Okinawa Children Photography~ Sneak Peek!

I was editing this picture tonight and wanted to share it. During this session each child picked a shisa to have their picture taken with. Look how adorable little Miss A is with the shisa she chose for her picture. It was a perfect match. Mama thought you'd enjoy this one :)

BX meets Walmart hours

Kadena AB BX started a test this weekend that will run for 2 weeks. From now until Wednesday the 25th of November they will be open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In addition to the main store, the bookstore, coffee shop and Burger King are also open. They will use this test to determine if there is a need for expanded hours. Great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping taken care without having to take the children with you or your sweet heart. 

Happy Holiday shopping! ~ Denise

Okinawa Children Photography~ Sneak Peek!

Today was a gorgeous day to have a family session. Thank you Leonardo family for spending the morning with me. T, A & Little C are adorable. I had a lot of fun watching them make Shisa faces and as you can see they had fun making them. Just from the quick preview of the gallery I already have a couple of favorites. Make sure to ask Lisa how you can help her win a favorite photograph from the gallery.

MCP Actions Contest!! Win a Custom Designed Smugmug Website!

Jodi Freidman of MCP Actions and Jerry from jR customization are hosting a contest on the MCP Actions blog enter to win a one year free subscription to smugmug - pro account and a basic customization of your new smugmug site by jR Customization.


To enter answer the following question in the comment section of the MCP Action blog.
"Why do you feel you need a new website for your photography business?"


Now go enter to win this great opportunity! I'm right behind you.
Take care~ Denise

Newbie Running Club! Come check it out!

Welcome to the Newbie Running Club!  My name is Steph Shimkus and I am an RRCA certified distance running coach as well as an ACE certified personal trainer. I want to share my love of running with women who are interested in running but maybe don't quite know where to begin, what to do, what is safe, and/or are afraid to run without proper, guided instruction.  

With all of this in mind, I"m offering a running group specifically designed just for women who might consider themselves new or "newbies" to running.

When does the Newbie Running Club begin?
The first session begins Wednesday, November 18 at 9:00 am

What will each weekly session include?
-a weekly run of 2-4 miles (mileage will increase beyond this in time)
-running-specific strengthening exercises including core work before and after each run 
-tips on running form and technique
-information on how to eat as a runner/athlete
-tips on gear, shoes, running gadgets
-individual gait analysis
-the chance to make new friends
-fun!

How long will each session last?
-Each session will be approximately 70-90 minutes (don't worry, we won't be running for 90 minutes!)

What will this cost?
-Your first introductory, 90-minute session is $10
-Monthly cost (if you know you will come each week) after introductory session is $70
-Occasional drop-in session price after introductory session is $20

When will each session meet?
 -Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am (we can meet later since its cooler outside now)

Where will each running session meet?
-At Kadena's Risner gym's track for our pre-run warm up and then off we go!

Where will we run?
-We will run all around base on loops and/or out and back courses that I have mapped out beforehand.  Our goal eventually will be to run off base and to run on other bases for changes of scenery and terrain.

How do you sign up?
-You can call or email me to sign up or just show up on Wednesday, November 18 at 8:30am

What is my contact information?
-Steph Shimkus
-Cell phone: 080.3514.3892
-stephshimkus@yahoo.com

Come run with us!  I look forward to meeting each of you and working with you toward your individual goals!  Hopefully the Newbie Running Club, will get you on the road (pun very much intended) to a lifelong love, or at the very least like, of running!

Infested with bugs!

The Halloween candy at our house has attracted
lady bugs


and spidermen!


This is our first year celebrating Halloween in Okinawa, Japan. We had a lot of fun but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. Hopefully next year it won't rain & Papi will get to join us.
Papi, we missed you! Please, stay safe and come home SOON!

Okay your turn...what did you do for Halloween?

Take care~ Denise

Okinawa Newborn Photography

Here is one of my newborn models from the Wanted Newborn Model search. I was very excited because Little Miss "C" is my second newborn session. I had a lot of fun with her family and her beautiful big sister. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to take your daughter's first photos. She was the perfect model ;)



Check out the head of hair on this little sweetie!


Thank you, Daniel and Cynthia I look forward to taking more pictures of your beautiful family!


Our next sneek peek is of a little prince! Keep your fingers crossed that the weather stays nice for his session.


Take care ~ Denise

Passing on the Lovie

At our home prior to the holidays we have the children go thru their toys and pick out the ones they no longer play with. Theses toys are then donated with love to other children. This year our family will be donating to Ishimine Children's Home, an orphanage located in Naha.


The Ishimine Children's has approx 90 children ranging in ages from 2 to 18 years old. Should you decide to clean out your closet. Please drop your loved toys off at the donation box located at the Professional Development Center, building 3445 located on Kadena AB. All loved toys are wanted but please make sure they are in good condition. For further information please contact TSgt Jerald Custance or the FTAC Leads via phone at 632-7829.


If you don't have children but would love to help you can:
- donate Christmas decorations
- candies
-  Volunteer with the Community Action Council (CAC) with their Christmas party and Angel Tree for the Ishimine Children's Home and other activities. Call 634 3390


So now you have a wonderful reason to go clean out your closet!

Likeness

"As the smallest drop of water detached from the ocean contains all the qualities of the ocean, so man, detached in consciousness from the Infinite, 

contains within him its likeness; 

and as the drop of water must, 

by the law of its nature,

 ultimately find its way back to the ocean and lose itself in its silent depths,

 so must man, by the unfailing law of his nature, 

at last return to his source, 

and lose himself in the great ocean of the Infinite."

~ James Allen

Walkabout Okinawa~ Sunabe Seawall

Walkabout~ Okinawa is my photographic essay of our time here in Okinawa, Japan.

The photo essays will be a collection of photographs that I hope capture the character of the place, people or event. The photographs at times will have captions and other times the photograph will have to tell the story. Come back often to enjoy Walkabout~ Okinawa as we explore this magnificent island together

Alright today we are off to Sunabe Seawall located in Sunabe in the central portion of Okinawa near gate 1 of Kadena Air Base. 

Walkabout~ Okinawa: Sunabe Seawall

Sharing the blog love!

*Photojojo!* has generously provided a Fuji Instax Camera for a giveaway contest being held on Rachel Devine's sesame ellis photoblog. To enter the contest the only thing you have to do is leave a comment  on the sesame ellis photoblog about a time you wished you had an instant camera. I'm going to date myself, lol but it would be nice to have a new version of the old Polaroid from days past.


Now go enter to win yourself a camera!


Take care~ Denise

Wanted Newborn Models

Please share this information with friends and anyone you know that has recently had a newborn little bundle.


Details:

- Complimentary Session
-10 print proofs @ 4x6 any additional prints or birth announcements can be purchased at regular prices.
-online gallery provided to share with family and friends
-require a signed model release to allow photographer to use images to promote work
-2 hour session
-newborn must be under two weeks

What a great opportunity to capture this time in your lives and preserve it for life. Also a great savings a newborn session investment can range from $100 to $300.
I look forward to hearing from all the Radiant Ladies.

For further information please contact me via email at risingsunmemories at gmail dot com

No Such Word

"Through some strange and powerful principle

 of "mental chemistry"

 which she has never divulged, 

Nature wraps up in the impulse of strong desire,

 "that something" 

which recognizes no such word as 

"impossible,"

 and accepts no such reality as failure." 

~Napoleon Hill

Family

It's official I am now a part of the Photoshop family.
The CS4 is nice and safe in my computer as snug as a bug in a rug. 


Hmmm, now what?
I'm not a tech savy person but I am up for the challenge of learning something new. Deep breathe, I just need to make some sense of this. So off to the Foster Library we went looking for a book on CS4. I was excited that they had the book "Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Classroom In A Book" which I had been advised to get. Now, I'm armed with the book of knowledge "Cue Angels, AAaaaahhhhhh", for a couple of weeks. I'm excited about reading the book even though my learning style is hands on. In the meantime after Typhoon Trio are snug as a bugs in a rug and with KB being deployed. I'll take advantage of this quiet time to learn and grow as a photographer. As I learn about the program (fingers crossed) I will post before and after shots of the edited photographs.

While visiting the library I viewed Chris Wilson's exhibit Vision of Japan. The collection is beautiful and I'm very happy for the opportunity to view them. Wilson's work is an inspiration to a new photographer such as myself. Visit Foster Library before October 31st so that you too can view his artwork.

Wish me luck!

Take care~ Denise

Okinawa Hai!

In May 2008, we were informed that we were PCSing in January 2009. This came to us as a surprise but were very excited about our new destination to Okinawa, Japan. All at once I was feeling excited and scared this was our first over seas assignment but my husbands second tour to Kadena Air Base. So for the next few months, while my darling husband was deployed and after our children were snug as bugs in bed, I surfed the net researching information on Okinawa.


There are lots of sites on Okinawa and Kadena but I wanted the perspective that you get from a friend. I wanted to know about housing, how hard was it to travel half way around the world with 3 yr old B/G twins, a one yr old and a fur baby.  That's when I came across this great website called Okinawa Hai!  It had everything I was looking for it covered such items of interest as to live, to work, to shop, to eat, to do, to learn and to parent. This site was a wealth of knowledge and I was able to view the comments of fellow military families that were there or in transit. What was nice too about the site is the information wasn't old because there was a new article posted every Monday.


After a few months of reading Okinawa Hai Meredith Novario the founder started a social network to go along with the site.  Okinawa Hai Society  this was the icing on the cake. I was not only reading about Okinawa but now I was interacting with people who were there or on their way. How great was that a chance to make friends before getting there. This was a blessing because the ladies I meet on this forum are now my friends. Friends I didn't meet for 6 months while we chatted from other sides of the world and some I've just recently met in person after being here on island. That was the best part of finding this site was knowing that I had established a network of friends before even getting here.


Are you PSCing to Okinawa, Japan? Then go to Okinawa Hai! you'll not only find a wealth of knowledge there but you just might find your next best friend.


This post is dedicated to my very first friend in Okinawa Dasha who's family is now on a new journey of their own. You have touched many hearts and will be missed dearly. Much prosperity to you and your family!  Congratulations, Rob on your retirement from the United States Marine Corps (USMC)! Semper Fi!

Children See, Children Do

This video is powerful, thought provoking and moving. 
Child-Friendly is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children. For more information on this organization please go to Child-Friendly.

Walkabout Okinawa~ Kokusai Street

Walkabout~ Okinawa is my photographic essay of our time here in Okinawa, Japan.
The photo essays will be a collection of photographs that I hope capture the character of the place, people or event. The photographs at times will have captions and other times the photograph will have to tell the story. Come back often to enjoy Walkabout~ Okinawa as we explore this magnificent island together


Alright today we are off to Kokusai Street located in Naha City located in the southern portion of Okinawa. 


Walkabout~ Okinawa: Kokusai Street

A Must See Exhibition at Foster Library, Okinawa, Japan

Vision of Japan is being exhibited at the Foster Library until October 31st.
Chris Wilson, of Travel 67, has a collection of twenty photographs being displayed. Chris is a travel writer and photographer based in Okinawa specializing in capturing the images of Japan.
The Traveling Photographer monthly article found in the Okinawa Living Magazine is written by Chris. He gives advice on how to take photographs and illustrates it with his own work.
If you don't live on Okinawa no worries his articles are posted on his blog for all to enjoy.


So the next time you're on Foster stop by the library and enjoy the captivating photographs.


Take care~ Denise

The Difference

"It is the little difference 

between the good and the best 

that makes the difference 

between the artist and the artisan. 

It is just the little touches 

after the average man would quit 

that makes the master's fame."

~ Orison Swett Marden

Contest!!! Win free MCP Photoshop Actions!

Jodi Friedman of MCP Actions is hosting a contest on the Scarlett Lillian blog enter to win a set of MCP Actions Magic Blog it Board set. To view the sets go to MCPActions.com>Actions>Magic Template Actions>Magic Blog It Board Template #1 or #2. Scarlett shows some fun ways she has used the actions on her blog.

Now go enter to win a set for you! I'm right behind you.
Take care~ Denise

Keep Moving Forward

"Around here however

We do not look backwards for very long

We keep moving forward

opening up new doors and doing new things because

we're curious...

and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths" 

~ Walt Disney

Okinawa Photographer~ For a LIMITED time

Yes, it's October already.  
Can you believe it?!? 
With us living on Okinawa with the temps still in the 80's. It's hard to believe that Christmas and the Holidays are almost here. 


It may not be Christmas just yet, but it is time to start our *Holiday Session Special*. This isn't your run of the mill session. It IS going to be playful, with joyful faces & sometimes silly ones. Of course the occasional closed eyes and no one looking at me is to be expected. The most important part about this session is that your photographs are everything you feel fixed in a moment. 


To find out more on our *Holiday Special* or to book your session. Please send a message or go to Rising Sun Memories website for details. Your emails will be replied to within 24 to 48 hours. Please check your spam file if you have not received an email.  


Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you! 
Take care~ Denise



Little "K Monster is the son of my friend Laurie. Location the Sunabe seawall.

The Key

"There is a key which,

if properly used and understood, 

will ensure the success of any endeavor- 

the key is desire."

Desire

"All our dreams can come true- if we have the courage to pursue them"

~Walt Disney

Welcome to my dream come true, Rising Sun Memories.

I would like to share this great journey with you. Grab a cup of joe or if you're like me a tall glass of ice tea and sit a spell. Share in the sneek peeks from photography sessions, street photography for © Walkabout Okinawa and of course snapshots of my family. Yes, I am going to mix business and family because that's part of who I am. 

Me = a military wife, a mother to five children and a photographic artist.

Can you believe it an artist! :D

My husband believed in my artistic abilities and he encouraged me every step of the way. Thank you Kristopher, for giving me the opportunity to make my dream come true! I love you.

Thank you for visiting Rising Sun Memories!

Okay that's our first post! YEAH!!!

Take care~ Denise

Prayer of Jabez

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me,

and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!"

So God granted him what he requested.