why did I start

That is a good question, and one that I get very often. My fitness journey began the fall of 2014. I spent all summer avoiding the beach or pool because I did not feel confident in my body. I became overweight, I was not happy with the person in the mirror.

When I lived in Switzerland, I ran a lot. I started long distance running when my mother was sick as a way to relieve stress. I continued it until I moved to the United States. During this time, I completed two marathons, with 4 hours and 15 minutes being my best time. When I moved to the US, I was consumed with acclimating to a new culture and environment. I had a hard time adjusting to the weather outside and lack of nature trails around my house. I know this isn’t an excuse, but it was my reality. At the time, I was not skinny but was still in good shape.

By the time fall 2014 came around, I realized that I had to do something about my body – especially if I was not happy with it. Ultimately, that was my next project – I was to work on myself. Running outside was not an option for me as it can get really hot in Florida. I do not particularly enjoy biking and swimming in my small neighborhood pool just was not going to cut it. I became a member at a local fitness center and got myself a personal trainer. I would visit with this trainer once a week for a few months. Before I knew it, I was able to complete the exercises on my own. This was the beginning of my journey to be healthy.

With the New Year it is common for people to make goals for themselves – health, wellness, professional and financial. Oftentimes, people get discouraged when they do not stick to their goal after a few weeks into the year. My advice to you – it is never too early or too late to start. Go at your own pace and do what you can. Consistency is everything when it comes to fitness. Even if you can only commit to two days a week – everyone needs to start somewhere.

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Tristan & Etienne lavender themed wedding last Saturday was gorgeous! When I met Tristan and her mom at the beginning of the year and they told me about the theme, I was immediately in love with it. Growing up in Switzerland I am used to the vast fields  of lavender of South of France and I miss the delicious smell of those! Their wedding was reminder of Europe!!! I was so happy to be part of their beautiful day.

Here are some sneak peeks of their day. Come back very soon to see the full wedding!!!

purple lavender themed weddingI love that she had her new name and the date unf wedding jacksonville

Tristan had a charm with a picture of her dad in her bouquetCharme in flowers purple wedding

rings in flowersTristan’s walk with her two brothers was very emotional
purple bridalparty wedding unfThe backdrop that they had for their ceremony was gorgeous!first kiss lavender themed weddingI absolutely adore the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresseslavender themed wedding purple bridesmaidsThey are just gorgeous!red hair bride natural light wedding floridaHere is a sneak peek of the tables’ decoration, wait to see them all!lavender themed wedding franceThe flavors were smelling so good 🙂lavender themed wedding flavorsThe lavender themed wedding was so beautifully done on the cake/dessert table!nude cake lavender themed weddingfirst dance lavender themedgroup photograph wedding at unfkiss tree wedding florida

Photographer: Severine Photography

Wedding planner: Simply Weddings by Amanda

Decors: Event Decor and More

Officiant: Ann Eastwick

Cake/Desserts: Alley Cakes

DJ: D’Land Entertainment 

Photobooth: Chic Booth 

Videographer: Nikki Baerman Photography

 

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Start With WHY

Recently I have been reading a lot of business related book and I thought that I would share my ideas/comments about them.

The first one is Start With Why by Simon Sinek and I would be more than happy if I can influence one person to read it. This book is amazing! It really explains in an easy way why each company should start from their WHY and why each decision the company makes should go to the basic, the WHY.

Starting with the WHY inspires people. Many companies/people that are or were a huge influence start with their WHY. Apple, Martin Luther king, The Wright brothers for example.

After ready the book we spent time thinking of our WHY as Severine Photography and we decided that our WHY is to increase connections between people. We do it by recording emotions of the wedding day and creating memories for the couple, their family, and their guests. We work in harmony with all the vendors.

Below you will find a very short summarize of each part of the book. Some sentences come directly from Start with Why by Simon Sinek, 2009 edition.

Part 1 – A world that doesn’t start with WHY

Our behaviors are affected by our assumptions and our perceived truths. We make decision based on what we think we know. It is easy to use manipulation to influence. Price, promotion, fear, aspiration, peer pressure, and novelty are example of manipulation. Companies that don’t start with their WHY use them. It leads to transaction but not to loyalty.

Part 2 – An Alternative perspective

Sinek introduces the concept of the Golden Circle. The WHY is in the middle and is why the company does what they do. It’s their purpose, cause, belief. The second circle is the HOW. It is how you do your WHY. The last one, the exterior one, is the WHAT. And it’s what the company produces. Lots of companies start with the WHAT. The influential ones by the WHY. “5GB mp3 players” vs “1000 songs in your pocket”

As human we are drown to companies that communicate what they believe, that make us feel that we belong, make us feel special and safe.

WHY is controlled by the limbic brain, the WHAT by the neocortex. The Limbic brain has no capacity for language it’s all from feelings.

Without a WHY it’s hard to make a decision. It will be make only with facts.

The HOW are values and principles that that makes the cause goes to life. They are the actions that realize the belief. To be effective they have to be verbs. It gives a clear idea. It’s not “integrity” it’s “always do the right things.”. WHAT is only the result of those actions.

Part 3 – Leaders need a following

You need to get people to trust you. You do it by talking about your WHY and to prove it with WHAT. We trust people with common value. You hire for attitude not for skills. The role of the leader is to create then environment in which great ideas happen. People in the company, the best qualified, will find a way to make them happen. They need to be reminded all the time of the WHY and it will give them a purpose. With trust we rely on others and have a sense of belonging. We feel protected. The feeling of trust is lodge at the same place as the WHY, the Limbic brain.

The law of diffusion: 2,5% innovators – 13,5% early adapters – 35% early majority – 34% late majority – 16% laggards

The goal is to find people that believe in your cause, your WHY.

Part 4 – How to rally those who believe

You rally by inspiring. Energy motivates but it’s not enough. It will stop fast. Charisma inspires. It comes with a clear WHY.

WHY-types are visionaries. They have an overactive imagination. They are optimistic. Everything can be done.

HOW-types live here and now. They are practical and are realists.

Lots of time those two personalities create amazing team. They need each other.

Vision statement is the public statement of the founder intent, the WHY.

Mission statement is the description of the route, the guideline. It’s the HOW.

When the company grows the owner needs to keep the WHY alive, talk about it, preach it. Everything needs to be consistent with the WHY.

Part 5 – The biggest Challenge is success

When the company gets really big it’s hard to keep the WHY and many failed doing it. Lots of great successful leaders don’t feel that they are successful because they lost their WHY. Overtime there is a bid danger that the WHAT take over the WHY.

 

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Wynice & Isaac had a beautiful  Cummer Museum wedding last Saturday! Not only the weather was perfect (ok it was a little hot but the ceremony was at 6pm so it wasn’t too bad) but you could feel the love that those two have for each other.

The picture that the Omni Hotel had on the wall was a perfect location for Wynice’s gorgeous dress. It even matches her wedding color!

Omni Hotel getting readyThey were so happy to walk together with the rings! I have to smile when I see those two having so much joy.
Ringbear at the Cummer MuseumIsaac sees his bride for the first time 🙂 Groom seeing his bride at the Cummer MuseumWynice was walking with her dad through the colorful flowers of the Cummer Museum.Flowers at the Cummer Museum WeddingIsaac father was the minister for the ceremony. It was personal and beautiful.Wedding at the Cummer Museum gardenI love how Wynice looks at her soon-t0-be husband!Cummer Museum Wedding in Jacksonvilleblue and peach flowers
Cummer Museum Wedding bridal partyBride and Groom at the Cummer Museum weddingThe reception decoration was beautiful! I can’t stop thinking how gorgeous everything was.Cummer Museum Wedding in JacksonvilleCummer Museum peach and blue decorFirst dance as Mr and MrsFirst dance at the Cummer Museum

Photographer: Severine Photography

Venue: The Cummer Museum

Wedding Planner: Simply Weddings by Amanda

Event decor: Event Decor and More

Photobooth: Chic Booth

Video: Jax Video

Catering: Chef’s Garden

Cake: Alley Cakes

Band: The Chris Thomas Band

Ceremony Music: Music by Pegge

 

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Erika & Adam wedding at Marriott Sawgrass was gorgeous! We were lucky to have a perfect weather after a morning of rain non stop. Erika decided to have the wedding on the balcony and I have to say that I absolutely loved it. The light was perfect and the view on the lake was a perfect backdrop for their ceremony.

This is just a sneak peek of their gorgeous images as I know that Erika and Adam (and their families) can’t wait to see them! Next week, I will have multiple blog posts about their beautiful day!

couple in front of sawgrass fountainI love Adam’s reaction when Erika started to walk toward him with her dad.groom crying seeing the brideErika’s dad was also very emotional while walking his daughter to the man she loves.bride walking the aisleErika gave a rose to Adam 🙂 and he accepted it!bride offering a rose to the groomceremony on balcony at sawgrasscouple photos by fountain in sawgrassThe bridal party was gorgeous and real troupers! Come next week to see what they decided to do (and climb!!) for the group picture!bridal party at sawgrassWhat I really like with a wedding at Sawgrass Marriott is the amazing backdrop we have for pictures. The fountain is just beautiful.groomsmen at sawgrasspurple bridesmaidsbride and groom photos at sawgrass marriottFirst dance as a married couple. I love how you can see their love and how much fun they have togetherfirst dance at sawgrass marriott

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