It’s always great to meet the models in person and get to know them a little, straight away I start getting inspired and visualising ideas for my upcoming projects! Heres a few pics of some of the boys I met on the day…

In the last year I have been lucky enough to have a couple of coaching calls with Carly and have attended two of her sales workshops.

I gained SO much insight into the sales process and the psychology of it all… How to really connect with potential clients on a deep level, how to connect with what you charge energetically, really value your worth, and how to get comfortable about sharing the price of what you offer with potential clients.

With her down to earth approach and ethos, what she teaches just makes total sense, and is always in my mind when I have sales calls or meetings. I strongly recommend her to all female entrepreneurs, particularly if you are looking to gain sales in your business!

It was a total joy to work with her on this exciting and colourful shoot, and it’s great to work with clients like Carly who really recognise the value and importance of great portraits in your branding. Is it time to update yours?

I loved seeing how Carly used the images on her sparkly new website and on her products below!

Keep up to date with Carly for news on her upcoming workshops, seminars and freebies on her Facebook page and website.

And if you’re thinking a refreshed portrait is what your business needs right now, get in touch with me at becky@beckyrui.com or give me a call on 07846 351449 and we can have a chat!

I’ve got a couple of dates open at the moment for location-based, natural light portrait sessions between Monday 29th April – Monday 6th May 2013.

We’ll spend 2 and a half intensive and joyful hours together, looking at your business, exploring your blocks, re-energising your vision and capturing soulful portraits that will attract and resonate with your ideal clients. In fact, it’s going to be one of the best investments you’ll make this year.

Your investment in this bespoke LA package is $1,475, and includes your business vision break-through, the shoot, plus the editing and retouching of your favourite 12 portraits, on a disc for you to use in your branding.

To join in, all you have to do is send me an email and and answer these three questions…

• Tell me about your business and what you love about it!
• What are you looking to gain from your session?
• Why would you like to work with me?

To make this offer even sweeter, I am delighted to offer a $200 discount if you book your session with me by midnight PDT on Tuesday 23rd April 2013 (8am GMT Wednesday 24th April for UK peeps!).

I’m so looking forward to shooting with that gorgeous west coast light… It’s a wonderful place to have your session. I can’t wait to be back!

Imagine sharing your photographs of you in the crystal waters or the lush greens of LA, feeling and looking your best… Connected and radiant, ready to rock your brand!

If this sounds like something you’d love to do then get in touch with me now, and we can organise your session!

For my UK friends, if you’ve missed the sunshine and you fancy YOUR shoot being in LA, but are thinking “I can’t afford that. I can’t do it. I haven’t got the time or money”, then I know just how you’re feeling. Read my previous blog post on how I booked my trip to go on a workshop in Hawaii earlier this year, with my knees knocking! I couldn’t allow the opportunity that felt so right, to pass, because I knew I’d always regret it if I didn’t go.

The growth you’ll experience from making the decision could be the very thing that sky rockets your business.

So email me now at becky@beckyrui.com, let’s set up an informal Skype call and we can find out if this opportunity is right for you!

Remember this discounted investment closes on midnight PDT on Tuesday 23rd April 2013 (8am GMT Wednesday 24th April in the UK!).

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Becky is fantastic to work with, she puts you at ease from the outset with her friendly communication style. She took time to research and discover my business needs and expected outcomes. This resulted in portraits that are perfectly suited to my business and capturing my brand, exceeding my expectations. Becky also had some great ideas for locations for the shoot. The new and current photos have certainly contributed to increased traffic and time spent on my website. I would wholeheartedly recommend Becky for portrait photography.

Katy Dyer

I decided in October I was going to go to O’ahu, HI for a business workshop (FIND 2.0) being run by of my favourite lifestyle photographers Jonathan Canlas & business expert Kristen Kalp (of Brand Camp).

Once I had commited to it, I was anxious about about how I was going to afford it but also really excited by the challenge of raising the money through my business, and the possibility of actually being able to go!

I had freaked out about clicking ‘Pay Deposit’, and wasn’t sure if it was the right decision, I just felt I HAD to secure the last place! What if it could be possible for me to go!?

After that, it suddenly became less about going on the workshop itself, and more about how quickly I could grow in the 2 months I had, to raise the money! I did it, though, and I actually got there, by myself.

I arrived late on the Monday night, it was about 10:30pm, and it was lovely to feel warm air on my skin. As I walked to the taxi area, pulling my suitcase along, completely shattered after my 23 hours or so of travelling, I felt a surge of excitement, joy and pride, and tears in my eyes – I was HERE! I did it!

The taxi driver was really sweet and was clearly very excited about Barack Obama, pointing out every Obama related landmark possible on the way to my hotel which was nice and quite interesting. The hospital he was born, buildings he’d lived in, the school he went to etc! I didn’t know that he was born and grew up there!

[iPhone pic]

The next day I felt so peaceful and amazed to be there, although the first couple of nights alone, I reflected on what I had achieved, and felt very far away. The time difference made it harder being by yourself, and the first day felt very long and surreal.

On the Wednesday I worked out what busses I had to take to get from Waikiki to La’ie, where the workshop was to be held. I managed to get there fine, and using Google map screenshots on my iPad, I found my way up to the house we were all going to be staying in, dragging and bouncing my little suitcase up the tufty grass at the side of the road, beloved iPad in hand!

[iPhone pic]

The house was on La’ie Point which is a stretch that comes right out into the ocean. One morning I went out at 6:30am oto watch the sunrise. It was just idyllic! There was an outdoor patio area at the house with the most incredible mountainous views where we ate and hung out a lot.

[iPhone pic]

When I arrived I was greeted by Jonathan, who was just as I had imagined, and his beautiful wife Callie, who was hanging out and cooking for everybody throughout our stay.

The other photographers on the course were amazing. We all had a lot in common, and they were all from America or Canada. It was great living with them for the four days we were there, exploring the towns along the North Shore and getting some amazing food together outside the workshop time.

[iPhone pic]

I had a mini portrait shoot with Jonathan on the Point, which I had been really looking forward to. It was wonderful to see what he is like to work with and have those photos now, of such a special time.

The workshop itself was fantastic, I got exactly what I needed from it, most importantly to me I got help with my pricing, online proofing, and lots of personal photography related things too.

Jon and Kristen were so natural, open, honest, and had so much integrity… Great teachers. They created a really safe space for us to share our thoughts and things we were struggling to figure out, and worked hard to inspire the answers we were searching for. They had amazing coaching skills, and said it like it is.

The whole learning experience was enhanced by the beauty of our surroundings and the time we had to step outside, watch the waves crashing, the clouds rolling and reflect on what we had learned.

[iPhone pic]

What was so good is that everything we were taught and worked on, was really PRACTICAL. Stuff we either completed while we were there (pricing and packages etc) or things we could go home and get on with straight away, which was great.

[iPhone pic]

I felt weird when I returned to Waikiki for the last night before flying home. I was back where it had all begun and done what I had come to do. I went out to take some photos of the beautiful sunset, got a salad on the sea front and watched people, listened to the sounds and soaked it up for the last night. I got back to my hotel and watched the Oscars, and journalled as I had done every other night.

The next day I finally got to sunbathe and even went in the sea! It was so lovely to float on my back and look up at the blue sky, feeling grateful to be here when there were forecasts of snow in England!

I got ready for my flight, and stuck my big Doc Martens boots back on, which felt really weird after my week in sandals, and got my taxi back to HNL airport.

[iPhone pic]

I am just SO glad that back in October I decided to do this. It would have been so easy to say “I can’t raise the money”, and not go. But I really wanted to, and I made it happen through committing to the goal, valuing my time and talents more, saying yes to the opportunities, taking leaps of faith and stepping outside my comfort zone. It will be such a special thing for me to look back on for the rest of my life.

I feel deeply grateful to all those who supported my to keep going with this dream.

So here are some of my photos from the week, starting and finishing in Waikiki, with La’ie, Haliewa and other parts of the North Shore in between!

Dinners were hosted worldwide on 9th March, and for the ones in London they were followed by a fabulous after party at private members club Adams Street. Over £30,000 was raised from the evening, an absolutely amazing achievement. What this money will go towards is going to make a huge difference to those living with HIV/AIDS in the developing world.

Alongside videographer Chloe Pemberton, I travelled to three dinners including Graham Nortons, to document part of their evenings.

We headed to the after party (organised by Alastair Brown Events) which included live entertainment and was followed by a heartfelt speech by one of the co-founders of the wonderful charity, Jeremy Norman. A raffle was also held and some amazing prizes were kindly donated by brands such as Soho Gyms.

Dinner for 1 has become an annual event. You can find out more about how you can help to raise money through fundraising here or donate now here.

I have just returned from an awesome business workshop in Hawaii which I wrote all about before I went, HERE.

It’s so important to keep on learning, growing and up-levelling when you’re in business. And if you just HAVE to go allll the way to Hawaii, then that’s just what you gotta do. ;)

It was amazing though. The teaching, the connection with the other awesome photographers taking part in the workshop, and of course the mind blowing scenery!

I am so glad that I made the decision to go, I learnt so much and am buzzing about implementing it and providing an even better experience to my wonderful clients, and creating the life and business that I really want to have.

I’ve got lots to share with you over the next few weeks, so come back for more about Hawaii and other shoots on the blog!

For now, here is a pretty flower!

Photographed at Kahuku Farm

Let me introduce you to Vicky and Ben. I first met Vicky about two years ago at a networking meeting, she’s a sports therapist at her company Ocean Sports Therapy. I was thrilled to hear about her engagement when she got in touch with me a year later, and enquired about wedding photography.

They are such a fun and lovely couple and are getting married in Oxford in April. I am so looking forward to capturing their special day.

We did this engagement session a frosty January afternoon at the California Country Park in Wokingham, a few minutes drive from where they live, the sun was shining and it was a really fun shoot!

It was so lovely to spend some time with them before the wedding, catch up again and hear how all their plans are going, before Vicky headed off for the bridesmaid dress fitting!

I told the group about my plans to go on a photography business workshop in Hawaii in February, about what a huge step it was for me and how the whole process had changed me.

After hearing all about it, she wanted to share the story with her readers. I feel so thrilled and excited to know that the step I took in investing in this Hawaii workshop is inspiring to others too!

In the blog I wrote about my experience as a young business owner, my learnings so far, and about my upcoming trip! You can read it by clicking this link.

Here are a few of my favourite images from recent business portrait sessions I have had the pleasure of doing with local entrepreneurial ladies, Caroline, Debbie and Lesley.

Caroline Ashlee is a gorgeous Forever Living Products distributor based in High Wycombe. If you’ve not heard of them, FLP is a company who produce amazing aloe vera based products, from skin care, to aloe drinking gel, to kitchen products! I love using their stuff as they are a company with great ethics, eco awareness and integrity. Aloe is also pretty much one of the best things you can give to your body. Check out her website here to find out more.

Caroline also has other businesses that include training people to use social media more effectively, and has a floristry business, specialising in beautiful gothic arrangements for weddings!

Debbie Sakal is a marketing coach and consultant at her company The Success Shop. She also runs courses using the Get Clients Now! strategy, which I actually took part in back in May. It’s a 28 day marketing program for Professionals, Consultants, and Coaches which Debbie runs using the Get Clients now! book and worksheets with small groups.

I found it to be an empowering way of understanding how to market my business better, look at what was working for me, what wasn’t. I would really recommend it. Debbie has since become a great friend and has been so inspiring and supportive to me in my business.

Lesley Beattie is a decluttering coach, working with women to help them live the life they desire from a space that they love! Whether she’s helping clients to clearing out their home or office, she’s passionate about helping her clients to feel clarity in their environment so that they can focus on what they really want to achieve. Find out more and get tips on decluttering on Lesleys Facebook page.

I received this wonderful testimonial below from Debbie after she received her images

Becky is truly creative and really knows her business. She put me at my ease expertly and quickly, and the photo shoot was fun. The photographs she produced for me are exactly what I need and she delivered them to me in a timely fashion. I would highly recommend Becky to all my colleagues and friends. In fact, I have used her twice now. Thank you Becky.

Caroline and Lesley had their shoot at DeVere Venues Uplands House in High Wycombe, and Debbies session took place at The Chiltern Hotel in Saunderton.

It was wonderful to photograph my beautiful friend Priya Hirji, actress and model at the beginning of the year.

Since we last hung out in January 2012, she’s moved to Mumbai and has been busy with a variety of creative work including modelling, acting and working as an assistant director in Bollywood movies. It was fascinating to hear about her new life in India before she jetted back off the very next day!

I just can’t believe how quickly it has gone! I hope it has been a really brilliant year for you too.

I have been grateful to receive some wonderful opportunities in my business…

• I covered my first solo weddings and worked alongside other fabulous wedding photographers
• Been hired to work with professional models at Europes Leading Modelling Agency Models 1
• Been commissioned by Harvey Nichols to photograph their in store installations and shoe departments
• Documented amazing and special Golden and Diamond Wedding Anniversaries
• Made my first Radio appearance!
• Photographed families, often with all three generations
• I have photographed amazing entrepreneurial clients, capturing authentic portraits for their brands
• Covered charity events for The Happy House Watamu, WheelPower and AIDS Ark

It’s been an honour to work on such a variety of shoots and capture some very special moments.

I feel grateful in knowing that this has been a really positive year of growth for me in my work… and has come as a result of a LOT of stepping out of my comfort zone!

It’s naturally developed my style and approach to what I do, and me as a person… I am so thankful to be doing what I LOVE, and learning to be a better business person and photographer with every day and every shoot.

As I set my intentions for 2013 I recognise that I have really begun to understand how important it is to follow your heart and dream big!

It’s something you’re always supposed to know in theory, but sometimes those dreams you have seem so far away…

Being self employed has really made me recognise that if you want something to happen, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! It’s when you take a step forward and start taking action, those dreams begin to manifest!

There are so many things I would love to do, see and have next year!

In my personal life, I celebrated my Great Grandmothers 100th Birthday in April! It was a really special occasion and I am so blessed and fortunate to have her in my life.

I was also lucky to get to attend the womens football final at the Olympics with my amazing boyfriend Ro in July which was really exciting, and he whisked me away to Paris for a fabulous birthday weekend for my 20th in August! It was a gorgeous trip…

I was invited to come to my mum Ali Soleil’s retreat in the South of France in October which was an incredible, reflective and inspiring time out. I also made a very exciting decision about something I plan to do in 2013…

In October, one of my favourite US based photographers that I have admired for ages announced that he is running two business workshops next year. One in Hawaii in February, and one in Portland in October next year.

When I read about it, I obviously thought it would be AMAZING to do, especially the sooner Hawaii one, but instantly thought I couldn’t actually do that? It’s too much of an investment! And like… go to Hawaii??!

But it kind of felt like I was meant to see it…

I’d been wanting some guidance from a successful photographer to help me build my business as it steadily grows.

I considered it for a few weeks, knowing that the 12 places were gradually being snapped up

When I imagined a reality where I had just paid the deposit, the thought of attending this workshop inspired me with a new attitude… A new attitude that said “Okay… WOW… You’ve actually committed to this, you’re GOING to be a part of this workshop. Now you’ve got to raise the money. Let’s make it happen!”. My mind started filling with new and old ideas and opportunities I could create for my business.

I realised that the concept of NOT committing to this workshop would likely be much worse for me, my personal growth and my business financially than actually making the investment!

If I decided not to go, and carry on with things how they were, it’s like saying to myself, “Don’t bother dreaming so big, you won’t be able to afford it. Phew… Isn’t that a relief now you don’t have to try so hard?!”. I’d stay with the same attitude, probably not look at my pricing or most vitally not have inspired thoughts about new ways to draw in business.

So, I put down the deposit at the end of October! I am so excited and thrilled to have made this decision. It feels like a dream to know that I’m going to be there, and scary too!

I know that working out how I’m going to afford it and then actually going there and being a part of it will be life changing – let alone the learnings I will make for my business when I’m on the workshop.

Thank you so much for reading my updates and personal ramblings!! I hope that you and your family are having a wonderful festive break!

Enjoy your New Year celebrations and I look forward to catching up in 2013 xx

They are all entrepreneurial women, working to serve others live a healthier and well balanced lifestyle, in their body and mind.

Janine Wood is a Life Coach. She has just moved from the Basingstoke area to Cerou Valley, in the Tarn Region of France with her husband where they own Le Chateau de la Riviere. She will be running retreats and workshops from her new home next year. It is a beautiful and peaceful place as you will be able to see from the website, and is available for self catering holidays!

Her goal is to continue to help others transform their lives, she specialises in weight loss and in other areas of work or home life that her clients are looking to move forward with – even if they are not yet clear on the why or the how! Coaching sessions can be in person or over Skype/the phone. Check out her coaching Facebook page here.

Christine Anderson is a very dedicated homeopath and has been practicing for over twenty four years from her restful treatment room in High Wycombe.

She works with women who feel exhausted, time pressured, who’s immune systems are wiped out and creates bespoke programmes (including holistic treatments and massage) to help her clients to regain their well being, energy and sparkle. Christine also runs workshops. Check out her Facebook page here and her website here.

Sara Lyndley is a Raw Food Coach based in Maidstone.  Also working with women, she introduces her clients to the nutritional benefits of a raw food diet, in a supportive, simple step-by-step way.

She helps her clients to gain vitality, energy, focus and to feel nourished in every sense. Sara also runs Raw Food workshops. She is in the process of having her website created, but you can check out her Facebook page here.

I loved learning more about their businesses throughout the sessions, keeping the focus on the passion they have for their work, their ideal clients and who they were wanting to attract with these images. We reflected on the transformations they have achieved with their clients and testimonials they have received, to really get into the right state!

I recieved this beautiful reccomendation from Janine after she recieved her photographs:

I would highly recommend Becky for any occasion you have coming up in the near future, she really is a gifted photographer. I usually hate having my picture taken but Becky made it great fun and the results were so amazing. Thanks again Becky you really are so talented and make having your picture taken a really transformational experience.

It was so amazing to work with the south-of-France sunlight and in such a beautiful location. To see my personal photography from the retreat take a look at this blog post.

The landscape is so amazing, views from the Chateau were of vineyards as far as you could see and snow capped Pyrenees Mountains in the distance.

It makes sense that many people are running workshops and retreats from here, and why poets and writers from around the world choose to spend time at the house while working on their projects. There is a real sense of peace, calm and inspiration there.

The village itself was so pretty, it was a dream to wander around the streets with my camera!

We began each day with a meditation, reflections on how we were in our mind and body, and set intentions for the day followed by teaching, reflective exercises or angel cards. It was so nice to start each day like this and become more aware of myself.

I enjoyed working with three of the ladies on the retreat, taking portraits of them around the gardens of the Chateau, the canal and the streets which I will share soon. The sunlight and the colours were so beautiful!! Why can’t it be sunnier in England!?

Here are some of my favourite photos from the week long trip!

Since AIDS Ark was extablished in 2002, they have helped to save the lives of hundreds of individuals by enabling access access to HIV medication at the frontiers of the developing world – currently they are working in India, Burma, Thailand, South Africa and Lesotho.

They currently provide approximately £300 per patient per year to cover the combined cost of ARV’s and associated medical care.

It is run by volunteers who work to identify medical clinics in these regions that treat HIV+ patients, and all overheads are paid by its Trustees.

Find out more about the work that AIDS Ark do, and donate at their website here.

Foxhall discounted sales by 10% on the night, donating a further 10% of their profits to AIDS Ark.

Caorunn Gin kindly sponsored the evening, and festive cocktails mixed by Stu Bale were enjoyed by all!

This included the pieces by talented creative Sabrina Lee Hammon which I blogged about here.

We used a gorgeous outdoor location for the photos, and a variety of different coloured clothes and accessories to compliment her vibrant logo and branding!

I love to really get to know my clients work and business, to understand how best capture them in a way that connects with their ideal clients. Learning about Lizzies amazing business and the healing work she does with her clients was absolutely fascinating and inspirational.

I was blown away by the stories Lizzie could tell me about cases she has cured, helping people to overcome emotional, physical and energetic patterns which can manifest as aches and pains, illness, frustration with life, learning difficulties, depression, lack of confidence, low energy states and a lack of fulfillment or purpose.

I had never really known anything about kinesiology and how in depth and transformational the process is, but Lizzie is certainly very gifted in her work.

For more info about Lizzies exciting business and to learn more about the amazing benefits of kinesiology, click here.

I received this sweet testimonial from Lizzie after she received her images -

Becky Rui is a photographer that I can highly recommend. I usually hate having my photo taken because I always feel such a twit and rarely like the results. With Becky all that changed. It was such a fun session, Becky makes you feel so relaxed and good about yourself. I was very pleased with the results. A very worthwhile investment!