A Photo Chick's Journal in Paradise

Friday the 13th!

I love Friday the 13ths!  Nothing ominous about it to me except another wonderful day of discovery and opportunity to create!

Today, I chose to take my latest little love from Photojojo (one of my very fave sites!), the Digital Harinezumi, out and about this morning during my walk with Na'u.  Oh the fun we had!

 
 These images are pretty much straight out of the camera. No tweaking with Photoshop Actions.  Just a whole lot of wholesome goodness that reminds me of the 110 style of photos from my childhood. 

 
 

   

I shot this one with my Abalone sisters in mind...

  

Cinco de Mayo Crocs with my Zumi!

  

Hillary the hen posed for me even!

  

I love this shot as it totally contradicts what all the weather reports have been. No thunderstorms to me!!!

  

I am thoroughly in love and smitten with my latest Toy Camera and can't wait to take her out on more of my adventures!  Wait til' you see the video...Super 8 relived!!!

Hope you all had an awesome Friday the 13th! Make every day the best it can be!!!

 
 
 
 

 
 

 

Temporary

Back in September I photographed Jasmyn and Aikane's spectacular wedding in Kona on the Big Island. Fortunately, while I was there, I was able to take some personal time to explore this part of the Big Island which I've grown to really love.  

There is something extremely special about the Big Island...the energy there is so magical to me.  It is the youngest of our island chain and yet so ancient in it's history and ways.  It's really hard for me to describe. I do know, though, that the "mana" (divine power) is dominant there. 

One of my favorite discoveries were these beautiful tide pools at Honaunau Bay which is located right next to Pu'u Honua O Honaunau or The City of Refuge.  I enjoyed sitting on the lava boulders in the crystal clear ocean water while watching the evening sunset.  It was so beautiful!

  

I decided to visit the same tide pool two days later to enjoy the same experience again before leaving for O'ahu.  I discovered that it was low tide and most of the tide pools were empty.

   

As I sat there, in the same tide pool that I recently happily soaked in, I thought to myself that this was a great reminder how temporary things can be.  We shouldn't assume that life will always be the same. 

People, places, things change.  

The reminder here is to really take in and enjoy every single moment, every single person and every place that you are experiencing. Be mindful and treasure it.

 
 

The Hokuli'i Surboard

How sweet is this! My darling niece, Angelica Mae, who resides in California (and loves all things Hawai'i) had a Sean Johnson custom surf board made for her with my Hokuli'i Logo!  I had heard about it while it was being made and finally got to see it in person during my trip to Cali in July.  

Sweet!!!

  

Mahalo, Angelica, for making me smile!!!

 
 
  

Jasmyn and Aikane's Pilialoha Session

November of last year, I had the great opportunity to be flown to Kona for a sunrise engagement shoot for a very special couple, Trisha and Jayson.

I had photographed Jayson's sister, Sheri's wedding a couple years before.  Jayson wanted to shoot his engagement session with Trisha at a very special place in Kona at one of his favorite childhood stomping grounds.  They deserve they're own post of that shoot as it was truly an extremely special experience for me.  So I'll tell you all about that fun shoot later!  

Anyways, Trish and Jay tied the knot this year in January in Waimanalo. What an awesome wedding!

Not so long after Trisha and Jay's wedding,  I received a call from Jasmyn, Jayson's sister, who has asked me to photograph her wedding this September!  HOLLAH!  Hooray for me! Another fun Pereira wedding!!!

So this morning, I flew out to Kona for another wonderful sunrise engagement shoot.  This time, at another special Pereira Playground, Jasmyn's mom's hometown!

Meet our pretty bride Jasmyn:

And her handsome kane, Aikane:

They both have a beautiful six month old boy who I'll call Little K!

Look at how cute this 'ohana is!

Little K was in a FANTASTIC mood! He was totally ready for his shoot. So I made sure to take advantage of his happy window and did most of the photos of the three of them before he needed to take a break.

Well done, Little K!  Time for your break...

Now, on to mommy and daddy!

This shot is very special as this is where Jasmyn's grandfather would sit in that chair....

... looking out to the ocean.

Another quick change of clothing...

HAWAIIAN!!!

Jasmyn's mom, was our chauffeur and tour guide.  I LOVED the stories of her childhood!  Here's one of the places that she took us to. As youngsters they would sell leis at this lei stand.

 

I just love the RAWness of signs like these! You can only find them in Hawai'i!!!

 

On to more fun!

You can only shoot for a certain amount of time in the mornings in Kona before it starts to get super duper hot!!! And what's the best way to cool off local style??  SHAVE ICE, of course!!!  

We stopped over at Kalama's in nearby Napo'opo'o for some icy treats.

Okay, let's see the evidence you two!

Ummm...little apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, I see!

MAHALO, Jasmyn and Aikane, for a wonderful morning in Kona!!! You've got the romance down, you two! You'll be all set for the big day in two weeks, that's for sure!

A very special MAHALO NUI LOA goes out to Mom Pereira (and her co-pilot, Little K). Thank you for driving us around and sharing all your delightful stories of your childhood in Ke'ei.  I'm so honored to have had the chance to walk down memory lane with you.  What a special place you come from...no wonder why you're such a wonderful and caring person!

I look forward to seeing all of you in two weeks!!!

xoxo

Jumping for Joy!

This is my niece Joy.

She is a dancer.

She is pretty awesome!

My Office

A lot of times, people will ask me, "So where is your office or studio located?"  Gratefully, I am able to extend my arms outward, above me and sideways to gesture and reply, "Everywhere!!!"  

Seriously, I don't have a physical office and my studio is all over our beautiful island and world! Wherever there's great smiles to capture and sweet light that place automatically turns into my studio.

My favorite phrase is "Do what you love, LOVE what you do!"  And gratefully, I am able to do so in a place that I love so much with people who I adore!!!!

How blessed am I!!!!  

Max's First Sunrise at Lanikai

Wow!  What a beautiful Thursday morning to shoot at Lanikai!

I was meeting the Ferrer 'Ohana for a sunrise shoot.  Along with them came their good friends, Melanie and Casey.

Nicole had discovered my work through Facebook.  Yes, I'm a Facebook fan and you can find me under Geralyn Camarillo!  

Okay, so Nicole, Sean and their eight month old son, Max, wanted to do a photo shoot while they were back on island for vacation. Might I add that I'm proud to say that Nicole is a Spartan Alumni (hollah!).  

Max was born in Washington State so this was his first time to Lanikai Beach!  

It was a perfect sunrise morning:

We were all so grateful that it wasn't voggy!!

During family shoots I like to take time to do all sort of other shots. For instance, let's not forget where this all began...

There's beautiful mommy (in fact, this is a great time for Facebook Profile photos, people!)...

and handsome Daddy...

And then of course, Mommy AND Daddy!!!

And if an auntie or uncle are there to assist and enjoy the morning, we'll get them involved as well! In true Hokuli'i style, NO ONE gets left behind!!

I love this shot of Nicole and Melanie. They're BFFs from Seattle University. Goooo Bellarmine Hall Girlz!

When I'm shooting with babies and toddlers I know that our window of Happy Time is extremely brief. 

We just roll with whatever way they're feeling!

At this age, EVERYTHING is magical to them! It's a good reminder for all of us that it's still a great way to look at our world. With awe and wonderment...

Speaking of awe and wonderment...may I just share with you that even my friend's dog, Koa, who just happen to be on the beach that morning, is always curious about everything!

Check out this routine he has on the beach. He likes to dig up the crab holes until he gets deep enough to scare a crab out of hiding!

Isn't that just crazy??? Look at that crab holding his own! You go crabby!!!

Okay, where was I...oh, yes! Awe and wonderment...

So here's Max feeling so much better without his cumbersome shirt and shorts. See that? A true local boy!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!

This is a sign to take a dip in the ocean with mommy and daddy!

Warmer than Seattle's frigid waters but still a little too cold this morning!

That's okay, peeps. Max is still a happy boy!!!

MAHALO NUI LOA, Max, Nicole, Sean, Melanie and Casey for a wonderful sunrise shoot at Lanikai Beach! It was super hanging with you and I can't wait to see you again the next time you visit!

Good morning, Thursday!!!

This is the studio God provided me to work at this morning...

What a beautiful way to start my Thursday!!! Mahalo, Ke Akua!!!

Success on the Beach with the Kubotas!!!

Okay, I love Kevin and Clare Kubota of Kubota Workshops! Seriously, what a treat to have them return home to do a photography workshop.  And they brought along some friends to help make learning even more fun!  Vicki and Jed Taufer from V- Gallery Studios in Illinois, Asuka Books, and special guest Bill Moore of Silver Back Imaging.  For the next two days, I will be learning and being inspired amongst fellow talented photographers from not only all over the 50th State but from the mainland as well! 

Our first day, today,  was filled with all kinds of presentations. From topics like creativity and inspiration to two types of modeling shoots to workflow!  Here's what the day looked like at The Willows:

My dear friend Tiara of La'akea Events meets another photographer Kris!

I LOVE seeing old friends like Randy!

Seeing two of my buds together is always a treat!

Makeup artist, Heather Saffrey of Heather Bell Makeup, works on our bride model, Joanna (you all know Joanna from the Pilialoha session I did of her and Paki).

Gowns are sponsored by The Bridal Boutique ! Wait til' you see them on Joanna!!!

Flowers by Koa Johnson of Flower Farm Hawai'i!

Our model family getting ready for their session with Vicki Taufer. Pohaku is getting warmed up with his smiles!

Here's Vicki sharing with us about studio lighting. MAHALO to Dave Miyamoto and Company for letting us borrow his lights for Vicki's demo!!!

MAHALO to my dear friends, the Figueiras, for volunteering their time and energy for this photo demo!!!

Now, let's check on Kevin who's working with the bride and groom models: Joanna and Paki!

Everyone could NOT get enough of these two! They were totally AWESOME!!! I am sooo fortunate to be shooting their wedding!

MAHALO NUI LOA to Joanna and Paki for doing an outstanding job in "modeling" as a bride and groom.  The images from this session are going to be AMAZING!  I can't wait to post several of Kevin's photos for all of you to check out. 

So like, stay tuned as I will post more images to this post as I get them in.  We'll see the finish product by both Kevin and Vicki.

What an exciting way to start the week! I really LOVE learning and being inspired... In fact, I tell people that I am "an eternal student of life!"  I always try to keep my passion blazing by continuously feeding and nurturing my mind, body and soul.  So it is a true blessing that the Kubotas and Taufers are here on our island to share their wealth of knowledge, ideas and experience with all of us!

I can't wait for tomorrow!!!

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!!!

Happy Birthday, Cecilia!

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

Have an awesome Birthday Month, sistah!!!

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!!!