Me Ra Koh - The Photo Mom

"Every day, I'm reminded of who I am, what I stand for, and my ability to get things done."

When Brandon shared this with me yesterday, I immediately wrote it down.

Not because it was a great testimonial.

Because it perfectly captures why Brian and I have dedicated over two decades to this work.

Over the years, we've photographed executives, entrepreneurs, therapists, nonprofit leaders, and Rising Phoenix participants from all walks of life.

And one thing continues to surprise us:
Many people lose sight of the very qualities that helped them get where they are.

Their leadership.
Their resilience.
Their confidence.
Their courage.
Not because those qualities disappeared.

Because they've become so familiar that they stop seeing them.

Yesterday, Brandon reminded me of something beautiful.

The confidence was never missing.

Sometimes we simply need help seeing it.

And it isn't only true for people healing from difficult seasons.

Sometimes it's true for people stepping into bigger ones.

A new leadership role.
Greater influence.
A larger stage.
A dream they've worked years to build.

Growth often requires us to see ourselves differently, too.

His story, There's a Killer in Here, is now live in The Book of Becoming, our living collection of transformation, identity, leadership, healing, and the stories that shape who we become.

🔗 https://fioria.us/brand-authority-experience/theres-a-killer-in-here-leadership-branding

Congratulations again, Brandon Hughes, on being named a Liberty Mutual Insurance President Award recipient, one of the company's highest honors. We are so honored to celebrate this achievement with you!

still we rise,
Me Ra & Brian

The studio is quiet tonight.

A deep peace rests in this place.

Five years ago, the Rising Phoenix was simply a dream in our upstairs loft.

We never could have imagined that one day therapists would be studying the neuroscience informed FIORIA Method, that we would be conducting case studies, or that people would travel from across the country to experience what happens when photography, neuroscience, and healing come together.

What humbles me most isn't any of that.

It's the people.

The stories.

The courage.

The willingness to believe that healing is possible.

Tonight, as our Rising Phoenix Anniversary Giveaway comes to a close, Brian and I find ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude for every person who has trusted us with their story over these last five years.

And if you've been thinking about entering, this is your gentle reminder.

✨ One person will receive a $1,000 Gift Certificate

✨ Five more will receive $600 Gift Certificates toward a Rising Phoenix Experience

Deadline: Tonight at midnight.

❤️ ENTER HERE: https://fioria.us/anniversary

We would be honored to read your story.

Still We Rise,

Me Ra

{five years later}
Last November, one of our Rising Phoenix Giveaway winners laid down beneath the Northern Lights in her backyard in Canada asking for a sign.

Not because she hadn’t already won.

But because just days before flying to Texas for her Rising Phoenix Experience, a quiet voice inside her still whispered:

“What if I’m not really worth this? What if this doesn't work for me the way I see it work for others?”

Then something extraordinary appeared in the sky.

Six months later, Tammy still says this experience changed the way she sees herself and the truth she now carries about who she is. 💛

In fact, we’re talking with her again today to hear how the new narrative she now carries about her strength and resilience continues unfolding in her everyday life.

Today, we officially opened our Rising Phoenix Anniversary Giveaway in celebration of FIVE years of courage, healing, resilience, and breakthroughs.

What began as a transformative portrait experience has become something far bigger than we ever imagined, an experience that therapists, neuroscientists, and mental health professionals are now studying for its impact on identity, emotional healing, resilience, and rewiring the brain.

Because this has always been about more than taking beautiful portraits.

It’s about helping people reconnect with the strength, resilience, beauty, and truth of who they’ve become.

Five years later, we still find ourselves deeply moved hearing things like:

“There she is.”
“This changed my life.”
“I finally recognize myself again.”

✨ One $1,000 Gift Certificate
✨ Five $600 Gift Certificates toward a Rising Phoenix Experience

If your heart has been stirring toward this experience… maybe this is your sign too.

Enter here:
https://fioria.us/anniversary

still we rise 🪽
Me Ra

{he's only 18}
I posted stories today about Joshua, a young man who came with his family this weekend for his Rising Phoenix Experience.

As we learned parts of his story, I just felt the gravity of all our young adults go through in this day and age.

Joshua has overcome so much.

And his whole family showed up to celebrate him on Saturday.
Even great grandma!

There’s something really powerful about watching someone step into who they truly are… with their family right there beside them.

It’s not just a moment.
It shifts how they see themselves… and how they’re seen.

And that kind of shift doesn’t stay contained.
It ripples into everything.

If you’re in a season where things feel heavy or uncertain…
just keep taking the next step.

Sometimes that’s where everything begins to change.

Still we rise,
Me Ra

{Two Years of No… Before This Yes}
This photo came up today from 13 years ago… standing in front of Harpo Studios.

What most people don’t see is what came before it.

For two years, I pitched Oprah’s team every single month.

Two years of hearing, “This isn’t the right fit.”

But every “no” gave me insight.
Every response helped me refine, adjust, and try again.

And eventually… the door opened.

Not because it was easy.
But because I didn’t stop showing up.

If you’re building something right now…
if you’re putting yourself out there…
if you’re hearing more “no” than “yes”…

Keep going.

There is something in you the world needs.

And sometimes the path to it isn’t a straight line,
it’s persistence, growth, and a willingness to keep stepping forward.

Be encouraged.
I know it's hard.
I know you wonder if your ideas are crazy sometimes.

When all else fails, set the timer for 4 minutes.
And ask yourself and God, do I have peace to stop?
If you don't feel that release,
trust it.

Keep going.

Still we rise,
Me Ra

The room fell quiet when Briana finally saw herself.

Her daughter stood nearby.
Her closest friends surrounded her.
And as the portrait was turned around, something shifted.

One of them whispered,
“This is your Ministry of Presence.”

Not because of what she does.
But because of who she is when she walks into a room.

As Briana gasped, cried, and let herself receive the words spoken over her,
the truth her people have always seen finally landed.

This is what Rising Phoenix looks like.
Not becoming someone new —
but seeing the woman who has been there all along.

I will never forget this moment.

Her full story is now live on the blog.
https://fioria.us/photoshoots/ministry-of-presence-brianas-rising-phoenix-story/?v=0b3b97fa6688

still we rise,
Me Ra