Hey friends!  What an insane weekend!  We thought we were flying to Thailand at noon today, and thank GOD we realized it was midnight last night!  So as you read this, we are somewhere en route (if all has gone well ).

I have a wonderful team of women helping me keep our blog fresh for each day this week.  Genie is going to make a little appearance and so is Mamabloo with a new Photo Tale!  So don’t think we’re going to leave you for the week.    Nope, we’ve got some great stuff up our sleeve.  And I’m going to do my best to get the Five Finalists live this Thursday, but if for some reason I can’t get internet soon enough, we’ll be sure to have those Finalists live within a few days of Thursday.

We are closer than ever to our goal of 750 votes!  Maybe 200 more votes, if that!  Isn’t that AMAZING!

Today is the LAST DAY to vote!  The Five Finalists have captured amazing moments, like this one below!

To see all Five Finalists and submit your vote, CLICK HERE!

If you know anyone that would love a spiffy, new Sony Cybershot Camera, get them to get over here and vote today!

Deadline is at midnight TONIGHT PST!

To the SOAR! Recipients and all of you wonderful dream builders that are following along, we’ve got a SOAR! Photography Exercise today!  Check it out at the SOAR! Blog!  It’s going to be fun!

xoxo,

Me Ra

Here we go friends! This is where it gets crazy!  We had two Photo Contests run simultaneously.  Both Photo Contests had a theme of COMFORT.  One Photo Contest challenged you to focus on using BLUR/Low Fstops = buttery, blurry backgrounds.  The other Photo Contest challenged you to use the theme of COMFORT combined with a BACKGROUND that has PURPOSE.  So today we are going to start the voting for the first challenge: COMFORT and BLUR.  Then next Thursday we’ll post the Five Finalists and start the voting for the COMFORT and BACKGROUND Photo Contest!   Sound good!  YEAH!  Here we go! 

Win a CAMERA for voting??!! 

Yes, you heard me right!  It’s the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220/P 12.1 MP Digital Camera!!!  And it’s PINK!  Can you get another color?  I guess, but why would you!   

We are taking our voting to the NEXT level this week! If we get 750 plus votes, yes 750 by this Monday (at midnight PST), we get to give one of the Random Voters a hip, new, Sony Cyber-shot!  Not to bad for taking the time to cast a vote, huh! 

Can you believe that?!  I’m so pumped!  But that means you’ve got to tell ALL your friends, family, even wake up Granny, and get them to post their vote in TODAY’s comments! I know this contest is going to get crazy real fast with the voting, so we are going to close the voting this Monday night, February 8th, at midnight PST.  That means you have from now until midnight on Monday to vote!

Q:  How do you vote?  What do you win?  See the FAQ below! (It’s super easy.)

Q:  What does the winning Finalist get?  Ooooh, that’s good and juicy!  See below for those details!

Q:  What are we voting for?  Check it out…

Without further delay, I’d like to introduce you to the TOP FIVE FINALISTS for the COMFORT and BLUR Photo Contest!  Notice how they used these themes to tell their stories!  (and be Inspired!)  The challenge was to focus on close, tighter frames with buttery, blurry backgrounds using lower f-stops. You were asked to put our Depth of Field conversation into practice with an overall feeling of COMFORT in your theme.  Well, some of you got out of the box and instead of buttery, blurry backgrounds—you submitted buttery, blurry foregrounds.  And wow!  Your images are amazing! 

1. Nuzzeled and Kissed by Mom! by Chelsea Hudson in Phoenix, AZ. 

Chelsea did an amazing job with this photo.  I love the use of blur with mom’s long curls.  This alone adds such a deep softness.  And even more so, the hair frames the emotion that I almost feel like I’m looking through a window into their moment.  But the window is mom’s golden hair.  Does that make sense?  The color processing is also beautiful in this image.  Wonderful job Chelsea!  Thank you so much for submitting!  Do see Chelsea’s blog, CLICK HERE!

2.  Tenderness by Jane Wiggins in Waterloo, Iowa .

Jane also captured the tenderness between mom and baby but used the low fstop/aperture in a different way.  Instead of having a buttery, blurry background, she made mom’s profile in the foreground buttery and blurry.  The effect is breath taking!  The soft, blur to mom makes me feel her love and comfort surrounding this little one.  I also love the choice of black and white b/c it captures the timelessness of mom’s love for baby that much more.  Wonderful job Jane!

  3. First Halloween! by Christine Barker in Baltimore, MD.

This image is fantastic!  It’s a great example of creativity that got“out of the box”.  Christine, you knocked this out of the ball park!  Not only is the background buttery and blurred, but Christine has dad in motion and blurred.  I would love it if you told us how you captured this!    This image makes me wonder what the story is.  Did dad have leaves all over him?  Did the wind kick up leaves?  Is he going so fast that leaves flew up?  Any time you can draw someone in to create story behind your image, you have a powerful image.  It almost looks like the cold, October leaves are flying around dad as his comforting presence ushers his little one from house to house.   But that is only a guess.  Christine, great job on this!  Thank you for sharing! 

  4. My Raggedy Ann! by Gina Oh in CA .

Gina submitted a photo for our Photo Contest a couple years ago.  When she submitted this one, I couldn’t believe it was the same Gina.  I’ve asked her to do an interview for the Amazing Mom feature because you will be inspired by how far her photography has come in such a short time.  I love the use of buttery, blur in this image.  The soft, golden brush in the background.  And then the contrast of a crisp white sundress with the red haired Raggedy Ann…it’s powerful.  The mix of colors brings a sense of comfort.  Gina, this photo is amazing!  So proud of you!

5. Little Cowgirls! by Maureen Roy in Missoula, Montana.

This image jumped off the screen at me.  It is a wonderful example of how the focus–the story–doesn’t have to always be “in focus” or sharp.  The creativity on this image is out of the box.  I almost feel like the blurred cowgirl boots lens room to more creativity on the viewer’s end.  It’s as if I can hear the girls giggling and feel the hot summer air.  All these feelings come from this single image.  This is a wonderful story telling image.  Wonderful, beautiful job Maureen!  Thank you for sharing!  To see Maureen’s block, CLICK HERE!  

There it is! The Fabulous Five Finalists! Didn’t I tell you they were AMAZING!  Click on their names to see more of their work!  But vote before you go b/c whoever gets the most votes will WIN!!

And all of you, plus the winners, have the opportunity to win a Sony Cyber-shot Camera! All you have to do is post a comment and vote for your favorite finalist. Leave a few words about why they were your favorite, and you are entered into the Sony Cyber-shot Camera drawing!

Let’s go!  750 vote goal, HERE WE COME!

PHOTO CONTEST FAQ:

FAQ #1: How do you vote?

Answer: Just click on the pink word “Comments” at the end of this blog post. Put the # of photo your voting for first (it makes counting the votes way faster), and then add a few words about why you like their image the most. Remember, your comments and feedback give to the Five Finalists more than any prize from us. Please be kind, encouraging, and share all that you can with these wonderful Five Finalists! Your feedback on their images is priceless! That’s why we do the Random Voter Awards, because we appreciate your voting and feedback so much. So spread the word to family and friends! And ask them to vote! We need 750 VOTES to give this camera away!

(Please vote one time for one image. Thanks!)

FAQ #2: Is there a new Photo Contest happening right now? And when is the Deadline?

Answer: Not yet!  After we finish the voting for these two contests (or sooner) we’ll announce the next Photo Contest Theme.  It’s one my favorite Photo Contest Themes so far!

FAQ #3: What are the prizes for the Random Voters and the Finalist?

Answer: Scroll on down!!

Prizes for the Winning Finalist and the Random Voter Winners!

In the last couple of contests, we’ve broken our record for votes received!  You all spread the word, and the votes came rolling in! If we clear 750 votes on this contest, we are going to pick a Random Voter (not necessarily #750, but a RANDOM Voter) to win the Sony Cyber-shot camera!!!

And then we’ll keep going and pick one more Random Voters to win a $25 customized, cool looking Starbucks card! So that’s one Random Winner of a new, slick Sony Cyber-shot camera, and one MORE random winner of $25 customized Starbucks cards, if we clear 750!

Deadline for all voting is this Monday night, 4 days from now, 2/8, at midnight PST!! That means we have to clear 750 votes by that time for two Random Voters to be picked and win a pink (or different color ) Sony Cybershot Camera!

Prize for being the Winner of the Five Finalists!!!

Now what about the finalist’s prize! What will they get?  Well first, each finalist should vote too so they get a fair shot of winning the Sony Cyber-shot camera!  And then the Winning Finalists gets THREE SPECIAL PRIZES!!!

1. Get Girded Up with Award Winning Resources!  Their choice of one of our popular 101 Kits: The Essentials to Starting a Photography Business OR the Downloadable version of our Award Winning Refuse to Say Cheese/Beyond the Green Box DVD series.

2.  Continue Your Creativity After the Shooting!  Their own copy of Adobe’s Lightroom 2.0 Software!!!!  (thank you Adobe!)

3.  Don’t Hide Your Winning Photo!  Show It Off!!!  And the newest addition to our Winning Finalist prizes, their winning photo will be printed on a beautiful canvas!  Our SOAR! Partner, Pixel2Canvas, has joined the Photo Contests as of this year!   And we are so excited b/c now your winning image will be on a BIG, Beautiful Canvas for the wall!

So get all your friends and family to jump on here and vote before this Monday at midnight!

VOTE AWAY!!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

p.s.  If your in the mood to keep voting.  You can cast a new vote today and every day for Pocket Philanthropist!  This is your daily reminder. 

Little brothers are pretty special.  I consider myself super lucky because I’ve got two.  Aside from Brian, they are both my closest friends. 

One of them is in a constant race with me to be a guest on Oprah’s show.  He lives in Beverly Hills, and let’s just say that when my dad gave us the “You’ve Got To Make a Living Speech”, he was taking notes at the age of three.  He is a constant support to all my business endeavors, no matter how grand they seem. 

My youngest brother shares my passion for writing, literature and a desire to change the world.  His name is Shaun Hong (or I call him Shauni—emphasizing the eeee sound ).  Sometimes we called him Scrawny Shauni.     

OH but WAIT, for all the women who were in the Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop a couple weeks ago…YES!  This is the brother who tortured Ms. Johnson!  (Natalie Johnson was one of the attendees.)   Shaun said that Ms. Johnson used to have a big fan on her desk, and they would rip up dozens of pieces of paper and let them go when they walked by her desk so it looked like it had snowed—just on her desk.    What a pill!

But Natalie, get this.  When I told him you were in the workshop he smiled and said “Oh man, all the boys had the BIGGEST CRUSH on Ms. Johnson!”  So even though they tried to run you out of your job, it sounds like they were crushing on you!  Isn’t that funny!  Did you ever know that?

Okay, so back to Shaun in “real time”.  I’m relieved to say that he has taken a turn for the better (since 6th grade ).  He is one of the funniest guys you will ever meet, and he is one of the most giving. 

Shauni and his best friend, Nate, have been burning the candles late into the night, hammering out an idea that could help thousands of people.  It’s called Pocket Philanthropist.  Don’t you love the name?  I think it’s awesome! 

They’ve entered Pocket Philanthropist in the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project.  Their goal is to win a grant for $250K so they can quit their day jobs and focus all their attention on helping people in need.  I’m shamelessly asking you to vote for these guys. Watch the video, and you’ll see how great their idea is.  

Every day, you can vote AGAIN.  I thought this would be a great way to get your “voter” muscle working because tomorrow…drum roll…I am posting the Finalists for the Comfort Photo Themed Contest!!  I know what your saying, you won’t believe until you see it!  And I respond by saying, I don’t blame you!    But it’s coming friends. So get your voting muscle working on my little brother’s dream while I finish prepping the Finalist Contest post for tomorrow!

Oh, and if you have any questions about Pocket Philanthropist feel free to post them as comments on today’s blog.  Shauni will be popping on here to answer whatever he can. 

CLICK HERE to VOTE! 

Thanks in advance! 

xoxo, Me Ra

p.s. Jennifer’s Business Coaching Exercise is live this morning on the SOAR! Blog.  Enjoy SOAR! Sisters!  Their posts this week are pretty powerful. 

Last Monday, Brian and I flew to Colorado to meet with four other small, powerful businesses.  These aren’t just any businesses, but some of the top leading businesses in the wedding/portrait photography industry.  David Jay and Todd from ShowIt, Rachel LaCour and Andrew Niesen of ShootQ, Bob and Dawn Davis Photography (Oprah’s photographers), and Lawrence and Julie of Tofurious (viral marketing/SEO masters).  It was an amazing group!

We were invited by Jeff Jochum, the CMO of SmugMug to participate in a CxO Fight Club, basically, an intense Think Tank.  Jeff’s been an advisor to Brian and I for the last few years.  His wisdom has helped our business grow in endless ways.  He has a history of taking several companies worth $1-$3million and helping them grow to $40 plus million.  Needless to say, when Jeff has advice for us…we listen.

His plan was to bring us together, dismantle our businesses, challenge our businesses on so many freaking levels, and then push us to prepare our businesses for a Venture Capital presentation.  None of us are really sure that we are going to look for Venture Capital/Angel funding, but we went through the motions last week for the sake of finding clarity about our business goals.  There is something about having to articulate your business goals, strategies, marketing plans…All of it…with absolute clarity.  Oh my Lord, it was intense.  We had 14 hour days, sometimes going over things at midnight, and our brains were pushed beyond measure.

At the end of the week, we had a face off.  All five businesses presented to the panel of judges, including a former Venture Capitalist.  Talk about stress, pressure, and being challenged beyond your comfort level.  Think Shark Tank.

By the third morning, I got so angry with Jeff.  I felt like he was pushing me beyond my capacity.  I was on the brink of tears and had a few words with him.  It was as if he mentally rolled up his sleeves because I was at the point of breakthrough and just didn’t know it.  But he knew it.  I had to remind myself that this is what I was paying for.  I wasn’t paying to be encouraged and built up for four days.  I already knew Jeff believed in us.  I was paying to be challenged, questioned, critiqued, analyzed on every level and come out stronger on the other end.

I’m happy to say that all that happened.  Brian and I can’t believe how much we grew in four days.  The growth that happened in the Think Tank would have taken four years if left to our own devices.  The week was exhausting but in all the right ways.

And one of the best parts, we walked away with four other businesses to join our Panel of Advisors.  I know we talk about this a lot, but it is so important to surround yourself with a support group of some kind.  Whether you meet in person, via phone, or on the SOARORITY forum, you must set your mind to making it happen.  The photography industry can feel lonely.  We are all so focused on fine tuning our craft and building our business.  Who has time to connect and find support?    Yet, the value of knowing your not alone, the empowerment it gives…it may be the most important part to surviving.  They say that in the first year, nine out of ten businesses fail.  I wonder how many of those nine had support to cheer them on.

I know many of you are starting out and don’t know where to find that type of support.  Chopping Block has been working hard on the SOARORITY forum so that it provides a place of safety and support for you.  Here is one example of how hard they’ve been working…We were actually ready to go live with a Ning site last Thursday, but we all pulled the plug because we discovered there were specific features Ning couldn’t provide.  They were features that are essential to you being able to find support from one another.  So Chopping Block went back to square one and are rebuilding SOARORITY on a VBulletin site, as fast as they can.  Supports starts with communities like this.  In fact, I met David (DJ) on his Open Source Forum years ago.  You never know how connections online will form into life long supportive friendships.

Jeff, thank you for such an amazing week.  You not only believe in us, but you push us, say the tough things we need to hear, and then keep on believing in us.  You know we love you so much.

To my fellow Fight Club members, DJ, Todd, Rachel, Andrew, Bob, Dawn, Lawrence and Julie…Brian and I feel so blessed to have you in our lives.  So very blessed.  The support we all found in each other last week was priceless.  I can’t wait to see where we all go from here.

xoxo,

Me Ra

p.s.  Brian and I won the CxO Fight Club presentations!    We were so surprised.  Talk about intense competition…if you could have only seen how awesome the other four presentations were.  And if only the $2million we asked for was real!  

p.s.s  Follow the SOAR! Recipients this week on the SOAR! Blog, as they share their first Business Coaching exercise with you!  It’s an exercise that you may want to try for yourself and your business!

p.s.s.  Only six more days till we leave for the jungles of Thailand!  With our heads full from last week, we get a space of time to process, restructure and get ready for an amazing 2010!  Counting the days!

It’s the first Monday of the month ladies!  My  business coaches, Karen and Fay, and myself are super excited because the first Monday of the month now means something super special for the rest of the year!  It’s all about Business Coaching!  But let me back up…

The SOAR! blog is going to have a specific rhythm throughout the year.  Here is the plan…

1st Monday of the month will be dedicated to Business Coaching.  You will be given a Business Coaching exercise that our three SOAR! Recipients are working on.  Over the next three days, you will get to not only work on yours but also read what Linda, Jennifer and Lindsay’s experience too!  And then we’ll invite you to post yours on the SOARORITY! forum with further conversation!  Get ready ladies, Karen and Fay are amazing Business Coaches!

2nd Monday of the month will be dedicated to a Photography Exercise.  And again, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you’ll get to see the Recipients results and process.  (We are so excited for you to be able to share your photo results at SOARORITY!)

3rd Monday of the month will feature one of our Partners that the SOAR! Recipients are working with.

4th Monday of the month will be based on the Artist Way book by Julia Cameron.  It is my Bible for creative inspiration.  If you don’t already own this book, YOU MUST!  Click the “Top Ten Stocking Stuffers” post (I know, how embarrassing that I haven’t found time to update that announcement yet!  ) to find the link for the book on Amazon.  This fourth week will be introspective exercises that will involve different art mediums from photography, to writing, even scissors and glue and an assignment to take an Artist Date to yourself!

There is sometimes a 5th Monday.  Since we have four months with a 5th Monday, we’ve already worked on a special SOAR! theme for those special weeks.

And that’s our SOAR! Blog Rhythm ladies!

All SOAR! Sisters are invited to get involved, sink your teeth in, make this year your year to SOAR!   Who is a SOAR! Sister?  Any and EVERY woman who wants to learn how to take her dream of having a photography business and SOAR! this year.  If you didn’t submit a SOAR! Application, you can still join this wonderful process of empowerment at any time!  The SOAR! Scholarship is designed to not only empower the three recipients but all women who need and want emotional support and tools—the kind of support and tools that make all the difference!

So ladies, CLICK HERE to visit the SOAR! Blog and read your first Business Coaching SOAR! Exercise!

xoxo,

Me Ra

It was my first bridal expo show ever.  I was so nervous.  I had no idea how to price our wedding packages.  They ranged from $1285-$3000.  I had no idea how to build a photography booth at an expo.  My parents let me borrow a bunch of antique furniture, and Brian I tried to create a classic space in a 10 x 10 square booth.  Oh, the stress.  But you have to start somewhere.

I remember unloading the car, and this beautiful woman was unloading a couple cars down.  Her little girl was with her.  She had to be around Pascaline’s age at the time.  Somehow we started talking.  It was her first show too.  We were both wedding photographers, both moms, both excited and scared as all get out.   From that moment on we were friends.

Sharlane Chase is the beautiful woman I’m talking about.

She has been a support to  me over the years as we’ve both tried to grow our businesses and figure out mothering at the same time.  She went from being at this little no name expo with me, to organizing the classiest wedding event in the Northwest!  She is the mastermind behind Seattle’s amazing Urban Unveiled event.    And Sharlane is a fighter.  She is a single mom and does it all with grace and a smile that can heal anyone’s broken heart.

So today, I’m asking you to join me in helping Sharlane.  Over the holiday her fiancé proposed, and then she got the news of having cancer.  This woman has been through so much.  And as you can imagine, the medical costs are insane.

The Seattle and surrounding wedding industry are raising money to help Sharlane pay for her medical bills and fight this battle.  There is going to be an amazing auction next week on February 4th in Seattle.  If you can, you must come!  If you can’t, see the website for more ideas on how to give.  CLICK HERE for all the details!  The website is www.weheartsharlane.com.

Erin Wheeler, a local photographer, is offering up a wedding photography package for the auction.  Check our her website and read her amazing story.  CLICK HERE for details!

And more than anything, thank you for lifting Sharlane up in your prayers.  She is so dear to so many.  She never stops giving.  She never stops smiling.  She and her little Anna have been through so much.  Thank you for helping this strong, beautiful woman, Sharlane Chase.

(I love you Sharlane.  I’ll never forget the photo shoot we did of each other and the kids in your little kitchen.  How has time gone so fast. Love you and Anna so much.)

xoxo, Me Ra

You may not like me when I say it, but there is no way around it.  One of the main ingredients to a Successful Business is Exercise!

Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to be in better shape?  It’s never to late!  I’m not talking about Barbie Doll shape or those Size 6’s that are really the new Size 10’s—ugh!  I’m talking about feeling good about your body/fitness and raising your CONFIDENCE (there’s that word again!).

When we started shooting weddings more consistently, I would wake up Sunday morning and be WORTHLESS for the rest of the day.  It was insane!  I’d nap on the couch and feel like a train hit me.  This was not okay for my family.

Shooting weddings is such an endurance based activity, standing on your feet for up to 12 hours.  I knew I needed to get in shape for the job.  So I started swimming to build up my back muscles and endurance level.  Eventually, I met this scary guy, Troy Nesby.

He’s not that scary.   But he is a darn good trainer.  AND guess what ladies, he is putting Cross Fit and Cardio exercises/workouts on his new blog.  It’s called the Homework Fitness blog, and it’s pretty great.

I LOVE it because one of my biggest battles is keeping consistency in a life that is made up of consistent travel.  I feel like I do so good with exercise at home, but then we hit the road and my diet and exercise routine struggle.  But if my dad can do it, I sure as heck can.

My dad has travelled abroad for almost forty years.  He is sometimes out of the country two or three times a month.  And guess what, when he flies from Seattle to Korea, he checks himself in at the hotel (in KOREA) and does cardio after a THIRTEEN hour flight!  He’s in his late sixties and has no body fat!  He made a decision on his 40th birthday to stay in shape, regardless of how crazy his schedule was, and he has done it.  If I think my schedule gets crazy, I don’t have anything on him.

So last year I bought resistance bands that I can take anywhere.  If you don’t have a gym membership, you totally need these bands.  They cost maybe $15 at Target.  And when I’m on the road, I pull up Troy’s blog and find a workout that I can do from anywhere in the world.

What do you say ladies?  What about setting some fitness goals.  My goal is to exercise 5-6 times a week.  I do pretty good with 3 times, but I’d like to bump it up because honestly, I just feel better on the days I workout.  What’s a realistic goal that you can set for yourself?  If you do any of Troy’s workouts from his blog, post a comment on how it went.  I’ve started doing it, and for some reason it helps me feel more accountable.

Why is exercise a main ingredient for a successful business?  There are many things in the life of your business that you can’t control or predict.  Choosing to get up in the morning and hit the gym before the kids wake up is something you can control.  And it’s amazing how this keeps you grounded while building your business.  Jeff Jochum and I talk about this off and on.  Give it a try.  You’ll see what I mean!

CLICK HERE for Troy’s Homework Fitness Blog!  And leave a comment after you do a workout!  I won’t feel so alone! 

xoxo,

Me Ra

I had some time over the weekend to look through our images from last weekend’s Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop.  What a wonderful, beautiful group of women!  We had the best time together.  What could be better than a weekend with girlfriends (and Brian ) full of laughing, little bit of cleansing crying, understanding your camera, discovering yourself as an artist, and meeting friends that you will have for a life time!  Thank you Seattle Confidence ladies!

(I’m trying to figure out what Brian is doing in our group photo.    I think he said “Let’s all wave at the camera!”  But then he didn’t wave.  Figures!)

I love doing the CONFIDENCE workshop local because the Hotel Murano’s private gallery is the BEST place for this type of weekend.  It’s so beautiful and inspiring.  But the most beautiful subjects were all the models!  On Saturday, we had four sweet babies come with their mamas—and even one grandma! 

I especially love the one-on-one time we get to answer questions.  Sometimes you just need a moment to have someone walk through your camera with you, and I know that for myself, this has made such a difference so many times!

Three (beautiful) generations!  

Ladies, remember when I set up the shot of mom on her side, to accentuate a soft curve of her hips?  This is one of the shots that I got from that set up.  I thought it would help for you to see what I was seeing. 

And remember these two boys?  Hilarious!  It’s freezing cold outside, but they took off their shirts and showed us their muscles! 

If you are local to Seattle and want a wonderful group of mom photographers to connect with, you must contact Mary!  She started this fantastic group of women, Mamas with Cameras, because of her own desire to understand her camera so she could capture her son.  She was in the last CONFIDENCE Workshop, and we were lucky to have her family as a model last weekend!

And then there was another former CONFIDENCE Jamaican sister, Phillipa.  Oh  my goodness, her babies are the sweetest.  This is my favorite one—singing on the railroad tracks without a care in the world.

Brian and I want to thank all the Seattle CONFIDENCE ladies.  You opened your hearts up to us and your dreams, and what an powerful weekend it was.  We are so excited to see what you captured over the weekend. 

And for all of you who haven’t been able to get into a Seattle CONFIDENCE Wkshp, we have decided to offer one in the Spring!  We will be flying the three SOAR! Recipients to this workshop too!   So stay tuned!  We are hammering out the exact dates and will let you know soon!

xoxo, Me Ra

**See Linda Baylis, SOAR! Recipient’s, blog post today on her Self Portrait! 

Brian and I never made an “official” announcement that we had kept the Early Bird Registration Price up for all those that were following the SOAR! Announcement.  We are glad that a number of you have had the opportunity to take advantage of this.

We are going to keep the $799, Early Bird Registration price, up until this Friday, January 29th @ Midnight PST.  And then we will shift back to the normal CONFIDENCE price of $999.

If you live in or around NY, we still have FIVE spots left!  CLICK HERE for more NY CONFIDENCE Spring Workshop details!

If you are in Southern CA, we’ve got FOUR spots left!  CLICK HERE for more CA CONFIDENCE Spring Workshop details!

AND, if you live in the Seattle, or greater Pacific Northwest area, we will be announcing a Spring CONFIDENCE Workshop weekend soon.  So stay tuned!

Tomorrow I’m going to do a fun recap on last weekend’s Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop!

…with a few shots of some pretty sweet babies!

xoxo,

Me Ra

The 3 SOAR! Recipients had a powerful workshop weekend at Ignite the Flame with Karen and Fay!  For the first time, our SOAR! Recipients, Linda, Jennifer and Lindsay were all together!   Our AMAZING, wise business coaches are in this too! Karen is on the right and Fay is on the left in orange!

I got to chat with them at the beginning and the end, and I can’t wait for them to share their time with you!  One little funny story, they all showed up at the Meet and Greet with shiny, red shoes!  Totally not planned!  But I heard that they were clicking their heels saying “There’s no place like SOAR!”   

I’ve asked them to spend some time processing their weekend, so much deep work was done.  And in a couple weeks, they will do a blog post that sheds more light on what happened.  But for now…

We have taken a deep breath and are exhaling, expanding, stretching ourselves into new, beautiful territory!  Today is the official opening day for the SOAR! blog!  Hooray!! 

Get over there and sink your teeth into the first SOAR! Photography Exercise!   But be warned.  This is a photo exercise you will love and hate me for.    Our three SOAR! Recipients are leading the way and will be sharing their results and experience on the SOAR! blog this week.  I loved hearing how powerful this was for them.  I know it will be for you too. 

We are also close to the SOARORITY Forum being ready!  So get ready ladies, you are going to have a home to post all your exercise results too!  Keep your ears open for the upcoming news! 

(Can you believe this?  We now have TWO blogs and a soon to be live Forum going all at once?!  This is amazing!  Hold on to your seats.  I know I am!)

xoxo,

Me Ra

CLICK HERE for your first SOAR! Photo Assignment!

p.s.  A BIG THANK YOU to Jen Macniven for all these FANTASTIC photos over the weekend!  Girl, you rocked it!  I can’t wait to share more!