<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" ><channel><title>Me Ra Koh Photography Blog</title> <atom:link href="http://www.merakoh.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://www.merakoh.com</link> <description>Established June13th 2006      Seattle / Beverly Hills / New York</description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:54:48 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator> <item><title>Get Ready for Spring CONFIDENCE!</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/06/get-ready-for-spring-confidence/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/06/get-ready-for-spring-confidence/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:54:48 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=7087</guid> <description><![CDATA[Tomorrow at 6am PST, we are going to release the Early Bird Special for our three SPRING CONFIDENCE Workshops! Which cities are we coming to?  (drumroll please!&#8230;&#8230;..) 1.  Minneapolis, MN on April 14th &#38; 15th  (and that&#8217;s Minnesota to clear up confusion ) 2.  San Antonio, TX on April 28th and 29th! AND&#8230;. 3. Buffalo, [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/7087.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>Tomorrow at <strong>6am PST</strong>, we are going to release the<strong> Early Bird Special</strong> for our three SPRING CONFIDENCE Workshops!</p><p>Which cities are we coming to?  (drumroll please!&#8230;&#8230;..)</p><p><strong>1.  Minneapolis, MN on April 14th &amp; 15th  </strong><em>(and that&#8217;s Minnesota to clear up confusion <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> )</em></p><p><strong>2.  San Antonio, TX on April 28th and 29th!</strong></p><p>AND&#8230;.</p><p><strong>3. Buffalo, NY on May 19th and 20th! </strong></p><p>Get ready to register ladies!  This Spring is about CONFIDENCE!!!</p><p>To all the beautiful Florida ladies from this weekend&#8217;s CONFIDENCE Workshop, what a FANTASTIC weekend!  Still flying high from our time together!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0001-FL_behindthescenes1.jpg" rel="lightbox[7087]" title="Florida Photography Workshop for Women with Me Ra Koh"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7089" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="Florida Photography Workshop for Women with Me Ra Koh" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0001-FL_behindthescenes1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>Happy Monday!</p><p>xo,</p><p>m</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1168573725" rel="nofollow">Lauren Manalili</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=209564791813" rel="nofollow">MeRa Koh</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/06/get-ready-for-spring-confidence/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/06/get-ready-for-spring-confidence/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/06/get-ready-for-spring-confidence/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>8</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Is Your Baby Free on Saturday? Are You Near Tampa, FL? Want Some GREAT Photos for FREE!</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/02/is-your-baby-free-on-saturday-are-you-near-tampa-fl-want-some-great-photos-for-free/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/02/is-your-baby-free-on-saturday-are-you-near-tampa-fl-want-some-great-photos-for-free/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:27 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Photo Shoots]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=7067</guid> <description><![CDATA[Brian and I are getting ready to go on set with the Nate Berkus Show!  I&#8217;m so excited for this new photo segment we are working on!  From here, we head to FL for our CONFIDENCE Workshop and WARM (Praise God!) weather!  I can&#8217;t wait!!! We are still in need of some super cute babies [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/7067.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>Brian and I are getting ready to go on set with the <a href="http://www.thenateshow.com/" target="_blank">Nate Berkus Show</a>!  I&#8217;m so excited for this new photo segment we are working on!  From here, we head to FL for our <a href="http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/home.php?cat=249" target="_blank">CONFIDENCE Workshop</a> and WARM (Praise God!) weather!  I can&#8217;t wait!!!</p><p>We are still in need of some super cute babies for our Saturday Baby Shoot.  What do you say mamas?  Spend 1-2 hours with us, and you walk away with some FANTASTIC</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/baileykingphotography.com_2011_may_019.jpg" rel="lightbox[7067]" title="baileykingphotography.com_2011_may_019"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7068" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="baileykingphotography.com_2011_may_019" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/baileykingphotography.com_2011_may_019.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="409" /></a></p><p>GORGEOUS PHOTOS OF YOUR BABY!!</p><p><img class="alignnone" style="border: 3px solid black;" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jenn_johnston-3.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="550" /></p><p>EVERY photo on today&#8217;s blog post was taken by a CONFIDENCE Workshop attendee.  Just a little sample of what you will go home with!</p><p>As a thank you for your time (and sweet baby), you get ALL the edited photos at High Res for free so you can make prints for all the grandparents!</p><p>We usually have to turn moms and babies away we have so many on the waiting list.  But Tampa is a new area for us, and I would LOVE to meet your baby!</p><p><img class="alignnone" style="border: 3px solid black;" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/sarah_nguyen_13.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></p><p>This Saturday is the shoot&#8211;promise, it&#8217;s a BLAST!</p><p><img class="alignnone" style="border: 3px solid black;" src="http://workshops.merakoh.net/Events/2011-DC/i-bst98F5/0/L/aniakrasniewskaMG3948-L.jpg" alt="" width="550" /></p><p>Email Genie, my workshop superstar coordinator, for ALL the details!  genie@merakoh.com</p><p>Look forward to meeting you and your sweetie on Saturday!</p><p><img class="alignnone" style="border: 3px solid black;" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/susan-prejean-8809.jpg" alt="" height="550" /></p><p>Oh!  We may have room for one or two more Family Models on Sunday!  Email Genie if that&#8217;s of interest!</p><p><img class="alignnone" style="border: 3px solid black;" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/KristaJohnston1.jpg" alt="" height="550" /></p><p>(All photos in today&#8217;s post were taken by our CONFIDENCE ladies during the baby shoot from Sacramento, Seattle, Washington DC, Chicago, NY and more!  So proud of these ladies!!)</p><p>xo,</p><p>m</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Spring Cities and Early Bird!</strong></span></p><p>We are going to announce the winning Spring Cities and Early Bird Registration in our newsletter anytime now!  Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter so you can get priority registration for Spring CONFIDENCE!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1034695426" rel="nofollow">Sara Halvorson Montgomery</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000511687390" rel="nofollow">Ken Miller</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000615821681" rel="nofollow">Maria Gonzalez Featherly</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1122424427" rel="nofollow">Heather Ebbs Rockom</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1540761744" rel="nofollow">Jennifer Pacheco</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651952418" rel="nofollow">Lana Fedora</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=674304906" rel="nofollow">Kristina Mares</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000389591812" rel="nofollow">Lynsey Norton</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=648451628" rel="nofollow">Awesomthyst Hubbard</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=500845762" rel="nofollow">Aimee Jackson</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527304874" rel="nofollow">Christina Sunshine Jensen</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/02/is-your-baby-free-on-saturday-are-you-near-tampa-fl-want-some-great-photos-for-free/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/02/is-your-baby-free-on-saturday-are-you-near-tampa-fl-want-some-great-photos-for-free/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/02/is-your-baby-free-on-saturday-are-you-near-tampa-fl-want-some-great-photos-for-free/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>18</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Happy Birthday to My Brian, Best Husband EVER!</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/01/happy-birthday-to-my-brian-best-husband-ever/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/01/happy-birthday-to-my-brian-best-husband-ever/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:09:00 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Family Gossip]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=7051</guid> <description><![CDATA[His birthday was yesterday, but who says I can&#8217;t celebrate this man the next day (and every day that follows)! Brian is PURE SUNSHINE in my life. He makes me laugh EVERY DAY! In fact, he makes ALL the women laugh at our CONFIDENCE Workshops!  (Can I get an &#8220;AMEN&#8221; ladies?!  ) It is hard [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/7051.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>His birthday was yesterday, but who says I can&#8217;t celebrate this man the next day (and every day that follows)!</p><p>Brian is PURE SUNSHINE in my life.</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0007-DayOne.jpg" rel="lightbox[7051]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7055" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0007-DayOne.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="365" /></a></p><p>He makes me laugh EVERY DAY!</p><p>In fact, he makes ALL the women laugh at our CONFIDENCE Workshops!  (Can I get an &#8220;AMEN&#8221; ladies?!  <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> )</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-Brian.jpg" rel="lightbox[7051]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7052" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-Brian.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="365" /></a></p><p>It is hard to find a man who is totally secure with his wife being in the spotlight.  His secret?  He finds his own ways to have a spotlight.  <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /></p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0036-CrystalChairHike.jpg" rel="lightbox[7051]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7059" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0036-CrystalChairHike.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>He is also my safe place, my quiet refuge from the jungle that surrounds us.</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0019-DayTwo.jpg" rel="lightbox[7051]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7058" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0019-DayTwo.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>There is no question, Brian is the heartbeat of joy in our family.</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-Holiday-Photo.jpg" rel="lightbox[7051]" title="0001-Holiday Photo"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7060" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="0001-Holiday Photo" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-Holiday-Photo.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>With all that I am, I LOVE this man.  I love him more today than I did when we first &#8220;fell in love&#8221;.  There is so much goodness and love in Brian that I pinch myself all the time because I can&#8217;t believe I get to spend my life with him.  We work together, homeschool the kids together, travel together, and I can honestly say, I wish I had MORE time with him.  I can never get enough of Brian.</p><p>There simply is no other like him.</p><p>I love you babe (so crazy much).</p><p>Ever yours,</p><p>Me Ra</p><p><strong>p.s. Join Me in Celebrating this Awesome Guy!</strong></p><p>Yesterday, Brian&#8217;s actual birthday, was a little crazy.  If you have a moment, would you leave him a birthday comment today?  He is not expecting this post and would love it!  Thanks!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1516876493" rel="nofollow">John Ledyard</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1209272361" rel="nofollow">Dora Stefou Duane</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000226144183" rel="nofollow">Abigail Ellen Rose Coughlin</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1338753126" rel="nofollow">ßerenice Calderón-García</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1347592987" rel="nofollow">Liane Dimond</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000903711823" rel="nofollow">Linda Hunstable</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1392215299" rel="nofollow">Christa Rundle Donald</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1524437" rel="nofollow">Margo Hale Lee</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1469179467" rel="nofollow">Tana Breuer Shereck</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1422473950" rel="nofollow">Suzan Sencan</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1067260929" rel="nofollow">Kristina Knode</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1614885337" rel="nofollow">Marcy Beasley Johns</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1210716972" rel="nofollow">Lisa Offley Novitsky</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=660465111" rel="nofollow">Eliane Canedo</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1634900782" rel="nofollow">Kelli Fleming-Weber</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000205454201" rel="nofollow">Melissa Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1038954567" rel="nofollow">Heather Harrison</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=697457281" rel="nofollow">Helen Shair-Singh</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000147590942" rel="nofollow">Dana Ferry</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=761104767" rel="nofollow">Monique Kovacs Nathan</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=616355568" rel="nofollow">Stephanie Rios Soofi</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1538825375" rel="nofollow">Veronica Frausto</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1336990174" rel="nofollow">Okema Clare</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=731136334" rel="nofollow">Wynne McIntosh</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/01/happy-birthday-to-my-brian-best-husband-ever/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/01/happy-birthday-to-my-brian-best-husband-ever/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/02/01/happy-birthday-to-my-brian-best-husband-ever/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>58</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Spring Planning! VOTE for the CITY NEAREST YOU!</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/30/spring-planning-vote-for-the-city-nearest-you/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/30/spring-planning-vote-for-the-city-nearest-you/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:26:03 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=7041</guid> <description><![CDATA[Brian and I are so EXCITED about our 2012 CONFIDENCE Workshops!  Seattle was powerful!  Florida is this weekend with a growing waiting list (we will definitely need to revisit Florida for all the women on the waiting list!), and we&#8217;ve only got 2-3 spots left in Orange County, CA! Time to start planning for the [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/7041.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>Brian and I are so EXCITED about our 2012 CONFIDENCE Workshops!  Seattle was powerful!  Florida is this weekend with a growing waiting list (we will definitely need to revisit Florida for all the women on the waiting list!), and we&#8217;ve only got <a href="http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/product.php?productid=16192&amp;cat=249&amp;page=1" target="_blank">2-3 spots left in Orange County, CA!</a></p><p>Time to start planning for the Spring!  In the midst of this insane snow storm, freezing rain weather, it’s hard to believe that Spring is around the corner.  But Spring is one of the most popular seasons for our CONFIDENCE Workshops, and we know how you ladies like to plan!</p><p>Lots of Mother’s Day surprises are wrapped in a CONFIDENCE workshop spot! I especially love the Spring because you feel so ready to brush off the winter blues and get a fresh start on the year!</p><p>So you tell us!  Where should CONFIDENCE come this Spring?  That’s our question for YOU!   Vote for the city nearest you!</p> <a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5880783/">View This Poll</a><p><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5880783/">Vote for the City Nearest You!</a></noscript>Don&#8217;t see your city?  Feel free to add your city!  For those of you who requested Houston, logistically we could make San Antonio possibly happen this Spring.  We definitely want to hear from you if Minneapolis or Denver is something you&#8217;d like.  We also get a TON of inquiries for Philadelphia, so ladies, speak up because it&#8217;s in the running for this Spring.  Is it time to return to San Diego, CA?  We need to hear from you.  And man&#8230;how do we make Australia work?  I was meant to hug a koala! <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />   It has to happen one of these days&#8230;somehow!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-NBblog.jpg" rel="lightbox[7041]" title="CONFIDENCE Photography Workshop for Women with Me Ra Koh"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7043" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="CONFIDENCE Photography Workshop for Women with Me Ra Koh" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-NBblog.jpg" alt="" width="550" /></a></p><p><strong>EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION WILL START&#8230;.</strong></p><p>Hold on to your seats because after we get your votes, we will look at hotel logistics and announce the Early Bird Registration by the end of this week!  Our newsletter peeps will get priority registration, so make sure you are signed up for our newsletter (see right hand sidebar).</p><p>(and one vote per person <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> &#8230;I know some of you try to hijack the votes every time (you crack me up!)</p><p>Happy Monday!</p><p>xo,</p><p>m</p><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/30/spring-planning-vote-for-the-city-nearest-you/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/30/spring-planning-vote-for-the-city-nearest-you/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/30/spring-planning-vote-for-the-city-nearest-you/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>31</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>&#8220;Who has a Little Bit of Hope Left?&#8221;  Tenacity is the Name of the Game!</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/27/who-has-a-little-bit-of-hope-left-tenacity-is-the-name-of-the-game/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/27/who-has-a-little-bit-of-hope-left-tenacity-is-the-name-of-the-game/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:35:43 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Inspiration for Artists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=7027</guid> <description><![CDATA[Seattle was in the middle of a HUGE snow storm as I tried to make my way home from Costa Rica last week.  My flight from Houston to Seattle was cancelled.  But not only my flight, every flight was being cancelled. The airline said they could get me home by Monday.  Well, that was a [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/7027.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>Seattle was in the middle of a HUGE snow storm as I tried to make my way home from Costa Rica last week.  My flight from Houston to Seattle was cancelled.  But not only my flight, every flight was being cancelled. The airline said they could get me home by Monday.  Well, that was a little stressful since our Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop was going to start Saturday morning.  With angry people all around me and a counter of exhausted and stressed airline employees, I raised my hand and said &#8220;Who Still Has a Little Hope Left?&#8221;  Did people look at me like I was crazy?  Absolutely.  But here is what happened.  I sent this email to our workshop ladies;</p><p><em>HELLO LADIES!!!!!!!!</em></p><p><em>I’m writing to you with the BIGGEST smile on my face!  I’m actually stuck in Houston, STILL!   (workshop is STILL happening, no stress, keep reading) </em></p><p><em>Brian and I always fly separate, and he got home great on Wed.  I got in to Houston last night with no problems and then found out my flight to Seattle was cancelled.  I came back to the airport at 7:30am this morning, and I’ve been on standby ever since.  There was a 9:30am flight, but 35 ticket holders for that flight didn’t even get on because it was oversold.  This means they are all in front of me for the next flight and the one after and the one after.  All flights today are sold out, overbooked and have a wait list of 75 plus people on standby.  Nothing is available until Monday. </em></p><p><em>BUT, YES, THE WORKSHOP IS HAPPENING!!!  HECK YES!!!  Why?  I HAVE A PASSPORT!!!  I walked up to the airline Customer Service with seven agents sitting behind their computers.  They were all exhausted from dealing with ANGRY customers.  I stood in front of all of them and said “Who is feeling the most optimistic right now?”  They looked at me like I was crazy!  And then I said “Who has a little bit of hope left?”  One lady raises her hand and says “I’ve still got some hope in me.”  “Perfect!” I said.  “You are my woman.  I need someone with hope because I need a miracle to happen!”  She has been helping me for the last three hours, and we realized I have a passport with me from Costa Rica!  This means, worst case scenario, that I fly to Vancouver BCC at 9pm tonight, and then I fly from Vancouver to Seattle at 8am tomorrow!  So, I might come to the workshop wearing the same thing I’ve worn for three days, but you don’t care, right?!  No, just kidding, Brian will bring me clothes.   </em></p><p><em>Bottom line, I’m DETERMINED to find a way to all of you!  Worst case scenario right now is that we start the workshop two hours late and go later into tomorrow evening.</em></p><p><em>So as we prepare for this weekend, I want you all to start opening your hearts to all the possibilities of this weekend.  There are wonderful things in store, things that we don’t even know about yet.  Surprises and much goodness.  Regardless of what the odds are, I take it as a sign of confirmation that we are all in the right place at this moment.  (even if that place is Houston! ) </em></p><p><em>There is one thing I know for sure.  When there are challenges before a workshop, it ALWAYS means there are amazing things in store for that weekend.  Every time!  The airlines once lost our luggage and all our workshop materials.  Brian and I showed up empty handed, but that was one of the most powerful weekends we ever had.  And this little flight issue is just the same.  With GREAT anticipation, I will see you in the morning ladies! </em></p><p><em>Much love,</em></p><p><em>Me Ra</em></p><p>If you can believe it, a seat popped open.  That wonderful lady behind the counter got so excited as she kept looking and looking, before I knew it she was determined for me.  And instead of flying to Canada, she got me on a First Class seat to Denver and then to Seattle (with crowds of people on standby in both places).  As I walked into my home Friday night, I fell on the floor and started laughing from sheer exhaustion and adrenaline.  I was home; the workshop was going to happen the next day!</p><p>The Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop was our first workshop of 2012.  What a POWERFUL weekend it was.  As I met the ladies and heard their stories, we soon realized that this workshop was supposed to happen <em>that</em> weekend.  The timing was key for so many of the women.  It was a divine timing to say the least.</p><p>Why am I sharing this with all of you?  Well, it&#8217;s a great story&#8230;don&#8217;t you think?  <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />   No, seriously, I think our dream building is often like my situation at the airport.  Everyone is telling you there isn&#8217;t any way to get home.  People who are wanting to build their dreams (or get home) are angry because things aren&#8217;t working out.  Their stress is escalating, and you can easily feel drawn in to just give up and join them at the Sky Highway Bar for a shot of whiskey.  The people who are there to help you don&#8217;t look like they have any energy or desire left to help.  And yet, you don&#8217;t need a ton of people to help.  Sometimes you only need one.  And a little bit of hope goes a long way.</p><p>As we embark on 2012, tenacity is the name of the game for dream building.  As life presents you opportunities to be tenacious, take them and run.  It&#8217;s a muscle that will come in handy as you take your dreams to the next level.  And if everyone around you says, &#8220;might as well cancel your plans&#8211;just look around&#8221;&#8230;take a moment to step outside, pause, and listen to your heart.  Yes, it&#8217;s always easier to cancel when the odds are against us.  And the odds are often against us when we are trying to build an impossible dream.  But does anything in your heart say the impossible can still happen?  If yes, take flight!  You are in good company!</p><p>All my love to the Seattle CONFIDENCE ladies!  Watching the transformation in you this last weekend was breath taking and divine.  Thank you for starting my 2012 year of workshops off on such a powerful, rich note!</p><p>Cheers to HOPE and Beating the Odds!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-Seattle_1_2012_Group-Shot-2.jpg" rel="lightbox[7027]" title="Seattle CONFIDENCE Photography Workshop for Women, January 2012.  www.merakoh.com"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7029" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="Seattle CONFIDENCE Photography Workshop for Women, January 2012.  www.merakoh.com" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-Seattle_1_2012_Group-Shot-2.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>xo,</p><p>m</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Does Your City Need CONFIDENCE?</strong></span></p><p>Where should we bring CONFIDENCE this Spring?  Our Spring workshop planning is here!  Where should we be in April and May?  Does your city need a CONFIDENCE Workshop?  Have you been reading about the workshops for the last five years and feel like it&#8217;s time to give yourself a creative weekend that will refresh and inspire you?  If so, what city do you want us to come too?  I&#8217;m going to post a poll on Monday but feel free to submit your city in the comments today and this weekend!</p><p>We only have a few spots left in our Southern CA Workshop in March.  <a href="http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/product.php?productid=16192&amp;cat=249&amp;page=1" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for details.  Florida is SOLD OUT! (woot-woot!)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1524497784" rel="nofollow">Anna Serebryanik</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1048981500" rel="nofollow">Kellie Pecoraro</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=546689316" rel="nofollow">Emily Winchell McCann</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=144244264619" rel="nofollow">Clickin Moms</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=682559342" rel="nofollow">Lindsey J Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1568754942" rel="nofollow">Julie Eells Mankin</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1149291428" rel="nofollow">Freida Hall</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/27/who-has-a-little-bit-of-hope-left-tenacity-is-the-name-of-the-game/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/27/who-has-a-little-bit-of-hope-left-tenacity-is-the-name-of-the-game/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/27/who-has-a-little-bit-of-hope-left-tenacity-is-the-name-of-the-game/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>16</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Launching Ali Anderson to #SOAR! (Recipient of our SOAR Scholarship)</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/26/launching-ali-anderson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/26/launching-ali-anderson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:56:10 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>wendy</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Amazing Moms!]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SOAR!]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=6905</guid> <description><![CDATA[ALI!!!  Her name makes me smile and want to shout because this crazy girl has a laugh and sense of humor that is contagious and makes your day&#8211;every time! I know that many of you miss &#8220;Thursdays with Ali&#8221; on the SOAR! blog.  Her writing had us in tears and laughter every week.  Can you [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/6905.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>ALI!!!  Her name makes me smile and want to shout because this crazy girl has a laugh and sense of humor that is contagious and makes your day&#8211;every time!</p><p>I know that many of you miss &#8220;<a href="http://www.merakoh.com/soarblog/?cat=29" target="_blank">Thursdays with Ali&#8221; on the SOAR! blog</a>.  Her writing had us in tears and laughter every week.  Can you believe she didn&#8217;t see herself as a writer before <a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/" target="_blank">SOAR!</a>?  I remember asking her over lunch if she thought her writing would continue to go forward&#8230;I tossed out the idea of her maybe writing a novel about a woman and her comical, authentic journey in developing her photography passion.  I know I am one of many who would get in line to read that book!  I guess time will tell with Ali; she is FULL of surprises!</p><p>In fact, when Ali submitted her video to<a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/Pages/About-SOAR/10499374_osLTF" target="_blank"> apply for SOAR</a>!, I was like &#8220;Brian, is that the same Ali that was in the <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/2010/09/22/behind-the-scenes-of-dc-photography-workshop-part-1/" target="_blank">DC CONFIDENCE Workshop</a>?&#8230;She was so QUIET all weekend!  Nahh, that can&#8217;t be the same gal.&#8221;</p><p>This was Ali&#8217;s video application;<br /> <object width="425" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjAxMjQxNSZrPUNWTll3JmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" /><param name="src" value="http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102501.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjAxMjQxNSZrPUNWTll3JmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="425" height="240" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102501.swf" allowFullScreen="true" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjAxMjQxNSZrPUNWTll3JmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" flashvars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjAxMjQxNSZrPUNWTll3JmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" allowfullscreen="true" /></object></p><p>Her video application touched all our hearts.  I told our panel of judges that this video was strong evidence of how hard Ali would work, and how &#8220;above and beyond the call&#8221; she would probably go.  In the end, the SOAR! Scholarship Program would richly benefit her because you get out of this program as much as you put in to it.  Ali was clearly going to put everything into it.</p><p>Below are a few thoughts Ali wanted to share with you&#8230;</p><p><em>Since writing <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/soarblog/?p=4341">my final post</a> on Me Ra Koh’s <a href="www.soarwithmera.com">SOAR! blog</a>, I’ve often been asked, “What are you going to do now that SOAR! is over?”  In my head I respond with an enthusiastic, “I’m going to Disneyland!,” (just before Me Ra dumps one of those big orange coolers of Gatorade over my head and ruins a perfectly good hair day). In reality, the answer is less glamorous: We’ll see.</em></p><p><em>Normally, that kind of answer would sound weak, indecisive, and lazy to me. After all, as part of winning the SOAR! Scholarship, I’ve spent the past year developing relationships and learning from some of the most talented business coaches, photographers, vendors and colleagues in the field. I burned the candle at both ends all year long; putting every ounce of my vulnerability, insecurity and creative juice into each exercise, blog post and image I made. And I’d do it all over again.</em></p><p><em>I don’t feel the pressure to have it all figured out, which is why snuggling up with some warm and fuzzy ambiguity might just be the best gift I received this year.</em></p><p><em>SOAR! was never about getting a clear and predictable path laid out for a career in photography. For me, SOAR! was all about becoming confident with risk. I risked applying for SOAR and rediscovered a long lost artist. I risked my thoughts on the blog every week and rediscovered my love of writing. I risked starting a photography business. <strong>My biggest take away: Risk opens doors.</strong></em></p><p><em>I have my goals, big and small, for sure. And I’ll share all that on <a href="http://blog.aliandersonphotography.com/">my blog</a> this year as I continue to grow my business. I will continue to write. I will continue to put beautiful images into the world. I will continue to risk. As I see myself now, I hope my path will continue to change, all the while inviting me into the ambiguously beautiful blur of the future.</em></p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ali_biopic-1.jpg" rel="lightbox[6905]" title="ali_biopic-1"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7018" title="ali_biopic-1" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ali_biopic-1.jpg" alt="" width="365" height="550" /></a><br /> <em>Thanks to all of you who followed my journey. I am humbled by your supportive comments all year long and deeply grateful for your support.</em></p><p><em>~Ali</em></p><p>Those two sentences; <em>For me,<a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/" target="_blank"> SOAR!</a> was all about becoming confident with risk. I risked applying for SOAR and rediscovered a long, lost artist.  </em></p><p>Wow.  Powerful.</p><p>Whenever we go after building a dream, we must subscribe to the weekly, even daily, activity of taking risks.  Risk taking can be terrifying and often hold many of us back because there isn&#8217;t any guarantee of what waits on the other side.  Ali is a wonderful example of someone who risked over and over again to be pleasantly surprised by what she rediscovered.  And not only did Ali&#8217;s rediscovery of her long lost artist-writer-photographer&#8211;all the above&#8211;bless her, but it blessed all of us who followed her journey.  This rippling effect of risk taking is what moves me the most.  You think that you are setting out on a selfish journey to find yourself, your creative self, and the truth is that you end up not only giving to yourself but all those who follow along.</p><p>Ali, your SOAR! year will always be a testament to the beauty that is waiting to be discovered when we choose to risk.  You will continue to be a champion for so many women who followed you all year.  Thank you for putting everything you had into the SOAR! year.  I think we all feel like we soared a little higher in day-to-day dream building because of the journey shared every week.</p><p>On behalf of all the <a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/Pages/Partners/10499440_cgCiw" target="_blank">SOAR! Partners</a> and this wonderful community, we proudly launch Ali Anderson to SOAR with her photography (AND writing) dreams!  I can&#8217;t wait to see how the future continues to unfold for you!  Check out her <a href="http://www.aliandersonphotography.com/" target="_blank">new website</a>, and be sure to keep following her <a href="http://blog.aliandersonphotography.com/" target="_blank">blog posts</a>!</p><p>Ali, we love you.  I cherish you, your sense of humor and your wonderful husband and kids.</p><p>We celebrate you today!</p><p>Your Cheerleaders Forever!</p><p>Me Ra, Brian, Wendy and this awesome community!</p><p>*I invite all of you to leave a comment of encouragement, love, celebration, wisdom&#8230;or all the above, in celebration of Ali today!</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1287577413" rel="nofollow">Marille Braley-Brickey</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=697566373" rel="nofollow">Jerilynn Marlow</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1247101165" rel="nofollow">Wendy Guisto Moynihan</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=620875977" rel="nofollow">Allison W. Laster</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1067260929" rel="nofollow">Kristina Knode</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=616355568" rel="nofollow">Stephanie Rios Soofi</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000044816168" rel="nofollow">Beth Brown Wendland</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/26/launching-ali-anderson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/26/launching-ali-anderson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/26/launching-ali-anderson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Launching Charisse Rhodes to #SOAR! (Recipient of our SOAR Scholarship)</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/25/launching-charisse-rhodes-to-soar/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/25/launching-charisse-rhodes-to-soar/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:06:10 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>wendy</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Amazing Moms!]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SOAR!]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=6949</guid> <description><![CDATA[Charisse&#8230;where do I start with Charisse?  So many memories come to mind.  The first time I saw Charisse&#8217;s beautiful smile was when she applied for the SOAR! Scholarship in 2009.  She did not win that year, but she didn&#8217;t give up.  Months later, she attended our San Fransisco CONFIDENCE Workshop.  I still remember her raising [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/6949.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>Charisse&#8230;where do I start with Charisse?  So many memories come to mind.  The first time I saw Charisse&#8217;s beautiful smile was when she applied for the <a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/" target="_blank">SOAR! Scholarship</a> in 2009.  She did not win that year, but she didn&#8217;t give up.  Months later, she attended our <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/2010/10/14/she-came-with-expectation-part-1/" target="_blank">San Fransisco CONFIDENCE Workshop</a>.  I still remember her raising her hand and asking how it was possible to pursue your own dreams without taking from your family&#8217;s needs.  What a beautiful, authentic, heartfelt question.  Charisse is a kindred homeschooling mom.  With how much time homeschool and regular family life takes, it&#8217;s easy to wonder how more time can be carved out for other pursuits&#8230;especially your own dream building pursuits. But when the second year of SOAR! started, Charisse applied again.</p><p>This was her submission video.<br /> <object width="425" height="238" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjkxMjk1NiZrPXJkZ1RaJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" /><param name="src" value="http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102501.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjkxMjk1NiZrPXJkZ1RaJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="425" height="238" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102501.swf" allowFullScreen="true" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjkxMjk1NiZrPXJkZ1RaJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" flashvars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMjkxMjk1NiZrPXJkZ1RaJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" allowfullscreen="true" /></object></p><p>Fast forward to September 2011.  I&#8217;m in <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/2011/11/14/22-inspirational-family-images-day-2-of-the-sacramento-confidence-workshop/" target="_blank">Sacramento for our CONFIDENCE Workshop</a>, and I invite Charisse to second shoot my Minis the day before.  She has been working hard <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/soarblog/?cat=30" target="_blank">every week</a> at the SOAR! Scholarship Program for nine months.  She has faced some of her deepest fears in the business coaching calls.  And she has dared to look beyond her assumed limitations.  Charisse has done the &#8220;heavy lifting&#8221; work of building a dream all year long.  I&#8217;m eager to sit face to face with her and ask where she finds herself.</p><p>What she said brought me to tears.  She told me, with firm conviction in her eyes, that she now believes she can build her dreams&#8230;she really believes it.  Her dreams are hers for the taking.  She knows she has what it takes and this doesn&#8217;t take from her family, it gives to her family.  When mama follows her dreams, everyone learns how to dream along with her.  Spending the year following her dreams, working hard at it every week, has not only transformed her but the whole family.  wow&#8230;</p><p>What Charisse said is the heart of SOAR!.  Whether our <a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/" target="_blank">SOAR! Recipients</a> have a photography business in ten years is not the issue.  My vision was that SOAR! would empower women to know they were capable and worthy of all they desire.  When a woman knows she is worthy of her dreams and takes action, not only is she lifted up but also the world around her.  Charisse is a living testimony of this.</p><p>Here are a few words from Charisse&#8230;</p><p><em>Whew, what a year. It is hard to believe that it is already over. It has been a full one at that! A year ago, Linda Baylis &amp; Genie Ohashi</em> were <em>walking up to my doorstep with a pink box and a video camera. What a surprise it was. I have met so amazing people during this year. I have made and fulfilled many goals. I have learned a lot about myself that I had not realized before. And yes, during this process, I have also fallen short of my mark on occasion. However, this year was not about perfection, but about growth. Growth as a person, growth as a business woman, growth in my artistic pursuits and growth in my role of a mom who can also pursue her dreams without fear. Okay&#8230;maybe not without fear, but definitely having a better vehicle with which to circumvent those fears and not let them get in my way.</em></p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Charisse_Rhodes.jpg" rel="lightbox[6949]" title="Charisse_Rhodes"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7010" style="border: 3px solid black;" title="Charisse_Rhodes" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Charisse_Rhodes.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a></p><p><em>Along the way, my creative eye has grown along with new desires of accomplishments yet to be made and challenges still to be taken on. However, during the process of this last year, I have participated in some art shows, hung my images in a public venue and got paid for my work along the way. While this fantastic year with the SOAR! Scholarship has come to a close, many new doors are opening as we speak. The biggest door that has opened is the door to my personal dreams. I want to thank SOAR for not only enhancing my photographic toolbox, but for helping this homeschool mama see that it&#8217;s okay to color outside the lines again.</em></p><p><em>If there is anything that I would encourage you to do after having this year with SOAR, it would be to set your own expectations and strive to meet only that. Others will often have an opinion of who you are, where you should be in your business, or what you are capable of. In reality, only you really know. Live and dream authentically. Stay true to yourself and give generously. It will come back to you in more ways than you know. I hope we meet again either in the SOAR forum, Soarority on Facebook or on my blog. It has been a pleasure taking this journey with you all.</em></p><p><em>Dream it … Own it. </em></p><p><em>Charisse</em></p><p>With incredible pride and joy, on behalf of all the <a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/Pages/Partners/10499440_cgCiw" target="_blank">SOAR! Partners</a> and community, I launch Charisse Rhodes to SOAR! with her dreams!</p><p>Check out <a href="http://www.charisserhodes.com/" target="_blank">Charrise&#8217;s new website</a> and<a href="http://blog.charisserhodes.com/" target="_blank"> blog</a>!  Leave her some love!</p><p>Charisse, it is a honor to call you friend and be a witness to your inspiring journey.  We celebrate you today!</p><p>Your Cheerleaders Forever!</p><p>Me Ra, Brian, Wendy and this awesome community!</p><p>*I invite all of you to leave a comment of encouragement, love, celebration, wisdom&#8230;or all the above, in celebration of Charisse today!</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1287577413" rel="nofollow">Marille Braley-Brickey</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1538825375" rel="nofollow">Veronica Frausto</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345170476" rel="nofollow">Lisa Kaman Kenning</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17819373" rel="nofollow">Paige Engelhardt Smith</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1149291428" rel="nofollow">Freida Hall</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/25/launching-charisse-rhodes-to-soar/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/25/launching-charisse-rhodes-to-soar/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/25/launching-charisse-rhodes-to-soar/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>8</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Launching Rachel Abelson to #SOAR! (Recipient of our SOAR Scholarship)</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/24/launching-rachel-abelson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/24/launching-rachel-abelson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:33:46 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>wendy</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Amazing Moms!]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SOAR!]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=6898</guid> <description><![CDATA[This week is a special week for our community.  Together, we get to celebrate and launch our SOAR! Recipients to SOAR!  The SOAR! Scholarship is a program that Brian and I founded over two years ago.  With the generous help of SOAR! Partners like SONY, Adobe, The Wisdom Connection, Fastline Media, Smug Mug, Shoot Dot [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/6898.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>This week is a special week for our community.  Together, we get to celebrate and launch our SOAR! Recipients to SOAR!  The<a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/Pages/About-SOAR/10499374_osLTF" target="_blank"> SOAR! Scholarship</a> is a program that Brian and I founded over two years ago.  With the generous help of<a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/Pages/Partners/10499440_cgCiw" target="_blank"> SOAR! Partners</a> like SONY, Adobe, The Wisdom Connection, Fastline Media, Smug Mug, Shoot Dot Edit, Pixel 2 Canvas, Jille and more, we spend a year equipping three ladies with all they need to soar with their photography dreams.  This week we want to celebrate ALL their hard work from last year and their new websites (thank you <a href="http://www.fastlinemedia.com/" target="_blank">Fastline Media!</a>)!</p><p>For those of you who followed the weekly blogs of these ladies, Rachel, Charisse and Ali, you share my pride in them.  You know how hard they worked.  And wow, I&#8217;m THRILLED at where they find themselves now.</p><p>Let&#8217;s start today with Rachel Abelson!  Going backward in time, this was her submission video for the <a href="http://www.soarwithmera.com/" target="_blank">SOAR! Scholarship</a>.<br /> <object width="425" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMzE1MTU2MyZrPUd5S3NSJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" /><param name="src" value="http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102501.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMzE1MTU2MyZrPUd5S3NSJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="425" height="240" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102501.swf" allowFullScreen="true" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMzE1MTU2MyZrPUd5S3NSJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" flashvars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTEzMzE1MTU2MyZrPUd5S3NSJmE9MTQ4NjQ4ODFfWlVxanUmdT1tZXJha29o" allowfullscreen="true" /></object></p><p>I will never forget Rachel sitting in our <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/2011/08/11/part-1-photography-babies-in-phoenix-az-at-confidence-workshop/" target="_blank">AZ CONFIDENCE Workshop</a>.  She introduced herself as the &#8220;Face of Auto&#8221;.  Between the three recipients, Rachel was the most green with photography.  But in her introduction she went on to say that even though she may rate herself as a level one (beginner) in photography, she was a level FIVE in confidence and determination.  Rachel showed this all year long!</p><p>As a military wife, she had unique challenges to her SOAR! year.  In the middle of the year, her family was uprooted from the East Coast and transferred to the West Coast.  And not only did she do a huge move, but she has two precious babies that keep her hands full.  In the midst of all this, she still did <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/soarblog/?cat=28" target="_blank">her SOAR! exercises </a>and got her blog post up every Tuesday.  She also found beautiful ways to meet a personal goal of giving to the <a href="http://blog.rachelabelson.com/2011/11/what-are-you-thankful-for/" target="_blank">military community</a>.  And I know that we have all watched her photography skills transform&#8211;I mean amazing!  Check out <a href="http://www.rachelabelson.com/" target="_blank">Rachel&#8217;s new website </a>(and definitely leave her a comment on <a href="http://blog.rachelabelson.com/" target="_blank">her new blog</a>&#8211;you know how good those feel! <img src='http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> ).</p><p>Below are some final words that Rachel wanted to share with all of you&#8230;</p><p><em>As I sat down to write this post, I had another wave of shock come over me. A year ago at this time I was wondering who had won the SOAR! Scholarship and why nothing had been posted about it. I brushed it off and thought, “I’m excited to see who won, but I should figure out what I’m going to do now.” Lo and behold, just a few days later I get the knock at the door. You know, the one where I’m in running clothes, haven’t showered and definitely do not look my best! The one where Wendy (SOAR! Coordinator) told me the news and then I screamed so loud that I scared my 5 month old (check it out <a href="http://www.merakoh.com/soarblog/?p=2913" target="_blank">here</a>). Yeah, that’s the day. It will forever be in the top 10 days of my life.</em></p><p><em>The past year has been such a whirlwind of excitement, stress, laughter, but most of all accomplishment. I honestly never once thought I’d grow up to own my own business-big or small. Now that I do, it is an awesome feeling.  I’ve had two really, really awesome things happen to me this year. When I moved last summer I was able to start introducing myself as a photographer. But even more than that&#8230;..Pete and I went to a guest dude ranch in Dec for 4 days (coolest vacation ever!). When we got home he told his mom that he had told people “my wife’s a photographer” and that he was really proud to be able to say that. Him not knowing that I was within earshot, me hearing him say that was such an amazing feeling.</em></p><p><em>This last year has taught me so many lessons;</em></p><p><em>-Figuring out a style is not easy.</em></p><p><em>-Finding a brand is even harder.</em></p><p><em>-There is always room to learn.</em></p><p><em>-People will support you even if they don’t know you.</em></p><p><em>Most of all&#8230;even if you never imagined them, great things can and will happen.</em></p><p><em>I am in tears right now (good tears) thinking about all that I have been gifted the past year. Amazing mentors, a business of my own, being able to capture special moments for people, and the gift of all the SOAR! women-who I admire in more ways than I can list.</em></p><p><em>You women have given me so much knowledge, feedback, inspiration and support. I can not thank you enough. Now I have one thing to ask of you-<strong>never stop believing in yourself, no matter what. </strong></em></p><p><em>Thank you for a fabulous SOAR! year! I send each of you a big hug!!!</em></p><p><em>World, here is <a href="http://www.rachelabelson.com/" target="_blank">Rachel Abelson Photography</a>-watch out!!!!!!!</em></p><p><em>Now, Go for it!!!</em></p><p><em>Rachel</em></p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Rachel_Abelson.jpg" rel="lightbox[6898]" title="Rachel Abelson, SOAR! Scholarship Recipient "><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7001" title="Rachel Abelson, SOAR! Scholarship Recipient " src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Rachel_Abelson.jpg" alt="" height="550" /></a></p><p>On behalf of all the SOAR! Partners and this wonderful community, we proudly launch Rachel Abelson to SOAR with her photography dreams!  I have full confidence that there nothing this woman can&#8217;t accomplish!</p><p>Rachel, we love you, I love you, and super proud of you.  We celebrate you today!</p><p>Your Cheerleaders Forever!</p><p>Me Ra, Brian, Wendy and this awesome community!</p><p>*I invite all of you to leave a comment of encouragement, love, celebration, wisdom&#8230;or all the above, in celebration of Rachel today!</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1195161612" rel="nofollow">Laura Moyle O&#039;Connor</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1149291428" rel="nofollow">Freida Hall</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1621270120" rel="nofollow">Pamela Davidson Soper</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1817864351" rel="nofollow">Sheila McKay Ryan</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000044816168" rel="nofollow">Beth Brown Wendland</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=616355568" rel="nofollow">Stephanie Rios Soofi</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=620875977" rel="nofollow">Allison W. Laster</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1279389998" rel="nofollow">Lara Turner Gowder</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=839723425" rel="nofollow">Heidi Beard</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1067260929" rel="nofollow">Kristina Knode</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1378305822" rel="nofollow">Matt Martin</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1207360203" rel="nofollow">Michelle Cruz Slape</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/24/launching-rachel-abelson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/24/launching-rachel-abelson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/24/launching-rachel-abelson-to-soar-recipient-of-our-soar-scholarship/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>11</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Family Photos from our Texas Confidence Workshop</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/19/family-photos-from-our-texas-confidence-workshop/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/19/family-photos-from-our-texas-confidence-workshop/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:34:18 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=6903</guid> <description><![CDATA[We had an amazing day with out family models during the second day of our CONFIDENCE workshop in Dallas, Texas.  I am so excited to show you some of the images from that day.  It was beautiful to see all of the different viewpoints that everyone shot from. &#160; Amy Brion got an awesome shot [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/6903.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6977" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/0001-dallaswkshp-1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></p><p>We had an amazing day with out family models during the second day of our <a href="http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/home.php?cat=249">CONFIDENCE workshop</a> in Dallas, Texas.  I am so excited to show you some of the images from that day.  It was beautiful to see all of the different viewpoints that everyone shot from.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Amy Brion got an awesome shot of this young lady.  I love how the &#8220;hand holding that hat&#8221; gives this image a little &#8220;movement&#8221; which totally changes the look of the image as well as puts the subject at ease if you tell them to do something.  Amazing light!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mer7704amy-brion.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="_mer7704amy brion"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6966" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="_mer7704amy brion" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mer7704amy-brion.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="600" /></a></p><p>The lines that the tree trunks make in this image that <a href="http://chiaroperfecto.wordpress.com">Veronica Bernal</a> took really add to the image.  Great composition!<br /> <a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/veronica_bernal6.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6974" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/veronica_bernal6.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="600" /></a></p><p>Susan Prejean&#8230;it is so hard to get an image of children this age, all looking at you!  You did it!  I think the backlighting is so yummy and warm on this image.  Because Susan kept these three kiddos close to the same &#8220;plane&#8221; , she could shoot this with an aperture that allowed for that creamy, blurry background.</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/susan-prejean-9229.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="susan prejean-9229"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6973" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="susan prejean-9229" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/susan-prejean-9229.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>Linda Hunstable, what a great, crisp shot of this gal.  She is adorable with that gentle smile!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/linda_hunstable_26.jpg.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="linda_hunstable_26.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6972" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="linda_hunstable_26.jpg" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/linda_hunstable_26.jpg.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>Don&#8217;t you always want to have a shot of the older sibling kissing the baby?  I adore the interaction that <a href="http://www.karenporterphotography.com">Karen Porter</a> captured with this shot!  So precious!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_porter_4d_print.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="karen_porter_4d_print"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6971" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="karen_porter_4d_print" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_porter_4d_print.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="403" /></a></p><p>Karen Champlin and Amy&#8217;s shot above were probably taken minutes apart but look at how different each &#8220;eye&#8221; was.  Beautiful, clean editing Karen!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_champlin-109.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6970" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_champlin-109.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="600" /></a></p><p>Jennifer Pacheco&#8230;WOW!  Everything works on this image.  The warm light, the sun flare, and the composition all directly go with the emotion that this image exudes.  Wonderful!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco1.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6969" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco1.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p><p>Jan Brier shot a great, classic portrait!  This is one of those times when putting your subject perfectly in the middle of the image totally works.  Really nice!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jan_brier12.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="jan_brier12"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6968" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="jan_brier12" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jan_brier12.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="600" /></a></p><p>Heather Raiden&#8230;This is one of my favorite images of the bunch!  I love that they are both looking off and are completely caught in that moment of joy!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/heather_raiden-3613-2-1.jpg" rel="lightbox[6903]" title="heather_raiden-3613-2-1"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6967" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="heather_raiden-3613-2-1" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/heather_raiden-3613-2-1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>We had a special time with SOAR gal and NJ Confidence Workshop attendee, Marcia&#8230;and Jen Armstrong, 2010 SOAR! Scholarship Recipient on family day as well.  Marcia shared with the ladies how her business has unfolded since she went to the CONFIDENCE workshop.   It was super helpful to hear  Jen and Marcia talk about the ups and downs and excitement of pursuing their photography dreams.  Thank you so much for joining us Jen and Marcia!!</p><p>XOXO</p><p>Me Ra</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000903711823" rel="nofollow">Linda Hunstable</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1540761744" rel="nofollow">Jennifer Pacheco</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/19/family-photos-from-our-texas-confidence-workshop/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/19/family-photos-from-our-texas-confidence-workshop/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/19/family-photos-from-our-texas-confidence-workshop/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Baby Inspiration Photos from the Texas Confidence Workshop</title><link>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/18/baby-inspiration-photos-from-the-texas-confidence-workshop/</link> <comments>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/18/baby-inspiration-photos-from-the-texas-confidence-workshop/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:57:53 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Me Ra</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.merakoh.com/?p=6901</guid> <description><![CDATA[Texas&#8230;WOW! I can&#8217;t believe it has taken us this long to get to Texas. What a fabulous bunch of ladies. Brian and I are so blessed to have been with this group of women during our Texas Confidence Workshop.  We loved being in Texas and sure hope to go back in the future.  The  women [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://www.merakoh.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=com/wp-content/thumbnails/6901.jpg&amp;w=200&amp;h=150&amp;zc=1&amp;ft=jpg' alt='post thumbnail' /></p><p>Texas&#8230;WOW! I can&#8217;t believe it has taken us this long to get to Texas. What a fabulous bunch of ladies. Brian and I are so blessed to have been with this group of women during our Texas Confidence Workshop.  We loved being in Texas and sure hope to go back in the future.  The  women there are so wonderful with the biggest hearts ever.  They dove right in with full courage.   I am so proud of them and their baby images!</p><p>Oh my goodness, so cute&#8230;Amy Brion!  I love that we can see enough of mom&#8217;s beautiful smile as well and this awesome expression on baby&#8217;s face.  And the light&#8230;really yummy!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/chr7344amy-brion.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="_chr7344amy brion"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6909" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="_chr7344amy brion" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/chr7344amy-brion.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="365" /></a></p><p>Heather Raiden took this image with the super simple background.  With a background like that, it totally draws us in to the little munchkin.  The catch lights in this baby&#8217;s eyes are amazing!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/heather_raiden-3396.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="heather_raiden-3396"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6910" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="heather_raiden-3396" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/heather_raiden-3396.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>I love the warmth of this image from Jennifer Pacheco.  With the light coming in from the side of the subject it gives a great dimension to her face.  Lovely Jennifer!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco9.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6913" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco9.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="368" /></a></p><p>Karen Champlin took this really crisp image.  I love how easily we can count her eyelashes.  Super great focus.</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_champlin-104.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6914" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_champlin-104.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="600" /></a></p><p><a href="http://www.karenporterphotography.com">Karen Porter</a> captured the love and comfort of a mother and baby in this image.  When I look at this image I totally think about what a baby&#8217;s head smells like.  Pure heaven!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_porter_2a_print.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="karen_porter_2a_print"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6915" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="karen_porter_2a_print" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/karen_porter_2a_print.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p><p>Wow!  Linda Hunstable&#8230;the composition of this image is perfect.  Just the right amount of baby and mom!  And the wedding ring is an added bonus.</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/linda_hunstable_3.jpg.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="linda_hunstable_3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6916" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="linda_hunstable_3.jpg" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/linda_hunstable_3.jpg.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>Susan Prejean shot this perfect portrait in just simply perfect light!  This image is perfectly exposed which also makes it look that much more crisp and clear.  Nicely done Susan!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/susan-prejean-8809.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="susan prejean-8809"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6918" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="susan prejean-8809" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/susan-prejean-8809.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a></p><p><a href="http://chiaroperfecto.wordpress.com">Veronica Bernal</a> used the &#8220;Rule of Thirds&#8221; with this little gal perfectly.  It sends our eye from hers to what she is looking at out the window.  Love it!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/veronica_bernal12.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6919" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/veronica_bernal12.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="365" /></a></p><p>I am so glad that some of our ladies captured some &#8220;Behind the Scenes&#8221; during our Baby shoot!  Thank you so much!</p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco_behindthescenes1.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6911" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco_behindthescenes1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p><a href="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco_behindthescenes2.jpg" rel="lightbox[6901]" title="SONY DSC"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6912" style="border-width: 5px; border-color: black; border-style: solid;" title="SONY DSC" src="http://assets.merakoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jennifer_pacheco_behindthescenes2.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="367" /></a></p><p>XOXO<br /> Me Ra</p><p><strong>p.s..</strong> There are only a few spots left in <a href="http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/product.php?productid=16190&amp;cat=249&amp;page=1" target="_blank">Seattle CONFIDENCE Wkshp</a> this month!  <a href="http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/product.php?productid=16190&amp;cat=249&amp;page=1" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for Details!</p><div class="al2fb_likers"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1197494116" rel="nofollow">Sabrina Perrenoud</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=616355568" rel="nofollow">Stephanie Rios Soofi</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1347592987" rel="nofollow">Liane Dimond</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1540761744" rel="nofollow">Jennifer Pacheco</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002439132264" rel="nofollow">Luz Veronica</a> <span class="al2fb_liked">liked this post</span></div><div class="al2fb_like_button"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:like href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/18/baby-inspiration-photos-from-the-texas-confidence-workshop/" send="true" layout="standard" show_faces="true" width="450" action="like" font="arial" colorscheme="light" ref="AL2FB"></fb:like></div><div class="al2fb_comments_plugin"><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=241235492598974&amp;xfbml=1" type="text/javascript"></script><fb:comments num_posts="2" width="500" colorscheme="light" href="http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/18/baby-inspiration-photos-from-the-texas-confidence-workshop/"></fb:comments></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.merakoh.com/2012/01/18/baby-inspiration-photos-from-the-texas-confidence-workshop/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>
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