(from my journal on Friday night…)
Who voluntarily jumps off a cliff into the unknown? Yet any time I pursue my dreams this is exactly how it feels.
It’s 7:15pm. I’m supposed to be at a VIP dinner event that Sony is hosting. Starts at 7:30pm–fifteen minutes. Why am I sitting in my hotel room writing this? Because I’m totally nervous.
I hardly know the people that have invited me. They told me to call earlier today and we would connect, and I haven’t been able to get through. I’m basically going to grab a taxi, go to the event, and see what happens.
Was it silly to buy a plane ticket last minute and spend $1000 we had not budgeted to come to this dinner? Some would say yes, but I have to, have to, have to believe that it wasn’t. If you don’t jump off that cliff you’ll never know what you may have missed. I may go tonight and have nothing happen. I may be surprised or blown away. Either way, I know in my spirit that to experience this amazing adventure of life, I’ve got to be wiling to risk, risk being disappointed as well as risk being surprised.
The cab is calling me.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This in essence was how I felt while in NY, but can I just say that even though these feelings overwhelmed me, they were short lived once I stepped into the cab.
I felt strong. I know it’s because I took all of you with me, everyone of you that has ever read this blog, got out of your comfort zone, taken a risk with your camera, and come back for more, you, you are the ones I took with me. You were the ones who gave me strength this last week.
Since I went to NY last minute, I didn’t have any scheduled speaking sessions, so I spent time on Friday wandering the tradeshow floor–trying to be open to anything and everything.
While wandering, I ran into Frederick Van at the Adobe booth. Frederick is the coolest cat and used to be with Pictage. He and I got to talking about what the latest was with me, and I felt this rising pulse of excitement as i thought of all of you! I told him about the DVD series, the blog, the workshops, and an idea Brian and I were considering–a city tour of workshops for women in 2008–shhhh…:). Without me even asking, without me even putting on a big proposal, he said Adobe may be interested in considering a sponsorship for the workshops! Woah!!! I looked at him in almost disbelief and said, “Wait a minute, I’m supposed to wow you and impress you and then ask you for something that huge.” Frederick said he’d been thinking about how Adobe could better reach women already, and this would be a great way to do just that! I walked away wanting to jump up and down!!! Adobe software is a BIG part of how we process our photos, to be able to have them support me and Brian sharing their secrets with you would be amazing!
I also had a spontaneous lunch with the Amit, founder of Photojojo. This is an awesome-awesome blog. If you haven’t yet, you have to check it out. Guess what we talked about? All of you!! 🙂 We brainstormed ideas on how to better educate and equip women to feel empowered to use their cameras, start their own businesses, and capture their kids. There may be some very cool things in the works if we can pull it off.
That night I took a cab to the Sony VIP party. (The main reason why I had flown out to NY last minute.)
Try to picture this…
Five story, narrow building, in the heart of Chelsea, NY. Hip music, martinis and appetizers being served. A guest list of around 50 people. 12 Sony engineers visiting from Japan to discuss the camera’s mechanics. Four model stations set up around the building with strobe lighting, from the rooftop to the bottom floor. VIP guests made up of fashion photographers, Blue Pixel’s amazing team (the guys that invited me), editors from Popular Photography, and me. 🙂
I was given their latest Sony 700 DSLR and invited to walk around and photograph the different models, then give the engineers feedback on what worked and what could improve (specifically pertaining to women in my mind). My conversations with the engineers were fantastic. I talked about of all of you and our workshops, and what my dream camera body for women would look like.
Sony was very excited about the DVD series, most of them took copies home. I could tell they were wanting to do a great job in reaching women. One of the directors said he envisioned women being able to attend their kids soccer games and really capture the shots they see. They were even setting up cameras at soccer games, FOR FREE, for women to try the cameras out and get their help with the cameras. I was thrilled!!
I literally felt like I had been given this incredible privilege to advocate for all of you. These big companies want to reach women, but this is fairly new for everyone. Photography has been a man’s world. And any thing that is new feels a little vulnerable–how can we best do this, who do we have take the message, what do women need and want, etc.
And WOW, I got to fly to NY and basically say, “Yes, your intuition of women wanting to become better with their cameras is right on. Yes, your idea of women wanting to document their children’s lives is correct. Yes, their is a HUGE population of women that will be excited to hear you care! Yes, they are determined. Yes, I’m so thankful you’re asking!”
Next step? Too many to count. 🙂
It’s as if a revolution has begun. A revolution to document your child’s life and not let the intimidation of what you “don’t know” keep you back another day.
As I was leaving the party, I was given a gift of the the camera, DCS-W80 Sony Cyber Shot, with a Cyber Shot Station to view your photos on your TV. When Brian was looking at the boxes, I asked him if he would be open to an idea. Since we have 50 million cameras around our house, I wondered if he’d be okay with me giving the camera and cyber station away to one of you. He smiled and said “That’s an awesome idea!”
So friends, we want to give this camera away to one of you! Check back on the blog tomorrow to see what the contest is and how you can win!! Prize: Brand New Cyber Shot DSC-W80 with the Station!
Our way of thanking you for all your warm wishes, support and prayers!!
Now if you have a minute, post a comment and let Adobe, Sony and Microsoft know how great it is that they are wanting to reach women!!! I so want them to know that their desire is right on!
mera – thank you for everything! you and brian have helped so many women – especially mom’s become better at capturing the moment. i loved the dvd and am excited about the next one. yes! we want to become better and we need all the help we can get sometimes (well, atleast i do). 🙂
i hope all of your dreams come true, and in the process all us ladies out here can learn from you and be inspried by you.
sounds like you had a terrific trip! seriously, good luck with everything!
Me Ra – you are right on. I’ve been wanting to learn photography for years but have either been too “busy” or intimidated or whatever. I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and got so excited because I had an epiphany: I want to take pictures of kids/families for a living. I’m starting with my own kid, of course, but will work from there. I love Photoshop and have so much to learn there. I’m working on it every day, as I have time. Adobe, Sony, and Microsoft should know that reaching women will be huge for them. I’m just so tired of photography being intimidating to me – of feeling like I’m on the outside looking in – and I am so pleased that you are there, Me Ra, to help. I’m in TN, but if you come anywhere close on a workshop tour next year, I’ll do everything in my power to get there.
Best of luck to you, Me Ra and Brian. You’re doing a good, good thing.
Me Ra! This is so, So SO exciting! We’ve been cheering you on this past week, and to realize we’ve been cheering for all women photographers, collectively, as we connect to your advocacy and energy and education and resources is just HUGE and amazing. Thank you, thank you, for all you do, and all you share!
Me Ra and Brian – Well, what can I say? I am so glad that you went to NY and spoke out for women and especially moms (who just happen to be women) :-). You two are people who have been through “it all” and now you are beacons for the rest of us to push on, to reach out, to draw upon our creativity. Is that too cheesy? Well, it is true! You are worth every penny that your sponsors will spend on you — I just feel like you are on the brink of something huge and wonderful and I can’t wait for the next step. XXOO!
I’ve been waiting to see what happened in NY and I’m glad it turned out so well! As women, mothers, and wives, we sometimes take a back seat to the needs of others and I literally have to remind myself to take time for me. It definitely sounds as though Adobe, Sony, and Microsoft are reminding us what we already know. Thanks!
Oh! I forgot to say that I lovelovelove Photojojo! They’re fab!
MeRa,
Words can’t express how excited and grateful I am for your ‘jumping off cliffs’. It’s true pioneers like yourself that make our lives and our dreams come true. Through you, I feel like my career is taking off…slowly, but SURELY! Thank you for being an advocate for women in all aspects of life, but especially in photography. I’m happy God has chosen you to jump for us… I hope to be jumping one day myself.
See you this weekend. Woo hoo!
Jen =)
btw…I could use a great point and shoot for days I don’t want to lug around my big daddy camera ;)…what’s the contest?
Congrats, MeRa! What an exciting time for you! I’m thrilled! And so happy I was able to steal a quick celebratory hug in NYC!
WOW what a great experience! It’s nice to know they are thinking outside the box.
Hi Me Ra!! I have to admit. I totally stock your blog. You and Brian are such an inspiration. I love photography and would love to be where you are. Unfortunatley I am still trying to figure out how ISO, Aperature, Shutter Speed and all that fun stuff still work together. That is why I love you so much!! Thank you for taking the time to help all of us out there in the same spot as I am. If you ever came to Arizona and offered your workshop – I would definatly be there! I cant wait to get your 2nd DVD and thank again for sharing everything you do. You have such a great heart!! Im glad you had a good time in New York. Thanks again. Amie
there are no words to express how awesome it is to see God move in someone’s life. the thing is… He knows you are going to take these talents and the open doors and share with the masses. i thought i had just found a fun blog with gorgeous pictures… but God is using it and you to equip me and inspire me forward. how much does that rock?! thanks for jumpin!
Okay, I’m crying!!! Blame it on hormones, but I love you guys!! You’re thanking me, but you have no idea how honored I feel to be in this position, I feel like I should be thanking you! The unfolding of the last several years leaves me speechless. Confession, when I stopped the writing and speaking with my book and picked up a camera, the struggle that kept me up at night was that I didn’t know how or if I could still be a voice for women–especially that they would feel empowered. Under my passion for words and photos, is a deep passion to be a voice for women. Can you believe that we are turning this corner together? Let’s change the world!!
I completely agree with Jen. I started looking at the blog a year ago for tips on taking pictures of my kids and now I’m addicted because I find it inspiring. It is totally scarey to put yourself out there like you did at the Sony party, way to go! I would say my biggest hang up right now is the intimidation I feel when walking into a camera shop to ask about a lense or accessory. They are always so technical and look at you with frustration and little patience when I use my own lingo to describe what my needs and wants are. That is what is so awesome about your workshops and the DVD, you put it into practical language that sticks! Thank you!
oh and p.s.
i’m all about the REVOLUTION!
mwhaha!!!!
This is unreal… WOW! Is your head spinning? I have to go and read this entry again… for the 15th time! WOW! I do want the MWAC to be something to be proud of… right now if feels like a derogatory term. Imagine if we moms and professional photographer moms were taken more seriously and REALLY thought of while the big companies created products! setting up cameras at soccer games… how brilliant was that!!! I’m always getting questions about photography at my kids events! I love it!
I love that you and Brian have a passion for us and are willing to speak out and serve us! I know that it was scary to go to NYC… I am so thrilled you did! I was praying for you and Brian (staying at home with the kids…) all weekend. You have so many wonderful gifts that God gave you and to see you use them all is truly inspirational… I am excited for what doors all this is opening up for you… just think about what you can do with these companies backing you up! Not to mention what THEY could do with your help! It is all very exciting! I can feel the revolution you are talking about!
OH! and I LOVE Photojojo!
Me Ra,
Where do I begin thanking you & Brian? I attended your seminar here is Dallas several months ago (its all a blur from there!) REALLY!!! You and Brian were and are the best and I have not only learned more about my camera in one afternoon than 3 collage classes and have received the best thing of all Motivation to be a full time photographer (MY DREAM! :-)) I quit my job in Real Estate and started my own company http://www.SeeingisSold.com. Check it out and click on Virtual Tours and let me know what you think. I have 2 large Builders and 1 developer as customers so far. I use 8 different programs including Adobe and some Micrsoft and love them! I still use my point and shoot Sony I won at a work christmas party that started me on the digital relolution 6 years ago.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
and thank you to my friend Brooke for calling me late that sat night inviting me to your class the next day! You both have no idea how much you did for me!
p.s. Brian I am still using the Pentax digital SLR with my old lenses 🙂 waiting on the big check to move up 🙂
Love yall!
Dana
Very cool!! 🙂
Bombs away! That’s what we said when we would jump from our little cliff into the water below. I was wondering if you said that as you boarded that plane to NY?
I am SO EXCITED about the groundwork you are laying for women (moms and grandmas)to take the most fabulous pics of their kids!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You are awesome! I am self taught on CS2 and would love to learn more about it. Good for Adobe for having the foresight to connect with YOU to help US. And how incredible is Sony for their research and development? Setting up cameras at soccer games is a fabulous idea! Can’t say enough good things about Photojojo – they have pushed me in my creativity on several things.
A NATIONAL TOUR FROM YOU????!!!!!!!! SIGN ME UP RIGHT NOW! ST LOUIS ST LOUIS ST LOUIS – I’ll take you to the top of the gateway ARCH for some incredible shots (and I really am afraid of heights, but for YOU I will do it!)
You are the very best!
Me Ra, I am SOOOOO happy for you! You so deserve all the recognition you and your workshops are receiving! I was thinking about you all weekend, and I’m so glad to hear it all went well.
Your journal entry was so beautifully written, I wish I could be so eloquent when I journal my thoughts. It was a very inspiring entry for me. I so often feel the way you felt with my own business (though your business is on a whole other level than mine is now). And you posting the other day about Brian giving you that little push off the cliff when you are scared to jump so reminds me of Chris. He does the same thing for me.
Congratulations again, I’m so very very happy for you!
Adobe and Sony know exactly what they are doing. They would be lucky to have you and Brian. Your family is on the cusp of a viral marketing wave and you deserve every minute of it. I show my friends your ad in Grace Ormonde, while we are grocery shopping, and I tell them we are friends! Love the success and hearing about all the behind the scenes. Your dad is still my favorite!
(more dad video!)
what fantastic connections, relationships, and movement you are making me ra! thanks for sharing the journey and yourself with all of us, and for being such an inspiration!
Me Ra,
I would say “unbelievable” but it is all so believable. Thank you for advocating for us and being a spokesperson for all of us “soccer moms”…lol. They are finally getting smart and realizing we are the ones who write the checks!!
God is so good all the time.
Valerie
I am so happy for you guys….no family could be more desrving….it shows you get what you put out into the world! This Sony thing excites me b/c I am a “tech gal and a gadget gal” and I am always amazed how centralized it is around men….and their needs….regardless of the fact women spend most of the dollars in this area (they do, they do)!!!! Me Ra, you rock! God Bless.
This is so exciting! Thank you for being so loving and open with all of us women as we love and learn more about photography. When I read that so many “big time” things were happening, I figured that you might be too big to be able to still do workshops or care. Just the exact opposite. You are amazing!
I am so so so excited for you! SO many moms out there feel like there’s no way they can keep pursuing their dreams with little kids clinging on to them, but you’re proof that we all can not only pursue our dreams, but incorporate our kids into that dream – you’re awesome and I’m so glad this opprotunity came to you!!!
Just reading your journal entry gave me butterflies – can’t imagine what it was like to be in your shoes just jumping and going for it. Congrats and WOW – what an awesome journey God has for you!!
Super excited about a 2008 workshop tour. YEAH!!!!
Me Ra,
How exciting. I am so happy that such a wonderful woman had an opportunity to share what is important to women. Thank you for always thinking of others.
Congratulations on your journey!
Love,
Amanda
Me Ra, I am so, so, so happy for you–what an amazing trip filled with opportunity for you and Brian! There isn’t anyone out there who is more deserving. You inspire so many moms and photographers every day! Keep up the amazing work, and best wishes.
All the best,
Cathy
I’m giddy, giddy, giddy thinking about the fact that someone cares what I think about a camera. How it would work better for me. For my future. For my family. GIDDY!
Me Ra,
What an exciting opportunity! I check your blog everyday and it is great to know that someone is out their taking the plunge to empower women everywhere! Yes, women’s desire for photography is great and what better place to start at than photographing our own children. There’s not more delight than that! I am so happy for you and Brian and can’t send enough Thanks your way for putting our voices out there!
THANK YOU!
I’m so excited for you. I love that you are jumping into everything coming your way. What a great example for us and your kids.
WOW! Me Ra, I am soooo happy for you. You guys are the best and deserve all of this. I believe there are many more surprises for you to come. I pray that God continues to blow you guys away with his plans for you and your family. What I absolutely love about you guys and photography is that you want to teach. It is all about sharing what you have learned first hand and envisioning others to do the same! Love you guys!
Love,
Sue
[…] Me Ra placed an interesting blog post on Welcome to the Revolution!.Here’s a brief overview:I talked about of all of you and our workshops, and what my dream camera body for women would look like. Sony was very excited about the DVD series, most of them took copies home. I could tell they were wanting to do a great job in … […]
That is a wonderful idea sony! I can tell you my tiny hands have a bit of a stretch with my beloved 5D, but I do love it. Thankyou for sharing
“educate and equip women to feel empowered to use their cameras, start their own businesses, and capture their kids.”
This hits the nail on the head for me!
Me Ra, you are blazing trails and I’m doing my darndest to keep up!
I’m so excited for you and all that will come out of this for the future!
You are truly an inspiration to photographers out there, especially moms/women. I have learned so much from your posts and can’t wait to meet you and your family this weekend. I know great things are in the works and you deserve all of this greatness! Can’t wait to see what the future holds and THANK YOU for all that you’ve given me already!
This life you lead is incredible! I am so happy to go along on this journey via blog and daydreams. I can totally understand your nervousness at this little whirlwind adventure (I’m too chicken!), but look at you…you rocked it! I treated myself to a full fatty whip pumpkin spice latte in your honor today! Well…in honor of both you and Lindsay and Josh’s marriage over the weekend in Breckenridge! And guess what, we had the honorable and quite talented Shannon and Rob taking the photos!! I’m sure your ears were ringing as we were talking about you and your hilarious man, on more than one occasion! I decided that if I’m ever going to really follow along and if I ever plan on understanding your “recipes”, I had to empower myself…so I ordered the DVD today! Guess what else…we just bought ourselves alittle Canon 850 to add to our arsenal of camera equipment, so I’ll practice in the pumpkin patch, wait for my dvd and once it arrives I’ll start the process of one day impressing you!
Are you kidding Megan!! You already impress me, and thank you for having that yummy latte for me (especially since I can’t do dairy or caffeine and live in this epicenter of Seattle and the kingdom of Starbucks!!) 🙂 Brian has one for me a couple times a day. He says he has coffe, that is a Carmel Machiatto with extra syrup and extra whip…is that really coffee? What the hell, we live in Seattle. 🙂
Yeah, to all you beautiful women who are posting here! Your excitment makes me even more motivated and more excited!! Keep an eye out for a blog post that asks all of you where you’d like us to consider coming for the City Tour in 2008 that we’re ever so prayerfully mapping out. 😉
Love you ALL (but you know that already huh…)
Look at you, you trailblaizer! Congratulations on what sounds like a phenomenal trip! I have no doubt that great things are in store for you and Brain, and I’m so excited for all the people who have yet to have met you. They just don’t know what they’ve been missing; you and Brain are awesome!
You’ve been blessed with such a talent for teaching; your warmth, your artistic talent, your humor, your patience- each make you such a natural fit to be an advocate for women. They’d be insane not to support you in your endeavors.
On that note, I’m really pumped about the workshop this weekend. I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to it. See ya’ll soon!
Marianne
I am a new Wedding Planner in the Seattle area and have become completely addicted to your blog! I also was quite disappointed to see I just missed the workshop and am eagerly awaiting the Jan. dates to be released. Thanks for sharing your vision, beautiful images and pushing the progession of women both professionally at home!
Me Ra,
You are so amazing! Thank you for starting this “mom movement”! I can not believe how much you have done for me through your workshops, DVD and your blog! I went to my first class last winter, and you inspired me to follow my dreams. You made me feel like I can try anything. Thank you for empowering me and giving me the knowledge, confidence to take the leap into the world of photography!
Beauty, Inspiration, Humility, Creativity, Teacher, Friend, Courageous Women!!! That is you Me Ra!!! Thank you so much for being brave and sharing your heart along your journey of all your many jumps in life. It is truelly a blessing and a priveledge to be feeling the freedom of the winds as this moment in time moves into a glorious “Movement” for all women photographers. Thank you for your heart for all of us and all that you have done to encourage so many in numerous and often unspoken ways. This is just the beginning!
Wow! what an awesome Experience. I’m so glad to hear people are looking specifically at women’s photography issues. I think a big “hole” in the photography workflow currently is the best way to present/preserve/show/keep photos (ie albums). Nobody is going to go back and look through hundreds of archived disks in 20 years, but people will still pick up and album and thumb through it. I think that is currently a short-coming in taking thousands of photos a year, boiling it down to the few hundred keeps that will be the legacy that somebody will reflect on in the decades to come. I’m currently using MyPublisher to make consumer albums and it works, but it’s time consuming to do layouts- especially if I get behind.
GOOD LUCK with your new adventure!
I’ve read over some of these comments a couple times, and I can’t thank you enough for how many have shared so openly and honestly about the voids you feel and experience as women. It’s really helping Brian and I fine tune some of our plan of action.
Even though this post was made earlier this week, if you’d like to add something please do, and I’ll keep checking back here to hear your feedback too.
I wish you the best of luck! Truly inspirational.
[…] I can’t tell you how COOL it was to here from each of you. The stories behind why you took the shots were so wonderful, and on top of that it was like sugar on top to hear what dvd exercises inspired you. We really are in the midst of a beautiful revolution! […]
[…] Remember my crazy trip to NY back in Oct 07? If you didn’t catch it, you can read the post “Welcome to the Revolution” by clicking the title (be sure to check out all the amazing comments people left!) […]
Hydrocodone….
Hydrocodone….
[…] San Diego. It’s a total unexpected trip for our month’s schedule, but we have to keep jumping off this cliff right? Who knows where it may […]
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, as well as the content!