We’ve got exciting SOAR! news! Let’s start with introducing your to our new SOAR! Coordinator!
Meet Wendy Zippwald!
Wendy asked me not to make a big deal out of her on the blog. That alone is one of many signs that she has a heart to support. But I’m very excited about Wendy being here, and I just have to introduce you to this fabulous woman who has joined our SOAR! team! Little did you know, she’s been going through the trial process of working in our craziness these last couple months. And I think she wants to stay! 🙂
Here are a few questions I asked Wendy so that you could get to know her better.
Q: Why did you apply to be the SOAR! Coordinator?
1. The opportunity to serve as the SOAR! Coordinator came to me at the most perfect time in my life. Ever since my husband surprised me with a MeRa Koh workshop back in 2008, I have been obsessed (as my husband puts it) with photography…particularly with gifted women who have decided to take the same plunge I did. I feel I have come such a long way since then, and although I still grow and learn every day, I have become confident in what I produce as a professional “mom” photographer. It’s a true gift to have found something I love so much that produces so much joy for others. As the wife of a military pilot, I have become accustomed to frequent moves and instability. It seems just as I establish myself in one location, we are off again on yet another adventure. Our last move was particularly challenging…I really connected with our last community, and was very proud and satisfied with the demand my photography generated. Even though I am not as busy now in my new location with photography shoots, my passion lives on. Serving as the SOAR! Coordinator this year will allow me to continue to connect with women who share this passion with me.
Q: What are you most excited about implementing in this new SOAR! year? Or what do you hope to bring to SOAR! this year.
2. I have learned so much from my workshops with Me Ra and other women over the past 3 years. Being able to give back and “pay it forward” , so other aspiring women can reach their potential will be incredibly fulfilling to me. We will be having some great new changes to the SORORITY forum so many other aspiring women will have an outlet to share and gain knowledge from each other. As well coordinating all of the many activities for the SOAR! recipients this year, I also hope to share the challenges I have faced and the rewards I have been given by starting my own photography business.
Q: Tell us a little more about your life, family, photography and anything else you’d like to add!
3. I currently live in Norfolk, Virginia. In July of this year, my husband’s military career will take us on a new adventure, to a location unknown at this time. My husband, Scott and I have two fun, energetic boys. Cooper is in third grade, and Caden is in first grade.
I love photographing high school seniors, children and newborns, but I love-love capturing families and the connections between them. I also shoot a limited number of weddings each year.
Over the past 4 months, I have had the extreme pleasure of “giving back” as I continue to volunteer my time shooting those precious images of families being reunited after a long military deployment. My website is www.wendyzphotography.com. From there you can click on to see my current work on my blog.
Q: What do you hope to empower women with?
4. Courage!
Do you love her already or what?!
Wendy also has an AWESOME photography blog!
Help me welcome Wendy to the SOAR! team! And buckle up, you are going to see a lot more of her this year!
xoxo,
m
p.s. Thirst Relief Auction Ends Tomorrow!
Auction Closes on Thursday, January 13th between 6 and 8pm PST.
CLICK HERE to place your bid. Click here for Auction details!
Wendy I am so glad to meet you, and totally look forward to all that you will bring to the SOAR community! Let me know if there is anything I can help you with 😉
I’m inspired already!!
Yay Wendy! 🙂
Yay Wendy! We live so close to each and still have yet to meet. Wishing you all the best!
Wendy took our family photos in 2008 when she was just beginning – and continues to be a HUGE inspiration to me with my photography. She has been there for me – answering questions and encouraging me. Awesome, AWESOME choice for your SOAR! coordinator. She is a great lady and a wonderful photographer. Congratulations Wendy!!!
Hooray, Wendy! Congratulations! And you’ve got a great photographer for your SOAR team, Me Ra!!
Yay! Great choice. Love you Wendy!
I met Wendy about a year and half ago, and I have no doubt that God brought us together. I had this deep burning desire to become a professional photographer but i didn’t know where to start and didn’t have the confidence either. I was so excited when I met Wendy because she got me going in the right direction, and I just finished up my first year as a profesional photographer. Wendy know how to inspire and I am so happy for her and everyone who get’s to learn from her. Congratulations Wendy!!
Yay! I’m so happy to see Wendy here! I’ve attended her mini workshops while she lived here in Fairfield. She’s an awesome lady! Congrats Wendy!
Congratulations Wendy!!! Excited for you and the beauty/wisdom you will add to the SOAR team. Nice to ‘meet’ you.
I LOVE YOU WENDY!!!!!!
Wendy rocks..I am so lucky to call her a friend. Congratulations girl..you are perfect for it!
Congratulations Wendy! You have signed on with an great team encouraging an awesome community of woman! I look forward to seeing more of you around these parts of the web.
I am so excited for you Wendy hugs hugs 😉
Hi Wendy, that’s great that you’re now part of Me Ra’s team! Congratulations!!! This is going to be a great photography year for all of us…
So awesome! You’ve got to hear this … I met Wendy in the park a couple years back when she was living in CA. I was wanting so badly to attend a Mera Koh workshop or even be able to purchase the DVD’s. With economy downfall my husband had been out of work and the funds were not there to do either. Wendy said that she had gone to a Mera Koh workshop — what?!?!? How did I bump into this girl – she took me into her home worked with me on shooting in manual and loaned me Mera’s DVD’s! Meeting Wendy in the park was a huge part of me jumping over obstacles and causing me to go to the next level in my photography.
You’re gonna love this girl!
Blessings Wendy & so bummed we never got our last coffee date before you moved from CA.
wendy, my dear friend. you are wonderful! you are a fabulous addition to the team! great, great stuff!
Wendy! You’re so well loved around the country! That’s the advantage of all the moves. 🙂 So wonderful to have you working with the team – Congratulations!
Oh wow Wendy! So exciting!!!
I looked at your website and your blog and I am more pumped than ever to be attending Me Ra’s workshop in (OMGosh!!!) just 16 more days!
!!!SQUEELS!!!
I’m beyond giddy!
I’m so happy for you. It’s obvious from those who know you that you deserve this. And I’m happy for me because I am SOARing this year with or without winning the scholarship so I know we’ll be fast friends. 🙂
PS: you gotta watch out for that Me Ra girl…she pulls ‘tricks’ like this sometimes 😀 All from love of course 🙂
Welcome, Wendy!
I’m so excited to see what this year brings with SOAR as my guide! I am soaking up whatever I can find right now. Thank you for your willingness to help others just struggling to start something up! I appreciate it.
Please thank your husband for all that he does for us! We are blessed because of him and families like you! Thank you and your kids for your sacrifices as well. I know it’s a hard place to be in sometimes.
My kids know that we cannot pass up a soldier without thanking them. Even if it’s just a passing by “thank you for what you do.”
Looking forward to hearing your words of wisdom.
~ Kara
Wendy! Congrats! The military life is sort of my family’s “family business”. My father, sister, father in law and countless other family members are military retired. So I feel like I know you already! Thank you for taking on this role and I look forward to getting to know you better! Thank you!!!!!
Jeannie
WOW! Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. I’m humbled. I look forward to this wonderful year! Thanks Me Ra and team for this awesome opportunity!
WENDY!! I’m so proud of you! Way exciting, Wendy is the perfect fit for SOAR! Congratulations!! Can’t wait to see how you take that nurturing loving spirit combined with your gift for teaching to this community! Love ya girl! xo
Very proud hubby…that’s one good looking SOAR! coordinator!
Yes, Love her! Best wishes Wendy.
Way to go wendy! You are awesome! <333
Congratulations Wendy!
Yeah Wendy!!! Without a doubt, I am NOT the only one who is crazy excited and thankful to have you on board! And Lynda’s story of meeting you at the park, that is amazing. Thank you for being so generous to so many. The MKM team is so blessed to have you with us!
xoxo,
m
Welcome, welcome Wendy! So glad to meet you and looking forward to all you have to offer to SOAR!
Congratulations Wendy! I have already had the pleasure of talking to Wendy on the phone and through email, she was wonderful. Thanks for your help that day and again congratulations!
Congrats and welcome and yay!!!!!! I have LOVED reading all about you through these comments-what stories, girl! and Scott–that is awesome! Surely hope I get to meet you in person…Congratulations again!!
Wow! What an amazing welcome!! Just looking at your website and reading these heartwarming words about your willingness to share your talent and yourself with others has already been a blessing! I hope that you have a wonderful time as Soar Coordinator!!
congratulations, wendy! can’t wait to see & hear more from you!
Hi Wendy, I visited your blog and your website and they’re both amazing….you’ve created the type of business that I’m striving for….I was happy to see that you have a mentoring option and that’s something I hope I can do in the near future…you’ve accomplished so much!!! I’m so glad that you’re the Soar coordinator, you have so much to offer….
I am a military wife too, flight engineer in the CG though, not a pilot. We are in Sacramento.
Its inspiring to see that you can have a fullfilling career has a photographer/business owner even with all the moves the military hands you. I’ve been discouraged lately knowing that my business is just taking off and we are due to transfer, to Alaska of all places. Now what am I going to do up there? Itty bitty little island, itty bitty little town made up of 75% cg families.
Excited to see what is coming this year.
Wow, this is the most wonderful thing that I did not expect. But as I read your comments, Wendy brings a voice to all our military women. She knows what you go through with moves, deployment, and more. And wow, I’m so thankful that this amazing population of women are going to be better represented here. Wendy and all the women connected to the military, you are all such a gift!
xoxo,
m
Incredible comments for you, Wendy, that are a tribute to you as an awesome person, as well as a very talented professional. Yes, we are a bit biased because you are family!
It’s an honor to meet you Wendy! Good luck with your new calling in life. I can hardly wait to see what 2011 will bring for us all.
I’m finally getting around here to say – Yay Wendy!!!!
It’s going to be fun getting to know you better this year.
Congrat’s Wendy!!! Looking forward to getting to know you… your work is beautiful!