Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Tara – Breast cancer survivor is returning to the safe space

Underwater Healer About Face
June 12, 2022/by
 My name is Tara. I chose to do a second underwater transformation healing session with Erena, as the first one I did one year before was an incredibly healing and special experience for me. The sensation of being in warm water, with my various creative costumes on was a freeing, liberating and comforting moment. I truly appreciated the tasteful, artistic photos I received after the event and have enjoyed sharing them on my blog page, social media and other outlets. The fact that I love being in the water made my time with Erena a bit of a fantasy come true, I got to wear my beautiful wedding dress and mermaid tail and step into my own magical land! The last year of my life has been tremendously traumatic in many ways. Both my parents tragically died within a four month time period, in pretty challenging circumstances. I chose to do another session with her as I was aware of how much grief, trauma and PTSD I was carrying after both of their deaths. I knew that being in the water would be a healing experience to help transform the shock and pain I had been feeling with their loss. Before the photo session, I was in a deep space of grief, sadness, physical exhaustion and overwhelm due to the turbulence of being a caretaker and experiencing profound and sudden loss in a short period of time. - What did you think of Shibari? Shibari was a fascinating experience for me! When Erena suggested...
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3 basic steps on how to submerge

about, Underwater Healer About Face, uw maternity, uw portrait
July 26, 2021/by
Who wants to do underwater portrait shoot? ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ I’m not a professional underwater model or free diver. But I can still do this and you can too! Who cares what other people think! Just be you and believe you can do it. Science as proven that warm water immersion has psychological and physiological benefits and I would love to share the experience with you! It feels SO good to be in a place where you feel safe and no judgment. By minute by minute, I’m able to sink longer and I’m able to feel free. Open my arms to hug the water to let the water control me. Check out this video to see how to submerge underwater in 3 basic steps. 1.Inhale exhale with a count of 5 for 5 rounds. 2.Last exhale, you exhale all the way (fast) BEFORE you submerge. OR exhale while you are submerging but need to stop bubbling out otherwise all the pictures have bubbles on your face 😊 3. Move slow 🧜‍♀️ If I can do it, you can do it too! See you...
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PhotoPlus The Canon Magazine

about
November 16, 2020/by
I want to thank PhotoPlus the Canon magazine writer, Dan for helping me push forward! It was my first time creating a flatlay image of my underwater gear and I was excited! Step 1 Find a place with a good light and bring all the items you want to layout. I was suggested to use hardwood floor and I was lucky to have one in my house. My living room sits in the corner and absorbs the light all day so I decided to set up my gear here. I brought all the equipments in the room to figure out a Tetris layout. Step 2 Play around with the layout and start shooting from the morning. It took awhile to figure out how I wanted the layout to be. Since I travel with my gear every time, they are like my treasure. I wanted the image to look attractive and fun! I started shooting with my iPhone from 9am, every 30 minutes until 2pm . Step 3 Don't give up! I made so many mistakes and it was exhausting. Walking back and forth from the living room to my desktop computer and back to the living room and on and on... That night, after hours of shooting, changing, uploading and deleting, I realized that I was not happy with the result :( Step 4 Be open to use another camera and see what happens. I decided to sleep on it and wake up with a clear mind. From the previous shoot, I learned that 1pm - 2pm lights were pretty...
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Underwater Podcast with Bret Stanley

Underwater Healer About Face
October 28, 2020/by
I was invited to an underwater podcast hosted by Bret Stanley. He is also an underwater photographer who creates beautiful stunning images. I was flattered to be asked as a guest for a breast cancer awareness month to talk about my journey with cancer and trauma survivors. It's been awhile since the last time when I had a speaking gig so I was pretty nervous! It's hard to hear my own voice because I don't talk about myself in public. When the Talks@Google happened a year ago, that was the first time ever I opened my heart to share my personal story. During the podcast, when I spoke about how the car accident happened, my voice started to shake. I had to stop for a few seconds to breathe. Bret asked me if I wanted to change the subject but I said no. Because it's important to talk about what happened, who I am and how I got here. If you have any comments or questions, please email me. Thank you for...
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Yosemite Trip, 2020

Travel
October 12, 2020/by
Yosemite Trip, 2020 We were so lucky to catch the beginning of the fall color in Yosemite! It was like a gamble to find the right timing. I heard last year was earlier than usual!  We were so fortunate to see the postcard quality nature in person. Colors were alluringly...
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Dr. Riva Z. Robinson

Dr. Riva Z. Robinson – Functional Medicine Doctor

uw portrait
August 7, 2020/by
Dr. Riva Z. Robinson, a functional medicine doctor, an author and a bikini champion! Dr. Riva Z. Robinson and I heard about each other through Dr. Lance, a chiropractor based in San Francisco. Dr. Lance once interviewed me for his YouTube Channel and he mentioned about Dr. Riva that I need to meet her! We kept missing each other last year but finally, we got to meet during this pandemic AND we got to work together underwater! I've worked with bodybuilders in the past so I knew what to expect. SHE CAN SINK, no problem! She looked so calm and serene underwater. I'm so glad to hear that she enjoyed this beautiful escape during this difficult time and her busy schedule. I also got to interview her and I want to share her story with you guys. • How did you feel before the photo shoot?  Before the shoot, I was a tiny bit nervous, but mostly excited! I had seen some of your work and fallen in love with it! I couldn't wait to experience it for myself. I love being underwater - I scuba dive and I love being in or near the ocean. • How was the experience with underwater portrait session?  At first it was a lot to think about - posing myself/ my dress/the fabric strategically, smiling and not making fish faces, and not getting water up my nose, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I think it might have been easier in a deeper pool to get a little bit...
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Interview with my mom about aqua fitness

Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
May 22, 2020/by
This underwater image was taken during my sister’s underwater maternity shoot. I knew water was not my mom's favorite place but she still wanted to help. She has a water related traumatic experience in the past and it causes fear of deep water. By looking at this photo, I can say that she has the best smile out of all of us! She is brave and strong! Ere: When did you start feeling nervous about water and why? Ma: I learned to swim when I was in elementary school in Japan. But years later, somebody pushed me down under water (he thought it was funny!) and I panicked. Ever since, I started to feel anxious thinking about deep water. I get scared when my feet don't touch the bottom because I can't control my balance and movement. It also feels like I'm falling down from the sky. Ere: How was your daughter's underwater maternity session? Were you ok in the water? Ma:  I was staying in the 4.5 feet area video taping. It was harder than I expected. I don't remember the last time when I swam in a pool. It must be a long time ago. But I felt really really good because the water temperature was 92F and it relaxed my body and tension. Ere: You are taking aqua fitness classes. What is the reason for going back to the water after the photo shoot? Ma:  I realized I felt so refreshed and happy when I left the pool. Like my spirit was lifted....
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2020 Mexico – Cabo Pulmo, La Paz and Todo Santos Trip Report

Travel
April 1, 2020/by
Mexico, 2020! We were a little nervous leaving U.S. for Mexico because of the corona virus pandemic and a U.S. border closure. Well... we are heading out! We'll see what happens~~ Best time to travel... Half of the plane was empty. I got extra cookies :) When we arrived, I got a message with a drawing map from my Airbnb to get to his place in Cabo Pulmo. One road... We got a rental car and drove about 2 hours. Last 30 min seemed forever driving on a unpaved road. We were happy to see the ocean finally! The map was pretty accurate :) We got to our AirBnb. Super clean and simple. There were so many dogs hanging out here. All friendly and didn't bother us too much. These two, specially the pug wanted to show us around like he owns it. Such a boss.   It was windy and cloudy. Bad news was most of the dive shops closed due to the rough weather and all the snorkeling trips were canceled! They were not even sure about scuba diving until the next morning... I was bummed. I need a drink. Happy Hour! Beans and cheese... Shrimp ceviche Chips and salsa Next morning... After all the worries... YES!! I did 2 dives!! This is a national park and the reef is protected so I needed a permit for a big camera. Since weather was not so great anyways, I decided to shoot only with GoPro. I saw bull sharks for the first time! They were gracefully swimming around us and checking us out! In a muggy water,...
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2019 Florida trip – Shipwreck, alligators and sharks!

Travel
November 25, 2019/by
Red eye flight to get to Florida! I drove 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo. As soon as I arrived in Key Largo hotel, Marina Del Mar, I jumped in the pool immediately! So refreshing! I was not diving until the next day so I decided to walk around to check out the neighbor hood. Nobody was walking lol as usual. I found a Stephen Frink's gallery. He is one of my inspiring underwater photographers and they were getting ready for DEMA show. Then I wanted to get some snacks... This waffle house caught my eyes. I usually don't eat waffles but I had to stop there to check it out. Ladies were so friendly and working hard! Also checked out a Cuban restaurant. Food was ok here. May be I didn't order a right dish. I was with Rainbow Reef Dive Shop to do scuba dive for 3 days!   The dive shop had a cute 3 legged puppy. Super friendly dog welcomes us every morning :) Wants to play all the time! Look at his eyes!!! I was excited to be on the boat. I couldn't wait to go underwater! Getting ready to get my gear all together! Beautiful morning... Fun crew I got to to 2 days of reef diving and one day of whip wreck. Visibility was ok but I got to capture few shots. You can see more underwater images from here! I walked more around the neighborhood after my dive. Free pastry 3-7 pm if you order sandwich!! Lucky me! Beautiful sunset ...
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Please donate or sign up for a photo shoot in Huntington Beach

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face
July 4, 2019/by
Huntington Beach Photo Shoot 7/27 - 7/29!! I'm so excited to be coming out to LA to shoot 2 amazing female survivors and artists from Infinite Flow - An Inclusive Dance Company. I have time for only 5 more shoots. Let me know if you or your friends would like to shoot with me in Huntington Beach in 7/27-7/29 ★ Your session fee is tax-deductible and a portion of your funds will go towards photo sessions with trauma survivors. Donations are also greatly appreciated. Please donate here Marisa Hamamoto - Sexual harassment & stroke survivor Miya Schaikewitz - Spinal cord injury survivor Opening spots are 7/27 - 3pm, 6:30pm 7/28 - 9am, 3pm, 6:30pm 7/29 - 8am Huntington Beach Discounted Photo Package $250 Includes:  (This package price is ONLY for this location) • Consultation (50% deposit) In person or on Skype/Facetime • Pool session (50%) 60 min. Pool session • High resolution digital photos Two final retouched photos Additional retouched images are $25/per ••• Please contact me to save your spot! ••• This is my Talks@Google from this year sharing my story, passion and why I am here today. Please check it...
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