A Photo Chick's Journal in Paradise

Nikol and Kevin's Pilialoha Session

This past Sunday, I had the great honor of photographing Nikol Braffith and Kevin Luoma's wedding at Moli'i Gardens.  I really, really enjoy working with this couple! 

I wanted to share with all of you their images from the Pilialoha session which took place in February of this year.  E kala mai (so sorry), so late!

As I prepped for the shoot, I found Nikol warming up by doing Jumping Jacks. Now that's my kind of bride!!!

Nikol is so warm, sweet and genuine! Kevin is kind and funny! The first time I met them I instantly fell in love with them!  

Kevin didn't need much warming up as he could always hold Nikol close to him for warmth...

 

It was a bit chilly that day, however, you can't really tell in the photos because Nikol and Kevin were having too much fun to be cold!

I wanted to change the background up a bit so we headed to the rock wall...

When I shoot, I really try to utilize my surroundings...

And keep in mind that LIGHT and the quality of it is extremely important!!! This is why I like to shoot either super early in the morning (sunrise) or late in the afternoon (closer to sunset).

I love this photo...it is so sweet how Kevin loves Nikol so much...

Now, you would think that this would be the end of our shoot, right? I thought it was until...

Ms. Nikol Braffith busted out the eco-friendly garbage bags and gloves....to pick up TRASH FROM THE BEACH!!!  

OMG!!!  Nikol had read my posts on how I like to give back to the aina by picking up trash on the beach. To my sweet surprise she came prepared to do just that!!!

This beautiful Hawaiian local girl and her soon to be husband were doing their part to help keep our aina clean for their and everyone's keiki and the generations to come!  They totally get it!!! 

Nikol and Kevin, what an amazing couple you are! Thank you for being so loving not only to each other but to everyone around you!!!  What an absolute honor to be your photographer and friend!!!

IMUA, Kamehameha!!!!!

Safeway Select Garlic Chicken Ultra Thin Crust Pizza!!!

Okay, you know the sale ends tomorrow for these pizzas that I've been boasting about, right?  At a time when we're all trying to save $$$, Safeway has a great deal on some ono food!!!

So tonight, in honor of this magnificent sale, I had the Ultra Thin Crust Garlic Chicken for dinner!

Look at how THIN the crust is, people!!!!

I decided to "bedazzle" tonight's entree with Safeway Select Pesto Sauce!

15 - 20 minutes later...VOILA!!! An inexpensive gourmet pizza dinner!!!

Hurray and stock up now!!!  Sale ends tomorrow, March 31st!!!!

Meet the newest Hokuli'i Images Family Member!!!

Meet Keoki, my new traveling companion on my shoots! 

He's fun, witty and a barrel of laughs.

Stay tuned for his first adventure...he's so excited to meet you!!!

Paki and Joanna

Later this year, in October to be exact, I will be photographing Paki and Joanna's wedding.  What a sweet and genuine couple!  I did their engagement session earlier this month and WOW!!!  They have got me sooo psyched to shoot their wedding!

I learned so much about Paki and Joanna THROUGH MY LENS during this photo session.  Their love for each other was so apparent while I was shooting them.  I love when my couples are open into displaying their affection for one another in front of me. It makes it so much easier in capturing their relationship when it's organic and real...

I'm just going to let the images speak for themselves.  All I know is that I am so honored and blessed to be documenting their special day!  

MAHALO Joanna and Paki for your kindness and love!!!

Happy Birthday, Na'u Girl!

It's my lovely Labrador's birthday today!  She turns SEVEN!

Thank you, Na'u, for the seven years of joy, laughter and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!!!

I love you, little girl!!

Happy Birthday, Cecilia!

Happy Birthday to one of Bridal Boutique's Babes - Cecilia Domingo!!!

Have an awesome Birthday Month, sistah!!!

The Waterfront at Aloha Tower

At the foot of One of Hawai'i's historic landmarks is The Waterfront - a cool place for your special event!!!

You know, The Aloha Tower used to be the tallest building in Hawai'i.  In time it's been dwarfed by our own version of skyscrapers however, is still an important part of our Honolulu skyline.

Thanks to Kris Labang and Crystal Evans, I had the great opportunity to partake in a photo shoot at the Waterfront to showcase this special venue back in January of this year.

Model Alita Kristensen shows off this beautiful Melissa Sweet Verona silk garza strapless a-line gown from The Bridal Boutique. Check out the pleating detail and bow at the neckline. Sweet!!!

Leslie Fair's makeup and hair design really accentuates Alita's beautiful features!

Kamu Davis joined in on the fun posing as "da groom."

 

One of the great benefits of being at the Waterfront is of course, the sunset...

Now let me share with you what your event could look like at The Waterfront!!!  

All the lounge and linen design was done by one of my most favorite hardworking women in the industry Naomi Lee of Les Saisons!!!

 

Yummy food by Chais Bistro and....

One of my faves - Kahala Caterers (a fellow Honolulu Magazine 2009 Best Of Recipient)!

Look at all the brides and grooms who showed up to check out the venue!

Here we find Merri Ford, Special Events Coordinator of Kahala Caterers talking with the inquisitive couples.

 

It was a fun filled evening at the Waterfront!

Loved bumping into my very good friends like, Da Honeys, Dave Miyamoto and Michelle Guda.

My lovely couple, Haunani and Alika, who's celebration is going to take place at the Waterfront on May 2nd of 2009!!!

Here's Bryson Dang of the Wedding Cafe, fellow photographer extraordinaires - David Murphey and Derek Wong (LOVE that shirt Derek)!

Again, big MAHALOS goes out to:

Leslie Fair, Mark Malalis and their friend Dayna for hair, makeup and styling!

Crystal Evans, Events Director for the Waterfront at Aloha Tower,

Kris Labang seen here with Mona Hirata of Weddings by Grace and Mona!

Jason of Exquisite Entertainment for hooking us up with the jams!!!

Greg Ventura of Advanced Visual Arts - LOVE YOU Bruddah!!! You work so hard!!!

Telly for all the dancing lessons!!!

Again, the Bridal Boutique and Naomi of Les Saisons!!! 

Mahalo to my model couple, Alita and Kamu! Thanks for being so fun to work with!!!

Yes, it certainly was a fun afternoon and evening at the Waterfront at the Aloha Tower Marketplace!!! Please be sure to check out this cool venue if you're in need of a fun and extraordinary place for your celebration!!!

Peace out!!!

Inspiration Lounge....

Speaking of inspiration...Check out this cool site, ladies!!!

 

I Love Blogging!!!

"Why do you love blogging?" 

I get asked this a lot because I have the die-hard habit of yelling, "OMG! I love blogging!!!" while jumping up and down and clapping like a cheerleader gone wild when someone mentions the word "BLOG."

So it doesn't come to my surprise that Six Apart would ask their bloggers this same question.

I love bullets so I'm going to make this simple and straight to the point.

I love blogging because...

• As a photographer I can share my images and convey the stories behind them.  Sure pictures are worth a thousand words however, if you saw an image like this, I'm sure a description would be a little helpful.   

 

• Which brings me to my next reason:  I love to share my thoughts, ideas and any experiences that I go through that could possibly inspire a viewer/reader. For instance this mold of my once badly somewhat disfigured teeth.  Please see my recent post: "Crooked Teeth = Dreams Come True."  If my posts inspires someone to try something new or think about things in a different way then that's just plain groovy!!!! I want my blog to be a place that inspires thought, laughter and maybe even positive change...

• I've been told time and time again, "I live vicariously through you by reading your blog!!!"  Look, I'm not out there skydiving or swimming with sharks (at least not yet) but whatever it is I am doing, people seem to get a big kick out of it!  From what I've been told I bring a little bit of adventure into their cubicle even if it's just featuring a fried gecko on a circuit board or having a bowl of Acai at a new eatery!!!  

• Blogging is a place for me to give praises or accolades when it's due.  I LOVE to support good people doing great things.  Or great products or businesses making a positive and healthy impact in our world!   

• I love that my English teacher can't grade me on what I write here!!!  I am, by all means, NOT a professional writer.  I pretty much write the way I speak and people get what I'm saying.  It's sooo cool!  

• Lastly, blogging is a wonderful platform to share this beautiful place called Hawai'i....through a local girl's eyes and heart.  Not to sound cheesy but I really, really love my home!  The places, people, culture, food...there is no place on earth like it! You get to read about Hawai'i not through some flashy commercial touristy website but from a local girl who lives, works, and plays here.  Blogging is just a super fun and easy way to share the ALOHA with the rest of the world!!!  

And there you have, Six Apart!  These are the reasons why I love Blogging! MAHALO NUI LOA for making it so dang easy and fun to blog!!! 

  

Hairlights at The Wedding Cafe!!!

After my wedding the other day, I stopped by one of my favorite places at Ward Warehouse, The Wedding Cafe!

I wanted to grab a couple of shots of the beautiful window display that my girls at The Bridal Boutique had just put up.

I strolled into the Cafe and to my delight found some very special peeps hanging out!

Diva and owner of TWC, Tanna Dang was hanging out with her Godchild, Hunter getting hairlights put into their hair by Sonnie Kerr!

I had just recently heard about this newest hair fad from my friend Beth who saw it in coordinator Merrissa Uchimura's hair at a wedding we both worked at together.

Hunter was soooo excited to show me the strands of colorful delite that Auntie Sonnie tied into her hair!

I watched Sonnie carefully tie more of these strands of BLING into Hunter's hair.

You look FABULOUS, dahlink!!!  Just like your Auntie Tanna!!!

Tanna explained to me that this is the newest retail addition to their Cafe!  Awesome deal, girls!!!

Check out what Tanna has to say:

Even I, non-fashion-Dry-Fit-Clothing-Girl, was taken by the magical shimmer of Hairlights!!!

Crooked Teeth = Dreams Come True!!!

I hated my teeth growing up!  I come from extremely humble beginnings and having a fabulous smile was NOT on my mom's agenda of priorities.  Things like food and shelter came first!  But as a kid, especially as a teenager, those things came in last!  Achieving to look hip, cool and pretty took precedence over everything (it seems).

 
 

Back in 1988, when I joined the work force, I decided to take things into my own hands. I wanted a beautiful smile! I no longer wanted to have this set of choppers for the rest of my life!

 

I knew that it was going to be costly for braces. I didn't want to ask my mom or anyone for financial assistance.  I wanted to do it on my own.  So...I worked really hard, endured all the pain and "soft foods" that one could take (this is why I really, really dislike Clam Chowder to this day!) And then voila! Next thing you know I achieved the smile that will last me for a lifetime!

This is more than a story about crooked teeth...

I'm the kind of person that doesn't WAIT for things to happen.  I believe that if you're really passionate about something and you believe you can have it or do it, doors will open and you can achieve your dreams.  You need to be and stay positive, humble, and share that wonderful energy with everyone around you! Just live ALOHA!!!  

The mold of my teeth is such a great reminder for me of what you can do if you put your heart, mind and soul into it.  YOU CAN DO IT, Peeps!!!

I will not be carrying my mold with me for inspiration so please don't ask me to "buss' it out" when you see me, okay?  Just hold this story in your heart...my hope is that this post (yes, the mold of my teeth) will inspire you to take on your dreams and goals!!! Make it HAPPEN!!!

Honolulu Magazine's Best Of....

What a way to celebrate Hokuli'i Images' 10 Year Birthday!!!  

Mahalo Nui Loa to all of my clients, family, and friends for this prestigious honor!  You have all been a part of this fantastic voyage and it is because of YOU that Hokuli'i Images is where she is today. 

Mahalo for your smiles, laughter, love, continued support and friendships!

Hokuli'i Images looks forward to carrying on her tried and true tradition of connecting and documenting you with heartfelt ALOHA...

Me ke aloha,

Geralyn

Please visit www.honolulumagazine.com to see more of the 2009 Winners!!!

Skittles Sunday

Michelle Guda (aka "Honey Babe), one of my BFFs,  came up with a brilliant idea! She wanted to take photos in front of Maryknoll's  colorful "construction" wall in front of the upcoming Maryknoll School Community Center which is slated to open on May 7, 2009.

First things first...kau-kau!!!

Michelle & :Dave, Tiara & Brian and myself powered up with several bowls of amazing Pho in Chinatown at Golden River Restaurant on the corner of King St. and River St.  WOW!!!  Super ono, kay?  Thanks to T, for this delicious suggestion!

After lunch we were powered up and ready to roll!

How many times have you passed by this wall on Dole Street and Alexander Street? Maybe on your way to jump onto H-1?  I LOVE this wall!!!  The overall theme to the shoot would be "grade school fun!"

Here we go!

Michelle's "Paper Dolls" shot!

Tiara and Bri's turn!

Back in 2003, I met Tiara and Brian.  I had the great fortune to photograph their wedding and ever since then we've become friends!

How fun to be able to shoot one of my favorite couples again! I just LOVE these two!!!

This shot is dedicated to Hiwa Girl...

 I love you, tita!!!

Here's a warm up for the Honeys Engagement shoot.  This is just a warm up, people!!!

What a privilege to photograph Michelle and El Presidente himself, Mr. Dave Miyamoto! (Honey Boy, I was small kine nervous, kay???)

I love these photos that Tiara and Bri took!!!

You know what's so neat (besides this incredible time with these cool people)?  Is the sweet fact that Michelle and Dave met Tiara and Brian for the FIRST TIME this afternoon!!!  It was soooo awesome and I'm not surprised that they would all get along!  

Fortunately, we did these photos this past Sunday. I just drove by this same wall yesterday and found that part of it was gone!  Like life, things are only temporary so you have to seize the day!  Like Michelle said, "Here today, gone tomorrow...."

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for an incredible afternoon, T, Bri, Mimi, and Honey Boy!!!  My spirit is soooo happy and my soul rejoices for our special friendship!!!  I love you guys!!

Looking forward to more Ferris Bueller Day Offs, kids!!!

Braggin' about Braggs!

We love our local food here in our islands.  Our favorite, cannot-survive-without seasoning?  SHOYU!Yes, shoyu. Not soy sauce (mainland term), SHOYU!!!

Since childhood I've been a fan of both Kikkoman and Aloha Shoyu. People swear by either one!  Sorta like the whole Apple vs PC battle???  I enjoy both so don't turn to me for support on your favorite!

With that being said, I haven't used either for years now!  Because I was introduced to a better and HEALTHIER alternative to shoyu:

OMG, you guys!!! This stuff is the bomb!!! It tastes the same!!!  Please read up on it.  It's such a great tasty seasoning and it's really good for you!

You can still make your plate lunch ono by throwing some of this good stuff on top, kay?

Check out:  www.bragg.com!  

YUMMY!!!

Costco Rocks!

OMG!
Another find you guys!
Organic cage-free eggs at Costco!!

O'ahu Wedding Association! Check it out!

Oahu Wedding Association - The Wedding Ring Shop from KAIMEDIA on Vimeo. Whether you're a bride and groom, vendor, or someone who just loves wedding stuff please visit The O'ahu Wedding Association!

P90X in Kane'ohe!

Yes, I admit it. I've fallen off of the workout wagon. I love working out!  I love Acai Bowls!  And lately I haven't had much of either!  Fortunately, I am drowning in work. Unfortunately, work and the busyness of life has made it a little difficult for me to enjoy these two loves.

But as of today, that is going to change!!!  Today, via the U.S. Postal System I received my life preserver:

Yes, I ordered the P90X!!  My friend, Lisa, who just started working out with the P90X LOVES it!! I totally admire Lisa, who was one of my brides during this past December.  She lost weight and got fit for her wedding in a mere SIX MONTHS!!!  I was soooo proud of her!  After reaching her wedding fitness goals she decided to continue to keep in shape by doing the P90X workouts.

So for the next 90 days I am going to kick some Photo Chick butt!!!

Bring it!!!

Bun in Da Oven

I visited with a couple of my friends tonight.  They had both atttended a Baby Shower earlier in the day.  One of their contributions to the party were the favors.  

People, I think that this has got to be one of the most clever and fun Baby Shower favors I have ever seen!

How clever is this???  I was simply amazed!!!

I seriously needed to share this with you because the detail and hard work that went into these delightful party pieces were phenomenal!!!  And this is just ONE oven!  They lovingly made FORTY of them!!!

Well done, Shredder and Game Face!!!  You girlz ROCK!!!

Ad2 Honolulu and Kanu Hawai'i

This morning I had the great opportunity to meet and work with the very talented and extremely funny Rae Huo.

I have admired her work through the years.  Her images have been published in many magazines such as "Hana Hou," "Honolulu Magazine," and other well known periodicals.  

Today Da Photo Chick was going to be on the other side of the camera.  The shoot was for Kanu Hawai'i.  An organization you all know I'm totally gung ho for! Kanu Hawai'i is the latest recipient of the a pro-bono marketing campaign which is organized by Ad Two Honolulu Public Service Committee.

I won't go into much details about what the shoot entailed as I would really love for you be surprised by the end result.  I can tell you that:

1) There were many participants who volunteered their time and energy for this campaign

and

2) We are all Kanu members!

The shoot was so awesome!  I was so delighted and intrigued by Rae's sense of humor!!

See what I mean?  This horse's head/mask totally slayed us! OMG!

Here's Tai Leong, co-chair of the committee and also art director for the shoot.

I cannot help but laugh every time I look at this photo!  (Tai, not at you, of course.)

Seriously, we all could not get over that horse's head.  We just totally loved it!

It would have been fun to have Rae photograph me as a horse however, I'm sure that would have been extremely tricky.  

It was super fun to watch Rae work and for such a great cause!

I was so happy to see James Koshiba again and meet his very cool friend Anim, who is the Director of National Programs for The Food Project in New York. Just a couple of bright, intelligent and ambitious guys who's making our world a better place, people!!!

Mahalo nui loa Kanu Hawai'i, Ad Two Honolulu, Ms. Tai Leong and of course, Rae Huo for making this morning so exceptionally special! What an honor to work with all of you!!!