Before I announce the winners for the Discovery Workshop, I need to say something to all those nominated.

Do all the nominees deserve blessings in their life? Are all the nominees worthy of a second chance, a new beginning, a hope that is unstoppable? Everything in me says “yes” a hundred times. As I’ve been writing under my mosquito net in Thailand, my mind has often drifted back to my darker days. Has my life really transformed to this degree? Have I really grown from the place of seeing myself as a rape victim and damaged goods, living out of my car in random parking lots in Seattle, and then admitting myself to a psych ward? In my darket place, where the ground seemed to breaking from underneath me, I still found the impossible; healing, wholeness, a deep love for myself and a beautiful family to love.

I see myself in all your stories, and I want you to know I’m pulling for you. No matter how dire the circumstances, I have built my life on one truth: The impossible still happens. For those of you need the impossible to happen in your life, who need a new beginning, a broken heart mended, a finacial provision…I believe it can happen. It will happen. And if nothing else, I hope my own life is an encouragment. Whether you are a winner or not, I’m pulling for you. I hope our paths cross so I can look you in the eye and say “You are worthy. You are worthy of the best. And the impossible can happen, even for you. Just hang in there…just hang in there.”

The Running on Empty Contest has never been tougher. Our judges emailed me multiple times, struggling with the pressure of narrowing down the nominees. But we were able to collect their final votes and narrow the women down to three winners.

The FIRST winner, who recieves the FULL TUITION for the Discovery Workshop, is going to have the best 30th birthday ever! Her name is Shannon Bullock! Her story is amazing. She nominated herself, you can read her beautiful words below;

I have been trying to decide if I should enter the contest all night because after reading everyone’s story I am not sure that I have the experience you are talking about. But in my heart I feel something pushing me to do this so here is my story, the story of why I feel I have been running on empty and could use this workshop.
Well to start a few months ago like many people all over this world I was told by my boss that my job was on the cut list due to budget. I don’t know if I had already prepared myself or knowing some of my friends had already lost their jobs but I took a deep breathe and said okay. That night I went home and thought about all the good I had in my life, and decided to write a letter to myself about all of the things I am passionate for and all of the goals that I have for myself. One of my goals has always been to take more photography classes, so that I can start my own photography business and that is the one thing I said I would do when I turned 30.
Well I don’t know if I was delirious at 2 am or just had an awaking but I got online and ordered a digital slr camera. Now I didn’t order the Nikon D300 that I had been dreaming of but I did order a Nikon D60 with 2 lenses and on the day I was told there was a high percentage I might lose my job in the next month I spent $700 on the camera and $175 more enrolling myself in a class. Now I don’t have much money so this was a huge amount for me to spend in one night. A very huge amount, that as I was paying for everything I was thinking about all the bills I still had to pay.
The funny thing this didn’t scare me at all even as I looked over at my little boy sleeping I felt in my heart that I was going to follow my dreams and heart and that I would make it through. Why wait till I was 30 to start photography, when I could start that very day. I had just two days before sent a quote to a friend that had just lost his job and now I was following the quote myself, here is the quote so you can understand what I was feeling at that moment: “When one door close, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us.” So I felt at this moment that I was going to look at the door with the life it held and look to the opening door with the life I have yet to live.
Now don’t get me wrong I wasn’t always this optimistic. I have been through a lot in the past few years and over this journey I have come to be the women I am today, one who is willing to take a leap of faith and take a chance on a dream. So let me sum up the story of how I got where I am today and why I feel I deserve a chance. Well a few years ago I went through a lot. I was dealing with leaving an abusive relationship, becoming a single mother, filing a restraining order and custody of my son, not having a full time job and etc, etc. It was a lot to deal with but I got through it all. In these times I always found joy in my camera and taking pictures. I had taken a few photo classes in college, and even took my best friends wedding pictures for them. It always made my day better when I took pictures! My son had 7 photo albums full by the time he was 2 yrs old, which was where all of my extra income from my second job went to but it made me happy!
Well things were going good and I had found a full time job and settled into being a single mother. I even just started to carry a point in shoot camera with me everywhere because with a growing boy the slr became to much to bring along. I could say things where good, but then came the challenge of my life. (I think I got to comfortable with life just being so, so and stopped challenging myself, so an obstacle came my way)
It was time to go to court and renew the restraining order (which I debated on renewing because life had calmed down) when I was served with a custody letter. This custody battle was now something I would be in and out of court for the next 10 months. During this time I became very depressed and just went through the motions of life. Now I had put down my camera without even realizing it and didn’t take pictures during this time at all. My friends and family noticed but I did not realize how depressed I had become.
One day while driving to Glenn Yost – Attorney at Law office I decided to turn on the radio. I don’t know what made me do it but all of the sudden I realized how quiet it was. I had been driving without the radio on for about 6 months and just felt the need for noise. Well as I turned on the radio a talk show host was reciting a quote, the quote was “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
I don’t know why I decided at that moment to turn on the radio but I felt god was telling me something. I felt he was talking to me, you wouldn’t believe it but after that day I changed. I stood with my head held high that day, I started too fight for what I believed in and I believed in myself again and felt that I was worth something and had self worth. Even court was no longer a scary place, when I learned to stand up straight, walk with my held high and talk with a clear voice of my own. I learned that no matter what anyone did to me I would be okay and the words of another could not break me! I like to call and remember this moment as my Oprah Aha Moment!
Well from this day on I have had a renewed faith in god and have realized he doesn’t give us anymore then we can handle. That sometimes we just have to take a moment to listen to what he is telling us. I even picked up my camera again! I was heading to Sea World on a play date with friends and saw my camera sitting lonely in the corner and decided to take it along. I must say I haven’t had so much fun in a very long time, taking pictures all day just brought something out in me again and I started smiling again.
Well I turn 30 this
year on May 5 and I think I am the most excited person to turn 30 ever. I have actually been counting the days since I turned 29 last year because I am excited to experience a new decade and see what life holds for me in this new chapter. It is funny that ever since I turned 29 things have been in more focus for me. I don’t know if it is everything I have been through in the last few years or my new faith in everyday life and things. But I turned 29 made goals and plans and started to live again! The funny thing is everything within this last year I feel has truly happened for a reason and truly made me the women I am today, and I truly like her!
So to sum up I bought my camera a few months ago and have taken an Intro to DSLR Photography. I have made a goal for myself that if I finish 2 more classes and a workshop then I will buy the Nikon D300 I really want. So I enrolled in the photography certificate program which will take me a year and half to complete and bought your 2 dvds for my Christmas present to myself. I have bought 2 books on photography and have been reading them as well as any website on photography I feel will help me. I have actually been stalking your blog for over a year! I feel happy every day and life is good!
So like I said I truly feel things happen for a reason because when I saw your workshop I thought I want to attend that! I thought a few days before my 30th birthday and in my favorite city to visit what could be more perfect! Well then I saw the price and well…I decided that I would have to continue to just read the blog for now. That I would save up some more money take a few more classes and maybe save up for another workshop at a later date.
The funniest thing before you posted this contest my friends and I where thinking of planning a trip to San Francisco for my birthday. Just a 24 hour thing something really inexpensive because they know how much I love San Francisco and how much I want to go take some pictures there. And good old Southwest is having $100 round trip airfare rates? I was actually going to email you when you returned from Thailand and see if there was anyone to stop by where you where staying on Sunday, May 3rd just to say hello and tell you and Brian how much your blog has inspired me and gotten me through such tough times. I was going to try and convince you to meet with me even if only for 30 minutes? Well that was the goal at least! Well yesterday you posted the contest and well I felt it was a sign. I wasn’t going to nominate myself but I feel like this is a sign, a workshop in my favorite city, with my favorite photographer, which begins 5 days before my 30th birthday. What a great way to start a new decade and leap into it with both feet firmly planted on the ground!
So I can’t say pick me because I am the perfect mother, sister, daughter, or friend because I am not. I am just the best person that I can be and I am following a dream! I am finding my way through life with my camera in one hand and the desire to learn as much about photography and myself along the way. I want to say Thank You to both of you for even offering this contest and even if I don’t win Thank You for inspiring me to follow my dreams! If we don’t meet during this workshop I know our paths will cross one day! Thank you for giving me the chance to tell my story.

The SECOND and THIRD winners tied in the number of votes they recieved. Since our angel donor made two spots available, we were relieved to not have to break the tie!

We’d like to offer both of these ladies the chance to come at 50% off while our angel donor pays for the other half of their tuition. These two women are Carrie Hasson and Lindy Martineu!

Mat’s wife nominated Carrie for the contest. You can read his moving, heartfelt nomination here;

ok… I’m about to get in trouble, but here goes.

I’m nominating the greatest person on the planet for the grant. But before I launch into my diatribe about this person, let me offer my thoughts and prayers to all those nominated. Times are tough indeed and all of these people certainly are deserving of this “break”… and my prayers to the judges, tough decisions ahead.

How does one who is so insanely private, express himself about the person who made him who he is… sounds cliche`… I know. But she is the reason for every single success I’ve had in my life. She put all of her dreams and desires on hold so I could pursue mine. And when I say all of her dreams… I mean exactly that. Then, as I became more “successful” we started a family, again, she put her dreams on hold to raise our girls. We’ve got the two most incredible little ladies because of her tireless dedication to them. Sometimes her giving heart is so incredibly big it drives me mad! Not going to lie… she’d put a complete stranger’s happiness before her own if there was even a hint it would improve that person’s life. I get mad… all the time. But that’s just her… she knows no other way.. and truthfully I wouldn’t want her any other way. She and I are complete opposites in that regard.

For the sake of something tangible to base the decision on, let me paint you a picture of her life over the last three years. I’m in the military and spent nearly the entire year (2008) in the middle east… the year before that (2007) I spent 6 months including Christmas and every birthday gone. So, how did 2009 start? I moved to Hawaii, WITHOUT my family. The housing market where we live is so bad we can’t sell or rent our home. And, of course, can’t afford two mortages… so they are there, and I am here… seperated again with no end in sight! Finacially, being split in two places, is a huge strain. What does this mean… her dream is once again on the back burner. She has extraordinary talent… many of you probably know that… but she hasn’t been able to launch because she is to busy carrying me and my life on her back. Picture the great Atlas, but instead of the globe… Me and two little girls and all our lives resting comfortably on her back… small beads of sweat running down her brow but she can’t wipe them away because she’s holding up our worlds on her back with both arms.

Before I was sent here, she wanted to attend this workshop. Once they changed my report date to Feb 09, that plan got blown out of the water. We didn’t know where they would be, Hawaii or Florida, when this workshop happened… so, with a heavy heart she decided to skip this one. She was devasted. But, like everything else she does, she took it on the chin and marched on. Unfortunately, we’ve learned that our seperation is going to be longer than we expected. I guess the good news is the door might have been opened for her to attend this conference…

For years I’ve been searching for a way… not just any way… but that magic “thing” I could do for her to put her over the top like she’s done for me. I never seem to find it. But I think this might be it… she deserves this more than anyone I could imagine. Are we facing tragedy like some of the folks already nominated? No, thank God. But if you’re looking to give this gift to a person who will take the gift and turn it into something powerful and something that will change lives… she’s your girl. Imagine her as a rocket on a launch pad, fueled and ready… she just needs someone with that match stick and she’s GONE!

I proudly nominate my life… Carrie. I know how badly she wants to go to this workshop. It would mean the world to her… she might even opt for the workshop over a trip to Hawaii… and her husband is here!!!

Lindy is one of the most blessed women. She had so many people nominate her! The judges don’t base their decision on the number of nominations but on their story. And Lindy’s story is incredible. You can scroll through the post and read all the reasons why people nom
inated Lindy. But here is what Lyndi submitted herself;

Hi guys! Its Lindy…I bet you feel like you know me well now! (You do!!! lol)
I want to nominate myself. I deserve this, and I want this so bad that I can taste it.
I am so grateful for all my family friends and clients that have come here to share their love for me ~ I love you back! I am overwhelmed with gratitude! I can’t say that anyone that posted a comment about me was objective… but I can say that a bunch of them started off that way! – hired me as their photographer and we fell in love with each other and clicked so to speak… and stayed close. I am thankful for all my friends…family by choice.
Me Ra Koh, thanks! Thanks for helping me to get such a BIG perspective on some of the waves that I have made…I am indebted to you.
I am a big reader of your blog. Met you at the wppi pictage deal in Vegas a few years back and fell in love with you and Brian. We chatted for a bit about how I had lived in Thailand for a couple years and LOVED it, and wanted to end up there again just as you were about to do. I bought your mom 101 DVD, loved it. I read this blog about your give away and asked my mom to nominate me ~ she asked others ~ they asked others ~ and then some read my blog about thanking those that had nominated me…more then came! I am truly happy that you had this give away!
I want to give you the ‘inside’ perspective to me and all my nominations…And some things and feelings that no one out of my home really knows….

‘I can’t stop’.

Truly, I can’t. I feel that I have been blessed soooooo much in my life, that I have so many talents and abilities that I therefore have such an ability and responsibility to HELP EVERYONE and EVERYTHING that I can. This is the time I feel that I am closest to God, helping him and my brothers and sisters out in such LARGE ways! And I sure as heck try. I am so often up till 2 am cus I am plotting out new clothing drives for the homeless, or a new line for my business, or how to help Coop get over a issue we are having. I have bad insomnia, because I can’t shut off!
Josh told you about my skate team that I have been working on…it is so killer! (I was a sponsored skater in my days!) And I can’t wait till its up and functional helping kids stay away from drugs by recommending the drug and alcohol treatment centers and skate in a harmless and rocking manner. The slogan that we made for it is ‘Boise’s NICE little skate team.” And there are prerequisites for the members, a number of community service hours, steady GPA and such… It will help shape so many kids! And give them such an experience that they will never forget!!!
Ashley English and Sarah Tate told you about how I donate eggs to the Idaho Center for Reproductive medicine. What a blessing! I cry EVERY time that I wake up from the surgery knowing some women now will get to be a mommy!!! (Being a mommy is my favorite blessing in life)
Sarah told you about her birthday surprise… I LOVED doing that! She married my KS kim shores’s lil bro and so we are still in touch… but for the price of my session her hubby was able to print up and frame 3 24×30’s and a TON or others! So now her walls are so happy!!! I know that this small thing I did will bless her life! Just think of what it will do for her on a frustrating day to see them! Here is her sneak peek of the day!
http://www.photobiz.com/slideshowbiz/slideshow.cfm?slideshowID=54346&photographerID=6073
A bunch of friend/client and work relations told you about Elaine trails wedding ~ my hubby kept saying “lindy, breathe, and sometimes it’s ok to walk away! You’re so busy already!” and I said NO! I CAN help so I WILL. (How could I not?) It’s been a big blessing in my life to have helped her, along with so many great vendors in Boise, to make her dream wedding a reality. I believe Vince posted a link to her site.
So on top of all that was said – here is what I have to add…
Jon and I had a REAL rocky start. A bunch of his family members vehemently opposed to our marriage. I think I was too ‘strong’ so I came off scary…but no answer can be made…and reasons and apologies are no longer necessary. Although several things were done to get Jon to leave me~ we were married. But the problems with family carried right into our home. My migraines became soooo bad that I had to be hospitalized for them. I even started passing out from them. They thought that I had a brain tumor… CT said nope. The medical bills piled up…My business was just a baby at this point and I threw an entire wedding show on my own to get my photo name out! (too much stress) Three years later I felt I couldn’t take anymore…and we started really falling apart. It took years of counseling and effort…but here we are, finally dancing ~ as we did when we met. We have a beautiful boy, Cooper whom is ALL OVER my blog and site!
This last year… I decided to take some “me” time off from work and didn’t book any weddings or business from November to may… then Jon lost his job. I scrambled and came up with new business idea’s to supplement income. I did ok, but couldn’t keep up. He got another job and I relaxed again…just then his new job failed! So I kicked it into gear again and have supported us almost entirely over the last half a year! And this was the first “me” time that I had had in ages…or ever. And Elaine (the gal whose wedding I helped create) came along. I had to act. So I was trying to rally the whole town, and earn the income, raise the son, shower (eeks), help Jon study, pay the bills….. You get the picture. Here we are, his school is paid for, my cooper is healthy and happy, Elaine has her wedding, Sarah has her birthday pictures, etc… but I forgot about me. My migraines started again. This was way too much stress. Good thing there’s sumatriptan treatment at ukmeds.co.uk This time with a new twist…they did not just hurt me so bad that I’d throw up and passed out ~ they caused the muscles in my neck to fail…which caused my muscles in my back to fail and then they yoinked 4 ribs and 2 vertebrae out of place. Slow enough that I didn’t notice until I woke up and couldn’t breathe. It’s a long road to be totally better…but I started it. (I will be fine! I want to run a marathon in October!) This was two weeks ago.
I don’t feel depressed. (Well sometimes) I defiantly don’t feel like a victim. I feel like bad things happen all the time and you got to do the best you can. I try to live by my motta “Focus on what you want, accept what you want.” But I do think I try to run faster than I should. I know that I need me time. I take a soaker bath with Epsom salt every day! But it’s not enough. Jon and I planned a week for me to get away this spring and recover but finances definitely will not allow this anymore. Every time we plan time and money for me to do something for me (being even a movie with girlfriends…) an unexpected mishap occurs… and my lindy time is out! (last month I got out away from it all only once…on a date night that’s to kim for that!!!)
I am on empty. I know I need to recharge because I cannot stop…I know I need to stop…but I cant see how! Jon has a lot more school, bills need paid, and I just can’t afford it!
I have been an artist all my life. I have been a photographer since I was a teen. I really picked it up when I was 23, and have had a successful business for 3 years now. I work all summer. I feel like you described in your blog once about coming home feels so calm and exhausting. And once you said that you just got to cry sometimes, and Brian takes the kids and lets you just cry. That’s me. Except I tell myself…buck up! Too much to do! (then hide and cry)
I am a good photographer, I want to be better. I can be better! I know that I will benefit from this soooo much! I will come home such a better photographer, and have my batteries charged to keep on keeping on! And Help where I can. I
want to be like the river in Ezekiel that he says life teems wherever it goes. This opportunity will give me chances to do this. I will know more…further my business, be able to fund my skate team, and afford to help more! I want to print a big picture up for the women who graduate from their meth or other drug addictions here in Boise (chrysalis shelter, and city of light shelter.) to remind them that THEY ARE NEW! And to NOT go back! If you want to find help with an advocate that will work to get you into a medical detox program to ensure your safety, visit www.addictionadvocates.com for more information. But I lack the funds. Furthering my business will give me those funds. I take their pictures but can’t print a big one up…and I know they can’t also. (Heck, a date would be rad too! ? ) I will come back with much more patience for my son. I will come back me!
Thanks for this opportunity. I love that you did this. Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks!
I love you for this. lindy

Brian, myself, Rick, Garrett and our angel donor want to congratulate Shannon, Carrie and Lyndi! We also want to thank ALL of you for nominating those you love. I want to especially thank every woman who mustered the courage to nominate themselves. It takes courage to do something like that, and you are all so deserving.

If you have a minute, post a congrats today to our three beautiful winners!

Shannon, Carrie and Lyndi, you are strong, amazing women. We are priviledged and excited to spend the weekend with each of you! Here’s the deal. We need to hear from you in the next 48 hours! Email me (mera@fioria.us) AND Genie (genie@fioria.us) to confirm that you can make it.

If for some reason, one of the three winners cannot come, we will announce the runner up asap!

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WIN A SONY CAMERA!! It’s a NATIONWIDE CONTEST that Woman’s World magazine and Sony are sponsoring with us! For details, CLICK HERE !

Register for our Upcoming Discovery Workshop ! Ladies Only! CLICK HERE to get your spot!

For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese and Beyond the Green Box (They are BACK IN STOCK!! Yeah!!), our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography , click on the words of your choice!