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 October 1, 2010 - October 31, 2010
Sneak peek: Paint and rain boots
art and rain.
The weather was totally moody that day of my shoot with Delanie and I loved it. The sky was gorgeous with its ominous clouds and we thought sure we'd get rain. It didn't rain but the sky put on quite a show for us anyway.
Delanie is a painter and so much fun. We threw confetti, played under an umbrella, and went to a red barn. More to come later...
beautiful. LIFE.
Women and Business: Carrie of Urban Baby + milk LA
**all images in this post copyright: carrie / urban baby LA + milk LA **
{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.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...
IN 2 WEEKS: Kelley
You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
Carrie, I first saw your work as a nomination from a blog reader and then, it seemed, within the next 10 days I saw you in PPA magazine. I knew I needed to check out your work and when I did I really loved the interaction it seems like you have with your subjects. Your work is vibrant and fun. Thanks so much for being on Women and Business today.
What drew you to photography?
(or rather, what drew me to photographing children?) I'm drawn to/and love documenting the raw and unique character of children. I love documenting the relationship of siblings, and parents with their children. the ‘here and now’.
You have a different career path than most to photography. Please tell us about it and how long you've been a professional photographer?
I've been shooting professionally for (8) years. I left the film industry at my husbands urging (actually, it was a prerequisite to marriage!). I followed a dream, and have him to thank actually.
Are you in a retail space or home studio? What made you decide to have the space you're in?
my workspace is at home which suits my needs so perfectly. with help on both sides (w/the kids + business), i'm able to manage both without feeling that i'm cheating either.
What does your workflow look like? Do you outsource or keep everything in house?
after shooting, I view/select images to RAW process. I edit selects in PS, then upload slideshow to client to view. a phone mtg is scheduled prior for product order/post consult. I design my albums in-house (because i really love the design process). I have an assistant during my busy months to help manage packaging/shipping/designing/invoicing/uploading. I am considering outsourcing basic color correction to colorati this fall/winter ;).
What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
I treat my clients like they have been lifelong friends - and some of them have become that! I make the kids feel like they are the coolest and most amazing kids on the planet - and most of them are. and, i have fun!
What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?
have a business plan, attend workshops, and build relationships with other photographers. bring technical knowledge and a creative vision to the table. all else will fall into place ;).
What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
I love to cook with my husband (he's a better cook), I love spending time w/friends & all the kids together, I love taking my boys places & showing them new things, I love walking farmers market.
What are you most proud of as a business woman?
I wake up every day loving what i spend my time doing.
You have 2 children. Are they school age? If so, do you homeschool or public school?
finn is in kindergarten, and harrison is in preschool - both until about noon. I try to be as productive as possible while they’re in school. the balance is always a challenge.
How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
I made a decision years ago to make my workspace off limits in the evening/night. My husband is in a creative field as well, working long hours, so the evening is our time and work waits ‘til morning ;).
What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?
I maintain a close relationship with my clients throughout the year. I remember their childrens birthdays, and basically treat them like gold.
What do you do to keep your family strong?
I make them my top priority. ALWAYS.
What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
I know my limitations. however, i think feeling overwhelmed is pretty normal for most moms in a similar situation....have to just roll with it sometimes.
What three products or things help you stay organized?
freshbooks, THINGS (for mac), sketchbooks.
What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?
compare themselves to anybody else.
What is something that you think women in the industry should do?
take risks, be authentic, be passionate.
To see more of Carrie's work:
** all images in this post copyright: carrie / urban baby LA + milk LA **
Broken arm: The story.
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the ripstick incident.
Miriam is an excellent ripstick-er. She can ride a ripstick better than most everyone I know. They're not easy. It's not a skateboard. It's harder to ride than a skateboard.
Every time I decide I'm going to try ripsticking, I quickly change my mind for fear I may break my neck.
For all of you who are saying, "A rip-WHAT?" Here's the quick run down. It's a skateboard, except it's not. It has a pivoting middle and castor wheels on each end. Just getting up on the thing is impossible...let alone riding it down a hill.
All of the kids in the neighborhood were out playing in the cul-de-sac and Miriam was doing her usual tricks on her ripstick.
She rode down the extremely steep hill of our next door neighbor's driveway. She came speeding down and so did the ripstick. Until the ripstick hit a little tiny rock. Then the ripstick stopped. And Miriam...didn't.
She went flying. Onto the asphalt.
She came into the house where Mike and I were. I was chatting on the phone with a friend and I saw Miriam with her chin covered and dripping in blood. I said, "Miriam's got blood everywhere." Which I meant to be saying to Mike.
My friend said, "Okay, I better let you go."
Not sure when I hung up.
Or if the phone was just off the hook for a while.
When we got her cleaned up we discovered that she had split her lip wide open. And that she had road rash in at least 5 places. Including her chin.
She was complaining about her wrist kind of hurting but she could move it, move her fingers, and it wasn't swelling at all.
She went to a movie activity with her friend that evening only an hour after the entire incident.
The next day was busy and we went and did all kinds of things. Miriam mentioned her wrist a couple of times. We checked it and determined that she may have sprained it. Still, no swelling.
Sunday came and went.
Monday. No school. We were sitting at the kitchen table for breakfast. Mike had said to Miriam, "Maybe your wrist is bothering you because you're not using it. Maybe instead of holding it, if you use it a bit, it will feel better."
Not ten minutes later as we were all chatting around the table, Mike and I looked at each other at exactly the same second and we knew. We said to each other, "That wrist just doesn't look right."
So we were off to the doctor. For the rest of our day off from school, we went back and forth laughing and giggling in and out of quiet doctors' offices.
And we brought home an orange cast. For Halloween.
tough girl. LIFE.
Move it Monday: Laura
since the beginning.
Laura has been with me from the moment that I started Move it Monday. She wrote me and email and we immediately connected. At the time her father was alive and fighting cancer. She was feeling so much a coming home to her heart and a deeper connection with her dad. Since then, her dad fought to the end and then the cancer took him, she misses him still. She's also found her heart in so many ways. This woman is amazing and soulful and beautiful. On her journey she discovered how to be healthy. She's vibrant and healthy and oh so happy. I asked her if she'd share the highlights of what she went through on the healthy side of her journey. (If you'd like to see her feature on life/work balance in the Women and Business side of her life, click here.)
Laura:
I wanted to share with you that it has been almost two years since I started your Move It Monday contest! It was at a low point in my life when I was grasping for control and positive change in ANY way and when I saw your challenge, I had to take it! The most exciting thing is that since that time I have lost almost 30 pounds, am SO close to three sizes down and am feeling healthier than ever! In fact the weight loss and body change is almost a by-product of the other changes. These changes did not come overnight, nor were they particularly easy, but the key ingredient, is that I was ready for change. I also made changes in stages. Let me illustrate...
Stage One: walking
(Laura at the beginning of her journey)
January: This was pretty easy as I had joined Team in Training with a goal of walking 13 miles at the San Diego Marathon. The 13 miles was not easy (physically or emotionally), but because I was with a team of great support and I was mentally committed, that helped. The easy part was fulfilling Move It Monday's requirements of moving! I typically walked 2-3 miles four times a week.
Stage Two: no wheat/no dairy
I began having knee problems and had heard that gluten/wheat can be an inflammatory. I would do anything to keep training and I had gone off wheat before and knew I would lose weight and feel better. It was an easy choice because I wanted to do my walk so bad. This was also a great thing for me, as I am a sugar addict. Cookies beware! This meant I couldn't have cookies (because they had wheat in them) and I lost 10 pounds in about 3 months!
Stage Three: no sugar
This was a really big deal for me. As a sugar addict it was especially hard to say no to sugar. I knew I needed to do it for a few reasons. One: my dad and my niece both had cancer and cancer loves sugar. Two: I was addicted to the stuff. Three: it gave me mood swings and PMS. Four: Sugar is also an inflammatory. I knew I needed to let it go. In August, I ate too much of my son's gluten free birthday cake and was completely grossed out. The gross-out method is a good way to get off something. I quit sugar the next day.
Note: through all these changes I methodically lost around 3 pounds a month. Plus or minus. I was more focused on the food than the weight loss so this was a bonus. I was not on a diet, I was focusing on being healthy! More good bonuses happened along the way. My chronic (tested for rhemetoid arthritis) joint and muscle aches went away, my pms went away, my depression went away.
I continued on month by month. I only weighed myself once a month. I found out my knee had many problems more than someone my age should have. I was told, No More TEAM in Training. Or walking. I could bike or swim. After grieving my walking for a few months, or walking just a little bit, I took some time to find my next thing.
I found Yoga. LOVE yoga! It is my soulmate for excercise! I call it becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. A good parable for life, yes? If you can become comfortable with being uncomfortable, you can do anything! Also good for mental health, strengthening core, body image. One of my five life goals is Strength Through Fitness, so nothing comes between me and my yoga. Twice a week. More weight loss. Smaller butt. :) Have to buy smaller yoga pants.
(Laura today)
Now. I have made all these changes. I have taken things away. But now what am I eating? For awhile I ate fake sugar products and diet things. I didn't feel good after I ate them and found out they're really bad for you anyway. I read this book called Skinny Bitch, which is pretty genius. They make it look like a cool chicks guide to be thin. It is really about eating healthy and getting thin because of it. I found the sometimes irreverant language and humor funny. (swear words! ooh!)
For anyone that has scuba dived, there is a point when you are swimming along and to go up or down you only have to lift or lower your head the tiniest bit. That is how I felt at this point. I examined myself and decided to stop with the decaf/soy/sugarfree Hazelnut/lattes. One thing. More of a taste sensation than a need for speed. When you change one thing at a time, it is not so hard.
More weight loss. Felt better. (found out later I'm sensitive to soy)
WHAT are you eating you may ask?
Guess what? I can eat carbs! I eat rice, rice pasta, sweet potatoes. Things I couldn't eat when I was on a diet. Then I learned about fun ways to get more veggies and greens into my diet. Each meal and snack must have protein/good fat/good carbs. Check this out.
Green Smoothie
1/2 avocado OR banana (makes it creamy) (avo is good fat)
wad of kale and/or spinach
small slice of fresh ginger
1 pear
parsley if you wish
ice if you wish
coconut milk, not lowfat (small amount 1/4 cup?)
water (no juice, milk, yogurt)
Now your smoothie will be a beautiful green color. If you add berries, it will be delicious but turn sort of brown.
To get protein, add protein powder or have a scrambled egg or two.
If you do this daily you will feel so good and it tastes like Passion Fruit! It is seriously good!
When you blend or juice the nutrients get digested so much easier. Plus it's better than eating wads of greens.
Although now when I make salads I add kale. Who knew? The Greens are the secret. I make it a contest to see how many I can get in my salad/smoothie/stirfry...
Get crazy and try other things in the fat/carb/protein categories.
When I talked to Davina I was on a high about all the changes I had made. I have to confess today I ate a gluten free donut and it was really good! I could've kept going. In fact later I had a cookie. I determined I get bored when I work on the computer all day and want to eat for entertainment. So now I need to find a way to not be bored on the computer. I like to play upbeat music. Take breaks. Stretch. Eat green smoothies so I'm not hungry.
Another great tip is this...on Sunday, put an organic chicken in your crockpot. Add veggies and healthy things. Pick the chicken clean and use it all week on salads, with rice and beans, in other recipes. Make onion and mushroom soup with your broth. Make butternut squash soup with your broth.
Last tip I learned from Jack Canfield. 100% is heaven, 99% is hell. Deciding whether or not to have that ONE cookie can make you crazy. When you commit to your change, do it 100%! It is SO much easier than that conversation about whether a little bit is okay. If someone offers, just say "no thanks, I'm off sugar (or wheat)" You never have to say you're on a diet, because you are not! You are making a conscious choice for health.
Some helpful books:
The Mood Cure
The Diet Cure (helped me understand my sugar addiction)
The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook (great healthy tasty recipes)
The key is you must be ready for change. It is in your head. Create your own five life goals. When you have something as a goal, it is easier to keep. I was tired of feeling bad and that is why it was easier to commit to feeling good. And I do feel great now!
What are your five life goals??? :)
In good faith,
Laura Cottril
changed. LIFE.
Windy Hills Orchard.
apple picking.
a little peek at our apple picking adventure. more to come soon...
fun. LIFE.