Happy New Year!!!!
December 31, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
I hope your 2012 is filled with inspiration, good luck…and double happiness! The year of the Dragon is a promising sign… Happy New Year!
Happy Halloween!!!!!
October 31, 2011 | Filed Under Children, Events | Leave a Comment
Here are some tips for taking better Halloween photos:
- Choose to take photos during the daylight hours. This way you know the light will be beautiful & you won’t have to worry about yellow indoor lighting or harsh flash.
- Set aside a time specifically to take pictures away from major costume wearing events. This eliminates impatience & many distractions.
- Take your children’s Halloween pictures before the succession of parties begin. This gives you crisp, clean costumes to work with. It’s sad to wait until all the festivities are over to suddenly get in a quick photo. With my kids, usually something is torn, pieces are lost, stains and stickiness cover their costumes…and my little one is sick of wearing hers, so keeping a hat or bow on is out of the question.
- Halloween nights are long and exhausting (although fun) and kids are not in the mood to take pictures at the end of a long, stimulating night. So try to avoid being ‘photographer’ when your children are tired and cranky. Always better to do it early in the evening (or during the day). Or just try again the next day, even though it may require the extra effort of dressing up again, the happy smiles will be worth it.
I hope these little tips help you as you are planning your Halloween. Take your photos early, during the day & in a place that won’t tempt your child to run away from you for something more fun…like the next door to knock on.
TRICK-OR-TREAT!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Riding Bucket: Pupukea, Oahu
August 28, 2011 | Filed Under Baby, Children, Events | Leave a Comment
Our summer was filled with trips up to Pupukea to ride our horse, Bucket. He is the smallest little pony I’ve ever seen. Smart and spirited, he entertained the kids so much, especially when they brought treats to feed him. Now that school has started, our horse rides are fewer and fewer so I thought I’d post a few of my favorite memories of riding Bucket.
My kids really get a kick out of feeding Bucket the apples. The juice squirts all over the place and they just laugh. It is so messy!
It’s always a special treat when we can bring friends with us. These sweet girls had quite the birthday surprise when they arrived to find they would be horseback riding for the day!
I will wait my turn
Molly is Bucket’s trainer and has been working with him for the last 3 years. She is amazing!
We were so amused by this road sign we saw one day while driving up to Pupukea.
Brent’s Superhero Party!
August 24, 2011 | Filed Under Children, Events | 1 Comment
Today you turn 5
Happy Birthday my little superhero!
I love you
After our mask decorating workshop, each little superhero was ready to receive a super cape…because every kid should be a hero for at least one day.
Our superhero photo booth was the hit of the party! As the kids jumped off a mini trampoline, they flew through the air across the cartoon cityscape.
the girls…
love how much air all the kids caught! they were really flying!
my SUPER birthday boy!
Vance + Shari: Hawaii Wedding
August 19, 2011 | Filed Under Couples, Events, Slideshows | Leave a Comment
Tucked away in a beautiful part of the island, hides Eternity Beach. Surrounded by black lava rock, the ocean shines like a blue gem. It was a gorgeous backdrop for Vance and Shari’s wedding. It was small and intimate, with only a few family members who flew out for this special event. It made for a very romantic beach wedding. It was so fun to watch the bride and groom chase each other into the water, climb up the lava rocks and be so in love and playful together!
Captain Ken with A Dream Wedding Hawaii officiated at the wedding ceremony and did an amazing job!
I think we were all a bit teary-eyed at the end of the ceremony.
See below for a slideshow of Vance & Shari’s wedding. The song, “From This Moment On,” is sung by my friend, Madison Eror, who was their amazing wedding singer! She surprised the couple by singing ‘their song’ after the ceremony. It was definitely a highlight and later that night they requested to have Madison record the song so they could play it with their slideshow. So I send a big shout out to Madi for doing such a great job!
Vance & Shari from Jenni Speed.
All Smiles: A Birthday Beach Party
July 29, 2011 | Filed Under Baby, Children, Events | Leave a Comment
We had amazing weather at Baby Makapu Beach for Pepper’s birthday party. It was a great day for taking photos with soft, diffused light making sweet, creamy images all over the place. The best part was Pepper’s unwavering smile. She was so happy at the beach the entire time! I love to see her so happy!
playing with Papa Mike
the “owl” themed party
above photo taken by Molly Moffat
I love that silly tongue…so cute!
her first taste of sweets…
why do we have this tradition? common sense tells me we really don’t need to force our children to eat sweets…and yet we think it’s so fun
Memorial Day
May 30, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
This year we spent Memorial Day up on the North Shore and recreated our own miniature lanterns. The family had a small ceremony and then sent the lanterns out to sea in honor of our loved ones… However it was quite comical with the strong winds and waves capsizing our lanterns. Most of them lasted about 2 seconds. It was a really great evening with the family. I look forward to Memorial Day every year.
To make the lanterns all you need are:
- tongue depressors for the base
- colored paper bags cut in half
- a tea light candle to go inside
It’s a very simple project, but out on the dark ocean water, the lanterns glow beautifully.
Each year at Ala Moana Beach there is a big lantern lighting ceremony and hundreds of people come to participate in sending off their floating lanterns. Last year our family went down and I photographed the event. It is really worth experiencing!
Below is one of the pictures I took from last year. You can see more HERE.
Mike+Bethany: The Bachelorette Party
May 27, 2011 | Filed Under Couples, Events | Leave a Comment
Part iii of the Mike + Bethany wedding:
It started out a nice evening at a restaurant, but as bachelorette parties go, ended up a fun, slightly wild girls night with dancing and all manner of crazy games…and more dancing. I’m not going to lie, when our family gets together you can expect some craziness! I don’t think Mike’s sisters knew what they were getting themselves into. Again…welcome to the family!
Here are just a few photos from Bethany’s bachelorette party. The theme was sparkles and glitter and nearly everyone wore pink or purple tights.
the dancing…
the photo booth…
the ice cream bar…
To see more of the M+B wedding, see HERE and HERE.
San Clemente Reception: Mike + Bethany
May 25, 2011 | Filed Under Couples, Events | 1 Comment
As the evening drew near the skies grew heavy and dark. By the time all the guests were mingling inside The Casino San Clemente, rain was pouring outside. The Casino is a historical building perfect for all kinds of events. It really made Bethany and Mike’s vision of their reception come to life. The place really complemented the elegant, retro wedding theme. It was very cool.
The real typewriters kept the guests busy writing notes to the bride and groom.
The lovely cake.
The reception was amazing in every detail from the cascading chandelier of lanterns down to the love birds in the trees. Everything was planned out with the greatest care…and it showed.
A bit past her bedtime, my little niece decided to camp out on the floor.
San Diego Wedding: Mike + Bethany
May 23, 2011 | Filed Under Couples, Events | 1 Comment
The warm sun and crisp, cool breeze made for a gorgeous morning to be married in San Diego, California. We were all so excited for Bethany’s wedding day to arrive. The youngest of 7 siblings and last to be married, my sister-in-law inspired a bitter/sweet reunion for the whole family.
‘Bitter’ because we can’t believe she is all grown up and starting a life of her own! It seems like yesterday when I met my husband’s family for the first time. Bethany asked me to play with her and we jumped on the trampoline in the back yard all afternoon. Then I got schooled in a friendly game of volleyball by all the sisters. That was when she was eight. Bethany is still just as lively, cheerful and full of energy now as she was then.
‘Sweet’ because we love an excuse to get together and party like there’s no tomorrow! I have the best sisters…and do they know how to get a party started! Welcome to the family Mike!
Mike & Bethany were married in the San Diego Temple. It was truly a fairy tale wedding…including the beautiful princess, gorgeous castle and the handsome prince. It was perfect.
All the bright colors of the wedding were so lovely!
Bethany had the most gorgeous wedding dress! Love, love, love!
the ring…
This little face cracks me up. Kids are so fun…especially at weddings.
the bridesmaids…
My sweet husband who held the baby so I could take a few photos at the wedding. What a handsome guy. I’m so lucky to have him!
Jasmine Star Workshop with CreativeLIVE
April 15, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
Last fall I had the chance to watch Jasmine Star photograph a wedding live in Seattle. Creative Live hosted a 5 day j* wedding photography workshop that was completely amazing. Although I currently am not in the wedding photography business, I love Jasmine Star’s work and have had the privilege of meeting her and seeing her speak three times this last year. She is hilarious and a wonderful speaker!
Fast forward several months and I learn that Jasmine Star is doing another workshop with Creative Live: How to Build Your Photography Business. I waited for two months with the date reserved on my calendar. I was not disappointed.
Here’s a preview of her wedding business workshop below:
Opening Night: WPPI Las Vegas
February 21, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
I’m looking forward to a week in Las Vegas with one of my best friends! Flying out from Portland to meet me, we are going to have a blast. I think the last time I spent a week with no husband or kids was…before I had a husband or kids. It is almost surreal being without my family. I think I’ll manage though 
. There’s plenty in store this week to keep my brain super busy…I’m so excited for all of the classes. There are some amazing speakers and photographers here and I am ready to soak up all the information that I can. Already, today was rewarding and fabulous!
As soon as I got in, I headed over to check out a sneak peek of all the new products about to be released to the public soon. So exciting to see what’s “next” in the photography world!
The evening consisted of a fabulous fashion show hosted by Sony.
Education is a must
February 12, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
I’m a big believer in education in every way. I never want to stop learning. It is so important in my life. This last year, I did a couple of workshops, and attended the WPPI Road Trip photography conference in Seattle. All of them were great and have helped me shape my business strategy and become a better photographer.
This year I have a more detailed plan for the direction I want the business to head. This also includes a few workshops I hope to attend. My first stop to kick off the year is WPPI-Las Vegas. And it’s only a week away! I can’t wait.
photo: Hardcover Vintage
Matt & Kim: Hawaii Concert
February 11, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
John and I went to see Matt & Kim in concert down at the Aloha Tower last night.
It was so…entertaining.
They are really great live! So much energy!
A fun date night, to say the least.
Jasmine Star on CreativeLive
February 2, 2011 | Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment
I really gained a lot of courage and insight from Jasmine Star when I first started my own business. Her story is so inspiring! I have been trying to get into one of her workshops for the last two years. They sell out in minutes! I was thrilled to finally get the chance to be a part of one of her workshops through CreativeLive.
It has been such a great learning tool. For the last few weeks, I’ve been pouring over the workshops at CreativeLive.com. Last August, Jasmine Star did a five day workshop covering a wedding in Seattle…live! Although this actually happened last Fall, it was great to watch. I really felt like I was there on location. It was so thorough and comprehensive…I was not expecting so much for so little! She went into amazing detail covering every aspect of her business. On top of all that, I watched Jasmine approach a real “live” wedding from start to finish. After five full days of this, I feel like I walked away with so much information and enthusiasm to start anew. It left me renewed and excited to approach my business through a new lens, so to speak.
