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The Gift That Keeps On Giving

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December 9, 2015/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...
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Last Call for How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat in Maui!

Travel
December 2, 2015/by
It’s hard to believe December is here!  As this year comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking of what next year will bring.  I encourage you to enter 2016 with a healing start and sign up to join me in Maui for the How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat before it sells out! Held January 18-22, this year marks the fifth anniversary of the annual yoga retreat with Lisa Danylchuk, a Psychotherapist, yogini and educator who works as a trauma therapist in The San Francisco Bay Area.  Hosted at the Lumeria Retreat Center, you will spend 5 days focusing on finding rest and relaxation to form a greater connection with yourself.  Registration covers all classes, 3 daily meals and double accommodations. Everyday begins with energizing vinyasa yoga practice and in the evening we end with yin, a restorative practice and meditation lead by Lisa.  Each day focuses on a different series of poses, natural element, psycho-spiritual theme and includes a sprinkle of Hawaiian dance and language.  Her wonderful classes help mitigate the impact of extreme stress we face in our daily lives.  The time in between classes is yours to enjoy as you wish.  Lumeria offers beautiful contemplative spaces, salt water pools, hot tubs and farm to table dining.  Hiking, swimming, surfing and more are all just steps away.  The retreat focuses on filling your soul with healing and joyful experiences.  Everyone brings some of the island peace home. There is a special added bonus for attending - I will...
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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?

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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

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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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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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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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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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Boston Trip Report

about, art show, Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
July 28, 2015/by
Boston Trip Report This was my Boston office for few days!! I'm missing it! I met Chien-Chi, a breast cancer survivor at 7:30-8:30am We connected in the water instantly! I met Katie at 8:30-9:30. She had her own mermaid tail from Hawaii! She did a beautiful job in the water! I met Kim at 9:30-10:30. She was nervous at first but look at this! She looks so natural! ' Next day, I had a presentation at Apple Store on Boylston street. I was super nervous as always. I had a different speaking coach this time and I practiced a lot before I left for Boston! The event was successful! It was the most emotional and impactful presentation I've ever had! It was so nice to hear everyone talking about this project. My heart was full with happiness!     I made these cranes for Boston people to wish them good luck and feel better. Next day, I had a maternity photo shoot with Vicky and Charles. They came from NY to support for my project. They helped me so much when I had a ABOUT FACE project in NY in 2013 We had lunch at The Neighborhood Restaurant in Somerville. I came here twice and I really liked it! I was recommended to go to Spanish restaurant, Dali. I was introduced to delicious wince, La Cana. I stopped by at this normal looking Sushi place. AND they were amazing!! So fresh! I always walked by at this local bar with bunch of alcoholics at...
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