We are so excited to share our photography exhibit at Sony Square in NYC!
The name of our gallery is “A Different Life” and shares the visual story of how we not only decided to homeschool our kids but make the world their classroom. Some people call it worldschooling, a family traveling the world, but the beauty of homeschool is that you can fashion it any way you want. And we called it Adventure Family!
With Sony’s partnership, our exhibit helped raise awareness of how to do family outside of the box. We had 100+ people come from all over the country to our Gallery Opening Night; women who have taken our travel and CONFIDENCE photography workshops over the last decade, TV producers we’ve worked with, Disney’s team, and most of all, my family from Seattle! It was a magical night!
When you first walked into SonySquare NYC, images that weren’t in the gallery were being projected 30 feet high on the screen! It was UNREAL to see our images so big! Everyone said it took their breath away, including mine!
This is our family doing a LIVE Facebook video from the Gallery. Can you tell that I’m overwhelmed with joy?
WARNING TO MOMS: GRAB SOME TISSUE
This video was a special part of our photography exhibit at Sony Square in NYC!
Turn up the volume and grab some tissue, it might make you teary eyed. We’ve been told by several moms that they cried watching it even though these weren’t their kids. Best compliment ever!
When it gets to the song around 2:50 (Best Day of My Life), I pretty much cry from that point on if I’m not already. Where does all the time go? When the kids were young the days felt like years. Now they’re awesome teenagers, and the years feel like days!
Reflections as a Mom
As I walked through our gallery, I saw a decade of raising our kids in countries all over the world–beautifully exhibited–and I thought about all the funny, crazy, adventurous stories we have lived together. It was fun to watch our kids (or teenagers) share favorite behind-the-scene stories with guests who came to our Gallery Opening.
I feel a new chapter starting for our family.
With Pascaline headed to college in a year, I feel the close to Adventure Family. Every thing we’ve done as parents has been about empowering the kids to build their own dreams, appreciate and respect other cultures and their differences, and to know home is not the four walls around us but being together wherever God may take us. Raising our kids has been the “Best Days of My Life” as the video’s song puts so well. And yet, I also know God’s goodness is far reaching, never ending, and He has many more things in store for us.
What an AWE-mazing ride it has been! One built on faith, risk taking, love, and deep commitment to recreating family culture together.
Thank you Sony for the honor of exhibiting our work for a whole month in the heart of NYC! The beautiful gal on my left (below) is Kayla Lindquist, Director of the Sony Artisans of Imagery. She and I have worked together for over ten years. And she helped me with every last detail of this exhibit! Jonathan from Fundy came all the way out from Portland to join us too! We also send a BIG thank you to Triple Scoop Music who couldn’t be there but are a part of every Adventure Family video with their amazing music, including the video in our gallery.
Thank you to all our friends, fellow photographers who constantly inspire me, and family who came to the Gallery Opening! There were CONFIDENCE Grads and travel workshop friends who came from all over the US! I can’t even begin to express in words what a honor it was to have so many incredible colleagues and friends come!
Even my parents got to come from Seattle!! Isn’t that the BEST?! They’ve never been able to see my work on exhibit; it was such a HUGE GIFT to have them there. And that’s my little brother! Love that guy!
Do You Want More Confidence with Your Camera?
This is absolutely beautiful. I have been following you after reading Beauty Restored in grad school for a class, and you are truly inspiring.
I love seeing people letting God lead them and mold them into who he has truly created them to be. this is inspiring. Your beauty shines and tells of God’s goodness. Thank you
Wow Peyton!
I’m amazed at how God connects us. Did you read my book for a class? Was your Professor’s name Debra?
We’re actually working on reprinting an anniversary edition of Beauty Restored. I’d love for you to get that version too! It will be out in the fall and tells a lot of the back story that I couldn’t share twenty plus years ago.
Thank you for your kind comment and all the love that comes through your words.
xo
Me Ra
what a blessing to live your dream <3
congratulations!
Thank you so much Patty! This journey of building a dream as a family has been one of the greatest gifts of all.
xoxo
m
You guys are my inspiration.
Traci, imagine me giving you a BIG hug right now. Thank you!
xoxoxo
m
Ciao Me Ra
Joe and I were at Sony Square taking a photo class with Professor Hines last week. We say the exhibit! I am thinking on converting a Sony A7 ii to camera to Infrared?
Gino
Hi Gino!
I’m so glad you got to see the exhibit! That is wonderful! I’m not sure about converting to Infrared. I’ve never done that, but thank you for leaving such a kind comment.
xo
m
I have always said I wish you would adopt me! Stunning video and display
looks fabulous! Congrats
Jan Fenwick
It’s not to late Janice! LOL!
Love you dearly!
Thanks for being one of our constant encouragers. You are so special to Brian and I.
Love you!
xoxo
m
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kim Slevin
Thank you so much Kim! I’m late to reply, but my heart thanks you so much!
I mean…WOW! What a gift you are to the world and to be able to share it with all of us is so inspiring. I don’t even know how you can watch this without crying your eyes out! Love your family so much. SO RAD!!
It means the world to have friends to celebrate in spirit with! You’re the best Teresa! LOVE YOU!!!!
xoxo
m
What a blessing to have known you and Brian “from the beginning” and to watch your family start and then become the Adventure Family even though when y’all started traveling we’ve been following via Facebook and your email list.. Carolyn and I celebrate with great joy when we follow with you along where your path has taken you. God bless.
Dear Ed and Carolyn,
Brian and I can’t thank you enough for being our anchor in those early years. The hope you planted in us now gives hope to countless others. Thank you for always believing in us and our future. God has far surpassed what we ever thought possible! But you always knew He could and would! 🙂
We love you both!
Love, Me Ra and Brian
Me Ra – How sad I was when I realized that we would be out of town for your show. But, now I get to peek into your night. Wonderful job!
I am so happy for you and your family. Catch you next time you are in the Big Apple.
Yes! I’m so glad you got to experience it through the blog post! Thank you for celebrating with us in spirit Lorie!
xoxox
m
I’m so thankful that you shared this here! I so wanted to attend the gallery opening, but it wasn’t meant to be. Congratulations to you and Brian, and Pascaline and Blaze too, on your many achievements and on the lifetime of love and laughter that you have built! Much love to you all <3
Thank you for celebrating with us Priya! That is probably one of the greatest gifts you can give someone! We treasure it!
xoxox
m
LOVE!! Thanks for sharing so we could all see!! The video was great…the end with the lanterns was BEAUTIFUL!! So happy for you 🙂
Thank you so much BreAnna! We felt you there in spirit! Love you! xoxoxo, m
Beautiful family…..beautiful exhibit!!!
CONGRATULATIONS Me Ra and Brian on reaching your dream! What wonderful experiences you’ve had as a family, and I am ‘confident’ there will be many more to come! Continue dreaming….and reaching for new goals!
Thank you for sharing your exhibit….
Thank you for your continual positive vibes and encouragement…..
Thank you for your beautiful smiles (that never seem to fade!)…..
Memories of my Confidence Workshop in January 2017…..loved that I had the opportunity to attend. Opened up new doors, new experiences, and new opportunities for me….Thank you!
Pam
Dearest Pam,
Thank you so much for these kind words! Wow, we are SO EXCITED to hear that new doors and opportunities continue to open for you! You deserve the very best, and we’re honored that we got to help along the way through the CONFIDENCE Workshop! Much, much love! xoxoxo, m
Congratulations beautiful Me Ra and Brian! I want to acknowledge all the ways your wisdom shines through and the smart, caring, dedicated way you lead us all into new possibilities for our lives. The power of your commitment to life, to family, to confident women and to beauty touches my heart. Thank you.
Karen
Thank you so much Karen! I’m late to reply with all the travel we’ve been doing, but I appreciate your kind words so much! It has been quite the journey!
xo
m