I set out with my trusty volunteer assistants Thomas + Joe to meet up with Eva at a mall near where I met her when she cut my hair at All About Hair and of course, I invited her to jump around with me and she said yes! 🙂
We got a great shot of Eva at the mall, check it out @jumpforjoyphotoproject then we moved on towards the desert and got this stunning shot of her floating in the air along the side of the road.
Eva is both graceful and delightful. I am happy that I wondered into her hair salon on a whim to get a haircut, and met such a wonderful person. Feeling blessed.
Get to Eva a little more, she has a very kind heart, read on…
Q: What inspires you to jump for joy?
A: I’m inspired to jump when I push myself to do things I’m afraid of. I have literally jumped when I see other people achieve a goal or simply get inspired by their happiness.
Q: What was your experience doing the jumping photos?
A: Jumping for joy was easier than I thought it would be. After the first practice jump, the inner joy was released, you forget what’s going in life and realize you can jump as if grabbing on to those memories of being free and abandon thoughts of what people think. I was a bit self conscious but wasn’t worried about passers by in the latter photos.
Q: How do you describe the feeling of joy? How has joy impacted your life?
A: The feeling of joy comes from within, from knowing that no matter what is going on in your present circumstances, you will be ok with the outcome, you have to make peace with yourself and no one can take that from you… joy is knowing your purpose is being fulfilled, something to be shared.
Q: What is your greatest passion in life?
A: As a hairstylist, my passion is to help people feel good and empower them, if just for the time we spend together. What I’ve received back is the joy of knowing I can help people feel good, and for many, begin to believe in themselves.
Q: How do you feel about being part of a community project that promotes joy?
A: Growing up here, I’m proud of its growth & diversity… when you go away and come back, there’s a peace and serenity you feel… the smell of the desert trees in the rain is unique… that’s joy in itself.
Being part of this project has made me glow with glee as I tell my guests & friends at my salon! I’m so excited, I think they get excited right along with me! Yay!
Q: If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
A: If I could take “broken” people and help them see their potential. I’m currently working on myself and accepting I can’t control what others do. I would love to end poverty but the only way to do that is to empower people, not simple solution. Helping those near us become whole and propagate that works.
Q: What are you working on?
A: I’m currently working on redoing my webpage to show off beautiful hair makeovers and the happy faces, young and mature… think I should make some jump … LOL.. we all put on a facade when posing for pictures …
Q: Mini bio, or something special you want to share.
A: I was raised in Palm Springs area and began cutting friends & neighbors’ hair from about 10 years old (crazy right?). I got my cosmetology license before my High School diploma or driver’s license! I’ve been the owner of All About Hair in Palm Springs since 2004. Prior to opening the salon, I also achieved a graduate degree in General Experimental Psychology.
My love for creativity and positive human interaction drove me to be true to my passion, making people feel beautiful outside & bring that feeling within themselves. Being a positive impact is my new passion.
… enthusiasm and joy are infectious …
Thank you Eva, for sharing your your joy and kindness with the world!
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And… thank you to the Palm Springs Cultural Center inviting me to be your first Artist in residence and bringing the Jump for Joy Photo Project to the Coachella Valley. A selection of the jumping photos will be included in a paste up mural on the outside wall of the Palm Springs CUltural Center in mid April.
If you live in the Coachella Valley and would like more info on the project, or would like to take part, email us: jumpforjoy@psculturalcenter.org
Follow Jump for Joy on:
Instagram: @jumpforjoyphotoproject
Twitter: @jumpforjoyphoto
Facebook: /JumpForJoyPhotoProject
JUMP FOR JOY Photo Project 