VITHAYA PHOTOGRAPHY: NEW YEAR, NEW WAY

January 4, 2013 - For many people there is so much anticipation and expectations for the New Year. It's a chance to start new or start over and to some it may seem like any other day. Change doesn't have to be limited to a certain day or time, although it sounds nice to start from the beginning of the year. Any day and time can be the start of changing things and changing ourselves, and I'm evaluating myself and how I do things. If the past hasn't been a success, then it may be time for a new way of doing things. It starts with the person in the mirror.

I've long been inspired by and enjoy watching a couple shows for inspiration in my career and life: America's Next Top Model and Kitchen Nightmares. These reality-based TV shows can help people to not only be inspired but also take a look into their own lives to make necessary changes for success professionally and personally.

With America's Next Top Model (ANTM), you have 10-14 young ladies competing to be the winner and have the title and benefits of being America's Next Top Model. They do things that models do such as getting photo shoots, doing commercials, going to go-sees with designers and many other things which are all judged till there is only one person left. The first episode was on May 20, 2003 and has become an incredibly popular show and is part of The CW network. There is a lot of pressure and emotions that go along with competing. The models learn a lot about the modeling industry and themselves and it's interesting seeing the transformation that models make during the competition and hopefully continuing on in their careers.

With Kitchen Nightmares, restaurants in America invite Chef Gordon Ramsay to their restaurants for a week in order to help them revive or restart their failing businesses. This is based on the British show Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares in which I watch reruns of it on BBC America. It's amazing to see the transformation that these restaurants go through and it's because of the transformation of the people who work there.

With both of these shows, I think they can teach lessons on doing what's needed both on the job and personally to become the person needed to be a success. Sometimes it's lack of knowledge or motivation and sometimes it's stubbornness and other relational issues. Many times we can't change unless either someone shows us the problems or we see them ourselves and want to change. I like seeing the changes that these people make to become better people. After seeing these shows and other things in life that motivate and encourage me, it makes me want to make decisions and take steps to being successful in my career and in life.

I wanted to share some pictures from the America's Next Top Model Cycle 19 Casting Call in the DC area from last year and also a couple pictures from the Fashion Beauty & Lifestyle Expo from last year with fashion photographer Nigel Barker hosting, and he was a judge on ANTM for many seasons. It's amazing how our lives can change in an instant and sometimes it takes awhile, but in this one life we live, transformation and forward progress to becoming better and living well is all worth it. We may come to realize that we can't do it all on our own, so share your goals and dreams with others and have relationships that can positively help you to succeed. We can't forget about focus and perseverance. All the best to you this year.