Archive for September, 2008

September 30th, 2008

To Be Known and No Longer Invisible

As photographers, we have an incredible opportunity to capture the nuances of who people are. We have the power to shed light on their inner beauty–to take people from feeling invisible to feeling known.

I can’t think of a better example than the work Carrie Hasson recently did. Carrie attended our Sonoma workshop this last April, and she has truly come to a new level in her photography.

This image below is the first of a series that she captured as a portrait shoot for a friend. But it is so much more than a mere portrait shoot. Carrie called her blog post “fly”, and her mix of images and words are incredibly moving. I think I read it three or four times, soaking her images and words in.

Carrie, you have taken the idea of a “portrait session” to a higher level. What a gift you have given your friend (and the rest of us). Thank you for being you. For having the beautiful eye that only you have. And for taking your own risk to fly.

If you haven’t already, go check out Carrie’s blog post “fly“. You will be inspired.

p.s. Brian and I are so happy your honey has come home!

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For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese (see the downloadable version available if you live outside the US!), our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! To read a great review done on our DVDs, click here!

Workshops: The Seattle December Workshop is open for registration with a few seats left!! Click HERE to register!

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September 29th, 2008

Sneak Peak at Katie and Fred’s Wedding in CO!

Brian and I got back late last night from shooting another beautiful wedding in Colorado. You may remember me doing an engagement shoot for Katie and Fred back in June.

If you didn’t see their engagement slideshow, check it out by clicking here!

This weekend was Katie and Fred’s wedding at the beautiful Cherry Hills Golf & Country Club. One word kept coming to mind for me and Brian as we went through the day. The word was enchanting. The decor, the dress, Katie’s hairstyle, it was all enchanting.

Here is just one image to show you as a sneak peak shot.

Brian and I adore you Katie and Fred. Have a wonderful honeymoon!

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For info on our next Photo Contest Theme, click here. I’m so glad you all like the new theme!

SUBMISSION PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE: Sunday, October 26th 2008 at Midnight PST.

For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese (see the downloadable version available if you live outside the US!), our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! To read a great review done on our DVDs, click here!

The Chicago Workshop is sold out. But the Seattle December Workshop is still open for registration with only a few seats left!! Click HERE to register!

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September 26th, 2008

They Ask Why…

“With all that you do, why this? Why?” they ask.

Because I believe every mother and father has the same need. The need to reconcile within themselves not only what their kids need but what they, as parents, need to experience with their kids. For every parent this looks different. For me, it looks like this image above.

Because I look at all the times we are gone, doing our shoots or workshops, and I realize I’m rarely ever tired of these kids. In fact, I’m often in a state of longing for more time with them.

Because I know how vital it is for a mother to know with certainty what brings her fulfillment at the end of the day. Was it the conversations she had while in the car with her three sons? Was it the homework she helped with? Was it the bedtime prayers and pillow talk that only seem to bloom when the lights go out?

I had to find what brings me fulfillment–for this stage of parenting that I’m in.

When I looked at how this season of life is playing out, I found fulfillment in witnessing my daughter learn to read. I found fulfillment in watching my son weave his own story for us at dinner. And I slept at night with total peace.

This is not for everyone, but I have found this is for me.

What is your answer when people ask you “Why?”

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September 24th, 2008

The Principle of the Fork! and How It Connects to the New Photo Contest!

It was Blaze’s 4th birthday. He sat down for breakfast like he did every morning, but this time he picked up his fork instead of eating with is hands. Brian and I were speechless. We had been trying to get him to use his fork for the last couple months. It was not happening so we forgot about it.

“Blaze, what makes you want to use your fork this morning?” I said. Brian and I tried our best not to look surprised.

“Simple mama. I woke up this morning and God said, ‘Blaze, now that your four years old, it’s time to start using your fork.’”

And that was that. Blaze has never looked back.

I have recalled this sweet memory a number of times over the last few months. Every time I put the silverware away and separate the big forks from the little forks, I think about that morning. Blaze was so “matter of fact”. There wasn’t any questioning in his mind; “Did I really hear from God or was that just my imagination? Did God mean for me to start this new way of life right now? today? or when I feel ready?”

Nope, none of those thoughts were going through Blaze’s mind. He had an absolute certainty of what to do.

Forks will never look the same to me again.

The theme for the new photo contest is Inspirational Objects. We are going to step away from capturing people and pets, and step inward to see what objects strike an emotion in us. Is it your guitar propped up against the window with the morning light behind it? Is it a childhood blankie that you still have after all these years? Is it a piece of jewelry that carries a certain promise? Maybe it’s a special book sitting next to your bed.

This photo contest requires you to slow down, breathe deep and look at all the detailed objects you surround yourself with. Pick one object that stirs up emotion inside you. Do a photoshoot of this one object. Still life can be much harder to photograph verses portraits. Especially when the object is NOT smiling back at you. So get out of the box, put the critic’s voice away, and have some fun with this.

Three simple rules for this photo contest to make it even more enriching.

1. Your Inspirational Object can’t be a person or a picture of a person.

2. Your Inspirational Object can’t be your pet or any other animal.

3. Your Inspirational Object can’t be a flower or some other living thing inside or outside.

Your Inspirational Object must be something that is NOT living but gives you life.

What do you think?! I’m so excited!

Submission Guidelines:

1. Email your Inspiration Object image to contest@merakoh.com.

2. Make sure you’ve attached your image as a small JPG. Do NOT put your image in the text of your email. Attach it to make it easier for us.

3. Since this is an Inspirational Object that connects to you personally, we invite you to write a couple sentences on why this object is inspirational in your life.

4.SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Sunday, October 26th 2008 at Midnight PST.

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For more fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese (see the downloadable version available if you live outside the US!), our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! To read a great review done on our DVDs, click here!

The Chicago Workshop is sold out. But the Seattle December Workshop is still open for registration with only a few seats left!! Click HERE to register!

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September 23rd, 2008

Contest Winners and a NEW Contest Coming!

Are you ready to hear who the winners are for the Water themed Photo Contest? Some of you may be thinking “It’s about time!” BUT, I think I’m keeping the blog up pretty good with it being our high season for weddings. Don’t you, if you think about it that way? :)

The Finalist who had the MOST votes for the Water Contest is….drumrolll……….

Ali, photographer of the Wet Dog!

Ali, you did such a great job with this shot. As you can see from reading all the votes, I’m not the only one who thinks so! A big congrats to you my dear! I’m so excited to send you the prize of Adobe’s Lightroom software! Email your mailing address to contest@merakoh.com. You are going to love this software! So easy and so fun! Great job Ali!

We also had MORE VOTES THAN EVER for this Photo Contest! Our goal was to clear 400 and we got 450 VOTES! In the next couple days, after the deadline has passed, we still got 41 more votes (not counting some of you who voted more than once :) -you know who you are)!

We almost cleared 500 votes folks! That’s a new record, and we just pushed up our goal for the next one! Way to go!!!

Part of the fun with voting is that we pick two random voters to win a prize.

The Random Voter who gets the copy of Adobe’s Lightroom is….drumrolll again……..

Cindi! A woman who voted on 24 Aug 2008 at 9:32 am.

She wrote the following;

My vote has to be for #2, Kirsten’s Dancing on Water.
It is so unusual and intriguing. I love that you can tell a foot is in the image and water is somehow involved but you would never in a million years figure out how she did it. I also like the subject on the left in the image and the blur and how the black background sets it all off.
Really a once in a lifetime kind of shot.

Cindi! Wherever you are! You won your own copy of Lightroom! Send us your mailing address, and we’ll ship this out to you! Email it to contest@merakoh.com.

The 2nd Random Voter who gets a $25 Starbucks card is…………..

Pam! A woman who voted on 23 Aug 2008 at 7:51 am.

She wrote the following;

What wonderful pictures. the first one makes me wish for a vacation. the next draws you in wondering if the picture taker was in the water or what. the next two are just plain fun. the last one is another thinker. I like this one best because it’s a moment in time, timeless wonder. I can imagine that if it were my child it could pick up her layed by personality and the ability to take a moment anywhere when she tired. I would treasure the story it tells. So my vote is for #5

Yeah for Pam! Email us your address, and we’ll send you your Starbucks card!

Ready for a new photo contest? I’m posting it tomorrow morning, and I think you’re going to like the theme!

The Five Finalists for the Pet Photo Contest are coming!

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To see our day job , visit here.

For more fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese , our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! The Chicago Workshop is sold out. But the December Workshop has a few spots left. Click here to see details!

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September 22nd, 2008

Do You Live Outside the US? Guess What! Good News!!!!

Brian and I know that many of you live all over the world from Qatar to Japan to Switzerland to Australia!

We love getting your emails and love that you join us daily! Many of you have emailed about our DVDs because we don’t offer shipping outside of the US. We’ve tried to figure shipping options out, and it’s the craziest, most expensive situation.

So we’ve done something for you that we are excited about! Save yourself the crazy shipping prices and check this out! You can now purchase the DVD series as a DOWNLOAD!!

Refuse to Say Cheese and Beyond the Green Box can now be purchased as downloads on our product site! (see below for details)

You can now downloaded right both DVDs to your computer or IPOD!

In fact, here is some fun news! The hard copy of DVD 1, Refuse to Say Cheese is on BACKORDER right now!

Isn’t that cool! We are selling so many copies that we’re actually on backorder! Yeah!! That is why it says SOLD OUT on the Refuse site. But we should have more DVDS in stock by the end of the week. In the meantime if you can’t wait, you can purchase the download.

I always think we’re selling more copies of DVD 2, Beyond the Green Box

because the second DVD is more focused on understanding the technical stuff like aperture and shutter speed (from a woman’s perspective that is :) ). And DVD 1 is about composition and how to tell a story with your photos. I guess I’ve been proven wrong because DVD 1 has sold out first!

Thanks to all our International friends who have been so patient and excited for this option! We love you guys and can’t wait for you to access the DVDS too!

To read reviews of the DVDS, check these out!

The popular Z Recommends website surprised us with an AWESOME review! Click here to read it!

Kim is one of the moms who was invited by Sony to be at the Sony Mommy Blogging event that I spoke at. She recently wrote up a great review on her blog. Her blog is In a Shoe: the Methods and Madness of one Family of 11. Yes, I didn’t make a typo. Kim has given birth to NINE children!

To order the

To order the Downloadable Version of DVD 1, click on

To order the Downloadable Version of DVD 2, click on

Happy Monday Friends!

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September 19th, 2008

I ended up SCREAMING!

I couldn’t be more frustrated with the whole scene. Yesterday was the end of our seventh week of working out with our trainer, Troy. Time to retest our body fat percentages. Ugh. Even though I woke up late from last night’s crazy martini party, I was still in a decent mood. Until now that is. Brian went first. Then he and Troy looked at me and said “Get up on the scale. Let’s get this over with.”

Yep, I went up in weight. Figures. Then Troy told me to hold the metal bars while the machine calculated body fat. I wanted to hit him and Brian with the machine. Stupid grins on their faces. Until, until, the results popped up.

I lost 5% body fat! I ended up screaming in the gym, jumping up and down, and hugging sweaty people!! In the midst of our high season and all our traveling, crappy meals and crappy restaurants, and dreary weight rooms in hotels, I still lost 5% body fat from training with Troy on the Cross Fit program! Amazing! Seriously amazing b/c I never drop anything. In fact I worked out with the triathlon group for over a year and stayed the same. But Troy, he’s my man now! :) I had to share the good news with all my “suffering friends” that have been on this journey with me for months.

Before we break for the weekend, I want to remind all you lovely ladies that our Early Bird Registration for the Seattle December Workshop ends this Saturday night at midnight.

This workshop is going to be so special. We’ve already got an amazing group of women forming, and they are flying in from all over the country! If you want to give yourself a COOL Christmas gift and join us, take advantage of the $799 price before it bumps up to the regular price of $999. Make sure you register before Saturday night at midnight PST! Click here for details and registration.

Also, we had a BLAST Wednesday night at our Martini Garden Party. Lots of yummy food, flowers everywhere…

I think we had 50 photographers show up at our house!

Crazy fun! Brian set up his own bar in the backyard and reminded me of Tom Cruise in Cocktail! :) (expect Brian was sexier of course) Did anyone get a shot of Brian mixing drinks?! And, check out that HUGE speaker to the side of Brian.

The music was awesome! The BEST DJ in the WORLD, Michael of Integritas, was there DJing fantastic music. I can’t believe our neighbors didn’t kill us. They REALLY love us.

And check this out!

We made our own Me Ra Koh Pink Martini! I know, I know. They look red. But it was late, sun was going down, and I wasn’t to in to my camera settings. You get the picture though, right.

Yummy stuff! Want the ingredients to my favorite martini, the Me Ra Koh Martini, that Brian and I made up? ;) You know you do! :)

Thanks to all the wonderful photographers who came Wednesday night. We host this Annual Garden Martini Party to celebrate YOU and how hard you shoot all summer. Brian and I are honored to know all of you and proud to call you friends! As always, great to laugh with you, catch up and just have fun being together!

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For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese , our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! We just had a great review done on our DVDs, read about it here!

The Chicago Workshop is sold out. But the Seattle December Workshop is now open for registration! Click HERE to register!

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September 17th, 2008

Virgin America is like a Night Club at 35,000 feet!

Have you flown Virgin America yet?

If not, a must! For real, there are outlets at your seat. No more laptop batteries dying halfway through flight!

Virgin America is my FAVORITE airline right now. You step on the plane and the lighting is PURPLE! :) There is groovy music playing, and you can’t help but do a little jig as you find your seat.

I told the airline stewardess it’s like a night club in the sky! She was like, “Yeahhh girlll, you know IT!”

Like Jet Blue, you can pay a little extra for some more leg room. The seats are all leather. You can watch new movies, tv, music videos…the list really does go on and on. I’m serious, it’s my favorite way to fly to CA or NY these days. And the tickets are dirt cheap!

And if you are so inclined, you can upgrade to First Class for only $100. If you do, try their Duck Spinach Salad. Wow, I’ve never had duck on salad. To have it on an airpline just doesn’t sound right, but we are talking yummy!

No, we are not sponsored by Virgin America to say these things. However, that would be nice. Brian keeps telling me he wants Ralph Lauren Underwear to be his next sponosor…hmmmm. Yep. I had to stop for a minute the first time I heard it too. Just let that thought sit for a minute. :) Maybe he could pull it off. Let’s see. Carey or Jeremy, any comments?

I think Virgin America would be my choice instead. :)

What’s your favorite airline and why?

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Just in case you were beginning to worry, we haven’t forgot to announce the Photo Contest Winner! Just taking forever to count! Did you see how many votes we had!! :)

For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese , our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! We just had a great review done on our DVDs, read about it here!

The Chicago Workshop is sold out. But the Seattle December Workshop is now open for registration! Click HERE to register!

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September 16th, 2008

Nicole and Eddie’s Wedding!

In the last two years, Brian and I had one wedding in our home state of WA. For some reason we end up going out of state for all our weddings, but this one…this one was super special.

Nicole found us through Grace Ormonde’s Wedding Style magazine. From our first phone call, she and I connected so well. I felt like we had been friends for years. That was almost 18 months ago. What a thrilling experience to have the wedding day finally arrive and meet Nicole and Eddie in person.

Picture gorgeous blonde with amazing smile, great laugh and a beauty that shines through her very being.

Then picture a handsome guy who is Portuguese and runs his own dairy farm with hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of cows! FYI, we learned that dairy farming is huge with the Portuguese culture. Something I never knew! (But of course, Brian knew this already. :) ACTUALLY, Brian was convinced that Eddie was from Argentina. And Eddie kindly corrected us. :) )

Put these two beautiful people together and you have Nicole and Eddie.

I am excited for you to see Nicole and Eddie’s Wedding Slideshow. They were so wonderful to photograph. In the time we had to work with them, they opened up so many parts of their relationship to us.

How much they laugh together.

Their passion for each other.

The rest they find in one another.

Nicole and Eddie’s relationship is a like a beautiful prayer that is honest, true, full of life, trust and passion.

What a complete honor to capture their story.

Click here to see Nicole and Eddie’s Wedding slideshow. The images with the music make me hit replay over and over again. I’m so thrilled with how it turned out. Turn up your volume and get some Kleenex. ;)

And don’t forget to congratulate these two in the comments! They deserve all the wonderful blessings we send.

Congrats Nicole and Eddie! Brian and I loved shooting your wedding. We loved laughing with you and celebrating all the parts of your day. I can’t say it enough, we adore you both!

xoxo, Me Ra and Brian

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September 15th, 2008

Is My Normalcy Your Insanity or Vice Versa? :)

It has been a crazy 10 days, but I love it ALL. Some of my friends think our life is insane. But I remember Roger, our counselor, telling me years ago. “Me Ra, you are just who you are. Your normalcy will often be people’s insanity. What’s important is that you know who you are, how you function and what brings you fulfillment.”

For example…

A week ago today, I was speaking at the More than Emotion event.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Brian and I spoke at Partnercon in LA.

Thursday I was back in Seattle. The kids and I ripped into the Sonlight Curriculum boxes and started homeschool!

Friday we did homeschool for four hours. Then Brian did a dad’s night with the kids while I went to Seattle.

For my grandma’s 78th birthday, I took her to see Phantom of the Opera (AMAZING!).

We also had dinner, stayed at my favorite spot, Inn at the Market, and then talked and giggled until 2am.

I love my grandma.

Saturday, my grandma and I walked around Pike Place Market,

had lunch and then picked up my brother’s girlfriend and drove to Edmonds.

Rachel, my brother’s beautiful and sweet girlfriend, and I had an early dinner.

I got home at 6pm on Saturday, Brian and the kids piled into the car. We went to church.

Sunday we gardened, went swimming and had a fun candlelight dinner on the deck with the kids.

Monday morning, hit the gym at 6:30am, breakfast for the kids, shower, and start work by 9am.

Tuesday, we start a new week of homeschool!

And so it goes and goes.

It’s busy around here, and yes, I do need a ton of structure to keep my sanity. But I ove structure, and I LOVE our life.

I love my life. (Amy or Jamie, did you ever think I’d say that? :) )

I love the craziness and the fast pace. I love the moments we breathe deep as a family while planting our winter seeds in the garden or harvesting our cherry tomatoes. I love the laziness of sitting by the pool and catching up with friends or swimming like a dolphin with my kids. And I love the privilege of travel and being able to meet, teach, photograph and speak to so many of you.

Part of the territory with this kind of craziness in life is to feel spread thin at times. Or feel like I could do things so much better whether it be personally or with work. Sometimes I feel like I’m failing because everything around me is moving fast. This is why my garden is so important. This is why homeschooling with Brian and the kids keep me grounded. This is why green drinks with purple kale are a necessity after I get home from a trip.

Should I slow down? Sometimes yes, other times no. I have people to keep me in check when it comes to that question.

The bigger issue I face is to not buy into the lie that life is meant to be perfect–if I just work hard enough at it. Anyone relate? :)

Here’s the saving grace of it all…when you juggle a lot, perfection doesn’t get invited over for dinner as often. No room at the table. :)

At night I feel a deep peace inside my spirit, and I know that as long as that peace is strong and present…we are in the right place. BUT, I have to be careful not to compare my life to others. The moment I start to compare, weeds sprout everywhere and choke out all peace.

But what about you? Do you feel like your normalcy is other people’s insanity? If yes, is this okay with you? Do you have a peace at night too? Or do you feel like something needs to change in your life?

If no, is this okay with you? Do you feel content at the end of the day? Or do you find yourself yearning for something more?

It’s so important to check in with ourselves and know that our life, however chaotic, crazy, insane, calm, quiet, or even routine…whatever side of the spectrum…we know this is where we are supposed to be until our next step is revealed. Only then can we stand tall in our own normalcy.

Does that make any sense? Talk to me.

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FYI, our Annual Martini Garden Party is this Wed. at our place. You coming? :) Email us if you are! mera@merakoh.com

For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese , our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice! We just had a great review done on our DVDs, read about it here!

The Chicago Workshop is sold out. But the Seattle December Workshop is now open for registration! Click HERE to register!

read more
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