The Begining of What the Photography...

You all have heard me time and time again mention the fact that I have been trying to start my own business. 

This bomb has been lying around from the very beginning from our first post to when I was MIA and more recently when I shared my goals for 2016 post, and everywhere in between...

The art of photography has been a passion of mine since I was young and up until I had my oldest I just kept the idea of photography more as a hobby than as a "career goal".

I started teaching myself techniques, practicing ALL the time (perks of being a new mom) and decided to work in an one hour photo lab. 

I played around with the idea of opening up a biz then but I was very scared and worried about being able to provide for my girls that I opted in for journalism school... an epic fail later I was BACK to the photography idea and played around with it more and more.

The year before I moved to Arkansas I decided I was GOING for it and came up with the name What the Photography thanks to some amazing friends at the book store I was working at. 

Things were picking up some and then we had to move out of state for the hubby's new job...

When we moved to Arkansas we knew no one but my God father and What the Photography was put on hold...

 Since I had also become a SAHM with the move I decided that I would enroll back into college this time focusing on getting my degree in the art of photography while I awaited the right moment to introduce WtP to the Central Arkansas area. 

I wish I would have waited longer to do so but when I took over a year off with it when I went back into the working world then had to take a leave due to our oldest and her health, I figured there was no better time than that moment to do a HUGE REVAMP!

Now I am PROUD to RE-INTRODUCE 

What the Photography!

The ONLY thing that has stayed the same is the name and our colors. 

We have re done our logos, website, facebook page, blog and so much more! 

Some of the details are still being worked out things to that nature so please excuse some of the layout errors etc :) I just COULDN'T wait any longer! 

And Just Where Have I BEEN?!....

It is so hard to believe that my last post was on November 19th! 

If you know me you know that life here seems to be on CHAOS status 99.99% of the time for the last few years and now since November it has raised about 100 times fold. I will still be here on the blog on a more frequent basis than I have been that I can promise. I have tried to get to you all sooner but it have not failed that  SOMETHING had taken priority for the day and the blog was on the back burner...

Got to LOVE life right?!

The last post I shared with you all that we were traveling to the Northern part of Arkansas to spend an early Thanksgiving with my biological father, his wife, my grandma and my half siblings. 

Since we never know what the Arkansas weather will do for the winter we decided to go ahead and celebrate Christmas with them too while we are there. 

The girls of course thought this was a GREAT idea and they racked up on TWO Christmases this year... 

We did manage to get a few snow flakes while we were there but since the weather here has been bipolar nothing stuck and we were able to travel home with no problems. 

With our "Thanksgiving" being the weekend before the actual day we were able to spend the next week chillin' at home. 

I usually have around 8 to 15 kids here during school breaks hanging out and since God blessed me with ALL girls we are usually surrounded by even more girls when they have friends over. 

We spent the week having a musical themed week! 

We watched Pitch Perfect one and two, Sweeny Todd, Grease, Dirty Dancing and more! 

We shorted our week at home because me and the hubby had to make an emergency trip to Alabama that weekend to help my sister and her kids move here. 

We made the QUICKEST trip ever.... Since we left our girls here in Arkansas with the neighbor this mamma was in a HURRY to get back. 

I know, I know, I know that they are NOT babies anymore but THIS mamma will ALWAYS consider them babies... 

The perk of this ALL happening when it did all of the kids were out for the Thanksgiving break and no one missed school during the commotion. 

My sisters kids did miss one day due to my car being in the shop for THREE WEEKS!... but that is a WHOLE different story....

The transition went well considering that me and my sister has not spent THIS much time together in 15 years... and out of our 7 kids 4 are ADHD and one is 2....

The kids LOVE (for the most part) that they are all in the same schools, and they have "friends" that are around ALL THE TIME.

Since the move we have gotten kids ready for Holiday dances, concerts, holiday parties, school programs and then Christmas where we have shopped, picked out and cut down our own Christmas tree, seen lights, watched the parade downtown and so much more! 

In between all of that we buried our cat Astrid and nursed our cat Tiger back to health after becoming a chew toy for a few pit bulls... 

Right now we are trying to survive the holiday break... we have had any where from 7 to 14 kids here a day and the noise level has been on the rock concert on crack levels. 

With New Years Eve and 2016 at the end of the week I can say that I am SO EXCITED!  2015 has been a VERY rough year for me personally and I am ready for a fresh start. 

I have also been working on my revamp for my biz and I am excited to show you all that too. 

Planning Our Christmas Cards

 

Since the girls were little I have always used Christmas as a reason to force myself to send our friends and family updated pictures of them. 

Last years attempt was an EPIC fail and after February rolled around I gave up and trashed it all.

SO in hopes to get my shit together in 2015 I wrote in my brain aka planner to start this Christmas Card journey in October...

Well here we are the middle of November and I have done NOTHING...

Do I hear a repeat of last year?!

Let's hope not!

Here are my major dilemma's though:

 

Weather

Mother nature has not been so kind as of lately, the days that are perfect are already jam packed with stuff and the days I can get us 5 together are rainy, wet or way to freaking cold!

Location

Location, location, location!

We are having the WORST time at this. I can't decide if I want an urban, city look or a country look....

The hubby says lets do both but then I want to smack him and say I can;t get it together for one let alone two.... 

MEN!

Photo Cards vs. Photos IN Cards

I LOVE the simplicity of photo cards BUT I have also sent cards with the photo's in the for many years thinking what if they want to display these pictures year round? 

So that drives me nuts!

Clothes

 When you have three girls that are different from each other as day is to night and your really wanting a more natural personable look you really want a scheme that is NOT matchy matchy but you do want it to coordinate...

I have come up with a color that will work for all of us... I think... well hope... okay PRAYING! 

 

ANXIETY!!!

We have not had pictures done in FOREVER! 

We did manage to get one decent one at my brother in laws wedding this last August but we have not actually had family pictures done since Aaliyah was an INFANT! I mind you she will be 9 in April... We are WAY over due to say the least and I can't help but stress and I do mean STRESS about these! Plus since I am a photographer I would rather be behind the lens than in front of it so now we are in a whole new ball field! 

But what about you?

Are you an annual card/pic sender?

Do you forgo the whole idea?

I'd love to hear!

Our Weekly Forecast

Since we had a snooze-fest of a weekend this last weekend aka it was one of those weekends that are boring as shit nothing blog worthy happened, I figured it would be kind of fun to give you all a outlook on what my week has "planned" and I say planned loosely since they are more like things I NEED to REALLY do but if life allows it kind of way. 

I am not just a blogger but a mom, wife, in the process of starting revamping my own business along with the many other hats that mom's wear. 

This last week was tough on blogging since I had my youngest home sick the majority of the week and we all know when they are 8 they still WANT mommy. I LOVED being able to cuddle up and watch movies with her and just have that one on one time with her. I know all to well once they hit Middle School it is ALLLLL OOOOVVVVEEERRR!

Hints: My middle schooler is home today...

ugh!

This is the worst possible timing too, this weekend we are headed up to Omaha, Arkansas where my biological dad lives to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. So this week is cleaning house, tying up loose ends for What the Photography (my biz) and packing!

Plus due to a certain text message this weekend I will be rearranging MY ENTIRE house for something HUGE! More on this to come, and with this HUGE change it will mean more stories and my beautiful chaos will be more chaotic...BECAUSE everyone knows that is just want you NEED right before the holidays, but in all seriousness though my brain and stress has hit a WHOLE new level I am actually kind of excited for it. I am just not sure the hubby feels the same excitement. 

SO on to 

THE LIST

Today I had to go put my car in the shop and lets just say I HATE not having a car...

Then it was off to get the sick Alora, who of course thought she was dying... girls...

This afternoon I am running the neighbor kid across the street to an appointment he has for his mom and in between it is cleaning, blogging, dinner prepping and of course house rearrangement 101!

Dakota has a dr appointment in the morning  and those are my ONLY set things for now...

BUT

I NEED to...

Pack three kids and us for the weekend trip

Grab Christmas gifts for the weekend trip since we are merging them together

Plan our Christmas card photo shoot and maybe JUST maybe do it

Rearrange the house  

Get together my Christmas Card List

Pick out Christmas Cards

Square away our fur-babies sitter for the weekend

Clean House

Prep for Thanksgiving Break  next week 

and

Continue on my Website building for WtP!

That I am sure is ONLY the START! 

Our weather right now is cold wet and makes you want to lye in bed all day and sleep so that is just so VERY helpful... 

Anyways I am off to the kitchen so I can get something accomplished today... 

See you all tomorrow! 

{Hugs}

Sandra

APP-Y FRIDAY: PHOTO BLING

I hinted around a week or so ago on my social media pages that I was working on a HUGE PROJECT for Inked & Sassy!

I knew it would have to become a series for sure but I was not EXACTLY sure how I would plug it in...

While lying in bed last night it dawned on me!

So...

Welcome to

 

Yesterday I shared with you all a wish list from my "could be" obsession Subscription Boxes so today it is only fair to share with you all my FULL FLEDGED obsession and that is APPS!

When I counted them this morning I have a total of 222 of them things on my phone!

I promise I have them categorized for your convince sanity!

So without further ado...

HERE WE GO!

  

I wanted my first one to be something that I used ALL the time besides email (boring..but will be covered later)

So why not adding some bling, personality, effects what not to your photos!

(apps are in alphabetical order, not by preference)

A Beautiful Mess 

Available on:

Google Play   AND   the App Store

Cost:

0.99

* in-app purchases available @ 0.99 per item

App Includes:

•   High-Resolution Photo Editing & Export
•   Unique, Easy-to-Use Photo Collages
• Amazing Fonts
•   Hand-Drawn Doodles
•   Easy Editing
•   Bright Colors (including neons!)

•   Simple Sharing on Social Media

What I LOVE:

I am not one to purchase apps to be honest but I have to say that this was a VERY well spent dollar! It is so easy to use and I have to say I love the simplicity of it.

Example of me using A Beautiful Mess

What I DON'T love:

They have not offered any new designs or new in app purchase add ons in FOREVER...

Though I do LOVE this app I have to say that it is no longer my go to app for adding flair, they have not offered anything new in a VERY long time so I only use it if i know there is a font, doodle, or something to that nature I don't have on one of my other apps.

BeFunky

BASIC- FREE

PRO-$1.99

Available on:

Google Play   AND   the App Store

 Cost:

FREE-basic 

*in app purchases available @ 0.99 per item 

$1.99- Pro 

Includes:

• Collage Maker
• Touch-Up Editing
• Overlays
• Goodies & Stickers
• Fonts- in app or USE YOUR OWN
• Photo Effects
• Editing Tools
• Frames
• Social Media Instant Sharing  

What I LOVE:

Again this is a purchased app, but well worth the $2

 (stay tuned to the series and I will show you how I got the PRO and paid NOTHING)

EVERYTHING! As a photographer this is the closest I have cam eot finding something I can edit my images on like I am used to doing. If you start with the basic version I HIGHLY suggest that if you are going to purchase something just go ahead and download the pro and save yourself some money! 

Example of me using BeFunky Pro

What I DON'T love:

There are not a whole lot of my style stickers etc.

 Other then that I am set!

Instagram

I hear what you are saying...

Instagram is not a "bling" app

SURE it IS! If I could have the filters instagram offers in one of my other apps I would be ECSTATIC! 

Available on:

Google Play   AND   the App Store

Cost: 

Notta!

Includes:

 * Edit photos and videos with free, custom-designed filters.

* Improve photos with 10 advanced creative tools to change brightness, contrast and saturation as well as shadows, highlights and perspective.
* Find people to follow based on the accounts and photos they already love.
* Instantly share photos and videos on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other social networks.
* Connect with Instagrammers all over the world and keep up with their photos and videos.
* Send private photo and video messages directly to friends.

What I LOVE:

Ummm.. the filters...duh :) 

I also love instagram as a whole in general 

What I DON'T love:

Notta

Rhonna Designs:

Available on:

Google Play   AND   the App Store

Cost:

$1.99

in app purchases are available at $0.99 per item  

Includes:

 Adjust transparency, color, shadows, outlines, size & angles as you create with the text & design features. Add masks to any photo using the various shaped designs; even has the feature of allowing you to add multiple designs/fonts to the mask!

What I LOVE:

 I have to say that I really do love the fonts, stickers etc. 

I honestly combine the use of BeFunky and Rhonna together A LOT...

Example of me using Rhonna Designs

 What I DON'T love:

The price! UGH! I am all about FREE as a mom of three. You could quickly spend a small fortune between the app and all your MUST have additions. 

Studio

 Available on:

Google Play   AND   the App Store

Cost:

Zilch! 

Includes:

Remix' any design from any designer!

Over 500 free shapes, crops and fonts

Powerful photo filters and controls

Scale, position & color any design element

Easy export to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Search the Studio community for inspiration

Connect with friends and see their designs

What I LOVE:

It is TOTALLY FREE! 

No matter if they stick you with a million new additions a day they are ALWAYS FREE

and not to  mention some of these are AMAZING...

Example of me using Studio

What I DON'T:

I was a HUGE studio user for a LONG time but I don't know if it is because my phone is ancient  older version, or if it is the platform but recently I can't get it to work at all...MAJOR BUMMER

Are you familiar with any of these personally? If not which one will you try?

If you have one that YOU love I would LOVE to hear about it :) 

Hope everyone has an APP-Y Friday!

**DISCLAIMER** This is NOT a sponsored post, I was not asked to plug in any of the apps, all opinions are based on my experience and all options are that of my own. 

Friday Favs!

I thought I would kick off the weekend with sharing you some of my favs!

These are COMPLETELY random and just off the top of my head so bare with me...

Pumpkin Flavor:

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year and ever since we have moved to Arkansas I am in love with it SO MUCH more!

Growing up in Southern California then moving to the DEEP Dirty South of Alabama you got TWO seasons... Summer and Winter!

Now along with fall comes pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING!

YAY!

From pumpkin pie, to muffins, from cold coffee to hot and you can't forget the BEER! My fall loving butt is ALL over it!

Luckily my girls inherited the love of pumpkin too... only down fall? Well now I HAVE to share...boo! and Aaliyah is allergic to nutmeg! UGH!

The Color Black:

I have always been a little obsessed with the color black. I honestly can't remember a time when black was not listed as a favorite. 

From clothes, shoes, nails, eye shadow and everything in between I can't go wrong with black... WELL except for hair... 

I can't pull that one off... I am WAY to WHITE!

Photography:

If you know me personally then you know since I first set eyes on my Grandpa's 35mm SLR camera I WAS HOOKED! Then when I had my first kid, Dakota, my mind was made up I would become a photographer. 

I was all self taught until I enrolled in school when we moved her to Arkansas. I am starting my own photography business, What the Photography (more on that later),  and EVENTUALLY the plan is to have my Master's Degree in the Art.

Ink aka Tattoos:

Again this was another obsession I have had since I know I was a teenager. My mom used to YELL at me all the time for drawing "tattoos" on me as a kid, plus I am PRETTY sure it didn't help when my ink skills found it's way to my shoes and jeans... oops...

I got my first tattoo at the age of 16 and now that I am 31 I am close to or right at 15 maybe even over. I lost count lol 

There are more that I will add but I can't tell you ALL of it now! That is for another post later so stay tuned!

P.S.: Ant is also inked up and all I can say is... men with ink...yum! :)

Who's with me?

Apps:

Okay I am SERIOUSLY starting to think there should be an addiction class like AA for these convenient little shits! I can NOT tell you how many of these damn things I have because of course I NEED them. 

Ant thinks I am absolutely RETARDED, but like I said I NEED them! 

I will share with you my favs soon but I promise I will categorize them first so you don't go cross eyed reading a half a novel on why I LOVE and NEED them :) 

Music:

I have always been a HUGE music fan and not just a dead set only exclusive kind of girl I listen, enjoy and know ALL genres. From classical to heavy metal; from rap to country there isn't much I don't like. 

If I was a single gal I could tell you I probably wouldn't even OWN a TV. I prefer music ALL day ANY day! 

Chalkboards:

Here is yet another OMG I LOVE thing and the hubby rolls his eyes at me. Granted last year I went a SHIT TON CRAZY little overboard with it. I find it SO convenient and not to mention I can reuse these items OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. With three kids to me that is just money smart lol

I have a free standing easel,  my coffee corner in my kitchen features chalkboard canisters, I have chalkboard banners I use for EVERY party I host and when we build our pantry in the kitchen I already told Ant I want the doors chalk board... DON"T JUDGE ME! ;)

Coffee:

Just ANOTHER thing I grew up to LOVE. I swear it is in my blood stream. I was raised as a military brat PLUS around fire houses and we ALL KNOW those men and women SURVIVE off coffee!

I have always had a taste for it from iced to hot, latte to cappuccino. If it is coffee based I am ON IT! I even got cross trained while working at Books-A-Million and became a certified Barista! Yes folks it is THAT BAD!

Oh and my kitchen theme will be cafe when I start it... LOL

My Planner: 

As a mom, wife, blogger, photographer, business starter, and future student my planner is the NEXT BEST thing besides my cell phone!

This is HOW I manage everything that goes on. 

From Doctor's appointments, school functions for the kids and hubby, sports for the kids, my work schedule, photo sessions birthdays, an

anniversaries and MORE. 

I am tell YOU I. WOULD. BE. LOST without it!

Color Coding:

SO when you are managing a household of , a blog, work, school, sports, a business AND trying to keep up with those Happy Birthday's, you learn to find a system that works for you. Mine just happens to be color coding things in my planner and my filing cabinets.

Aaliyah has pink files, Alora has purple, Dakota has red.. you get the picture LOL 

As for my planner... 

Let's just say multi-colored pen packs are MY BEST FRIEND! The more colors the better!

For example:

Light Blue: Birthdays

Orange: Anniversaries

Pink: Anything to do with the Girls Schools

( I REALLY wish they would have had a pack of pens that had enough colors though to individualize each girl because they are in 3 different schools for the first time this year and that my friends SUCK!)

ETC.

These are just few of the things that I love and I am sure there will be more to share with you very soon!

Next week I am going to be dedicating a day per family member to tell you a little bit more about them!
Have an AMAZING weekend!