A Photo Chick's Journal in Paradise

Hello, Dylan!

Today I stopped by to visit with my dear friend Dana.  This was a very special visit as I was not only picking up goodies from her but more importantly I was meeting her son for the very first time!

I donned my Pink Furry Pimp Mama Hat (whenever I have to pick up good stuff) and made my way to town. 

Here you will find Dylan meeting his Auntie Ger for the very first time:

  

Yes, I'm actually quite used to this reaction whenever I meet a new family member.  

In fact, during this past Halloween I met my cousin's son for the first time as well at a family gathering.

Same thing!  Hey wait a minute! Why do the other kids look like they don't know me??!?!

  

  

Anyways, meeting Dylan today was a highlight for me during my travels into town!  

Your son is beautiful, Dana and Matt! I'm really looking forward to documenting his growth and watching all of you grow as a family.

Congratulations!!!

 
 
 

 
 

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!

Guess who's here?????

Welina mai, to the newest member of the Ludington 'Ohana!

Congratulations, Darci, Scott, Auli'i and Hi'ilei!!!  Can't wait for little sister to be a part of your photo journey!!! 

The Ortiz 'Ohana on Election Day!

I started this much anticipated Election Day with a very exciting moment - meeting Ha'akea, Ihilani Richardson and Curtis Ortiz's beautiful six month old little girl!

I've known Ihilani and Curtis since 2003.  Back in the days of film when I shot their wedding!  

They have graced my previous website with their contagious smiles.  That's how I totally remember them!  Smiley and soooo IN LOVE!!!

This morning, I met the product of their love, little Miss Ha'akea Ortiz!

What  a little love!  

It was so nice to see Ihilani as a mommy...

And Curtis as a proud daddy!

No wonder her parents can't get enough of her!  Look at her!

It's important for me and everyone involved to listen to baby.  And when baby is pau...

Baby is PAU!  And that's a wrap, folks!

Mahalo, for your smiles, Ha'akea! Thank you for getting up so early for your first photo shoot with Auntie G!  

Ihilani and Curtis, MAHALO for remembering me and for allowing me to document this beautiful circle of life!!!  Can't wait to see you guys again for her ONE year!

Morning Figs with the Figs

After my shoot with the Parate 'ohana I zipped on over to pay a morning visit to my friends, the Figueiras. I had planned to not only visit with them but to photograph 3 year old baby Daisy and her 3 month old brother, Pohaku.

Baby Daisy was so happy to see me!  She even donned her fabulous glasses for the occasion!

In true Figueira hospitality, I was welcomed with an ono-licious morning brunch which included, yes!  Actual FIGS!!!

I have NEVER had figs before!  Thanks to Aubrey's international taste, she told me that figs were one of her favorite fruits!  She was excited to share with me that Costco (Ka Uka's one in Mililani) had them in stock.  (We also went into a brief discussion on how Ka Uka's Costco is our favorite Costco on the island because of the various items/foods they have in stock.  Stuff you can't seem to find at the other O'ahu Costcos.  Why the heck is that?!?!?)

 I really, really enjoyed biting and consuming this high-fiber, sweet pear shaped fruit! It was really delicious and I highly recommend that you at least try one before their season comes to an end!

As daddy cooked breakfast, Baby Daisy was busy making hers...

She finally had to sit and have a real meal...

In the meantime, while I stuffed my face with Figs, Pohaku was just finishing up his morning milk with his mama.  He is such a happy boy! 

Especially on a full tummy!!!

Baby Daisy is so proud of her brother!

And so is his mama...

Time to give mommy a rest and just hang out!

Now it's time to see what Baby Daisy is up too...

Kids just love their rooms! And they're always excited to show me their stuff! Baby Daisy is no exception.

She wanted to show me all her hair accessories...

How tall she is...

Her cool paintings from school...

Her favorite educational cartoon, The Backyardigans!

And not to mention the oodles and oodles of books she has in her library!

Yup!  Baby Daisy LOVES her room!!!

It was time that Pohaku joined in on the fun!

At three months old, he can hold his head up...just for a little while.  He needs some help from that thing...what do you mommies call it? A Boopy?  A Boppy?  You know, this thing that Baby Daisy has happily worn around her neck!

That's so much better!  And with a little help from daddy...

MAN!  These kids are so dang cute!!!  In fact, Aubrey came across a photo of Baby Daisy as an infant.

Wow!!!  Isn't it amazing how siblings can look so similar at a certain age????

Before I left the Figueira residence, I grabbed a quick shot of one of my most treasured 'ohanas...

Of course, after a while, there's ALWAYS a little bit of resistance during my shoots with my families. 

Fortunately, that it only lasts for a few seconds!

Mahalo, Aubrey, Ricky, Haku Boy and Baby Daisy for another great time with all of you!!!

And to Baby Daisy...thank you, for being so welcoming and entertaining during my visit with you!  Even during your brief faux melt downs..

You ALWAYS manage to bounce back with your beautiful, warm smile!!!  

I'm so proud of you and I love you very, very much!!!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Baby Daisy!!!

Today we celebrated the birth of one of my most favorite nieces in the whole wide world - Baby Daisy!!!

Her parents, who are my close friends, threw a fun get together at their family's home in Kaimuki.  

I haven't been to a kid's backyard birthday party in soooo long!  It was sooooo REFRESHING to feel the grass under my feet and talk to live people!  I'd have that over watching an oversized mechanical mouse with the last name Cheese and a bunch of his mechanical friends singing songs with limited arm and head movements!

Baby Daisy's party theme?

  

You got it!  Good ol' George himself!

Check out this cool cake designed and created by our fellow J.U.G.s member, Misty Lola, of Simply Cake Hawai'i:

In fact, speaking of J.U.G.s, I was so happy to see some of my galz at the partay!  Here's 

Aubrey and Arna of Arna Photography

Aubrey and Bianca with Kai of Bianca Photography

Here's Misty Lola and Kalele

Olivia of Hawai'i Pacific Photo and her precious little one (our newest J.U.G.s member)...

Canine Baby Daisy!!!  Isn't she so dang cute??!!?

Yes, it was awesome to see and hang with the gals.  

The kids had a lot of fun.  Baby Daisy had fun pulling her fellow curly-haired cousins around.

And of course, being pulled herself...

Baby brother, Pohaku, had a fun time hanging out and watching from his 3mnth old point-of-view!

Okay, I have to say, one of my most FAVORITE parts of today's event had to be this:

When I saw Ricky hanging these powdered sweet treasures I almost had a cow!!!  

1) Because I haven't seen this contest in AGES!!!!!! AND 

2) I really, really wanted to have a powdered donut!  I have NOT had one in a million, cajillion years!!!

I had to take my mind off of the LOVES temptation hanging in my face, so I decided to take a spin on one of the nearby Tyke Bikes.

That certainly helped!  

In the meantime, the kids were getting ready for the big event of donut eating!

They listened carefully to instructions...

Then they were off!!!

Go baby Daisy!!!

She's so proud of herself!

EVERYONE walked away a WINNAH!!!

After completing a sugar-loaded-donut-eating contest, what should one do????

Have cake and ice cream, of course!!!

The evening ended happily, with everyone camped out in front of the backyard fence to watch, of course, Curious George - the Movie!

Sweet!!!! You know what's sweeter???

Who would have thought, that this lovely couple who I photographed back in 2001...

Would turn out to be a couple of my closest and dearest friends...  Life has a magical way of presenting us with such beautiful gifts!!!

I am truly blessed to call Aubrey, Ricky, Daisy and Pohaku my 'ohana and honored to also be a part of theirs...

Happy Birthday, Baby Daisy! May you and your 'ohana ALWAYS be surrounded and infused with unconditional love, joy and abundance!!!

Welcome Home Cabana 'Ohana!!!

The Lees

Back in August of 2003, I photographed Nicole and Sohn's nuptials at, back then, The Kahala Mandarin (which of course is now called, The Kahala Resort).  It seriously seems like it was JUST YESTERDAY that we were doing their engagement photos at their new home...

and then their wedding photos!

The next thing you know....

I'm photographing their first born, Kawena!!!  This is Kawena's ONE year old portrait. He was born in 2004. 

This is Kawena today...

And I really mean today, Wednesday, July 9th!  I was invited by Sohn and Nicole to meet their newest addition, Baby Mehana...

and to finally meet their SECOND child, Anela, who was born in 2006!

We've tried several times to get together to shoot over the years but you know how it goes.  Schedule conflicts, things come up, etc.  I'm glad that we finally were able to sync our schedules and do a photo shoot in their home this morning.

If you don't know, kids are like my FAVORITE subject!  Especially the ages of one year - five years old.  During this time in their life they are so raw, so real and just plain honest!  So every photo shoot I do with toddlers is always a great time for me!  For instance...

If a two year old is NOT ready for their close up then they'll blatantly make it known that they're NOT ready! When moments like this occur, I just keep rolling! Because they don't want to be excluded, the next thing you know, they're back in the game! 

 

Oh, and of course, it helped that mommy and daddy kept telling Anela that there is a Mo'o (gecko) in my camera and that she had to look really hard to find it in my lens.  That, of course, intrigued her and wouldn't you know it?  Daddy caught the Mo'o (he had one secretly stashed already in the back yard) that was in my camera and gave it to Anela!

Anela was very pleased.  Interestingly enough, Nicole told me that Anela's first words weren't the traditional "mommy" or "daddy."  It was, "mo'o!!!"

One thing I really enjoy is shooting in my clients' homes.  I was scheduled to shoot today at 11:00am.  As all of you know, that's the time when it really starts to sizzle outside especially during the summer! Thanks to AC, we were all comfy and everyone was happy to be photographed! 

Being in the kids' environment helps them to be more comfortable with me.  They're always excited to show me the things that make them happy.

As a four year old RIGHT NOW, Kawena's favorite toy/hero is the big green guy himself, The Hulk!

And I think every Marvel Comic Super Hero on the planet!!!

Time to stimulate the mind!

Anela's favorite?

Other Princesses like herself, of course!!!

She wanted to show me her jumping skills in her princess room.

Oh! And the fact that she has her own house in her princess room!!!

Yep!  Soak it in now mommies and daddies out there!  You know, ten years from now it's NOT going to be lookin' like this!!!  Right, Anela???

After visiting Anela and Kawena's rooms, I checked in on baby Mehana...

So peaceful...Nothing like a sleeping infant....

With that, I decided that it was time to depart the Lee household and bid them farewell until next time!

Mahalo, Nicole, Sohn, Kawena, Anela and Mehana for allowing me to spend some time with you!  Can't wait to see you again!

Oh!  And HI to Hina Girl, the Senior citizen of the Lee Clan!!!  So sorry you had to hang out outside while I photographed your 'ohana, little one.  You are such a good girl, Hina!

F.A.Q. - So what do we get???

A frequently asked question I get is, "So what do we get after our fun photo shoot is pau (done)????"

Whether it be a Senior/Graduate, Keiki, 'Ohana, or Engagement, the end result is a magnificent Proof Catalog!!!

The images are laid out, 10 images per page.

The JPG number under the image corresponds to the HIGH RESOLUTION images on the DVD or CD that you receive.

Along with the Proof Catalog and CD/DVD, you receive a Copy Right Transfer Form to help make reprinting at your local lab easy.

I would HIGHLY ADVISE that you do make your reprints and enlargements at a Professional Lab like
Hawai'i Pacific Photo. A professional lab, like HPP, would know how to correctly print your images for you. Therefore, making the images I've shot for you look presentable and professional.

Welcome, Baby Pohaku!!!

Before our wedding today, Daisy and I ventured to Kaiser Moanalua Hospital to visit one of our dearest friends and J.U.G.s members who gave birth on May Day!

When we walked into the hospital, the directory near the front desk gave us no obvious information on where to go to see those who have just added another human being to the human race! Fortunately, Daddy Ricky showed up to help guide us to his wife's room!

He said we were supposed to follow the HONU STICKERS on the floor. I was like, "What honu stickers?!?!?" Okay...these honu stickers were so dang tiny!!!

And WHERE does it say we're supposed to follow these honu stickers?!?!? That directory in the entrance of the hospital surely didn't state that! I'm glad Ricky showed up when he did! Thank you Universe!!!

We finally made it to Aubrey's room and luckily, little Mr. Pohaku Figuiera was cuddling next to his mommy! Good timing Auntie G and Auntie Daiz! (No thanks to that useless directory and stickers on the linoleum floor!)

Oh my gosh! This newborn is soooo cute! Look at him smiling!!! He's totally like his sister, mother and father. All smiles!!!

I really love the name they chose for this special little person. I'll need to get his whole name from his mommy and daddy when they're all settled. But for now it's basically...

Auntie Daisy loves children. Especially little babies! She's such an awesome mommy and couldn't resist holding this little bundle.

I, on the other hand, decided to stick with holding my camera.

Oh lookie!!! Favors!!!

Here's daddy (our very own human GPS system)!

MAHALO Auntie Bee and Uncle Grant for this tender trio shot! They got to visit with everyone yesterday before their wedding as well. Time to celebrate, J.U.G.s!!!!!

Milestone...

I've entitled this image "Milestone."

I photographed Nui and Kale's wedding several years ago. We started off with their engagement session, then their wedding day and now...

This is what I love to do.

I love to document life...