Back to the Future
Posted By: Rachel
Knock Knock…who’s there? “Wendy Zippwald on behalf of Me Ra Koh to present you with the SOAR! Scholarship. Will you accept it?” Me: Ahhhhhh! Baby: Waaahhhh!!! Wasn’t it just yesterday that I scared my 5 month old baby when I found out I was a SOAR! recipient? Nope. That was about 10 months ago. Holy Cow!!!! Did this year just fly by or is it just me?
This year I have grown in so many ways. I have learned so many things from so many different people. I have found comfort and certainty where before there was none. I have added a new title for myself. Heck, I learned how to use a digital SLR camera!
After Wendy and Christine left my house, I was still in shock. I was so excited, honored, and scared! I was so nervous about being able to run a business while still being mommy. I was nervous I’d fail and let all of you down. I was simply nervous about learning to use the camera! Then my husband reminded that’s what this year was for-to learn. Who cares if my pictures weren’t perfect every time? (I did) Who cares that I might not have a booming business at the end of 2011? (I did) As long as I took in everything that was given and offered to me this year, it would be a success. He was right. (such a rare occurrence 
And I truly feel that this year was a success. I have learned everything from what shutter speed is to how to figure out my target audience and almost everything in between.
When I first applied, I had just received my first dslr a week prior. I asked a girlfriend the best way to learn to use it. She pointed me one direction. Then the next day she emailed me and told me about SOAR! and that I should apply because I’d make a good photographer. And so I did. And here I am. I’ve always loved taking pictures (and being in them-not gonna lie!), I just never knew how much I loved it until this year. I never knew I could make a difference by capturing special moments. That’s another thing I figured out this year-what I want to do with my life. I want to make a difference in someone’s (or many people’s) life. Be it through photography or fitness (or a combo of the two-wouldn’t that be unreal!?), that is my life’s dream. Thanks to SOAR! I am completely confident that I can do just that!
Oh my word! I just looked at a couple of pictures from before my SOAR! time. Yipes! So many things….let’s take a look.
1.all the distractions on the floor, on the wall. 2. the yellow tint–ahh the yellow, story of my life before SOAR! 3. How about that line coming out of Pete’s head. 4. the shadows. oy.
Dont’ get me wrong-I love this picture! It was something they did together at that time and I love having captured it. Now, I know how to make it better for next time.
Or this one..
the distractions on the side. the flash. oy!
Fast forward……I have Me Ra’s workshop under my belt. Whoop!
Taken at the workshop. Not perfect, I cut off some of her head and his knees. But Much better than before!!!
And most recently…..
Captured at the first military homecoming I photographed. Though you can’t see his eyes, I don’t think you need to. Emotion, love, happiness. All right there. Bam! Now I’m on to something.
As the year has gone on, with my skills growing, so has my confidence. When I went into my first shoot, I was a wreck! I was so busy worrying about all the details that I don’t think I totally captured the essence of the little boy. His parents were happy, but I wasn’t overjoyed. Now, I go into a shoot and I’ve still got those nerves, just on a smaller level. I know that when I show the family their pictures, mom’s gonna love ‘em. Here’s one thing that I really, really love about how I’ve grown—most of the pictures I put in the proof gallery are unedited! That’s right…..I know that I know my camera because I”m not spending hours on end editing-that, folks, is something to be proud of!
I cannot say “THANK YOU!!!” enough to Me Ra and all the partners for giving me this awesome gift. You have changed my life more than you can imagine. Me Ra, your goal is to empower women-you have done that for me with this Scholarship-thank you isn’t enough.
I wouldn’t be right without thanking my husband-he is my biggest supporter. I love you-forever, a day, and then some.
And with that, I am ready to SOAR!
Smile an Go For It!
Rachel
rachel. oh, rachel.
i have more words for you than can fit here in a comment section (and you will read those soon), but you absolutely must know how much i value your journey, your friendship, your love. the three of us have walked hand-in-hand this year (taking turns carrying each other at times) and *that* has been the most valuable prize SOAR has awarded me.
i’m there. cheering you on in 2012 and beyond. given the leaps you’ve made this year, i cannot wait to see what you’ll tackle next. so much love to you!
xx
It’s been so wonderful following all of your journeys. Thank you for sharing with us. Following along with you has made me felt empowered to embark on my own journey, too. Here’s to a wonderful 2012!
I cried.. I smiled… I ahhhhhhh CATCH THE BABY!!!!!!! Hee hee… Your imagery has such an emotional pull from it! I love it!! I cant wait to get the link for where I can continue following your journey!
So good, so off the cuff, awesome! I was reading it so quickly because I could hear the excitement coming from you! And love what you did with that last photo….
You made me cry, You made me smile, you made me…. AHHH CATCH THE BABY!!!! HEEE HEE! I cant wait to get the link that will let me know where to continue following your journey!
AHHHH I thought I wrote that comment already… sorry for the duplicate!
I totally cried just now. It’s too early to cry! You’ve been “soaring” through this year and as you look back, I hope you are proud of all you’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time! I am so excited for you to take it up to the next level and FLY, girl! I’m cheering you on, friend!!!
And please say she caught the baby! hahaha
Thank you for taking all of us along with you on this journey. Everything you’ve learned, and then shared with us, has been a blessing.
Rachel:
I’m so glad I got to meet you and spend time with you before you headed cross country. Your spirit is absolutely contagious and your boundless energy and creativity is an inspiration. You light up a room lady and I look forward to continuing to follow you and watching what comes next.
That military homecoming and the last photo are priceless. Congrats on a great year!
[...] was a blessing. Add to that the unbelievable gift of being able to do this with two amazing women, Rachel & Ali, who I know were sent to not only be friends but blessings in my life and maybe you can [...]
Rachel, your journey of photos in this post are breath taking–and the last one especially took my breath away!! You have had the confidence from day one, but to be a part of empowering your sense of the camera–helping you move from the “Face of Auto” to a creative being who creates, captures, causes time to stand still…what an amazing gift it is to have you in my life. I am so proud of you, so proud of all the work you’ve done despite the moves you had this year, despite the challenges of little, little ones that are saran wrapped around your every move. I think you found that you are capable, beautifully capable of more than even you realized. What does tomorrow hold for you? I know it will be breath taking just like this year has been.
Love you Rachel,
Me Ra
My favorite thing about your posts were seeing you push through the tech aspects because then I knew I could too. So much change for you this year and I admire your ability to focus while riding them. Way to go! Look forward to seeing you keep shooting!
Way to go, Rachel! You have been inspiring to all of us! You radiate fresh energy and strength….a breath of fresh air, you are! Best to you in as you continue your SOAR journey!