Have you always dreamed of coming to a CONFIDENCE Workshop, but don’t yet have the budget for it? Are you a beginner when it comes to using your camera, but have a BIG heart for taking photos? Do you feel like you keep hitting a mental road block with your photos, and just wish you had some one-on-one private lessons?! Are you in desperate need for an upgrade on your camera, or maybe you don’t even have your own camera but you do have a photographer’s heart? Do you wish you could take all the private lesson time and keep practicing it with award winning DVDs? Are you a mom living in Seattle and/or the greater surrounding Seattle area? Are you and the kiddos home next weekend, July 24th and 25th, for me to pay a personal visit? Do you think I’m crazy yet? :)
If you answered “YES! Me Ra, you are DESCRIBING ME!”, this is a SPECIAL, SPONTANEOUS opportunity for YOU! It’s a way to thank you for being a faithful, beautiful blog reader! If you happened to tune into today’s blog and answered YES to the above questions, this could be your lucky summer!
Here’s the deal, you’ve got 48 hours to post your story in today’s blog’s comments. All of you have to do is tell me why you are the one I should come see! I’m looking for moms who are beginners when it comes to using their Point-and Shoot or DSLR, but also CRAZY, passionate about capturing photos of their kids. And they don’t mind letting the world know how serious their passion is by posting their story in today’s comments! I’m looking for moms who have been praying for a lucky break and in desperate need of one! I want to help you bloom!
What am I going to bring you?
1. For starters, I’m going to show up at your front door like I did with our SOAR! Recipients and bring a whole lot of CONFIDENCE just for you!
2. I’m also going to bring you your own set of our Award Winning DVDs, Refuse to Say Cheese and Beyond the Green Box!
The list keeps going!
3. Yes, thanks to Sony, I’m even going to bring you a NEW Sony camera! It’s my FAVORITE, sexy, copper brown, easy to use DSLR! And it’s not just my favorite, but a whole lot of other women’s favorite too! I’m actually working on a blog post of their photos so you can meet our latest copper brown Sony A330 owners that live from Alaska to Italy!
4. And I’m going to set aside FOUR hours of my private time, so you can throw your camera manual away and learn hands-on with me! I’m going to teach you some of my favorite, summer sizzling, Photo-Recipes, plus lots of Photo Tips and Tricks to turn all those “Happy Accident” snapshots into consistent, beautiful photos of the kids!
All you have to do is post your story in today’s blog comments before Friday morning, 9am PST. It’s really that simple! Remember to include your name, the age of your kid(s), whereabouts you live, how to contact you, and most important, your story of passion! Tell me why I should come see you this summer in Seattle!
I can’t wait to meet you! Get your story posted today! Deadline to submit your story is in 48 hours (Friday morning at 9am PST)!
Let’s help your photos and creative spirit bloom this summer!
Much love,
Me Ra
p.s. If you are not comfortable posting your contact email and phone number on our blog, no worries. After you submit your story to the blog’s comments, send an email to info@fioria.us with your personal contact info. But please remember, you must post your story in today’s comments to qualify!
p.s.s The summer fun and opportunities just keep growing! You’ve got two weeks from today to submit your favorite images to be published in my new book with Random House! CLICK HERE for details on how to submit!
Good morning! Wow, what an exciting opportunity. I am a 42 year old stay at home mom to a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 month old. I picked up a camera again when my son was born. I found I enjoyed taking pictures of him and wanted to learn more. I’ve done some on line classes and have asked for assistance from friends. My passion lies in photographing pregnant women and their births. Their is an incredible beauty and power to a pregnant woman and when she gives birth. Those first moments after the baby is born is so special. The baby, her parents and anyone there to support the woman. I have a photo documentary I would like to do to share the incredible power of woman especially before, during and after childbirth. I currently am volunteering for an organization that provides doula’s to women who need support. I’d like to do more of this but am not confident in my technical skills. I’ve enjoyed what I have done so far but there is so much more for me to learn. Having a one on one training session would be an incredible experience for me.
I enjoy your blog and look forward to seeing who the lucky winner(s) will be.
Sincerely,
Melissa
206-412-0751
MeRa – You are soooo amazing!!! (I haven’t told you that in awhile :))
I can’t wait to meet that lucky mama that you choose.
And ladies, if you are reading this hesitating about entering your story, stop hesitating. Stop listening to the voices that are causing you to hesitate. Stop reading and go write. Write your story and enter it here. It is worth it.
Even if you don’t get chosen, putting your story out there is empowering in a pretty amazing way. And if you do get chosen? You are in for an INCREDIBLE blessing.
Where do I start? I have two beautiful daugthers Reilley Raelynn (10) and Zoie Kyong (5). They are the loves of my life….the reason for my being…my whole world!
I purchased a DSLR over two years ago with the intent of really exploring the world of photography. We were taking our first family vacation to Mexico and I had to get a good camera to capture our families trip. Let’s just say that “life” has gotten in the way and I have yet to sign up for any of the free classes that were part of the package I purchased with my camera! 🙂 I love taking pictures wherever we go. I am always the one toting my camera around in hopes of grabbing the perfect pic of my girls, of my friends, of my friends kids, my dogs my wonderful handsome husband..you name it. I am lucky enough to grab a couple of, if you would call them, “good” photos on the automatic setting every now and then.
I have been following your work for awhile as one of your photographers took some family photos about 5 years ago. I am in awe of the stories you tell through your photos. I am more in awe of the fact that you help us by sharing your tricks of the trade by teaching us your photo recipes for the wonderful shots you capture. I follow your blog religiously and print out all of your photo recipes to see if I can do it too. Problem is I have no clue what I am doing! 🙂
I use my camera for work functions as well. I work in the field of Parks and Recreation. Let’s just say I have the best job ever!!! One of my favorite work quotes is. “I put on the events that end up in people’s scrapbooks.” I LOVE IT!! IT’s so true!!! One of my favorite events that I put together is the Daddy Daughter Dance. OMG! Talk about the cutest event ever!!! Daddies and daughters of all ages get dressed up in their Sunday best and head out for an evening of dancing and fun! I watch in amazement at these daddies out on the dance floor with their daughters knowing that most of them would never get out on the dance floor with their wives! It is the best time ever! This event is daddies only! No Mommies! I love taking pictures and posting them on our website and facebook pages so the mommies can have a little glimpse into this wonderful evening! I have to admit…I have yet to leave a dance without breaking into tears. Watching these little girls dancing on their daddies feet would drop the strongest of person to their knees in a heartbeat!! It’s wonderful! 🙂
Down to the why me part….why me Me Ra? I am not a horn tooter kinda of gal but here goes it: Hmmm….people are constantly telling me to slow down….enjoy each day….don’t commit yourself to so many things. It’s hard for me to follow through on this concept! I run full boar at work, at home and in my personal life. I want to be everywhere…do everything..and make sure everyone is taken care of. Isn’t that what a mommy does??? I can honestly say when my life changed 10 years ago I have probably devoted less than 1 day…24 hours to me. I have never complained nor whined about it. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. I live to serve. Me Ra…if I was afforded an opportunity to spend 30 minutes…..let alone 4 hours with you? WOW!! It would be like a day at the spa! 🙂
I keep saying this is the year I am going to do something for me. I am going to explore a passion I have. Well what better way to start the year (even though it’s July) off!!! I would be honored to spend four hours with you soaking everything you have to give in! You are an amazing talented artist Me Ra. More than that you are an amazing woman. I have followed your life stories, your trips, your families trials and tribulations that you have so religiously shared with all of us.
Thank you for giving us mommies something to shoot for!
Andrea Clay
253-820-7847
clay8898@comcast.net
Spanaway WA
Wow Mera! What an amazing opportunity you are making available for some very lucky woman. I have to admit that to be the lucky woman who receives this privledge would be fabulous. I have been taking pictures for awhile now, but am in no way 100% comfortable with my camera. The digital realm is relatively new to me. I purchased my first digital camera a year and a half ago and have been making a go of it but I feel as if I have hit a wall because of my lack of knowledge about the camera and what all I can do with it. I know that the possibilities are endless, but each time I take photos my pictures aren’t having the depth I want them to have. I keep hitting road blocks because I am not aware of what all my camera can do. Taking classes would be great and I am planning to do that some day. Unfortunately the finances and time do not allow at this point and if given the opportunity to meet one on one with you I know that my photography skills would jump ahead rapidly.
I know that the more I learn about my equipment, the better my photos will become. The confidence that I could gain would be priceless. Not only do I look forward to what I can learn about the camera and taking pictures but the aura that surrounds you and your outlook on life in general is infectious and I look forward to the possibility of getting to spend some time with you gaining skills to better help me capture the lives around me.
Some of my favorite things to shoot are my children and I have recently realised that they are moving targets and my lack of confidence in what I am doing works as a brake peddal as I try to capture what they are doing before they stop. I find myself fumbling for the right settings, questioning my position, and ultimately myself before I have even taken the pictures. I know this is doing nothing except hindering my success. My girls are growing up so quickly and I want to be able to remember each and every moment years from now. I know these pictures are going to help me do that. To spend time with you going over the camera and the skills that would help my confidence would be irreplaceable.
For me this would not only help me to better capture my girls, but would be a crucial step towards the goal of someday doing photography full time. I ask that you please prayerfully consider me for this opportunity.
Thank you.
Jessica
Oops, pressed submit before I had all my info on there. 🙂
360.620.7526
Poulsbo, WA.
How CRAZY AWESOME would it be to have you show up at my door?!! This is like a “pinch me” type of an opportunity! 🙂 And how perfect – I have three adorable kiddo’s, (Haley’s 11, Tanner’s 9 & Carter’s 6) I live in Kirkland AND I have nothing on the calendar next weekend! (That never happens!)
Getting one-on-one time with you would be absolutely incredible! I have a passion for photography and a passion for people. It is my desire to not only capture sweet (rare 🙂 moments between my kids, but also to be able to tell a story. To be a voice for the voiceless, the far too many women and children caught in human trafficking. But I hate constantly worrying about my camera, my settings – what if their off – totally off? Loosing a moment because I am still so unsure of this camera in my hands. It’s a wonderful camera, (Canon 5D) but I feel like I’m all thumbs with my lack of technical skills. Knowing what it’s capable of doing…knowing what I’M capable of doing!
We are in the process of adopting our daughter from Zambia and I would love nothing more when that day comes – when I have all four of my children in one room – to capture what I am feeling in those precious moments. Not having to think about it. Not worrying about what my cameras settings are on, but relishing in the moment when her daddy scoops her up for the first time.
MeRa, it would be an honor beyond measure to receive one-on-one time with you!
Blessings,
Carlee
425.495.1473
Wow. An essay proving I have a heart for photography. Intense.
My name is Anna and I live on Whidbey Island with my husband who’s in the Navy and set up to deploy off and on quite a bit for 4 years! We have two children; Levi Joel, my dramatic, funny and smart little four year old who’s just making the challenging transition from toddler to real kid. Yikes! And Gracie Bella who is still just oozing out love and smiles as a 6 month old princess.
I started dabling into photography as a teenager raised up by a mom and older sister who taught me important things like “zoom in on the object” and “everything doesn’t need to be centered” I soon found I wanted to have my camera with me every minute because photo opportunities were everywhere! My secret wish has always been that I could just snap a picture with my eyeball. That would be perfect. There are so many times when I look at a picture I’ve taken and just think “that was so much more impressive in my eye. Darn.”
I feel like I have a good eye for photography. I seek out appealing lines and composition, I get down on the ground and place myself where ever I need to get the shot! I’m very committed, especailly with adorable kids who need their faces framed and oogled over! I even have an excellent camera just begging me to become a professional (nikon d90) and ample opportunities to shine. However, I find myself always putting my camera dial on “auto” because I don’t have the time to devote to my large manual. I want to take full advantage of my great camera, which was a gift from my hubby. Truth be told, it intimidates me. So my love and, I think natural talent for photography is warring with my schedule and fear of failure. My cousin even asked me recently to photograph her wedding for her, and out of fear and worry I convinced her to go with someone else. What if I ruin her memories? I was dissappointed with myself.
I would LOVE to have some one on one lesson time. My camera is ALWAYS within reach and I’m constantly jumping up to grab it and capture something. All my home decor is made up of my own picture taking. My computer is busting at the seems with thousands of pictures bogging it down. My blog is pretty much just a photo album of my life and I’m determined to make each picture the best I’ve taken yet. Fell free to check it out. Please consider me for your protege. I would use your lessons every day. I think it pleases God for us to strive to capture his awesome creation as well as we can and to display it with pride in glofirying his handiwork. I hope whomever you pick has the four hours of their life! Thanks so much for your talents.
When I read today’s blog post I was so excited. The opportunity to have a one to one photography lesson with you would be, well, AMAZING!!! I immediately sat down to write and as I sat down, my first thoughts were, why DO I deserve this?
Well, first off, I answered yes to all the questions. That should do it right? Haha! Well, maybe I should go into greater detail. Let’s go back to your blog post on Monday about shooting in the sun. Well, last Friday, my husband and I took our 4 year old son Will to the Railway Museum in Snoqualmie for a Day Out With Thomas. It was so fun. The sun was shining, I had my camera and of course Thomas the train was there. Perfect! I took a ton of pictures. This was going to make a great scrapbook to tell the story of a 4 year old boy finally meeting his train idol. When we got home I looked at the pictures and thought, hmmm, not bad. Then I read your post about shooting in the sun and looked at my pictures again. Oh my gosh, they were filled with sunny noses!! I need your HELP Me Ra!
I try to look for the story in the pictures that I take. The story of my son’s life…my husbands life….my life. My family inspires me and I want to show that in the pictures that I take. What I don’t get is how to use my camera. I’m going to make a confession…..I am a green box girl! I don’t have the confidence in myself using anything but the auto mode. Me Ra, I am the perfect candidate for a one to one photography lesson!!
It would be a dream to be able to attend one of your confidence workshops in Seattle, but on a teacher’s salary….not likely. I spend the school year teaching 3rd graders at a school in Tacoma. I take my work home daily and when my son is in bed, I correct papers and plan my lessons. I give my all to my profession. I am constantly attending classes to become a better teacher and I’m always looking for ways to inspire my students and inspire confidence in themselves. This time, I am looking for some inspiration and confidence for myself.
I am 35 years old and I have a passion, a huge heart, for photography. I’ve been told that I have an eye for photography and have been asked to photograph a wedding and maternity photos. I just don’t know If I have the skills or confidence for these miracles of life.
Me Ra…..I am a mom, a wife, a teacher, a gardener, a creator of scrapbooks, a woman in need of some photography know-how!
Hi Me Ra!
You are an inspiring and talented woman! Thank you for offering your wisdom to one of us lucky ladies!
Well, I am a blessed mom to four lovely young ladies. Dakota, my theatrical and talented singer, piano player and actress is 11. Aspen, my nature lover, animal whisperer and owner of Owen, a Westie, is 9. Sweet and sassy inquisitive Georgia is almost 5, and last but most often heard is my tender firecracker Havana Faith who’s first love will always be her daddy.
I married an amazing man who has dedicated his entire adulthood to his family. He works very hard to give us an adventurous life. For this I am forever grateful. I cherish the last 13 years of my life with him and admire not only his strong work ethic but his patience in raising four girls. He works many hours to keep our future secure so my girls and I are often longing for his return.
Personally, I have been home schooling our girls since day one and love it. We love being together, studying and making new discoveries daily. There is NEVER a dull moment in our household! This career path is 24/7!
Besides being wife, mother and teacher, I also own my own business bringing individuals to a higher level of health through awareness and education. Although busy, it is very rewarding to see others thrive instead of just survive. On that health note, I also nourish my family with whole living foods, vegan and mostly raw. This is quite time consuming and the kitchen is often my best friend.
Along with writing poetry, photography has been a secret passion of mine. I LOVE the art and only wish I had discovered this passion before family life began. My supportive husband bought me a fine Nikon D-80 a few years ago and I have captured some amazing moments in life. Reluctantly though, it has not had an opportunity to live up to its standards as it is perpetually stuck on the “green auto-mode.” (Except for my recent 4th of July fireworks shots that you walked me through on a past blog…they turned out pretty darned good! Thank You!! :o)
I am thankful for the numerous compliments I receive on my photos and the “you should do something with these” remarks. I am encouraged by these gracious people and know that “someday” I will be that great photographer. I believe that my eye is sharp but my practical skills lack terribly. I can’t even tell you what that big lens is on my camera…except that it takes amazing close-ups. Ha! And f-Stop? what is that? ISO? What do you mean? Yes, I have books, digital for dummies, etc., but have I read them? They sit on my nightstand with the other 15 must-reads for home schooling, self discovery and nutrition. My problem is, is that after an 18 hour day my eyes can’t seem to focus for more than five minutes on any given paragraph. I’ll be 80 by the time those books on my nightstand have been thoroughly loved on. My husband laughs and is supportive of my desires but individual time is lacking. I would thoroughly appreciate a crash course in everything camera. haha.
As many of the dedicated moms on this blog, my camera is always in tow. The kids are quite comfortable with my happy snapping and are eager to see what I’ve captured. As moms though, we are busy and mastering anything is a serious challenge. A mother dedicates the majority of her life to bringing up her children and her secret passions are often lost in thick chapters.
I envision my future to be fulfilling that passion I have to capture moments in others lives…moments that may otherwise be forgotten. In trying economic times family photos are not always at the forefront. It has been a heavy desire of mine to have a ministry of giving my talents to others so that their walls can be covered in memories.
With that said, I thank you for offering your time. Whoever you choose will be forever blessed.
Sincerely,
Heidi Beard
360-440-7559
Hmmm, I seriously went back and forth to this page 5 different times talking myself out of writing my story, but I read what Rhonda said about stop second guessing myself and just do it. However, I don’t live in Seattle. I live in Missoula (kinda close and just beautiful to come and visit) Anyway, I thought I would tell you my story to get a slim chance of entering your fab-U-lous giveway and also a plug for a confidence workshop close by in the near future.
I am 35 (I can say that only until Saturday) I am a stay at home mom with my 3 kiddos ages 13, 9, and 3 (yes, I know, their ages are spread out, that is for their mothers sanity. lol) and have nothing scheduled the end of the month so you are more than welcome to come by and I can show you all the beautiful scenery Montana has to offer, as well as the deer that feed off my garden in the backyard and the herd of buffalo a couple miles up the road. You know you want to, besides they just had babies!!
I have a great love for documenting anything about my family. You can easily tell cause when I pull out my camera the kids sigh, moan and groan and run away. But not the the dog, he comes running to get in the shot, he’s no dummy he wants the attention! My husband even cringes a little bit sometimes. But they do love to see them later on and we always smile and laugh when we do look at them. So here’s my story:
My dad died almost 10 years ago at the young age of 50. After scrambling for any and all pictures of him and cherishing each one I found myself with a great interest in taking pictures. I love to go back and look through the pictures we have of him, each one always brings a smile to my face and I can easily remember the story behind the quirky face made or forced smile given. Those pictures I cherish everyday, without them my kids wouldn’t know who their papa was, and I wouldn’t be able to walk past his matted and framed 16X20 portrait 20 times a day signed by all those who attended his funeral.
So with my love of capturing everything I can with my camera. And wanting to make sure to not miss anything I decided to upgrade from my film camera and started off with an little Canon point and Shoot, then I upgraded (kinda) to an Olympus point and shoot then my hubby surprised me with the Rebel xti a few years ago for our anniversary. I have loved having this camera and have tried to learn all I can. I have read many books bought your DVD’s and taken quite a few classes here at the Adult Education but the one thing they don’t teach is “Confidence” In one of my last classes I took the instructor asked us what we were wanting to learn or gain from the class. I told her I was lacking in the “self confidence” area. She almost chuckled and told me that wouldn’t be covered in the class. I had never really had a problem with my confidence before but a few months before I had a friend ask me to take some pictures of her family. I was flattered and happy she had asked me, I went and took their pictures, edited them and took them over to her and she never called me back. She did however facebook me and told me they weren’t what she wanted and then a day or so later she posted some pictures she had done from SEARS! Yes, SEARS! I was crushed. She didn’t or still hasn’t posted my pictures on her facebook to this day, (the ones from Sears are even slightly out of focus, I might add) So ever since then I have been very hesitant to do anything for anyone. I don’t feel that I am capable of doing what people want.
I have turned down 3 weddings because of my lack of confidence and know-how. I have people that believe in me and like what I do, but like I said I am in SeRiOUs need of some confidence. Also, I am in need (okay, want) of a new camera. For the past couple years I have started a little stash of money for my “dream camera” but you know how life works, I get a little saved up then the air conditioning on the car breaks, the furnace, you know, life happens. While my camera is fine I feel like I have a shovel but would love to have a bull dozer to attack my passion. I want to give my family and others the happiness I get from the pictures I have of my dad. They are the memories physical memories we have of our loved ones once they are gone, and if taken properly, scents, noises and love can be experienced each time they are looked at.
We walk through life on so many different levels, and if we are lucky we can find the beauty in the many turmoils that we have to overcome. I have found myself lucky to be here today, lucky to live, and lucky to have gone through all the many mistakes I have made on my road. If it was not for those roads, I would not be the person I am today. There are many roads in life to take. There are the ones others make and you follow, ones that have dead ends, ones that surround you in situations that keep you from moving forward, ones that climb high, and ones that fall far. EVERYONE makes their own decision on which road they take, it is never anyone else’s fault…. THE BEST ROADS THOUGH ARE THE ONES THAT YOU MAKE YOURSELF!!!!!
I am a single mother of beautiful twin boys. I put them first in every decision I make. I strive to give them a better future than what I had. They are my wings and I know that with them in the back of my mind, through the sacrifices I have made and will make I will fly high and soar to no ends. I have been through many downs in my life: watched domestic violence as a young child, no father growing up, raised around drugs and alcohol, lived as the rebelious teenager, lived as a mother to my younger siblings, became an alcoholic, been in an abusive relationship, watched alcohol and drugs destroy my best friend and family, and struggled each month to provide a roof over my childrens and my head. Through it all though, I am living proof that you CAN BEAT ALL THE ODDS! I still may struggle to live but I thrive to enjoy every minute I have. I stand strong to my beliefs in what is right, against all that think I am wrong. I am HAPPY that I am ME, and that my children have me as their mother. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I dream big and set my goals high, not to fail, but to live. Failure is not failing, Failure is learning to get up, learning to be stronger, learning to be thankful for what you have, and teaching others what you have learned. Through all the failures, all the turmoil, all the mistakes I have no regrets. I am right where I feel I should be. There are times in your life when you find peace, and absolute thankfulness for everything that surrounds you. These are the times to look forward to, these are the times that you truly find yourself and who you were meant be, these are the times that encourage you to strive to be a better person.
Hi Again Me Ra!
I forgot to tell you that I live in Gig Harbor!!
Many Blessings,
Heidi Beard
Me Ra,
In case you want to come to San Diego this summer…I promise we won’t have some crazy storm like the last time you were here at the Sony store. ?
Every new year I write down the same resolutions, “learn to use the camera/take better pictures/capture the moments” and every year life gets in the way of this dream. I’m a work at home mom. At times I wonder why I do this because it is far from easy. In fact it causes me so much stress as I feel I’m constantly juggling with little to no help, but at the same time I would not change it. I feel blessed that I can be at home with my 29 month old daughter. She’s the funniest, sweetest and smartest little girl I’ve ever known. I’m so proud to be her mama. I’m also taking care of my father’s medical needs. He is in chronic pain after many unsuccessful back surgeries and runarounds with the insurance companies. He’s memory has been blocked by the pain meds and if he chooses to try to “be in the moment” and not take his meds his memory is blocked by the constant pain. It’s horrible to see him bedridden and miserable with no quality of life. He is 54 years young. I’m all he has right now to get his life back on the right track, to doctor appointments and scheduling of a potential back surgery. I feel I am constantly on the go with no stopping point or “me” time. Learning to take the photos I always picture in my head but that never transpire on my camera would be amazing. I would love to capture shots of my Dad and Daughter together. He lives so close to us but is never able to visit because of his chronic pain. Having some positive pictures that tell the story of how much he loves her and for him to wake up to would be magical and learning to use my camera for me wouldn’t be so bad either.
You and your team are such wonderful people.
Kind regards,
Amy Barnes
amybarnes22@gmail.com
Ok Me Ra, the answer is yes, yes and yes! I am all the things you are describing and I’m feeling pretty lucky! I have been dying to attend one of your confidence workshops ever since I moved to Seattle over a year ago but life and finances keep seeming to get in the way. I am the very proud mama of a beautiful 3 (soon to be 4) year old boy who makes me laugh constantly and like many other moms was my inspiration for trying to learn how to take better pictures. Shortly after my son was born my husband surprised me with a new Canon Rebel SLR for my birthday and from that moment on I have been snapping away, much to the dismay of my poor over photographed son. He actually tried to make a deal with me the other day, while I was trying to convince him to try out the new gymnastics class that I had signed him up for…(he begged me to sign him up, but then once it was all paid for, no going back, he decided it was a little too scary to be away from me with a bunch of kids he doesn’t know), anyway in his words ” Mommy I will only go to gymnastics if you promise to never take another picture of me again ” I told him I didn’t think I could promise that, but here is the part where a 4 hour photography lesson comes in. Maybe if I actually didn’t need to take 400 shots to get one good one, then my son would get a little break and stop running away screaming every time I break out the camera. In all seriousness though, photography has become something more to me in the past 3 years of attempting to chronicle my sons life. It is the one thing in midst of a string of difficult personal/family struggles that I always find joy in. It is the one thing that I can do that is just for me. That being said, I would love to have the chance to capture what I see in my mind every time I pick up the camera, the laughter and joy and the triumph and even the hard times in my families life. My son has become this amazing little person and I can barely keep up, so at least with my camera I can freeze some of those moments and enjoy them as he grows. Speaking of which I’ve been ignoring his pleading for bedtime stories long enough, thank you so much for all your great tips and inspiration, and just think if you decide to come to our house you’ll have not only one very appreciative mama, but a very happy 3 year old too 🙂
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and no (you are not crazy). AND YES I do have tears (happy ones) welling up in my eyes over the prospect of spending some one-on-one time with you!
Just this morning on my drive into work, I caught myself daydreaming (again) about digging up the courage to write to you and say: “Me Ra – I know you are a very busy woman… two gorgeous kids, a husband, a career… and with your father’s accident on top of it all… how can I assume that you have even a moment to spare?…but I would love to meet you. I am struggling to find a way to attain my goal to have a career that I can be proud of and happy doing. At times, I simply feel lost. And then I visit your blog and am inspired all over again. You have an infectious spirit – one of hope, kindness, FUN and love. I love the passion that you have for your family and for your work. I appreciate your unselfish willingness to share your talents with others. I would be so honored if you would be willing to meet with me and help me restore some confidence in myself.”
And then I reached the parking garage. A few minutes later I was at my desk reading the above post. !!!!! What a sign! Yes, I am feeling very lucky! It is now 9:30 p.m., work has been done, baby is asleep, dishes are done, dog has been walked and now, glass of wine in hand, I finally have some “me” time to sit here and try desperately to let you know in words how badly I could use and would appreciate a break!
I was told by a friend about six months ago that I “live a charmed life.” I loved that! What a compliment. She was right. After all, I am the mother of an amazing little boy, a wife to the sweetest man on the planet, a daughter to the best parents a girl could ever ask for, a sister to some fantastic “peeps,” and a friend to some of the world’s greatest. Charmed, yes! And that is why I find it so hard to admit that I am in an unhappy place right now. I have been given soooo much – who am I to complain? Who am I to want more? Well – I just do. I want more. I want to spend my days being creative and doing what I LOVE. I want the ability to document through amazing photos, all the wonder of my little boy as he grows. I want to capture images that will inspire people. I want the ability to spend more time with my son. Most importantly, I want to teach my son to go after the things that you really want out of life, regardless of what stumbling blocks might slow you down.
I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 20. It is a tricky disease. Some days I feel so healthy that I feel like I could run a marathon (ok, maybe a mile or two). Other days I feel like I have been hit by a bus. Some days it takes 5 minutes to open a can of baby food and I cry over the pain in my fingers after lifting my son or changing his diapers. I cry when I limp back from a short walk with my dog. Lupus drains my energy and on occasion, my spirit. Yet, I still manage to be a working mother. I am strong. I know it. This is why I cannot understand why I am so easily defeated when it comes to my dream of becoming a professional photographer.
I have appreciated photography my entire life but my passion for it has grown a million times over since my son was born ten months ago. I know that creating images is what I want to do with my life. There is so much to learn and for the most part I would love to go to school but there is just no way that my husband and I could afford to take on the cost of school and the lost income of my leaving my job. Although we both have good jobs, it seems that there is always something to pay for (new roof, credit cards, school loans, flat tires…) and we always find ourselves living paycheck to paycheck. We recently scraped together enough money to make the first two payments for me to attend your San Francisco CONFIDENCE workshop (Yes I am absolutely THRILLED about this. What a blessing! Yay!). We are not yet sure how to work the remaining two payments or the trip itself into the budget but hey, minor details on the road to greatness, right? I have taken over 5000 photos since little Oliver arrived. I have captured his first smile, I documented the first time he crawled across the living room, and I have plenty of photos of him smearing spinach across his cute, chubby little cheeks or hugging the puppy. My camera and I have a very close relationship. The problem is – she is pretty confusing. When I venture to the daunting “M” mode, I find myself taking blurry, dark, out-of-focus pictures. I then look at my camera the same way I would look at a book written in Japanese. I put her down and come back to her later. I spend whatever (itsy bitsy) amount of free time that I come across reading my manual, reading YOUR BLOG and other helpful photography forums, trying my best to learn Photoshop (layers, layers, layers – what the h are layers anyway and why can’t they be less confusing?), and pouring over my own photos, studying them and trying to determine what I can do better next time….
A private lesson with you would be amazing and just the boost that I need right now to keep heading in the right direction.
We all struggle. I know that. And I am consistently humbled by stories of people who have overcome struggles to do marvelous things! These stories are the ones that keep my head on straight. These are the stories that make me daydream. I am posting (the beginning) of my own success story here because there are a lot of people in my life who BELIEVE in me. I need to believe in myself. This is a first step.
Cheers Me Ra,
Nikki M.
206-818-0227
Whooopsi. E-mail is nikkiglof@yahoo.com.
Wishing good luck to all of you amazing moms! (“Not all Superheroes wear capes!”)
Best,
Nikki
Creativity runs through my bones! It’s a part of who I am, and who I was created to be. Photography is just one way for me to express that creativity. You see, I tend to think in pictures and concepts, and photography is a way to express what I am seeing in my mind’s eye. The only problem is, they don’t seem to get translated correctly because of my lack of experience and technical knowledge of my camera. I am a learner by nature, like a sponge, I want to soak up and learn all that I can. I am always striving to learn more, but I learn best hands on and when someone is there to help me, challenge me, and encourage me. MeRa, I feel like if you were to come to help me learn, you would be giving me a gift… giving my creativity wings to soar.
I don’t really remember when I first picked up a camera, I just remember always having one in tow. I’ve always dreamt of being able to produce amazing, and beautiful photos, not just pictures, but works of art. I’ve always loved taking pictures, because they capture moments in time, moments to be remembered and cherished for generations to come. I believe that pictures let light into a family’s soul like light through a shutter.
Two years ago, my husband and I were blessed with 2 sweet twin boys. I never thought it was possible to be so in love with 2 little squishy people at the same time. They made my heart melt. I constantly had my (old point and shoot) camera in hand because I didn’t want to miss a single moment of their lives. That camera just didn’t do them justice, and then the camera broke.
Shortly after my sweet boys’ first birthday, we found out our family would be growing. I found out I was pregnant with a second set of twins. TWO MORE BOYS!
Soon after that, I bought my first DSLR camera with the hopes that someday, I would know it well enough to capture precious moments in my boys’ lives as well as moments for others. I wanted to finally be able to capture the images I could see in my mind. The only unfortunate part is that I didn’t know how to use it! So I read and read (the manual is pretty boring by the way! Good put you to sleep material! 🙂 ) I read books from the library, articles online and poured over the Me Ra Koh website and I dreamt of the day I could go to a MeRaKoh seminar. Unfortunately, my husband had just been laid off and any extra money we could scrape up went to diapers and needs for all the boys, (as he has been out of full time work for a year and half now).
So here I am with a house full of willing (most days) subjects and the only thing holding me back is my camera, and the finances to invest in learning. I’m sad that the intimidation I felt of the camera, and wanting something perfect to come out, held me back from capturing so many moments, and I feel like I missed out on so many memories in the lives of my 2nd set of twins, all because of my intimidation and lack of skills.
I will admit, I have learned enough to begin to capture memories. Someone recently said after I was showing off some of my handi-work, “imagine what you can do when you really know how to use that thing!” And people have begun to ask me to capture memories for their families as well, but I still have such a long way to go.
My boys are growing and doing more and more every day. The ‘big boys’ are 2 years old and the babies are 9 months old. And I don’t want to miss out on any more treasured moments in their lives!
So MeRa, I would love to be the one you choose to spend your afternoon with. I would love to introduce you to my brood of boys. I would love to let you have a glimpse into my crazy life with 2 sets of twin boys who are my passion and daily inspiration, and I would love to have the opportunity to be your sponge, to glean so much from you and for you to be the one to teach me how to really give wings to my creativity and art!
It’s difficult for me to sit and write why I should be the one you choose to spend an afternoon with over any of the others. Because the reality is that each one who has entered wants to and deserves to be chosen just as much as all the rest. All I can do is share my heart and my story, and to share that I truly am in need of a lucky break and in desperate need of YOU and your expertise! So that is what I’ve tried to do.
MeRa, I humbly ask you, will you please pick me? 🙂
Warmly,
Janna Curran
Redmon, WA
206-354-1855
That should say “Redmond, WA”
sorry ’bout that.
🙂
You are so amazing to do this, MeRa! I am so excited for the lucky recipient!
xoxo
Can a copper brown A330 Sony camera be considered as the latest great accessory for any mom! What an amazing opportunity! Thank you for the chance to learn from you. I picture myself as a mom who always has that thick black-strapped camera wrapped around my neck shooting little hands and feet that touch our hearts and mend bad days. I like to wait for the sun to start setting to catch the right colors that make my daughter’s hair glisten and sometimes I can capture it in one shot and sometimes it’s twenty! A little help from would be just what the doctor ordered! And it couldn’t come at a better time since we are expecting a baby boy in September! Nevertheless my 3-year-old daughter is my inspiration for wanting to capture her moments in life whether they are grand or small. When I look back on the photos I want to be able to see what she was thinking or saying and to remember what my thoughts were when I first down-loaded all those photos into the computer and when I go back to look at them months later! I am part of big family and I want my photos to be able to tell a story…not just a mish mosh of photos but digital candy for the eyes!
You should come visit me this summer to push me from the beginning photographer to a mom who was visited by Me Rah to instill confidence and courage in my photos! I promise I have my notebook ready even though it my have tons of little stick creatures drawn in it from my little one! And the DVD’s would also be an amazing asset to any photographer! Something to refer to when I am having a “head hitting wall” day with the camera! One of my visions is snapping my daughter’s popsicle stained lips and hands on a hot summer day with a vibrant colored shirt and a crooked smile captured and all mine to cherish! Or being able to capture one of our many family gathering with kids racing about like bees and making the photos pop! Or to be the one to capture the first moments home with our new baby boy…hands, tiny feet and sleepy eyes! I feel that being a mom is more than 3 am diaper changes and feedings it is more than nap time and story time…I think to any mom it is hard to put into words and easier to put in to emotions and that is what I would love the opportunity to be able to learn from you so I can capture those emotions and spread the joy! I have wanted to attend one of your workshops and when I have read your blog and watched the Confidence workshop video it brought tears to my eyes…I could relate to what those women were feeling and the growth that you could see! Now that is what I call confidence! I have read through the rsvp’s and I could almost picture myself present! So this contest is an amazing opportunity and I’d be more than honored if you could spend time with my family and me! I have the desire to snap and shoot I just need someone to make sure I have my camera on the right setting! Thanks!
Mia Nguyen
Tacoma
Kapiolani45@gmail.com
Hmmm… just started to post a comment, reread something and realized I’m not in the greater Seattle area. Georgia is not exactly Washington.
But I will tell you, I appreciate you using the word confidence over and over. It took a lot of confidence for me to type up my story (and then delete it since it doesn’t meet all the requirements). Someone up in the comments who is wanting to meet you has the exact same story as me. Actually a lot of the women up there have similar stories. I look forward to seeing who you pick.
I’ve been going back and forth on whether or not to enter this or not. I’m sure there are many that are more ‘worthy’ of winning than I am. I am a mother of 4 wonderful children. The oldest is my stepson and he is 16. Then we have a 6 (almost 7) year old boy, a 5 yr old boy, and a just turned 2 year old girl. My love for photography started after I had my first child. All I wanted to do was capture all those precious moments as he grew. It’s amazing how quickly those tiny little toes and chubby rolls quickly fade (or should I say grow?) My memories could not be as vivid had I not had those pictures. My husband regrets that he doesn’t have very many pictures of my our oldest son as a baby. We do have lots of them now from about age 7 and up when I was blessed enough to have him come into my life.
I also grew a new appreciation for photography when my husband battled cancer (I was pregnant with our now 5 yr old at the time). You aren’t promised a certain number of days here on this earth. Thankfully he beat the cancer and has been cancer free for 5 yrs. He is thankful for the pictures of different thing during that time frame. A lot of the things during that time are hard for him to remember.
I want to continue to grow in this craft and be able to help other people document their children as they grow. I would love more than anything to be able to really turn this into a fulltime business and have the flexibility to set my own hours to be with my kids more. I’m slowly getting more confident with my camera, but there is so much that I just haven’t mastered yet. It would be a fantastic opportunity to have someone who really knows their stuff to be able to walk me through some of the details. I’ve tried reading on it, but I am such a hands on learner that sometime the concepts are hard to grasp through a book. I’ve stepped out of the “auto” comfort zone at times, but it is so easy to just set it to auto….it can be frustrating to think you finally got it figured out in manuel, just to get them on the computer and find out you were off.
I would love to be picked and have you come out next weekend. My son just joined Sea Cadets and will be in his first parade that saturday. I would really love to capture some great pictures of him in his Navy uniform. 🙂
Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge! Good luck on making your decision as I know this will not be an easy one!
Laura
Silverdale, WA
lauragodden@comcast.net
I would love a mentoring session. I live 5 hours away but would be willing to drive to Seattle just for this amazing opportunity. My husband and I shoot together. I work a FT day job and do some photography on the side. I’ve shot a few seniors, kids, families and my nieces wedding. I am ready to take it to the next level and expand my basic knowledge. Photography provides me a creative outlet that I get energized by! I am a sponge and am soooo ready to learn more!
Thanks!
Greta
I just re-read my post, I totally didn’t mention I am willing to pedal, fly, drive, or swim to Seattle to have the chance at your confidence workshop. Have desire will travel!!!
My story…hmmm… where to begin?
I guess first I’ll start with my kids. Quinlin is 11. Max is 4, Zoey is 2, and Penelope is almost 11 months. Our family lives in Bothell.
I bought my fist DSLR a few years ago after a good friend, who is a photographer in Ireland, came for a visit. It wasn’t long before she showed me what she was up to. My instant thought was “I WANT to do THAT! She showed me a few tricks and tips and I quickly ordered my camera, a Canon rebel.
That is when I found my passion. I instantly knew what my focus was going to be. My intent was to be a photographer who specialized in children with Special Needs. You see, my oldest daughter, Quinlin, was born with a chromosomal disorder called “Cri du Chat.” Like many other families, who have children with special needs, we learned fast that a trip to the studio for all those “first” pictures would not be a happy experience. In fact, it was pretty awful. We gave up on the idea of having professional photographs and used our point and shoot camera to take our own pictures. I wanted to change that for other families.
After I received my camera, I shot my heart out all summer, learning and practicing as much a possible. One of my first sessions with a special needs family was a neighborhood friend. They have 3 boys with Autism. THREE! Can you imagine? Carly and Erik, the parents, are an amazing couple who care so deeply for their boys. When I presented Carly with a small book of my favorite images from their session, she told me with tears, “I have never had pictures like this of my boys before.” That is why I love what I do!
Yes, you should come see me this summer! I always manage to get a few accidental shots that are great. But I need to learn to shoot with more purpose and intent. A Sony camera would be awesome, but most valued would be what I would learn from you. Please come!
Marci Cheesebrough
360-607-9692
marci@shutterpated.com
I’m not even sure where to start. I feel so overwhelmed by this project…but what an amazing opportunity. I’m nervous at the thought of putting myself out there and not being chosen, but it’s time to take some steps in achieving my goals and focusing on me.
I’m passionate about photography. I have two kids so passionate might be an understatement. My five year old daughter has grown up with a camera in her face. When she was born I realized I needed to capture every second of her ever changing world. From the moment she first came home from the hospital to her first steps to the first potato bug she captured to today and all the moments in between. And throughout this time, I have come to realize that the photos I value most are not the “perfect” ones where she is smiling at the camera, beautifully dressed, every hair in place. No, my favorites are the ones where her hair is all messed up. The ones where she was caught doing something she shouldn’t have been or excited by the realization that she could do it herself. The ones that I can look back on and say “that was her then” These are the photos that I love, these are the ones that I have chosen to surround myself with.
When my son was born eight months ago, my passion was so much more intense. I now know how quickly life passes and that the little things come and go sometimes without even a second thought. I realize I need to make photographing him a priority and not rush through this amazing time in his life. Eight months into his tiny life though, I feel like it’s passing way too fast and I’m missing things. I’m capturing big milestones, but I’m missing everyday life. I’m so worried about taking good pictures that I’m ending up not taking pictures at all. Those every day moments that I captured with my daughter are not being captured with my son for fear that they won’t be perfect.
My New Year’s resolution this year though was to make me a priority. On my list was to learn how to use my camera…to really learn how to use it. I’ve been told I take great pictures (or even that my camera does…as if I had nothing to do with it. ?), but I’d like to know why an image turns out great…and how to replicate it or what adjustments I should make next time. I’m great at using the green box, but honestly the thought of using Manual scares me. It makes me so nervous I feel a little handicapped and almost brings me to tears. I’ve ventured out there…put my toe in the water and then have always come back to auto-mode where it’s comfortable. I’ve looked into classes at local community colleges, at the New York Institute of Photography, at your workshops, but money is tight. My husband was laid-off from his job over a year ago. We’re making things work though. He’s staying home with the kids while I’m at work so we can save on childcare. I’ve gone back to work full time and am on a project that I’m consistently working 50 hours a week. By the time I get home, it’s dinner time, bath time, bed time and then time to clean up before I’m off to bed for the night. This has been my life for the past 6 months, which has made it a little difficult for me to make me a priority…or maybe I should say that it’s made it easy for me to continue not making myself a priority.
I feel like this opportunity was my wake up call…it was sent just for me (or maybe not, but it feels like it). Just last night my husband and I were talking about how overwhelmed I’m feeling with life right now and that I need to figure out how to take some time for me. I was telling him that I need to figure this thing out. That the one thing that I really want to do this year is to focus on photography and improving my skills. I feel like this is where you came in. Whether this blog was created to give me an amazing opportunity with you or if it was just sent in my direction to spark my creativity and passion again. Either way, I hope this sparks something. This is my year. My year to work on me. To feed my soul by doing something I love. To push myself by learning something new. To take some time for me. To allow myself to achieve success. To take amazing photos!
Don’t hate me for taking up a comment but AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! I’m so excited! I know 2 of the “contestants” for lack of a better word and they’re both so awesome and deserving. Oh please don’t make us wait too long to let us know who you pick. The suspense might kill me!
I can’t even believe you’re up to doing this right now…you are crazy. I love crazy!
My husband said I am our twins’ paparazzi because I have the camera in their face all the time. What can I say, I’m afraid to miss the precious moment and even if I captured ‘the moment’, I’m afraid that my shot was overexpose or underexpose or just simply blurry. So, I took multiple shots with multiple settings. Then, I ended up with a dozen pictures of the same action. Some were better than the other and sometimes they pretty much look the same. Then, I’d painstakingly go through the pictures one by one and try to improve them by cropping and adjusting exposure and color. You see, I make photographing my kids a full time job. Problem is, I do have a full time job and I don’t get to play with my little 3.9 years old monsters all the time because I have to take a picture of them playing.
It started a little over a year ago when I decided that the point and shoot was too slow to capture my toddlers in action, so, I bought myself a DSLR. It was great. It was so responsive. Look, look, look I could take back to back shots. I was never going to miss a moment again. For a while, I was this mom with a big DSLR camera on automatic setting. The pictures were nice and crisp. Problem was, with little sunlight in Seattle, the flash came on most of the time and resulted in harsh lighting. I had to find a way to kill the flash. So, I researched. I watched YouTube instructions. I read photography blogs (including yours, which was and still is, my personal favorite- lots of tips on taking pictures of kids, concise, easy to read). I started playing with ISO and Aperture. Now, from all crisp and sharp pictures I took in automatic mode, I end up with more bad ones but once in a while one would turn out so good that it fooled myself to think that I ‘got it’ (so not true!).
MeRa, I need help! I would love to be taught how to take pictures of kids running around under the ever overcast Northwest sky. I could use help figuring out how to take pictures of the kids indoor with back lighting. I would love pointers on how to improve my pictures aesthetically. How do I make the two subjects in the picture look equally good? How do I get more interesting shots? Should I be taking picture crouching on the ground? Hanging up side down from the tree? I’ll do anything to get great shots, I just can’t quite figure out what, but I hope that you would pick me to be the one to learn from you.
What an amazing opportunity you are providing, Me Ra. What you are doing and the techniques you are providing to build confidence in photography are very inspiring. I would be so honored to be one of the lucky winners of this amazing opportunity.
I have been taking pictures for a while now with a point and shoot camera; however, last year my husband bought me a DSLR for my birthday and I feel in LOVE with it! Many thanks to my wonderful husband :). I have to admit that I mainly used it in the ‘green box’ mode for the longest time because I didn’t understand how to use the other modes. Then one day, I learned about your DVDs and I wanted to go ‘Beyond the Green Box’ :). I watched both DVDs and loved how you explained things in simple terms and made it so easy to understand. And I found you and your husband to be VERY funny! You guys are so cute! Well, after watching both DVDs I started to take pictures in aperture and manual modes. I was amazed at how creative I could be with the pictures! I loved the idea of telling my kids story through photography. As I continued to take more and more pictures, I soon realized that it became my passion. The passion to learn more, to take better pictures of my kids and capture their story and become a better photographer continued to grow. It was an AMAZING feeling to be so passionate about something and realizing this is what I want to do for a living. I could seriously see myself doing this for many, many years to come and know that I would still enjoy it. I am very interested in taking pictures of kids/families and weddings. I want to be able to take pictures for families so that they can have their stories told through photography and special moments captured forever. These kids grow up so fast it’s easy to miss it. To be able to capture the story of a very special day for a bride and groom would be a wonderful gift I hope to be able to give one day. I am very much a beginner and know it’s a long road to becoming a professional photographer so every opportunity to learn and build my confidence would be such a blessing.
To answer your questions, it is ‘Yes’ to all! I am a Mom to two amazing and wonderful kids. Kaleb is my 4 years old son who’s caring, funny and energetic. There’s never a dull moment with him. Kailtyn is my 2 year old daughter who’s small in frame but is very feisty and holds her own. They are the joy in my life and keep me laughing every day!
I enjoy reading your blogs and look forward to reading up on new tips/techniques you post.
Dy Leng
206.618.9975
Sammamish, WA
an impromptu contest! I love it!
My name is Heather and I am the mother of a 2 yr old little boy named Jackson, a wife to an amazing partner, and a photographer. I state the first two with pride, but when it comes to the third, I struggle to get the words out of my mouth.
My passion for photography began a long time ago, over 25 years in fact. I would find myself so many times taking a National Geographic magazine or any book about pictures and cameras and sitting with it for hours studying, dreaming of one day taking pictures just like them. Flash forward 10 years and I bought my first slr, a Canon Ae-1 Program. I took so many pictures, but never moved it off of program, I didn’t know how. Flash forward to the present, my partner gave me a gift for my birthday of a dlsr. It was in heaven and I was also 4 month pregnant with our amazing and beautiful son. I tried to learn as much as I could about my camera by the time he was born so I could take pictures of him every day. I immersed my self in photography and tried learning everything I could. Every spare moment, such as my commute to work, I am listening to photography podcasts. Lunch time is filled with books and blogs. I have learned so much in the last two years about my camera and how to take pictures but the problem is I still lack the confidence to apply what I have learned, probably due to teaching myself and not learning hands-on from a teacher. I am not very confident of my settings and I always fear what my outcome will be of the pictures I have taken. Enough friends in the last 6 months have asked me to take pictures of them that I took the first steps to start a business, but when asked if I am a professional I shy away from the true answer because I still don’t believe in my self enough to say the word. I dream of someday leaving my 9-5 job, and doing nothing but photography. I just need a push, a coach, and someone to tell me I can do it.
Thank you for providing this contest so that those of us close to Seattle have a chance to learn more. I will be excited to see who you choose and I will be saving my money to attend your next workshop here in Seattle. This year I just didn’t have the money or time away from work. Every moment I don’t have to give to my job, I give to my family. Thank you to you and your husband for your generosity of knowledge through your blog, workshops, and tips. It is folks like you that make this world of photography so much easier.
Heather Ratcliff
Kent, Wa
finchpuppy@gmial.com
206-451-7456
oops that is suppose to be finchpuppy@gmail.com
I wanted to personally thank all the beautiful women who shared their stories with us. You are all amazing! Stay tuned for some fun news!
Much, much love,
Me Ra
I’m so excited to see who the lucky lady is! Me Ra… you are a treasure, your heart of generosity and encouragement never ceases to amaze us! You amaze me and remind me continually to always push forward, no matter what life throws at us.
I am forever drooling over that sexy copper brown SONY every time I see it! Wish I’d seen this post sooner…although I’m in Oregon now, not totally a beginner but indeed have a photographers heart. The passion and desire is stronger than ever, the confidence is growing daily (many thanks to you and the entire Soarority community). Now I just need to get my grubby little hands on a good DSLR and I think I’ll be of and Soaring for real!
Best wishes Ladies….Thank you for sharing your stories with all of us. We’re all at different places in our journey…and sometimes all it takes is stepping out and taking a risk to make a dreams come true.
Love you Me Ra…thinking of you and praying for your family daily.
Blessings- Kim and (Scott too)
Wow, wish I had seen this in time. It is the 19th and I just read a blog entry for the first time….. I will watch for future opportunities.
I like what I see here so far.
Sandra
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