Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Sponsor an Underwater Shoot for a Cancer Survivor!

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November 4, 2015/by
Since I started my project Underwater Healer About Face I’ve been blessed to work with 23 cancer and trauma survivors.  For over two years I’ve been amazed by watching their transformations - fears being overcome, emotional scars being healed and a renewed beginning for their lives moving forward.  It’s a magical time spent with these fighters and survivors and I cherish every bit of it. I would love to keep working on this project because underwater portrait is very effective for cancer survivors. They feel freedom and it gives them courage to challenge themselves to try new things. There is a waiting list of survivors who would like to experience the underwater portrait session just like everybody here and I need your help!

 Every single underwater portrait session for cancer and trauma survivors is FREE! In order to continue to work with survivors on the waiting list I rely on all you wonderful supporters.  There are three ways you can make a difference in a survivors life with Underwater Healer: 1.)  Donate!  I’m not 501(c)(3). 2.)  Schedule a shoot for yourself! Do you have a fear of water? Stress due to work?  Or are you a fan of my work and want your own underwater portrait shoot?  I would love to work with you as well and give you an experience of a lifetime.  Please reach out to me and I’m happy to set up a location (within the San Francisco Bay Area).  You can get more questions answered about what...
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Ready for Your Close Up?

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October 28, 2015/by
If you’re thinking of booking an underwater portrait shoot, either for yourself or a loved one, you probably have many questions.  I’m here to answer them all!  With the holidays and end of the year rapidly approaching, an underwater portrait session not only makes a great gift, but is also perfect for those who make New Year’s resolutions.  Start the year 2016 by embarking on your own transformation and finding your renewed self.  And remember, your underwater portrait session allows me to continue my project photographing cancer survivors at no charge, so your own session will pay itself forward! Now, to answer the most asked questions I receive.  Also, I encourage you to check out these testimonials and my perfect 5 star record on Yelp! A: Where is the pool located? Q: If you prefer using your own pool locally, I can travel to you as long as you are within the San Francisco Bay Area (my base). If you do not have a pool to use, no problem! There is an outdoor heated pool in San Jose or indoor heated pool in Pacifica, so please pick a location that is convenient for you. The pool’s schedule changes each season so when booking a session please send over your scheduling needs so we can arrange a time when they are open. Q: What should I wear? A: Please wear something you feel comfortable and happy in. If you are wearing a dress, it should be tighter on top with a longer, flow-y bottom. If...
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Announcing The How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat 2016 in Maui!

Travel
October 21, 2015/by
Announcing The How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat 2016 in Maui! I’m excited to announce the How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat January 18 - 22, 2016 in beautiful, serene Maui.  Join us for healing yoga sessions that can help ease trauma and PSD, group underwater portrait photography by me, nutritious and delicious food and lovely people.  Yogini and psychotherapist Lisa Danylchuk has spent over 15 years helping others overcome their traumas, coping with stress and finding your inner joy.  The retreat aims to enable building skills and a resilient sense of self navigating through the difficult emotions related to stressful events.  Last year was very successful, you can read about it and see photos here. If this is something that interests you, I urge you not to wait!  Early bird pricing of $1695 ends on Oct. 30th.  It includes all activities, double lodging and 3 meals a day.  You can reserve your spot with a deposit of $500.  Now is also an excellent time to book January flights, so what are you waiting for?!  Also, if you are interested in a private underwater shoot while at the retreat they are available and at a discounted price! Spots will sell out and last year was such a wonderful time that I encourage you to attend.  You can sign up here.  Feel free to shoot Lisa or me any questions you may have.  We look forward to seeing you in Maui in January!  And stay tuned for details on an upcoming Apple Store...
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Debuting a New Underwater Healer Featurette!

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October 14, 2015/by
Debuting a New Underwater Healer Featurette! Erena shares her beginnings in the Apple Store, San Francisco. This is her 2nd time at SF location. You can view last year's event from here. (I have the same hair style!!!) San Francisco Apple Store crowd Alysha shares her experience in San Francisco Nancy shares her story in San Francisco In the audience, there was another survivor - Steve & his daughter Ava. He was involved in 2013 About Face campaign. One of the supporters, Travia talks about her experience with underwater transformation with her husband. Fans! Palo Alto Apple Store Crowd Thank you for flipping through the Underwater Healer About Face book! Eden shares her transformation in Palo Alto photo © Jeff Roden Underwater Transformation It’s been a whirlwind of a week and I am so thankful for every moment and for each of you who shared it with me.  I’m excited to first debut a brand new featurette on Underwater Healer!  It’s been an amazing two years and I can’t believe how much money we raised with the initial fundraiser, where I’ve been able to travel and the amazing cancer survivors I’ve met who have shared their story with me.  Please watch and share! Also last week, as you may know by now, I had not one but two live Underwater Healer events in the Bay Area. So many of you came out to see me and cancer survivors Alycia and Nancy at the San Francisco Apple Store.  I was so lucky to have them both there and to share their stories in...
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TWO Underwater Healer Live Events This Week!

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October 7, 2015/by
I’m happy to announce that this week I have not one, but TWO Underwater Healer live events in the Bay Area.  I hope you can join me either Thursday, October 8th at 6 PM at the San Francisco Apple Store on Stockton or Saturday, October 10th at 4 PM and the Apple Store in Palo Alto.  Come out to one (or both!) to hear all about my Underwater Healer Project, see photos from my many cancer survivor photo shoots and find out how you can get involved and be a supporter.  While both events are free, if you do plan to attend please register at the Apple Store event link.  I’m also excited to reveal that we will have special guest at both events!  Attending on Thursday will be survivors Alysha Gonzalez and Nancy Hom and in Palo Alto you will be able to meet survivor Eden Leatherman.  I’m so happy they will be able to join me and I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon.  And as a special bonus: if you sign up for a session at one of the Apple Store events this week you will get a special discount! As I mentioned last week, it’s been a busy few weeks filled with many underwater shoots. I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some amazing individuals - both survivors and supporters of my Underwater Healer project.  I was also blessed that a recent shoot took me to Palm Springs, to a beautiful home and...
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Underwater Healer is BACK at the San Francisco Apple Store 10/8/15

Underwater Healer About Face
September 30, 2015/by
I’m excited to announce that next week, October 8th at 6 PM, I’ll be hosting another event at the San Francisco Apple Store on Stockton.  Please come (and bring friends!) to hear all about my Underwater Healer Project, see photos from my many cancer survivor photo shoots and find out how you can get involved and be a supporter.  I’m so excited to be back at the San Francisco Apple Store.  I can’t wait to see you there and answer any questions you might have. It’s been a busy three weeks filled with not one, not two, but three underwater shoots!  I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some fantastic, beautiful individuals - both survivors and supporters of my Underwater Healer project.  I have so much to catch you up on, but for now lets rewind to September 12th. My first San Jose shoot two weekends ago allowed be to work with two beautiful cancer survivors - Eden and Alysha.  I knew the shoot was going to be magical when both of the ladies showed up wearing mermaid pants.  Eden, a two time Wilm’s Tumor survivor and currently battling congestive heart failure felt very insecure about her many surgery scars.  I’m happy to report that after her shoot with she said felt full and beautiful, which is exactly the result I aim for with all my clients. Also sharing the pool with Eden was Alysha, a Papillary Thyroid cancer who underwent a complete thyroidecomy.  Her treatments have left her fatigued and issues...
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Apple store underwater healer event in Santa Monica

about, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
April 6, 2015/by
Apple store underwater healer event in Santa Monica It was such an amazing experience being in Los Angeles to give a presentation on our campaign, Underwater Healer About Face, help cancer survivors rediscover their beauty through underwater portrait photoghraphy. I've done this last year at SF Apple store location but I still have a fear towards public speaking! practice practice... Ok, time is up! I'm going to do this! I was happy to meet new people, see old friends and co-workers! I showed some of the creative underwater shots. This is an underwater BJJ. The images were featured on Fightland, VICE and printed on the February and March Issue. I also want to thank Fightland for the contribution to support our future underwater healer project to help cancer survivors! Thank you! I shared a story of one of the 13 cancer survivors, Amber from Hawaii. She survived from Thyroid cancer when she was 20 years old. Chelsea is a pediatric cancer survivor. She was diagnosed brain cancer when she was 8 years old. She shared her story and an underwater experience to inspire the audience. The presentation was successful! For the Q&A session, I asked them what they thought of our campaign. Erin is a professional underwater photographer. She gave us positive comments and encouragements for the future project! It meant so much to us. Thank you so much for your support, Erin! Diane is a BJJ practitioner (purple belt) and a medical school student. By hearing from a future doctor, her opinion meant so much for all...
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BaySpo Japanese Local News ベイスポ新聞

about, Underwater Healer About Face
October 2, 2014/by
BaySpo Japanese Local News ベイスポ新聞 Thank you so much for featuring my work on the Bay Area Residents section. My picture is so big on the printed version! You can view the web version here but it's only in Japanese. ベイエリアの新聞、ベイスポ新聞に載せて頂いて有り難うございました！プリント版は結構大きな写真でした。ウェブ版で日本語が読めます。 more images on the printed version....
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Interview with a Brazilian TV show　ブラジルのテレビ局とインタビュー

about, uw portrait
October 1, 2014/by
Interview with a Brazilian TV show　ブラジルのテレビ局とインタビュー I got a email from a Brazilian TV show, MULTISHOW. They told me that they are launching a new TV program and it will suit perfect with my Underwater Healer Project. They wanted to interview me in person. ブラジルのテレビ局、ムルティショーのプロデューサーから連絡があり、来年の新しい番組に私の去年からしているキャンペーンがぴったりだと言う事で、サンフランシスコの私の家（オフィス）でインタビューがしたいというメールでした。 I was super excited to have people over from Brazil and I felt definitely flattered by it. I'm grateful to be part of the show and to share my story to inspire the world. もちろんオーケーを出してすぐにスケジュールをくみました。他国からも興味を持っていただけて私のストーリーが世界中に広がってくれるのはとても嬉しいです。 The director, Gustavo and the cinematographer, Manuel were super nice, interesting and professional. I talked for 40min. I'm a listener and usually don't talk much so I felt like I used up 1 year worth of my voice and tons  of calories! They had few shots of me editing photos and my mermaid decorations. I hope I told everything they needed to know... It was a great experience meeting them and talking in front of the camera!　ディレクターのグスタボとシネマトグラファーのマニュエルはとても親切でoおもしろくて、プロフェショナルでした。４０分ほどのインタビューで喋りまくり。普段は聞き手なので、一年分の声とカロリーを燃やした感じです。笑。その後は私が写真を編集している所を何ショットか撮ってくれました。彼らが知りたいことをすべて話せてたらいいのですが、少し心配です。 For the perfect composition....The cinematographer, Manuel is fixing my best friend's underwater portrait photo from Puerto Rico. 私のベストフレンドの写真の位置を完璧な場所に動かしているマニュエル。 AND it is a SMALL WORLD. Manuel and I have a mutual friend, Branca!! I asked Branca if Multishow really exist in Brazil (hahaha). Meanwhile, Branca was trying to meet Manuel to catch up! Crazy! He was too busy and they had no chance to meet up :( I hope three of us can meet...
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Sport Diver Magazine 2014 July Issue

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June 5, 2014/by
Sport Diver Magazine 2014 July Issue スポーツダイバー7月号ページ21に載りました〜！！ I was interviewed by Sport Diver magazine few month ago. Somebody emailed me that I'm on the Printed July issue!! This magazine was hard to find in San Francisco! One of my friends suggested to try calling Smoke Signals  They had 3 more left!! I bought them all! (I was too excited:) スポーツダイバーの雑誌に何ヶ月か前にインタビューされて７月号に良い記事で載ってるよいうメールが読者からきました！この雑誌は結構見つけにくいのでサンフランシスコにある本屋に電話をしまくりました。親友がスモークシグナルはあるはずとの事で、朝７時オープン直後連絡したら、３冊残っているとの事。興奮して３冊とも買ってしまいました！ Sport Diver magazine July 2014, page 21! Click here to enlarge the...
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