So…this is happening! In Nine Days. *THIS* is happening! And I can’t be more thrilled and nervous in my whole life.
The concept is simple. I’ve never been a fan of Valentine’s Day. Although I do enjoy chocolate, flowers and all the thrills, love doesn’t have to be expressed with just that. And only once a year. The day just raises so many false expectations. I believe the sweetness and beauty of love should be experienced everyday. Spread it throughout the year. Reject commercialization of this crazy-made-up holiday.
So for this Valentine’s day weekend, I encourage people to just LOVE. Love their life, love their people, and simply share. I asked myself – what do I love do the most? Hanging out with my family and friends, do yoga, practice mindfulness, dance, eat and drink. And just be. Oh, I’ve also been in a mad passionate relationship with photography. So instead of the usual meet-n-greet, I decided to combine, yes. e. all of the above for my first ever Open Studio. Craziness!
Open your heart. Open your mind. Make a little room for new things — and you never know, you might discover something amazing or meet someone awesome. I hope you can make it!
Meet The Teachers
Ezraly Yap – My first recollection of Ez was back in college. She had a vanity license plate that says “EZ DOES IT.” It raised an eyebrow amongst our peers but already back then, I knew she was my people. (Later she explained it meant Easy Does It. Riigght. A likely story.) Fast forward, we both found ourselves living in the Bay Area, doing the working mom family suburb thing. And as we were both feeling some post-maternity funk, a decision to try out yoga was made. Best move ever. We rallied each other at at 5:30 in the morning to get out of bed, haul ass and get our asanas on. Many years later, she’s now a certified yoga teacher at Xplore Yoga! She’s one of my heroes.
Jeremy Adam Smith – I met Jeremy on a few photography projects/events for the Greater Good Science Center. I instantly recognized him as a passionate parent and fellow nerd. My kind of people. He is also the author or coeditor of four books, including The Daddy Shift, Rad Dad, and The Compassionate Instinct., as well as many articles about Mindfulness. When I asked him to talk at my Open House, he suggested talking about Mindfulness and Love. I agreed to the Love part, as long as he doesn’t get too mushy. He promised.
Nathan Dias – Gosh this guy is talented! Definitely one of my favorite teachers of Swing Dance and Lindy Hop in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve seen him manage groups of a close to a hundred at Ashkenaz to smaller intimate groups at Cat’s Corner. Somehow, when Nathan explains a dance step — he deconstructs so clearly, you just *get* it. I’m so happy to have him a teach a swing class at my Open Studio. Dance has become such a happy pill in my life I just want to share it. And I figure if there’s one guy who can help me spread that infectious nature of Swing Dance, Nathan is the man.
Space is limited, so please do email for me info@photograffiti.net for an invite!
