   |
|
   |
One of the things I loved most about WPPI week was that it allowed me to attend a variety of different shoots to experiment with lighting, posing and composition. Here are some images from a fabulous shoot out organized by Melissa Diep Photography.
Make up & Hair by Spencer Lopez and Lissy.
This is Shelby Valine. Isn’t she gorgeous?
And this is the lovely Karen Henning. What a sweet model.
I really like the double reflection in the escalator.
Gayle & Rich, who are from Portland, were recently vacationing on Maui. This extremely cool couple just got engaged! After staying at the Sea Breeze Villa (what a beautiful place to celebrate!), they decided to change their wedding to a Maui destination wedding (and who can blame them?). I couldn’t personally think of a better place to get married, although I am biased, since my husband and I tied the knot here. But I am a firm believer that Hawaii is a little slice of heaven, with its exotic volcanic rocks, blue turquoise waters and warm soft sand.
Rich has a great sense of humor, he’s always making Gayle smile & laugh. And Gayle has an infectious smile that could light up any room. Their tropical wedding is next February, at the luxurious Sea Breeze Villa. Here are some photographs of their engagement session.
I couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple. These two are having their wedding in Maui next February! We took some time to do their engagement session at Sea Breeze Villa. Guess who their Maui wedding photographer is going to be? Yes, lucky me!
Our friends Courtney and Jay welcomed their baby boy Makoa into the world on December 23rd. I couldn’t think of a better Christmas gift than this bundle of joy. Shortly after the birth, I went over to their home to meet him. Baby Makoa is such a little cutie-pie! While I was snapping away, he just stared into the camera, perhaps intrigued by the sound of the shutter. When I moved him around, he didn’t mind a bit. Watching Courtney cuddle and shower him with love was especially sweet to witness. I know she’s going to be a fantastic mother. This boy is super cute, with big blue eyes and big lips to match. I can definitely see his baby modeling career taking off!
Meet Brian and Mele. This warm and loving couple currently live on Oahu, but are getting married in a few months here on Maui in Lahaina. Joanna Tano invited me along to shoot with her on this engagement session on Maluaka in Makena. The lighting was perfect, especially around sunset. Here are a few of my favorite shots. Congratulations, Brian & Mele!
Meet the lovely Jen. This was her first time modeling, and I have to say, she was a natural! She has long, elegant lines and curves which are a joy to capture. It was sprinkling in Kapulua, Maui but that didn’t stop us, it enhanced the lighting which gave it a moody romantic feel. Thank you to Mike Colon and the Maui Seven Workshop friends, what an incredibly talented group of photographers!
Hair: Dan Sanchez
Wedding Gown: Tamara Catz
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.
