FIORIA by Me Ra Koh — Attraction in Frisco

*Update: Me Ra kindly reached out to me to express her sadness at what happened, especially regarding the hurtful comments. She confirmed they love and affirm the LGBTQ community, and we talked through how this misunderstanding happened! This was very important for me to hear, and I’m so thankful. She also let me know that they could have fixed and re-ordered my large portrait if I had told them I was unhappy right away. That’s on me. All this to say, i would still recommend people who can afford it to work with Me Ra. She is a gem and her work is stunning. But perhaps in the future Me Ra might consider sending a final digital edited portrait that’s about to be sent to the printer to the client first, that way money and materials can be saved in case something like this happens again. The editing team might get something wrong or do too many touch ups (my skin was a bit too “airbrushed” for my personal preference, for example) and I think clients should have a say before it gets sent to the printer. *

This is a really hard review for me to leave, and I’ve sat on it for over a year since getting my photo shoot with Me Ra done. First of all, the experience I had with Me Ra was very kind, beautiful, and healing. I love her and think she’s very talented. However, when I look at my huge portrait I’m mostly just disappointed and a little ashamed for how much money it cost. When we were asked which picture was our fave that we wanted a huge print of, we picked this one but specifically said this one is our fave because of the movement and power it exudes, BUT that we didn’t like it because of the lighting or lack there of on my eyes (feet also, but that’s obviously not as important), so we would only pick it if it could be edited so that my eyes were visible. Both she and Brian immediately and confidently said of course, that they could fix it in the editing process. I’m honestly not sure they remembered or edited it at all though, because my eyes and shoes are just as difficult to see as I remember in the viewing right after the shoot. Considering the huge cost (2k) of this shoot and canvas print, I was expecting perfection. I’m surprised they didn’t send over an edited revised version to get our approval before sending the file to Italy for the final print. I would have told them we weren’t happy with it. I hesitate to bring the second thing up, because it’s uncomfortable and personal, but it seems important that I use my voice to stand up for myself. Me Ra and Brian knew that I had recently come out as queer (it was in my application for a discount that I won), and so when I pulled out my sweatshirt that says “QUEER” on it for the last outfit of the shoot, I was surprised when they questioned me on “what that meant”. Then a brief conversation ensued about what it’s been like for me to come out as queer as a Christian, and some casual comments were made by Brian that were hurtful. I was very uncomfortable after the conversation, and you could see it in the photos that she took of me afterwards. It was a sad ending to a beautiful experience. Like I said, I have so much love for Me Ra, but the end product was not at all what we...

Our FIORIA experience with Me Ra Koh and Brian Tausend has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined. For Mother’s Day, several of our friends got together and gifted me this luxury photoshoot. Me Ra and Brian generously decided to match our friends’ gift which set us up for an incredible experience. I was stunned by this outpouring of love! I was also extremely nervous about how my daughter would respond to being in the studio and having her picture taken. Isabella is six years old and was born with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome which includes autistic-type sensitivities along with several disabilities. We tried to have family portraits made before but it was not a positive experience for her.

I am so grateful for the Discovery Calls that happened before our shoot. I was able to share with Me Ra all of my concerns and her gentle response gave me so much peace. She let me know that she was confident that this photoshoot would work and that her team would do whatever it took to make sure Isabella was comfortable. And that is exactly what happened! On the day of the shoot, as I got my hair and makeup professionally done by the amazing Ginger, with our favorite music playing softly in the background, Me Ra laid on the floor and read a book to my daughter. When my sweet girl laid her head on Me Ra’s shoulder, I gave a sigh of relief. Me Ra had won Isabella over.

The actual photoshoot was peaceful and fun. We all laughed so much! Because the team had taken the time during the Discovery Calls to know what makes our family work, Me Ra and Brian had our complete trust from the first click of the camera. It felt more like we were hanging out with friends than having professional photos taken. Every moment of the shoot was sheer ease.

After lunch, the studio was transformed into a theater setup for the Reveal. Brian blew us away with the slideshow of our portraits. He then lead us through the thoughtful process of deciding on our favorite portraits and he designed the most beautiful artwork for our home. A few days later, when we just couldn’t stop thinking about the other photos, Brian helped us design an album via Zoom.

Brian and Me Ra stayed in contact with a weekly update of the printing and shipping process until our wall art and photo album arrived 5 weeks later. Brian came to our house and installed the wall art, which was such a blessing to not have to do that ourselves!

What Me Ra and Brian were able to capture in our family is unreal! They have given me the gift of seeing my family from a different vantage point. I am encouraged and challenged daily by this art now on my walls. These pieces whisper hope, health, healing, and wholeness to me. How can all that come from a photographer and designer?!

Thank you FIORIA team for being part of our family’s story now. Your kindness, warmth, and professionalism is beyond anything I have ever...

My experience with Me Ra Koh has been unlike anything else in my life. From the moment I had my discovery call, to the photo shoot, reveal and installation, and even now - I was seen, heard and valued.

I cried every time I spoke with Me Ra before my photo shoot. I really had no idea just what I was getting into, but after hearing her speak and sharing other Rising Phoenix photos, I knew this is just what I needed.

Honestly, I went into this experience hoping and praying I could see myself as others see me. I would have been satisfied with a glimpse, but there was so much more.

Me Ra has the gift of listening and truly hearing. It is coupled with the gift of seeing. She has this beautiful gift of vision where she works closely with her husband Brian to create an atmosphere of being seen.

We’ve heard it said, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but the art Me Ra and Brian create leave me speechless. There are no words to sufficiently explain what they do. You truly have to experience it yourself.

And oh what an experience it is!

My experience was full of laughter, tears, and truly walking and talking through moments. Me Ra and Brian are so personable, welcoming, and accepting. They see you without judging you. And what a gift that is.

My story is unlike many others, but also like so many. The main focus was being able to forgive myself.

Me Ra wove my story beautifully into powerful pictures that hang in my bedroom.

Sixteen years ago I didn’t know if I’d even live to see the next day. Sixteen years ago I looked in the mirror and saw brokenness. I hated my reflection and I hated people telling me I was beautiful. I’d stare at myself for hours only to see a vast sea of darkness and emptiness staring back at me. I had lost hope and was nothing more than an empty shell going through the motions.

Today I sit in my chair writing while looking at my photos of wholeness, healing, and LIFE. I have spent 16 years walking out healing, fighting to overcome, and now I have a visual representation of where I am now.

I see a woman who has endured, and not only survived, but came out on the other side VICTORIOUS.

These pictures, this experience, have been absolutely life changing for me. It’s as if I stepped into the depths, yet walk on the water.

It’s a glimpse into what my future holds and where I’m going.

I promise you, if you’re on the edge, wanting more, yearning to see possibility, your heart longing for change, your eyes squinting to see clearly…the Rising Phoenix Experience is for you.

You’ve made it through the flames, now it’s time to rise...