Photography: Maternity photo-shoot inspiration

I have been doing a little research for an upcoming maternity photo shoot for my cousin Jessica.  I know Jessica very well of course, but I wanted to make sure she and I were on the same page when it came to the overall look of the pictures- after all, you only have one chance to get it right.  When she and I were talking, she mentioned loving the picture of Diane Keaton pregnant- the photo was featured in the movie "The Family Stone".  I love this picture, and as soon as she mentioned it, I got so excited - it is exactly what I was hoping for.

It is important to both us that the pictures are natural, timeless and avoid the "cheese" factor that so often creeps into maternity photos.

In addition to the photo of Diane Keaton, here are a few other images I am using for inspiration: 

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...and a couple combination photos to take before and after the baby gets here...

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I don't know about you, but I would have been mortified to have someone snapping pictures during the most emotional moment in my life, but when I saw this next series of photos by an amazing photographer, Amelia Lyon, I couldn't help but wish I had had the forethought to have the birth of my two girls captured forever. 

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...and we may be getting a little ahead of ourselves here...but have you ever seen anything as cute as this? I could absolutely see Jessica's dog George doing this.  He is going to be  a great back-up dad.

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I am so excited to do this photo shoot.  Have to hurry it up though...she only has a month to go : )

***UPDATE***
I had a blast doing my first maternity shoot with my cousin Jessica : )  You can see the photos here.

*You can check out Jessica's wedding here and her baby shower here.

Farmhouse details I love...

I love the mountains.  Whenever I am there, everything slows down and I forget the worries that seem to be my constant companion.

Recently, we rented a 1890's farmhouse in Hendersonville for a long weekend away.  There were so many amazing details in that house and the surrounding area, that I had to show you a few of my favorites. 

Today is the first day of the photo challenge...

Get out your cameras (or your phones) !  I want some pictures headed my way! 

August 1st is here and today is the first day of the photo challenge.  Today's subject is "travel"- interpret this however you would like.  Remember to forward on your pictures either through my email address-  angenuityblog@gmail.com  or post it to my facebook page here, so I can feature a few on the blog.

I will start  posting the challenge photos on August 4th which will be of "travel"...that gives you three days to send in all of your lovely photos.  

Good Luck !!!
I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Garage Girls: Workout #19

I don't know about you, but Monday's workout was a toughie for me.  Here's to hoping that I will be able to keep a smile on my face in spite of not being able to breathe : )

Today, we are doing something completely different.  There are a group of exercises we will be doing for a designated amount of time.  Keep going through the entire rotation until the time is up.  We will be running 300m after each time has expired.

     Warm-up:

      50 jumping jacks

     Workout: for time
        (keep repeating exercises during the allotted time)

     5 minutes of:

        50 donkey kicks (25 each leg)

        25 push-ups

        30 mountain climbers

        at the end of the 5 minutes run 300m

     4 minutes of:

        40 bicep curls (20 each arm)

        20 weighted calf raises

        5 burpees

        at the end of the 4 minutes run 300m

     3 minutes of:

        20 step ups (10 each leg)

        20 jumping pull-ups

        at the end of the 3 minutes run 300m

     2 minutes of:

        20 sit-ups

        20 basic bridge

        at the end of the 2 minutes run 300m

     1 minute of:

        jump squats

        at the end of the minute run 300m

Have fun : )

("Be Awesome Today" image from LuciusArt)