can’t absorb it all at once,

You have to take her vibe in stages.

She’s amazing and she’ll keep you in a daze;

If you breathe too deep, you’ll catch a contact from the haze.

There’s just something about her that intrigues you.

She stays on your mind when she leaves you,

and it grieves you.

Take your time and let it process my dear,

because this one here,

She’s from beyond the stratosphere!

She is drenched in self-love, self-expression,

and self-admiration.

She is pure elation and sweet manifestation.

Just like cosmos and constellations,

She’s deep like thoughtful conversation.

She is class and sophistication.

She is walking validation.

Just so unapologetic,

She’s got that flow, it’s so poetic.

She is truly energetic,

and it’s ALL GOOD, copacetic.

Brighter than the stars on the darkest night;

Ambitious and creative, she’s a prototype,

She has insight, so she could never lose in life.

Her experience is either a blessing or a lesson,

Crafted in the Creator’s image, she gives reverence,

Pure essence.

She is effortless and uncompromising,

Realizing that with or without she is whole,

a complete and conscious soul.

STYLIST:

Rovonya Smith

Instagram: @Seamstress_Queen

ACCESSORIES:

Tina Bingham

Instagram: @tenasuniquepieces

MUA:

Tynita Lee
Booking Info:
MakeUpbyTynita@gmail.com
Makeup by Tynita on Schedulicity.com
Instagram: @makeup_by_tynita

As always, thank you SO much for visiting our blog. Keep up with the Team at Photography by Sean Ponder by visiting our website at PhotographybySeanPonder.com or on FaceBook at Facebook.com/PhotographybySeanPonder (Like our page!). You can also follow us on InstaGram at Instagram.com/PhotographybySeanPonder.

Until next time, Peace, Love and Light!

Angela
The Creative Director

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Retrograde

“In a world full of trends, I want to remain a classic.” ~ Iman

Greetings Readers!

Like the quote says, “I want to remain a classic.” Classic like the Kangol. Classic like the black and white shell-toe Adidas, with the FAT shoelaces. Classic like the warm-up suits. Classic like the Gazelle glasses and see-through chiffon… classic like the Caprice and the Fleetwood Brougham. I know this is not my first time underneath the sun. Some call it deja vu, I call it things I once knew; but either way, my recollection of the things of old, gave me an experienced soul. From the time I was a little girl, I’ve loved everything that spoke to a particular era, namely mine. As an adult, things like old school values, good manners, respect, hard work, classic cars, timeless style and culture, old school soul music and of course hip hop (which for the record started with Generation X, but I’ll get to that later), really tickle my fancy. A good ole throwback is always in order if you ask me. Nothing like remembering where you came from and where it all started. For that very reason, I tend to embrace a lot of today’s music when they use tracks from songs that were released during my day, not all but a lot. It takes me back to a familiar time and I like that; although the lyrics they use bring me back to reality REAL quick, it’s still nice when they give a nod to the originals. Oh and let us not forget the vinyl records… listen, those are treasures that only OG’s and the best DJ’s around know anything about. The official vintage artifacts from decades of good music. Respect to the genres that have stood the tests and transition of time.

When we were young, we played outside with no phones or pagers, and we knew to be home before the streetlights came on. We rode bikes with no helmets or safety pads, rode in cars with no seatbelts, and caught rides in the back of pick-up trucks with nothing to hold onto but the side of the truck itself, even on the interstate… now dig that! Families were close back then. Get togethers were a regular occurrence and we always saw our cousins! Friday nights were spent at football and basketball games and Saturday nights, well you could always find a few of us at the skate rink. I can remember getting my first pair of roller skates one Christmas and spending days and hours in our garage learning how to balance myself. Not sure how long it took me, but once I had achieved at least an intermediate skill level, I took my skates to the street to test them out publicly. Before long, I was moonwalking and skating backwards to Midnight Starr, Whodini, and Roger and Zapp around the rink like a boss! I will always have those memories, but you won’t catch me in skates nowadays. Falling over forty is NOT a game to be played!

I’ve always been an avid reader with a hunger for knowledge, so you could always find me with a book, a pen and some paper close by me. I stayed armed with those tools and yes, we actually used to read books back then (some of us), so our mindset was different. We were on something else. One of the mothers at my old church used to say, “Every generation grows weaker and wiser.” So much truth and it’s wise to listen to the wisdom of the elders. So why a post that takes us back down memory lane? Well for one, I’m a storyteller and it’s what I do. For two, I think it’s important to pay homage to the generations that came before us and to acknowledge some of the things that made the period of their existence special. For three, I’m a PROUD member of Generation X… you know, the generation once thought of as the one who didn’t care about ANYBODY, but is now taking care of EVERYBODY. I found it worth noting that, in addition to the hip hop culture being birthed out of OUR generation, it was also during our time that the personal computer became common AND the mobile phone was developed. Essentially, we are the group that stays bridging the gaps in life and technology (wink).

For this concept, we got the chance to work with the lovely and lively, Cayla once again! Cayla is so cool… she is a WHOLE vibe! She moved through this shoot frame after flawless frame and made the project flow easy and effortlessly, and that’s one of my FAVORITE words! She’s got edge, she's got appeal and she is super sweet! We hope you enjoy these images from the Retrograde concept. More to come from the TEAM! PEACE!