What does it mean?

"Dwell in possibility."
-- Emily Dickinson


I don't know that much about Emily Dickinson and what inspired her to say that, but it's something worth pondering...and living. These words came into my inbox at the perfect time as I have been grappling with my own sense of feeling small in the face of a great task. Do you ever feel that way? How do move from feelings of inadequacy to possibility?

One answer that has just come up for me is to stop trying to go it alone. Sometimes moving from impossible to possible means surrounding yourself with the right people. Often, it means coming to the end of yourself so you can reach out for help.

I also think dwelling in possibility means having faith. Some people would define that as knowing yourself and having faith in your abilities. Although that is extremely important, that to me, that doesn't move mountains. I find great solace in knowing there is Someone much greater than I am who says, "Ask and you will receive". As simple as that sounds, it's not easy to ask. And it's not always easy to believe. But I think it's key to dwelling in possibility. I wonder what Emily would say?!

So, what great task are we undertaking? Creating a breathtaking art project that changes the way we view water. It's called "H2Oohhh" It will be shown in March (coinciding with World Water Day on the 22nd). 20% of all proceeds from this project will go toward providing access to fresh water for people in developing countries, and our goal is to raise $10,000. We also want to heighten people's awareness of our own local water issues and what every person can do to help preserve them. In the coming months we are finding sponsors to bring together for "H2Oohhh" to help make it a success (and that is where I need the strength of others).

Even as this post has been brewing, I have had the tremendous privilege of working with two very special people. Their wisdom, expertise, and belief in us have been instrumental in moving our project along. Just today, I also re-discovered an ancient writing that says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Heb. 11:1) Yes, dwelling in possibility has a lot to do with faith and hope. And I'm so thankful for the people along the way helping me believe that what we envision in our minds can indeed become reality.

Simply Delicious

With the cold, blustery weather we've been having, I thought I would offer this recipe for a simple, quick soup to warm you through and through! It's the perfect flavour for autumn.

(This recipe is sized for 2-3 people. I would double it for a family).

Golden Carrot Soup

3 Tbsp. butter
1 diced onion
1 small garlic clove, minced
5 c. water
2 1/2 c. sliced carrots
1/4 c. rice
2 tbsp. chicken bouillon mix (I substituted 1 c. broth for 1 c. water)
Salt and chopped parsley (I used a bit of thyme and Mrs. Dash with the salt)

Sauté onions and garlic in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer 20-25 minutes. Blend in blender. Salt and parsley (or other herbs) to taste. Makes a nice creamy soup.

* just one note: be sure not to skimp on the water, and be careful not to blend on too high a speed or too long as consistency can turn pudding-like *

Enjoy!

Happy??

I was listening to the radio the other day and the question was asked are you truly happy? Can Money buy happiness? These questions really got me thinking. Part of the program was discussing a study in which over half of us answered that we would rather have money and prestige than have true happiness. WOW!!

As I think about my own thoughts on money I must admit that I often equate money with happiness; mostly I suppose because as an artist I’ve been conditioned to believe that escaping poverty is simply a dream that will never come to pass and if I could only pay all my bills and have the cash to buy some cool stuff I would in fact be happy. A few years ago I spent a lot of time photographing homeless people in Winnipeg through a local mission; I would do a formal portrait of them and interview them about their dreams and ambitions. One day I met a lady who had the kind of smile that could light up a room, when asked what her dreams were in life she said “I don’t know that I have many dreams in life, I guess it would be really nice to walk into a store someday and buy something that’s brand new, something that nobody has ever owned before, that would be a dream I guess.” Talking to these people, many of whom found happiness and pleasure in the most simple of things made me wonder why I hadn’t made the time to be happy in everyday life.

This week I’ve asked myself the question again and have come up with the answers all over again, but this time I feel as though I really am happy in life, I have family that loves me and I can love, I have friends who support me, I have work that I enjoy and I have peace with God. Don’t get me wrong, I am still looking forward to being able to pay all of my bills every month and have money left over, I’m looking forward to buying an old Saab or Volvo convertible as a date car for Sonya and I or me and by kids; but I don’t measure happiness by what I have as much as how I am living.

Where are you on the happiness scale, I hope you are well.

Blessings,

Rodney

Cherishing Yourself

Do you find it easiest to focus on the needs of others? You are likely in tune with your children, your friends, your spouse. You tend to be a likeable person. You're quite adaptable. When you start to become irritable or snappy, you feel out of character and uncomfortable.

Women are geared to excel and flourish in relationship. But when we overlook our own needs and desires, we may find resentment and stinginess creeping in. Our levels of joy diminish. Our giving comes out of an increasingly shallow pool. And if left long enough, our body or soul will finally scream at us or we will find ourselves screaming at the ones we love. But with regular time to care for ourselves and recharge (wellness strategies), we won't get so desperate.

Do you know what feeds you? Do you know what you love? Do you know what drains you? Two simple ways you can get more in touch with yourself are:

• Morning pages/stream-of-consciousness writing - Start with a blank sheet of looseleaf or a notebook of similar size and write whatever comes into your mind for three pages. Don't stop to think, process, or censor. Simply put down on paper whatever enters your mind. You do not have to "be" a writer. You just write. First thing in the morning is ideal, or whenever you really feel off-centred, need to make a decision, or whatever. There is something about committing our thoughts to paper that make them more concrete.


• Collage - With back-to-school-sales everywhere, now is the time to pick up one of those coil-bound Hilroy scrap books. Take your magazine stash or ask a library for some old ones, pick a topic or theme, and rip out images that you are drawn to. Put them into an envelope or ziploc bag and when you have time and enough images, glue them into your scrapbook. You may choose a theme of interior decorating (things you love) and find your style emerge. You may just pull random images and find a theme emerge. If you are grieving something or have unprocessed emotions, collage can be a powerful tool as well.

If these ideas sound good on paper, but you have no idea how to actually incorporate them into your life, here a few more tips:

• For collage, pick one evening for "me-time" and start.
• For morning pages, go out and find a nice journal or simply buy some 20-cent looseleaf at Superstore, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and just do it. (Hint: finding a pen you love using really helps!)
• But the important thing is to decide to do something that's good for you and then do it!

Another way to cherish yourself is to find things that help you feel beautiful. One way I recommend (of course), is to book a consultation with Rodney at our studio. You'll have a chance to get to know one another, talk about what an Eve Session might look like for you, and look at some albums of women much like you, who have chosen to do something special. It takes a little time and a little courage, but it's so worth it! Call 221-8413 or see our website for online contact.

One other thing: our fall promotion (Sep. 1 to Thanksgiving) is here.

1. Every outdoor session booked will also include in-studio time free of charge. Outdoor sessions are $300 plus GST. It's a beautiful time of year, so don't miss it!


2. Every person who orders a regular-sized album (starting at $495) will receive a free itsy-bitsy album (value $159) for free. You will love how easily they tuck into a pocket or purse.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will "Join In" or find us on Facebook (see sidebar), so we can stay in touch!

Saying Goodbye to Summer

A Meditative Walk at the Beach on an August evening

As summer comes to a close, I begin to anticipate the coming of autumn. It's one of my favorite seasons. Maybe it's because I'm a bit of a homebody and love the feeling of nesting, making hearty soups and stews, and using my oven again. Maybe it's because I love the changing colours, the falling leaves, the warmth and aroma of a fire when the air is a bit nippy, and the feel of jeans and a sweater.

Even though the earth is moving into a season of decay and dormancy, I always feel like it's a time of new beginnings. Perhaps that's largely due to the school calendar (I was a perpetual student for 25 years). Perhaps there really is something in the air that causes me to think of new visions and goals. Certainly, as I look forward to fall, the concern for my children's growth and wellbeing factor into how I want to shape my time and their lives.

What are your aspirations as we approach a new season? What have been the roadblocks in the past? What resources and skills do you possess to bring your ideals into reality? What small steps can you take to move in that direction (thanks, Alfa Life Coaching for these reflective tools). We'd love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment here or email Sonya or Studio at EveStudios.ca (just avoiding spam here by writing it out...please change to email format).

Check back soon for our fall promotion. Until then, remember that you have until the 31st to make use of our crazy summer promotion where studio sessions are $50 and outdoor sessions are $75 (a savings of $150-$225).

Seeing is Believing...

As women, we can go through life, gaining wisdom and experience, growing softer and stronger, taking care of those closest to us, becoming more of who we're meant to be, and still be blind to how beautiful we are. Perhaps it's due in part to the fact that, as we grow older, that beauty looks a lot different from that rather narrow category of beauty "out there", but still it's our beauty. So many people around us see it: in the way we smile, the way we love and laugh, the way we bring out the best in people, or whatever it is that makes us uniquely us. We may even have a partner who adores us and the way we look, but still we have our doubts. Here is the story of one woman who, shortly after turning 50, came into our studio.

Gale, 50

Business owner

I was in your studio in April, and did a photo shoot with the idea that I wanted a gift for my husband for our 30th anniversary. Another motivator for me was my husband was always telling me how beautiful I was, and I wanted to be able to see what he was seeing. Having turned 50, I think I was needing a bit more assurance.

The trip to the studio was a bit nerve racking, as I really didn't know what to expect, and this was something very "out of the norm" for me to be doing. Rodney made me feel very comfortable very quickly, and spent time getting to know and understand me. The day was a very special one for me, and one that I will never forget. Reviewing the photos was a wonderful experience. The private slide show really made me focus on the images that were taken, and see myself in a new light.

I am very happy with the end result, and am so glad that I made the decision to visit the studio. My husband was also very happy with his gift. He keeps my album on his dresser, and changes the page every couple of days -- my portrait on the wall greets him each day, and he has commented time and again how special it made him feel to have such a personal gift. Whenever I glance to the photos, I always leave with a smile and a little more bounce in my step.

All in the all, this was a fantastic experience, and I would highly recommend a session at your studio to women of all ages, shapes and sizes, not just for someone else, but most importantly, for themselves. I came away with a new sense of confidence in myself, and here months later, the experience continues to have a positive effect.

If you even think you would like to experience what we do at Eve Studios, I encourage you to give Rodney a call at 221-8413. Today. Or fill out the contact form on our website, http://www.evestudios.ca/

Celebrating Milestones

As I get closer and closer to my 40th birthday, I (besides frequently forgetting how old I am) am curious how I will feel as I enter that decade. My thirties have been a time of intense motherhood, discovering and developing my talents, and becoming more comfortable and in touch with who I am. What will my forties bring? How will I celebrate that milestone in fitting fashion?

I hope I will have friends and family join me in some way (I think a goal of mine over the next three years will be strengthening those relationships). I hope I will take time to reflect on who I've become and where I want to go. I hope I will take some time for me, doing what I love. I hope I will take some time and do another shoot with my hubby. Hmmm, with all that on my list, maybe I'll have to take a whole week to celebrate!

What about you? Are you approaching some milestones in your life? Have you just celebrated one of those "big" birthdays? Make sure you take some time to reflect and to celebrate. I hope you'll decide to include Eve Studios in your plans!

Why do a session?
Do it for yourself...Do it for your partner
Do it because it’s fun...Do it because it’s important
Mark a milestone...Make a mark
Celebrate your beauty...Celebrate your worth
Celebrate your love...Celebrate your life
But do it...you’ll be so glad you did.

Call 221-8413 today.

The Beauty in Every Woman

After our third child was born, I got the idea of starting a photography studio completely centred around women. I had been reading a book called, "Captivating", which talks about how women are uniquely designed. The main idea I took away from the book, was that every woman is beautiful. Every single one of us has beauty to unveil. And yet so many of us have been or still are out of touch with our beauty. Maybe we've been taught our beauty is dangerous, or something to downplay. Maybe we've been so busy taking care of other people, we've neglected ourselves. Perhaps we've been so caught up comparing ourselves to others, that we don't appreciate the beauty we do possess.

I've decided to republish my "Beauty Story" as an example of how we can fail to see our own beauty, and how photography can help us uncover it for ourselves. Enjoy.

"Behind all the doubts of my skill and worth lurks a beautiful woman who is rarely aware of her beauty. In fact, all her growing up years she only saw her intelligence as something of value. Many years of ugly hair and glasses coupled with a natural shyness left her feeling rather unalluring.

Now in her thirties, she is starting to recognize her own beauty. Some of it has come from expected sources like her husband. Some of it from unexpected sources like comments from friends and strangers on the beauty of her daughter followed by, "She looks just like you". But she can hardly believe it. And yet her daughter, breathtaking at times in her natural beauty, is before her every day as a reminder.

And then there are the photos taken at a beach in Cuba after she worked out for six weeks. Wow! She had a great-looking body with abs to envy! Never before had she believed that exercise could have such a noticeable effect on the look of her body. It made her feel confident; so strong and yet so feminine--sexy, actually. The images of her jumping the waves in her bikini, strolling in cognito in her beach hat and sunglasses--these images are forever etched in her memory.

Now, even as she looks at her body after having a baby seven months ago, she still feels that confidence and looks forward to recreating that look once again.

At Eve Studios, we believe every woman has beauty to be uncovered. Every woman is on a journey of revelation and discovery to find the beauty she's been given. Whether you've found it and want to celebrate it or whether you'd like us to join you on your journey, we want to make your experience a truly satisfying one."

Please visit our website, http://www.evestudios.ca/ You'll notice that beauty is truly found in every woman!

If you'd like to get started with a session of your own, please call Rodney at 221-8413.

The Strength of a Woman

A woman is a unique combination of soft and strong.

If you love feeling strong and alive through yoga, bicycling, dance, working out, or any other way of moving your body, consider capturing that feeling in a work of art.

Call Rodney at 221-8413 to book your consultation.

http://www.evestudios.ca/

Mirror, Mirror on the wall….

One of my favourite movies for my kids to watch while I’m working in the background or watching with them is Shrek. I think that there are many reasons that I like it so much but one of them may be that sometimes I feel as though I look like Shrek and act like Donkey, quite the combination I must admit.

In one of the scenes a magic mirror is found and brought to the king, he asks the question “Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the greatest king of all?? (Or something like that.)” The Mirror who is painfully honest and a bit of a smarty-pants tells the king that he really isn’t a king after all as he has no queen.

I think I often look into the mirror expecting it to be somewhat magical and tell me something that is not true when reality often is what I’m faced with. I spent the first twenty some years hating my body and wishing it was something else, Bigger, Stronger, better looking, more defined muscles and the list goes on; now as a much more matured person (and 50 pounds heavier) I am finally at a place where I really appreciate what I had.

I’m on a journey to better health and that includes running several times a week which ironically is morphing me back slowly to the body that I had many years ago which I am thankful for; although I still wish I could completely be satisfied with who I am and how I look. Life is a journey and I’m finding that it’s a lot more fun while I’m running.

Blessings,

Rodney