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GALPALS

A couple of weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to tag along on a shoot with a few other amazing photographers and a trio of fun friends.  The girls were great as they are buddies and so natural.  It was a great opportunity for me to test out some different films as it was all in fun and we had a blast!  Shooting film these last several months has equaled to more fun in photography for me.  I have to know just how the shot will look before taking it, mainly it has helped me slow down and be more deliberate in each frame.  Thanks so much to each of the ladies who were involved–an amazingly talented group! :)

SHOOT ORGANIZERS:  Athena Plichta (photographer/stylist) & Laura Aguon (Make-up, stylist, AND photographer)

MODELS:  Cece, Sanoe & MJ

VW van provider:  Jose


LANTERNS

I attended a Bon Dance this weekend in my old neighborhood, because I am not always comfortable taking photos of strangers, I focused on shots of the bright pink lanterns.  My mom came with me and I couldn’t believe it was her first one ever!–she’s 50% Okinawan, but 0% Buddhist, this could be why.  It’s neat to see all the people, young and old, dressed up and participating in the many dances.  Read more about the meaning of the Bon here.  The tags hanging from the lanterns as well as the hanging banners are labeled with the names of many ancestors that are believed to visit the family households during this season.

THE LITTLE KIM

Had a nice morning session with this little one on the front lawn.  I photographed mom and dad’s wedding last year and was excited to be able to finally meet this cutie :)  Thanks Mike and Trisha and your chubs!  Makes me want to have another!

MANGO KUCHEN

Years ago I found the great recipe for Apple Kuchen (a German dessert) and I’ve been making it ever since.  It’s become a family favorite, not just because it’s so tasty, but also because it couldn’t be easier–and I’m all about simplicity when it comes to cooking or baking.  Being that it’s nearing the end of mango season here in Hawaii, at least in my mom’s yard, I’ve been collecting all that I can these last couple of  weeks and eating them up like candy!  They’re that good.  I decided to try out the kuchen recipe with fresh mango and woah it is good!  Here’s the recipe–you must try it–side note–I half the amount of sugar usually when I make it as it’s not even necessary.  Also, I’m sure this recipe would work with other fruits as well.  This is a great dessert right out of the oven or fridge, delicious hot or cold :)

Ingredients:

1 package yellow cake mix

1 stick of butter

2 cups mango

1/2 cup sugar (I use 1/4 cup)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup sour cream

1 egg

Mix the yellow cake mix with softened butter and pat into 9×13 dish

bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

Spread the mango on warm crust, mix the cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle over mango

Mix the sour cream and egg and drizzle over top

Bake for an additional 25 minutes until edges brown

Enjoy!

When I grow up I want a mango tree in my yard :)

KOREAN FESTIVAL

My mom is a fan of K-dramas, she prefers them over A-dramas.  We decided to head downtown to the Korean Festival this past weekend and just enjoy a day out and about.  We both love taking pictures and have a nice time when hanging together, especially when the kids stay home with daddy-hah!  We are so blessed to live in a place with such a mixture of cultures.  Hoping to head out to a bon dance soon for some Japanese culture.

The last shot of ukes on the wall is actually not at all Korean, more like mexican, but I liked how the instruments complimented each other :)

EXCURSION 1: CHINATOWN

I am assisting lead a photography group at my church and although I don’t feel qualified to teach photography in any form, I’m happy to help in whatever way I can.  We decided to meet up once a month and take regular excursions every other month.  Our first stop was Chinatown. There were 10 of us and we had a nice time meeting up, splitting up, and then gathering for a great lunch that I couldn’t believe only cost a total of $50–for 10 of us!!  No, we didn’t eat pork and beans, we ate yummy dim-sum and even ordered a few dishes off the menu to share. What a deal :)

YAP ‘OHANA

I had a great time meeting up with Kalika and family on their annual trip to the islands.  I met her for the first time last year when we got together for a family session at the Kahala Hotel.  I must say, Kalika is amazing.  Check out a recent publication on her here.  She currently owns 4 businesses that I know of, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s 2 more the next time we meet!  She’s an inspiration to many, and seems to have no limits.  Besides all the business, she and her husband invest greatly in family.  Just talking with them, they are so proud of their girls and their accomplishments even at such a young age.  Thank you Yap family for having me share some time with you, it’s always a pleasure :)

This is their cute nephew:

The eldest daughter has her own iPad :)  She just turned 3 and has been reading since her sister’s age!

I introduced haw flakes (a local kids favorite, well, at least when I was a kid) to the youngest–I think she liked it!

some of what i’ve been up to, on film:

It’s been a fun-filled summer so far, with lots of sunshine and good times.  I have always loved film and decided to spend a few bucks on some rolls of assorted films and make it a point to shoot it–enjoying the results thus far–look forward to more learning & growing as a photographer –so fun!  Can’t wait for the many more excursions and recordings of my family happenings :)

These are in no particular order.

spent time with family in the front yard on father’s day:

joined other photographers on a fun downtown engagement shoot:

celebrated a nephew’s birthday with the big cheese:

spent more time with family for another keiki birthday (keiki not pictured here):

walked around waikiki:

drove around the island:

took a black & white photography class:

celebrated my husband’s 30th with mango bars (he doesn’t enjoy taking pictures, she does) :

experimented with a macro filter:

followed the little one at the beach :) :

just enjoying God’s amazing creation:



ALMOST WALKING

This big guy just turned 1 a couple of weeks ago and he’s got to be the child I’ve photographed the most!  It all started when he was 2 weeks old, then at 3 months, again at 6 months with the rest of his family and now at the big 1, when he is right on the verge of walking!  He did such a great job for having missed his morning nap this day :)  I challenged myself with a single prime lens and I think these came out great–a nice representation of this on-the-go guy, who is for sure to be walking in his next shoot as I’ll likely be documenting him on many other occasions.

MEAGAN & ADAM | MARRIED

Had a great time second shooting with the amazing Pinky last month at her cousin’s wedding–thanks so much Pinky for having me along! Check out her blog for more of the Clarkimoto’s as she likes to call them :)  And, thank you, Meagan and Adam for your awesomeness too!