Portrait of Seeing the Best in Every Situation – Dallas Frisco Family Photographer – Me Ra Koh
Meet Mark and Savannah, a powerful father-daughter duo that continuously see the best in every situation, regardless of difficulty. Their light and honesty will blow you away. We are thrilled be able to share their story with you!
MARK AND SAVANNAH
Mark is a single father who was overjoyed to share this experience with his daughter. Savannah is a unique, vibrant and wildly-talented young lady, who was such a joy to get to know and photograph. After hearing about their story, we knew we had TWO Rising Phoenixes on our hands! Their friend and fellow Rising Phoenix, Lasoy Katie, also knew it and referred them. She wanted them to be able to celebrate all they’ve overcome together.
A SHOCKING CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last year which shocked this small family unit to its core. Nobody ever expects to hear the word cancer, especially finding out it was so progressed. Mark felt he had no choice but to be completely honest with Savannah about what was going on. Savannah was stoic at first and needed time to process the information.
Not long after their initial discussion, Mark recalls Savannah coming into the room and saying, “Dad, you just told me you have butt-hole cancer. What am I supposed to do?!” Laughter followed and then more laughter! Savannah has had such an amazing sense of humor and love of laughter since she was a baby.
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Both Mark and Savannah have similar appreciation for each other. They have built such a beautiful, open, honest and FUN relationship and THIS above all else, is what they attribute their ability to find light where there is darkness. Though this is a difficult season, Mark is determined to make sure Savannah has every experience and support system in place to get her pointed and moving in the direction she’s chosen for her life. We are in awe over their resilience and strength! (This portrait makes me cry every time I see it.)
They both are both able to see the best in every situation, regardless of how challenging or dark.
WHAT MARK LOVES ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP
When we asked Mark what he loves most about his relationship with Savannah, he said they have such a beautiful trust and honesty between them. Though his cancer diagnosis and the unexpected death of his mother had the ability to create a lasting and devastating impact on them both, he did not hide what was going on from his daughter in an effort to protect her. It has all been tough on both of them, but they decided to face it together. He also marvels at their comfort and openness. Savannah has never been too afraid to come to her dad with awkward questions and conversations, even as a teen.
I asked Savannah what she wants these portraits to remind her of every time she sees them. Her answer was the BEST! “It’s like the films in the 80s and 90s, two characters go on an adventure that is crazy, and at the end you see them sitting and say, “Wow. That was a lot! Yep, that happened.”
“It took a long time to rebuild trust after the divorce.”, Mark says. He is so incredibly grateful at what they have built together and knows it is a strong foundation on which they will continue to build.
WHAT SAVANNAH LOVES ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP
Savannah didn’t have difficulty finding things to share with us about her dad and their relationship. She loves that her dad never seems to be talking ‘at her’ but rather always talks ‘to her’. He never dumbs anything down or belittles her for being young. He trusts and respects her and she in turn trusts and respects him. Savannah loves this about their relationship. Mark is also always willing to listen to her. She loves their long conversations.
Savannah says Mark is good about showing how much he cares about her in the little things he says and does. And they joke ALL the time! “My jokes don’t always hit people, but my dad just gets it every time.” He told her once that her sense of humor was on a ‘whole ‘nother level’. “But he understands who I am and what I mean. No one else might get it but I’ll always hear my dad laughing and say, “Ha! I understand EXACTLY what you mean!” Nothing can beat that feeling!”
WHAT HAS HER DAD HELPED SHAPE IN HER
Savannah says Mark has helped instill in her some pretty solid problem-solving skills. There are always challenges scheduling between two households. She feels well-equipped to handle a variety of things that might pop up. She also believes Mark leads her, by example, into a natural leadership role. He gave her his business mind and love for science.
“He helps me appreciate life more. I don’t take my dad for granted. Through his cancer journey, we have both changed and grown a lot.”
WHAT MARK LOVES ABOUT SAVANNAH
Mark spoke with us about Savannah’s resilience. “She is such an inspiration at such a young age! She always ‘figures out a way’.” He LOVES her creative side and charisma! “Among her peers, I notice a lot that they will all want to be hanging out with and talking to Savannah. In her Europe photos, she’s never alone. She has this MAGNETISM about her, which places her front and center. She probably organized the photo!”
“I want Savannah to remember that she is capable of anything. I know she downplays that a lot, but she is so strong and so smart.” Mark remembers her asking for a figurine to learn different poses for drawing. That’s when he knew she was on to something with her art. He’s so impressed by how quickly she picked up playing the bass guitar and then subsequently earned her way on to the school jazz band!
She also plays the tuba and is a Tae Kwan Do instructor. Seriously, what can she not do?!
WHAT SAVANNAH LOVES ABOUT HERSELF
Savannah also loves her humor/wit. She says people ask her all the time, “How are you so happy?!” Savannah also describes herself as more empathetic than most and having the ability to see a variety of perspectives. “I can see and hear both sides of friends during an argument and won’t judge without asking questions first.” Savannah sees the best in every situation!
We asked for an example of her being empathetic and she said, “When my parents don’t understand each other, I don’t think either is ‘bad’. I’m able to see where both are coming from and help them out. I think empathy has strengthened my relationship with my dad as well.”
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Savannah said she wants these portraits to remind her that she is passionate about living life to the fullest! “With Tae Kwan Do, caring for friends, my parents divorce, my dad’s cancer.. so many things kept piling up but I never lost sight of putting my best foot forward.”
WHAT KATIE LOVES ABOUT SAVANNAH
Katie is a good friend of both Mark and Savannah. We asked her what she loves about Savannah and she said, “I love how positive she is! And I love her curiosity and fierceness. Ever since she was little, she’d approach strangers and ask them random questions. She’s not afraid to stand on her own with her convictions and she likes what she likes, regardless of what anyone thinks.”
We always love hearing about this kind of self-assured grit and self-worth in our younger generations. What incredibly impactful adults they will be!
WHAT KATIE LOVES ABOUT MARK AND SAVANNAH’S BOND
Katie loves Mark and Savannah’s love and faith, their sense of humor and their resilience. “They laugh together all the time. One says two words and they both start cracking up. It’s so beautiful. They are both overcomers as well. Together they have faced divorce, Mark’s cancer and the loss of his mom / her grandma. That’s enough for most people to lose faith, but they have united together in their darkest moments and faced them not with fear, but resilience.”
Katie shares that Mark is a present dad. He’s always fighting for Savannah to try the things she wants to try and grow in her curiosity. He also provides her safety in which to explore and figure out who she is and is becoming. “Mark is a patient and steady sail for Savannah and continues to fight for what is most important to her.”
Katie wants Savannah to remember to “Never give up on her curiosity and seeing the best in people and every situation. Don’t let anyone bring you down or stop you from being curious or being yourself. “I hope these portraits capture their fun nature and just them being themselves.”
A REVEAL TO REMEMBER
Katie shared with us that she hopes these portraits reminds Mark and Savannah that as they pave the uncharted territories to never stop seeing the beauty of where the journey takes them. Nothing has been able to crush them, and she wants these portraits to be a visual representation of their strength, resilience and zest for life.
When life tried to crush them, they did not collapse, but came out from underneath. Even in transition, there is beauty in doing life together and not fearing what tomorrow has to bring. “Darkness did not overcome! These pictures are a testament of their light. God has taken what was broken and is making it better and strong.”
We could not express our sentiments any better than Katie. We are in awe of both Mark and Savannah and humbled to be a witness to this season of their life and all the good that is coming from it. We are so THANKFUL Mark is on the other side of his diagnosis!
THANK YOU, Mark and Savannah, for allowing us to capture your relationship in such a beautiful way that reminds you, for years to come, of all you are capable of and that you have each other always.
MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Nine months ago, my best friend from college went in for her annual check up. A few days later, she found out she also had Stage 4 Colon Cancer. She is on a path to healing, but we want to also bring awareness to having your annual scan. Colon cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the US. Early stage detection is everything. CLICK HERE for more info.
HOW HAVE YOU RISEN ABOVE LIFE’S CHALLENGES?
Has someone helped you rise above it all? I love how Savannah and Mark held on to each other with honesty, humor and love. Imagine celebrating your Rising Phoenix Experience with that special person.
YOU GIVE TO EVERYONE
You’ve most likely given to everyone else. The time has come to give something transformational and lasting to you. Just read the following stories.
Have you achieved a weight goal like Tannis or Jamie? Read Jamie’s inspiring story of never going back after significant weight loss.
Maybe you need deeper healing from childhood trauma. You’ve done the counseling but still struggle to see the truth about who you are. You may relate to Tiffany’s story.
Jajuan flew from Seattle for his Rising Phoenix Experience! He wanted his daughters to see not only who dad is but where he’s come from. Sony spotlighted Jajuan’s Rising Phoenix story as one of the Best Of portraits in 2022! See Jajuan’s powerful story.
Or maybe you’re turning 40, 50, 60 or 70+ and want to reflect and celebrate who you are and the possibilities of what this next season of life holds?
The first step is to fill out our Rising Phoenix inquiry; CLICK HERE.
MICHELLE FOUND COURAGE TO STEP BEYOND GRIEF
Meet Michelle. She is definitely someone who has known great courage. At one time, she was an interrogator for the US military in the Middle East. This 5’4 woman knows confidence. But the loss of her mom swallowed that confidence.
There are some seasons in life when we feel unshakeable courage and other seasons that leave us feeling lost. After great loss, it takes great courage to step forward. Maybe you relate to Michelle’s story.
MEET OUR OLDEST RISING PHOENIX
She was in her 80s and never had her makeup and hair done. I’ll never forget the giggles we had over watching Oma that day in the studio. This beautiful 4’9 woman came to the United States with Opa when she was only 23 yrs old and pregnant with her first baby. All they had was $50. Leaving behind family and all that was familiar in the Netherlands, they boarded a cargo boat and set out to make a new life.
Krista, Oma’s granddaughter, had a FIORIA family experience with us last year. When she saw us launch the Rising Phoenix Experience, she thought of her grandma. Oma is the heart of their family and lived eighty plus years as a rising phoenix.
Click Here to meet Oma, our oldest Rising Phoenix!
CRYSTAL DROVE TO US FROM LAS VEGAS.
A single woman who has always been known for being responsible and quiet, yet there is another side of her that wants to come out. A side that is brave and takes risks—that believes she is worthy of doing something special not just for others but for herself too. A year after her Rising Phoenix Experience, she sent us photos of her traveling solo in Europe! She told us how much her life has changed from seeing who she is every day when she looks at her Phoenix portraits!
What truth do you need to be reminded of daily to unleash your purpose and potential?
MEET OUR YOUNGEST RISING PHOENIX, A MIRACLE PHOTO SHOOT!
CLICK HERE to see the most miraculous Rising Phoenix portraits!
This is the first time Isabella has ever looked at the camera and smiled. This was a miracle photo shoot.
I’ll never forget my first Discovery Call with Isabella’s mom. She wasn’t sure this was a good idea because Isabella is very sensory sensitive. Photo shoots have never gone well in the past. She felt very hesitant to believe this photo shoot could be a success.
I felt her words on such a deep level. I didn’t want to set them up for disappointment either. But I just knew that there was something so special about this whole thing. I told her, “There are many doubts and fears I can struggle with, but this is something I am confident I can do.” She borrowed that confidence, and we witnessed a miracle photo shoot.
ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, THEY WERE READY TO …
Rise above the ashes of what other people have said
Rising above their fear and doubts
Own their Rising Phoenix within.
Through our Rising Phoenix Experience, they not only did something special for themselves but also experienced transformation.
We invite you to experience the transformation too!
WHAT YOUR RISING PHOENIX EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
- Signature Phone Calls with You and Loved Ones (collecting words to give you life and joy)
- French Press Coffee, Tea or Mimosa to Greet You on Your Special Day
- Professional Hair & Makeup
- Wardrobe Consultation & Vision
- Rising Phoenix Photo Shoot with Me Ra Koh (Sony Artisan, Disney Host, and Live with Kelly & Ryan Guest Expert—You’re in good hands. I will pose you, and Brian will drop shadows and light on you in the most flattering way that radiates your Rising Phoenix.)
- Same Day Cinematic Reveal & Custom Design Session with our In-House Design Specialist
- Beautiful Artwork of Your Rising Phoenix, Custom Designed for the Best Place where it will Speak Truth to You Every Day.
CLICK HERE to fill out the inquiry and begin your Rising Phoenix Experience!
We can’t wait to hear your story!
Still we rise!
Me Ra
GEAR USED
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