This Is Why...

I could begin by explaining why I haven't touched this blog in so long but instead I will plow straight into why I am here now. People who know me know that I take my job very seriously as CEO of KiKeara Image Group. I truly love what I do. I would go so far as to say that I strongly feel that I am walking in my purpose. Every now and then I get confirmation of that fact.

My Christmas gift!

On December 25, 2013 I received the best Christmas gift that I could ever have imagined to come from my niece Alaina. It was a letter stating that she loved me and how much she loves working with me. She went on to express that she wants to work with me (more often) and as I read it she stood there hopeful waiting for an answer. The look on her face was priceless! It was at that point that I realized that my work habits not only influence the models, designers and stylists that I work with on a daily basis but there are others watching me, being inspired by our work and daydreaming about doing what we do. Little people. Young teens who have yet to do anything to work towards their future calling. This is huge! That means something to me.  I now understand every struggle that I go through, every hour that I spend editing and every "all nighter" that I grind through trying to finish an article or complete research on a topic.

Look forward to my next posting ...because it will be very soon. I have a reason to blog more often. This is why.

Perfect Alignment

This past weekend I had the pleasure of shooting with an up and coming designer named Malcolm Diggs. We were inside of a boutique called Karma in downtown Newark, NJ. Everything about that morning was perfect. Perfect cup of coffee, feeling perfectly well rested, the model's makeup was done to perfection and we were in the perfect location!

I had to take a picture of this chandelier because it just spoke to me... the brick wall on one side the fitting room with the magazine collaged interior...JUST PERFECT! It all inspired me to keep aiming for my very own studio space. If I work hard, stay prayed up and focus I know I will be blessed with a studio space for my own chandelier! ...sending that out to the UNIVERSE with Love.

I am feeling more in alignment mentally and spiritually than I have ever been before! When I get up in the morning I have a list from the night before of tasks that I have to get done. Images that need editing, updates that need to be made to the websites, clients that I need to contact and so forth. The lists are very long and as I complete a task there is always something else to add to the list. But for some reason I get to check most items off and move on to the next with ease.

I was able to work on post production for that shoot fairly quickly ...here are the first few edits. Enjoy!

Restructure

This has been such an enlightening experience. Once I made the decision to feed my creativity and move forward I started seeing my path with a new level of clarity. One of the things that I realized that I need to do is to make sure that I am also preparing my body as well as my mind and spirit for my journey. Saving money, focusing and time management were already starting to be implemented but I also needed to make time for a workout daily, stay prayerful and eat healthier.

I start touring again on March 1st and the difference with this tour is that I will be taking part in more meetings and engaging in more social activities as well as hitting more stores as I build the wardrobe racks for the upcoming spring season. In other words, I need to be healthy with stamina and energy!

I have decided that I will no longer be eating out for convenience. I am going to eat fresh foods that I prepare myself. How can I build an empire if I am constantly donating to the McDonald's dynasty?

Inner Peace

This past friday, while waiting for Marly to get out of mid-terms I parked, took a deep breath and just took in my surroundings. There a few feet in front of my eyes was the most striking vision! I believe it a sign or a gift...very symbolic to where I am right now mentally and spiritually.

For about 5 years I wouldn't go anywhere without my camera. This past year, running on automatic pilot I stopped carrying it around. I would kick myself often because I was bound to see something beautiful, stylish or curiously odd.

As the new year ushered in I started to realize that I had lost that spark. The desire and passion to do what I love was slowly diminishing and turning into a J.O.B.!

Well, I can't let that happen...now can I?! So after time well spent in solitude and reflection I then prayed for clarity. It was at that point in time where I can say that I began to see what I needed to do and change in order to get back to that place where my passion and creativity thrived.

I have now adjusted my course and I am back on the right path which in turn adjusted my vision. I am viewing the world with a creative eye again. This image spoke to me ...the window is a view into my soul which reflects peace and creativity.

I shouldn't have left you...

I have been awful towards you...

But I can promise you that I will never leave you again. I will never let you down or abandon you in order to live up to someone else's expectations of what they think that I should be doing for them. What I owe them... Yes, it is in my nature to want to please everyone and help them with their goals but at the end of the day...it is you and you alone that belongs to me. You have always been there, you have never left me (even when I didn't feed you properly). I will take care of you from now on. I can promise you that. I will feed you, nurture and support you full force. My passion, my drive, my goals.

We've come a long way baby...ain't no stoppin it now.

Love, Kinu

This time... it's for me.

I am not sure exactly when my course of direction shifted, but it has done just that. For the first time in my life I am taking stronger chances and stepping out of my safe zone. I wasn't really happy with how my 40th year started. I was moving at a snail's pace, indecisive and in some cases, indifferent. That was in September.

Ten months later...I decided to launch a publication, I am moving to a state that I have ever lived in before (I have always lived in either New Jersey or South Carolina), and I am making a conscious effort to not only improve my health but expand and broaden my education and strengthen my financial status long term. I can not recall exactly when these changes started to happen...but I like it!

For many years, everything that I have ever done was to get the approval and support of my loved ones, to stay in a safe zone or to appear invisible to discourage criticism. As I wake up on this 2nd day of my "pre-vacation" (because I do vacations now) I am looking forward to pampering myself and getting ready for my Miami vacation. The road ahead is super bright ...and this time it's for ME.

joy in my heart

this past weekend was the most uplifting in a long time! i had two wonderful shoots...one was with an aspiring star named hope. her eyes just shined during the photo shoot (this was her first shoot)...she followed direction well and even when she didn't understand what i wanted from her she IMPROVISED! a natural born star she is.

after the first half of the shoot was done, we drove across town to the other location and i am telling you that this little girl knew every word to maxwell's song "pretty wings"...and matched his every note.

parents listen to me...if there is anything that your child enjoys doing please embrace it. in this world there is enough disappointment, despair, bad news...enough negative forces ...we should always pave the way for our children to bring joy to our hearts.

this past saturday little miss hope put joy in my heart. hope...the name fits perfectly and you know GOD make no mistakes.