NEW: Guest Blog Series!! Starting today with Leslie Stein

I am excited to be starting a new guest blog series, both here and over on the Bella Forza blog too! I have invited individuals, whom I think have great things to say, to share their wisdom and experience here, with us! My goal is to spread optimism, encouragement, empowerment, and hopefully some laughs...after all, life IS beautiful!

First up is the fabulous Leslie Stein. We met on-line when we both participated in the Boudoir Body Challenge, organized by another fabulous lady - Stacie Frazier. I was immediately drawn to Leslie's down-to-earth, passionate, and optimistic attitude toward life and I'm thrilled to have her kicking off this new endeavour!

Leslie wrote this guest blog just for us (love you, Leslie!) and I hope you enjoy her 'voice' as much as I do!

Life is beautiful!  

Lori

...and now over to you, Leslie...

Heroes & Villains

It’s been coming up a lot lately...the fact that I am pretty much a superhero. I know...you’re impressed. Or wait...maybe you’re not. Maybe you think it’s silly for an average girl to see herself as a superhero. But I do. I am a superhero and not afraid to claim it!

In my own life. In others’ lives. In the work I do.

But I don’t do it just for the cape (yes, really...I have a badass cape! I also have a magic wand. Tools of the trade. Don’t be jealous.). I do it to bring out the superpowers in those around me.

I inspire people to transform through the facilitation, training & speaking I do inside corporations and the personal growth work I do with individuals via coaching & life adventure retreats. All of it is in service of one thing...helping people become their own superheroes.

I’d like to say it’s purely altruistic. But it’s not. My motivations are kind of selfish here. It get’s lonely being the only one in a cape. I want a world full of happy, connected individuals who loooove what they do (and who they are!!) so I have people to play with. My very own justice league!!

And so...I create spaces where people metaphorically go into phone booths, rip off the masks they wear (in the form of roles + responsibilities at home, work, & in their communities), and become the superheroes they’ve always been deep down inside.

Fortunately or unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let go of their masks and become a hero. So it’s also been coming up a lot lately that I am a villain. Disrupting the status quo. Saying things some wish were left unsaid. Disappointing people. Not living up to their expectations. Having the audacity to call myself a hero.

How dare I, right?!

Wrong. Me not claiming my awesome doesn’t make the world a better place. In fact, it makes it a sadder place where people think it’s ok to hide their talents. To stifle their dreams. To play small. All for the sake of what...not making other people uncomfortable?! Holy horse manure, Batman!

Guess what. Life happens in the uncomfortable moments. In those times when you challenge the status quo & it actually CHANGES! On those occasions you step up & say, “That’s right, I’m a badass. I got this!”

You can make magic happen. You can bring out the best in others. You can change the world. When you are willing to dream. When you are willing to risk. When you are willing to fail. When you are willing to just...be...YOU.

And so perhaps the real path to becoming a superhero is to realize that along the way you must also be willing to play the part of a villain in someone else’s story. Because when you have the audacity to dream, risk, fail, and be YOU...someone’s not gonna like it.

But maybe...just maybe...that is the first step on their path to becoming a hero too. And you made it possible.

For more information on how you can work with Leslie to uncover your special superpowers & learn how to use them in creating the life you’ve always wanted, visit www.lesliestein.com or e-mail her at leslie@lesliestein.com.

...and they said, "Welcome to IRIS!"

I am really excited to announce that I was invited to become a member of The IRIS Photographic Society of Alberta and that I accepted!

Some lovely irises gifted by Kerry for the 'new members meeting'...she thought them fitting, as did I!

IRIS, which is an acronym for Inspiring Respect through Images and Stories, aims to promote connection and respect between our communities, segments of our population, cities, cultures, and even countries, depending on the project.  The mandate is to use our passion for photography (all IRIS members, of which there are now 11, have a love of photography) as the platform to engage conversation between people and groups of people, to foster a heightened level of understanding of one another, and to provide some photography tips and tricks along the way to anyone interested!

An example of a recent project was when IRIS members conducted a workshop at an Edmonton seniors' centre, putting cameras in the hands of a few of the residents.  The workshop was then followed up with an exhibition of those residents' works...how cool is that!

I am incredibly honoured to now be part of this group, a group who have been humbly and generously endeavouring to make our world a little better since inception a year and a half ago, and I am fundamentally moved that I now have the opportunity to participate in deciding on projects and then executing them (we decided on some wonderful initiatives this past week at our meeting...stay tuned!).  

As a non-profit, IRIS relies on a few revenue generating projects each year and also on donations from people and organizations who believe in what we are trying to achieve.  If you are interested in supporting IRIS please visit: http://irisphotoalberta.ca/ and click the 'donate' button on the right side!

Over the past few years I have been afforded really amazing opportunities and, on each occasion, I've wondered, "have they got the right 'Lori'?"...alas, I am learning that this is how we grow:  by being a little scared, by reaching, by stepping outside of our comfort zones, AND by choosing to be in the midst of people we admire and respect, people who desire to help in building a more compassionate world.

Life - and opportunities to make a difference - are beautiful!

Lori

It's The Little Things

Don't ya' just love finding things that make you smile, things that make your life a little better?!  I sure do, and the following are a couple of things that made me smile today...

I love visits to the local drug store...I can often find a lil' something to perk up my day without spending a lot.  I have really fine hair and so "Fat Hair Thickening Spray" was an awesome find (note: I ONLY think the word fat is okay when you are speaking of hair! ...when my son saw me pick it up he said, rather dramatically, 'you're not buying that!' lol - yes, my kids know it's a dirty word! :) )...I love this product!  I equally love Maybelline's Falsies Volum Express in Black Drama - this stuff is great and inexpensive!

On my bathroom counter sits a photo of me, taken in '94 by an aspiring photographer in Natal, Brazil.  When I look at this photo I am reminded of how I felt back then (and still feel!)...that life is full of promise, opportunities, friendship, and adventure!  I love having this visual reminder every morning, it instantly puts a smile on my face and a hop in my step!   It also provides a great place to keep the three necklaces that are symbolic to me and that I wear most often...

one was gifted to me by my beautiful friend at her wedding=FRIENDSHIP, 

one represents my lil' family and my acknowledgement of my own personality and nature 

(I'm one of 'those' who thinks astrology is meaningful)=LIFE, 

and one I just brought home yesterday and is intended to protect me whilst encouraging peace and compassion=STRENGTH.

My last fave to include is a Facebook group called The Boudoir Body Challenge.  This group was started by Stacie Frazier, an awesome woman and boudoir photog out of Las Vegas, and has blossomed into the coolest and most motivating group I've found in a long while!  Ladies, look it up...I'm there with plenty of other women who are simply looking to better their own health, with the awesome added benefit of encouraging everyone else in the group at the same time...zero judgement/110 motivation!  There have been MANY tips shared on BBC that have inspired me and two of them I want to share with all of you:

1) when eating out why not ask for them to bring you a takeaway box before your meal; this allows you to halve your meal ensuring you don't overeat (com'on, those portions are out of control and I guarantee you I'll eat it all if it's A) yummy and B) right in front of me!)

2) MyFitnessPal is a free online resource that has an accompanying app...did I mention it's FREE?!  Yep, free & awesome!  I am relatively new to using it but I am really excited about the difference it will make in me having a better sense of my caloric intake/expenditure each day!  (I'm not sure how reliable the exercise module is for calculating calories burned, but just knowing how many I've eaten is a terrific first step!)

So, what made you smile today?  What little thing can you introduce or be grateful for in your daily routine to make your life that little bit better EVERY DAY?  Feel free to share in the comments and, if nothing else, go out and find a smile...it's good for your health! :D

Life - and the little things - are beautiful!

xo Lori

Yin-Yang and other truths...it is personal!

I believe that there can't be anything without its opposing force (or complimentary force if you're a 'glass half full' kind of person!): day-night, water-fire, man-woman, yin-yang; therefore, I must also accept that for a person to experience true joy they must also face grief.

I have been consciously and sub-consciously contemplating this post since late May when I experienced a great personal loss.  This will NOT be a post detailing what happened or why; rather, I simply want to address a couple of things that I hold very dear, and I also wish to express, in writing, that I am Just.Like.You.

I have been 'feeling my way' on the social media platform for the past three or four years.  On November 7, 2010, in my second blog post here (and second of my life), I wrote this:

"As this blog-thing is new to me, I have spent a lot of time over the past week or so contemplating just what to share, and the possibilities are, obviously, limitless.  So, I've decided on some parameters which, when written down, seem to be best encapsulated by 'general goodwill'.  I want to share what I am learning, to show what I'm working on, and to elevate the conversation (hopefully) to a tone of positive attitude and caring.  So, we may go on tangents (Lord knows I am good at that!), but you may rely on this being a place you can spend a minute during your busy day without hearing me whine, complain or lay blame."

I have believed since day one that social media can inform, uplift, and entertain...but the opposite of all those wonderful impacts is true too.  I am proud that I have chosen, and continue to choose, the path of light, goodwill, and generosity everyday (with the occasional slip when something really pisses me off!) :)

All that said, these past few months have been exceedingly difficult for me and my family.  However, the reminders of all that is beautiful in my life and in the world have absolutely buoyed me.  I pay great respect to the path I've led, through Bella Faccia and now Bella Forza, over these past few years as I believe that my daily choice to be positive and to encourage women to feel empowered/beautiful/strong has helped me immeasurably in overcoming what has been the greatest heartbreak of my life.  

I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF OPTIMISM, POSITIVE THOUGHT, and GRACE. 

Obviously I'm human and suffer moments (or a tad longer) of acting in a way that is, shall we say, less than graceful; but we learn, we grow, we improve, and we step forward...and we needn't apologize for being 'works in progress' as every individual on earth is learning as they go too!

A few months ago I received a private note through Facebook from someone I haven't met in person, but who is known to me through friends.  I am going to believe that the message was meant to be inquisitive, based on this person's support over the past few years, regardless of the crass way it was written.  Essentially, this subscriber of mine on my personal page, who also receives updates from both of my Facebook business pages, had learned of my loss and wrote to me asking why I was being 'so disingenuous' with my posts, citing that they had been "too positive given what you are actually living"...the fact is that I am not disingenuous, in fact I feel extraordinary joy that I have been able to see the beauty around me whilst also suffering sadness.  I value the quality of sincerity as highly as I value trust, integrity, and goodwill...I wish to express, publicly, that when you read a post of mine - whether it is my written word or something that I've shared - I MEAN for you to read it and for us, collectively, to feel uplifted. That was my goal when I started and I am only more fervent in my pursuit of 'beautiful' now!

I recently read this quote by Rumi: 

"Learn the alchemy true human beings know.  The moment you accept what troubles you've been given, the door will open."  

Indeed, I do believe that masking pain, hiding from truth, and living a lie are all terribly unhealthy and unhelpful in living your best life.  We should be able to answer truthfully when someone asks us how we are; that said, I also hope that we choose to answer with infinite hope.  So, friends, I can say that I have been sad and hurt, and I can say that some days have felt heavy in ways I cannot adequately articulate - not unlike what every human being faces at some point in their lives;  however, I can also say that I am full of hope, optimism, and joy for the blessings I experience each day.  I am truly grateful for so much that I couldn't possibly list it here.  

I really wanted an awesome shot of me and my kids from yesterday's adventure...
and I got one; this picture makes me smile every time I look at it!
© Bella Faccia Photography/Lori M. Maloney

I do believe that LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL and I am happy to share why with any of you, on any day, and in any venue!  In the meantime, let's keep celebrating each other, our talents and foibles!

With gratitude, 

Lori

SuperMom to SuperModel!

I met beautiful Karma a few years ago, when our sons bonded over dinosaurs in kindergarten, and it wasn't long before we were friends too!  It was also fun to discover that her husband and I attended school together...such a small world!

Karma is mom to four active kids who range in age from nearly three to 17...with an always clean house, fresh baking and cooking on hand for her family and friends (she showed up to her shoot with a family portion of homemade spaghetti for us!), and seemingly endless energy, Karma definitely epitomizes the term 'Super Mom'!

Over the past few years Karma has pondered the idea of a shoot with me...I was beyond thrilled when she bit the proverbial bullet and booked her session.  As you can see, Karma is beautiful without a stitch of makeup; but being a girly-girl meant that a morning of getting her hair and makeup done and then playing model was right up her alley!  

I loved how excited and engaged Karma was in planning her shoot.  We had a pre-session consultation a few weeks before her shoot to discuss details (something I always schedule) and she also had compiled shots she loved on a Pinterest board as inspiration for us both.  In fact there was one shot, which I believe was taken by a Russian photographer Litvak Oleg (the Pinterest file didn't have the artist's name; however, a fellow photographer helped me locate the information), that she and I both LOVED and she asked me to recreate.  Here is that shot...

Other ideas for the shoot included a new pair of boots she had; some french netting I wanted to try out; and some sassier shots for her husband...all I can say is that I have been hard pressed to pick my faves as there are just too many!  Alas, here are a couple more from our shoot that I LOVE!

Karma told me that she walked up the front steps with a bit of a gulp in her throat!  Flash forward to this afternoon (the day after her shoot) when she texted me saying it was the experience of a lifetime!  Show her some love as she is simply beautiful, inside and out!

Karma, your infectious laugh, easy going demeanour, and fun loving attitude are all reasons I enjoy being around you in general, and you brought all that AND pro modelling moves to your session!  Thank you for your trust in me; having the opportunity to photograph you was so much fun and I hope we'll do it again ;)!  

Life - and moms you meet at school - are beautiful!

xo
Lori

'You Are Here'...and 'Here' Is Beautiful!

I was recently at a museum with the kids when I noticed a "You Are Here" sign on the floor in front of the museum's map...and it struck me as profound.  I took this photo on my iPhone and have been mulling over the seemingly simple statement ever since.

My blog and Facebook posts are a mix of business and personal, and this one is no different.  The fact is that life is busy, which I know does not come as a shocker to any of you!  I try hard each day to find some semblance of balance between my health (why does fitting in a workout seem so challenging?!), cleaning the house, having groceries at the ready, chauffeuring two kids to myriad activities, supporting a  husband who has a demanding job, seeing friends & family, playing with the dogs, AND running Bella Faccia (and now Bella Forza as well)!  Now, I don't claim to be as busy as many; however, aren't we all trying to find our own 'best balance'? 

There have been many days over this past year when I felt overwhelmed and found myself subconsciously wishing things were different somehow - more time, more energy, more help (I do daydream of a housecleaner nearly daily :) ); but then, I thought, "no, I don't wish things were different...I'm loving my life...I'm loving 'here'"!  So, 'here', in this moment, I am letting go of what I think I should be doing, accomplishing, etc....I am letting go of any self perceived guilt...and I am going to step back from work (with one exception) for a few months to allow me time to be a (nearly!) FULL TIME MOM to two pretty awesome kids.  

That one work exception mentioned above is Bella Forza!  My commitment to the women whom Bella Forza can be of service to have my commitment and I will not turn any Bella Forza client away.  If you are wondering what Bella Forza is all about please visit the FB page at www.facebook.com/BellaForzaPortraits and the blog at bellaforzaportraits.wordpress.com).  I'd love to have you click 'like' or leave a comment if you are so inclined; it not only helps get the word out about Bella Forza but it also buoys the women who come to us!

So, during the summer months, from June 1 to September 15, I will only be taking clients for Bella Forza.  I will still be on-line and will happily be taking session bookings throughout the summer for dates after 09/15!

Life - and loving your 'here' - are beautiful!

xo

Lori

She Was Warrior

In early January the fabulous Sarah Byrne and I were having coffee, chit-chatting about life, astrology, and books when, out of the blue, she said, "We should plan a creative! What have you always wanted to do?"  Truth is that I tend to be a specific-purpose type of person and I'd never actually done nor pursued a true creative shoot (my collaborative shoot with Sarah, Doug Pruden, and Katie Hunt came close mind you ;) ).  All that said, I knew exactly what I've thought about doing for the past few years, "I want to do a body paint shoot."  And so the idea was born...but we needed to find a model and decide on details.

I've worked with the lovely Jeanette a number of times now - she started out as a client and quickly became my friend and model (some might say muse given how many times we have now worked together - she graces the top of this blog!).  I emailed to see if she'd be interested and she seemed as excited about it as Sarah and I were!

Next we needed a theme...there were so many back and forths between myself and Sarah that I'm not sure who first came across a shot with a headdress; regardless we were both convinced that it would be awesome and we set out to design the rest of the shoot around a headdress.  Sarah went in search and found an extraordinary headdress for us...man, you have to see this thing in person!  

During our planning, and mere weeks before our mid-March shoot; Sarah visited a friend and they painted together.  She posted a shot of her canvas on Facebook and I asked her to bring it over so that I could shoot it; thinking the texture and colours would be beautiful with our Warrior!  I haven't done much in the way of composites but I love the capabilities of Photoshop and, as this was intended to be a truly creative pursuit, I thought it would be a great time to play and learn.  

The below image is the result of three women who all invested time, thought, and heart into this shoot!  

© Bella Faccia/Lori Maloney
HMUA and Background Art by Sarah Byrne
Styling by Sarah Byrne and Lori Maloney
Model: Jeanette

I hope to post a few more from our session and they will likely be edited quite differently (trying to learn as much Photoshop as I can on this!).

My sincere thanks to Sarah and Jeanette for all of their efforts in making this shoot not only a success but a really fun day too!  (PS we're still finding beads from the bracelet I broke while readying JB!)

Life - and creative endeavours - are beautiful!

Lori