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Giving Thanks

Underwater Healer About Face
November 25, 2015/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...
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What Inspires You?

Uncategorized
November 19, 2015/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...
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Strengthening Your Self Image Through Photography

Uncategorized
November 11, 2015/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...
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Sponsor an Underwater Shoot for a Cancer Survivor!

about
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?

about
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!

about
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!

about
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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Palm Springs Trip Report

about, Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
September 29, 2015/by
Palm Springs Trip Report September 18-20, 2015 Underwater Healer About Face in Palm Springs! This is my first time traveling to Palm Springs! I was super excited to find out about this new place! A little about PS trip: A 3 time cancer survivor and my good friend Nancy is one of the supporters for this project. When I approached her for this year's photos shoot, she was happy to do it! But she wanted to pay her own session and take me to her best friend, Don's house in Palm Springs because he has a beautiful pool! And I can reach out to other survivors. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Nancy!   I can't believe she designed this house!! http://www.homteamdesign.com/modern1--palm-springs-ca.html 今月は忙しい日々が続きました！これからパルムスプリングスで３人のサバイバーと水中撮影をしにいってきます。今回のアバウトフェイスの旅は少し違って、 ３人の中の一人は私の親友なんです。３回のがんから克服したとてもパワフルなファイターです。今年の水中撮影プロジェクトの誘ったとき、自分の分は払いた いと言ってきました。しかもパルムスプリングに住んでいる彼女のベストフレンドの家のオリンピックサイズプールでやりたいとの事。私の飛行機代も払ってく れました。彼女は私にもっと他のサバイバーに会えるようにと願ってお金をきふしてくれたんです。この家は彼女がベストフレンドの為にデザインしたそうです。本当映画にでてくるような家でした Beautiful friends, delicious dinner, tasty drinks and full of love! It's my dream land to wake up and swim everyday... Photo shoots with beautiful survivors went really well! Photos are coming soon! DATES!! I bought dates from Palm Springs for my co-workers! They are so...
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