Relax, Relate, Release... (Bay Area Personal Branding/Yoga Photographer)

Have you ever met someone for the first time and they instantly feel like home? Meeting and working with Jean Marie was the definition of easy, breezy… I suppose, I shouldn’t be surprised. I mean she is (one of the) Goddesses behind the incredible Anasa Yoga studio in the Laurel District of Oakland, California.

Jean Marie is the walking, talking embodiment of Namaste. Our recent personal branding photoshoot began like all good things should… With a cup of tea.

The minute she escorted me into her spacious studio, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Together we went over her vision for her custom photoshoot, toured her gorgeous studio, and gained some great insights into her business.

I learned three incredible lessons from this gentle powerhouse:

1.) Peace is a choice that you make daily.

2.) The lotus flower grows in mud.

3.) You can speak softly and still move mountains.

“Thank you for making me so beautiful Mawiyah.  You are a very gifted pro!

I look forward to working with you again soon.” - Jean Marie

Dear moms, put YOURSELF on your to-do list (San Ramon beauty photographer)

Ooooof, I know it ain’t easy. But, its NECESSARY.

When I became a mom, I TOTALLY lost myself. The instant I laid eyes on my first born, (a gorgeous brown-eyed boy with so much hair he looked like he was wearing a wig!) I morphed into this whole other person. I stopped styling my hair, I skipped the gym, and I routinely cancelled plans with plans to spend more time with my new main squeeze.

I poured my whole soul into my children and in return, I was left kinda soulless. It may sound harsh, but that’s the way it was.

I used to feel legit guilty for spending time and God forbid money on myself. This went for years… Okay, more like over a decade. But, I was in good company. In fact, I’ve never met a mother who didn’t sacrifice her life for her children.

And one day i asked myself a question that changed the way I care for myself. What if my children grew up to treat themselves the way I treated MYSELF?

No bueno!!!!

And that’s when I put my foot down. Quite literally. The first act of self care I did was treating myself to a pedicure. It was my first one in YEARS. Next, I gifted myself with a yoga class and after that I was off to the races. Before long, I’d given myself permission to treat myself DAILY. Some days it’s a long walk around my neighborhood, or locking myself in my bedroom to meditate or pray. Other days it’s a fun night out with my girls!

The moral of the story is that I put MYSELF back on my priority list. And my kids (now 13 and 16) are all the better for it. I’m far more energetic and fun to be around. And knowing that I’m modeling a healthy lifestyle for them encourages me during those times I’m tempted to put myself on the back burner.

This bombshell is a busy mother and wife. She arrived to my studio overwhelmed and completely consumed with worry over her children. My deepest desire is to show all women how confident, fierce and safe they are in their own power. Together, we worked through her anxiety and unleashed the powerhouse you see in these images.

It was such a pivotal breakthrough when she finally allowed herself to relax and take this time for herself.

“I love every photo. I truly enjoyed my photoshoot. You made me feel so comfortable. I will definitely recommend you to my friends and family. I love your work. Thank you for a great experience.” - Charisma

I’d love to photograph YOU!!! Let’s create something incredible together.

How To Get Anything You Want | Outdoor Glamour Photoshoot

Whatever Lula wants… Lula gets!

“I just decided that I wanted (insert object/experience here) and it came to me!” - Lula

I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, but I’ve witnessed this woman manifest European vacations, getaways to Mexico, mentors, and most notably peace in the midst of storms.

When I first met Lula 3(ish) years ago, I knew she was someone I wanted to know forever. She fascinates me. Most people I’ve met throughout my life have an internal set point to focus on bad news. You know exactly what I’m talking about too.

Most folks can go on for hours, days, uhm years about how crappy or unfair this, that, and the other is or was. But, Lula is not most folks. She sees the world in much the same way my 12 year old does. Full of wonder and possibility. She turns new corners and opens new chapters in her life with complete faith and open-heartedness.

I once called her a superhero.

Her special ability is to start each day with a clean slate. In her nearly 50 years (right?! I can’t believe it either!) she’s seen her share of hard times, heartache, and disappointment - BUT, she doesn’t carry it with her. She struts about light as a feather. I’m in awe of this woman and so blessed to call her friend.

And then we celebrated her beautiful eritrean heritage 🖤