MENTORS and MENTORING

(READ TO THE END...THERE IS AN AMAZING OFFER FOR ONE LUCKY PHOTOGRAPHER)

Two years ago I never thought it possible that I would be focusing (no pun intended) my life in the direction of photography. It's a passion, a true love but I never new I could be making a living off of it too. "You mean, you actually can DO WHAT YOU LOVE?" I've heard about people doing that before, but it's always been ingrained that I need to do something that will allow me to be financially stable. I suppose that makes sense, esp. b/c I love to travel, and if I'm going to travel (and photograph those travels), I would need money...meaning, get a financially stable job. Ok, so I did just that. Got my Master's in Physical Therapy and then started a corporate career with medical device companies working as a clinical specialist. Granted, I've been doing something that I like, but not truly LOVE.

One day I ran across MeRa Koh blog, and I was instantly drawn to her. She offered courses in beginners photography...for woman...and I had to go. I attended one of her fabulous workshops and since then, my life has has been forever changed. I felt energized, a visceral gut feeling of wow...I want to pursue a career in photography...this is MY CALLING. MeRa is a superhero to me, and I don't think she knows enough how she inspired me to start my own business. Literally, the week after the course I launched my blog and my business.

MeRa and Brian of MeRa Koh Photography (pictures borrowed from their blog ...it's one of their all time favorites!).
Realizing my calling is to be the best children, family and wedding photographer, I needed to take the appropriate steps, I needed direction. I started working with a business coach, MeRa's business coach...and a brilliant one at that. Karen Buckley and I have been working together for over a year and a half. Karen provided me the stepping stones it took to start a business. I loved taking pictures, but the business side of things was a whole new ball game...and I was honored to have Karen guide me.

picture borrowed from the Wisdom Connection

Karen has even recently started helping women realize their potential with her seminars (Wisdom Connection). Working with Karen has given me so many of the tools I need to get my business in great working order. I wouldn't be where I am today without her!

One of the biggest barriers with turning my photography business into a full time endeavour... which was the amount of hours I had to give to my corporate day job (remember that financial thing...). We're talking 50-70 hours a week...and then I was doing the photography thing on weekends. That has changed (some), and as of recent, I was laid off. Yep, I too was one of those people affected by the economy. However, I was lucky b/c I was offered a per diem job with this same company. Could there be a bigger blessing in disguise? I can work when I want to, still make some money, and now REALLY FOCUS on my photography business until I'm truly ready for it to become full time. WHICH WILL BE SOON....WATCH ME!

Now it's time to buckle down, get serious and plan for my future. And these experiences couldn't have happened at a better time. So, to take it serious, not only am I working with Karen, but as of this month, I am involved with one-on-one coaching with Dane Sanders. Dane is an amazing photographer out of Orange County and he is the founder of the Fast Track Photographers, which I happen to be a member of . Dane is offers the most incredible knowledge to help newbie photographers get on the FAST TRACK to starting their photography business. Dane will be a huge compliment the coaching I have received from Karen...and MeRa...and all those other fabulous photographers out there who have given me advice, wisdom, tips, tricks and tools.

(photo borrowed from Dane's facebook profile)

Dane is hard core...and I mean that in the greatest sense ever! He's thorough, no BS, and is extremely thought provoking. With the coaching, I have one-on-one conference calls, I receive 'homework', I get to work with a group of 4 others who are getting mentored and best of all, I get to share this knowledge with another photographer...to become a mentor myself.

Now here's where the special comes in...

All the fabulous knowledge I receive from Dane, I GET to to turn around and share with someone for FREE! Now I get to be a MENTOR!

I am on the search for that individual who is interested in that mentor ship. Someone who is really ready to jump start their photography business and to be the best. The best is subjective word...but we all should strive for the BEST. I am, and that's why I'm honored to be able to receive this coaching from Dane, and to offer it to someone else. Could that person be you?

If that person is you, please leave me a comment here with why you deserve to receive the mentoring. I have a deadline of April 15th for all entries. Please share this information with other newbie, or even photographers who have been around awhile, but need a fresh pair of eyes to re-evaluate their business.

You can also submit your entries to : Jen@jennifermacniven.com

I can't wait to get on the FAST TRACK...and to help you out as well.

And lastly a huge and personal THANK YOU to all those individuals who have been inspiration and those who have helped me along the way.

Laurel McConnell, Integritas, Barbie Hull, Jenna and John Karwoski, Tamara Lackey, Jasmine Star, Sarah Rhoads, Gerald and Airika Pope, Marianne Graham, Becker, Ella Blue, Erwin Wijanto, Monique Lowe, Amanda Mays, Julie Watts, Carrie Hasson, Michelle Zeserson Riddle, Wendy Zippwald, Jessica Nichols, Kristen Buchmann, Steve Smith, and many many more!

Baby Clara- 2 weeks old

Baby Clara- now at 2 weeks old. I don't even think I need to explain how cute she is and what a joy she has brought to everyone's life.

Sweet little grins

Teenie Tiny toesDimpled bottom

She looks like she could come out of the cocoon and spread her wings.

Bishop, such a great big brother...carefully watching over his lil' sis.

Happy baby and happy family.

Thank you again Dean, Judy, and baby Clara (Bishop too) for allowing me to document this amazing time in your lives. Such an honor!

WELCOME BABY CLARA- 1-day old!

The minute I arrived back from my trip to Asia, I called Judy to see how she was doing. A soft, high-pitched yet joyous voice on the other end of the line said "We have a baby girl!" "She was born about 3 hours ago". The tears flowed..I was so excited for Dean and Judy on the arrival of their daughter, Clara.

Are you ready to meet her?Just a day old, the first glimpse of this precious little girl laying on her mothers chest, close to the heartbeat she's grown accustomed to lulling her, was a moment to stop time.
Dad's hands, able to now cradle his sweet little girl who he's longed to meet. He studies the intimate details of his child's eyes, cute button nose, and those precious little ears that hear him whisper "Daddy loves you".
What's not to love?
Even Bishop, just hours of meeting his new sister was such a welcoming soul...ready to share loads of kisses.

The contrast of such a tiny hand against her mother's...priceless. Only this once will she be so tiny.

Loving the scrunched up Elvis lips...too cute!

Together at last...

Congratulations yet again to you all! I wish a blessed life for your family and I look forward hearing, and being apart of, all the joyous occassions to come. Thank you for letting me be a part of her first hours...HOME.

Much love...always! Auntie Jen

My friends and now a Mother and Father...but first...

Two of my favorite people in the world, Dean and Judy...and to add to the family now, little Clara (she's here and well, but I'll save her for another post). I literally have known this two since their 1st 'date'... Judy was 'smarty pants', Dean was an 80's butt rocker and I was a Brownie. Times have since changed but along the way, I've loved watching their love blossom . To have been able to document each step has been such a treat...first date, engagement, marriage, soon-to-be parents and finally...parents!What a perfect representation of this family. Active, joyful, loving and full of smiles...Bishop too.

Uh oh Dean... How'd that happen?

Dean has been perfecting his love of guitar and loves to play nightly for Judy. Can you imagine the lullibies he's going to sing little Clara to sleep? Awww, makes my heart melt.Despite Clara coming into the world, Bishop will always be their beloved first child. So sweet!Judy has that radiant look ...so gorgeous.A classic photo, but none the less, so precious.Judy sitting in Clara's room, just contemplating the joy that will come into her life.

Dean and Judy...I couldn't be happier for the two of you and I'm so excited that your healthy and beautiful baby girl is here. She is blessed to have such loving and wonderful parents. Congratulations! Much love to you all!

Stay tuned for baby Clara's debut.

My excuse... there's a monkey on my back! And, a sneak peek!

I know, I'm catching so much slack about not having posted a blog in some time. I didn't even get through journaling the rest of my Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand trip. Which, btw...was UNBELIEVABLE! With over 3000+ photos to sort through, 3 new born photo sessions and 2 maternity sessions that I'm editing...and lots of travel for my day job...I just haven't gotten around to it! Excuses, excuses.

Well...I wasn't kidding though, there was a monkey on my back. Sneak peek of Thailand

Sneak peek of Ankor Wat, Cambodia

Sneak peek of Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam

I promise to post more photos soon and hopefully recap on all the cool things about my SE Asian trip.

First and foremost though, I truly can't wait for you to see all the wonderful little newborns that entered this world and I was honored to capture their first days. The parents faces just beam at their new pride and joys... with every right...they are SO CUTE!

Coming soon........

Vietnam Vacation (days 1-5)

So far my trip to Vietnam has been such an experience. We arrived on the New year...and although we missed the actual celebration, people were still out partying in the streets, lighting paper laterns that lifted away and lit up the sky, people with HUGE and brightly colored balloons and motorcylists carrying multiple people and huge stalks of bamboo and kumkuat/orange trees. Fireworks were still popping in the background and paper money (fake) was being lit for good luck and in honor of dead ancestors.The following morning Kevin, Matt and I took a bus to Ha Long Bay and we prayed for our life the entire way. Our driver was insane, and obviously rules don't exist. The scenery was magnificent and the towns (although small) were clean and the houses are typically tall with only the side facing the street being painted. Since it was the new year, everyone was wearing new clothes and it was quite the fashion statement. The streets were pretty quiet since everyone was spending the holidays with family and the shops were closed. Three hours later, we arrived safely and boarded a 'junk boat' for our 2 day (overnight) tour of the islands and Ha long Bay. The boats were all a dark cherry wood and decorated with a cool Asian flare. The first order of business was lunch. All of our meals were served family style and it was great to talk to the other passengers at our table. People from all over the world. The scenery here was stunning... a 360 degree view of mountains jutting out of the water...for the most part, uninhabitable. We went to a cove where we got to climb up to a huge cave (with stalagtites/mites)...very cool!The weather has also been very cool...and although we were given the opportunity to seakayak...we opted to stay in the boat after our trip to the cave. That night, after dinner, we crashed early!The next day we traveled to an island, where the people only live off of tourism, and took a bus to a rural area where we boarded another boat and went to yet another cave. This one was not touristy though and our guide had to crank start a generator to light the inside of the cave. Once we got in, a few of us journeyed beyond what most people could. With only a flashlight (and our camera flashes) we crawled through a 16 inch slit in the rocks and entered into another part of the cave (again, filled with stalagtites/mites). I felt like I was in the Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom. I won't lie, it was a bit freaky. We actually crawled through two more similar holes and again, opened up into a unbelievable part of the cave. Only 5 out of the 11 of could fit through the holes, so once inside we took our time and explored all the details, pointed out by a local who led the way. Little did we know, we were freaking out our tour guide and all the others who didn't get to crawl through since we were gone for over 40 minutes.
When we finally crawled back to day light we walked back to our boat and traveled back to a house on stilts, which also was our lunch stop. WE had a wonderful meal prepared for us...however, we had quite a bit of fried food...their way of catoring to the 'Westerners'. After lunch we bussed through the windy roads along the valleys and hill tops of rural Vietnam and arrived at Cat Ba...a quaint town with beautiful hidden sandy beaches. The town itself was quiet b/c of the New year, but it was nice. We had the rest of the days to ourselves. Matt, Kevin and I got dropped off at our gorgeous hotel, over looking the water and the moutains protruding from the ocean. We went for a walk along the cliffside, to those hidden beaches and enjoyed the little sun we could. Had it only been 20 degrees warmer we would have been playing in the ocean! We continued our walk into town and enjoyed a beer at one of the few restaurants that were open. The rest of our tour group met up with us later that evening at the same place for dinner. When we arrived back at our hotel, we realized that the water was phosphoescent...and we ooohed and awwwed at the vibrant blue color it made when the waves crashed. It took me several tries, but I got some cool photos of the neon colors. When we walked in the sand where the wave had just crashed, you could see our footprints light up. It was fascinating!
THe next morning I woke up early and went on a run along the waterfront. A large number of the people live on house boats and they were all up early getting ready to start their day fishing. It was a great way to get a glimpse into their daily life. Our toured gathered back together and we boarded a bus and headed back through the windy roads to the other side of the island where we got back on our big boat. The rest of the day was spent going back to Ha Long Bay, and then getting back on a bus to Ha Noi. It was a long day, but well worth it. While most people slept on the bus, I enjoyed soaking in the scenery...rice patty fields, big mountains surrounding the valleys, colorful yet simple buildings, bright red banners streamed across the town reading, "Mung Chuc Nam Moi" (Happy New year), motorbikes packed with up to 4 people on each (many with infants just being held by their mother), farmers with their cattle or tending to their gardens and wearing the traditional woven cone shaped hat.
Today we got to see more of Ha Noi...we spent the whole day walking around town, checking out the local shops and markets (those that were open), saw the HoChi Mihn Museum, had a fabulous lunch at the coolest restaurant in town and then went to Hoa Lo prison (the prison that McCain was detained in for 5 years). As we were walking around, we stumbled across a huge New Year parade with all the traditional costumes, music and dances. Needless to say, I took a few pictures! Getting around town has been easy so far, however, crossing the street is always a challenge. It's like playing 'Frogger'...and you have to time it just right. The motorbikes are everywhere and again, there seems to be no rules...just GO. With all those bikes, there is a reason that so many people wear masks...the pollution is incredible, and we are still witnessing a quiet time of the year.
Tomorrow we are hopping on a plane to Ho Chi Mihn (aka. Saigon)...so I will continue to write about our journeys. For now, I will sleep. Good night!

Gorgeous, Sexy, Strong, Loving Mother-to-be

Here are more of the stunning images of my friend, and mother to be...Nina. I feel these photos simply speak for themself...sexy, gorgeous, beautiful, strong, serene, nuturing and loving...all the aspects of what pregnancy can look like. Nina so happens to be all of the above!

Congratulations again Nina and I truly can not wait to capture the all of the essence of your little boy. Soon...very soon!

Nina's first baby had to join in the fun too. What a sweet moment.

Thank you again for letting me capture so many different aspects and trusting me with photographing this precious time of your life...you are the best!

Maternity Sneak Peek

What a beautiful and magical time ... to be pregnant. Carrying your child, helping them develop and grow, while all the while you accept and welcome how your body changes.

Nina has cared for her future son so diligently and she has become even more radiant and beautiful during this process. I was so honored to be able to take her maternity photos ... to document a time in her life that is forever life changing. Thank you Nina for trusting me to capture how gorgeous, sexy and fun a pregnant woman really is! I can not wait to meet your son ... and for him to have you as his mother ... what a lucky little boy!

Here's a sneak peak! Much more to come soon!