fun features coming soon.

There are some really fantastic women coming up over the next 4 months.  I'm so excited about these women, their willingness to share, and their open and honest way about business and life.  I can't wait for you to see these interviews.  You're going to love them.  I know that they are inspiring me!

November 26:  Happy Thanksgiving!

December 3:  Storey Wilkins

December 10:  Liz Banfield

December 17:  Chenin Boutwell

December 24:  Happy Christmas!

December 31:  Merry New Year!

January 7:  Jasmine Star

January 14:  Lauren Clark

January 21:  Bobbi {Bobbi + Mike}

January 28:  Sam Puc

February 4:  Emilie Sommer

February 11:  Mary Marantz

February 18:  Jenn Bebb

February 25:  Jesse Chamberlain {Our Labor of Love}

March 4:  Christine Hall

March 11:  Jessica Kettle

March 18:  Eliesa {Photogen Inc.)

April 1:  Sarah Rhodes

April 8:  Rachel LaCour

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I'd love to hear what you're thankful for...

real. LIFE.

*See the WINNER of Contest #2 in the post below this one*

it's here!

This is the newest INSIGHT kit.

The get your LIFE back kit is for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed with their life and a bit paralyzed by how much needs to be done.  With an easy read to format, lists that will get you excited about taking your life back, and a customized 10 step program just for you, the get your LIFE back kit will help you to begin to balance the demands you face as well as help you to LOVE LIFE again.

This kit is my most personal kit to date.  I share how I got started as a photographer, the crazy and overwhelming time I went through, and the rise from those drowning days.

If you got into your profession because you loved your art, craft, or skill and now wonder if it's really worth it...there is a way a way to live a sweet, beautiful life without fear again.

Why?

The majority of the women who attend the workshops that we teach come to the workshop feeling completely overwhelmed.  They feel torn between being a mom and being a business woman, loving both but feeling that both are always being sacrificed in some way.  They want to put their heart into being a mom and they also want to put their heart into being a photographer and/or business woman.  When they get to the workshop, they don't know what the first step is or how to climb out of the downward spiral that feel like they're in.  They're coming to find a way to live their life again without feeling like they are going to drown amidst all of the things they are supposed to be juggling.

By the time they leave the workshop they are rejuvenated, they have direction, and many of them write to me saying how freeing it was to hear about how to get their life back, that they are working their personal 10 step list, and that they are finally living the life they were hoping they would live.

That is the experience I'm hoping to bring you in this kit.

What is in the kit?

My story: from start up...to so crazy busy I wanted to throw in the towel...to having a life again

As assessment questionnaire to help you see where you are

A 10 step process to help you take the information in the kit and transform it in your everyday life

A list of simple straight forward ideas on how to make the changes you want...and more.

It's time to get your LIFE back.

*THE FIRST 10 people to purchase a kit will receive a free gift that will be shipped after the holiday weekend.*

$99.

so many heroic women.

I knew when I decided to do this particular contest that it would be a very difficult decision for me to make about who should win.  I can't imagine going through what some of these strong, tender, caring, gracious, and giving women have been through.  For some of them, life hangs in the balance every day and for others they know all too intimately the value of the life that surrounds them.

Thank you all for your nominations.  The beauty and struggle of each of them is not unnoticed and I wish there were a way for me to give this gift to all the women that were nominated. Thank you for sharing with me the love and heartfelt words about the women that are in your life.

I was tempted to have all of you vote for the person that should win but couldn't do that.  I have no idea how any of you would be able to measure one of these women against another...I wanted you to vote so that I wouldn't have to choose.  And then I decided I couldn't do that to you or to these sweet women.

And so...I've been sitting and wondering who to give this gift.

...and a long time later...I still haven't published this post...

I decided to narrow the nominations to 4 women.  After going back and forth, I decided to put the four women in a hat and choose.

The winner is:

Jana Kofford.

I would like to nominate my friend Jana Kofford. Jana tragically lost her four year old son Cooper this summer, something that as a mother I cannot imagine experiencing. While going through the many difficulties that attended the tragedy of her son's death, Jana has been a beacon of hope, thoughtfulness and strength. Jana is a brilliant business owner, a thoughtful friend, a loving wife and a fantastic mother of six! If anyone needs a night of pampering it is Jana Kofford and her sweetheart Quinn.

Ashley, please send me an email at davina at davinafear dot com so that we can let Jana know she's won.

The other 3 women:

Rachael Schirano.

I nominate my beautiful wife Rachael Schirano who day in and day out, sacrifices her personal needs and sanity to ensure that our family of six (including teenage daughter and 2 yr old triplets) is happy and healthy. If that isn't enough, she has battled several large obstacles in pursuing her passion for photography, and I feel that she could use a little light at the end of the tunnel for all that she does for us.

Nancy.

I'd like to nominate my sister, Nancy. She has given of herself for a year and a half to take care of her daughter with leukemia, as well as be there for our dad who recently died of cancer. She has rarely had time for herself or alone time with her husband since this all began.

Ginger Coates.

I nominate my wife, Ginger Coates.  She has been working full-time as well as helping to care for my daughter (her step-daughter), Melinda that has the begining stages of MS.  In her spare time she has been volunteering her time at her church's girls group so we can spend more time with Melinda that has kept her very busy that she needs a break. 

To those who nominated the above  three women, please send me their mailing address.  I would like to send them a little something.

I've also decided to send a kit to Marta as a gift because of this nomination:

Marta.

I am nominating Marta, a woman I don't even know. She responded to my blog and this really tugged at my heart. These two sentences say it all:
"I recently started doing photography for experience and extra money, but it took off faster than I was prepared for. I was soon pulling all nighters (once I stayed up over 38 hours, skipped 2 classes just to get caught up) and booking up to 6 photo shoots a weekend.... it started interfering with my relationship with my husband real fast, my 3 year old daughter was going to bed at night crying that she missed me and she didn't want me to do pictures anymore."

*Marta, I feel the pain that you are going through and I want to say that things will get better….

Thank you to eveyone who participated in this contest.  I've been moved by the stories of these beautiful women and the lives that they are heroically living. 

beautiful. LIVES.

NOTE:  This contest has been extended until Tuesday, November 24th at 11am ET.  The winner will be announced on Tuesday afternoon right before we launch the Get your LIFE back kit!

a night away and a get your LIFE back kit.

The get your LIFE back kit is about helping women take a break and rethink the the chaos and overwheming aspects of their lives...it's time to breathe.  And breathe deeply.  SO this contest is going to help someone do just that!

I want to encourage women to live life fully and with awareness.  Stop the break neck speed that you're currently running at and notice the lovely view, the beautiful deep blue sky, the smell of bonfires in the air, the star filled sky, the crisp air, the smell of a warm child just up from a nap, the cuddle of a loved one, the blessing of good food...drink it in and love the moment.

THIS CONTEST:

What do I do?

Nominate a woman (or person) that you think deserves a night away at a bed and breakfast, where breakfast is made for her instead of by her.  In the comments section of this post (or send me an email at davina at davinafear dot com) name the person you nominate and in 2 sentences or less why she (or he) needs a night away.  Give as much detail as you can in the two sentences or less.

What will the winner win?

The winner will receive a night away at a bed and breakfast that she/he chooses (value $200) and a Get your LIFE back kit (value $120).  (Total value $320)

When does the contest end?

The contest ends tomorrow, Monday November 23rd, at 5pm ET (this contest has been extended until Tuesday, November 24th at 11am ET).  Make sure to be quick to get your nominations into the comments...this is going to be a fast contest!

 **See the winner of Contest #1 in the post below.**

sweet. LIFE.

get your LIFE back contest 1 from davina fear on Vimeo.

and the winner is...

Elaine Jones entered into the contest by Cat Warren!!

Congratulations Elaine!  You've won a $100 spa treatment from Massage Envy or your local spa.

Cat please get in touch with me so we can get Elaine scheduled for her relaxation session...

 (make sure to see the video below...if you're seeing this in rss or facebook make sure to go to my blog)

I'm announcing another contest tonight that is even bigger than this contest.  Make sure to enter!!

relaxing. LIFE.