uncategorized10 Nov 2006 03:01 pm

About Me Ra

I didn’t find photography.   

Photography found me.     

And then it healed me.  

I started as a writer.    

For 10 years I worked on one book, Beauty Restored: Finding Life and Hope After Date Rape.  The heart of this book was to be a message of hope to women and their husbands/boyfriends, parents and friends.  I wanted them to know they were not alone in their pain. It is based on my own painful experience of being date raped in college.      

Almost ten years later, on March 20th, 2001, the first day of spring, I birthed two babies; my beautiful, firstborn, Pascaline and Beauty Restored. When Pascaline was three months old we hit the road and for the next 18 months did over 50 National TV Shows and Radio Interviews. While my little one slept in the backs of churches and colleges, I was up front sharing my story and hoping one woman would feel hope again.    

After two amazing years on the road, Brian and I were pregnant with our second.  His name was Aidan, our little fire. While in TN for a week long speaking tour I started experiencing abdominal pains and three weeks later our baby Aidan’s heartbeat stopped.    

After losing Aidan, I couldn’t speak or write and sought refuge in Brian and Pascaline’s love.  During those times of grief, I picked up a camera. Pascaline’s innocence was precious from every view point.  I found myself working to capture her story: the times she couldn’t stop giggling, the times she curled into the safety of daddy’s arms, the asleep time, the fussy and frustrated times, the first time she played with a yellow balloon…   

Friends and family started noticing the photos and asked me to photograph their kids.  Soon brides were contacting me for their weddings.  I had gone from speaking to 800 women and sharing my story, to finding healing behind a camera.  Life had taken this unexpected turn and now I was given the privilege to artistically capture another woman’s story on her wedding day.  Photography had found me.      

A new chapter of life has unfolded, a chapter of writing other people’s stories through images. Stories of new beginnings, moments of choosing to trust. Every time we shoot a wedding I see these moments; a grandmother reaches to squeeze the bride’s hand, a groom whispers in his bride’s ear, and then her giggle afterwards, a father’s tears while he dances with his daughter. What could be more worthy of capturing than these moments?    

It is our fourth year of business for Me Ra Koh Photography and life feels magical.  Last year, we received a call from Grace Ormonde’s Wedding Style Magazine.  We were invited to be one of their fifteen exclusive advertising photographers for 2006.  We will be again for 2007.  On top of that three more periodicals are rearing up to publish our images. 

The coming year of 2007, I’ll also take a new turn for our business.  I’m excited to be teaching three (maybe more) photography workshops to moms who want to take better photos of their kids.  Capturing my babies is where it all began.  I can’t wait to bring the joy of “Documenting a Child’s Life” to other moms.     

But the most wonderful thing of all is we have a new member in our family, our little Blaze.  He is beautiful.    

Each day I find that my pain is still with me over my losses, but the joy is going just as deep if not deeper.  

46 Responses to “About Me Ra”

  1. on 18 Jan 2007 at 11:08 am   Yvette Kisling

    I came here researching photographers sites b/c I am working on my own(I’m a wedding photo. just breaking out on my own) and wanted to stimulate my thought process. What I read brought tears to my eyes - not so much b/c it’s sad but b/c it’s inspiring. I am 41yrs old. I never thought that I would have lived through all the difficulties I have and still have the strength to reinvent myself with excitment and purpose. My family, my children have taught me the values that are important to me.Your words expressed (so sensitivly) the delicate balance that exists in all our hearts.

  2. on 19 Mar 2007 at 3:39 pm   Krissy Vervynck

    Hi there,

    Seattle Metropolitan is launching a new Bride & Groom magazine and I
    was wondering if I could get your mailing address, in order to send you
    an invitation to an upcoming event.
    Looking forward to hearing from you!
    Thanks!
    Krissy

    Krissy Vervynck | Circulation Assistant

    Portland Monthly Magazine
    Portland Bride & Groom
    Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
    Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom

    623 SW Oak St. Suite 300
    Portland, Oregon 97205
    t 503.222.5144 x. 162
    f 503.877.2777

  3. on 09 Apr 2007 at 4:54 pm   gypsy

    the thing about it finding someone and healing.. couldn’t be any truer.

  4. on 16 Apr 2007 at 1:24 pm   Jen Sulak

    i loved reading this testimonial on how it all came to be…

    i think itz beyootiful..and i think that itz amazing when something finds you or something is awakened in you…that might not have been there before, but was placed there. It is awesome. Keep doing what you do guys!!!!

    Jen S.

  5. on 07 May 2007 at 6:39 am   Gabe McClintock

    Me Ra….amazing story. Sad yet inspiring. I think you are a true gift to the photography world.

    All the best,

    Gabe McClintock

  6. on 17 May 2007 at 6:21 am   Heather Wortley

    Me Ra, I just want to let you know that your pictures are wonderful and I found your tips very helpful.
    We met on the plane coming back from Seattle, WA to Chichago,IL on May 7th. I was the one with the baby.
    It was very nice meeting you and you were absolutly one of the highlights of my trip.

    Heather Wortley

  7. on 29 May 2007 at 12:35 pm   christina

    Oh, darling…

    I cannot thank you enough for being immediately open about your experience. I have a history with family abuse that, even though we are no longer near each other, it’s unending in the pervasion into the memories, the dreams, the soul. I’m still, every day, trying to recover a part of me from that experience, which led me to many good and many poor choices. I find great solace in my camera, my family that I chose to create, the places i choose to live. I recognize myself in just these simple paragraphs of grief and restoration.

    I hope to actually meet you sometime.
    So, I can tell you, that in the past five minutes, after asking the gods and goddesses for a mentor for weeks and months, I have found one.

    Peace and love,
    christina

  8. on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:17 am   rinku

    this story is realy touch my heart …dear

  9. on 12 Jul 2007 at 4:39 pm   calvin

    Sad story, I’m glad you are doing better though. Just found your site, your photography is beautiful. Congrats on your success!

  10. on 18 Oct 2007 at 4:18 pm   Pam Adams

    My daughter, Leslie just attended your workshop and I am thrilled she did.
    Your inspiration is wonderful and I loved hearing about your courage and determination. Plus…I hear your Mom’s a KW agent! Good for you for all the good you do!

    Pam Adams

  11. on 07 Nov 2007 at 3:46 am   JO

    You’ve touched my heart & made me cry. Your story is just amazing. I’m a MOM & wishing I can attend your classes for photography. I am HOOKED on photography & want to get a BETTER camera & learn more !!! are you coming to GA ? anytime soon ? I am here waiting !

  12. on 13 Nov 2007 at 9:28 pm   Merna

    Me Ra,

    I went googling for Chris Shreve’s art this evening and ended up on your website! It was beautifully entertaining. Loved your face up close on the video of your son with his train!

  13. on 25 Nov 2007 at 4:04 am   Zabed

    Me Ra
    What a great fighter you are!! Carry on…

  14. on 06 Dec 2007 at 10:19 pm   charla BLUE

    Hi! I can’t believe how much your story has touched me. I just lost a baby six weeks ago. Since then my starting photography business has really taken off. It has been my saving grace. I am finding inspiration in the eyes of the children and families I’m shooting. God willing, I will be on the other side of the camera one day. God bless, Charla

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  16. on 17 Dec 2007 at 7:54 pm   Me Ra Koh Photography Blog » Dallas Workshop on Saturday!

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  17. on 17 Dec 2007 at 7:59 pm   Me Ra Koh Photography Blog » Yeah!!! Home from New York! but now she’s sick.

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  18. on 03 Jan 2008 at 1:22 am   bob

    dAVqoM hi nice site thx http://peace.com

  19. on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:53 pm   Gina

    Wow, I just found your blog through Dane Sanders blog and I am so moved with your story. I think I just spent an hour or so, maybe more, reading and being inspired by your photos and words. I am a child photographer and looking for ways to grow my small business. I am self taught photographer, and too started capturing first through my children. I am in awe and I will visit often. Thank you for all your words and inspiration. I am a little sad that I did not know of you and your talents before. I feel Like I have been missing out. But, now I am hooked. Thanks for the inspiration.
    ~Gina Lee

  20. on 21 Jan 2008 at 6:35 am   bob

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  21. on 18 Feb 2008 at 6:57 am   catalina

    Me Ra…wow. I am amazed by your talent and obviously love and passion for what you do…but after reading your story in your own words, my respect and admiration for the person behind the pictures and the choices you have made in your life astounds and inspires me even more. I am amazed at how you have taken your past painful experiences and instead of assuming a victimized, defeatist stance, you instead chose to find how you could use that to reach others with similar pain. It was simply fuel and has been overshadowed (if not consumed) by your joyful spirit and the happiness you have invited into your heart and life. Because you continued to be open to the things that are right in this world and turned toward the sun, you are now not just absorbing but reflecting it…as evidenced by the enjoyment you have in your husband, children, and life’s work.

    As a new mom myself, I am also finding immense joy and healing in the glorious beauty and innocence of my daughter’s existence. I strive to be the kind of person who also looks to share and encourage others with my life…and to teach my daughter to also realize her own strength and potential to reach out to others for good. Keep doing what your doing…enjoying life and sharing it with all of us. I hope to take one of your workshops and someday, be a compatriot in photography and not just a fan! :) Be well.

  22. on 04 Mar 2008 at 7:56 pm   christy pelland

    hey there me ra –

    I just wanted to write and express how much I admire your work but also your heart for people - It is so obvious through your writings and what others have said about you.

    For the past two years I have been shooting weddings in and around the tacoma/seattle area. I came about weddings as a way to pay for college (PLU is expensive!) and through word of mouth I have been able to do it full time. As you well know, it is an absolute blessing to be able to capture those moments on camera.

    You may remember the wedding of Dannielle Pelland and Brandon Matison in Puyallup – Dannielle is my cousin-in-law. I remember watching you and your husband work throughout the day, how you dealt with the couple, how you moved about the grounds capturing every detail, etc. At that time, I was just starting out – it was very helpful to see how a true professional worked.

    I have never contacted another photographer to tell them how much their work has meant to me in fear that they might consider me a stalker or worse, someone who is stealing their ideas. Recently, I was contacted by Julie Watts (a photographer out of the Tacoma area, I believe you know her) – she expressed how much she enjoyed my work and wanted to chat sometime about the biz. I was flattered, then I heard from a vendor that she had mentioned me to them – I was even more flattered – and decided to write back - we are meeting up later this week.

    Long story short – I know you are admired by many and must get countless messages conveying those sentiments but I just wanted to share my admiration and respect for a woman who is leading the way for those like me.

    thank you and I look forward to meeting you some day.

    cheers.

    christy pelland
    c.pelland photography

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  46. on 07 Jun 2008 at 4:05 pm   Diane Greenberg

    Hi, Me Ra,
    great to read your words and feel your heart. Thank you for sharing about me/us so kindly. I would love for you to share my website where and if appropriate and am grateful that I was able to contribute to the Next Octave and to you!
    Hey, I won “The Best Striptease Lessons” 2008 San Francisco Weekly.
    love, diane greenberg

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