When Life Gets in the Way

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

For the past several ~~days~~ months, I have been working like a machine.
It is funny how I wanted (and waited) for this time for so long yet when it arrived, I feel overwhelmed.

I remember the time I used to refresh my inbox just to see if a client sent me an enquiry. Now is the time that I got overbooked (Alhamdullilah & mashAllah) yet I found myself falling behind. Behind schedule. Behind work. Behind Life.

When I tried to regain my life back, my work started to suffer. It felt like my own personal life was getting in my way…

At times like these, I remind myself why I started this business…

I didn’t want to wake up early in the morning.
I didn’t want to work 9am-6pm & make money for someone else.
I wanted the freedom of working from home, in my PJs.
I wanted to live the life. My life. My Way!

When life seemed to slip out of my hands, I held back. Promising myself to go easy. Cut myself some slack. Take lesser bookings so I can also do other things that I enjoy (like reading books, writing, spending more time with the family, exploring the world, etc).

If life/work is getting in your way, take a step back and take a look at the broader picture. Remind yourself WHY you started this and try to figure out HOW to make it better.

You only have one life.
Live it Right!

25Jul2016

Live a Good Story

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

Sometimes all you need is time to yourself.
Laughing with friends, eating what you desire, reading a good book, and exploring new cities can have long lasting impact on your life.
Live simple. Dream big. Be extremely grateful for what you have.
You only have one life. Make it worth while by living it right.
More importantly, live a good story.

13Jun2016

Learn to Let Go…

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

If order to solve a problem, we need to identify it first.
If something is bothering you, try to find the root and see how you can fix it. If you can’t fix it, then simply let go. I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but give it your best shot.

Here is a list of 10 things to let go to be happy…

Let go of toxic people in your life.
Let go of regretting past mistakes.
Let go of the need to be right.
Let go of feeling sorry for yourself.
Let go of negative self talk.
Let go of the need to impress others.
Let go of limiting beliefs.
Let go of pleasing everyone.
Let go of gossip and complaining.
Let go of worrying about future.

Learn to let go of the things (& people) that are holding you back.
When life gives you lemons, be ready to clink your lemonade glass. You know where to find me 😉

Life is too short to hold back on happiness.

Cheers!

7Mar2016

10 Life Lessons in Quotes

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

I read somewhere that just as we feed our bodies with good food, we should feed our minds with good quotes. Following is a list of 10 quotes that I believe can be life lessons and my take on them…

Don’t let your difficulties fill you with anxiety. It is only in the darkest nights, stars shine more brilliantly. – Imam Ali
- You are stronger than your difficulties
Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer.
- Stop pleasing people. Do your thing & you’ll earn the respect
Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln
- Be the best version of yourself
Live amongst people in such a manner that if you die they weep over you, and if you are alive they crave your company. – Imam Ali
- Be a listening ear, a reason for someone’s smile, a shoulder to cry on…
Be somebody who makes everybody feels like a somebody.
- People should always come first – regardless of their status, bank balance, and influence.
Money doesn’t make you rich. Attitude does.
- Nough said!
Be with those who support your being. – Rumi
- Be around people who lift you up and also be the one lifting others.
A flower doesn’t compete with the flower next to it. It just blooms!
- Jealousy never does good to people.
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.
- Pray regularly. Your faith should overcome the fear…
Take risks. If you win, you will be happy. If you lose, you will be wise.
- The key is to be brave and do it. Done is better than perfect…

You may follow the hashtag #RimaSays on Instagram to follow up with my collection of quotes.

I would love to know which one of the quotes stuck out to you most and why….and if you have any of your favorite quotes / life lessons, feel free to share in the comments below.

Stay Fabulous,
~ Rima

14Feb2016

Different Dimensions

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

Dearest You,

I know our life is unusual. We work at different days of the week, our personalities are two different poles, and our point of views may differ at so many topics (including menu). Especially when looking at it from a third person’s eye but it doesn’t matter because we get each other.

Thank you for always having my back. Thank for letting me chase my wildest dreams. For helping me grow both as a person and professional. For being patient through my semi-dramatic moments, goofiness, and being okay with my split personality. For best advices during our late night conversations because I couldn’t sleep. For working on business branding with me although you had work in the morning.

Regardless of our differences, thank you for making our odd life so joyous. I am grateful for our different dimensions that are bonded by trust & love. I’m grateful to cherish our contrasts while balancing each other out. Complimenting each other….

I appreciate you, your selflessness, & kindness with all my heart. This journey will never – ever – everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr – be the same without you.

Love,
~ Me

4Feb2016

Life is too Short

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

“I love reading your blogs. How do you get time for them though…?!?
A friend of mine – who works for a photography studio as a manager- asked me this question at a wedding summit we both were attending in Dubai.

I said with a smile “I make time for it.”

When you do something you love (in my case – photography & writing), you just make time for it. Or better yet, you should make time for it. Running a successful studio by myself, following up with past clients, meeting new ones, emailing enquiries, album deliveries, managing social media along with being a housewife is not easy. Not easy at all!

I love my business from the core of my heart but it doesn’t mean I don’t make time to read books, to watch television, travel the world, update my blog, or simple things as catching up with my family back home. I chose to be an entrepreneur so I don’t have to wake up at 6 am, get ready, work tirelessly and make money for someone else. I chose to be an entrepreneur so I’m able to do things that I love.

If you feel like your work is taking over your life then take some time to think. Take sometime out for yourself to do things you love. If you can incorporate the things you love into your business, its a win-win situation. Remember why you are doing whatever you are doing and always remember who it is for!

Life is too short to hold back on – anything!

1Jan2016

Happy New Year – 2016

Posted in Live Out Loud by Rima Hassan

2015 – My oh my…. (phew)

This past year has been nothing short of a blessing.
The journey wasn’t a carved straight path. And it definitely wasn’t all happy-happy. I cried a few times at the verge of giving up, missed a few goals, stayed up late half the year to keep things on track, tried to avoid blunders (okay I wasn’t 100% successful in that but the key word is tried 😉 ), but celebrated each failure.

I am proud to exceed my goals of weddings this year, booked weddings that felt right, got to meet amazing couples & some extremely creative wedding industry vendors, completed my lens kit, extended my team, the blog-visitors increased exponentially, and I explored 4 new countries with 10 destinations in 5 international trips throughout the year *high five*.

I feel so grateful for experiencing life in so many new ways & also feel overwhelmed by how gracious God has been. I can’t thank HIM enough.

I am so incredibly excited for what 2016 has in store. The calendar is filling up with fabulous weddings, new business ventures, goals to be achieved, and dreams to be chased. I feel a stronger desire to be a better wife, daughter, friend, and artist.

Thank you so much for being a part of journey. I wish you a super Happy New Year – 2016 – from the bottom of my heart. May it be filled with joy, love, peace, & success, ameen.

Cheers to a Fearless & Fabulous year!

4Nov2015

Wedding in Ras Al Khaimah – Saeed & Haifa

Posted in Life Through My Lens by Rima Hassan

“We met at the court.” She said while fixing her bridal gown.
My jaw dropped as it was a first time I was hearing this one…

“Well, I’m a lawyer. He came in for his friend’s business…” she said looking up and smiling. “And……?!?” I asked very interested in the story. She figured my interest and laughed out loud “he proposed several times but I said no.” she said and stopped pretending to figure out how high or low to hold her bouquet. She was having as much too much fun in making me anxious to know the story.

“Aaaaaannnnnnnnd…..?!?” Omg I feel guilty of being nosy but I’m a sucker for love-stories.
“He didn’t rest his case. So finally, I said Yes! And here we are!”
She was all smiles.

I knew Saeed and Haifa, the two most funniest people, couldn’t just have a regular good-old-story. Saeed, the charmer, won the bride of his bride Haifa, a confident lawyer. Their love sparked at a court. How crazily-awesome is that? It was a laughing riot during their wedding photo-shoot. Their beautiful wedding took place at Corniche Wedding Hall in Ras Al Khaima (RAK). Haifa’s dress was designed by Dar Sara Fashions and shoes were by Manolo Blahnik. and I was beyond excited to be a part of their big day.

Dearest Haifa & Saeed,

Thanks a whole bunch for inviting me to document your big day. It was nothing short of fun. I pray that the Almighty showers you with love and happy times as both of you spread these two things wherever you go. Hold onto each other’s hand and….well…..never rest your case! May LOVE always wins!!!

Love,
~ Rima

9Oct2015

Wedding in Sharjah Ladies Club – Sara & Leon

Posted in Life Through My Lens by Rima Hassan

We sat in a coffee shop, laughed constantly, and talked about zodiac signs. That’s how I remember our first meeting. On the wedding day, we discussed how ghetto of a bride she was for wearing her gorgeous heels in a hurry as if she was a school girl about to miss her bus. Yes, the topics of the conversation were totally different yet we laughed the same. Or may be more….

I tend to enjoy documenting & photographing parties where either there are tons of details or each member of the family seems to be genuinely happy. In Sara & Leon’s case, both were true. She made her entrance and totally rocked the stage. Sara looked so gorgeous that Leon couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Sara’s friend sung such a beautiful song for her and later all their family and friends danced and the party was lit up even more by everyone’s smiles.

I totally loved how she chose a dark purple theme for her wedding decoration. Many thanks to Ekleel Designs for transforming the ballrooms of Sharjah Ladies Club with gorgeous purple flowers, candles, and countless details. The menu cards, little flowers, table setup, tableware, party favors, jewelry, and shoes, everything was keenly put together and seemed magnificent.

Sara & Leon,

Your day was incredibly fun. Your party pulsed all night with all the dancing, happiness, toasting, cheering, and celebrating your union. I adored how in the midst of all the dancing, Sara was able to enjoy some special moments with her mom. Leon, something makes me so sure that your life is about to rock with Sara’s presence in it. I wish you both a life full of happiness, fun, laughter, and loads of more celebrations. In short, I wish you both your own version of happily ever after….

Love,
~ Rima

15Sep2015

Wedding in Multaqua Hall, DWTC – Hassan & Sara

Posted in Life Through My Lens by Rima Hassan

She delicately looked down at her dress and picked it up from one side.
I asked her to freeze right there and took a photo.
She smiled, stood straight, and fixed her bouquet.
I gasped for breath and asked her to hold onto the pose and took another photo.

Most of the weddings, I direct the bride into posing. Sara was a rare gem. Her subtle moves were inspiring the poses. They were simple yet exquisite. Soft gestures, sparking eyes, and a smile to die for. Making her look even more beautiful.

Hassan himself was left in awe by her beauty. Speechless, to say the least. He was constantly trying to sneak peeks at his gorgeous bride. As if, despite of his best try, he was not getting enough of her. I put them together for formal photos and the smiles got wider. We all felt invisible butterflies flying around them & fireworks happened within the bridal suite.

As she entered the Dubai World Trade Center‘s Multaqua Hall, the heads turned and all the guests looked at her with admiration. In her gorgeous Esposa bridal gown & Fiore Design bouquet, she seemed like a princess making her grand entrance. Her tiara made the feeling more authentic. The ballroom was beautifully decorated by Decor4Life. Sara & Hassan, surrounded by their family and friends, held hands and promised to be by each other’s side for…..eternity!

Dear Sara & Hassan,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to witness your love. To say that your day was perfect would be an understatement. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, love, and the box of chocolates with the sweetest note ever. I absolutely loved your families and couldn’t be more thankful for their warmest welcome & hospitality towards me. I pray that the Almighty showers his blessings upon both of you because you deserve nothing but happiness. May you both always hold each other’s hands and fulfill your promise of loving each other….continually & forever!

Love,
~ Rima