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Meet Rebecca & Tyler. They moved to Oahu 5 months ago from Orange County so that Tyler could continue his education in biology/premed. Rebecca is teaching in an after-school program, and she’s also an aspiring photographer. What a hot couple, and so very loving with each other. The shoot was part of the Mike Colon workshop, which was a great learning experience. A big thanks to Mike Colon for being incredibly generous with sharing his time & his talent.
Most people these days know her as Rebecca, but to me she will always be Becky. We grew up together at the Butterfields dance studio in Minnesota, spending countless hours in dance classes, rehearsals, competitions and recitals. Hands down, Becky is one of the most lovable people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is also a phenomenal workout instructor at The Firm in Minneapolis, where she spends her days making people sweat & stay fit and healthy. Thank goodness for Facebook — we were able to reconnect a few months before her Maui wedding at The Fairmont Kea Lani and Elan & I were able to be part of her big day! Now, two years later, Becky & Matt are expecting a little one! We’re so very happy for both of them. These photographs were taken on the North Shore at Maui’s famous surf spot, Hookipa.
This was certainly not a typical family portrait request. Brady – whom I’ve known for 2 years – called and asked if I’d take his family’s yearly family portrait. Apparently every year they have a different theme to the shoot. Last year’s theme was “togas on the beach” and this year he wanted to go for a “white trash” look. We drove up to Kula to take standard family pictures at the outskirts of the Alii Kula Lavender Farm and then we drove to a location that his brother had discovered, with a broken down airbus. They had even gone so far as to bring beer bottles, a gas tank, stools, wife beaters, hats, cast iron pans, and an ax, but to name a few props. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Mike Colon is one of the industry’s top photographers, and he also teaches professional photographers all around the world. He is constantly giving back globally with his photography through organizations such as Thirst Relief. Recently, I was given a great opportunity by Mike Colon to give back to the community through photography. He is coming to Oahu for a workshop, and has offered to buy me a seat in the workshop as long as I raise at least the cost of the workshop for a local charity of my choice. I chose the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center, which I’ve always had a soft spot for.
The Hui Visual Arts Center is an absolute gem on Maui. This wonderful non-profit organization has done great things for the community. With the public school system hurting due to budget cuts, there are very few opportunities for kids to experience creating art. The Hui not only exposes kids to art but encourages them to broaden their own skills through the various children’s art programs. The Hui also introduces renowned artists and shares their talents with the local community through lectures, programs and workshops, thus bringing art to the community. Not only does it raise the level of the local exposure but it improves the quality of our local artists by giving them a chance to shine on a world-wide stage. Many local students have received scholarships from top art schools as a result of their involvement with The Hui.
It’s not too late to donate. Please call The Hui at 808.572.6560 to submit your tax deductible donation under ‘Anna Kim’ or you can also use Paypal. And a big mahalo to Mike Colon for making this all possible!
Here are some of the pictures I took of the lovely Hui grounds.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Brady for the last two years here on Maui. He’s an absolute RIOT, always playing pranks on friends and family. Well, he’s not the only prankster, his whole family is notorious for joking around and rarely is there a dull moment. Brady and his fiancee Kelly are both excellent massage therapists on Maui and their beautiful daughter Sage is an absolute angel. Photographing the whole family was such a treat, I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.
I spent the first day of the new year on a volcano photographing the Maui sunrise on Haleakala. The colors were absolutely stunning. I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the new year. Happy new decade!
