Celebrating Women in Business | Laura Hawkins

I love learning about people behind the business. Very seldom do you find a business that is not rooted in some aspect of the owner’s own personal story - whether it highlights their childhood dreams, aspirations or, in Laura’s case, her victories found in her own story of recovery.

Laura Hawkins is the owner/founder of Laura Hawkins Recovery Coaching. We got to know each other though the Women’s Networking Alliance and later served together as volunteers for Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose. I deeply appreciated Laura’s sense of humor and just how honest she was about her story and how it led her to later establish a business focused specifically on helping others on their recovery journey.

And let’s be a real - I think my favorite fun fact about Laura is that she is obsessed with ice cream - and who doesn’t love that?

I am very proud to share today’s spotlight on Laura as another way to continue celebrating Bay Area women business owners who are are making an impact!

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Can you share a little bit about you and your business? 

I’m a native Californian currently residing in Menlo Park with my old pit bull Charlie. I’m the proud mom of two amazing young adults, Jack and Julia, and a sober member AA for over 30 years. I love to travel and do it every chance I get. My favorite place I’ve ever been is South Africa. 

Professionally, I’m a serial solopreneur (runs in my family — both of my parents had their own successful businesses for years) and currently work as a recovery coach and certified recovery specialist.  

As a recovery coach I guide and support clients to create a simple and practical plan for living a life free from their addictions. I partner with people interested in recovering from substance use disorders or similar conditions. My programs are exclusively tailored to meet the needs of each individual. 

What has your journey looked like personally/professionally to get to where you are now?

Little did I know that over 30 years ago, my decision to get sober would lead me to my life’s work. It certainly didn’t start out that way, but what’s always been a constant for me is that I’ve always worked in industries that incorporated my passions. That’s extremely important to me.

I’ve worked in public relations/marketing, t.v., and animal welfare organizations like the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley where I was the executive director before starting my own business as a recovery coach. I loved this position, but there started to be this internal pull towards working with people in recovery that was too strong to ignore. I've seen what an important piece coaching can be to programs of recovery, and I wanted to help in that way.

Although I got sober through AA anonymous, I work with people who want to explore programs that aren’t 12-step. What I want most for my clients to find a group that works for them where they feel comfortable and supported in overcoming their addictions.

What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?

I love being able to help those who want to tackle head-on the things in their lives that are keeping them from being who they really want to be. I have such admiration for people who have gotten to a really low place in their lives but are willing to do something differently by trying a program of recovery. Confronting yourself about what’s not working is one of the bravest things one can do, I believe. I love seeing the hope come back for my clients when they realize that they can conquer their addictions and will go to any lengths to do it. I was where each one of my clients have been before, so I know how it feels, and what’s possible. 

What’s difficult about my work is working with people who ultimately decide to go back to their addictions. However, I never, ever give up hope because I know recovery isn’t always a straight line. My door is always open.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18 year old self?

Never stop working towards your goals and passions. Understand it will be frustrating at times but that temporary. Travel a lot and take risks. Ask for help and see what you can do for other people. When I’m thinking about someone else, I’m not thinking about myself. Don’t think to be successful you have to do it all on your own or that you need to be perfect. There is no such thing. And lastly, laugh a lot. Use humor to connect with others. I’ve found that laughter really is the best medicine for what ails me.

What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of?

What I appreciate about my life is the perspective time and recovery have given me. I’ve learned that there are very few really big deals. I’m most proud of the relationships I have. They are full of humor and truth and caring. Nothing better than that.

Who inspires you and why?

Anyone trying to do better inspires me. People who give expecting nothing in return and help others "just because" it’s the right thing to do.

A fun or surprising fact about yourself?

I was on a game show in college hoping to win money to fix my car — I lost! I have volunteered in animal shelters and fostered for rescue organizations for much of my adult life

If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

I wanted to answer this question in a really heady way, but the truth is, that I would love to meet the person that first invented ice cream. I’m literally obsessed. 

Words of Wisdom from Daniella Forrest "Resolution Versus Intention

Resolutions. Goals. New start. 

Ah, happy Monday, all.

These words can trigger a fresh excitement for some or a feeling of dread/pressure for others, especially around goals that have anything to do with health, wellness, staying fit...ALL THE THINGS. But if you're anything like me, sometimes the new year can start off with that excitement but later evolve into a nag of anxiety when the feeling of newness wears off a bit and it's getting harder to achieve goals under my preferred time frame.

One of my awesome clients, Daniella Dayoub-Forrest, owner of DFit Life here in the Bay Area recently wrote an article worth sharing simply because I believe the title alone helped shift my perspective a bit when it came to new goals and all things with the new year....and hopefully it will help you as well! 

Below is just a snippet from this piece...you can read the full article here!

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Resolution Versus Intention

by Daniella Dayoub-Forrest

Here we are again. Another year done and dusted.

I think it is quite wonderful that most people use this time to reflect on where they have been, where they are, and where they'd like to be. For many, this means some serious thinking about their health and wellness. Needless to say, I get a lot of inquiries in January from people who are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. They are ready to finally start reaching those goals they keep setting for themselves every New Year.

While I love the renewed interest and enthusiasm that New Year's resolutions bring, I don't much care for the "all-or-nothing" "come out guns blazing" general tone of it all.

Being gung-ho can often backfire in a big way!

This year, I encourage you to be a little more focused on your general intentions and long-term goals instead of adhering to a strict new regimen. For example, instead of saying, "I'm going to get a workout in 5 days every week," try shifting the focus to, "I am going to put on 5 pounds of muscle and lose 3% body fat." With the first resolution of working out five days a week, there's no excitement in why you want to do that. But if your goal for the year is better body composition (more lean mass and less fat mass), that is way more motivating.

By shifting your focus from what to why, you will be far more likely to succeed.

(...full article may be read  here!)

The Best is Yet to Come - Happy New Year!

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“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” - C.S. Lewis

And just like that, it is officially 2024!

 I hope this finds you ready and hopeful for new opportunities, filled just a bit more with courage to take advantage of those opportunities.

I hope this finds you in a space where curiosity and joy thrive - daily. 

I hope this year, you find endless reasons to celebrate even the "small" everyday things, 

remembering that the so-called "small" things are actually the big things.

Happy New Year!

Celebrating Women in Business | Jyoti Mehta

Jyoti Mehta is someone I think every person in the Bay Area should know. And not just because she’s an awesome person (she is!), but because whether you’re an athlete, a person who logs in a ton of time in front of the computer, or even a musician, painter, or hairstylist, the health and care of your hands all the way to your shoulders is something most of us don’t think much about. Until an ache or injury prompts us to.

Her passion to serve her patients coupled with her expertise of over 20+ years as an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist were very clear to me when I first had the opportunity to hear about her work and background. I especially appreciate that Jyoti values taking the time to assess each client’s case with care and thoughtfulness, making sure that they are educated on all the options available to best treat their unique situation.

Highlighting Bay Area women in business is one of my favorite things to do and I am excited to feature Jyoti Mehta, owner/founder of Healthy Hands in Sunnyvale!

Can you share a little bit about you and your business?

I have been a board certified Occupational therapist for 20+years and a certified hand therapist since 2011. I specialize in evaluating and providing high quality rehab to clients with hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder injuries.

Healthy Hands represents my private practice clinic situated in Sunnyvale, where my patients get swift appointment scheduling, individualized specialist attention, successful rehabilitation, and a prompt return to their favorite activities. Whether pain is a result of sports injuries, surgery or spending too many hours in front of the computer, I help patients ease their pain and achieve their best possible mobility, strength and endurance. My website lists the many orthopedic and neurological conditions I treat,along with my different treatment methods.

 What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?

I enjoy the privilege of working with people from all walks of life - musicians, climbers, chefs, sports enthusiasts, attorneys, teachers, artists, and office workers. Treating diverse upper extremity conditions has given me a deep understanding of the impact they have on each patient’s unique work and daily life.

For me, the challenge and the most fun comes from problem solving the cause of my patient’s pain. It typically involves assessing and understanding the interplay of different body systems (skin, fascia, muscles, tendons, joints, nerves) and then analyzing them in light of a patient's work and play habits.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18 year old self?

Oh, so much to tell my 18 year old self! Find your strengths, find what lights you up and go for your passion!

What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of? I feel most blessed to be a mother and a healer. Both roles bring immense joy and satisfaction.

Who inspires you and why?

My dad has a heart full of empathy. He embodies a genuine warmth that resonates with everyone he meets, making them feel valued and cared for. He inspires me to be compassionate and kind to all around me.

A fun or surprising fact about yourself?

I could be super tired or unwell but play some bollywood music (of my liking) and I’ll jump out of bed to dance! Dancing and fun are synonymous.

If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk and the “father of mindfulness”. I wish I could be in the presence of his aura and experience some of his peace and bliss.

50 & Fabulous | Open Invitation!

“Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.”

-Coco Chanel

As I continue to plug away at working on the 50 & Fabulous Series, I am continuously amazed at the inner and outer beauty of women in this demographic.

Their stories, zest for life, and style are nothing short of amazing.

And yes - there is still room to participate!

If you are a woman who is 50+ in the Bay Area and want to consider being a part of this special portrait series, simply visit the link here to schedule a consultation today. I look forward to chatting with you!

Celebrating Sisters & Friends

“There's no better friend than a sister.”

- author unknown

Photographing sisters holds a special place in my heart.

Mostly because I have the gift of two sisters myself and while a lot of our childhood was filled with your typical sister fights over toys and clothes our adulthood now shares a bond that makes me deeply grateful for my siblings. I have the privilege of having sisters I can call my bestest (yes, that’s a real word) friends.

Consider celebrating your sisters (or those you consider your sisters) through a photoshoot. Because sisters are simply priceless.

Image by Heartbox Photography

Women in Business | Jerylann Mateo

Part of what makes my work as a portrait photographer for women here in the Bay Area is obviously the opportunity to create images they can be proud of and have forever - AND also celebrate the amazing wins they achieve!

I am so proud to share that my amazing client, Jerylann Mateo, was again named this year as one of RealTrends America's Best Real Estate Professionals. This list represents the top 1.5% of 1.6 million real estate professionals in the United States!

Congratulations on this accomplishment, Jerylann - you rock!

Image by Heartbox Photography

#realestate #headshots #heartboxphotography #portrait #realtor #bayareaphotographer #celebratewomen #womenentrepreneurs #bayarearealtor #bayarearealestate #photographer #existinphotographs #photography

50 & Fabulous Series | Karen Wolk

I read a saying somewhere that says with age, you look outside what you are inside. And if that's true, then what you can see from Karen is a vibrant spirit who embraces life in all the best ways.

From the minute I connected with Karen to talk about her involvement in the 50 Fabulous Series, I am in the midst of creating, I immediately appreciated her sense of humor, authenticity, how she celebrated her age and life itself.

This gem of a lady celebrates a birthday today and I am honored to share one of my favorite images from her shoot with me with you all!

Image by Heartbox Photography

Celebrating Women in Business | Anne Brinkman

"Dreams and reality are opposites. Action synthesizes them."

-Assata Shakur

I just love the opportunity to promote and talk about women in business in the Bay Area. And to be invited to play a small role in helping establish their brand by making sure they have professional headshots, well, that’s even better! Anne Brinkman is the founder/owner of BetterYour.Life and I had the privilege of not only helping her create her business headshots but also feature her in today’s “Celebrating Women in Business” spotlight.

Images by Heartbox Photography

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Can you share a little bit about you and your business?

“I run a life coaching business - I coach people who have visions of their success but are struggling to get there.”

What has your journey looked like personally/professionally to get to where you are now?

“I appreciate the opportunity to explore different careers.  I spent many years as a software engineer, some as a computer lab teacher, some in software training and consulting, and exploratory jobs doing kitchen prep and bakery work.  Every where I worked has contributed to me in some way and the role I now have as a coach.”

What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?

“I love to connect closely with people, to understand their motivations, and to help them find their blocks and get past them.  The biggest challenge is that I need to spend time on myself as well, to get past my own blocks.”

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18 year old self?

“Stop caring about what other people think.  Just start learning and practicing the things you want to get better at and time will do its thing.”  

What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of?

“That I have not held back in trying new careers or felt tied to a career ladder.  That I've followed interests I've had despite needing to start over.” 

Who inspires you and why?

“People who have dreamed big and really made it happen, through belief and persistence.  Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Steph Curry, Jose Andres, etc!”

A fun or surprising fact about yourself?

“I love learning and would be a full time student, time and money permitting. I run a lot (slowly) and have completed over 20 1/2 marathons (and one marathon)!”

Celebrating Women in Business | Ramona Shaw

“ ‘Restore connection' is not just for devices, it is for people too.”

-Arianna Huffington

Happy New Year, everyone!

In just a few days, we will literally be halfway through this first month of 2023 already - and I sincerely hope the start of the year has been a good one for you all so far.

With this fresh start and new year, I though it best to start off with featuring one of my awesome clients, Ramona Shaw.

As a leadership and executive coach as well as author of The Competent and Confident New Manager with extensive experience as a former VP in a corporate setting, Ramona’s work is dedicated to developing and helping managers become high-performing, effective leaders.

Her work is about challenging and growing people to essentially be a great influence to those they lead and I am honored to feature her in today’s “Celebrating Women in Business” spotlight!

Images by Heartbox Photography

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Can you share a little bit about you and your business? 

I have a leadership development business that specializes in delivering coaching and training programs for new and mid-level leaders.

What has your journey looked like personally/professionally to get to where you are now?

After graduating, I entered the field of private equity and ultimately led strategic projects and international teams at a private equity firm. However, I soon found out that I couldn’t figure out how to be a good leader all on my own. As I went through my own growth journey as a leader, I discovered my passion for coaching and leadership training.  I decided to get officially certified as a professional coach and dedicate my career to helping managers become leaders people love to work for. 

What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?

I absolutely love being able to be a positive influence on people’s careers. There is definitely a butterfly effect when it comes to leadership. I love helping a new manager overcome the obstacles that they face. I feel that by helping one person become a better manager, there is an even bigger impact that it has on the organizational environment because the people on that manager’s team will see how a good leader responds to challenges, sets a good example, and implements positive leadership habits that create positive and inclusive work environments.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18 year old self?

I would tell myself that it’s important to know yourself and that strong self-leadership, which includes the ability to manage our own thinking and our emotions, is key to becoming a strong leader. Start with growing that part of leadership first and foremost, regardless of job or position.

What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of?

The thing I appreciate most about my life right now is how rich and full it is. My schedule stays busy but it’s busy with the things I love doing, spending time with my kids, running my business, and making a difference in the lives and work of others.

If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Marcus Aurelius, who reigned as a Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD. He was a dedicated student of Stoicism and wrote what would later become titled “Meditations.” These writings were journal entries to himself as a source for his own self-improvement and philosophy on leadership. 

I admire the philosophical beliefs of Aurelius because as a leader his Stoic principles helped him overcome many obstacles and become one of the greatest Roman leaders in history. Not only does Stoicism help me feel more focused and have greater clarity even when things are unexpected or unpredictable, but it also helps me give up the need to feel like I have to be in control all the time.

Women in Business | Adrienne Rush

“The most successful entrepreneurs I know are optimistic. It’s part of the job description.” -Caterina Fake

A dedicated wife.

Proud mother.

And…boxing club owner.

Yes, you read that right. Adrienne Rush is the owner of TITLE Boxing Club, a boutique fitness gym that offers boxing and kickboxing classes in Mountain View, California. I had the privilege of photographing her earlier this year as part of the 50 Fabulous Series I am working on to create a magazine celebrating the amazing women in the Bay Area who are 50+.

After many years in the tech industry, Adrienne eventually retired and took on the unexpected and exciting adventure of not only becoming a business owner but also in an area of fitness she had no prior experience in - boxing. Today, she not only runs this successful club, but also is a active participant/student in the boxing/fitness classes herself.

And in my world, there is just something incredibly cool about women who take up boxing to stay healthy and fit. I am so honored to share with you today’s 50 Fabulous spotlight on the amazing Adrienne.

Happy Monday!

Image | Heartbox Photography

What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?

My favorite part of running the business is helping people improve their lives through fitness. I meet wonderful people, have an amazing staff, and I love hearing members share their stories about how working out at the club has successfully helped them address health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight issues, or found that boxing helps them reduce the stress in their lives. The biggest challenge by far has been the closure we had during the pandemic. 

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Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18 year old self?

Don't be afraid to be yourself and take risks. 

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What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of? My life is full of things to appreciate - family, friends, good health, pets, nature - too many to list. I am most proud of my two wonderful daughters.

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A fun or surprising fact about yourself? People are often surprised when they first learn that I run a boxing fitness business. They say, "Boxing? You?" 

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If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why? Ruth Bader Ginsberg because she was not afraid to act in spite of so many challenges and pressures to conform. 

Your Own Kind of Beautiful

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As I look at this image the first thing I think of is how lovely it is truly is to be your own kind of beautiful.

The comparing helps no one, not especially you.

And so today, I hope you really do walk with a joy in your step fully knowing, owning, and believing this.

Be your own kind of beautiful.

Because your own kind of beautiful really does exist.

Promise.

Image by Heartbox Photography

Hair & makeup by Kathleen Tinney

Unapologetically Shine Forth

“I can't think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.”

- Emma Stone

Before and afters are some of my favorite images to share from a client’s photoshoot.

Why?

Because it is evidence that everyday, REAL women are magazine-cover stunners and they’re EVERYWHERE around us.

They are our friends, our co-workers, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters.

Whether she is 18 or 85.

Whether she is just learning life or has gathered many seasons of life, wisdom, and experience already.

It is evidence we can give all women a chance to see their own uniqueness in themselves, give them encouragement to unapologetically shine it, and the permission to own their own limitless beauty.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Shine forth.

Image by Heartbox Photography

Celebrating September Birthdays

“Her soul is fierce, her heart is brave, her mind is strong.” -Unknown

Every year of life is a gift worth celebrating - happiest of birthdays to one of my awesome September birthday clients, the beautiful Julie!

Image by Heartbox Photography

Start Somewhere | Lessons Not in the Book

This photo was taken about 10 years ago when I was looking for a space that I could invite clients to for their portrait sessions, basically the beginning stages of a dream to build a portrait photography business.

It hasn't been an easy journey (no entrepreneurial endeavor is), but it's a journey that taught me more than any book could teach me.

The biggest lesson so far? Sometimes, you just have to start somewhere.

Happy Friday!

Re-Ignite Vision

Inspiration really can come from everywhere.

Movies.

A walk outside.

Dance.

Sketching on a whiteboard.

A conversation.

Taking a nap.

A quote.

Books.

A little boredom.

It's funny how seemingly unrelated things like these actually influence business processes...

Spark creativity...

Generate new ideas...

Sharpen vision...

Carve out solutions...

And ultimately re-ignite vision.

Image by Heartbox Photography

Why We Hustle

What can I say? I love what I do.

And at the end of the day, I do the work I do because there's something kinda awesome about being tired from doing something you actually like doing rather than from something you don't.

What (or who) are you out there hustling for?

A Celebration of Phenomenal Women | Sarah Chamberlain

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”

-Melinda Gates

When I think of Sarah, the words “vibrant, energetic, leader” immediately come to mind.

Her involvement as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA is a national association in the United States that supports and promotes court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children) eventually led to Sarah and her partner’s decision to adopt their daughter, Keriann. Sarah’s love for her family, her work (she currently serves as a Creative Director at an ad tech company here in the Bay Area) and life itself was clearly evident in our conversation and I am thrilled to publish this spotlight on a phenomenal woman whose drive and vision creates meaningful impact on the work she does for others and the community around her.

Images by Heartbox Photography

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“I moved to the Bay Area from Washington, DC a little over 8 years ago with my partner Jason Pittman who was tasked with building the first Khan Academy brick-and-mortar school. We were exposed to some pretty big fish fairly quickly, but I really was looking for a more down-to-earth scene.

Looking for ways to build community and put down some roots, I started to do a lot of volunteering with kids in higher need communities. The biggest impact I felt I was able to make was as a CASA.

I encourage all my friends who haven't had children to explore being a child advocate or mentor for those who need a little extra support. It’s been the best experience of my life, and I hope to do more work here in a “second career”.

That said, I love my “day job”, where I’m the Creative Director at Frequence, an ad tech company in Mountain View. I’m proud to be the first female in executive leadership here and have developed additional resources, such as Women@Frequence and as well as our community initiative, where we’ve worked with hunger and education services.

After being a CASA for two years, Jason and I decided to adopt our daughter, Keriann, who was in her teens. She’s been an incredible part of my life and has pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined.”

What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?

“I enjoy connecting people. Nothing feels better than growing with a community, and seeing the fruits of your combined labor. This applies when working on the software we develop, implementing new creative workflows and growing a team of creative employees. It’s nice because we all have the same general goals - but different approaches in how we get there. It’s wonderful to track personal growth, but also see the changes in co-workers and mentees over a similar arch of time. This makes everything worth it!

The struggle lately has been finding time to make personal connections on a larger scale. Time is so precious and I think the last two years really showed me the importance of being intentional with it.” 

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18-year-old self?

“She was such a mess! I didn’t know where to begin - I had so many interests and both terrified and excited by new things. I would probably give myself the same advice as I would currently - be precious about who and what you spend your time doing. Don’t attach yourself to anyone or anything that is just there because of comfort or fear of something new. Don’t let anyone waste your time - especially you!"

I look at my daughter, who is now 23, and often think about the things she could’ve taught me. She has always been laser focused on what she wants - and I have a lot of respect for the way she carries herself and the expectations she puts on those around her. I was not that strong at 18, 23, etc.”

What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of?

“I appreciate self care. Although most would label me an extrovert, I think I’ve become more introverted or recognized that I need a fair amount of downtime where I can be completely “off”. I’m always doing something - sending and email, researching a new project, et - but the holy grail of self care must come first. Working from home post-pandemic has made it easy to get sleep, good nutrition, and exercise. Stress management is so important and I feel like I’ve finally figured that out.”

If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

“This is hard! I’m kind of a pessimist in this way - they whole “don’t meet your heroes” curse. But I’m inspired by people who were bold enough to shake things up. It takes so much effort to step outside your comfort zone and fight against the current.

That said, I think I admire this so much after reading about Regenerative Design pioneer Victor Papanek. He was not a well-known industrial designer, but he was really focused on “breaking” things - redesigning everyday items for more sustainability, better ergonomics, equality, et. His book, Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change is really a hidden gem.”

Who inspires you and why?

Women.

“[My daughter], Keriann - she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known.

My mom. She’s 75 and still working on herself. She never settles for long - she’s a passionate volunteer and is still working as a nurse. Her work ethic and tireless care for her family is something I feel is so special.”

A fun or surprising fact about yourself?

“I have a lot of past lives. I’ve worked in a lot of different roles/industries, which I feel contributes to empathy and compassion.

I’m a creative professional, and enjoy many creative pursuits but don’t really consider myself an artist. I’m definitely more about the journey/process and the collaboration. It goes back to connecting - I love to manage a complex project, bringing in the best men and women for the job(s). I think that is my superpower. 

I’m excited about “reopening” San Jose. I’ve been working with the New Leaders Council for the past two years and am so inspired by this group of passionate progressive thinkers.

I hope to continue to find ways to connect to community and culture in our city, and look forward to marking and observing my growth here.”

Fresh Inspiration

"It is easy to forget now, how effervescent and free we all felt that summer."

-Anna Godbersen

I absolutely love digging through my archives and finding images from past photoshoots.

My absolute favorite form of light natural backlighting - it gives a beautiful, clean, and crisp feel to the photographs and to see an image that reminds me of the times I was first experimenting with this type of natural light inspires me all over again.

And it reminded me that sometimes, a new and fresh source of inspiration for the future can absolutely come from remembering the gems of the past.

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer so far!

Image by Heartbox Photography

Bay Area Women in Business | Ruth-Anne Siegel

We artists - the photographers, sculptors, ballet dancers, designers, the makeup artists, musicians, singers, writers, fashion designers, to name just a few - are HUGE on inspiration whether or not it comes from the same medium we use to express our creativity. There have been countless, beautiful moments of inspiration that have fueled the latest ideas and endeavors in my own photography over the years.

Ballet dancers have fueled my inspiration to capture the human body in movement through a dance series of photographs.

The valley of lights that flood the layout of Sensorio Paso Robles serve as a mesmerizing reminder of why I love the infusion of bright, bold colors in the expression of clothing.

Watching the careful ways a talented makeup artist unearths the beauty of women through their work with an array of shades of lipsticks, eye shadows, and brushes sparks my curiosity in trying a new, elegant makeup look on myself.

Observing the ways in which a musician becomes lost in focus in the world of melodic sound emanating from their instruments joined with other instruments is a more than familiar sight to me. I, too, have gotten that blissful look of a creative lost in concentration and creation of my own photography during the midst of a shoot.

Artists truly inspire other artists.

And what I am inspired by most with Ruth-Anne Siegel is she not only creates stunning works of art as a fine arts painter, but also that her joy for what she does and understanding of how art profoundly impacts people, their spaces, their lives is something I can deeply appreciate as a fellow creative.

It is my honor to feature the lovely, talented, and inspiring Ruth-Anne Siegel, a Bay Area-based fine art painter with Art4 Solutions!

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Images by Heartbox Photography

Hair & Makeup by Daisy Gonzalez-Duarte of BeautifulOne Makeup Artistry

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What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?  

I love being an artist! It’s all I’ve ever been or wanted to be.

I realized my dream by studying graphic design in college at the Rhode Island School of Design and being a graphic designer for my entire career until now.

Luckily, design has many of the same principles and rules as painting such as color theory, composition, change of scale, etc. Yet being a fine artist is even more challenging than being a designer for various reasons. Unless I have a commission, I don’t have clients. I work by myself on my own. I’m my own client!

The work is solitary and self-motivated. I can put in lots of time and sometimes the work just doesn’t gel. It can be frustrating, but when work comes together, there’s no better feeling.

Knowing what you know now about your career, what would you tell your 18 year old self?

When I was 18, I had to choose my major during my freshman year. I really wanted to study painting, but I was too practical to study a non-professional major.

I would tell that girl to keep studying graphic design and not worry, you’ll get to paint eventually. Also, that cute guy from Brown you met at the Halloween ball will eventually be your husband.

Who inspires you and why?  

My inspirations are varied including lyrics, books, and Instagram. My most consistent inspiration is looking at other artists’ work especially with creative curation. I love innovative museums and untraditional galleries.

My favorite artists are Richard Diebenkorn, Joan Mitchell, Claude Monet, and Franz Klein. Looking at their work, I see their hand; their marks are as alive to me as if they just painted them.

I am also inspired by my artist friends in Art4. They all think differently than me and their work causes me see other perspectives.

A fun or surprising fact about yourself?  

I am a Peloton fanatic! I also love Pilates and downhill skiing. Surprising because I am SO not athletic. I am also an avid word puzzle doer. I love playing Anagrams (a variation on Bananagrams) and Boggle with my kids. They are formidable opponents!

If you could meet anyone in history , who would it be and why?

If I had to choose one, it would be Pete Townshend, the lead song writer and guitarist of The Who. His music and lyrics have had such a profound influence on me since I discovered The Who when I was 10. He has provided the soundtrack for my life. When I am not inspired in the studio, I put on a Who playlist or any of his solo work and the creativity just flows.