more to come soon….

As promised, here are photos from a portrait session I did a few weeks ago with Julie and Claire, and their doggy, Stewart.

Julie and Claire were so lovely to work with. So sweet. I say it often, but I so love my job. I get to meet such wonderful people, and I come home thanking God for this passion He’s put in my heart.

Keilah: Mommy, when you were little, did you always want to be a photographer?

I’ll be back later to post some photos.

1. It seems like since I got back from Hawaii last month, life has been a whirwind of shoots and editing! When I get busy is when I often take stock of my priorities and make sure that the way I’m spending my time reflects what is important to me. Someone once told me to my “free time” first. But when you’ve just started a business, it’s sometimes difficult to do…

2. David and I went on a date on Friday to make sure we had some “us time”. I got blisters from walking in heels at Sunset Cliffs but the company was worth it.

3. Saturday, our family spent the day cold, wet, and smelling of SeaWorld-exclusive Eau de Shamu because Kealoha wanted to sit in the soak zone at the killer whale show.

4. We indoctrinated her into roller coasters. A frozen lemonade bribe convinced her go to Journey to Atlantis with us.We were so proud of her for going. This is the girl who was afraid to ride the tram at Disneyland. “Too scary” she used to say!

5. Sunday, our church had a silent auction and barbecue for Kids’ Camp, and we won tickets to a waterpark. Perfect for this summer!

6. Then, because a weekend seems incomplete without photography involved, I joined a bunch of cool photographers at a shoot in Belmont Park. I spent more time laughing with Kim than actual shooting though. Don’t worry, Scott, there was no glass around for my laugh to break! ha!

7. Yesterday was 15 hours of learning about light. Thanks to Zack Arias, lighting guru and comedian-extraordinaire!

8. I’m still seeing stars from all the flashes going off in the dark last night!

9. Today, I have about ten loads of laundry to do. I wish I was exaggerating.

10. I also have to go buy popcorn for Kealoha’s birthday tomorrow. We also got her a little iPod shuffle, which we’ll load with her favorite worship songs. A great idea by her dad because she loves to sing.

Life is good.

I’m completely blessed.

In a few hours, they will be landing at Honolulu International Airport to get ready for their wedding next Saturday.

When Kara first inquired with me for a wedding in Kailua, you could only imagine how excited I was. That’s the little town where I grew up and met my own husband! She later informed me that she now lives in Oakland but will be tying the knot in Kailua.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon shooting their engagement portraits. Kenny picked me up from the airport and told me about the “industrial” places where he and Kara wanted their shoot. A wedding photographer’s dream!

We had a great time wandering the streets at the financial district in San Francisco and spending some time at the Port of Oakland.

Here are some favorites from the session:

A shadow portrait, of course!

at an underpass because the mixed lighting matches Kara’s blue and white dress. Thanks for being such troopers and climbing that ledge, K&K!

just because i can’t resist reflections…

If you’d like to see more, hit play on the slideshow below…

Thanks, K&K, for your hospitality while I was up there. I can’t wait to shoot your wedding next weekend!

I just realized I posted a sneak peek of Kristin and Clay’s engagement session but never posted more images. So here are a few spreads from their guest book, using photos from their e-session.

My kids always surprise me with what they want for their birthdays. Last year, all Kealoha wanted was a Tonka truck. A few years before, Keilah wanted a Christmas tree. The reason? Jesus gets one on his birthday! lol!

Yesterday, I realized that Kealoha will be turning 5 in just a week, and I haven’t even bought her a present! I had no clue what she wanted so I asked her. She told me, “popcorn and a half day at Sea World!” ha ha! She’s so easy, sometimes! Gotta love her!

I’m in the middle of an editing marathon, and I thought I’d take a break to post a photo from an engagement session I shot in the Bay Area for Kenny and Kara…

More photos (lots!) and details to come later…

When I went back to Hawaii in March, I was told that I need to post more photos of the kids, not just “fancy, schmanzy clients’ pictures.” Since I’m such a people pleaser, here I am obliging…

Last Friday was “Crazy Hair Day” at Keilah’s school so we dreamed up this funky hairstyle for her. Not as funky as her friends who colored and added jingle bells to their locks, but it did the job.

We took off the ponytails, and she ended up like this. She was ecstatic, as she used to dream of having curly hair, like her grandma’s and Auntie Sharon’s. Can you tell?

Speaking of my kids, this morning, Kealoha knew we were out of our normal routine when she saw me editing: “Mommy, we’re supposed to go to the place where you buy shrimp today!” Then she ran to the kitchen, came back with a notepad and a pen, and said, “Here, mommy. Write down this list: strawberries, shrimp, mangoes, plain pretzels, yogurt pretzels, pears, and grapes!” lol! Can you tell she likes fruits?

What would I do without my kids?

Off we go to Sprouts!:)

How beautiful are these two?

I love this face! Too adorable! Kealoha is in love with him. She’d been sitting on my lap as I edited these, and she could not stop squealing, “ohmigosh! He’s so cute!”

Their mom, Erin, dances hula. Though he’s only a year old, I think Brady is already practicing for the Merrie Monarch!

When their mom and I were discussing locations for their photo shoot, Erin mentioned that they’re “not beach people, ” and that they’re “tree people.” I think this location at Kualoa Beach Park was perfect for them.

Awww…so sweet!

Erin wanted to do some beach shots anyway because she said, someday, if the boys move away from Hawaii, she wanted them to remember that they lived in the islands when they were little. I think China Man’s Hat in the background should help remind them, right?

Thanks, Erin and Mike, for the privilege of photographing your beautiful sons!

Have a great weekend, everyone!