EASTER MINI SESSIONS {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey Everyone..
Guess what?
It's Easter Mini Sessions time..
LIMITED TIMES AVAILABLE..
The great thing is you don't have to use these for Easter only. 
You can by it now and redeem it by the end of April.
We are offering it for these three locations only.
Riverview Studio.. always a fav.
Lowry Park in Tampa across from the zoo. 
Philippe Park in Safety Harbor.. for you Pinellas or new Tampa folks.
I MAY add a beach location depending on the demand. 

PAY NOW BY USING THIS BUTTON..   ***

AND THEN CALL OR EMAIL TO SCHEDULE YOUR FUN EASTER/(or other)  SESSION..
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE..
Love, Constance

***this special is good for up to 6 people/pets.  Additional fee for over 6.
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and can not be combined.
must be used before April 30th

NEW NAME - NEW WEBSITE... {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey Everyone.. as with any business occasionally you have to refresh and renew.  Since I am changing lots of things including the website I felt this would be a great time to rename my business.  I wanted it to reflect how I feel about my photography and how I feel every time I do a session for you so what better way then showing my Love.  Hence Love, Constance photography. 
Every time I do a session.. and because I love creating these memories and moments for you I feel like it's a love letter to my clients.
So go check out the new website.. I will be adding stuff as I go along.  Like pull back photos, videos and an about me page.  so enjoy and feel free to comment.
Hope to see you soon..
Love, Constance

Love, Constance Photography   go check it out..   love to all.

My Personal Photography Challenge for the year and beyond!! {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey Everyone.. hope you are having a great year so far.. I can’t believe that January is already half way over. And Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

As a full time professional photographer I get wrapped up in taking client photos and editing and Marketing and Social Media and thinking of new ways to get my brand out there and so on and so on.  So when I have a few minutes, or need to take a few minutes for myself,  I hang out with my pets or redecorate something in my house ( I think I am a closet interior decorator) and I find that I am pulling out my phone to take photos of those things.. my pets.. my little projects – etc.  and I am always getting ticked because I was missing certain shots or didn’t like the way it looked in the photo and then it hit me.. HELLO.. Professional Photographer here.. what are you doing?

SOOOOO I thought about it.  I AM A PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER.  Why am I not utilizing my talent.. My God given gift.  I wanted to give myself a palm plant to my forehead.  But I realized that would hurt, so I decided to CHALLENGE  myself…  just for me.. no one else.  So here’s what I came up with..  

TO USE MY PROFESSIONAL CAMERA MORE AND MY PHONE LESS!!!  yup that simple.

Don’t get me wrong sometimes I love the shots I get with my phone.. and those quick easy little effects.. sometimes they really rock.  But.. I get lazy.  I don’t challenge myself with lighting sometimes. Or my settings in my camera. ( I do everything manually) Or learning and experimenting with some new technique or looking at something differently.  Some days I am a really good ‘out of the box’ thinker.  Some days-not so much.

I am so adamant about getting the best shot for my clients that I forget that I am important too.  And by that I mean.. my everyday life is important. My day in day out..  It’s what makes me .. well ME!!! 

My house is filled with crazy most of the time.. I mean my kiddos are grown and live on their own.. but I have all these pets and all this STUFF! My girls swear I have hoarding tendencies but I think they are imagining it. ..

OH WAIT.. is that a chair on the side of the road.. gotta turn around. I could paint that and use it as a prop!!! 
Okay so maybe just maybe I have a slight hoarding problem.. HA!  Anyway..

So back to my challenge.. I am leaving my big professional camera out on my table in the dining room all the time. The same stuff I use for my clients during sessions.  So when the dog looks super cute looking at me a certain way or the cat makes a crazy face I can be camera ready and actually get the action.  Or if I set up a little display and I love how it looks.. I can get a true photo of the set up.

I can experiment with the lighting or the settings or take shots from different angles.  No constraints on time or the mood of the 2 year old (haha) or the weather or the sun.  Or making sure it’s just perfect.  These are the times I can mess up. TRY NEW WAYS.. Just doing it.. and then trying out new editing ideas or watching a video on how to do something I didn’t know how to do before.  I mean the sky is the limit.  

So that is my CHALLENGE to myself.. and although it’s a challenge.. it’s not a constraint. There are no rules..   It’s for ME.. when I have or need a few minutes for MYSELF.

So I am inviting you to walk on this photo journey with me.  Not sure how regular these types of post will be.. because remember.. NO CONSTRAINTS!!  I hope you enjoy this little self aware journey with me..

It should be a HOOT!!!      Check out a few from the first couple of weeks.  SO MUCH FUN!!

A different kind of weight loss story.. {tampa area photographer}

I know this has nothing to do with photography but in a way it does because it’s about me.. a photographer.  

So many people have asked me.. how am I losing the weight.. what am I doing and why can’t I be happy with who I am?

Yes all three of those questions have been presented to me.   And I am a pretty private person when it comes to the things that have happened to me.  I feel very passionate about a lot of the things in the news these days but those issues although I could talk about them would affect others close to me.  But this – this one thing.. the weight loss and the reason why is mine.  It is my issue alone and yet not alone.

I have been very hesitant to talk about it because as I said when it comes to my life issues I am pretty private.

But here goes..  a year ago this week after a routine visit to my doctor I got a call telling me I had DIABETES. And being this is Diabetes Awareness Month.. I thought I would share my experience.

I wasn’t pre-diabetic.. I was full blown type 2 Diabetes.  I WAS DEVASTATED.  Because although it wasn’t a diagnosis of Cancer or HIV or MS or Lupus or anything else equally as horrible, it was and is a LIFE CHANGING DISEASE.   I cried off and on for a full week.. because honestly, I didn’t know how I was going to be able to change anything.  And after reading about the long term effects Diabetes has on your body and the ravages it can do to you and the meds and their side effects and the pricking of the finger to take my blood and the horrible way I felt and still feel some days, I was sure I was doomed and it felt hopeless. 

So I wallowed in self pity for about a week.   I gave myself that.  I was entitled.  Especially RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING.  The diabetic’s worse enemy.   Starches and sweets and fat and carbs and oh my Lord, please how am I going to get through this.  And then Christmas right around the corner, with sweets and carbs and fats and starches. UUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!   And suddenly, those holidays were even more daunting because now I can’t eat all the butter I want on that sweet roll fresh from the oven, wait I am not even suppose to have the sweet roll.  Okay so my famous mashed potatoes.  Those!  I can eat those!  WAIT.. no you can’t diabetic Connie.  Okay so I can have stuffing.. with GRAVY!!  Yes gravy!  WAIT - NO I CAN’T.   So these were my thoughts.  Seriously.. I was torturing myself.  

So then my next thought was,  And my beloved Pepsi , Starbucks, hot dogs and I am not afraid to admit it  I love McDonald’s filet o fish and Taco Bell’s burrito and pintos and cheese and Chik fil a Waffle fries.  NO.. I will not give those things up. 

I was really ticked.. so then it was  - SCREW IT.. I AM EATING WHATEVER I WANT – THAT IS WHAT THE MEDS ARE FOR!!   That’s the famous rebellious me telling myself it didn’t matter. I have the meds.  But the more I researched, the more I realized the meds only do part of the job.  If I want to keep my limbs down the road or be able to be as active as I want or feel like a human being I HAVE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE WAY I EAT AND LIVE.   

I love all those things I mentioned before!  I was raised on meat and potatoes and lots of gravy and homemade pancakes with homemade syrup and my grandma’s chocolate pie.  And lots and lots of starches.  My mom’s homemade candies at Christmas.  Her famous Strawberry Cheesecake.  HOW WILL I EVER CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT EATING THESE THINGS.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  I DON’T WANT TO! 

These are the irrational crazy thoughts that went through my head.

I hate you diabetes. You suck diabetes.

So I was really determined to be angry about this. 

For about a week.

Then I went to http://www.diabetes.org/ And suddenly it didn’t seem so hopeless.  They have menus broken down to daily calorie intake and visuals to help you.  I realized I can eat ALMOST anything I mentioned before but that moderation and portion control was the real key.   And that I should have more veggies then anything.  And not the other way around.  I learned that with type 2 diabetes you can control it to a degree.  And bring your numbers down.  And that you can be fairly healthy with diabetes if you do the things you should.  So I did.. I gave up my Pepsi and hotdogs and yes even the fast food.  Do I cheat every once in awhile.. OF COURSE!  I am human after all.  But after I started changing my diet and losing weight and feeling great I decided to start exercising.  So I do yoga some days and I walk pretty much EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I have started small weight training for my upper body.  And I am getting ready to start riding my bike a couple of times a week.

 And guess what?  I AM ENJOYING IT.  Go figure.

 I mean when I was single I worked out everyday.  So why did I change that?  I got lazy.  I became a couch potato.  I was buying size 14 no big deal except that I am only 5 feet tall.  But I was happy with who I was.  I was accepting it as an age progression thing.  And then Diabetes came to my door and it has decided to stay.   The doctor tells me that I might be able to eventually get off the meds.  But family history does have something to do with it.  

So here I am .. almost 30 lbs lighter.. from size 14 to size 6. I have brought my AC1 number down 1.5 points.. still not enough but much better than the other direction.  So I carry candy in my purse or on my person.  So I check my blood a couple of times a day.  So I take medicine everyday. So i have to be mindful of what I eat every single time I think of eating.  So what!  I am better.  I feel better for the most part.  And better then I have felt in a long time.  Don't feel sorry for me.. this post isn't about that.. it's about awareness.  Because everyday people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I am here to tell you it's not the end of the world.  You can do it.

And I know people and kids with Type 1 diabetes.  I have a client whose son has Type 1 and this young sweet child has to have an insulin pump ALL THE TIME. It is part of his life but he is happy and vivacious and full of life and then my diabetes gets put into perspective.  I can potentially change mine.  He has it forever.  He is dependent on that insulin and that makes me realize what a whiny butt I am being sometimes.   He is kind of my hero now.  And he doesn’t even know it.

So this is why I am losing weight.  Not because I am unhappy with who I am or vain about it. But because I want to live a full life.. and be the best I can be for myself and those that love me.

So if you want to lose weight, change the way you eat and get up and move.  As if your life depends on it. Because ultimately it really does.

hugs, love and peace everyone..

http://www.diabetes.org/

Thanks for reading.  I have attached a video link that describes everything to a T for me except for the shots.  I am on pills right now.   I have also linked the diabetes.org website above.  

http://blog.thediabetessite.com/things-diabetics-say/?utm_source=dbs-dbsaware&utm_medium=social-fb&utm_term=110415&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=things-diabetics-say&origin=fb_dbs_0.4166666667_social_things-diabetics-say_dbsaware_link

WAITING FOR YOU! - A STORY ABOUT ADOPTING {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Okay so initially I was going to do this as a sneak peek but decided it would be a sweet short post that really

deserved a little more then just a sneak peek.

 

I had a woman contact me and she wanted to do a photo shoot. 

As we discussed this she informs me that they

needed photos of themselves as they were starting their adoption process. 

This couple tried for many years to have a baby but it just wasn't happening.

So they decided to start an adoption journey.  I love that she refers to as a 'journey'.  

They needed photos for their portfolio to help match them with a birth mom

and they wanted some good family pics.  

"That' she says "is where I come in!"  

I have had other clients who are either foster parents or have adopted and

I know how much time, money and

heart go into this process. 

So I always admire people who decide to take this journey.

 

We talked and came up with some ideas about what she wanted.. she gave me an idea and I took one of her ideas and made it my own little version..

 they were so thrilled and thus the photo that you see was born.

 

Braddock (the one with the sign) and Moe are part of their family.. so we had to include them in this shoot.  They were so good and so patient and it was pretty hot this morning even though we started out pretty early.  But we did it and although the rest of the photos won't be ready for a little bit..

I had to immediately share this with everyone.  

As most of you know .. I have this heart for dogs and animals of all types.  I try to advocate animal safety and rights.  So I am especially thrilled when families want to include ALL the family members..  it shows me that they truly respect them and want them in their lives as part of the family and not just some object. 

And what better way to show prospective birth moms the type of love they will have for a child when they go to the trouble of loving and sharing their spotlight with their current 'babies'.

 

THOSE ARE MY KIND OF PARENTS RIGHT THERE. 

 

So good luck to you two. I will keep you in my prayers while you are on your journey. Anyone would be lucky to have you as parents and have 'brothers' such as Braddock and Moe. 

I can't wait to be part of this growing family in the future. 

hugs!!!

MOTHERS INTUITION - A MOM'S STORY {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

This blog post is a special post for Mother's Day. 

This a special story about a Mom and a little life that almost wasn't.   
But I am getting a head of myself here. 
Let's go back a little over 6 months and let me introduce you to Kelly.  She is pregnant and expecting to have a peaceful tub birth and do it naturally without drugs.  Why not?  her first two pregnancies  were uneventful and this little one was soooo active.  Waking Mommy up every morning with the sweet little tap tap tap at 6:30 am.  Like an internal alarm clock.   This morning was like the others.  tap-tap-tap!   Today though she is a little more tired than usual but still heads out for work.   Around 10 am this normally active baby wasn't quite as active and mom was also feeling a little edgy and not feeling quite right.  So she goes home early that day and puts the other young ones to bed early so she can relax and feel better.  She slept.  She wakes up the next morning at 7:45 what? wait..  her little internal alarm didn't go off along with her bedside alarm.  She rushes around to get everyone to school and work and heads off to some appts.   As she is sitting waiting for her appt she realizes that the baby wasn't really kicking but when she rubbed her belly the baby shifted a little.  All day this normally active baby hasn't really moved or kicked.  She tries everything.. she eats.. no kicking or movement.  She drinks a coke.. no kicking or movement.  She takes a warm bath, something that baby loves.. nothing.    Trying not to stress and in the midst of picking up children she calls her birthing center and tells them something is not right.  They tell her to come right in.  They hook her up to a non-stress heart monitor.  As soon as they turn it on she hears the heartbeat.  She lays back and for the first time all day she relaxes.  This only lasts about 5 minutes.  the midwife comes in and tells her  to be calm but that the heartbeat is not normal and that she needs to immediately go to the hospital.  Her heart sinks.. she goes into auto-mode and keeps telling herself that the heart is beating.. the heart is beating.   So tests start and things seem okay.  Ultra sound good.  Then they do a Doppler on the blood flow of the umbilical cord.  One of the arteries is blocked in the umbilical cord..  Suddenly.. a lot of people are in her room..  doctors and nurses and they are prepping her for surgery and she was starting to go into labor and every time she did the heartbeat would go way down.  The baby was in distress..  After testing to make sure mom would be okay through surgery they do a C-section right away.   At 7:18pm, Connor John was born. He weighed 4lb 13oz and was 17 in long. He let out a little squawk and was instantly worked on by the Neonatology team.  When they wheeled her to see the baby in the NICU all she could do was touch his toe.  Connor spent seven days there without any ill effects.  While Connor was in the NICU, he was visited by nurses and the mid wife who was there when mom was admitted. They all wanted to see the "miracle baby." They all said the same thing, most of the time these babies don't make it.

But this story has a happy ending.. Connor did make it and it was all because Mommy's instincts told her that something wasn't right.   She listened to that nagging little voice in her head and heart and she acted on it.  

Connor is the cutest little guy.. so happy and sweet.  When he finally got home and was able to have some newborn photos done mom Kelly brought him to the studio.  He was so good and we had such a precious time.  And as Kelly was telling me all about how he almost didn't make it.. I knew instantly that I wanted to write about this sweet story of a mother's intuition.  So she gave me permission and filled in the details.

 Connor came back recently for his 6 month shoot.  What a HAM!! and so darn happy.. and smiling.. oh my word.  I am so blessed that I got to meet this little guy.  And next time I get to meet the whole family. 

So I want to say to you mom's out there.. all of you who doubt yourself.. are you doing the right thing?  is this okay?  are they doing something they shouldn't?  is something going on that doesn't feel quite right?  TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!  Your instincts are probably right on.   Everyone has an opinion about how you should do things for your child.. but trust yourself and know that you know what is the best. 

And to all the Moms who work hard at raising these awesome kids (and the furry, feathered and scaly kind) that I love seeing.  Taking their photos and sharing your lives is such an honor.  I know I say it all the time.. but I truly mean it.. 

And to my girls and grand children.. I love you all so much and you are always and will always be the best of me. 
To my sister who has always been my 'other' mom whether I liked it or not I love ya and thanks for being there.
And to my mom.. thanks for being a strong woman that taught me right from wrong.  I love you and wish I could see you more often.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU MOMS.. !!

EASTER MINI SESSIONS AT THE STUDIO {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey everyone.. I posted this on FB but wanted to post it here too just in case you don't do FB.  if you do make sure you go and like my page.
So I am doing Easter Mini Sessions  My fav holiday.  I love the colors and the spring feel to it.
the sessions will be at the Studio in Riverview on March 30th.  For the first three people who sign up they get a special gift.  So don't hesitate as there will be limited number of spots available.

I have also had some inquiries about live baby animals and do I do those.. my straight forward answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT!!  for many reasons like liability.. safety.. etc etc.. but the main reason is this simple.  It's really really bad for the baby animals.  I have a blog post about it from last year the Humane Society of the United States actually used.  here is the link to that older post.  http://constanceavellinophotos.blogspot.com/2013/03/plush-stuffed-wind-up-tampa-area.html

So I am really looking forward to these mini sessions.  like I said my FAVORITE holiday.
have a great day.. and look for the next blog post.. hahahaha whenever that will be.  ;)

VALENTINE MINI SESSIONS - THIS SATURDAY IN HILLSBOROUGH AND SUNDAY IN PINELLAS {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

JUST WANTED TO GIVE A REMINDER TO ANYONE STILL INTERESTED IN THESE.

I HAVE 4 SPOTS LEFT FOR HILLSBOROUGH ON SATURDAY AND

2 SPOTS LEFT FOR PINELLAS ON SUNDAY

IF YOU WANT MORE INFO EMAIL ME.. SUPER EXCITED. 

ME@CONSTANCEAVELLINOPHOTOS.COM

 

THROW BACK THURSDAY - DALLAS & KEELIE - CHRISTMAS SHOOT {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

So in keeping with my Throw Back Thursday theme.. I wanted to share these photos from about 5 years ago. 

after my job at bed bath and beyond.. I worked at Bright house. 

These girls are the daughters of one of my 'peeps' there at BHN. 

A lot of the people that I met there are still good friends and clients.  And I really value those friendships!

Some of my sweetest relationships have come from that place.

 

I remember this session like it was yesterday.. they were SO SILLY that day.  Little sis Keelie did everything her big sis Dallas did.. these are my fav three shots from the session.  Still some of my all time favs too.  Thanks girls.. can't wait for you to get back to the studio!!  :)

 

btw - they are the girls in the ballerina costumes in the slideshow at the top of my blog that was a couple of years later.. but still just as silly! 

THROW BACK THURSDAY - THIS ONE IS PERSONAL! {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

So I know I am a day late.. but I wanted to do one that has a special place in my heart.  My grandbabies. 

I love these photos because it was just a spontaneous moment and we were just hanging out on the lanai. 

I ran and got my camera and these were two of my favorite shots from the day.

Miss them so much everyday..  these are just a couple of the great shots I have to keep in my heart.

 

 

THROW BACK THURSDAY - ANDERSON aka Andy :) {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

So I decided to start doing my TBT posts on my blog instead of FB!

This is my first one - and how could I go wrong with such a cutie pie!

He has grown a little over the past couple of years

but these are still some of my ALL TIME fav shots!

How darn lovable is he?

I have done this family a few times and have been friends with them for about WOW could it be almost 10 years?? I met mom when I worked at BBB (Bed Bath & Beyond) and we have stayed in touch.  Some of my best relationships have come from my tenure at BBB!

I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.  Love those people!!

You know who you are

 

VIVICA - ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

So I have decided to start highlighting at least one client a week. 

So this week it's Vivica with Mommy & Daddy. 

She was such a good baby.  And very serious at first but she warmed up and I got the

best smiles out of her.

Love this age.  Just sitting up and so curious.

Another neat little side note.. Mommy & Daddy met online.. how cool is that!!!

love those romantic stories..