Introducing "Punches of Pink" my new inspirational web series!!!!

I cannot believe I forgot to BLOG about this!  Maybe it is because I've been so engrossed in meeting people in real life...that I've forgotten to take a few minutes to talk about what is happening in the NOW for 2016.  

For a lot of years in getting to know myself - I found that deep inside all along I've been an encourager.  When someone is sad or low...I want to help them up out of it...
When something is a battle...I will find ways to inspire myself or others to "punch" through and keep going and NEVER GIVE UP!  

I've waited a long time to figure out where my voice fits in an over-saturated world with too many noises.  After much thought and consideration...I felt it best to do a video "blog" web-series to showcase what I'm all about and what I would like to accomplish! 

Punches of Pink was a thought back when I would have many wisdom meetings with girlfriends.  I would always tend to share my life experiences or any wisdom I may have picked up along my life path.  Originally it was going to be a book, but last year I realized... I hardly READ books so why would I be in a hurry to WRITE one?  Not saying a book won't happen....but in reality...a video is much more "me!".  

THE BEGINNINGS

My good friend Angie sat with me at dinner one night.  We were doing our usual catch-up and wisdom passing of knowledge when she blurted out... "your book should be called Punches of Pink because these really quick pieces of wisdom are like a little PUNCH".  We also envisioned a pair of boxing gloves as the lead graphic.  At the time..i said "yea!"...and then filed it away as something for "ONE DAY". 

Now, what you don't know is...YEARS LATER...I would be introduced to boxing classes.  At the time I was meeting with Angie, I didn't know anything about classes like that nor had I sought them out.  But, my amazing friend Karla introduced me to it.  She felt it was probably my "soulmate" workout!  Boy, was she right!  I don't know what it is - but it is SO empowering to take charge of that bag for an hour of time.  Dripping sweat...so focused...so intense...knowing that you are fighting for your well-being in that time frame.  

In 2015 I had this DEEP DESIRE to want to be an inspirational (and creative) speaker.  I started sending out applications to events that  I would complement the lineup.  I never heard a yes or a no, but I sent them.  I put together at least THREE solid classes but didn't have an avenue to share them yet.  In October, during the attendance of the Promoting Passion convention in Boone NC...I started to see something forming in my mind.  It was like years upon years of dots were starting to connect.  Combined with inspirational speakers that I look up to like Brooke and MeRa Koh...I started seeing flashes of where I need to go next.   A podcast was too vocal.  A book was too "plain" and visual for me.  BUT a web-series... Yes, I think I found my outlet!  A visual representation of me, the passion and the PEOPLE I love connecting with.   

Punches of Pink was officially launched January 7th of 2016.  

In order to keep things simple for myself as a full-time photographer AND artist I wanted something that would be under 5 minutes long, give a "PUNCH" of wisdom and also bring in my community of friends to share theirs as well.    I also decided that releasing videos 3 times a month would give me enough diversity of content and challenge me as well on my personal artistry.  The reason I didn't pick a day of the week to do WEEKLY videos is because I felt that it wasn't me.  I'm random, I'm not scheduled, I'm not a robot or a routine...but I chose instead to focus on a number that inspired me.  "7".  So every video is released on the 7th, 17th, and 27th.  EASY.  Easy to remember and easy to diversify! 

These videos had an underlying purpose even from when I started my business in 2006.  
To Inspire.  
To Encourage.  
To Aspire.

I took a year long business course that helped me stir up ground for my business and WHY I wanted to start my business.  Those three key words were the depths of my heart and soul.  Photography was my tool!  So now, I'm adding speaking as another tool - I believe that when we use our voice - we change the atmosphere.  So, I'm going to do just that!  

Please subscribe to the Youtube channel if you want to keep up with the episodes.
Or on my Pink Light Images facebook page. 

I would love to hear what inspires you, encourages you and helps you to aspire to BE all you can be!  We all have a voice ....and we all have "punches" of wisdom to share!  

All the best to you,

Jen with Pink Light Images




Newest released episode :  Episode 3!
Becky with Irish Coffee Studio takes a few moments to share about her art & life.

The Promoting Passion Convention Part 2 - Bathroom Art

Promoting Passion Convention Day 2

I don't know.  There is a trend happening in my creative life for a couple of years now!  I end up making some very fun and very amazing images in various bathrooms. :)  Be it in stalls, walls or whatever!  Here we enter day 2 of the convention where the classes had a range of topics and things.

I remember showing up for the photo adventure I think, but don't have any evidence that I was there. :)  I think I was there mostly to watch and soak everything in.  I'm ok with just soaking.  Not everything had to be documented for me to enjoy myself.  I think I documented more the FIRST day than the second day.

The notes I took from day 2 go like this:

From Jennifer Thoreson:
Apple - people get the story right away.
Onion - there are layers, people stare longer and try to understand.

(rough notes)

Mitch and Shalem's "Love is Love:
I was soaking in the consults with the couples...because it was good to have a detailed question and answer open for discussion moment!  "Be true to the purpose".

Ok, so now back to the bathroom!!!!
After most of the classes and lectured ended - I grabbed Marsha and ended up in the bathroom where everyone was earlier in the convention photographing.

I looked at what Marsha had brought and decided on the white gown first.  It felt a bit modern with the lighting going on in the back wall area!

 

 As if Marsha wasn't already gorgeous enough - her hair was just addictively AWESOME!  And the dress itself was gloriously angelic almost. :)

 

Course, Marsha knows me a bit by now ...so she brought weird goggly things for me to play with!  I thought it was so neato with a super mod feeling.  I loved the blue lips, the crazy hair and the bug eyes.

It was quite a few moments here...where we had some visitors....

and finally...ending that part of our session with a little running around!

 

 While i took a break and waited for the panel session or somewhere in between... I convinced Amani to become Sia-like behind the fabric on the stage.  Just another weird flash vision that came to me during the convention!

 And as things came to a close...Marsha and I re-convened with some more ideas...and some I still haven't put together as of yet!  But I just have flow that happens.  Not everything has a story for me right away.  I just play with images and ideas until something finally HITS me! :)
Here are some of our weird things including other attendees of the convention!

 

But then, I forgot to mention that by this time..MeRa had made it to the mountain!  I was able to grab her for a few minutes before the final evening adventures.  Below here Brooke is setting up to capture her in some way of which I have no idea what the story was - I just knew it involved water, hair and a pane of glass. :)  

 

What a joy to see both Brooke and MeRa all in one place.  I adore those two women.  Both have been people I've looked at for examples of communication, story-telling and BIG HEARTS!!!! <3

 I ended my night with a creepy mask and working with Sally and her daughter Marsha.  We had a great time and just played.

 

The Promoting Passion Convention 2015: where WEIRD happens - part 1

Actually, WEIRD isn't too bad of a term if you know me.  I'd like to think I'm pretty out there and weird.  No matter where I am....THERE I am.  I try to immerse myself completely into something to learn, grow and be challenged.  When the Promoting Passion Convention came online...I guarantee you i was among the first to register.  I adore Brooke's spirit.  I adore being around like-minded people.  I knew that when she did a convention it would bring more people that I would meet and understand...and vice versa.

I for the life of me didn't remember if I had EVER been to North Carolina, but I figured why not now?  I was eager to reach out as soon as I could for room-mates and car-mates to drive from the aiport to the mountain.  I cannot say enough great things about both sets of ladies that I got to meet!  I'm so glad to have car-mated with Kyla, Rachael and Kristin!  And my roomies: Samantha P and Ani.  I feel that each person I got to be in close contact with were SO SPECIAL because we were all so like-hearted and like-minded.  That was so so so GREAT!  Ladies, you are awesome. 

We arrived to the mountain WAY after the sun went down...and I was so eager to get there knowing there were pre-convention convention things going on!  We made it JUST in time for dinner and ran over to the main hall to see a circle forming.  After I checked in and started eating like a mad woman...I had this URGE to go...."duck....duck.......... GOOSE!"

 As the arrivals began, our circle just got bigger and bigger and bigger.  We were starting to say things that were "surprising" about us...but I never got to say anything.  So, I just immersed myself into watching everyone else squirm and then we broke for the movie! :) 

I have to say it is always REFRESHING to see faces that you have seen ENDLESSLY online....but to see them in person?  Do you know JOY?  Well JOY is what I felt.  So excited to see all these faces together.  To see Brooke smiling and knowing she was working and playing at the same time. LOL!!!! 

I was fully excited for the INTIMATE setting we had created and just open to have fun and learn more about myself and others.  Creativity comes in so many forms...and I appreciate how different we all are in that.  But, we also have this commonality you know?  Was I really HERE for the next few days?  What would happen...what would it become?  What might I create? :) 

DAY ONE:  

I think the BEST opening statement I could have ever caught was being my unique WEIRD self. :)  Even among weird people I FEEL WEIRD!  WEIRDER!  I try not to let that dictate how I communicate - so this time I just let it all go.  I put down every expectation - every fear - every worry.....so I could be my VERY true and authentic self.  And I also determined at every meal - I would rotate tables and sit with different people EACH TIME.  Did anyone else do that?  I did.  I wanted to make sure I allowed myself to listen AND be heard all in one swoop.  :)

The fog and rain were a bit much for me at first...I simply forgot to pack ANYTHING remotely warm.  As the time went on and I realized how far we had to walk and how many STAIRS we had to climb...I changed my outfits every day to reflect that. lol!!  That last day though - I had my finished outfit already picked out. 
I was excited to hear from Mitch/Shalem about their creativity and how they approach ideas/photography!

One thing about their class - is it was over way too fast! haahaha! We didn't get to do another look because we simply ran out of time - but I had a blast getting to know their passions. :)

I don't recall what the rest of the day held....but I'm pretty sure it was awesome....especially towards the night-time when I met up with Mika.  Mika shared a fear with Brooke apparently and then shared a fear with me.  While watching Brooke work outside in pitch black and rain - I went back inside to talk to Mika again about facing the fear.  We walked out after finding an ice light to LIGHT her (because by now it was pitch black outside) and assisted by Krystal helped Mika with her very own photo shoot near the woods.  To the naked eye, you dont' see what is really happening.  You don't see the tears or the shaking...you see a woman FLYING in/around the woods facing the very real fear.   She will have to tell you the FEAR that faced.  I just know I was lucky to talk her into coming outside NEAR the woods, much less INTO the woods!!! :)  
(she saved that for post-convention)

As she kept leaping in the shot...she seemed to get less and less nervous about THAT area.  I loved that.  For me, I was watching someone face their fear using baby steps.  Just getting OUT THERE and facing it.  Thanks to Mika for trusting me to capture that moment...even if it was cold, rainy and dark! :)  Oh, and she borrowed Brooke's dress for it. :)  TEE HEE HEE!
Thus ended the evening for me....

My next blog will be part 2 :) 

Passionates, have you written about your experience yet? :)

Love Jen

Let's catch up shall we?

I do have a lot of things to share and write about....but I will get to Promoting Passion another time.  ...I do have much to share on that topic as well as some images I enjoyed making.

Today's blog....

Will the mountains speak just as much as the ocean? 

I find complete peace in the sounds of the ocean.  I cannot explain it...I just know it.  Every chance I get to STARE into the ocean...I will do it.  My last stare-session was in Maine this summer....with at least several different types of beaches I got to visit.  It was a huge personal accomplishment for me as my adventure is to always go see a few new places and maybe meet some new people.  Well, I did it!   Enjoyed many version of the waters.

Enter the MOUNTAIN of the Promoting Passion Convention....

When I was at the Promoting Passion convention we were completely covered in fog/rain for 4 solid days with the 5th day being an open sky with clouds moving fast out of our way.  It is called "Heavenly Mountain".  Now I felt a different connection there.  After being shielded from view for days...I was able to stare out and see just why they called them "blue ridge".  Just amazing really.

 Here is a time lapse I did of our stay there...in key points of our viewpoints on the sunniest day of the trip.  I stayed a whole extra day to enjoy the area....and boy.... did I!

I hope to report back these next 2 weeks about the mountains I'll be experiencing and the ART we will make from them.  I still remember the first time I flew to Seattle and sound the GRAND mountain staring back at me.  I said hello.  It smiled back.

Mountains? See you soon!

The Heavenly Mountain....

I don't have a lot of time today...but wanted to share some amazing fun times with you from the heavenly mountain - Art of Living Retreat in Boone NC!  We had an AMAZING time at the Promoting Passion Convention and some of the classes left me in tears with inspiration and encouragement.  It was everything I needed in this moment and in this time. :)

I look forward to the next year...and where things will take us as dreamers!