Here comes the post you’ve been waiting for! Enough about us, and what we were teaching!

Let’s see the beautiful RESULTS the Discovery Workshop ladies captured!

As you know from reading about our Portrait Day in Stinson Beach and the Photo Coaching Day, the ladies were asked to capture a myriad of different shots. I asked those that were comfortable to send me one or two of their favorites. Some are from the Stinson Beach Shoot, and the rest are when they worked on specific Photo Coaching techniques with a couple or family. Be inspired friends! These ladies went for it and did an AMAZING job! Most of them have websites or blogs, so when you have time make you sure you enjoy all the new connections of their work! Just the other day, a woman told me how one of her closest friends came from meeting her on this blog. Isn’t that cool. Don’t be shy, comment on each other’s blogs and let them know you are behind them too!

Susanne from San Diego sent me this beautiful shot of Matt and Laura. Two things strike me about this image. The sweetness of their connection and the tones of blue. Susanne, I love that you had them on the blue steps. It works so well with the blue tones Laura was wearing from her scarf to her jeans. All the toning contributes to how sweet this image is.

And look at what Susanne captured from the Stinson Beach Portrait Shoot. Don’t you love the catch light in her eyes, the buttery blurred background. It’s gorgeous!

Alex was teamed up with Susanne, and I love how a different eye, different photographer, is inspired to capture something TOTALLY different of the same beautiful woman. We have two different set ups but both images show us an inner strength that this woman possesses. What else do you feel like their images share? Don’t you love the dog! 🙂 (Alex, you were so brave to share your image, and I’m so glad you did! exhale)

This was Alex’s couple shot from our Photo Coaching Day. I love the raw emotion on her face! Look at how Alex framed the shot too. We have a beautiful blurred steeple in the background, a tree in the opposite corner, you get the sense that this couple is at a special place.

Same couple but different photographer. This image was taken by Annie. Don’t you love how both these images capture totally different parts of the couple’s relationship?! Beautiful job Annie!

It’s great seeing Janine’s version of the same moment from above. Little more blur, choice of making it a horizontal shot. Same moment but both photographers were drawn to focus on something slightly different.

This is from Janine’s Stinson Beach Portrait shoot. There is something so mysterious and strikingly beautiful in this image. Wonderful job Janine. From the brief conversations I had with this lovely woman, I think you did an amazing job of capturing the depth to her spirit.

Kathleen was partnered up with Janine, and it’s amazing how the story of this woman shifts with Kathleen’s image. If you remember, the women were asked to begin with an interview process that Rick had demonstrated. With their subject, they decided on what “story” their subject wanted to express. I wish we could share the stories alongside these images. But even without knowing the background, doesn’t Kathleen’s image invite you to the story of this woman’s life?

And then Kathleen nails it on this incredible image from our Photo Coaching day! Great job Kathleen on both!

Annie! This image almost got away from us! I’m so glad it didn’t. You did an incredible job of capturing the kindness inside this woman by the subtle connection she is making with her dog. And the lighting, oh my goodness Annie, the lighting on this image is DIVINE! Wonderful job!

Addie, this image below of Garrett’s son and wife is so enduring. You were both fast and sensitive to capture such an incredible moment. I can’t believe the look on his face. What mother wouldn’t want this expression captured? Amazing job Addie!

On our Photo Coaching day, we had a beautiful mother/daughter team model for us. And I love how Dana not only captured their physical beauty, but she also captured a beautiful moment. Both facial expressions share so much with us about how connected these two are.

Dana, this is an incredible shot from your subject at Stinson Beach. I love that you focused on the hands. If
you have a minute, can you tell our readers a little bit of the background story, and why you chose to focus on the hands? I think they would love to hear.

Sharon, there is so much depth to this single image. This one image makes me want to know this person, makes me want to ask them questions about themselves. Your focus is incredibly crisp, and I love how you blurred AND blasted out the background. It works so well as a BW. Beautiful job.

And being the talented portrait photographer that you already are, of course you would capture something this magical. Again, AMAZING Sharon. What mother wouldn’t love to have this?

Caryle was one of our Running on Empty Winners. What an amazing gift to have her with us. She has an incredible eye. Look at this beautiful image that she captured of the same mom from above. Mom is so soft in how she holds herself and her little one. And the blurred, soft green background helps us feel it even more.

Caryle, this is a powerful image. Just powerful. This was what Carlye shot from our Stinson Beach shoot. And Carlye, if you don’t mind I’d love to ask you the same question I asked Dana. Can you share with us a little background on why you chose to focus on the tools and hands? Readers would love to know!

Okay, Garrett, did you freak out when you saw this image? Oh my goodness! I LOVE this image of Garrett and his son. The talented photographer behind the camera on this was Carrie, another one of our Running on Empty Winners. Carrie, what a gift you gave to Garrett’s family. Their smiles, I feel like they are so relaxed and not performing for you but allowing you in. What a difference that makes when capturing a family. Kudos to you. They obviously felt safe with you as the photographer.

And if the image above didn’t blow you away, this one from Stinson Beach will! Look at this AMAZING shot that Carrie captured of her subject. I look at this image, the energy from the woman, her silver hair, the barn like opening, and I want to hear ALL her stories.

Here it comes again. That powerful perspective shift. One photographer sees one thing. Another photographer sees something else, and they BOTH take your breath away. They both tell a story of depth. Elizabeth captured this image below. And I cannot express how powerful this image feels. There is something about this woman, she’s relaxed in the image, not stressed, not performing for Elizabeth…she’s at peace with herself, and it rings loud and clear through the image. And then I love the white top, the silver hair and the white ropes underneath her arms. ALL of it works so well!

Elizabeth not only captured powerful images at Stinson, but she also knocked it out of the park on the Photo Coaching day. Look at BOTH their expressions. What a moment. What life and pure joy. Elizabeth, you are so talented (in so many freaking ways!).

And then I came to this image, and I started to cry. Jeannie captured this image of Garrett’s family, and guess who makes me want to cry. If you guessed Garrett’s wife, you were right. She looks so filled up and in love with her three men that it brings tears to my eyes. Jeannie was able to capture a single moment, a fleeting moment, that lives and resides in the depths of all mothers. Everyone is surrounded by love, but Garrett’s wife, she is feeling it and at the same time so much of the source from where all the love comes from. Amazing Jeannie, truly, utterly, amazing.

Lauren was one of the subjects that our ladies worked with at Stinson Beach. This man is amazing. He doesn’t let age slow him down whether that means triathlons or bouldering rocks. I love how wide Jeannie went on this shot of him. It shows me that he is a man who overcomes. He does not waste time being afraid of mountains, no matter how high.

Christene and Jeannie were partners at Stinson Beach. Christene took her time with Lauren and captured a completely different image, ye
t one that shares a similar story of strength, joy and defiance. If Lauren was your dad, wouldn’t you LOVE to have this image of him?

And Christene, oh my goodness Christene. Did you Photo Coach this and set it up? It’s almost to good to be true. I see it on the cover of a Pottery Barn Kids catalog for Easter! You did so good on this image of the kids. So incredibly great!

Have you seen a much better photo of “boys” than this image? Tracy, I have to ask you the same thing! Did you Photo Coach this shot and set it up? I LOVE that one is looking out the window doing his own thing, and wild boy is leaping toward you! It’s the best!

The legend of Stinson Beach says that this guy has been surfing Stinson’s waves for thirty years! It was a cold and rainy day when we did our Stinson photo shoot, but I love that Tracy encouraged this guy to get out his surfboard. To capture who this man is and what he has been about, it seems like a surf board is very appropriate! Great composition Tracy!

And then we have the talented Tracie with an “ie” ending. 🙂 Look at this incredible image she captured. I LOVE the rich and vibrant green grass all around them, the total joy on her face, and his hand…his hand is so tender yet strong and in total adoration of her. Tracie, in one image, you captured so much. Beautiful!

And here she does it again! This is Tracie’s subject from Stinson Beach. A man with a hundred stories to share and energy that is contagious. Tracie, would you mind sharing a little back story on who your subject was? This image is so striking. Did he want to be alive and happy in the image, or did you just capture it when you saw it come out? I also love your composition on this and how you broke it into thirds.

Cathy, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this image of Matt and Laura. I love how he is whispering in her ear, and what is bubbling out of her. I love the angle from which you shot it. It’s incredibly flattering of Laura and her gorgeous smile. This is an image I would love to have of me and Brian. Well done Cathy! Laura must love you for this!

And I know you gained points with this family! Cathy, what an incredible moment. These are not easy shots to grab! If you haven’t tried this shot, set it up with your husband or friend and give it a shot. To capture the feet in the air, wide smile, hair flying and the height of the toss…yeah, Cathy rocked this! Great job!

Same little boy from above, but Katie’s captured another side of his personality. Look at those eyes. So precious. Whenever I’m doing a shoot with a family, I try to capture as many sides of the kids as I can. A smile or moment of laughter is only a part of who the kids are. And when my clients look at my shots, I want them to say “Oh my goodness, that is totally my little boy when he’s being sneaky or thoughtful or mischievous!” Katie, you gave that gift to the family with this image.

The image below is from Katie’s Stinson Beach shoot. I looked at this when Katie first emailed it to me, and I thought ‘What is this woman’s story! I want to know?’ There are so many clues in this single image from how she styled her hair, to her choice of earrings to the vibrant, rich blue cloth. Katie, is it okay to have you share a little with us? This image is so intriguing!

Jenny was AMAZING at the Discovery Workshop. She just had a baby boy, and coming from Seattle to San Francisco was one of her first real outings with her little one. And then to put nursing, sleeping schedules, and hormones on top of all that. Yet, she did it. And she seemed to being soaking it all in taking a window of time out for herself. What I’m trying to say is that she was my hero that weekend. It’s so hard to do something for yourself in the first six months that your baby is born. And I applaud her for doing that. On top of all that, she captured this quiet moment of Genie. This my friends is Genie! My GENIE! “My little Genie” who makes so much of Me Ra Koh Photography, Inc. happen. This image captures how kind Genie is, how sensitive she is to details whether it’s the fragrant rose or one of our brides.

But she’s not just sweet! 🙂 She is daring, powerful and strong! Chelsie, our high school Senior who skipped her prom for the workshop, captured this FANTASTIC shot of Genie. This is SO Genie too! And Chelsie, you did such a great job with composition and lighting. I love how the light is illuminating Genie’s arms. Chelsea,
you have to tell us how it felt to take this picture. Have you ever taken a nude shot before? Was this Genie’s idea or your idea? Was it a little nerve wrecking? What were the challenges you ran into b/c of the simple fact that it was a nude shot? Share, share, share!

And then this images makes you exhale. Wendy captured this soft, beautiful image. Even though “soft” comes to mind, there is this powerful strength in their relationship that I see demonstrated. Don’t you think? The image has incredible depth to it. Wonderful job Wendy.

Rick snuck himself in and got a portrait shot done. And Wendy is the photographer on this too. Wendy, I’m really proud of you b/c sometimes it can be tougher to photograph a photographer! But you did an amazing job all the same. What’s interesting is that I see a bit of your personality in both of these images Wendy. You have such a quiet, rich spirit about you, and I don’t think it’s a mistake that you captured this in all three people.

That my friends is just a taster of the AMAZING images the workshop attendees captured. Aren’t these women incredible!!

They took their cameras and didn’t hold back one bit!

Even when we invited them to JUMP! 🙂

To all the Discovery Ladies, it was a honor to have you all invest time, money and most of all, yourself in our weekend together. The four of us came away transformed and inspired by all of you. Thank you for not holding back, for jumping, for trusting, and for setting aside time to Discover the Artist Within Yourself and the World Around You. May our time together, “a-ha” moments, laughter and confidence building multiply and multiply as you continue to run after your dreams.

Don’t ever stop running after those dreams. These images are proof enough that the world NEEDS you to express your art and what you see.

All our love,

Me Ra, Brian, Rick and Garrett

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Tomorrow we announce the THREE LUCKY winners of the new Sony Alpha DSLR’s! Don’t miss it! You may be one!

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