I love January 1st!  I’m a checklist kind of girl and I’m great at making resolutions.  I’m not always successful at maintaining them but I give it a valiant effort every time.  Remember when I resolved to cut my showers to six minutes every day?  That was hard.  And short-lived.  Thank goodness January 1st means a clean slate, a second…a third…yes, even a thirty-third chance to try again.  So here we go, I’m ready to set some goals for this bright and shiny new year.

Professional Goals:

-Do more by doing less

I balance a full-time job at the University, family life, and my passion (photography) by setting a limited number of session slots per month.  I admit, I tend to book more than my monthly goal.  It’s so hard to pass up an opportunity to do something I love.  But I’m excited to devote more time and energy to planning each shoot thoughtfully and intentionally.  Scouting new locations, searching for new ideas, bringing in those little touches that push it to another level.   If you’re thinking of doing something different for 2012, don’t dally too long.  Let’s go for it!!

-Attend workshops

I’m a lifelong student at heart.  In 2011, I had the pleasure of attending several local workshops, including a lighting workshop by Firebird Photography.  It gave me the kick I needed to start utilizing lighting techniques more in my sessions and expand what I can offer.   I’m constantly looking for new workshops and courses.  This May, I hope to travel to Chicago to attend an amazing workshop held by one of my heroes in the children’s photography business.  I’m so excited!

-Hold workshops

Two years ago, I held a introductory workshop on composition and the basics of exposure.  It was a test run and I had a bunch of ideas waiting in the wings.  The workshop turned out to be such a blast, not just for the participants but for me.  I literally just ran out of time to plan another one but I’m moving this higher on my priority list for 2012. I love sharing what I know with others and it’s such a bonus to meet other photography enthusiasts.  I know so many people who have awesome digital cameras but just are just not using them to their potential.  As a mom with a camera, I want to help other proud moms to take better pictures of their adorable babies.  I would love to do workshops this year!

Personal Goals:

-Use those reusable Foodland bags

I take hot showers until the hot water runs out and I can’t fall asleep without the TV on, but we are trying to change our habits one by one and love on the earth.  We had composting worms which we loved until they mysteriously died off.  We also had an egg-laying chicken until she also mysteriously died right before Christmas.  Hmm, I’m sensing a pattern.  My husband started an aquaponics system and built a garden table with broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, and all sorts of leafy deliciousness.  But one thing that I see everyday is our closet filled with plastic bags from the grocery store.  I HAVE the green reusable grocery bags.  I love them.  I use them everyday…to take my lunch to work or as a beach bag.  But I forget them without fail every time I make a trip to the grocery store.  And my overwhelming pile of plastic bags keeps growing.  I would really like to make a conscious effort to bring my groceries home in my reusable cloth bags.

-Try a two new recipes a month

I’m not the world’s best cook.  I have five go-to recipes and I tend to cycle through them, more often than not, choosing to have a comforting bowl of saimin for dinner.  I just haven’t had the best of luck when trying new recipes.  I found some appealing recipes on the food network website and I want to aspire to just trying one every other week.  That’s a small goal and doesn’t look too daunting.  Keep your fingers crossed that our tummies survive.

-Take care of the little things

There are those little tasks that make my to-do list but keep getting pushed aside by the bigger priority tasks.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could just sweep the little, pesky tasks off my list permanently?   They range from the sensible to the insane sounding.  ex.  cleaning the top of our washing machine and dryer.  They sit outside and they are dirty.  It bothers me everytime I do laundry but I’m usually rushing to get through the three loads of laundry.  Or finding a lampshade for the living room lamp.  I threw the shade away because it looked so old and dingy. Maybe I should have waited until I had a replacement.  Now we have this poor naked lamp in the corner.

Yes, the obvious resolutions should be assumed. Eat better. Exercise more.  SPEND MORE TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!  But those are resolutions that I should be making anew every week.  Thank you for patiently listening to my earnest goal-setting.  Feel free to tell me yours, I’d love to hear them.  And because pictures make everything better, here’s just a little storyboard of silliness that makes me smile.  This from a Christmas shoot with a fun little girl who certainly doesn’t mind the camera=)  Coming up soon is the beautiful wedding of Michelle Doug on the windward side of Oahu.

Don and Vita were married along the water’s edge, the mid-day sun enveloping the small ceremony in golden light.  Now, as I’m curled up in my sweats to ward off the chill of Hawaiian winter, I’m enviously remembering the warmth of that day.  They were married by Don’s good friend, with just a few friends as their witnesses.  Don kept us all laughing as he unleashed all his moves for the camera.  Vita, tall and gorgeous, just shyly smiled at her new husband’s antics, tenderly fixing his tie when it became askewed.  Vita’s beautiful daughter was their flower girl and the entire wedding party.   During the ceremony, she found a fast friend in a kitten lounging in the grass nearby.  The formal portraits were just a dream to photograph.  The grounds at Pardise Bay Resort on the windward side provided the lush, tropical backgrounds and the camera just loved this newly married family.

The bride wore a beautiful dress from Cache at Ala Moana and did her own flawless hair and make-up.  The flower girl dress was from Sears.  And can you believe that the gorgeous rose bouquet was from Safeway?  I was floored to learn that, I didn’t even know they did bouquets!  It was rich and elegant. I will most certainly be recommending them to my future brides.

Congratulations, Don and Vita!!!

No bridesmaids. No groomsmen.  At first, Raylene didn’t even want to walk down the aisle.  She bashfully laughed and waved that thought off. Thankfully, someone managed to change her mind because she was radiant as she walked across the grass field towards her groom.  The sinking sun was just starting to fall behind Justin but he didn’t see anything but his bride.  Their three children also walked down the aisle.  Their youngest flower girl took a little break and her big brother patiently helped her back on her feet and filled her flower basket again with the soft rose petals.  The guests stayed late into the night under an open sky splattered with twinkling stars.  Live music played while everyone enjoyed amazing food under hanging lights.  Justin and Raylene went from table to table welcoming each guest while the kids were thrilled to be playing with all their friends.  We were at the beautiful Officer’s Club on Hickam Air Force Base but it somehow felt we were at an intimate backyard party and we felt right at home.

Congratulations to the newly married couple, Justin and Raylene!!!

I have so much to be thankful for.  My daughter who turned one and who has learned to walk (which, by the way, has changed the game).  The outside of our fridge has been stripped clean from the 2.5 foot mark down.   A new job working at the University of Hawaii-Manoa which I am just loving.  Of course, my hubby, Scott, whom I just adore even though UH-Manoa football games do steal him away from me for those pesky home games every other Saturday.  And I’m so thankful for my wonderful clients who have kept me so busy.  I’ve been falling behind with my blogging, but I’ve been too much fun behind the camera on the weekends.  I’ve had cute baby sessions, beautiful weddings, and my daughter’s first birthday party which is going to make you ooh at the overflowing cuteness.

I’ll start the ball rolling with this baby photography session with 7 month old Jude.  You will recognize this chubba-licious face as he has graced the cover of my blog before.  We had quite the party rolling through Kailua early on a Sunday morning.  I was accompanied by fellow photographer, Malia Salmon, and Jude brought along his entourage; mom, dad, and big sister.  Jude definitely worked the camera but it was dad who probably got the biggest workout of all as Jude hadn’t quite perfected sitting just yet.  So, daddy Tony was the propper-upper, runner, and catcher.  The rest of us were working it trying to get Jude to flash his beaming smiles but it was his protective big sis who got him giggling every time.  He just absolutely adores her.

They’re such a sweet family that I’ve loved getting to know through these photos.  And this past fall, when Scott and I needed to correct some electrical work in our house, I remembered Tony and Kelley and their family-run business, All G Electric.  They were awesome!!! In just one day, they fixed our problems and we were able to even add some “luxuries” like a light switch on our porch so I no longer have to fumble for my shoes in the dark.  It’s amazing how little touches like that can make life just a bit easier.

I can’t wait to see everyone again for Jude’s 1 year session which is coming up quickly!

Trevor is the worship pastor for Hope Chapel Kaneohe Bay.  Although he’s one of the youngest pastors on staff, he’s a talented song-writer and musician with a clear vision to change the culture of worship.  If you feel the Ko`olau mountains shaking on the weekends, chances are it’s the people of Hope Chapel rocking it out.    You can download their latest worship CD, “Collision,” on amazon or download it from itunes.  Sarah works for Tori Richards and also shows off her design talents with a unique, handmade jewelry line, Ezer Kenegdo, she and two other friends run.   They were just featured recently in Midweek!  But Trevor and Sarah relish their greatest roles, the ones that earned them the title of “mom” and “dad.”  Levi is a happy and deeply loved little boy.  And, yes, I’m a permanent member of the Levi Fan Club.

Hand-knit hats provided by Jennarations Yarns of Kaneohe, HI

Please contact me if you want to schedule a “Sitting Pretty/Handsome Session” with your baby or become a Facebook fan!!

We chatted and I again questioned why I always end up meeting people at Starbucks since I don’t drink coffee.  Apparently neither did she as she nursed a fruit punch that she had brought with her.  I had a pocket full of Starbucks gift cards that I was hoping I could finally use but she politely waved off my offers to treat her.  So we just sat and got to know each other.

Like most coffee shops, it was crowded and loud but the background noise faded away as she settled in and told her me her story, one hand resting atop her round belly.  From our email exchanges, I knew a little and thought I had prepared myself, but I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up.  I heard a story that sounded so similiar to mine but still so different, I couldn’t imagine what it felt like.  Years of trying to start a family gave way to hope, followed by utter heartbreak, only to find one’s way back to hope again. 

 She and her husband had found out they were expecting triplets. The excitement mixed with anxiety of realizing they were going to welcome three babies into their home.  And then tragedy.  They lost their identical twin girls within a few days of each other in the second trimester.  She spoke then of the gut-wrenching doctor visits and her voice was twinged with sorrow but all I could hear was strength.  Her message is one of hope and faith because after surviving two painful losses, they stand in wait of one very sweet miracle.  Their little girls have a brother.   They had been hesitant at first to plan anything for the future.  They were reluctant to buy baby furniture and had yet to prepare the nursery.   They had put aside the idea of taking maternity photos.  But they have suddenly found themselves well into the third trimester.  And something that seemed so hard for them to believe would ever happen…is really happening.    Leinell and Jeff are just weeks away from meeting their son.

From the first email she sent inquiring about maternity photos, I’ve felt that I should be the photographer for these very special photos.  I felt like I was on a first date as I nervously rehearsed all the points I was going to use to convince her to hire me.  I was so ecstatic when she cut to the quick and pulled out her planner and asked “so, when do you have openings?”  I wonder if she could tell I was hopping in my seat.

Leinell must have been a teacher’s dream.  She took out a notepad during our consult and wrote down my suggestions for outfits.  She declined my proposal that she talk to her husband before we confirmed a date for her session.  She confidently told me “Oh, Jeff will be there. I’ll make sure he’s there.”  On the day of our shoot at Ko Olina, she carried a backpack as we trekked along the shore.  In the backpack, she had everything I had suggested might be useful or creative to use in our session.  We stayed late to get beautiful sunset photos and the minute the light disappeared, she pulled a compact flashlight out of her bag and was guiding our party out of the darkening lagoon. 

I was curious to meet Jefferson after Leinell’s description of him as a tall man with red hair.  Oh, his hair does not disappoint. It’s awesome!  He’s a proud dad and proud husband.  I warned him that I would be working solely with Leinell for most of the day.  He’s completely chill and took a swim and laid out in the sun.  But he jumped up and rushed over to hold Leinell’s hand whenever she had to walk to a different location. 

 I had asked Leinell and Jefferson to bring something special that was of significance to them and their babies.  For the girls, they had a beautiful hand-blown glass ball the same color as the deepest ocean waters.  And Jefferson was carrying a large book with a drawing of the earth on the cover for their son.  When I asked him the significance, he explained that he and Leinell often wrote in that book during their travels together.  And then he said “he’s my son. I want to give him the world.”

Many thanks to Leinell and Jefferson for choosing me to be a part of their journey.  Many many thanks to my dear friend Nalani visiting from the Big Island.  She modeled for my practice shoot, and then acted as assistant and creative director for the big day.  We had quite a fun group outing to Ko Olina.  We were even accompanied by her dad who tagged along to enjoy a sunset on the beach.   More gratitude, again, to Leinell and Jefferson didn’t bat an eye at the surprise enterouge trickling into the parking lot.

Behind the scenes: Nalani keeping our mama nice and cool (left). Draping artfully (right).

I think the Big Island is rubbing off on me

I’m here on the slopes of Paauilo nestled along the Hamakua coastline on the Big Island  finishing up a long-anticipated trip to see my family.  It’s been a fantastic assembly of days.  My sister and brother finally got to meet my baby girl and I finally had the chance to meet my very first nephew who is about to turn one in  2 months.  I am running dangerously low on computer memory as I’ve uploaded gazillions of pictures everyday to my poor overburdened laptop.  There’s been a lot of cows, horses, rodeos, huge home-cooked meals (courtesy of my little sis), barbecuing with real cowboys, and even some country music easy listening.  It’s been amazing to get back home and show Scott the trees I used to climb, the gulches we used to play in, and the hills we used to cardboard sled down.  Can you tell we didn’t grow up with a television?  I’ll be sad to leave my family and I’m already planning our next trip to this relaxed isle.

One thing I did heavily miss was cell phone connection.  My cell phone was reduced to being a oversized pocket watch.  I’ve been utterly spoiled by Oahu and it’s 3G networks and being able to use my cell phone almost everywhere.  I’ve only been able to spotcheck emails on our few trips to Hilo (30 miles away) and I have been jonesing to blog daily on this trip.  But, Paauilo has forced us to take a well-needed break from technology.  But I will be returning your emails by tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow we return to the “city” of Kaneohe.  Thankfully, I’ve weaned enough of a signal off of Scott’s hot spot phone to upload a sneak peek from a maternity shoot last week with Leinell and Jefferson.   I’ll check back in when I’m back on the windward side with my McDonalds french fries in one hand and updating my twitter feed with the other.

I got to know Melissa because we both volunteered in the church nursery with all those huggable babies that makes your heart melt. Her oldest son, “Iz”, had just graduated to the toddler class when I started volunteering but I was there when she started bringing her youngest boy, “E.” The other nursery workers and I used to fight over who got to carry him the whole time, all of us leaping to our feet and rushing the door when we saw Melissa bringing him.  He was so mellow and when he was too young to crawl amongst the squabble of other babies, he languished in a bouncy chair charming the girls with his sweet smile and that one lock curling mischievously down his forehead.

The boys have grown and the family is undergoing some huge changes.  This island family with their beach-loving boys are picking up roots and moving to the big state of Texas.  Melissa and I planned for a family photo shoot on the beach to take advantage of their last few days in tropical beauty and Melissa had told me her two boys are beach babies.  Her husband, Pono, was up in Texas already preparing for their move and one of the things they were hoping to find were alternatives to the Pacific Ocean so the boys could continue with their love of water.  We scheduled the beach photos so Pono would be home in time and Melissa wanted to include Pono’s sister and mother for photos of the whole family.  Unfortunately, life kept throwing up little speed bumps and we found out that Pono could not make it home for pictures and would have to stay in Texas until the rest of the family could meet him there after the big move.   Even I was bummed to hear he wouldn’t be back for photos but it takes a lot more than that to damper Melissa’s positive outlook on everything.

We had a great afternoon playing on the white sandy beach in Waimanalo.   The family wore matching aloha attire and the deep reds popped against the blue of the ocean and dark green and purples of the mountain range.  The boys were so loving and energetic.  They would race across the sand at lightning speed, pause when they saw their mom, throw their arms around her and give her a huge hug, and then speed off again.  I had talked with Melissa prior to this session and I know one of her concerns was that we wouldn’t be able to get pictures of the boys (especially “E”) looking at the camera.  That’s one of the challenges that I love about working with kids.  They kind of create their own flow.  So much behind the art of photographing them is being able to connect with them and also being able to adapt quickly and creatively.  And I love that thrill when you snap the shutter, check your display, and you’re rewarded with the sight of big smiles.  YES!!

“Iz” is a charmer and a ham.  I didn’t bother trying to pose him or direct him (which isn’t really my style anyway). I didn’t need to.   He seemed intent on making his mom laugh constantly.  It made for such cute moments like this next series.  “E” also had a goal he was completely focused on too. He was in the midst of an attempt to build  the deepest tunnel in the sand ever.  Maybe he was hoping for buried treasure.

Beach beauties: Pono’s mom and sister.

Just beautiful.

I heard Melissa promising the boys that they could play and go swimming when we finished with the photos.  So after spending just a little time taking some group portraits, playtime began and the boys took off.  This is when the fun for me really began.  I got to focus on more candid photos of the boys just being boys and it made for some of my favorite pictures of the day.

Poor "I," he had to resist the call of the surf the whole time so as soon as his mom gave him the green light, he dove right in. Literally, dove right in.

I always bring some beach toys along on beach shoots. So "E" got back to work on his tunnel.

I can’t explain exactly why, but I love this last photo.  There’s just something about the soft fading afternoon light shining down on him like a spotlight from heaven.

Thank to Melissa for entrusting me with such an important task, of creating something tangible to remember your life here in the islands.  We will miss your sweet family and we hope you enjoy all the adventures Texas has for you.  Thanks to my friend, Joy Pishcura, who was able to drop everything at the last minute to assist me with this shoot.

May is flying by and it’s brimming with deadlines but it’s also filled with a lot of excting events.  In the beginning of May, I participated in a lighting workshop downtown at FireBird Photography Studio and I’ve got another workshop in Waikiki marked on my calendar for next weekend.  My friend, Nalani, is visiting next week all the way over from the Big Island.  And then at the end of this month, Scott and I are finally going on our annual family trip to the Big Island to visit my family.  My sister and brother will finally get to meet my lil shortster and I can meet my one and only baby nephew.  Before that big trip, I have a special maternity session to shoot and I’m wrapping up editing photos from my last family session.  I’m completely loving this month.  May, you rock!!!

Here’s a sneak peek from Melissa’s family session at Waimanalo Beach.  Her handsome little men were nothing but smiles for the camera.