Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Looking to 2016

Underwater Healer About Face
/by
It’s unbelievable to think that 2016 is less than 10 days away!  Last week I looked back at 2015 and some of my most dear moments.  This week, I want to look forward to 2016 and what I aim to accomplish. I’m setting a personal goal to speak more in 2016.  Two of my three most favorite 2015 moments were speaking engagements and I want to continue to grow myself as a public speaker.  Not only do I want to reach people at the far corners of the world - inspire them with stories of courage, strength and beauty - but I also want to challenge myself.  I want to grow as an orator.  I have met with a speaking coach and am excited to push myself to overcome any nerves and polish my presentation style.  I love talking to groups and want to speak to even larger audiences.  Whether it be an Apple Store presentation, speaking at a university or organization, I am enthusiastic to see what keynote opportunities arise and seek them out even more in 2016. My biggest goal that I am working towards is to present a TED talk.  It’s not an easy feat, only 50 speakers are chosen each year at the conference, but I believe in myself.  I know that with practice and preparation I can share my story of Underwater Healer and the transformation of the survivors to a global audience.  I’m optimistic that in 2016 I will present a local TEDx talk, a...

2015 in Review

Uncategorized
/by
I can’t believe 2015 is almost over!  This year was full of amazing events, strong survivors, and beautiful clients.  And while each one is special to me, I wanted to remember three especially poignant moments from the last twelve months. First, I receive so much joy when I think back to my trip to Boston.  Not only did I have four underwater shoots with four lovely women (one of whom is now a beautiful mommy and one of my biggest supporters!), but I also gave a presentation at the Apple Store on Bolyston Street.  The turnout was incredible and you could feel the emotions as I spoke.  The crowd was so enthusiastic about my project and spoke with such excitement - my heart was, and still is, full of happiness from it all. Second, the San Francisco Apple Store event in October was truly unbelievable.  So many friends, supporters and About Face cancer survivors came out to support my presentation.  It was awe inspiring to have so many survivors share their testimony unasked and unexpectedly.  It was by far my most emotional event to date.  It meant so much to me to not only hear your kinds words of how much your life has been positively impacted by the Underwater Healer project, but to also share them to a crowd.  Thank you with all my heart. Last, but certainly not least, would be my supporters over the year who have booked maternity, engagement, or just fun underwater portrait sessions.  Every single one...

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Uncategorized
/by
The holiday season is officially in full swing!  I love this time of year.  Despite it being colder, I love all the lights, the smiles, how everyone makes time to get together.  It’s the season of love and giving.  Nothing is better than those two things. The season of giving means a lot of stress unfortunately as well.  Maybe you’re unsure what to give to a special loved one.  Maybe they already seem to have everything.  Or maybe you are looking for something extra special and unique.  Something that can’t be found on Amazon ;) Nothing is more precious that a photograph - it’s a never-ending memory.  It’s what your mom used to embarrass you with when dates would come to pick you up.  Or what grandma would pull out when she told you stories of her life experiences.  It’s the most precious item that most would save first in the event of a fire.  It’s a tangible expression of remembrance. If this resonates with you, please reach out and book an incredible unique memory - an underwater photography shoot!  I am now open for holiday bookings.  Or if you’re looking to put a gift under the tree, gift certificates are available.  I service The Bay Area with two pool options: one in Pacifica and the other in San Jose.  If your curious what an underwater shoot entails, you can find information here.  I would love to be a part of your special holiday season.  And as an added bonus - proceeds...

Giving Thanks

Underwater Healer About Face
/by
Before I share my wonderful news, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past 2.5 years.  To my amazing clients, supporters, friends and family, know that I am thankful for you.  Not only this week, but forever and always. I am excited to announce that for the first time, I was interviewed by Japanese media!  On Saturday, at the World Affairs Council, Magic Bell TV of Los Angles filmed me for an upcoming segment.  I am thrilled to have spoken about my life, my Underwater Healer project and my client experiences in Japanese for the very first time!  I am humbled and appreciate how supportive the interviewer was of my project.  She said was felt very inspired and told me to keep talking to the world, which is exactly what I plan to do.  My hope is that this interview leads to more opportunities outside of the US and in Japan. I am also happy to share that after the interview, I assisted underwater photographer Ikeya Tomohide!  As you read last week, I very much admire his work and am incredibly thankful I had the opportunity to assist him and learn from such a master.  We began at 5:30 PM at Anderson’s Scuba in Pacifica and ended at 2:30 AM the next morning!  I and a second underwater assistant were responsible for setting up the background fabric, scuba gear, being a test model to check the lighting and the camera setting.  It took many...

What Inspires You?

Uncategorized
/by
As the year comes to a close and the holiday season is knocking at our door, it’s easy to feel tired and lose yourself in the hustle and bustle around us.  I encourage you to take some time  to self reflect, renew yourself and concentrate on what inspires you. Possibly you find inspiration in your family and loved ones. Take the time to be with them. Maybe you find inspiration in being outdoors. Go out an enjoy a fresh snow fall, or if you’re lucky to live in a warm winter climate, enjoy the warm on your face. Or maybe you find inspiration in someone who is living your dream (or one similar). Learn from them and let them motivate you to find your own success. As an underwater photographer, I find my inspiration most in the ocean.  Since I was a child I loved water.  I would eventually grow up to love diving, beautiful underwater sea creatures and meld my passion for photography with the submerged world.  No matter how many dives or portrait sessions I do, I find inspiration in it all. I also find inspiration in others.  I am continually blow away by London-based underwater photographer Zena Holloway.  Her photos possess a beautiful dream-like quality.  It’s as if your fantasies popped into real life.  The light and beauty in each photo is breathtaking. I highly encourage you to check out her work. I also am inspired by Tomohide Ikeya, a Japanese photographer who brings light into darkness underwater.  His photos are raw with emotion; both...

Strengthening Your Self Image Through Photography

Uncategorized
/by
It’s harder than ever, thanks to the media dictating unrealistic beauty standards, to not feel insecure about yourself and your looks. In fact, a reported 91% of women feel unhappy with their appearance and body. That’s an overwhelming number that is sure to include a super model or two! This often leads to a plethora of ways individuals react to their perceived bodily flaws. One of the biggest surrounds having your photo taken. There is no statistic around how many people don’t like to be photographed, but suffice it to say, it’s a lot! A common reaction to physical insecurities is to avoid having a photo taken altogether. Maybe you think you need to lose weight, or don’t like how your hair has greyed, or you feel you have a crooked smile, the reasons are endless. The old adage is true - we are our own worst critic. It’s important to remember that what we see is not what everyone else sees. Do your friends and family look at you and see your physical flaws? No, they see the person they love and who makes a difference in their life. Love yourself as much as they love you. Make it a personal challenge to have yourself photographed often and from all angles. You’ll eventually discover your flaws aren’t really flaws and find self acceptance. Another common coping method of poor self image is never taking a serious photo, but instead always doing something silly. Maybe you make a funny face, use...

Sponsor an Underwater Shoot for a Cancer Survivor!

about
/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...

Ready for Your Close Up?

about
/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...

Debuting a New Underwater Healer Featurette!

about
/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...

Underwater Healer is BACK at the San Francisco Apple Store 10/8/15

Underwater Healer About Face
/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...