too close to call.

Over the 2009 year we had a contest every month, lost weight, gained weight, made new Move it Monday friends, had old Move it Monday friends stop in, received hints, tips, and advice, created friendships, and tried new recipes...

one thing remained the same...

Laura and Karen.

Every month they would battle it out to see who would win the contest prize.  One of the two of them won about 80% of the contests.

Move it Monday began because life changes and lasting fitness and weight loss happen when you consistently make the healthy choices your body needs.  I knew it was working for me and I wanted to share that with others.  I also wanted to have friends that would keep me on track and keep  me honest with what food I was putting in my body and help me measure how consistently I was exercising.

I knew I could count on Laura and Karen every week...and many times...every day.

Laura.

Laura embodies the change that I was hoping for at the end of the Move it Monday 2009 year.  She started with a lot of stress and a lot going on in all aspects of her life.  Over the past year as she's exercised, journaled, and even decided to stop eating sugar she has lost weight and jean sizes. She kept going through difficult times, the loss of her father and a knee injury.  She never quit and never made excuses.

The thing that I love most about her transformation is the sweet confidence, awareness, caring, and loving kindness that has replaced so much of the sadness and loss that she's experienced over the year.  I've been blessed to be in touch with often via email and I've seen a butterfly come out of her cocoon.  It's been beautiful.  I’m in awe of the beauty that she's inspired in her own life and the lives of those around her. 

I know it's not because of Move it Monday...it's because of her.  I'm just glad I got to witness the change.

Karen.

I love Karen.  She's fun.  She's competitive, she finds ways to work exercise into her everyday life, and she has a talent for crazy kid jokes. 

Karen has been part of every contest, every month.  She's been enthusiastic, consistent, and ready to win.  Karen tied with Laura on the amount of contests that she's won and in the December contest she really ramped it up and posted close to 100 corny jokes!  Karen kept things light, fun, and competitive.

I'm so glad that Karen has stayed with Move it Monday.  I have loved reading her comments and the funny things that she does through out her days.  She's committed to eating less, journaling, and doing some type of exercise 3-4 times a week almost every week of the year.

I've come to love these two ladies and the effort they put into this past year getting their bodies back and making their health a priority.  They've blessed my life and I want to bless their life.

Laura and Karen you both win the Grand Prize!

Move it Monday 2009

    Grand Prize:

A Day with Davina. 

All of my Insight kits

Photo Shoot: You know this is going to fun!

Thank you Karen and Laura.  You are beautiful ladies!

wonderful. LIFE.

***All images in this post are copyright Jasmine Star.***

NEXT WEEK: Lauren Clark

{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!

How do you know that you need to take a break from business?  What do you do when you need a break?

I know when I need a break when I can't think clearly.  When thoughts and my emotions are at odds with each other, I know it's time to take a step back and breathe deeply.  My usual escape is with my husband and my dog...we'll head to Laguna Beach and just spend the afternoon at the beach.  Or, if I just need a quick release, I'll grab a book and read for a while.  Reading somehow puts my mind at ease and peace.

What do you think was the catalyst to becoming so widely known?

Without a doubt, my blog was the biggest catalyst for my business.  Far before I was a photographer, I was a girl who was just trying to follow her dreams.  And I blogged about it.  The fear, the triumphs, the trials, the failures.  I was real and documented my life as it happened.  Somewhere along the line, people started following the journey.  These people were random strangers who came across my blog and became supporters of my goals.  Some might have been brides, but most were people who passed my name along when they heard someone was getting married.  This was how my business grew.

You are very busy.  Relationships are very important to you, what do you do to make time for your husband, family, and friends?

This might be a totally lame answer, but I make time by making time.  Most entrepreneurs learn early on how to make, create, carve time.  Yes, it's a juggling act, but if you think in advance where you can skimp and splurge, it makes life easier.  Because I value my relationships, I keep a strict schedule.  I wake up early, I email from specific times in the day, I work out at a certain time, I have lunch and go on walks with my husband everyday, I close my computer at 6pm every night.  Time can be your biggest enemy or your best friend.  The more your schedule your life, the more control you retain.

What do you think are the three keys to your success?

1.  Support.  I have the most insane support structure.  Ever.  My husband is quite possibly the most amazing person on the face of this planet!  He's my biggest supporter and challenges me to new levels.  My family and friends have become pillars though this crazy journey as well and they help keep me grounded and focused.  I'm so blessed.

2.  Feedback.  I don't make big decisions without asking for help from peers and mentors.  Hearing from multiple perspectives really changes your thinking and I heavily suggest this when possible.

3.  Humility.  My dad always told me to never forget where I came from...the minute I forget my roots, the branches will never look the same.  

You have become successful in a short period of time.  What have you done over the last few years to keep from being overwhelmed?

During my first year of shooting, I booked 37 weddings...all which took place between May-October 2006.  It was quite possibly the most stress I've ever experienced in the life of my business.  Ever.  I vowed to never repeat it.  Since then, I balance bookings via price (determining price primarily via a supply/demand model) and outsource wedding post production and wedding album design.  By doing so, I'm freed to focus on client care, foster my online presence, and shoot....which are all things I love!

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I'm most proud of sharing.  Sharing my ideas, my beliefs, and my knowledge with other photographers.  When I first started, I desperately wanted knowledge from photographers I looked up to, but it was hard to come by.  I made a promise to myself that if I was ever blessed with an audience, I'd share ideas and knowledge freely.  I'm proud to say this has come to life and I'm so lucky to be a part of such an awesome community!  If you're interested in reading FAQs, you can find them here: Jasmine's FAQ's

What do you do that your clients rave about most?

This is SUCH an interesting question...no one has ever asked this before!  I had to think a few minutes before I answered and the one word that kept appearing in my mind was fun.  FUN!  Yes, clients are happy with their images, but most often I hear they had fun during their shoot.  That is the biggest compliment!  I've discovered that if I can make people have fun, I've done more than I could ever dream with my camera alone.  This makes me feel like the luckiest girl alive.

You have thousands of followers on your blog.  What do you think are three keys to having a successful blog?

During high school, my best friends and I coined the following term:  K.I.R.  Keep It Real.  Often times I come across blogs where the writer talks so highly of himself/herself, and I blush at the self-flattery.  It's disconcerting.  The best way to reach people is to be real...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We've shaped our beliefs to think we--as photographers--should come across as overly professional, artistic, and, well, amazing.  But if we were honest with ourselves, I'm not sure that's the case.  At least entirely anyway.  The best rule of thumb is to blog the way you'd talk with your grocer.  Would you tell your grocer you just took the most amazing images that are buttery and creamy and will make your eyes pop out from awesomeness?!  I sure hope not...and if you would, then maybe you have a pretty awesome grocer!  :)

How do you post on your blog so often?  Do you have a system for quick blogging?

I WISH I had a system for quick blogging!  I'd sell it and become a millionaire!  :)

I blog 5-6 times a week and, yes, it's so hard at times.  Sometimes it's hard because I lack time...lack content...lack creativity...other times, I'm just lackluster!  :)  I, however, have worked blogging into my daily routine because I know it's a defining part of my brand, business, and online presence.  It's become the largest point of differentiation in a saturated market and pushed demand, regardless of the economic downturn.

I usually try to plan my blog topics 3-4 days in advance so I'm not left striving for content day-of...that's always frustrating.  I also have bi-weekly topics such as Kisses+Disses and FAQs, so this helps keep things fresh and fun!  Overall, I'd definitely say it's a discipline and something anyone can do if they put their mind to it!  :)

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Follow your heart.  

Don't let anyone tell you, You Can't. 

If you come across negativity (oh, and you will!), don't ignore it...use it to fuel your inner desire to prove the nay-sayers wrong.  When you want to quit, don't....quitting is too easy and nothing good in life is easy.  

Don't be the best, be different.  

Be you.  

Love yourself...the flaws, the wrinkles, the OCD, the extraness around your belly.

When all else fails, take a deep breath, open a pint of Ben&Jerry's, and enjoy life.

To see more of Jasmine's Work:

Blogsite

Website

***All images in this post are copyright Jasmine Star.***

Happy New Year!

So...we have some particulars to work out as far as the year end winner for Move it Monday.  If you've done the following things or even some of the things (see the list below) to win the year end prize please contact me (davina at davinafear dot com) right away!  Please have all of your information from the following list to me by the end of the week (January 8th, 2010) and we'll announce the 2009 Move it Monday winner on Monday, January 11, 2010!

In the meantime, participate in our poll below.  (If you get this in an rss feed you'll have to go to my blog:  click here.)

To win the year end prize:

*Be the person that posts the most often on Move it Monday through out the entire year.

*Keep a journal and have at least 12 entries by the end of the year. (That's at least one per month...this is about getting some consistent habits.)

*Check in every week on Move it Monday comments.

*Get 20 minutes of exercise at least 4 days a week.

*Start eating off of smaller plates...or at least eat much smaller portions at every meal.

**The winner will receive a full day with me.  It can be a Day with Davina or it can be a full day of a photo session with me.  You get to choose.  It will also include other goodies that we will add onto the winner's package through out the year.**

December winner:

Karen!  Karen will have $100 donated to the charity of her choice.  Congratulations, Karen.  I had no idea of the hidden talent you possessed of silly riddles and preteen jokes.  Awesome!

What do you think?

Do you want to keep having a weekly installment of Move it Monday?  Tell me in the poll below: