Spunjahs at Pipeline

Life in Hawai‘i is da bomb.  For a photographer, it's pretty much icing on the cake.  As some of you know, I love taking sports shots, and one of my favorite events to capture is surfing, or in this case, sponging!  My little bro currently rides for Toobs, Viper Fins, and some other underground labels, but he's serving his church mission right now in Auz, so I'm practicing my skills before he heads back.  Here are some shots from Pipeline on the North Shore.  Looked like a fun day to "spunjum" as my bro would say.  If he was out there, I know he would be doing some mean DK-ing (drop-kneeing)...that seems to be his specialty.

And a surfer...for good measure.

Ming Lau

This photo opp. was short, simple, and sweet...just da way I like um!  But it's not like we could make the session long, complex, and spectacular, either.  Both Ming and I were graduating in April, so we didn't have time to be getting all fancy shmancy on this one.  She needed some pictures for her senior voice recital poster, and since her boyfriend (soon to be fiancee?) is my housemate, she got the hook-ups, and I got the photog practice!  Congrats, Ming!

1st Annual Mr. & Miss Polynesia Pageant

Thank you to my family and friends who continue to help me network with the most beautiful people in the islands (literally) and some of the best modeling agencies.  The credit for this amazing photo opp. belongs to Bianca (Costa) Foster and Kalei Gonzales who hooked me up with an all-access pass to shoot the first annual Mr. & Miss Polynesia pageant at the Pacific Beach Hotel in March.  I enjoyed the challenge of taking action photos in low-lit conditions.  I'm looking forward to taking more of these great models' shots soon!  One last shout out to Ralph Malani of Hawai‘i Polynesian Model & Talent Agency for organizing a first-class event.  Congrats to all.

Kahana Valley with Kamehameha Kapālama Students

Mahalo nui to Maude Post Dorm Advisor, Nakia Braffith, for inviting me to tag along with his boys for their service fundraiser down in beautiful Kahana Valley.  The place is picture-perfect.  Add to the landscape about 30 Hawaiian young men who bring with them the mana of their ancestors, and you have a powerful photo shoot!  I love taking candids because people's true ‘ano, or personalities, come out.  Thanks, again, for the opportunity to share in this huaka‘i aloha ‘āina, Nakia!

Culture Night 2010

After producing the BYUH Hawaiian Club's Culture Night productions for 2 years in a row, I took a break my Senior year and performed with the Tahitian Club in March.  I've always wanted to perform with this Club because when I was younger, I used to dance with a Tahitian group on Kaua‘i called "Rohotu."  Well, the second night, Spencer Scanlan, the Samoan Club President, asked me if I could get a few shots of him for his family in Samoa.  I took the camera, and, well, as you can see, the rest is Culture Night history!

CJ's 1st Birthday Lū‘au

My two classmates, Megan (Kanoa) and Caleb, had one mean 1st birthday lū‘au in town for their son, CJ.  Megan invited me to capture their memories, and I was grateful to reunite with our other classmates who now have ‘ohana of their own with da cutest keiki ever.  It was pretty much a Kamehameha Kapālama c/o 2003 Reunion!  I can't wait to take their ‘Ohana Portrait soon.  Hau‘oli lā hānau, brada CJ, and blessings to this amazing family.  You know he's gonna be a mean QB for Kamehameha just like his daddy!  Give em about 15 or so years...  Mahalo, again, Megan and Caleb!

Barbara Barrington Jones & The International Institute for Professional Protocol

Thanks to my friend, Char, she organized a complimentary photo shoot for Barbara Barrington Jones and her amazing staff.  Mrs. Jones is a Motivational Speaker, Author, Philanthropist, & Image Consultant who works closely with BYU Hawai‘i's nationally-recognized SIFE Team.  I enjoyed getting to know her Staff and hope they were satisfied with their business portraits.

Mrs. Barbara Barrington Jones (below)

Charlene Ignacio

Char recently graduated from BYU Hawai‘i in April, but on January 11th, I treated her to a birthday photo shoot in the morning.  She loved it, and so did I!  Anyone who knows this "Aunty Aloha" cannot help but have a good laugh with this crazy girl.  She's a good soul, always doing everything for others and not finding time to spoil herself.  I was happy to treat her to some "me" time.  She sure deserved it!  Congrats, Char!  You da bomb.

Surfahs

Surfing has to be one of my favorite shots to capture.  There's something about the ocean that adds an epic element to photography.  Here are some of my first surfing shots from T-Bay and V-Land back in February and March.  My friend, Ikaika Kaulukukui, who you see in the surfing montage is almost ready to embark on his church mission for 2 years to Pape‘ete, Tahiti.  No Teahupo‘o for him, though!  All the best, Kaikz.  God speed!

BYUH Seasider Pride

I found my new challenge: action (sports) photography.  It's hard to explain my favorite type of photography, but I'll do my best.  You see, anyone can take landscape and portrait shots with their point and shoots, and that's solid.  But timing is crucial when you need to capture that split-second slam dunk or that fatty carve off of brada's surf sesh.  With about 3 more FPS and a prime lens, these shots would be easy kine, but here are the baby steps to a growing obsession with my trusty Rebel...

Sunscapes

 All kine sunrises and sunsets.