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



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! 


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



Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Real Housewife of Davidson County

 “In this world there are many rulers, but I am the HBIC!”  ~ Twana Jarrett


Greetings Readers!

Well I declare! There is a true Southern Belle in Davidson County! She is one who understands the value of grace and exquisite style, simplicity and sophistication... all hallmarks of a classy lady. She embraces the art of southern hospitality and serves it up right nice with a refreshing glass of sweet iced tea. Twana Jarrett offered us a glimpse of high society and divine feminity in her recent concept photo session to celebrate and commemorate her milestone 50th birthday. She has achieved a half century worth of knowledge and greatness through her life experiences and the culmination of which includes a pinch of self-awareness, a dash of self-care, a heaping helping of self-love and a cup of wisdom for good measure. 

Twana embodied authentic southern charm while also tipping her tea cup to the culture, by honoring black-owned Tennessee brand, Guidance Whiskey. It was truly a delightful concept and we are thrilled that she chose our team to capture such a special occasion. Happy Birthday, Twana! May you have the most amazing year making memories. Enjoy yourself now, you hear? 











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

Hair Stylist:
Tammy Terry
Beverly’s of Nashville


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


Monday, April 26, 2021

The Ugly Location Challenge

Greetings Readers!

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Photographers’ Collab Project! T
he Photographers' Collab is a network of local photographers and videographers who are looking to connect and collaborate with other creatives in the Middle Tennessee area. This year our project was "The Ugly Location Challenge". The idea of this concept was to find one of the most unattractive, grimiest of places to shoot and still achieve a glamorous, high fashion image. The weather was absolutely perfect and made for a great day of shooting from on top of the rooftop and inside the garage. 

Each creative was asked to submit their favorite images of the day for each model to be on display in this wrap up blog post. Please check out everyone's skills below and follow them on social media! What will be our project idea for 2022? Stay tuned... 



Brandon Hopkins
IG: @bhopkins91



************************************

Carl Edmondson, Jr.
IG: @cejr.photography



************************************

Sheila Upshaw
IG: @sheilaupshawphotography



************************************

Otis Robertson
IG: @otisrobertsonphotography



************************************

Sean Ponder
IG: @photographybyseanponder




Models: 
Katelyn Brown
IG: @katelyncarol

Shaana Worlds
IG: @shaanahmontanna

************************************

Van Donnell
IG: @scott_taylor_films

"Behind the Scenes" Video


   
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



Sunday, March 28, 2021

Submerged

 “Submerged deep within my soul lies the journey of a thousand centuries.”  ~ Angela Shannon Ponder


Greetings Readers!

I've always been a lover of simple things... cumulus clouds, full moons, warm and windy days, a cool morning breeze, waterfalls, the sunrise and how it glistens so majestically on the calming waters, and an amazing sunset. I truly could go on and on, but these are just a few of the things that lead me to my most zenfully sweet experiences. Moments that create for me serene peace and restoration. Simple indulgences that allow me to just submerge my mind and soul into a divine overflow of vibrating, feel good energy. Life is beautiful, not perfect, but beautiful. Especially if you take into account that life is more than what happens to you, and more of how you respond to what happens. Life definitely has a way of throwing your whole vibe off balance and interrupting your rhythm and candence with the Universe. However, in the end, the most fulfilling part of any journey is overcoming adversity successfully, and enjoying the fruit that is produced from your valiant efforts. Let’s take a walk... shall we?

So if I were to take you on a deep dive into the depths of my thoughts and how I process information, and reveal to you my level of understanding, could you handle it? If I revealed to you that which gives me the drive to live with intent and intensity, could you manage? If I gave you a glimpse into the process I go through to define who I am… to determine the path I choose to take, and my ability to make a firm decision without doubting myself, and without the help of external influences, you may think I’m extreme. Maybe just a little, but I like to call that “balance”. Since about the age of 10, I’ve had wisdom beyond my years and could write from a perspective I should know nothing about. I am confident this is not my first time here. So in my wisdom I stand firm in my own identity, unwaveringly, and if I could offer any advice, I would suggest everyone decide today who they are for themselves. If not, then you leave space for a broken vessel to come in with their own idea of who they think you are or who they want you to be, and create confusion and disruption in your air space. Never allow someone who is clueless about their own identity to cause you to doubt your own. You should never give up that kind of control. Don’t lose your sense of peace for the opinion of someone who may be in pieces. 

You see, the thing about broken vessels is that they do not realize or acknowledge that they are broken. Instead of turning their focus inward to address the perils of their own sinking ship, they deflect their feelings of insecurity and emotional abandon onto others in an attempt to point out (in great detail) the holes in another one’s boat, while avoiding the sight and significance of their own shipwreck. Like castaways on a deserted island with nothing but time and opportunity on their hands, they deliberately choose to look outside of themselves for issues to repair in others, all while their boat is continually filling up with water and descending fast. The real repair is internal, but I digress... I believe that we all evolve not just in our physical bodies, but in how we think as well, or at least I hope so. Personal discovery and acceptance is important to our emotional development, in addition to expecting the same of others. As empathetic beings, we should always extend grace to others to be who and what they want to be, and we should heal that part of our ego that expects everything and everyone around them to remain the same always. Life doesn’t work like that.

“There is nothing in life quite as nice as that pure, authentic peace.”  ~ Angela Shannon Ponder

Now I've never been one to want to complicate life. I like to keep things slow and easy. I prefer to float as opposed to fighting against the current, and when the elements seem to be too much to bear, I rest in the peace and flow of the atmosphere. I don't need the hustle and noise of life nor do I need to be amongst the crowd. I am in love with my solitude. I try to engage with it often and within it I experience divine manifestation. I joke often that my mind never sleeps, even during rest... dreams and visions consume me. As a highly intuitive type, I am often submerged in deep thought. When I FINALLY do relax, I try to become in tune with mindful motion, and open myself up to all creative possibilities (you know, that co-creator vibe). Like water, I will continue to move where I choose to move and how I choose; immersing deep within and doing it without resistance, to allow positive change to continue to unfold naturally in my life. Remember that wisdom? Yeah, nothing can stand against it. 

This concept was deep for me and I needed to create it in and around one of my favs... a body of water (there is just something about water). Well, I knew I needed someone for this concept that would embrace it and not be afraid of it, so Shayla joined us again for another project and she did an AMAZING job! Please enjoy the images that follow from our "Submerged" concept!









MUA: 
Tynita Lee
Booking Info:
Instagram: @makeup_by_tynita


Concept: 
Angela Ponder


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, Light and Balance!

Angela
The Creative Director