nine {with hannah marcotti}

The Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began on my blog, Be Present, Be Here, in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to nine questions in photographs (or video). All the interviews can be found here.

Today, I am welcoming Hannah Marcotti to my corner. Hannah's Instagram photos are so often favorites of mine (I heart Instagram) and if you aren't already signed up for her newsletter, you are missing out on beautiful words delivered to your inbox each week. She deeply inspires me with the way she looks at the world, the honest ways she shares her truth, and how she invites others to be themselves through her bravery and her stories. 

Enjoy these slices of Hannah's world as she answers the Nine questions.

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Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

***

Hannah Marcotti is a quietly impassioned motivator who serves as guide to your gorgeous life and business of the heart.

She is a highly sensitive mama who wishes to help you dream and seek out the truth of your purpose and help you celebrate life. She is often found tattooing joy on the spirits of those in her community.

Connect with her at her website.

(all photos copyright Hanna Marcotti)

the nine (with bella cirovic)

The Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began on my blog, Be Present, Be Here, in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to nine questions in photographs (or video). All the interviews can be found here.

Today, I am delighted that kindred Bella Cirovic is answering these Nine questions. Gosh I adore this girl and her way of looking at the world. She is brave and real, and these traits shine through in her photographs. 

Enjoy these glimpses into Bella's world... 

 *****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

*****

Bella Cirovic is a photographer and visual storyteller who lives in the suburbs just outside of NYC.

She shares her stories and photos at her blog, She Told Stories and is the hostess of the 52 Photos Project. 

All photos copyright Bella Cirovic. Bio photo of Bella by Thea Coughlin.

the nine interview revisited (with vivienne mcmaster)

The Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began on my blog, Be Present, Be Here, in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to nine questions in photographs (or video). All the interviews can be found here.

Vivienne McMaster first answered The Nine questions about three years ago (you can see her first interview here). Recently when chatting with her, I had the idea that it would be so much fun to have her answer The Nine questions now. Lucky for us, she graciously agreed to play along again.

Enjoy this peek into Vivienne's world... 

 *****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

*****

Vivienne McMaster is a photographer, visual storyteller and workshop leader with a passionate, supportive, rule free approach to getting creative with taking photos. 

She has a big love for helping people find the photographer within themselves. She believes, and knows from experience, that self-portraits can be incredibly healing (and also so much fun). She has a brand new website where she often shares stories that entwine images and words together.

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Note from Liz: Viv has been my "go to" photography teacher for a while now, and I am so excited to join in on this next session of Swan Dive that begins next Monday. I have been wanting to grow my understanding of post-processing and can't wait to circle with others and learn from Viv again. Learn more about Swan Dive and consider coming along... 

the nine interview (with catherine just)

The Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began on my blog, Be Present, Be Here, in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to nine questions in photographs (or video). All the interviews can be found here.

Today, I am so delighted to invite you into the soul.full world of the magical Catherine Just. 

 *****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

(all photos copyright catherine just)

*****

Catherine is an award winning photographer with a passion for helping others achieve their dreams. Her photos have been published on the cover of National Geographic Magazine and inside Oprah.com. She leads Soul*Full Retreats and eCourses for women merging creativity and personal growth. Find out which one is the best fit at http://www.catherinejust.com, and follow her on Twitter @Catherine_Just.

the nine interview (with kristen perman)

Today's Nine interview is with Kristen Perman. From her self-portraits to her NYC fire escapes to the Los Angeles street art she captures on her photo walks, oh how this woman can use a camera! The simple truth is that the way Kristen captures the world through her lens deeply moves me. She was one of my first friends here in blog world and then we became friends "in the real world," and I am so grateful for the way she shows up. I am also so honored that she is one of the contibutors in my book Inner Excavation.

Come along today and peek into Kristen's story as she answers the Nine questions.

*****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

(all photos copyright kristen perman)

*****

Kristen Perman is a Los Angeles based photographer who is continually inspired by the urban suburban sprawl of her surroundings.

A tea-loving bookworm, a girl who chases light and shadows; always exploring, always a camera in hand.

You can visit Kristen on the web at Exquisite Corpse Collective and her Flickr stream, and find her Etsy shop here. 

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Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to the interview questions in photographs (or video). You can scroll through all the interviews here.

the kindred project: day 6 (nine with meredith winn)

The Kindred Project: 12 Days of Light and Yes is about sharing our stories of light and hope. The moments where we said "yes" to choosing beauty in the midst of it all. The moments where we stood in our own light. The moments where we saw someone else choose hope. The moments where another became our teacher and where we taught ourselves. Read more about the project and share your own stories in this post. During these 12 days, I am sharing a few of the lights along my path that have pushed me and taught me and held me in the midsts of it all. 

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The world of blogging has brought so many lights into my world in the form of many incredible women who are living their lives wide and deep. They are dancing and resting and being as they walk paths of realness and grief and hope and joy. They teach me as they share their stories. The Nine series has become a way for me to interview a few of these people in a way that teaches all of us about how they see their worlds in this moment. Today, I am rebooting this series a bit with a slightly new set of questions. Look for more Nine interviews in the months to come.

Today's Nine interview is with Meredith Winn. Oh how this woman shares pieces of beauty and truth through her words and photography. Every time I visit her blog, she deeply inspires me with her courage, and even though our stories are different, she has this way of pushing me to know that I am not alone. I am so thankful our paths have crossed and am delighted that she agreed to kick off the Nine series reboot.

Enjoy this peek into Meredith's story.

*****

Question 1: Who are you?

 

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

 

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

 

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

 

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

 

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

 

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

 

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

 

*****

Meredith Winn is a sometimes writer and an everyday photographer. Meredith’s creative nonfiction has been published in various magazines including Midwifery Today, Motherverse, Literary Mama, Hip Mama, and a forthcoming issue of Mothering Magazine. Her photography has been on exhibit in TX, VT, and NYC. Meredith is a contributing editor and photographer to Shutter Sisters and is also a contributing photographer for Getty Images. Her photography portfolio can be found online. She is a somewhat elusive (and sporadic) blogger found at the~spirit~of~the~river. Meredith drinks chai tea, parents
mindfully, embraces this human existence, and will always be a camera shy momma. You can find her on twitter (@camerashymomma).

(All photos copyright Meredith Winn.)

*****

Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to the interview questions in photographs (or video). You can scroll through all the interviews here.

nine {with michelle ensminger}

Today's Nine interview is with dear soul Michelle Ensminger. Michelle was the very first person to comment on this blog of mine back in 2005. As bloggers, we always remember our first commenter don't we? I think it is because in many instances that person will forever represent someone who gently says, "I see you." Michelle is that person for me. She is a woman who lives with an open heart, a poet's heart, and she shares pieces of what she sees and what she knows in such an honest, brave way that when you meet her you know your life will be forever changed. I know this to be true.

Enjoy this peek into Michelle's world.

*****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: What do you love about where you live?

Question 3: What might your perfect afternoon look like?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone in your studio/creative space, what would you do?

Question 5: Right now, what are some of your favorite things?

Question 6: What foods nourish your soul?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and reground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

*****

Michelle Ensminger loves poetry, photography, and dates with her 7 year old son. She strives to nurture her creative life and pursue an authentic spiritual path in the midst of motherhood and working an 8-5 job.  

She is currently taking a hiatus from blogging (http://blog.tangledwings.com) but you can find more of her writing each month at The Wish Studio blog (http://wishstudio.com/).  She can also be found on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ordinarymatters/) and Facebook.

(All photos copyright Michelle Ensminger.)

*****

Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to the interview questions in photographs (or video). You can scroll through all the interviews here.

nine {with carla blazek}

Today's Nine interview is with the delightful and truly kindred spirit Carla Blazek. I remember coming across Carla's candle shop, Zena Moon, a few years ago and immediately knowing that this woman gets it. I mean candles with names like "everyday sacred," "honoring silence," "moving through change" paired with beautiful quotes and add in corresponding gem stones plus gorgeous subtle scents...ah, yes, please. Then, a few weeks later, I suddenly discovered her blog address coming across my stats. Is this the same woman? Yes! A fellow blogger as well. I was so thrilled to connect with this kind, smart cookie. And then her candles...if you have been reading be present, be here for a while, you know about my love affair with her candles. We first ordered them when I was going through a health scare. Lighting the "healing" candle each day invited me to feel like I had some piece of control in the midst of a scary experience. A few of the names of the candles one can find around these parts on an almost daily basis are: boundaries, namaste, serenity, owl, moon magic...and how the list goes on.

I am so thrilled to share Carla's answers to the Nine...

*****

Question 1: Who are you?

 

Question 2: What do you love about where you live?

Question 3: What might your perfect afternoon look like?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone in your studio/creative space, what would you do?

Question 5: Right now, what are some of your favorite things?

Question 6: What foods nourish your soul?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and reground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

*****

Carla Blazek is a writer, candlemaker and doggiemama. A longtime Seattleite, when life painfully fell apart she landed back in her hometown, Spokane, WA. Like many women in their 40s, she is in the exquisite, bewildering and exhilarating process of re-discovering and seducing herself as a single woman. New passions include photography, burlesque dancing, triathlons and calligraphy.

She is the founder and owner of zena moon, Oprah’s favorite candles (http://zenamoon.com). Her first book, Women at Rest, is nearly finished. You can find Carla at http://www.facebook.com/carla.blazek.

(All photos copyright Carla Blazek.)

*****

Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to the interview questions in photographs (or video). You can scroll through all the interviews here.