“Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.”
Erich Fromm

Yes, it is all about you, at least for this one day a year.

Take it.

Embrace it.

Breathe it in.

Why? Because at least for this one day per year, Americans have decided to STOP and
take notice of the investment you have made into this country…world really.

Honestly, it’s the least we could do. Motherhood is probably the most rewarding yet challenging position that I and probably every other mother has found ourselves in. Nothing, and I mean nothing could really prepare you for it. It probably has more positions rolled into one than any other job out there, yet we do it tirelessly, endlessly, and willingly without regard for the toll it will take on our minds, bodies, hearts and souls. It is a calling. It is not for the faint at heart. It is the only thing that we look forward to do…must do, regardless of the pain it entails just to bring forth these beautiful blessings called babies whom we then nurture until they are ready to stand on their own.

Someone did it for us.

Celebrate Her.

If that’s you…Celebrate yourself! You are worth it.

For standing behind your partner, often in the shadows lifting them up while you took care of the background…you deserve this day.
For often sacrificing your needs, desires & wants for the good of your family….you deserve this.
For the sleepless nights and the sometimes hungry days because you forewent because you forgot to eat…you deserve this day.
For the endless worrying for the lives of the ones you have been called to care for, while everyone else slept….you deserve this day.
For the hope that on some days when you just needed to hear an “I appreciate you, or Thank you” just to help refuel you…and no one said it…you deserve this day.
For all the times you are juggling mothering, housekeeping, bookkeeping, bus driving, activity coordinating, praying, maintaing your personhood (you are still one during this time as well) and don’t forget vixening (smile)(from the Rhodes dictionary)…you deserve this.
For the years of empty nesting when we suddenly realize that we must reinvent ourselves because we have been downsized from our previous position…you really deserve this day.
Because sometimes you didn’t even know how you would find the time or energy to shower, let alone put on makeup if you are still in the thick of childrearing and you forget that you are still Viable, Beautiful, and Valuable so take time for you…you are worth it.

Who cares that this day may be one of the most commercialized days in the world. YOU…WE DESERVE IT!
What other job would your apply for that does not even allow you really see the payout (fruits of your labor) for eighteen or more years? This is delayed gratification at it’s best, but really…that never even comes into the equation when this job is so willing taken on by millions of women across the world.

I believe that Mom’s, like our military forces are Unsung HEROES whom this world was built upon. We should honor them every day in one way or another. Even if it is as simple as a “THANK YOU” for she is priceless.

But at least this day…It is ALL ABOUT YOU and it darn well should be.
Kick your feet up. Relax. Enjoy your day.

In whatever way you can, let her know…(pampering oneself included) that this day is not overrated, but in fact it is UNDERRATED.

May we all feel extra loved and blessed this weekend.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.”
Theodore Hesburgh

This ladybug represents me this last year…

Whew, its quiet in here. I can hear the crickets and the birds and the cicadas. Although this poor blog has been neglected, I have been busy with life itself as well as photography. Personally, while being a SOAR recipient the previous year was a true blessing, the end of 2011 first half of 2012 year came with great unexpected personal and family struggles. I know we all have them. But I will openly admit, I was not prepared for these, and I felt blindsided. It seemed the wind had be sucked right out of my sails and I found myself in a quandary. It seemed like the world came crashing down on me and I needed to step back from the majority of my internet life and even business for a while to reframe my priorities and focus on what was most important to me. My kids were suffering. Our transition into “work at home” “school at home” mom did not go as smoothly as we had hoped.There were MANY GIANT stumbling blocks. Along with that, we wound up spending our summer with my mom and family on the East Coast spending our last days with my beloved grandmother who left us this year to go on to her “heavenly reward” of eternal rest and peace. There is nothing like going home where my roots and people are especially my mom. Usually it’s the one place where I can exhale, sleep in, rest and recharge. To be frank it was a really struggle processing all that was on my shoulders. I needed to just hang and breath for a while. So that’s what I did. Spending time with people that feed my soul, biding “see ya later” to the woman who raised our family single handedly and reconnecting with myself and my children. That’s the place that dreams are planned from.

The summer other than our loss was great, 2012 is coming to a forceful end, and the climb up has begun. My time away is coming to an end. With everything that was going on we managed to fit in a family trip that included a ship, bikes, fish, national monuments (need to sneak that education in there) and plenty of water. Our school year will began with a fun filled time for everyone including the hubs, not a stuffy old classroom or office for my husband. It seems this year had a lot of the unexpected in store for us. Twenty-thirteen is knocking at our door and it is time to move out of this valley and start the climb up into the place where God wants me this year. And yes…somehow that does include more beautiful imagery. Stay tuned in for the updates. They will initially be once a week on Wed for now. I will keep my personal life on here to a minimum, but if you are interested in my other adventures, passion packed tirades, ramblings & homeschool musings check out my family blog here. There will be some changes & updates to all of this soon as I complete the transition following my year of soul searching and mini blog exhile.:)

However, a new year is coming and thankfully we are all still here so our work is not done. We/I have another opportunity to move mountains, get through valleys and accomplish all that is purposed for me to do. Keep moving forward. The goal is in view but enjoying the journey including all the lessons make the arrival at the destination even sweeter.

Happy New Year!

Just when you think you are done, you go and complicate the situation. This little cutie follows me everywhere even trying to type on my keyboard with me. She was not supposed to be mine, but it seems we have adopted one another. My daughter is jealous because someone else in the family has taken her nicknames. She regularly points out to me every name that I have ever used on her, that I now use on this darling. Connections really are everything. No go out and make some new connections of your own…breathing ones of course. While I love that you visit me, take some time, recharge yourself and reconnect with someone you love. Live is precious.

Own your dream…

Connections. Why am I starting with that word? Well connections are fundamental to having a fulfilled life here on earth. By very nature we have been created to seek connections with others of similiar species.

defined as :connections
plural of con·nec·tion (Noun)
Noun;A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.

This is such a powerful necessity that websites such as Facebook, Linkedin, Blogger, WordPress and many others have built a tremendous platform by bridging the gap through which these exchanges and interactions can happen between individuals from virtually all around the world. Personally, I am a lover of connections. I love meeting new people, learning new things and expanding my intellectual property as much as the next person.

However, I am going to assert, that real connections start with real people who have first made a connection with themselves as well as a power greater than themselves. For me that would be God, but it could be whomever you choose. It is not until we connect with ourselves, know ourselves, and are able to graciously accept the good and bad about ourselves that we really have something of value to offer to someone else. It seems that with all the demands of today, we women are finding that harder and harder to do. When I think of my daughter, it is really important to me that she sees the beauty in herself first. As soon as she realizes what a gift she has to offer to others just by merely believing in and cherishing herself, there will be no stopping her.

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman or man, who sees themselves in such a positive way. The beauty that they share with others will flow, radiating from themselves and it will be contagious. Let me be the person to help you see yourself the way I see you. Let me show you moments frozen in connectivity with something that comes from within yourself and intoxicates those around you. It’s there…I see it. If you do great, lets freeze it and if you don’t, let me show you your own beauty through my lens.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” by Marianne Williamson

This is one of my absolutely favorite quotes. It is one of the two that I read regularly after my prayer time. Hopefully it speaks to someone reading as much as it does me. While I am a photographer, I am first a wife and a mom. Sometimes, the roles all get jumbled together and I have to remind myself that I am first an individual and a woman. Cleaving does not have to mean forgetting who we are as individuals. Pamper yourself today. Take that walk. Go to the gym. Put on your makeup and take yourself for a cup of coffee or tea. Maybe even put down the responsibilites of life and put your feet up. While you are there remind yourself that you are…you are enough.

Here…in this place in the middle of the desert was a place I wanted to go for the last two years. And now we were landing.

Never in a million years would I have thought that I could enjoy an event like this so much. I often tend to be on the more introverted side of the spectrum so why it was so important to me to go to WPPI in Las Vegas this year where thousands of photographers descend to the biggest photography convention was definitely out of character. Regardless, I just had to be there and it was worth every obsessive, self conscious, how am I going to do this moment that it required for to make it happen. Let’s just say, I am so glad I did. While I didn’t know what I was walking into, what I walked out with was nothing short of amazing. I was intent on getting my little rear into every session I could to glean from those who have paved the way before me. I saw some of my favorite people that I met through my experience with the SOAR Scholarship and we had a ball. The trip would not have been complete had I not seen my friend and mentor,an amazing international photographer and speaker MeRaKoh and her other half Brian, who guided me up to this point in my journey with photography. There were some amazing speakers there. The place was full of so much energy. The amount of information packed into that venue was nothing short of amazing. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a kid in the candy store. “All of it..I’ll take all of it, my insides screamed.” And try I did. If I were going to be away from my family for an entire week, I was determined to make the most of it!

It was also a time to meet and make new friends as well. However, as far as speakers go, they saved the best for the last day. Sue Bryce delivered a power platform class that hit me at the core. I actually found some water floating around my face during the presentation as well. Yes, I’m sentimental, what can I say. :0 Needless to say, a picture was a must. Every skilled craftsman regularly increases their knowledge through education and practice to assure that their skills are being refined in order to deliver you their very best at all times. This trip was like taking an accelerated college course with all of the universities best professors, then meeting them out for drinks and dinner afterwards to toast being able to say you are creating the life you want by doing something you are passionate about. From the person just picking up a camera (like your first day in college) to the extremely seasoned veteran…this event was a reminder that our dreams should be limitless. Remember to trow down those things limiting us. They can’t succeed if we don’t let them.

Own your dreams…

It seems kinda crazy that it is already 2012. Did a full year really pass again? As I look at my children, life I notice, seems to be passing faster. No longer can we say, “I’ll just do it next year.” Because before you know it, next year is already here. It is really critical to live life in the now. Live, love and laugh as hard as you can while making sure to stop and be a blessing to as many people as you can. In the process, I find that I am blessed much more as a result of having a heart for people and doing my best to shine a little light in the midst of someones darkness. Through this process, we have to mix the not so great moments in with all of the good ones to see just how blessed we have been. When I think of this year, I find myself thinking of the Tortous & the Hare. We will all get to our desinations, it’s just a matter of how fast or slow you go. This of course is affected by the route one takes and the amount of stops along the way. The beauty of this is the knowledge that you will get there, as long as you don’t stop. Keep moving forward,no matter how slowly. Your destination will always be just in front of you.

Reach for your dreams…

What?…Did someone say Valentine’s Day already? Honestly, every day should be should be a day to show love to yourself or those who have a piece of your heart. Like most occasions “Valentine’s Day” is just the title we put on a day that give us a reminder or and excuse (depending on how you look at it) to STOP and pamper yourself or someone else. In reality, we should not need an excuse to do this. We all live such busy lives these days, you may have realized that Valentine’s Day has crept up on you faster than you realized. Faced with the prospective of giving the same old tired gifts that you really don’t want to buy again, you may be pondering…What should I give my loved one so special that they would cherish it forever?

For those without a loved one, why not show love for yourself? Do something different this year. Get back in touch with your SEXY! It didn’t leave with the perils of life, work, childbearing and parenting. It’s still there waiting to be uncovered allowing you (and maybe a loved one) to see the beauty and sex appeal that is lingering on the inside of you waiting to reemerge. Treat yourself to a fun, tasteful and elegant Boudoir session that will reignite a sense of beauty in you as never before. Forget any misperceptions that you may have. This is not just for the young, perfect figured, well exercised body. It is for all woman who realize that they have a right to feel beautiful and sexy just as they are! If that is you, you are not too late. Grab whatever makes you feel sexy on the inside. It may be some new lingerie, a necktie, a special shirt or anything. Get your hair done and document how beautiful you feel. We will have a ball!

I am holding “BYSB…Bring Your Sexy Back” sessions to honor you. They can be used as gift for yourself or your loved one this Valentine’s Day. Don’t hesitate! These six appointments will go fast! Location will be provided at the time of reservation. As Nike says,”JUST DO IT”. You will be glad that you did.

Can’t wait to meet ya!

The holidays are already among us. This year seems to have gone by so fast. It has been one interesting year for me. I hope it has been great for you all as well. But it’s not over yet. Don’t let one more day go by without scheduling your holiday session. The postman is waiting for your cards. I am sure there is a place on your wall just waiting for a new professional image of your beautiful family. I would love to have the honor of capturing that work of art for you! In the spirit of the season along with my launch from the amazing SOAR Scholarship this year I am offer HOLIDAY MINI SESSIONS for a limited time only. This is a great way to experience working with a professional photographer on a smaller scale, yet maximize the quality of your family’s treasured images.

Don’t delay! I can’t wait to see your beauty translated through my lens. Call or email today!

~Charisse

It seems the time has come for another season of change. Two thousand eleven is almost gone as quickly as it arrived. Fortunately, it is not leaving without a lot of growth and some wonderful changes in my life for sure as well as many others. It seems like yesterday Genie was knocking on my door with this amazing gift from SOAR and Me Ra Koh to be one of this past years recipients. And now it is time for this little bird to leave the nest. The beauty of this is I am leaving with a set of wings that have been nurtured and nudged, ruffled and brushed, and prepared to take this flight. Not surprisingly, I felt this post of Karen’s was so fitting for our last business coaching exercise going into the next year. So without further delay, here is my assessment of my journey this year. It was somewhat like pregnancy with all of it’s amazingness, beauty, aches & pains to spring forth new life.

There were several goals that were important to me this year. Coming into this as a mom, like many, who had stumbled into my passion of creating images through photography as well as finding a new sense of self, I was not quite sure how to bridge the gap between the old way of doing things and the new “photography business” way. It was important for me to figure out how to merge these two worlds which up until then, only appeared to be colliding. Of course, making some additional income that I generated with this baby was also a definite goal. I also wanted to push myself to become more visible as a “photographer” and get my images hanging somewhere public. As of today, I can say that I have done those things. I am also extremely proud of myself now that when life throws me curve balls, as this year has done several times already, my method for handling them has changed. I have learned to “flow”. I am happy about meeting my financial goal for sure, but the life & business lessons have proven to be things that I can and do use daily regardless of what follows next. It will also be helpful if I could get a handle on using social media more effectively along with being more consistent blogging on my own blog.

The milestone for me was taking myself out of my self imposed box and setting my own expectations. In other words, keeping with the integrity of shooting what I love because I love it and for no other reason, trusting that from that, everything else will flow. It was a big moment for me hearing people inquire about me doing sessions for them simply because they appreciated my work that they had seen. It felt nice and right, kinda like your favorite pair of nicely worn leather shoes.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that taking my memory cards out of my camera and putting them into my computer would be prefaced with tons of praying, a piece of chocolate, a glass of wine, some finger crossing and a great deal of hope only to be pleasantly surprised with the results. Doing this time and time again really aided my confidence in being able to capture what I had set out to do. Did I mention that I loved business coaching? The insight of these women was amazing. It was definitely what I needed.

The change that I made this year was to focus on who I was in relation to this business and what I wanted it to be in relationship to me. I learned to put things into order without guilt. I also learned that my lens and my business are simply an extension of me. Because of that, I am the only one who can dictate what that looks like or the timelines that I choose to set for future goals.

As for my biggest, boldest dream for 2012, I want to continue to create images that I am proud of and others love which reflect the beauty of life in all is imperfect moments. I plan to continue to grow this business that I have begun to be wildly successful. Maybe my children might want to be a part of it one day. This will take time, but it’s a part of the dream. I want to encourage young people to dream and look for the intricacies in life. I would love to have a show in a gallery. There are a few issues that are dear to my heart and I hope to create a few personal projects that are worthy of a showing. After this year, the road only goes one way…forward. Follow me on my blog to see where this journey leads me.