Monthly Archives: April 2014

Josette Holt Wyatt, Founder/Owner, In The Moment Portraiture

“Precious Photo Moments with Josette”

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Seems easy enough: Invest in top-notch, state-of-the-art camera equipment, encourage your subject to smile, and snap away. Easy, right? Uh, wrong. What about lighting? Angles? Posture? Background and landscape? Theme? And exposure and clarity and movement?

And what about the innate ability to make your clients feel comfortable, at ease in your presence? Even bringing a little comic relief to a tight, tense event such as a wedding?

Do yourself a huge favor and call Josette Holt Wyatt–photographer extraordinaire.

Her Fontana, Calif.-based In The Moment Portraiture professional photography business is the go-to “precious moments capturing” image taker/maker for any and all occasions and events. On the heels of its 10-year anniversary, In The Moment Portraiture has simply gotten better with each photo session and adventure, and Ms. Wyatt continues to treat each client as if hers are the very last photos they will take to truly honor those precious moments that will live into eternity.

“I love to capture what I call ‘in the moment’ shots, and that’s also one of the reasons why I named my business In The Moment Portraiture,” Josette recalls. “My mentors years ago, when I was first starting out, would say to me, ‘You love capturing those in the moment shots,’ the unrehearsed, genuine-emotion snapshots that revealingly tell a story.

“I realize all the snaps can’t be truly in-the-moment shots. So I do what I call semi-posed captures where I orchestrate the client into a certain posture but let it naturally fall into what it’s going to be. There’s a story there, in that moment, just the same. It just takes a little coaxing to help it unfold.”

In The Moment Portraiture’s portfolio is vast: Everybody loves weddings, graduations, and birthdays, but what about the day after? Josette’s The Day After shots are exquisite, fun, elegant and playful–however the couple’s feeling in that moment in time. What about boudoir shots for the lover in all of us? Josette’s got you covered. Youth sports shots? No problem. Family and kids? Head shots for seniors? Maternity/babies? Fashion or Period themes, such as Western, Egyptian, Supermodel or Rockstar? Special events? Or simply “A Day in Your Life” captures? And specialty items and albums? Josette’s at the ready with a keen, creative eye, a counselor’s temperament, and a whatever-it-takes-to-capture-your-perfect-moment personality that’s no less than endearing.

A session with Josette is simply life enhancing.

Her heartfelt approach to her work can be traced to the very genesis of the company. Like so many of us, Ms. Wyatt, back in the turn of the century, had been downsized from her corporate position by an evolving economy that was shedding jobs relentlessly. Unsure of her next move, she knew she had a knack for the human element and a yen for adventure with its attendant unpredictability. Photography would allow her to sate both cravings. And a business was born.

“I think the hardest part was figuring out how I was going to run a business when I had no prior experience at entrepreneurship,” she explains. “I was concerned about how I would get new potential clients and were they going to pay me to photograph their moments.”

With schooling, self-confidence, the backing of her family, and drawing upon her intrinsic people skills, Josette set upon her course and remained determined. Her advice to novice photographers and those with an interest is just as heartfelt and earnest: “If you’re serious about photography, please do a business plan. This will help you to see the big picture of your business and it helps a great deal with finances. Take your time to learn, improve and perfect your craft. Don’t be afraid of rejection. If it doesn’t work out the first time, revamp it and figure out how to make it work. And don’t be afraid to ask questions . . . you must have a hunger for knowledge.”

And to experience a true professional in action, set up a session with Josette and her In The Moment Portraiture.

I take pleasure in this precious moment to honor Josette Wyatt as this Pamper-Her-Friday’s special Pamperee for her life-enhancing work. And for making all her clients’ portraiture true works of art.

Connect with Josette:
Web: www.nthemoment.com and http://about.me/josette_wyatt
Blog: www.nthemoment.com/blog
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pub/josette-holt-wyatt/19/55b/384/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/josetteholtwyatt
Phone: 909.428.1014

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“I welcome challenges when it comes to photography because it opens me up and helps me grow as an artist.” -Josette Holt Wyatt

© 2014 Pamper-Her-Friday by Rg2®

Josette Holt Wyatt, Photo Artist Extraordinaire (images © In The Moment Portraiture)

The Riveting Rissi Palmer, Country Music Songstress/Songwriter
photo by: Kristin Barlowe

“The Rissi Revelation”

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When “Jimmy Jam” Harris and Terry Lewis offered her a deal on their Flyte Tyme Records label at the tender age of 19 back in 2000, Rissi Palmer respectfully declined the proposal. The legendary Minnesota hits-making duo salivated over the ingénue’s throaty, butter-melting chops and camera-worthy looks but wanted to turn her “twangy” country style into a pop/soul hybrid.

Rissi listened to and followed her heart, unwilling to go astray of her passion.

Man, am I thrilled she did. So too will those Country music lovers–music lovers period!–across the globe who haven’t yet heard Ms. Palmer’s mesmerizing vocals and heart-written lyrics.

“I love R&B and urban music, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do,” says the Sewickley, Pennsylvania, native. “I knew I wouldn’t be happy doing that.” She would go on to sing jingles for “Barbie” commercials, perform on the “Dance Fever” TV show and compete on “Star Search,” toiling in relative obscurity for seven years in pursuit of a Nashville recording contract–honing her craft all the while.

Then, in 2006, fate had its say. Starbucks Entertainment distributed a four-song EP featuring Ms. Palmer that put her among the top five best-selling country artists on iTunes. Rissi’s debut album, “Rissi Palmer,” released in 2007 and on which she co-wrote nine of the 12 tracks, produced two chart singles in “Country Girl” and “Hold On to Me,” peaking at numbers 54 and 59, respectively, on the U.S. “Billboard” Hot Country Songs chart.

Two-thousand-eight saw her release a new single, a cover of Jordin Sparks’ and Chris Brown’s “No Air,” that debuted at number 58, eventually reaching number 47 and becoming her first Top 50 single on the Hot Country Songs chart. It was included on a reissue of her debut self-titled album later that year.

“Best Day Ever,” a “sophisticated” children’s album released in early 2013, met positive reviews with such nostalgia-inducing tracks as “Not Afraid of the Dark,” “You Could Be Dancing,” and “Be Me.” Describes Rissi: “The album’s a bridge between songs that are suitable and interesting to kids and entertaining to adults. It’s filled with songs from the perspective of a child–the simple yet profound things that make life the ‘best day ever’ for children in so many ways.” “Best Day Ever” is available now on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and all major digital music outlets.

Rissi’s currently writing and recording material for a new album with a sound that she describes as a “mixture of the country and soul music I grew up listening to.” “The Back Porch Sessions Vol. 1,” a five-song EP slated for summer release, is a project the inner workings of which Rissi is sharing with anyone who believes in her art and shares her passion: A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign is underway with just nine days left to reach her goal of raising $16,000 to finance the album.

Just under 50% pledged as of this writing, April 27 is the target date for any and all music lovers and Rissi supporters to have pledged (invest) in the cause of truly inspirational, timeless music by one of Country’s most gifted artists.

“The Kickstarter campaign was something I thought about for a long time,” explains Ms. Palmer. “After seeing so many artists make albums this way, I decided it was the best way to take my career into my own hands. I think for the independent artist who is not wealthy, it’s the way to go. Everyone who supports you gets to take some ownership in your project and you have the financial freedom and retain creative control. It’s a win-win.” The project can be found at:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rissipalmer/executive-produce-my-new-album-the-back-porch-sess.

Asked who were some of her influences growing up, Rissi reeled off such industry luminaries as Patsy Cline, Phoebe Snow, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Wynona Judd, Patty Griffin and early Motown legends, William “Smokey” Robinson among them. “I feel like my sound is a mixture of all of those influences,” she reflects.

And as with any artist driven by their passion, creative or otherwise, I was curious what Ms. Palmer wants most from her career. “I simply want to be able to make music for the rest of my life. I want to grow as an artist/singer/writer, tour the world and put out songs for as long as possible,” she shares. “I don’t have to be a millionaire, but it’d be nice to make a little money to play with [smile].”

That’s a likely arrangement considering that velvety honest voice and the beautiful heart from which it springs. Country music has a gifted caretaker and worthy standard-bearer. And this Pamper-Her-Friday has a special Pamperee whom I’m privileged to honor: Ms. Rissi Palmer.

Connect with Rissi:
Website: www.rissipalmermusic.com
Music samples: https://soundcloud.com/rissi-palmer/sets/rissi-palmer
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bcl-y42aw
Please consider making a pledge to Rissi’s Kickstarter project:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rissipalmer/executive-produce-my-new-album-the-back-porch-sess

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“Country music was a very conscious choice.” –Rissi Palmer

© 2014 Pamper-Her-Friday by Rg2®

Arkay Evans, Author, Poet, Mentor, Woman of Purpose

“The Poetic Aura of Arkay”

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The beauty in highlighting the multi-facets and -talents of Pamper-Her-Friday Pamperees resides in being able to take poetic license in writing their fascinating stories. I could fudge. I could embellish. But what would be the point? Especially when the story’s as compelling as that of Arkay Evans. She not only takes poetic license to new heights in her work.

She may well be the license issuer.

The founder of RK Evans Communications, violinist since age five, professional mentor, and published author of two must-read poetry collections, Ms. Evans fuses poetry, prose, a voracious reading appetite, and a keen “innerstanding” of the human emotional spectrum for the foundation of her creative works and mentor blogging. Communication, work ethics, personal development/relationships, and smart living are among the topics that encompass her mentoring skill mix.

“My creative works run the gamut of human experience and imagination,” says the St. Louis-based bard. “The focus of my work is largely on practical application, how we’re all connected by love and stronger in the actualization of that unity.” As a poet, Arkay does readings for corporate, nonprofit, and private special events, including grand openings, trainings, workshops, weddings and ceremonies.

She also offers one-on-one and group counseling, as well as workshops on goal attainment for women and young adults. “Lots of positive reinforcement and work on cognitive behavioral alignment to produce results,” she explains. “If nothing changes, nothing changes. I teach that faith is a verb.”

Ms. Evans’s published works are “Christians Under Construction” and “A Woman of Purpose: Secure in Faith Through Difficult Times.” The books deal with personal relationships, divine connection, and truths that are often blocked by the lies we tell ourselves.

Shares Arkay: “We are all parts of the same whole. It’s quite a job to get out of your own head to share positive energy in poetry without obstruction, but there is just nothing like seeing that spark come alive in the unsmiling eye. There is great power in the pen, and I aim each day to be a better steward.”

“A Woman of Purpose” has been published as an ebook and is currently available on smashwords.com. The paperback is being published by Canada-based Soul Asylum Publishing. “A Woman of Purpose” has also been developed as a spoken word audio book. Arkay’s next project, as yet unnamed, is a collection and audio book of soulful poetry on the maintenance of long-term love, romance and sensuality—combining her creative work with her love of music, bringing a new dimension to her craft.

Ms. Evans will be performing readings this Sunday, April 13, to celebrate the grand opening of The Nile Garden Bookstore in the African American Museum of Beginnings in Pomona, Calif., from 1 to 5 p.m. Attendees can expect a thought-provoking if not awakening performance from one of the spoken-word craft’s very best.

Because you represent the very essence of a Pamper-Her-Friday Pamperee, Arkay, it is my privilege to honor you and your life-enhancing creative work in behalf of the countless people you continue to touch all over the world. A difference-maker you are.

Connect with Arkay and support her life-affirming work:
Download “A Woman of Purpose”: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/arkayevans
Website: www.arkayevans.com and www.arkaycafe.com
Arkay’s Spoken Word Works: https://soundcloud.com/arkay-evans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkayEvans
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheArkayCafe

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“Writing isn’t what I do. It is who I am.” –Arkay Evans

© 2014 Pamper-Her-Friday by Rg2®

(Prelude to His Romance Manifesto 6: For Men Only)

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Dearest ___________ ,

We’re expendable.

Men.

Expendable in war. Expendable to the economy. Expendable to women.
It follows: Next man up.

Keep it moving. Sorta like the assembly line. Something like the new smartphone that’s only months away from an upgrade, a replacement.

I’ve come to terms not only with my mortality, but so too with my expendability–to you. There are no hard feelings, no harsh sentiments harbored, stowed away somewhere in my deeper being. I’ve come to grips.

I’ve never run astray from the truth, never run afoul of the laws of loving a woman: 1) Do no harm;
2) Give, love, but be prepared for its loss; and
3) Enjoy with a kid-at-heart fervor her company . . . in the moments. But enjoy your own just the same. Just in case.

The just-in-case comes more frequently nowadays. Because we men are expendable.

Notice I didn’t say ‘love’ is expendable.

For all its faults, perceived or real, aches and pains and highs and lows, love isn’t a throw-away. Unless you can extricate your very heart from your chest and throw it away, discard it to the refuse pile that continues to litter ever more what our beautiful Earth once was.

What’s love got to do with it? In the trenches, everything.

When you turn the lamplight off to signal night’s end–with the same damn work routine awaiting you the next morning–love lying, breathing next to you has meaning. Perhaps it’s not needed at each bedtime–once a week maybe, twice a month maybe. But when there, and true, bar none, love is ultra-good.

That phone call, out of the blue, “Meet me for lunch at your fave bistro, my treat?”
Nothing expendable there. If I weren’t sitting in the chair across the table from you, it’s not the same. Sure, next man up.

But it’s a totally different conversation. The look in your eyes is different. Your laugh has a different pitch. Sure, I’m expendable–I don’t own the restaurant chair.

But the love? Is it there when my presence is not? Yes, I’m expendable. But what of the love?

Remember when I suggested we try balloon airgliding at sunset, both of us nervous (you more than I) at the prospect so high above water? You clutched my hand the whole while.

Sure enough, you can glide with another as the whim hits you.

But whose hand will yours remember? Especially on Pamper-Her-Friday?

Yes, I’m expendable. But the feeling is not.

What’s love got to do with it?

In the trenches, everything.

Deeply,
Rg2 

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Lest she forgets . . . on Pamper-Her-Friday. -Rg2

© 2014 Pamper-Her-Friday by Rg2®