Teleclass Tonight!!

Heart shaped Leaf I found on my morning walk
I love the light during my morning walks!


Just a quick post that TONIGHT I'm going to be giving a FREE TELECLASS!!

If you want to call in we will be discussing photography, mindful image making, finding inspiration and reconnecting with your authentic self through photography. P.S. there will be photo exercises I'll be sharing with you all and some secret treats just for those who call in....I want to tell you but then it wouldn't be a surprise now would it????

Don't miss this!
Call in time:8:30pm eastern, 5:30 pacific time
Dial in number: 218-862-1300, Conference code: 538349

- I would LOVE to have you join us.

My friend Sheri Rosenthal and I will be doing this teleclass together.

She is an amazing spiritual teacher and I run my retreats with her company Journeys of the Spirit.

Hope to see you on the call tonight!!!!

Summer!!

Here he is hanging out barefoot on the grass at the park while we listen to music at a summer concert.

A perfect moment.

Knowing that Max had an aversion to the feeling of grass when he was younger makes this photo even more meaningful. I used to take him to Huntington Gardens every day and slowly got him used to it.

So glad he is enjoying himself and the feeling of grass on his feet!

**

Some other news:

all I am thinking about in between diaper changes, feedings, playdates and park excursions is my next photography workshop.

I'm still processing the workshop in Oregon. So much was jam packed in the few days we had together - and I don't mean that we were so busy we were wiped out. I mean that it was layered. Every moment held an opportunity to get to know myself better - get to know the women better and to bring what I know and am passionate about to others in a way that worked for this particular group - which meant listening to what is going on underneath the surface. And I'm not talking about people gossiping - I'm talking about paying attention to the energy of the group and of myself and moving along with it, guiding it, adjusting to meet it. I faced a lot of internal dialogue that I wasn't expecting to deal with which has been the biggest gift of all I think because it showed me places I still have fear, doubt, insecurity etc.. You know those thoughts? The lies that want to hook your attention into believing them? Yep - they are still there. Luckily they didn't eat me alive! Although I think they tried to! We had an amazing healing exercise around the thoughts that no longer serve us ( those very ones I'm talking about here ) and we released them to the ocean in a powerful photo/ writing exercise. And you bet I was right there with everyone releasing those thoughts out to the sea. Adios amigos. You served me well. tried to keep me safe. But I have no use for you anymore! And now my word for the day is BRAVE.
( thank you Andrea Scher! ) There are so many ways that we all are brave every single day! I saw so much courage in the women who took the workshop and in myself. I acknowledge that we all took a risk to open ourselves up to be creative, be open and to explore our world from a new and different point of view. Thank you again for being there with me.

You can see the slideshow from the workshop here if you missed my blog post about it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6XpJ24Q68Q


And I'm happy to report that there is still space available for the next one and I'm happy about it because that means that YOU and YOU and YOU out there can grab your camera's and join us!!

Sept 29-Oct 3rd.

And YES - you can be a beginner photographer as long as you know how your camera works. Grab your camera and join us! It's going to be so great I cannot wait!!!!

Do you want to know more about it?

here is the link

Monterey Retreat

and yes - Max will be there to make brief appearances through out the workshop. He will be with his Papa while we gather and they will visit us to say hello during meal time. Jerry, my husband, will get a chance to share his expertise with the group as well - which is around the technical stuff,,,,lighting, composition etc.. He is also on stand by if you have any technical questions. Do you want to see his work?

Seiner Photo

He is SO talented...and I'm not just saying that because he is my husband...! He truly has an eye and heart that work so beautifully together to make gorgeous images.

Also:

I'll be sending out a new newsletter this week - so if you'd like to get news updates on what's happening with my photography business and links to other inspiring people, places and things - the time is now to sign up!

Go to my website and click on the newsletter link. easy!

catherinejust.com

and lastly - I'm completing a WONDERFUL e-course called Flying lessons by Kelly Rae Roberts which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone with a new creative business who wants the practical info on how to take it to the next level. GO check it out!

And I just started Dream Lab from the creators of Mondo Beyondo! THIS one is FUN!
I ADORE Andrea Scher and Jen Lemen.....all I can say is - SERIOUSLY NECESSARY......

oh and ok this is really the last little tid bit.... - please read this article by another inspiring human that I love Brene Brown.......

Ordinary Courage

xoxox
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some photography news

Just a little photography news....

Sept 29th - Oct. 3rd I'll be leading a photography retreat in the Monterey Peninsula.
I cannot WAIT!
It's such a stunning part of the world.
We will be staying at Asilomar and will have our very own private building to stay in with our own common area with a fireplace and cozy feel.

The focus of the workshop is merging spiritual practice with photography. Meditation, journaling, photo exercises, discussion and exploring the area. All levels of photography experience are welcome.

There is so much to share about this workshop - but it's all posted on the workshop website so here is the LINK for more info....COME JOIN US!!!

I'm excited to be planning these workshops with my family in mind. I only want to go to places that I can bring my husband and son Max. They will explore the area on their own during the workshop hours and I will get to be with them in the evenings. It's the best of all worlds. Family, creativity, community, travel and love. Plus the added bonus of Jerry helping with any technical issues anyone has with their cameras - as I am not always savvy in that arena. Good thing I married a photographer! We make a great team!

If you are interested - sign up soon as we are wanting to have a small group and it will fill up fast! The workshop is only $385 plus your accommodations. The accommodations include 3 meals per day. It's an amazing price for a spectacular retreat.

The other news?
I had the privilege of photographing Miguel Ruiz - Author of the Four Agreements. He was my spiritual teacher for a long time and it was so great to see him again. I of course brought my husband and baby Max with me to the photo session. It was great to have it be more than just work.

The outcome of the photo session? A photo of mine was published on Oprah.com with an article Miguel wrote.

Don't you want to see it??

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/The-Power-of-Doubt

In Max news - yesterday I took him to his first swimming lesson. We were so late we only got 5 minutes in the pool - but it's very obvious that Max loves the water. It's hard to figure out how to take photos of him in the water - since I am in the water with him - but I plan to get some underwater disposable cameras like we had on our honeymoon in Maui - and try to get a few of these first lessons in the pool. The goal of the class is to teach him to put his face in the water - how to blow bubbles - how to kick - and just basically have fun and get used to being in the water. I don't think he is going to have a hard time - but I have been very nervous about it all.
I'll post back with photos next time and report how it goes. I plan to keep going regularly as I know repetition is key with children who have Down syndrome.

ok I'm off to go hang out with my little tomato......

xo
*c