A trip to Brookhaven! A trip through memories!

"WITHOUT A CLUE"
So, in my journey of becoming a photographer...I started my business without a clue. Without a clue about my camera...and without a clue about business. :)  I will have to laugh at some point & help teach others about things we get ourselves into without even seeking knowlege or research! :)

In my journey of "getting a clue" to use my natural gifted eye to make this a business...I took classes. LOTS OF THEM. (over 07-08)  I have never in my life that I remember learned a lot from fiddling with things at home or reading books.  I'm about hands-on practical application & understanding!  If I can't teach someone else how to speak "camera" what good am I to help others pursue their dream?  :)  This is my thinking!

Well, it started with some simple languages from a great photographer called Me Ra Koh.  "How blurry do you want your background"...I barely had a glimpse into what I really became to know!  I didn't realize how much all this stuff plays into you making a photo - itz actually quite amazing to have terms now for what I was doing all along.  This was 2006. 

"WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED SMALL BUSINESS?"
I went to CTI in 06-07 to plan for the business side of things.  There are just way too many details about starting & KEEPING a business going.  Photographers? Take a business class!  If you are a hobbyist? You are free & clear, but there is so much information you need to know when starting & keeping a biz going. :)

"WHY DO I GOTTA TAKE A PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS!!!???!!!"
:::::::learning the photography language::::::::::
I went LIVE in 2007 with the passion in my heart and NO knowlege whatsoever about working with people.  Over those next 2 years (with much resistence, stubborness)   I took any class I could find that was relevant to what I needed to know.  I took basic, intermediate, portrait, still life, flash, architecture, studio.  I did all this in continuing education all over the metroplex.  You get a lot of info in a smaller amount of time and teachers that do care about teaching you as well.  This was 2007-2008.  I ask you WHY? I ask you why not.  Do you think you will get a medal for sitting at home being frustrated because you can't get this picture you really really want without photoshop?  That is LAME, you need to learn your camera people!  Invest the TIME to find the technical knowlege.  You won't regret it.  You invest in your passions.  That is just how it goes.  Talk to anyone who EVER worked in film...you dont' get no take-backs! It is what it is and I know some of us take photoshop & editing for granted to "fix" what we cannot get in our camera.  You know what, LEARN your camera and learn about photography - find your own way!


"WAIT, DID YOU JUST SAY YOUR WERE AN INTROVERT????"
To be honest, by nature I'm introverted and have to force myself to talk & reach out.  Every time I speak publicly people don't believe me because I do have a sense of humor and I can tell stories & talk.  But most of the time, when I make friends I don't approach people first unless I feel a deeeeeep desire to. :)  Most people laugh this off and just say "oh jen". No, really.  :)  You can ask anyone I went to high school with...I was quiet...and by some ppl considered "snobby".  (well, i remember one guy said that!)  But I was simply in my own world and had my one friend there I could talk to. But what brought me out of myself was being on a basketball team!  Odd huh!  I don't know what came over me to do it, but I did it and felt such teamwork, I felt accepted and automatically 5 days a week you are huffing & puffing working out & drilling together - getting to know each other & have fun.  I got to know people by doing things I wouldn't normally do and putting myself in places I would not normally be.
Marketing myself AND talking to people is NOT one of my strengths!  However is a great thing to work on....RIGHT??????????

"BUT I HAVE A DREAM, SO I DON'T GIVE UP!!!!"
I say all this to say this - I'm doing things I don't normally do or feel like doing...to push past myself (a big boundary) to be all I can be.  A voice to this world right here & right now.  I will do this in any form I wish to!  I will speak when I need to.  I will teach when I need to.  I will photograph when I need to.   I'm learning to flow in all the gifts I've been given.  And yes, one of them can be SILENCE. :)  I observe, I watch.

"NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT THE HARD WORK!"
In knowing myself...that is a goal in my life ...to KNOW myself.  I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not and pretend I don't have issues and my life is "perfect".
No one wants to hear about the hard work...the alone times where you are bombarded with insecurities about ANYTHING.  You only see what you want to see.  But I know I choose to see the good, bad & ugly - accept that it is all there....AND also choose to focus on the positive & strong aspects of my life.  HOWEVER, I also invite the challenges to my weaknesses.  Just ask me how i'm challenged photographically, and I will tell you. :)

Thus, the pink hair. ;)  It brings me out of myself. :)

Just a little insight today about me, a dreamer, a photographer, an encourager.

Know that you are not alone.

Let's go to wonderland.


This is me yesterday at the grand opening/open house of the new W building at Brookhaven College.  I've been really blessed to remain friends with my teacher Mr. Martinez and have found that we all have something in common, WE LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY full time. baby!!!!!  I have no other job to think about that matter to me more than my business...my love...my passion....

Finding my way in this world....

photography is one of my expressions, but it does not consume me.  does that make sense? :)

I find that taking time to stop everything & reflect on my life, creativity, ideas & innovations...just keeps me refreshed!  I spent all weekend doing so...and here i am in the middle of the week again...still in that transition stage of my next level...just feeling around....finding my way.

I have a feeling for the rest of my life...i'm going to continue to encourge, inspire and aspire to be all i can be to help others and love others.

SENIORS 2010.  I've done a few this year...(and last)...and this was a special set of girls that i was happy to work with...AND they were cheerleaders! :)

enjoy!

OH, how HE loves us.

I spent a majority of my weekend in spiritual bootcamp.  The women's conference we had at our church was quite amazing and more enlightening to some things in my life.  I was jotting down ideas to put into action soon...and also got another idea for something a little more wild & crazee that may come into play also very soon.  I've only told 4 people what that is - and if you don't know...you soon will. :) 

I spent a LOT of time the last 5 years serving at my church and in February I cut the last tie to my servanthood there.  It feels weird to be in this place of not really serving all the time, but always there when someone needs me.  I don't have a defined "title" and I don't have a section where I serve, but I'm here to serve whenever I'm needed.  However, what I have found is that I'm still serving God with every day I live.  It doesn't matter where...I'm still seeking after him and loving on people and leaving them better off than when i found them. 

I also spent part of my weekend surrendering all that I love or dreams that I have right back to God.  I know that when I let those things consume me, I'm far from him.  I want to be closer.  The job & mission will still get done, but I don't want that to drive me every day.  I want his voice to drive me...so that i make decisions based on what He says v. what I think I should do.  I found I got very tired of this.  Itz so easy to get burned out from our own personal drives...that we forget who should really be driving the car. :) 

Sunday turned out to be gloriously fun & amazing.  I just had fun kicking it with senior twins who were cheerleaders.  They were fun, beautiful and definitely loved the camera.  I love it when that happens.  :) 
After that shoot, I headed to our photo group in Garland and I gave all the reigns to Catoe this time around to just let her toss together anything & everything she wanted and we jumped in.  2 belly dancers came out to have some fun with us...and I tried some new things I hadn't done since mexico.  Itz just one of those things. I'm an artist.  I get bored with the same ol.  I'm looking to push into the new...and try things. :)

These past few weeks have just been a story unfolding of a girl with dreams....these few weeks ahead are going to be fun, challenging and worth every drop of sacrifice that I need to give in order to be all I can be.  One thing i don't wanna be a human-doing rather than a human-being.  May God help me see the difference...and help me to STOP when I get out of control!!! :)

Have a super week everyone!!!!
from the life of a seeker, believer, dreamer.

Jen

Rarmai photography.........where it is about you!

To book your appointments:
972.395.9156
or www.rarmai.com

When the mountain seems so intimidating!!!!

A few years ago....FOUR to be exact...I climbed a pyramid in the ruins of Coba Mexico.  I was so scared to move when I got to the top...that I just sat there trembling and looking outwards to see the heights of the trees & jungle.  I didn't move at the top, just sat  there shaking & trembling at the fear of heights that I had accomplished at that moment.

At some point over the next few years...I had this inkling to go back and re-climb it.  So, this year as we took our trip to the Riviera Maya....we made our plans to hit Coba last thursday. :)  Herez the deal though...they don't take you right to the mountain/pyramid.  You have about an HOUR or more before you even go there...along with hearing stories of the Mayan culture...and seeing symbols, learning about them and their practices.  By the time we made it into the woods before Nohoch Mul...i was like "dude, take us there already!" hahahaha.  So after he was done telling us about the number system & calendar....(which, by the way the world is not *ending* in 2012, the calendar just started over.  Silly people)

We walk up to the pyramid and I had this attitude of OK, i'm going straight up with very little stopping!!!!!

Here is the picture I took at the bottom...

We were coming out of the clearing of the jungle...and out pops the mountain. :)  Seriously, you cannot see these ruins while standing in the midst of them....you can only see them when they come into view through the trees. :)  As you can see, it is still pretty covered by trees. :)  Chichen Itza and Tulum both don't have the trees around them, they have all been cleared out and trampled by the gazillion feet of tourists that pass through there.  Here in Coba - less people travel there to see it.  I wonder why? :)

I don't want you to think just by looking at these photos that these steps are small...they are NOT.  They are probably anywhere from 6inches high to over 1.5 feet high.  Needless to say...the rumor I heard about why they are so huge is that the people traveling up and down needed to be in a "less than" god-like stance going up.  In other words, they didn't want them climbing like we would normally climb stairs.  You know, facing forward, legs up & down...and marching right & left upwards.

When walking upwards, it is easiest to just lean forward and crawl up hands & feet.  (kinda feels like a monkey) hahahaha!!! I leaned forward...and grabbed the pyramid with my hands & feet and monkeyed my way all the way up and moved in and around others only stopping to catch my breath and watch my footing.  You know I had 2 cameras on me...and trying to be mindful of equipment AND others and still make my way up.  It was challenging going at the pace I was going. :)  But I only looked up to make sure I wasn't going to run over someone, otherwise I had my head down & focused on each step....and as I'm climbing I glance up to see that I've reach the top.

Out of breath...I stop long enough to have a quick break at the very top and THEN push further to the very top!  My knees were not shaking, I was not nervous anymore.  I looked around up top and looked back down at the jungle and the path I had walked to get there and the other pieces of the ruins we saw before getting there. Isn't this just like life?  Isn't this such a huge symbol of how our walk in life is?

As we were up there, of course! There were a great handful of people also taking pictures...so we squeezed in for a few ourselves...my shirt is wet from SWEAT people. hahaha!!! The jungle has very little wind and HIGH humidity!  That, is the truth.  LOL  You can see a tip of another site next to me on my right.  From this pyramid, it looks so squatty & small, but a majority of these are not small.  Everything back then was just HUGE and people wonder how they built the pyramids of egypt too right?  All of this stuff is amazing. :)

You see that little green speck at the top?  That is ME. :)  I'm actually sitting on the stairs about to come down...and I let zak go ahead of me so he could take a picture.  I snapped one of him going down....

He liked the rappeling better....you see there is this lovely rope from top to bottom that helps you on your ascent or descent.  Thankfully since you can still climb this one...you have some kind of help going up/coming down.  I found it easier just to go down on my butt than try to walk backwards.

Course, by the end of my journey with my SLR on my lap going down...i opted to stand back up and walk sideways down. :)  I'll upload the video so you can see. :)

While at the top steps waiting for my climb down....I opted to do a quick self-portrait...and tried it several times and was happy with this.  I couldn't get what i was wanting by holding it up and pointing it at myself.  So i set the self-timer and just saw what i could get.  I love this so much...because it gives me that accomplishment satisfaction where I'm sitting relaxed at the top...and you can see a tad of texture of the pyramid and the landscape of the jungle.

The day ended with a comedown of the pyramid...and walking all the way back to the beginning.  In total, the entire walking of the ruins is about 2 miles. :)  It was hot, it was HOT and it was HOTTTT.  I was drenched by the time we left and we drank our 4 bottles of water we brought. :)  Course, we didn't spend the $6 on the bikes/transport to get back...we just walked. :)

I had a blast...and thanks to the love of my life for going with me...married for 5 years now...and loving every minute.  :)

Herez the quick SIDEWAYS video! hahahaahahah :):):):):

enjoy and may all your dreams come true this year!!!!

At heart, I'm an artist.

I'm about to soak in the blues & turquoise of the sea.

More than that, I need re-vitalization, focus, strength, silence.

I hope to return....inspired...and just ready for the next level....i wanna see new things...do new things...take art to another level....see where the path takes me....

Until then,

see u soon. :)

Engagement session!!!!

Nothing like a relaxing Easter weekend....and an engagement shoot! This girl, Leighann...is getting married to Michael!!!!  She has been a friend of mine for some time...and definitely a creative inspiration when I first started doing some creative fashion portraits. :)  Here are a couple of their engagement photos...done at the arboretum...and it was their first time there.  I wished we had more time to stop and take pictures all over - but an hour goes by SO FAST! 

Hope you love them too!

Jen

Leighann working her "fashionista" side...this was her personal request to be photographed in the mist....oh man, it turned out LOVELY...she was great!!!! Thanks girl!

funny, how we brought her shoes, but just ended up barefoot!!! PERFECT. :)

Rarmai Photography....and ArtLoveMagic.

For those of you that may or may not know...last year in 2009 I had voluteered my time/talent in the WONDERFUL community of Art Love Magic.  You can see from the get-go how much they ooze out art passion...and how much they want to connect to the community in their hearts & events.

I made it into their blog posted today....thanks to all at ALM, your quite the creative family that inspires me to be me. :)

http://artlovemagic.wordpress.com/

ENJOY!

Much love to you all, hope you have a fab day!

ONE REASON I became a Wedding Photographer...

is because we didn't spend anything on a photographer and should have...i know at the time i was being all "thrifty" and saving money...but honestly, i would take it all back to have asked someone professional (or more professional) to take photos! I have very few of the photos I really LOVED....and the ones I did...it was a totally different digital world back then....ya know? :)



Tomorrow is my FIVE year anniversary!!! I love you honey!!!!!

I do love the photos...but now that I am a full-time photographer...when i speak to brides & grooms..i just say please...PLEASE invest some money into photos/photography...you will regret it if you don't take that leap!!!!!!!!!

:)

Much love to you

Jen of Rarmai Photography

Taking a picture anytime/anywhere with ANY camera.

You can take a picture anytime/anywhere with any kind of camera...just so long as the moments you capture bring about the feeling & art you are trying to make happen from the inside out. Dreams happen every day.

 It is important to NOT compare yourself/talents/equipment to others...it is about the ART you make from your camera that matters most.  Some of the most awesome creative people i know, use point & shoot cameras.  Don't feel bad or insecure about your gift....make yours your own...and make dreams happen, every day.

Peace.

 

 Taken with my video cam...crappy resolution, but does this really matter? NO.  :)  Make yours your own. :)

 

 

Wonderland.....

I WONDER what wonderland would be wondering about these?

So, I have taken a couple of days to really seek REST.  Rest doesn't mean sitting around, but really taking a "break" from being plugged into the matrix all the time, running around...doing the chores of life...making the phone calls...doing the laundry...but no, a real time to rest and get unplugged from the norm.

I had really only intended on dropping off a shirt...when Dee casually says, "oh goodie, I have a photo idea"....what started as mirrors and reflections, really turned into a wonderland experience for me.  Especially AFTER I took the photos.  My good friends really know how to just let things flow...and reminds me how to still have fun, be creative and not necessarily be "working" on anything. :)  Itz the coolest thing ever.

Here are a couple of images I post-processed for fun. :)

Remember, you can HIRE ME for this stuff...what are your dreams? what is YOUR wonderland?  How would you like me to help you find yours? call me 972.395.9156 and find me at www.rarmai.com

Please! ENJOY your weekend! Have a blast! Grab your camera...and create your own wonderland!!!!

Love Jen

Spring Fun!!!!

I'm about to do some interesting shoots this weekend...but meanwhile........
wanted to let u know that SPRING is practically here...and if you are needing photographic services of any kind...I'm here to help!!!!!!!

I offer my talents, explorations, skill, passion & vision to YOU!

Give me a call! Head to the WEBSITE! :)

peace out! :)

I want to IMPACT the world.

I had this great blog typed and blogger ATE IT.

I am excited to share TWO things today!  I have to tell you that I have been given passion & tools to impact the world here.  Itz up to me to use them.  Not you, ME.  You can't take what I have and I can't take what you have.  We've all been given SOMETHING.

#1
I have the photos up from the FASHION CITED fashion show!!! There was a lot of great clothing coming out and it was very inspirational.  I got some great photos to share with you...and really just took the time to practice basic photography in action.  (literally)
To see them go here:  www.rarmai.smugmug.com/fashion

#2
This photo you will see below was an inspiration from a friends' photo on facebook.  I asked her if it was her hand that read "I WANT TO IMPACT THE WORLD" and she said no.  I suggested when we did our shoot that it was her turn to DECLARE she wanted to impact the world.  So we did.  Today, was my turn...I took my lovely point & shoot and took aim...and then created something in Lightroom i was happy with.
Anyone can "take" a photo...but can you MAKE it into something that says something....??? Makes an impact?  I ask myself this all the time.  How can my photos really make an impact in someone's life?  How does my gift work with helping others.

Take your passion and make it happen.

peace.

Jen in Anime!!!!

A long time Blue Man friend of mine sent me a sweet package as a thank you for many encouragements I've given over the years....I SO appreciate this!!!!  What almost made me tear up was this LOVELY anime portrait she sent!  She is SUCH a talented artist!  Yall just don't know!  :)  Thank you Brandy!!!! You made my day today!!! I can't wait to frame this! Itz so fun!!!!

Can't stop CREATINGGGGG!

Today was a pleasant surprise...and gave me the idea for my next project............
Here is a sneak peek!!!

Mind you, a few of these things were my creativity along with Venetia, Becky & Tamara!!!!

Becky was insisting she wanted some dark, gothic, vampire feel photos.
I deliver. :)

Peace & have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Jen

Surprise! SURPRISE!!!

Umm, about 15 minutes before 7:30pm...I got a call...
"your show is airing tonite".....

Due to some technical difficulties...they decided to air our show TONITE!!! (thurs nite that is)

Anyways...
literally right after I found out my friend knocks on the door and i'm like omg....shez like "can i watch too!"...yes yes yes! hahahaah
So while waiting..i'm blasting everyone on FB and other places....
and then it hit me...how am I going to record this!!!!
Finally my video cam popped into my mind...and i pulled it out ready to go!
I remembered my segment not being very long..........sooo i took a chance. :)

I was the 3rd guest....and here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUuY8asxaTk

ENJOY!!!!!!
I really don't think I said everything ok...but i did the best i could!!!!!! :)
YEA!!!! :)

thanks everyone for the love & support!!! IT WAS FUN!!!!!!! :)

Jen

The talk show!

So I finished the talk show today...and had a blast!
There were 2 other guests besides me...and it all turned out really great!  I almost wished I had more time...and am excited to see the results. :)  I saw that my hair definitely stood out and I found myself wanting more. :)

The images came up on the screen very nicely...and I was very very excited!!!

The show is scheduled to air March 25th @ 7:30pm on Channel 34.
I'll be sending a blast out to everyone when the date gets closer! :)

http://www.access34.tv./  is where you can watch the online streaming! :)

Thanks to everyone who made this possible...and I look forward to the NEXT adventure! :)
March is going to be amazing. :)

Next up?  We will see!

Much love to you!
Jen

ONE MORE DAY!!!!

So TONITE is going to be quite exciting actually.  I'm attending a FREE women's event based through my church up in Mckinney.  It is with the life coach that helped me get through some walls in my life...and help me to realize the changes in my THINKING had to change, in order for my life to change. 

Tomorrow, MONDAY, is going to be *catch up on projects* day!  Along with a cute little dance rehearsal I'll be documenting!!!!  I cannot wait to get started on these EN V New York photos!  I have finally gotten all the details wrapped up with the designer and we are moving forward!  I'm hoping that the ideas I have translate exceptionally into the photos!!!! :) 

TUESDAY:
I'm filming for the Leslie Taylor Hare show!  She is local and building the foundations for her talk show.  I'm so so so excited to be on there and even more excited that EVERYONE can watch it!  It will live stream online as well as I have the opportunity to purchase the interview on a DVD so I can upload to my youtube, or whatever else I want to.  After thinking yesterday, I think it would be amazing to apply for another talk show that is local, yet VERY global.  I'm not sure what will happen, but I ask myself right now....WHY NOT?  So i'm going to aim for the stars and have fun doing it.  This is truly HEAVEN on earth...when God's favor is here & now! :)

Please say a prayer for me this week that what needs to be said will be said!  I'm really really excited!

Much love to all reading and beyond...

Jen

This will be me in 4 weeks..........the beach & waves are calling :) 
this photo taken by Zak 2009. :)

I hope to be creative for the rest of my life!!!!!!!!!! :)

I've discovered many things on this creative journey...and most of it involves relationships with not only clients, but fellow photographers.  I have found that helping others is SUCH a joy...in any way...be it smiling, hugging...taking their pictures and helping them feel the joy that I feel when I capture their true beauty. :)

I helped a new friend of mine out today at the Dallas bridal fair that is going on at the Dallas Convention Center. Today was just their setup day, Tomorrow is the event.  I learned so much just by being in the building and observing the setups and imagined what it could be like to set up at a place like that.  I admire those that have the courage to step out and do those things.  I love being around people with vision and not just that, they SHARE their vision.  That is not always an easy thing to do!  But I just get inspired watching others do what they set out to do.  They make it happen.  They are confident even through fears & insecurities.  They find the strength to DO what it takes to help make those dreams happen. :)

I can only imagine what the future holds for me...I can tell you it is BRIGHT...and I cannot let anyone or anything stop me from this journey that I began.  There is freedom in this journey and I can imagine doing nothing else!  I thank God for encouraging words when I need to hear them...no matter who they come from...i'm glad those words come in & sit for a while.  I'm moving to new places...and with that...comes new challenges...new things that I'm doing & trying.  I will forever be an explorer of life & the creative world.

peace.

Oh, and welcome baby Zephan!!!!
Such a joyful family......i was happy to take the newborn photos! We had fun & kept it simple!  I give my clients what they want, and toss in a creative idea or two.  I try to make images that are specific to each client...the kind of images that light me up...that I created out my vision/brain.  Here you go. :)
Much love!

 This image popped in my head on the drive up to where they live.  They are amazing clients that give just as much as recieve.  I'm thankful for them and their family! :)

An opportunity to be on TV???

Yes!!!!!! I had a referral come in for headshots for a local dallas talk show host...and she suggested that I be on the show & discuss topics of photography.  I will have about 5 different photos on there & talking about how I shot them and found them.  I'm REALLY excited!!!!  I'm expecting to have a blast...

What i've found in talking with friends is that I'm really discovering who I am more and more and coming to terms with how I work.  I'm not a "hey look at me"...but I do have a voice & perspective that God has given me to share with the world.  He has also given me the art & visions to share as well with each client. :) 

I am taping the show next Tuesday...and I'm not sure when it will air!  I'll be sure to post the most up to date information!!!! :)  Referrals are what make things happen, THANK YOU! :)

Welcome to MARCH!!!!

More fashiony, headshoty stuff, fun stuff!

Here is a quick teaser from the fashion shoots i've had all day....starting at midnite...going til 330am...and then later today....ending finally at about 6pm.  I had a LOT of fun today...helping people and having fun.  Needless to say...i've learned a lot - and i'm definitely looking more and more forward to warmer weather. I would really love to get some architecture back into my portfolio!  and sunlight!!!!!!!!!! :) I can't wait. :)

I hope you are all having some fun out there....letz hope winter ends soon! (at least for us here in TX) ahahah!

Peace out!
have a super weekend!

F-f-f-faashion!

I can't wait for tonite!  I'm setting up some quick ideas for a fashion/modeling portfolio!!!
Gotta have some creative fun tonite! :)

What are you doing tonite? :):):)

The Fenom Kimonos event!!! 2/21/10

So if you didn't know already - I got to shoot an event that was unlike any other!
A women's Brasilian Ju-Jitsu workshop!  (with Hillary Williams).

To see more about the event here is the blog!
http://fenomkimonos.com/blog/?p=93


I would have to say I was overall pleased with all of the photos I took!  It is always challenging for lower light situations if you do not have an "L" lens or a super-low Fstop lens.  But the great thing is?  It doesn't matter!  You can still get GREAT photos with any kind of light & lens.  I think it is a matter of attitude and really leaving yourself with an open heart at the event you are at.  Remember, great photography isn't always about equipment, it is about your heart to capture the events unfolding in front of you!


I took a half & half photos with my XTI (28-135 IS, 3.5-5 something)...and my 40D (17-55 2.8).  I was really happy with the reach of the 28-135, but really wishing I could have 2.8 on that lens!  AND I had to go up to ISO 1600 on the XTI and 800 on the 40D. :)  Great results...for a great event! :)

Have a super super tuesday!!!!!!!!

Much Love to you
Jen Sulak
Rarmai Photography
exploring 2010!

Keepin it REAL!

You know the one thing that some of us all have in common is NOT making time for ourselves! 

I know some amazing people, but they don't always take care of themselves. Even the simple tasks of life like sleeping, eating, listening, sitting. 

Hey, I've done it too!  Whether you are single, married, married with kids, grandparent....you HAVE to take some time for yourself!  If you don't?  While you are busy being busy, you start to lose your creativity and get caught up in the mundane and before you know it you are drained of life. 

I pray that everyone dealing with this right now begins to understand the importance of taking time to yourself away from friends, away from your spouse & kids....You should NOT feel guilty about taking this time!  It rejuvenates you!  It takes you to places inside yourself that you need to deal with.  It is easier for you to deny your emotions & feelings if you don't stop to address them! 

As a business owner, I know that my business doesn't run me, I run my business.  Just like anything in life, your job, your relationships...you should not lose "control" in your time management.  If you are out of it, stressed, snippy and not feeling well, CHANGE what you are doing.  It makes a world of difference to know you have a choice to stop it. 

Believe me, I've made and SEEN every excuse.
WORKING OUT - FITNESS
No time to workout?  I dare you to take ONE MINUTE and do 30 seconds of jumping jacks and 30 seconds of high-knees.  That is SOMETHING.  You have that one minute, and before you know it - you can carve out 15 minutes for yourself.  Stop feeling like you HAVE to spend all day in the gym!  Now, if you have expectations for a certain body? Yes, it takes TIME, discipline.  But you can't have what you won't make time for. SORRY!  But you can do SOMETHING.

READING
Believe me, I hate reading! It takes me forever to comprehend something because I can't sit still long enough to really ABSORB the knowlege.  It doesn't matter how much I read....it just doesn't stick as well.
solution?  CDS, DVDS, radio, slide shows - get your sensory perceptors to where you can receive information!  While you are cleaning house or spending time doing those "mundane" things called maintenance...turn on a cd really really loud, be it music...or be it a life-encouragement educational cd.  I'm telling you, IT WORKS. :) 

People, it doens't take a rocket scientist or a booming voice from heaven to realize that you are not taking care of yourself.  All it takes is a loving friend, a little confrontation & intervention and CHANGE.  If you are not happy with how your life is...stop looking at everyone else's green grass..and WATER YOUR OWN.  You are uniquely made, which means only YOU can make the changes that work for YOU. 

Stop making excuses and start loving yourself enough to make YOU time.

Brought to you by the loving and always taking time for myself lady.....
Jen

More for 2010!

So March holds a tv show guest spot!....
and a wedding ....
April holds a nice vacation with my husband of almost FIVE years! oh glory! :)
May holds a Renaissance wedding...of creative proportions!

......
skip ahead to October...
I would LIKE to settle something up for a solo art show!
My love love love of sharing light, reflection and love is about to become a cohesive collection.  That is a goal, a dream and soon to be a reality. :)

Not only thinking of pieces & theme for this show...
but LOCATION? :)

I know the puzzle pieces will start to make sense as the year rolls on...
I'm excited to see how this unfolds. :)

Meanwhile, congrats to a LOVELY couple and long time photography customer...Kris & Holly...and their new baby boy Zephan!  What a blessing to add to their lives! 

There will be so much more to come in 2010...watch the coming weeks....as we have women's ju-jitsu...dance recitals....baby showers...weddings & engagements!  Oh! I love my job!!!!!!!!!

Peace

Jen

I am just excited!

I love how when just when I THINK there might not be anything interesting this week..BAM! I get a phone call from a local talk show host. :)  She was referred by a friend of mine....and in order to have some MORE fun, we talked about being ON her show.  :)  Me, as a guest. :) 

I was so excited.  Seriously? 

Well, this week just officially went UP a notch! As i'm getting the everyday things done...checking things off my list, I get another breadcrumb on the way to another vision point, a spot in the road on my way to big things.  Why was I picked? Well, cause God picked me and qualified me.  It is nothing more than that!  I didn't beg or plead.  And i haven't spent hours or years pursuing this.  It has finally started to pursue me! 

The years leading up to my creative divine moment were just years....years of idle moments, forgetful moments...decisions that lead me to that 9-5job where I just worked, paid the bills and came home to do it again the next day. 

Here I am.  Living the dream.  Fulfilling the passions of my heart.
It is a great day to be alive!
It is a great YEAR!

Encourage
Inspire
Aspire.

Thatz me.

In this package.
take it or leave it!
and most of all, LOVE.

peace out

Jen