Archive for January, 2009

January 14th, 2009

In Regards to Yesterday’s Post & The Battlefield of My Mind and Heart

Yesterday was a crazy day of dentist appointments, homeschool and a million other things. I didn’t have a chance to read your comments until after 10pm last night. As I sat and read your comments, I was inspired by all the powerful quotes and the rich comparisons to other fields of art whether it be music, writing or painting. And the fearlessness was in your voices. What a beautiful sound that was! I heard such a brave, fearlessness in some of your voices to go forward b/c it is your dream, your passion. Thank you for sharing. I know I’m not the only one who has been inspired by all your comments.

I also want to share something in regards to yesterday’s post.

I was intentional in choosing not to share the photographer’s name b/c the person was never the focus behind my post. The experience of what happened was the focus b/c of how often it happens. Every week, I recieve emails from women who have a dream to pursue their passion for photography and yet, someone has said something hurtful in regards to their dream. Some of these women are professionals in the industry. Some are babies, peaking around the curtain, wondering if they want to venture into this land. The dream can be so new, so fragile, that the slightest negativity or criticism feels devastating. And I truly believe, that some of these dreams die because the dream was too new and vulnerable.

The mistake is that people, myself included, get stuck on the person who hurt us. In our own pain, we feel limited and out of control. And sometimes this translates into trying to limit and control others. Brian and I know what it’s like to be in deep pain, to feel threatened, to feel out of control. And we have done things we are not proud of in our own efforts to gain back some control in our lives. And yet, I’m so glad that those around us did not focus on our faults, but recognized the situation for what it was.

When someone says something hurtful to us, there could be a million and two reasons for why they said this. If we think the battle is with them, we have lost the battle.

The truth is what so many of you echoed yesterday. The person who often hurts us is in the midst of their own battle. They are struggling to find freedom, peace and validation like you are, like I am, and everyone else. So here’s the point I’m trying to get to…

We so often miss it. Truth be known, we are so afraid to believe in our own dreams that when we are criticized we fear the criticism is the confirmation to trash our dream. And so the cycle of people giving up on their dreams perpetuates even more.

But the battle is not with the person who hurt us. The battle is within ourselves to believe in ourselves. This is the battle to focus on.

There can be so much negativity in the world when it comes to pursuing our dreams. It’s in the photography industry and everywhere else. But the battle to fight is the battle for your self confidence. The fight to believe you are worthy of all you were created for. You are worthy of seeing your dreams come true, regardless of what your current state of skill or confidence is. This is the battle to focus on. Honestly, this is one of the few battles worth dying for. Dying to your pride. Dying to your fears. Dying to your list of experiences that prove your dream wrong.

The biggest trick I see many people fall for is that there is no battle. It’s just a problem with them. And oh, this misguided thinking breaks my heart.

Fighting on the battlefield of your dreams is one of the toughest fights you will ever face. Do you want a look at my battlefield?

I stand in the field and see familiar giants on the other side. One of the bigger giants, a bully if you will, goes by the name of Shame. He is a tricky one b/c sometimes he comes over to try and consult with me and pretends to help me. He tries to tell me that if I just surrender, he won’t shame me, won’t embarrass me, won’t make a fool of me. He always thinks it’s much better to give up now.

Selfishness stands right next to Shame–ready to tear me to pieces. She’s nasty. She yells at me from the other side and says I’m selfish to ask for more in my life. I’m selfish to dream as big as I dream. I’m selfish to ask Brian and my kids for support. Why can’t I be thankful for what I have? Who do I think I am?…I told you, she’s nasty.

And then there is the slimy figure of Worry. He’s not even dressed for battle. Instead, he’s dressed in dirtied linen from all the running back and forth between sides of the battlefield–falling down and groping along the ground–worried he’s going to get hit. He trembles in his speech and points out all the things there are to worry about, all the what if’s, all the risks involved, all the threats, all the people who could be disappointed, all the pain of my past that could be worse in the future, all the everything that is nothing but worry.

Over the years, I have come to find that my battles are not with those that say hurtful things to me–and there have been PLENTY of those people. ;) The battle is within myself against these giants that know me so well. But I must also add that I am careful with others when I see them in the midst of their own battle. If a certain person has a history of hurting me, I limit my time with them. When I see them, I make sure that I’m ready for battle b/c I will be facing their giants as well as my own. And this, as we all know, can be very exhausting and even defeating.

And yet, as one wise person said to me a few years back, “Me Ra, all I ask and expect of you is to get up and try again tomorrow morning. You don’t have to win tomorrow, but I expect you to go at it again.”

Losing today, winning tomorrow, they come and go. But as long as we hang in there together, we are that much closer to living our dreams and passions.

Will I see you on the battlefield today? There is a spot open on either side of me! :)

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We are announcing the Finalist for the Photo Contest very soon, along with the Random Voter Awards!! Stay tuned to see if you won a copy of Lightroom or Starbucks Gift Certificate! Also, you still have time to submit a photo for our Photo Contest theme of Simple Gifts! You must send an image that in some way conveys the theme Simple Gifts. The Deadline for Simple Gifts, Sunday, January 25th 2009 PST . Send your images as an attached JPG (small in size) to contest@merakoh.com .

To see our day job, visit www.merakoh.com .

To learn more about upcoming workshops, sign up on our group, MeRa Koh Workshops!

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

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January 13th, 2009

What Defines an Artist? A Writing Exercise for Photographers!

When I first got into the writing industry, I learned a powerful warm up exercise.

When you sit down to start writing, start by taking a passage from a book by your favorite author. Type or write the passage out to get your mind thinking in words, in the rhythm of words, in voice, in your voice. Every day, before I started my four, sometimes five hours of writing, I would start by writing a passage straight out of Madeleine L’engle’s book A Circle of Quiet.

I love Madeleine L’engle’s voice in her nonfiction books. I wanted to write just like her and what better way to emulate someone you admire than practice writing what they wrote. In the end, this writing exercise helped me find my own writing voice. You see, I didn’t know where to start as a beginning writer. Could I even call myself a writer since I didn’t have anything published? And yet, what better way to find a starting place than to practice copying someone I respected.

Yesterday I received a dishearting email. One of our former workshop attendees had been told by a competing photographer to get her own style and come up with her own original ideas for photo shoots (implying that she was stealing her ideas). This, among many other things, broke our friend’s heart. This competing photographer (if there even is such a thing called competition in the photography industry) accused her of copying her locations for family shoots and using her ideas for images. Brian and I know the former workshop attendee pretty well. She is an amazing photographer (whether she believes it or not) and has one of the most unique eyes. The way she frames images is tight and intimate. You are always drawn in. To have the wind get knocked out of her by a photographer whose work she respected is so sad. But what is even more sad is the mentality behind what this other woman was saying.

In essence, she was saying that a photographer must be their own artist. They must NOT copy other people’s ideas but take pride in being original. She seems to believe that these are the elements that determine a good artist from a fake one. What do you think?

Having been in the writing world, I was disillusioned in a healthy way from the beginning. One of the first things writers learn is that every story has been told. There is nothing new under the sun. So now that we don’t have to carry the pressures of thinking up a new story, go and write a great story!

It’s the same with photography. I would bet that every composition has been done. What makes the image unique is our subjects and the spirit of who they are. Yes, we grow in our ability to understand light, or post process our color tones, etc. But these things are all peripheral to the ability to capture the spirit of our subject.

I’m also convinced that one way to become a great photographer is to apply the writing exercise and copy photographers you admire. If you love Jessica Claire’s shoe shots, try her ideas at your next wedding. If you love LaCour’s low light images, try to recreate them when you have low lighting again. If you love the way Brian captures emotion without showing the facial expressions, give it a try.

What better place to start!

Copy those you respect and admire until you find your own eye, your own voice. I believe wholeheartedly that we all have our own specific eye. But here’s the thing: the journey to find our own eye–our own voice– is not an overnight journey. It requires courage and faith to believe in what we can’t yet see in ourselves, support from those around you and humility to start with others’ ideas until we see value in our own ideas.

What separates a true artist from a fake artist? Can I offer up some of my ideas? I would love to hear yours too!

I think a “true artist” is someone who hangs in there, against all odds because they can’t help but create with words, photos, paintings, songs. They don’t give up on the burning passion they can’t shake. And they fight for their dream, even when others criticize their attempts.

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To see our day job, visit www.merakoh.com.

To learn more about upcoming workshops, sign up on our Facebook group, MeRa Koh Workshops!

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

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January 12th, 2009

The Winner for Running on Empty!

We were overwhelmed by the powerful stories submitted for the Atlanta Running on Empty Contest . If you are in need of inspiration, check out the blog post and read what the nominees have overcome and continue to overcome.

I can’t tell you how much I related to the various nominees. Doesn’t the saying seem to be true, “when it rains it pours”? So many of you are going through so much. I remember years ago when my counselor looked at me at the end of a session and said, “You have experienced more sadness and loss than anyone should ever have to?” Her words were painful to hear and yet so healing and validating. I feel like I must say to our nominees, “You have experienced more sadness and loss than anyone should ever have to. And for this, Brian and I are truly sorry.” We want you to know, we hold each of you in our hearts.

This contest is always hard for us b/c we want to save a seat for every nominee. We ask others to help us make this decision, and Brian and I pray that you all know how much we value every entry. We want to thank EVERY woman nominated. Your stories are amazing. Most of all, YOU are amazing.

The nominees were narrowed down to one woman. We are excited to say the winner is Allison G.! Please congratulate her. Allison’s story is incredibly moving. I’ve copied it below so you can read it if you didn’t get to before.

Allison, you need to tell us by 9pm PST if you can’t come so the spot can go to the runner up. Email us at mera@merakoh.com and genie@merakoh.com. We hope to meet you in a matter of days! It’s time to change that “Cosmic Smackdown” you described! :) Brian and I are excited to fill your empty tank and inspire your creative soul for 2009! Welcome to the Atlanta, GA Workshop Allison!!

Here is Allison’s story;

  1. on 07 Jan 2009 at 6:53 am Allison G.

    I feel so nervous and uncomfortable doing this, but I am going to go out on a limb and nominate myself for the Running on Empty contest. My story is probably not so different from many women and mothers out there. All of the women nominated here sound like they are absolutely “Running on Empty” as well. But, I thought I’d submit it anyway. I apologize if it is a bit long…

    Several years ago, after the passing of my grandparents within a few days of one another, a dear friend told me that this difficult time was only a season in my life. I really clung to those words at that time. But, know I have to say that if that is true, than this is one LOOONG season.

    This all began in 2003. I was happily married, had a perfect 11-month old baby boy, we bought a condo. All was well.

    Then, I fell down the stairs and hit my head, and was sent for a cat scan. We were shocked when the news came back. No concussion from the fall, but they did find that I had a spinal cord tumor. We saw a specialist who told me it was most likely malignant. I thought I had about 18 months to live. You can imaging the thoughts that ran through my head about what the next year would look like for me and my family.

    One evening while I was cooking to keep myself distracted from what was going on, the right side of my face and neck went numb. We rushed to the emergency room and by the time we arrived, my chest, stomach and tops of my legs were numb as well. A couple of days later I had surgery and thanks to a brilliant surgeon and the grace of God my tumor was removed and was found to be benign. I would live to see my son grow up!

    Recovery was hard. To remove the tumor my neck bones were removed and then replaced and that is not an easy thing to bounce back from. I was unable to lift my son for 2 months. That is not an easy thing to explain to an 11 month old!

    Fast forward 4 weeks to my son’s first birthday. He got extremely sick and was diagnosed with neutropenia, a condition that results in an inability of your body to fight infection. We were sent to the pediatric oncologist to rule out cancer as a cause. I couldn’t believe that just a month prior I thought I was the one with cancer and now this? I was absolutely frantic. Several days later, we were so relieved to find that the condition was benign and that he would grow out of it in a few years.

    During all of this, I was not able to work and my husband was laid off from his job and then strangely, rehired. Once again, we were pushed to the brink of disaster and pulled back again.

    About 6 months later, after a bout of rotavirus, my son, who was by then, 18 months had four seizures. He did well on medication for over a year and then two weeks after his little brother was born, wound up in the hospital for week and was then officially diagnosed with Epilepsy. Meanwhile, I had a two week old baby at home that I had hardly seen.

    We moved shortly thereafter into a house we thought was perfect for us, only to have it flood five times in the year we lived there.

    At this point, I was really feeling the pressure of constantly facing these major obstacles and was so down. Then, quite accidentally and miraculously, I found photography. An energy and excitement I had not felt in years began to stir in me. Much to my surprise others began to inquire about my photos. I started to feel a little bit of confidence grow and was feeling great about the future.

    Soon after, during a routine spinal cord tumor check, the doctor asked me if I had been experiencing headaches. My stomach lurched and I said a terrified, “Yes”. I thought the headaches had been from all of the drama we had been through the last few years. It turned out that I have yet a new neurological condition called a Chiari Malformation. There are many terrible symptoms that accompany this condition, but in the most ironic turn yet, I have found that my most significant symptom is that my eyesight is affected. Which, for someone who wants to pursue photography, is not the best news. I just pray that the symptoms I am facing now will not progress.

    As I read back through this, I have to laugh to keep from tearing up. It almost seems unbelievable that all of this has happened in addition to normally stressful illnesses, deaths of grandparents, a family member with cancer, surgeries, car repairs, appliances breaking, moving AGAIN, etc…

    Before Christmas, I made up my mind to change my focus. I vowed to be positive and look for the good instead of fearing the worst. This was my New Year’s Resolution. We came back from visiting family to find that the store where I work part-time is closing and so I am out of a job. So much for my resolution!!

    My husband and I have gotten so used to this continual stream of drama, that we have jokingly begun to refer to it as the “cosmic smackdown” that we get whenever we seem to be on an upward turn.

    Please know that when I see my kids run and play, or sing a song, or sleep peacefully in their beds at night, or share a joke with my husband, I know I am blessed in ways too numerous to count. Five years ago this spring, I thought I would not live long enough to see my son go off to kindergarten for the first time. And here I am now, waiting for his school bus to arrive and using my hands to type this and listening to my other son chat about dinosaurs. And I am well aware of God’s hand keeping us from complete disaster time and time again.

    But, sadly I feel as though I have begun to live in a constant state of fear…always waiting for the “other shoe to drop” as they say. The happy go lucky side of me is non-existent these days and I have such trouble accepting good things as they are and without fear.

    Being able to do something for myself alone, be surrounded by a supportive group of women, and to immerse myself in photography for a weekend would be a dream come true.

    Thanks so much for continuing to inspire all of us and for holding this wonderful contest! Whoever wins the opportunity to attend your workshop will no doubt be blessed by it!!

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

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January 7th, 2009

Time to Vote and Clear 500 on Your Favorite Inspirational Object!

An object. Is it possible for an object to strike emotion in us? Can it move us even though it isn’t alive? If there is no face smiling back at us, can we still feel a deep connection? After seeing the awesome work from our Top Five Finalists for the Inspirational Object contest, you may say yes to all the above!

If you are new to the blog, let me catch you up.

Way back when, we opened a photo contest for the most Inspirational Object. Remember that, feels like years ago! :)

Well, let’s fast forward to today! What better way to start the new year than be inspired by the Top Five Finalists for the Inspirational Object Photo Contest!

You will love these images, but you can only vote for one! See voting guidelines, FAQ, and prize info below.

For now, meet your talented finalists and be inspired!

Finalist #1, 1930′s Piano, by Julie

I wish I could do a post of all the piano images that were submitted b/c they remind me of the baby’s feet images from yesterday’s post. So many of you sent piano images, and each one was different in perspective. Each image was well done! We picked Julie’s as one of the five finalists b/c of the unique angle she shot from.

The piano fills the frame. The keys blur off the bottom corner of the image and you feel like the piano goes on forever and forever. I don’t know about you, but I also felt like I was sitting at the piano. The image composition is that inviting, drawing us in. The post process Julie chose was also well done. The vintage, sepia tones lends to that timeless feeling. But more than the timeless feeling, it makes one feel like the piano is magical, almost weightless. These are just a few things that come to mind when I see Julie’s beautiful image. What comes to your mind? Thank you Julie! Your image is wonderful! Check out Julie’s blog too!

Finalist #2, Asher’s Onsie, by Jennifer

The image alone is striking b/c of the meaning it holds. From a photography perspective, we loved how Jennifer composed this image. There are a couple elements that stick out to us that make her image stand out. I love that the onsie is hanging on the doorknob b/c it adds instant emphasis to how small this little one is. We already know the one who wears this is a baby, but Jennifer helps accentuate that point by hanging the onsie on the doorknob. And what I like even more than the doorknob is the blurred crib in the background. If this was intentional, BRAVO Jennifer! She also shoots down on the onsie to give the effect of it looking smaller and then there is a slight camera tilt which adds a little motion to the image. All these little details combined equal a great image. Jennifer also has a great blog! Be sure to check that out! And now to keep you from suspense, here is the story behind this sweet onsie.

Asher’s onsie is my inspirational object because it reminds me of how big miracles come in small packages. Asher is the son of a friend of mine who has overcome challenges he was born with. He had a heart defect and major open-heart surgery when he was born, and now at almost a year he is free of most of his medication and has a clean bill of health. I myself was born with a heart defect as a preemie twin born at 28 weeks weighing two pounds and two ounces and had life-saving surgery at two weeks old.

Finalist #3, Love and Coffee, by J.P.

J.P.’s image stuck out to us because of how warm his composition was (no pun intended :) ). The story behind why this coffee mug is his Inspirational Object will warm you right up. (pun intended :) )

My wife and I met in our favorite local coffee shop; I was 24, she was 19–far too young for me. I liked her an awful lot, though, and over the next year we spent a lot of time talking over coffee. Eventually, I realized that she was too amazing to keep at a distance, and so, sitting in our coffee shop, I asked her if she’d like to start seeing me romantically. She said yes, and a few years later said yes again when I asked her to marry me at that same table in the same coffee house. This cup and another like it were given to us by the wonderful owner of the coffee shop. They were the last two remaining of the old style of cups that had gradually been replaced by shinier, whiter cups that lacked the character of the old mugs. I love the chips and the stains in our matching coffee cups–they remind me that, although we’re bound to get banged up a little bit, we’re going to continue to bring one another warmth and comfort for years and years to come.

What did I tell you? Isn’t that a great story! But the story isn’t the reason why J.P.’s image was picked. A handful of you sent coffee mug images too, but J.P.’s soft lighting and buttery, blurry background guided my eye into the significance of this one mug. The lighting and blur played hand in hand in making this image give off a warm energy. J.P., was this window light that you used? I only ask b/c of how beautiful and soft the lighting is. There is also background in the image, but the background is intentionally blurred and the blur almost accentuates the solid colored mug. Even the light colored coffee inside the mug adds to the softness of the story behind this image. I don’t know if J.P. meant to, but it feels like he thought of every detail in composing an image of a single coffee mug. Great job J.P.! Thank you for submitting!

Finalist #4, Tic Tacs, by Ashley

The story behind this image reminded me of Brian and the kids, except we always buy little packs of gum. Not only are you going to love Ashley’s story, but don’t you love her composition of this image? It’s awesome. The low F stop with the tic tacs blurred in the foreground, and how Ashley filled the frame. Great job Ashely! You took a simple object and really brought it to life. Thank you for sharing! Here is Ashley’s story in the email she sent me;

The tic tac tradition started when I was a little girl. My mom would put orange tic tac’s in my brother and my Christmas stockings at first. Then she would hide them in my bag when I would go to my dad’s house on the weekend as a kid, go on vacation, or leaving home for college. Now, as a grown woman, she still hides tic tacs in my bag when I leave her house from a visit. Over time, orange tic tacs became a reminder of her love and strength when she wasn’t with me. A month ago, my husband and I went to see her for a visit. When I got home, I found these in my bag.

Finalist #5, No Place Like Home, by Yvonne

Red slippers was another popular image that was submitted by many of you. Yvonne’s image really jumped out at us. The sun flare captured in this image added a magic to the shoes. When we think of red slippers we think of the Wizard of Oz and all the magic of the movie. I remember watching the movie as a little girl and having my own pair of red slippers that I insisted on wearing with my white flower girl dress. :) The shoes were magical to me, and Yvonne has done a great job of capturing a magical element through her use of sun flare. Can’t you almost see those shoes tapping on their own? :) I also like how Yvonne filled the frame with the shoes. The background is free of distraction and all our attention is on the magic of the shoes. Yvonne, I would love to know how you set up this shot! If you are comfortable with sharing that would be great! Thank you for submitting your image, and congrats on becoming one of the Top Five Finalists!

There you have em’! The Top Five Finalists for the Inspirational Object Photo Contest! Each on is truly inspiring. Now you have the tough job of voting for ONE!

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!

Please vote only one time for one image. Thanks!

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

Answer: Yes! We picked the theme Simple Gifts Theme right before the holidays. You must send an image that in some way conveys the theme Simple Gifts. The deadline was January 4th, but since I forgot about the contest during my “unplugged” time off, we should extend the deadline. Don’t you think? :) Let’s make the Deadline for Simple Gifts, Sunday, January 25th 2009 PST . Send your images as an attached JPG (small in size) to contest@merakoh.com . Prizes will be as good as what you read below!

FAQ #3: What are the prizes?

Answer: Scroll on down!!

Click here for Seven Quick Photo Tips to photographing your own Inspirational Object!

Prizes for the Winning Finalist and the Random Voter Winners!!______________________________________________________________________________________

Don’t forget to vote before you leave! You could be picked as a Random Voter and win a gift card to Starbucks or a copy of ‘s ! :) Yep, that’s right! You heard me say it correct! (but FYI, remember to check back when I post the Random Voter Winners so you know that you’ve won and can claim your prize! :) )

In our last photo , we had over 487 votes by the cut off time! It was amazing! You all spread the word, and the votes came rolling in! If we clear 500 votes (that’s only 13 more than last time) on this , we are going to pick a Random Voter (not necessarily #500, but a RANDOM Voter) to win a copy of ‘s software again!! And then we’ll keep going and pick two more Random Voters who win a $25 customized, cool looking Starbucks card! So that’s one Random Winner of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and TWO more random winners of $25 customized Starbucks cards, if we clear 500!

Deadline for all voting is this Monday night, 5 days from now, 1/12, at midnight PST!! That means we have to clear 500 votes by that time for two Random Voters to be picked and win !

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

Now what about the finalist’s prize! What will they get?

Great question! The finalist will get their choice of one of our 101 Kits or the downloadable version of our Refuse to Say Cheese/Beyond the Green Box DVD series. And then , and THEN (we’re hooking our Finalists up for 2009! :) ), they also get to choose between one of two MORE things!

1. Their own copy of Adobe’s Lightroom Software

2. Or the most unique prize ever, a copy of the newly released DVD “See the Light” by Carlos Baez! Watch the trailer by clicking the title. Carlos is not only a dear friend, but he is also a PHENOMENAL photographer who has years experience in the fashion and wedding industry and is now sharing his knowledge on lighting with the wedding and portrait world. This guy is loaded with tips and strategies on lighting. We just got our own copy of his DVD, and I can’t wait to watch it. Carlos is a master with lighting, and on top of that he has a HUGE heart for teaching people. Just watching him work with his clients is amazing. Your business can’t help but go to the next level with this new DVD. Check out his blog! To purchase Carlos’s new DVD, check out the Photography Mentor store. Retail Price for “See the Light” is $175.

Enjoy! VOTE AWAY!!!

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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 in , click on the words of your choice!

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January 6th, 2009

What Happened in Chicago at the Workshop! :)

Remember this group of beautiful ladies in Chicago? You may recognize them modeling one of our most popular Photo Coaching tips, The Fake Laugh! :)

Well, it’s time we brag on them and share the whole story of what went down in Chicago!

We brought in four moms and their babies to be models for a live hands on shoot. And we gave our workshop attendees this beautiful space for the photo shoot with awesome lighting, incredible decor, and amazing backgrounds. NOT! (The last time I said NOT! like that was probably seventh grade, but there is no better word for this moment.) Gretchen, I know you are dying right now! :)

What would our workshop attendees learn if we gave them a perfect setting to shoot in? As Brian and I say in our workshops, our job is to frustrate you during the live shoots. This isn’t your typical workshop where all the surroundings are perfect. We want to help you run into walls so we can help you learn to climb over the wall. We want the lighting to be tricky and challenging because our goal is that when you do your first portrait shoot or take photos of your kids, you will be confident no matter what your lighting is. So instead of a beautiful setting with perfect surroundings, awesome lighting and incredible decor and don’t forget amazing backgrounds, we gave them THIS! VOILA! (Thanks to our wonderful hostesses help! ;) )

Yep, that really is dirty, vintage filing cabinets and tungsten lit lamps hanging from the ceiling.

I will never forget some of the women’s faces when we showed them the room we were going to do the live shoot in. They must have thought Brian and I were crazy. But with courage and a willingness to go for it, the attendees turned their cameras on and tried putting all they had been learning into practice. Brian and I helped them along as they ran into walls. It was so rewarding to see the women smile as they realized that even in horrible lighting, you can capture BEAUTIFUL shots. Can I share their shots with you! Brian and I are super proud of our Chicago ladies!

Due to low light, the women took advantage of low aperture and higher ISOs…but not to high to make sure the grain wouldn’t take over. Be encouraged ladies, some of these women were beginners and shooting these images in Manuel Mode! And keep in mind that the little daylight we had from the windows was gone in less than 30 minutes. I’m telling you, these women deserve a standing ovation!

This beautiful image was taken by Candace. Just breathtaking!

Gretchen, our AMAZING hostess, caught this image. I love how she captured the baby’s hand with that sweet little face. So precious. Look at those lips!

Debbie and Kathleen captured two different perspectives of one of the mom’s with her baby. But both images are so intimate and framed in a way that exudes warmth between mama and baby. Here is Debbie’s image.

Here is Kathleen’s beautiful color image. Different perspective of mama and baby but still so beautiful.

Here is another tight framed color image that Lauren took! I love how she shot down on this little one. You know mama is there, but we don’t need to see mama’s face. Beautiful, amazing job Lauren!

And one more that you must see of this mom and baby. Sherry did a great job of clipping in just enough of mom and her profile, but the use of light to illuminate the baby’s face is gorgeous. The women didn’t have any lights or flashes when taking these images. They worked with aperture and ISO, and wow, wouldn’t you love an image like this of you and your baby?!

Allison caught this precious shot. This will have to bring a smile to all the attendees because there is no way any of us can forget how happy this little girl was! She was quite the model! I especially love this image b/c it has that photo journalistic feel to it. You see the background and know stuff is going on, but we are caught up by the little one’s emotion. Great job Allison!

Lynette captured the joy from a different point of view. You can almost hear her giggle. There is such great energy in this image!

Here are two other perspectives of this bundle of joy.

This precious shot was captured by Nicki. The framing of this little one playing with her mom’s necklace is so sweet. Nicki, you have such a wonderful eye for catching the moment before it is gone. I can’t wait to hear what becomes of your photography dreams!

Different perspective and still so beautiful. This is Pamela’s image. Pamela was watching the same moment but framed and composed her image a little different. This is where I fall in love with photography that much more because two people can see the same thing and walk away with different images. There is room for everyone. Good job Pamela!

As this little one calmed down and started to get tired, Becky was there to capture this image. Whenever I see this image, I lean in to it because I feel like I can almost hear the mom whisper in her ear. Becky, you did a great job getting out of the box and capturing an angle that was different than face on.

Does anything compare to a mother’s comfort? Here is a different mom comforting her baby with soft whispers. I love this little baby’s head. I love the hairline that lines the roll on his neck and the sweet little ear. Wonderful job Tara. The mom’s face is so soft, and you captured it so well!

There were two sets of mothers and their daughters that attended the Chicago Workshop. Whenever we have moms and their daughters come it adds a beautiful dynamic to the group of watching two different generations become awakened to something creative inside them. The results are breath taking. Roma was one of the moms, and she captured this sweet image. I love how the baby’s face fills the frame, can’t you just feel those wet, sticky fingers! :)

The other mom and her two daughters all subconsciously had empty space in their images. It was amazing to see this connection between them as photographers and family!

And we can’t forget about dad and his little one!

Traci captured this amazing shot that is so quiet. Would you ever guess that Traci had the lighting conditions she did to work with? Or any of these other women for that matter?

Molly captured the same moment. And I love how Molly framed her image because you see all this commotion and feel it surrounding dad and baby, yet the way the dad and baby are lit is so quiet. Wonderful job Molly!

Who put the initials TSJ? You must tell us who you are! :) TSJ did an AMAZING job at taking the same moment from a third perspective and getting in super tight. The results are breathtaking.

We must end with hands and feet images!

Paula captured this beautiful color image of the feet. Color in low light is so hard, and Paula makes it look so easy! I love that this is in color. The softness of the lighting is amazing. And the newborn feet with the dry skin we know so well, it’s amazing. Thank you Paula.

Kelli captured this fantastic shot of the baby’s outstretched hand. The perspective of mom’s hand blurred below makes this little one seem so small. Great framing Kelli!

Lynette focused in on the baby’s feet and ankles and let all the rest go to a soft blur with the low F stop. And it worked oh, so well. I love how we see mom’s hand, face and baby’s face all softly, quietly blurred. Isn’t this fun! We could look at these different perspectives all day!

And oh, look at this image. Wow, it will take your breath away (again!). Kristin captured this beautiful image. And yes, she did it in the same room we were all in. :)

And we can’t leave out a baby’s yawn! The yawn is one of the best things to capture when doing a baby shoot. There just isn’t any other yawn like a baby’s yawn. Kim, you rocked this shot! Your timing was spot on! Look at those eyes too! I love it! Great job!

Our goal is to help empower women so that they feel like their camera is a tool not an object of intimidation. I want the women who attend our workshops to leave with more confidence and assurance in their ability to shoot beautiful images in low light no matter how icky their background or surroundings might be. With a few tips, techniques and teaching on the camera’s functions, all of us can do it! Really, ALL of us! :)

If you have a second, post a comment and congratulate these women. They were not sure of that ugly room where we did our photo shoot, but they all gave it a chance and ended up with BEAUTIFUL results!

If you attended the Chicago workshop and didn’t see your name or image mentioned in today’s post, I am so sorry! I think I got everyone, but if I missed you please let me know!

And guess what, we started a new Facebook Group “MeRa Koh Workshops“. If you have been to one of our workshops or hope to attend one in the future, we’d love to keep you updated and have you connect with women from all the different cities we’ve been too!

Great job Chicago ladies! Much love, Me Ra

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If you are interested in attending the Atlanta Workshop, click here for details/registration. Our friends over at Pictage and Triple Scoop Music are offering their members a special discount to our Atlanta workshop. If you didn’t get their newsletters or email and want to take advantage of the discount, shoot us an email! mera@merakoh.com

***Today at 4pm PST, I’m going to do an interview if you’d like to listen in. Dane Sanders is the host, and we are going to have a blast for 30 minutes. If you’d like to join us, you need to sign up with Dane’s forums or coaching site. Go here for info on that! http://store.fasttrackphotographer.com Once your signed up, you can then go to this link to tune in http://XiosoftPresenter.com/?eventid=5488023 Around noon, you’ll be emailed a password to listen in on the interview. We’ll be twittering updates as we get closer! See you at 4pm today!

For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese (see the downloadable version that is now 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!

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January 5th, 2009

The Seedpod and Running on Empty for Atlanta Begins!

It’s the first Monday of 2009! The first blog post of 09! Wow! Here we go! ;)

On Friday, Brian and I escaped to our favorite cabin up in the mountains.

We had one night. Our mission was to lock ourselves away, build a fire, spread out poster board, bring twenty different colored markers, get the tea kettle going and map out our vision for 2009. We wrote down all our dreams, goals, “impossibles” to see if they could become possibles, and much more. It was an amazing 24 hours together. We were worried that since we only had time to leave for one night, we wouldn’t get much done. But wow, God totally blessed our time and we feel like we are hitting the ground running for 2009.

Before we left, I went for a walk by myself and stumbled across something that took me by surprise. I saw myself in a seedpod.

If there was ever a self portrait of myself during the month of December, this lonely and confused seedpod would be it. It was like my whole world, all my insides, all my reserves, all my creativity and enthusiasm for work, life, family was empty but I kept hanging on, trying to tell myself that it wasn’t that cold outside, my tree of life wasn’t barren, I wasn’t hanging by a thread at all. And yet, a thread is all I was hanging by. That morning I read the following passage and felt as if I was looking in the mirror as every word reflected my being in December.

An artist must have downtime, time to do nothing. Defending our right to such time takes courage, conviction, and resiliency. Such time, space, and quiet will strike our family and friends as withdrawal from them. It is.

For an artist, withdrawal is necessary. Without it, the artist in us feels vexed, angry, out of sort. If such deprivation continues, our artist becomes sullen, depressed, hostile. We eventually became like cornered animals, snarling at our family and friends to leave us alone and stop making unreasonable demands.

We are the ones making unreasonable demands. We expect our artist to be able to function without giving it what it needs to do so. An artist requires the upkeep of solitude. An artist requires the healing of time alone.

-Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way

Does anyone else relate? Any other seedpods out there? :)

December was an amazing month of taking time to do nothing, and I can’t believe how much courage this took. I don’t know if the courage required is due to owning your own business, or being a woman/wife/mom and feeling the needs of those you love, or just being an artist and struggling with the right to withdrawal. But withdraw I did, and it has made all the difference. I knew I was my own Running on Empty mom when a colleague wanted to set up a phone conference to brainstorm over an upcoming project in 2009, and I had to cancel b/c I had nothing in me to brainstorm. I think I even got scared I wouldn’t ever be able to brainstorm again. Yet, all I needed was my own space of giving to myself, my own space of finding ways to inspire myself, finding time to heal and most of all, time to be alone.

In honor of the courage it takes to first call ourselves artists and then second, nurture the artist within, I thought it only seemed appropriate to start the first blog post of 2009 with opening up nominations for the Running On Empty Contest for Atlanta.

If you are reading this and feeling like your the seedpod hanging by a thread, or your running on empty, or you know someone in Atlanta running on empty, feel free to take care of yourself and nominate yourself or someone you love to come to our Atlanta workshop for free. The dates of the Atlanta Workshop are January 17th and 18th. Yes, you do deserve it. Yes, you are worthy of it. And yes, doing something to inspire yourself, escaping to nurture you, finding healing time… is all worth it.

Post your nominations in today’s comments. Tell us about yourself or someone you love and why they need the Atlanta workshop to help with running on empty. One winner will be picked and given the Running On Empty spot. (please make sure you can make travel and hotel arrangements. The workshop tuition of $999 is given to you, but the travel is something the winner must accommodate.)

Be sure to NOT email us your submissions. To qualify, the nominations must be made as posted comments in today’s blog post so all judges can access the nominees. And be sure to leave your email so we can contact you if your chosen! :)

Please note: The deadline is this Wednesday, January 7th, at midnight so we can announce the winner on Friday this week.

If you are interested in attending the Atlanta Workshop, click here for details/registration. Our friends over at Pictage and Triple Scoop Music are offering their members a special discount to our Atlanta workshop. If you didn’t get their newsletters or email and want to take advantage of the discount, shoot us an email! mera@merakoh.com

Did you hear Dane Sander’s great interview with Photoshop Action master Kevin Kubota? It happened New Year’s Day! If not, click here to listen to it!

And if your around…Dane is going to do an interview with me at 4pm PST tomorrow! If you know Dane, this will be a great time! We would love to have you join us! Follow the above link for all the info! I will also post more details in tomorrow’s blog too!

Have a wonderful Monday!

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For fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese (see the downloadable version that is now 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!

read more
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