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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.
Aloha! Sorry for the radio silence; I spent the past week photographing a wedding in Los Angeles and attending WPPI (an international wedding & portrait photography conference) in Las Vegas. During the week, Victor Sizemore (an extremely talented photographer from Los Angeles) organized this swanky photo shoot in the middle of the desert. A big thanks to Victor and his talented team for making this all happen!
Design & Styling by Summer Watkins
Cactus props provided by Historical Jewels
Hair & Make Up by Jill Guin of Darling Bride
Video by Elysium Productions
Meet Anna Lake. She is stunning!
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.
Every year on Maui, Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center throws an amazing gala & benefit auction. Last year’s event was Bollywood-themed and this year’s theme was “Bourbon Street.” It was exciting to see everyone dressed up and taking part in such a great cause. All the proceeds from Art Affair benefits The Hui’s youth programs, which gives Maui children access to high quality arts education (classes, workshops, lectures, exhibitions) and also provides scholarship programs for families unable to afford tuition.
There was both a live and silent auction of fine art and service packages (the live one led by auctioneer Kip Toner) and mouth watering Southern food (gumbo shooters, oysters rockefella, seafood & sausage jambalaya, and pecan crusted catfish) created by Bev Gannon. Guests danced to the music of Raw Silk (featuring Kelly Covington and Fulton Tashombe). And to top it off, there was an entertaining tap dance performance by Maui Academy of Performing Arts!
From this year’s event, the Hui managed to raise well over $100,000. Everyone was very generous in their donations and it was a huge success!
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
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.
