My Lens & Me – The Blog

I’m Back & Psyched!

In order for me to continue to pay it forward, I've created a Brand New Business of my Heartfelt Photography.

Moksha is one of my sheroes. She’s part of my pay-it-forward photography project. I took her picture 6 years ago. She is now 7 years out from a double lung and heart transplant. She is traveling this summer in a camper van in Germany with her bestie. She’s living life. Wow, just wow.

Let Me Tell You What I’m Up To

I’ve been on hiatus. It’s been almost a year since my last blog post #pandemics happen. Apparently, this one has lasted a long time! ARGH. Collectively, we have all been broken open to one degree or another. My sincere hope is we, as members of Our Collective Humanity, find our way back home, to a place of love, kindness, empathy, and service. These values are how I live. These #eulogy values are my anchors.

What has been abundantly clear to me this past year is that photographing Love On Life’s Terms is where my heart sings. I’ve missed it. I’m ready to go back to work.

So, I’m doing this new thing.

I want you my friends to know about it. In order for me to keep paying it forward, this Brand New Business is based on my Heartfelt Photography.

Spencer, who is the namesake of Spencer James Academy is one of 25 portraits created during a Photo Fun Day.

You know that messy moments have been my specialty. Portraits of the differently-abled, senior citizens, and children with serious illnesses is where I’ve lived, creating memories, and legacies of love. This work has been almost entirely philanthropic. I’m now offering my photographic services to Private Select Clients. In addition, I am excited about my new Photo Fun Days. Who says portrait days are reserved only for school children? As an advocate for the differently-abled, senior citizens, special needs population, and children with both health and/or emotional challenges, they too deserve to be celebrated.

When I’m capturing LOVE On Life’s Terms, is when

the soul transcends outward appearances.

I’m a pay-it-forward photographer who does private and group projects to fund my pay-it-forward business.

My intention is to create an experience that highlights Our Collective Humanity and make it a memorable experience. And I always do my best to make it fun!

Who says Aging cant be fabulous. Who says Different can’t be beautiful. Who says Special Needs individuals aren’t remarkable special!

Zoey is a remarkable cancer survivor. I’m not sure if it’s possible not to be charmed and amazed by this young person. She has endured more ore with faith and commitment than most adults could ever imagine. I’m grateful to have been there from almost the beginning, loving and photographing this astounding family. It IS a family disease.

I’m asking you to keep me in mind. I’m open for business. Gratefully, I’m triple vaccinated. I continue to wear a mask, happily. These days most of my work is outdoors, which is an actual blessing. Help me to help others. My goal is to not only continue my pay-it-forward philanthropy photography but to be able to fund more of it.

Here’s the link is to my New Mini Website where you can take a deeper dive into what I offer. Learning out to speak to the camera is totally new to me. Let me know what you think?

I shot this as part of my pay-it-forward philanthropy photography. Red Nose Day is on a mission to end child poverty. Rayfield Academy, where I took this image, is on a mission to help individuals with varying developmental delays, and autism, improve their lives.

Do you or a loved one need a pick-me-up, or maybe you’d like a legacy of love in a picture? If a child has lost their hair to chemo and is feeling less than, I’m there. Is some you know in a facility and you think I’d be a good fit,  fabulous. As I said, this is where I live, and this is where I love.

Another example of my philanthropy photography is of Ellen and her mom. Hopefully, on my next trip to NYC, I’ll be there to capture this love once again, although most likely it will present somewhat differently. Lenore recently turned 103. And I’d like to say, that’s okay. It’s life and love on life’s terms.

Here’s my gift to you. Learn to take pictures like me. Check out my e-book here.

10 Tips To Great Pics – Start With An Open Heart

Learn how to co-create photographic images with heart. I speak to showing up with empathy and compassion. It’s all about connection, which is as much about great portrait photography as it is about a life well-lived.

A blast from my past. This cutie was from a cover I shot for South Florida Family Life Magazine.

Thanks, you’ve hung in there till the end!

In Gratitude, Lisa

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9 Comments

  1. Rachel Levy

    Brilliantly Beautifully Heartfully Done!!! From your Logo, your language, your profound depth and incredible talent …I loved reading and seeing your sheroes and all the stars you make shine ….you’re a Miracle Worker ??Blessings Lisa what a long tike in the making…so worth it all

    Reply
    • LisaN

      My heart is warm, this makes me feel so good. It takes a village, and I’ve been blessed with a beautiful tribe of family, friends, clients, and a fabulous coach. I’m getting there. It’s all for the right reasons, as this is
      what I know in my soul is what I’m meant to be doing. I actually always have, I’m just kicking it up. xoxo Thanks for taking the time and the love. I’m working on the receiving part!

      Reply
  2. Linda Kraus

    Lisa this is wonderful. Beautifully soulfully expressed. The ten tips are great, very useful and inspiring even for a novice I Phone camera user. I feel like it is a mantra for life, above all KINDNESS. Thank you for the reminder. And fun always resonates with me. Your pictures touch me deeply and go right into my heart. I love the covers of the children. So precious. I think it’s time for a show!

    Reply
  3. Linda Nadler

    For a few years Lisa has asked to photograph my Down’s Syndrome sister. You see, my sister Randee, my only sibling, is 59 years old and is the love of my life. As a result of a horrific traumatic experience that occurred when she was just a “pre-teen” at a day program she attended in Far Rockaway…she stopped talking…and never recovered. She also has a rare form on Cerebral Palsy which with aging, has limited her ability to walk without a walker or a wheelchair. I procrastinated and procrastinated for no other reason than I never “had the time” to make it happen…being a working single mother. Early this year (2021) during a phone conversation with Lisa, she simply reminded me of her offer and then said, “What are you waiting for?” What WAS I waiting for??

    In February Randee went totally blind in one eye, then had Covid, putting her into a 10 day quarantine in her group home in Plantation, FL. She was clueless as to what was happening and and out of her mind being made to stay in her room alone, out of her “routine”. I could not even visit. It was at that moment in late March that I called Lisa and said, “Now!”.

    With masks in tow, Lisa took the most amazing photographs of Randee on a tree-lined street, right outside of her group home. She captured the essence of Randee’s sweetness, the look her gratitude, and her smiles that have been gone for some time. She also took impromptu photos of both of us! It was absolutely mind-blowing and life changing…for me. And for Randee? Well she sat up tall, looking proud like the princess that she is…

    Lisa Nalven has a heart that embodies compassion; eyes that see more than the exterior of the subject, but captures the interior – the soul; and an understanding that beauty comes in all sizes, shapes, genders and “abilities”. Never did I imagine that my sister would be seen so real…so curious…so beautiful. There isn’t a day that I don’t stop to gaze at the photos, two of which hang on my wall so I can see my sister as she is…every single day.

    Grateful is just a tokenism for what I feel… Thank you Lisa.

    Reply
    • LisaN

      Your post moves me to tears, again. This never gets old for me. I am so grateful that we made the time to shoot your sweet sister. She is no less than, she is lovely. And you are a great devoted sister. Reading your note, and my tears, affirm that I am doing what I need to be doing. It’s a small part, but it means a lot. Thanks, and please take me up on that follow-up picture!

      Reply
  4. Ahuva New

    Lisa, you are amazing! What an inspiration to all of us. Differently-abled. Wonderful word.
    On your next trip to Israel,
    my nephew in the North, who is differently-abled. A handsome 16 year old.
    Wishing you well,
    Ahuva

    Reply
    • LisaN

      Thank you Ahuva. Yes! I’m in! Sending you love and I did NOT forget about you!

      Reply
  5. Kathy

    I am so blown away by my talented cousin’s amazing “captures”!! What a treasure of heartfelt moments to share with all of us!

    Reply
    • LisaN

      Awe, thank Kathy. Come visit! It’s been too long! xoxo

      Reply

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