love. LIFE.

Hello Friends!

Over to the left you'll see all of the categories that you can check out.

If you're a photographer make sure to check out the For Photographers page.  I just launched the new Family GTKY kit and the NEW Insight Kits Blogsite!!!  Click here to see the new site!

    LOVE. LIFE. TIPS.  These posts will help anyone who is trying to keep or get back all of the things that they love in their life and/or business. The tips are packed with ways to manage a hectic life, kids, business, meaning, love...and more. Also, make sure you check out the new Women and Business series! (Click here)  Also, see how Day with Davina can come to you. (Click here)

My favorite pricing guide (that I wish I had when I started my business over 8 years ago).  You need this guide!

 

Easy as Pie.  Click here to visit Served Up Fresh. (affiliate link)

Thanks for stopping by...and don't forget to leave a comment...or two...I want to hear from YOU!

And make sure to TELL A FRIEND!

 

Entries from December 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Article in PPA Magazine!

Posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 07:00PM by Registered CommenterDavina in , | Comments10 Comments

I still can't believe it.

My kids believe it though!  Everyone that comes to my house, my kids rush them at the door and tell them that they are famous because they are in a magazine.  They are thrilled with themselves! 

I'm so excited about this article in Professional Photographer Magazine...

First, I'm completely honored to be part of the article with other magnificent women, Laura Cottril, Melanie Mauer, Claudia Kronenberg, and Elaine Yarbrough and many other women.  These women have gone through years of business and hardship to make it to where they are now.  Sharing insight together on how to get through the tough years of being in over your head to a place where you can love business and family life was a treat.  Lorna put together all of our ideas in such a cohesive, beautiful and helpful way.  Bravo to her!

I love that PPA is addressing this issue that has become an increasing struggle for so many photographers.  One of the great things about being part of PPA is that they are always addressing the issues that professional photographers face...this being one of many.

Thank you especially to Laura Cottril who mentioned my name to Cameron Bishopp.  You are a generous and incredible woman.  I'm humbled by your act of sharing the spotlight with other women.  I look forward to the day we sit together at a table and enjoy the chance to talk.  I'm in awe of the year that you've been through and the woman that you are.

See the whole article here.

blessed. LIFE.

Move it Monday.

Posted on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 02:12PM by Registered CommenterDavina in | Comments12 Comments

*below are tips for getting through the season in a healthy way....to see more click here.

Top 10 Tips for Surviving Christmas.


1. Set Realistic Expectations.
Choose a positive frame of mind, set some achievable goals and stay on-track. Don’t be too hard on yourself either, factor in some rest time and a few indulgences here and there. Remember, this is also your chance to recharge for the following year. So enjoy the time off with family and friends.

2. Bump Up the Exercise.
Exercise is a privilege and during the year it can so frequently get put on the back burner. Now is the time to maximize your free time by treating yourself with the opportunity to get out there are get fitter. We have beautiful long summer days so we can squeeze in an extra 30mins in the morning when we first wake up or of an evening when we get home.

3. Taper Your Meals.
If a feast is on the horizon, compensate in the day or two leading up to the food fest by actively reducing your treats and be careful with your food choices, make them as healthy as possible. Hold out on any indulgences and save them for the big day. Make the day after a big meal or event also a low food volume day.

4. Look Good, Feel Good.
Look your best when you go out and let it reflect all the hard work you have been putting in all year. This way, you will be less likely to overdo it with food and alcohol. You won’t want all that hard work going to waste.

5. Be Prepared to Say ‘No’.
Feel comfortable in declining food or not joining in with rounds of drinks. Opt for a water every second drink and skip a round of nibbles if they are being offered. Keep your distance from the buffet or food table. Turn your back on the passing food/drinks waiter – it will stop mindless eating and drinking whilst socializing.

6. Top Up Before You Go Out!
Eat something light and healthy such as a wholegrain sandwich with lean xmas turkey or ham, cranberry and alfalfa sprouts before you head out the door. It will take the edge off your hunger and may help stop you from overeating.

7. Portion Control.
Enjoy your food but don’t overdo the serving sizes. Be aware of what you are eating and much you are eating. Maintaining a level of awareness is all you need to keep your food intake in check.

8. Beware the Alcohol Factor.
Remember, alcohol is second to fat for high calories. Just think of alcohol as liquid fat and the message will stick. Alcohol stimulates your appetite and lowers your resolve.

9. Don’t Deny Yourself.
Allow some indulgences, relax a little and have some treats. Factor them in so that you don’t resent the situation and you will be far more likely to last the distance and stay in control.

10. Join Springday.
Springday can hold your hand day-by-day over the Silly Season and into the New Year. We can be your own online personal trainer and wellness program to ensure you are reaching your goals and earning your points each day in our "My Day" Tracking tool.
Most of all enjoy the holiday season, keep your goals in the back of your mind, but don’t feel stressed or guilty if you take a step back this year. Remember the New Year is a time for a New You.



Women and Business: Storey Wilkins

Posted on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 06:25AM by Registered CommenterDavina in | Comments3 Comments

***All images in this post are copyright Storey Wilkins. ***

 

NEXT WEEK: Liz Banfield

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

Storey,  your images are absolutely beautiful.  You have a very successful business and you are also raising 2 girls.  You have a lot going on! You also have multiple speaking engagements coming up at various conferences and conventions.  Even though you have a disclaimer that you don't always live with courage and clarity...it seems that you do! :)  Thank you for writing this article exclusively for this series.  I appreciate you being on Women and Business today. 


Clarity and Courage

by Storey Wilkins

 

DISCLAIMER: 

Just because I know this stuff doesn’t mean I live it every day.  Life is about learning as you go.  SW

 

It shouldn’t be this way...but I can count the number of times on one hand when I have possessed great and equal amounts of both clarity and courage.  Interestingly, each time I have experienced this powerful intersection, great change has occurred in my life (including starting my photography business). 

 

So why so few occurrences?  Because like most working women, I completely overwork myself – I have six balls in the air at once – I try to be a supermom – and I don’t do what most men do (such as allocating time for rest and relaxation and taking a proper lunch break).

 

Think of the last time you made a really great change in your life…could it be that you had a moment of clarity where you just knew what you had to do?  Could it also be that you found the courage to do it even if it was a difficult change?

 

This article is about celebrating our “Moments of Clarity.”  It’s also about finding courage to ACT.  It’s really about that rare and treasured intersection where clarity meets courage and beautiful, positive or necessary things happen.    

 

 

Clarity

 

Think back to the year you decided to become a photographer.  What was happening when you figured it out, when you realized this was your calling?  The greatest moment of clarity I have ever experienced was on the day Margaret, my first born, lay in my arms for the first time.  I knew instantly that my greatest and most wonderful lifetime task had begun, and would never end.  

 

My professional photography career path is probably similar to yours.  I was in my thirties and home with Margaret, and then Ava (both under two), wondering if I could ever return to the corporate world, when I saw the light…literally.  Clarity, and my heart, told me I wanted to be a stay at home mom - and a photographer.  So, I followed my heart. 

 

Seven years ago Storey Wilkins Photography was born, baby #3 if you will.  Like my kids’ toys, the business expanded to consume an entire floor of my house with space for staff and a seemingly endless array of printers, computers, and photographic gadgets (thankfully not strewn on the floor). 

 

For years I had been photographing my loved ones just for fun.  When my friend Kate asked me to photograph her wedding day, I experienced a remarkable moment of clarity.  It was as though my path was clear.  I remember the fear that set in realizing the responsibility I had just accepted.  I spent months reading books, taking photography classes, and practicing relentlessly. 

 

They say that photographers either LOVE or HATE photographing weddings, and that you will know right away in which camp you belong.  That first wedding was an adrenaline rush I won’t forget.  It was a cottage wedding and I remember going barefoot in the lake to cover the ceremony, and climbing the roof to get one big group shot.  I found myself thinking, this is SO cool!!!!

 

Now?  I find myself with a thriving wedding and family portrait business, with fabulous clients, dealing with wonderful people all along the way, and enjoying professional recognition such as recently being named one of Canada’s Top 10 Wedding photographers.  Above it all, Margaret and Ava think I am a great mom and LOVE me to bits - as I do them.  We have ALL grown up.

 

 

Courage

 

So…what did you have to do to make it all happen?  Did you have to move roadblocks?  Climb mountains?   Generally accomplish the impossible?  Did the first year prove so difficult that you almost gave up?  Or, did you find the courage to persevere and succeed? Did you have to move forward in spite of a lack of support or understanding from those close to you?  Did you take more than one job despite your subconscious screaming that you shouldn’t, because you knew from the start they were not a good fit?   Have you referred to yourself as a ’PJ’ photographer because you lacked the courage to ‘work a room’ to create portraits? 

 

If so, welcome.  I have been there.

 

Just imagine the great things that can still happen when we have a major moment of clarity, and a ton of courage to go along with it.  Even better, wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could find a way to have a little clarity and a little courage, each and every day?  It might be something as small as returning that difficult phone call, turning down a commission that just doesn’t feel right, or addressing a production problem with a staff member or supplier that you know could create tension.

 

If so, welcome.  I have been there.

 

Clarity and courage are HUGE words.  Start with the smallest problem you have.  Gain courage.  Build strength.  Tackle another one.  Build more strength.  Before you know it, you are dealing with problems instead of collecting them.

 

 

Advice going forward:

 

Decide your path and don’t be frightened. Remember that excitement and fear are very close emotions

 

Don’t be lazy and expect the glory to come to you easily without putting in the effort.  To photograph a wedding beautifully is exceptionally hard work.  Don’t mind the work – Treasure it! 

 

Embrace the incredible effort required to get better at what you do every year (plenty of camera time, reading books AND instruction manuals, attending workshops and conventions, and entering professional print competitions). 

 

During seminars, take REAL notes like you never did in high school, don’t just blindly buy the DVD (don’t “drink the CoolAid”), and don’t expect it to come quickly or easily.  Everything good requires an effort.

 

I don’t care if you don’t relate to the work being showcased in your local professional association, join the group and participate regularly. You will learn about the “life” of professional photography, avoid some common pitfalls, and, most importantly, you will make some lifelong friends along the way.

 

Realize that every photographer, no matter how famous or how lauded, has had to start at the bottom.  It always looks daunting from down below.  Surprisingly the view often never changes because there will always be new challenges and new technology to master.

 

 

To finish:

 

Rather than six balls in the air (as I mentioned at the start), I wish I had the “balls” of a 60 year old woman, now, in my 40’s.  Experienced women know what they want and are not afraid to ask for it.  They have the clarity to know what they want - AND the courage to ask for it. 

 

So why wait until you’re 60?  Let’s see if can’t just do it NOW…shall we?

**For inspiration, see the following resource:

 Elliott, Timothy  Clarity and Courage:  Life as an Improvised Journey, Toronto:  Elliott Resource Services, 2006

 

To see more of Storey's work:

Website

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

 

Move it Monday.

Posted on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 07:40PM by Registered CommenterDavina in | Comments28 Comments

 

...except it's Tuesday...

 

(where have I been?  recovering from my super fun weekend with my sister and her family...)

 

Today is a double day.  It's the first week of the month and I need to announce the winner of November's contest and announce our last contest of the year!!


November's winner is:

Laura Cottril! 

Laura wins a set of Thinnerware.  Wohoo!

 

We started out the year just trying to get in our 20 minutes of true exercise, eating less, and eat more healthy foods...I think that's a good place to end the year...


DECEMBER CONTEST:

Our contest this month is to get in 20 minutes of real exercise at least 5 days a week, eat less (smaller portions), and eat more healthy foods.

Come to the Move it Monday post for the week, each day of that week, and post what you did that day to meet the contest guidelines for the day in the comments.

 

DECEMBER PRIZE:

Since this is the month of giving we're doing something we've never done for Move it Monday....

The winner will be working this month for the charity of their choice.  At the end of December the winner will have $100 donated to the charity of their choice.  Make sure to put in the comments of this post the charity that you're going to win for this month. (each day that you comment is worth 1 point)

 

**BONUS:**  Because I love the laughter post from a few weeks ago, I'm going to give you a bonus chance to win!!  Laughter is great medicine, especially, at this time of year and with the year many people have had.  So...if you know a great joke (even if it's a laffy taffy joke---we love the laffy taffy jokes) put it in the comments.  For each joke or funny story you put in the comments we'll give you a 1/4 point toward your winning score.  So find your 8 year son, 10 year old nephew, or 12 year neighborhood boy scout...they all know all the crazy, silly, ridiculous jokes...and they'll be glad to help.

To see more about the BIG CONTEST...click here.

 

meaningful. LIFE.