I love Honolulu-based stylist and aesthetician Elizabeth Uehara, so a chance to photograph her kids was an exciting opportunity for me.  Elizabeth is probably the most well-connected social wahine I know!

I had a fun and funny time in Honolulu with my new buddies Emma and Noah. We did a casual photo session to help build up their comp cards, and also did a few family shots. Check these out!

Check out this shot when I told everyone to make squishy faces… Noah looks unimpressed.

[ more ]

We made new friends tonight. James and Archer came back to the hotel with us, bearing pizza and an hour to spare. We sat around on the lanai and played games with long exposure photos. (It was deceptively fun.) Before bed, Amy taught me a little bit of hip swayin’ hula to our favorite hawaii song, Local Boys. This is my last night in Hawaii, and it feels right.

This image was a group effort. I (Rachel) set my camera, with 15mm fisheye lens, to 16 second exposure, and we passed a small but bright flashlight down the row, each to spell our letters – we got it on the second try!

These photos are from each of us taken during the same five minute period.

Day005 is the day Amy and I flew over to the Big Island to hang out with James Rubio, Hilo’s own premiere wedding photographer.

I love Hawaiian Airlines. They know how to treat people.

Day004: Leaving the Benedictine monastery in Waialua, I was given a warm sendoff with a sung blessing and prayer. After mass, Sister Mary Jo gave me the tour of the grounds – it was a sunny morning and I loved learning about the history of the monastery, the evolution of their buildings from Matson containers, and seeing the plants and animals around the grounds. I was even given an introduction to honeymaking and beekeeping!

After leaving the grounds, I had lunch with my friend James. He’s great.

After spending the afternoon with Marina’s boys who are currently obsessed with Star Wars, we picked up Amy from the airport.

Daily images…beautiful scenery and new friends.

First full day in Hawaii was amazing!!!
~Amy

No, not shark sightings, that’s not til Sunday, but Rachel and Amy sightings!  

Rachel and I had lunch and talked boudoir noir over checking emails and pulling weeds.    

We picked up Amy from the airport last night. She is looking pretty gorgeous after her flight from Wisconsin.  Can you believe this woman did an engagement session during her layover in Seattle?!!  I thought she definitely deserved a Mai Tai before bed.      She can now check numbers 1, 9, and 10 off of her list of things to do in Hawaii. 

This morning I sent the girls off to the Big Island.   Have fun my lovelies!

On day 003, I had a good conversation with Sister Agnes about her home country of Micronesia. Breadfruit is a staple of the Micronesian diet, and she told me all about it. I got to try some she had fried with salt.

I ended the evening admiring the constellations and playing around with long exposures of the starry night.