Yael Rakib | A Celebration of Phenomenal Women

Yael is the founder and owner of The Law Office of Yael Rakib. As an estate planning attorney, this incredibly accomplished woman continues making a great impact in the lives of countless families, but the first thing you will immediately notice even more is that she is the most proud to be a mother to her little girl.

Family is everything to Yael and it drives her passion to work in the field that she does. I recently had the opportunity to create new images for her company’s website and the most fun part was to include her sweet daughter as well in these photographs. Yael and I both agreed that her daughter definitely stole the show! It is my honor to share with you all some of the images from this fun photoshoot and also a little more about this phenomenal mother and attorney, Yael Rakib.

Images | Heartbox Photography

Hair & makeup | Daisy Gonzalez-Duarte of Beautiful One Makeup Artistry

*****

“I am a single mom to a smart, fun and sassy five year old girl who keeps me on my toes. She’s the reason I branched out on my own and started my estate planning and probate practice. I’m passionate about helping people plan their legacies. Whether you’re a parent who wants to give everything to their kids or if you’re single and have charitable intent and everything in between, I want to help you achieve your goals.

“I am also uniquely situated because of my own life experiences to understand the situations of others who are going through divorce, those responsible for loved ones struggling with substance abuse, and parents of blended families. I use my education and experience to help you create an estate plan which fits your individual situation.”

“I started my legal career in child welfare law and I found after some time that this was not my passion. I had a friend tell me once that she thought my superpower is how much capacity I have to care for others and, unfortunately, empathy made it very emotionally difficult to work in this field. A mentor of mine introduced me to estate planning and, due to the necessity for flexibility as a single mom, I had to start my own practice. It took guts and grit, but I’m glad every day that I did it. This process also inspired me to mentor other young female attorneys who need the extra guidance and inspiration to strike out on their own.”

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

“I really enjoy meeting new people and putting their minds at ease about the uncertainties following what should happen to their assets if they lost capacity or died. Some of the challenges are that this area of practice does not work in a vacuum — there are intersections with family law, business law, intellectual property, even international law. But, it is very satisfying finding answers to new questions, expanding my knowledge and meeting new people along the way from whom I can learn.”

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

“I would tell my 18 year old self not to wait for the “right time” to come along. My father is an entrepreneur and I always looked up to him. I used to think that when the time was right, that I would know that I was ready to do something on my own, much like he had. The truth is, there is never a “right time” and it always takes guts and hard work to accomplish big dreams.”

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

“My family, my friends, my clients and my colleagues.

I have really good people in my life and I strive every day to make them proud and to give back to them.”

Who inspires you and why?

“I have been very fortunate to have many sources of inspiration. I’ve already mentioned my father because he was a role model in starting my own business. Now-a-days, my father continues to inspire me to work harder and achieve more. My mother inspires me to be more kind and patient. My daughter inspires me to be a better role model and to overcome challenges. My siblings inspire me to accept and love myself. My friends inspire me to be more selfless. My colleagues inspire me to learn more, and to teach others, as well as provide others with opportunities.”

A fun or surprising fact about yourself?

“I can squat over 200lbs!”

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

“Ruth Bader Ginsberg because of her strength and success in breaking down barriers.”

Lisa Gaines | A Celebration of Black Excellence

It is no secret to anyone in the world today that we are certainly living in times where conversations on race are long overdue. Though I am only one person with a camera, I came to realize that everyone can contribute something to keep advocating for change - even a portrait photographer like me. Lisa was one of the first women I spoke with when I had the idea to do a series that celebrated and told the stories of Black women from the Bay Area - in short, to give honor to Black excellence that these women exemplify in both their personal and professional lives and share it with the world.

I am honored to share with you all today’s feature highlight on this phenomenal woman, Lisa Gaines.

“I  grew up in the true South, in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.  I am originally from North Carolina.  From a young age, I knew I had a passion for fashion.  I loved to play dress up and an invitation to attend any soiree that required a dress, tights and patent leather shoes was high on my list of favorite things.  I had the opportunity to model into my 20’s.  My path to California and to the field of image consulting and color analysis was somewhat circuitous.  I utilized my Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Georgia Tech while working for a commercial printing firm and, shortly after my marriage, my husband and I moved to California.  I began managing a multi-million dollar revenue retail store in the Bay Area."

After having my first child, I put a lot of focus on raising my family, but my heart always brought me back to fashion or fitness.  I was a successful Fashion Coordinator for a large clothing line.  A chance introduction to my image and color mentor by a mutual friend launched me into a passion for supporting women 40 and over who have a desire to step into a new season in their lives and need a fashion-infused confidence boost. I’ve been working with clients for 6 years helping them to express their true essence in their signature style. 

My clients feel a renewed sense of self and purpose and realize the confidence to pursue their passions.  I firmly believe age is just a number and I want to bring as many women as I can to “the sweeter side of life”, so they can be free to be who they are, UNAPOLOGETICALLY, fully aligned and shining brightly!

I am very proud of the time that I spent as a stay-at-home mom.  It was never something I envisioned for myself, but it was a season of my life that brought me a lot of joy...to be able to be there for my kids, every day, and to witness their development into amazing people.  And I have to say I am very proud of how my journey and all the things that I have done and experiences I’ve had and some of the most amazing people I have had the opportunity to meet have all brought me to where I am today. It’s fueled my passion for modeling for women being of “a certain age” doesn’t have to be a limitation for them and that tapping into their authentic self opens up opportunities they could never imagine.”

Besides fashion, my other passion is for dance.  I love all forms of dance and if I had had my druthers, I would have been a professional dancer.  My very pragmatic father convinced me that I wouldn’t make a lot of money in that sort of career, so I let it go and pursued another avenue. I find ways to dance anytime, though.  I do tap, jazz, have even taught Zumba and until about a year ago, danced professionally with an African Drum and Dance cultural group in the Bay Area.  I cannot hear good music and not move my body.  It’s in my blood!”

Can you tell me about someone who has had a huge influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?

“My mother is probably the biggest influence in my life. 

She has always been a go-getter and does everything she pursues with excellence. She taught me to believe in myself and never give up and even now that she lives with my family, she is still my biggest cheerleader!”

What is the best advice you've ever received?

“Before I got married, I was told, never to go to bed angry at my husband.  It’s something I have always followed and I believe it is big part of the reason my husband and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year.”

Who/what inspires you and why?

“I am always inspired by other women’s success.  What I have learned is that one woman’s success equates to the success of all women.  If a woman is doing the same thing as you, you’re not competitors,  you’re sisters.  When women collaborate and join their talents and creativity together, they are so much more powerful than they are alone.”

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

“I think I would love to meet Nina Simone.  She was a strong and beautiful black woman who used her powerful voice and artistic genius for social justice.  Her musical legacy is a testament to the struggle for equality and civil rights of  Black people and her message was a catalyst for social change in her time. I’d be curious to learn how she sees how much or little things have changed since she’s been gone.  I’d like to know her thoughts about the BLM movement and how she would be making her voice heard in 2020.”

What does "honoring and celebrating black excellence" mean to you personally? 

“It means shining a light on the achievements and contributions of black men and women who are continuing the legacy of excellence that has always been a part of our culture. 

So many things that we take for granted in this world were developed, designed, or patented by Black people but the history has been re-written, glossed over, or outright changed to diminish or delete their contributions. 

In order to preserve and protect that legacy, it is important to highlight and promote the achievements and contributions continuing to be made and to dispel the negative and erroneous stereotypes that are still prevalent in society.”

Alora & Aleayah | A Celebration of Phenomenal Mothers & Daughters

“I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me.”

-author unknown

Mothers are different kind of hustler. And I love photographing them, especially when they do a mother and daughter photoshoot like Alora did with her daughter, Aleayah. It not only gives them an opportunity to get dolled up together, but to mark a moment in time that celebrates their relationship as well as the beauty that comes from recognizing women raising up the next generation of women.

Portraits can definitely be done with other loved ones, so why not bring in the other awesome people in your life to create new moments like this? These two beauties stepped out in front of my camera at my favorite time of the afternoon (love that softened natural light!) to capture a few shots and I am so proud to share them with you all.

Most mothers are often behind the camera and I want to invite mothers out to step out in front. Give yourself permission to exist in portraits, to celebrate exactly where you are at today. Your children will want to have those photos of you and with you to cherish for themselves. Do it for you, yes, but even more so for you and your loved ones.

Here’s to celebrating phenomenal mothers and daughters in our communities and around the world.

Alora and Aleayah, thank you for the honor of creating something just for you both to cherish for years to come. :)

Image | Heartbox Photography

Hair & makeup | Daisy Gonzalez-Duarte of Beautiful One Makeup Artistry