{Happy New Year!}

2011 is coming to a close in 12 hours and well, I always take this day to reflect over the past year. Like most humans, I'm optimistic and hopeful for the coming year, regardless of rumors that the world may end, because there is so much room for growth this year!

I've taken it upon myself to take five classes this semester at HPU, on top of working on this love of my life, the business! Some may say I'm insane, especially when you throw a trip into the mix, but I am never pleased unless I'm busy. I am clueless on how to deal with empty time, so this is the only thing to keep me happy!

I don't remember most of my resolutions for 2011 (which may imply they weren't achieved) but for 2012, I hope to travel more. I resolve to not take life too seriously. I resolve to be healthier. I resolve to learn how to budget better. I resolve to do more sessions for myself.

I also resolve to grow this business to dreamy proportions. I have a giveaway coming up in March that I started working on in early December, that I'm working hand in hand with some awesome business owners!

In eight days, it's my husband and I's one year wedding anniversary. My sister is also moving in with us from Texas, with the goal of giving her a new start on life. 2012 is already filled with milestones and new beginnings, so here's hoping yours is as well.

Happy New Year!

{Evans' Family Photos}

It has been incredibly chilly lately and especially on the Kaneohe side! We met up for a dawn session and despite the moody clouds threatening rain, we had a good time in the soft sand and surf! That is, until it rained and the little one became too cold! :( Regardless, the expressions are precious and I really enjoyed the little time we had!

{Four Beautiful Ladies}

Katherine contacted me way back, wanting to purchase her mother a photography session for Christmas while they visited Hawaii. I LOVE surprises and love even more assisting others in surprising their loved ones, so I was game! We decided to go around Waikiki and enjoy the different sights and options the location gave us.

Ice Cream? √
The Beach? √
Beautiful Sunset? √√√

What more could a girl ask for?

{Sun Flares in Waikiki}

On my way to a session today, I decided to do a little fun photography for myself. I honestly get so caught up in client work, that I never stop to expand my own awareness sometimes. So today I decided to see how I could catch sunflares, my favorite camera technique, in different perspectives around Waikiki. Enjoy!

{Bella's Birthday}

My good friend Kristi has one of the most adorable petite little girls I've ever met, named Bella. Her birthday was at the Clay Cafe in Ward Warehouse, where the kids got to paint and eat, all within an hour, because really, what is the attention span of toddlers? Mickey was the theme, which I thought was delightful. It's been ages since I've dealt with Disney anything, so I had a lot of fun! Enjoy!

Tilt Shift photography

A couple years ago, I stumbled upon this link:

50 Beautiful Examples of Tilt Shift Photography

It is called Tilt Shift photography and when I saw it...I was hooked. I researched and researched, because the learning curve of this TS lens is steep. Manual everything makes anything difficult, especially in this digital age!

I finally, about 9 months ago, purchased the Canon 45mm TS lens. I could barely contain my excitement and wrangled my neighbors kids out the door to practice. These are my first initial shots:





Not too shabby, but definitely not what the tilt shift lens can produce. The reason tilt shift makes me so excited is because A) I'm a Bokeh freak and B) I love shallow depth of field. Watch the video below to learn what Depth of Field (DOF) is.




I sometimes use my lens when doing a session, if I feel the client may like it. Sometimes, they don't. Some people just don't find blurring or missing heads, which is what I like to do sometimes. It's not that I wish you were dead, it's just that I enjoy the perspective it gives when you have no facial expression to rely on. "What are they thinking?" is what I want you to think!

Here are some more recent examples of my tilt shift work:









If this seems like something you'd be interested in trying for your session (or wedding!) please let me know! I am eager to meet other who see the beauty in this style of photography!

{Kahaialii Family} | Dillingham Ranch

Some families are just plain fun and the Kahaialii family is no exception! Gorgeous parents, photogenic children...all adds up to something awesome! Harmony was looking for something "country" and since I spent 2-3 days a week up at Dillingham Ranch, I used some connections to get us some time there. I hope it was country enough for them! We drove to different locations all over the ranch and it was a great time!

{Next Stop: Forever}

When Lauren contacted me, I knew this session was going to be good. I asked her (As I normally ask clients) to send me examples of photos she might like and boy, did she! I was psyched to learn our styles were similar, so I went ahead and purchased a stunning suitcase to go with the session and she brought the flowers. I love clients that give me creative control, because as I've said before, I really feel the session pops more this way. We went up to Barbers Point and with the sun slowly receding behind us, we just went crazy with poses! I had such a good time and wish Mike and Lauren the best at their wedding next year!