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

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, 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




Reneka Swims




Otis Robertson




Carl Edmondson, Jr.




Dedrick Roberts




Sean Ponder




Models: 
Alexander Daniel

Lawrence Jones




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!
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