Maui Wedding Photographer

I recently started spending time working with a wonderful young lady named Jody every Saturday. Jody is disabled, she’s blind.

Working with Jody has been such an inspiration for me not only as a photographer but as person living in this world having the ability to be able to see, I am so blessed to have Jody as my inspiration and to be to be able to capture what I see behind my lens is such a gift. I am so thankful to be able to do what I love for a living. I’ll tell you, we all tend to take what you have for granted and through jody’s eyes, I’ve learned to see things somewhat differently. Jody and the time I’ve spent with her has given me a gift the gift of love and inspriation. I am hoping that by my spending time with jody that I will be able to capture my subjects with a slightly alternate style which will reflect in my work.

The photograph above is my new friend Jody along with no other than one of the worlds experts in the water, a true water woman, my dearest friend and the owner of “Maui’s only Stand-up paddle school”, “Maria Souza” and the greatest volunteer and all around good guy “Jim” a recent transplant from back east,  we we’re able to get Jody in the water to get a taste of what the rush is like to be on a stand-up paddle board in Maui. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

Thank-you Maria and Jim for your contribution, the time you spent with Jody was so impactful, she will never ever forget you two and the special time you allowed her to have in the ocean. She sooooooooooooo loved you two and is looking forward to her second lesson.

I love you guys….

Here’s Jim and Maria helping Jody learn about balance… So Awesome…..

Nicole

DECEMBER

HUMPBACK WHALES RETURN TO MAUI’S WATERS
WHALE WATCH CRUISES BEGIN

5     TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
(808) 875-4100
www.fairmont.com/kealani
7th annual tree-lighting ceremony with entertainment and refreshments

6 LEI OF ALOHA 2
The Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono
(808) 244-5897
www.mauiinn.com
An open house celebrating the holiday season and a benefit for Hokulani Holt’s halau hula, Pa‘u O Hi‘iaka with music, hula, readings of Dan Blanding’s poems, traditional crafts demonstrations, tours of the Inn. Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door.

6 HOLIDAY KID’S FUN DAY
Maui Mall, Kahului
(808) 877-1307
www.mauimall.com
Celebrate the holidays with your keiki, entertainment, giveaways and games

6  Hoku Zuttermeister & Napua Greig Concert
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, McCoy Studio
(808) 242-SHOW
www.mauiarts.org
A Mele Series, two Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winners, Hoku & Napua both perform separately and together for one amazing show

6-7    HOLIDAY LIGHTING OF THE BANYAN TREE
Banyan Tree Park, Front Street
(888) 310-1117 or (808) 667-9194
www.visitlahaina.com
Holiday art displays, crafts, food and entertainment

7nbsp;    “Year of the Hula” Film Festival
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, McCoy Theatre
(808) 242-SHOW
www.mauiarts.org
2008 has been named Year of the Hula for the County of Maui, and MACC presents outstanding hula films to pay tribute

7     Holiday Pops! Concert, “A Classical Christmas”
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theatre
(808) 242-SHOW
www.mauipops.org
A festive start to the holiday season with Maui Pops Orchestra and renowned violinist, Frank Almond

8-20     BILLABONG PRO MAUI
Honolua Bay at Kapalua Resort
www.kapalua.com
10th annual event with an $80,000 purse, is the Women’s World Title Race for Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour

13     Willie K: “Willie-kalikimaka” Concert
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, McCoy Theatre
www.mauiarts.org
10th annual event with an $80,000 purse, is the Women’s World Title Race for Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour

22     SANTA IN WAILEA
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
(808) 874-4100
www.fairmont.com/kealani
Santa arrives by way of Hawaiian outrigger canoe at Wailea Beach

22     SANTA ARRIVES IN KIHEI
Kamaole Beach Park 2, fronting Hale Pau Hana Inn Resort
www.hphresort.com
Welcome Santa as he arrives in South Maui to celebrate the Christmas Holiday

22     THE GRAND LUAU
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
(808) 875-1234
www.grandwailea.com/kealani
A wonderfully memorable evening filled with fabulous Hawaiian food and entertainment

25     Holiday Buffet Feast
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
(808) 875-1234
www.grandwailea.com/kealani
Enjoy a spectacular selection of Holiday favorites complimented with beautiful entertainment

25     THE GRAND LUAU
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
(808) 875-1234
www.grandwailea.com/kealani
A wonderfully memorable evening filled with fabulous Hawaiian food and entertainment

25     CHRISTMAS DAY BUFFET AND DINNER
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
(808) 565-7700
www.fourseasons.com/lanai
A wonderfully memorable evening filled with fabulous Hawaiian food and entertainment

31     NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa’s Bistro Molokini
(808) 875-1234
www.grandwailea.com/kealani
An exciting and fun-filled evening with great food and fabulous entertainment, including a Fireworks Extravaganza

31     NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, at Manele Bay
(808) 565-2000
www.www.fourseasons.com/lanai
Ring in 2009 at Hale Halawai, at Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, where light pupus and beverages are served all night, “Paradise & Company” will provide an array of classic and contemporary hits, and a spectacular fireworks show will light up the sky

Jewelry And Accessories
Keep it simple is the best advice here. Remember, the part played by accessories and jewelry, the same as with clothing, is simply to flatter the subject, not steal attention from the subject: you. Unless an accessory or piece of jewelry is essential to the look or feel you want in the portrait, or is something you wear all the time, or has special meaning to you, leave it out.

On the other hand, if something is important to you such as your great aunt’s locket, or great granddad’s walking stick, or plays an integral part of your life such as a stethoscope, or a canoe paddle, talk with your photographer about how to include it in some of your portraits.

Makeup
Men will tend to skip right over this while women will zoom in…MEN: before by-passing this whole topic, look in a mirror at your face. What color is your skin? How’s the complexion? Circles under the eyes? Are your nose and forehead shiny? You want to look your best in your portrait, and it’s perfectly OK for men to blotter the forehead, put a little powder on for portraits. Even a little lightener under the eyes or blush on the cheeks! Even Arnold, and Steven Segal wear makeup when on camera!

Now, Ladies, just do what you do normally in applying your makeup, as if preparing for an evening at a benefit gala: tastefully a little stronger than for daytime. It’s a good idea to bring all your makeup to the session along with some tissues and cold cream. Your photographer may have some suggestions for color changes or additions.

Hair
Real basic here: Make sure your hair is clean and styled the way you want it when you get to the session. And bring your brush, comb, spray, gel, whatever you might need to re-do it! If your hair needs to be cut before the session, have it done at least a week prior to having your portraits made. If you are having your hair styled specifically for the session, have it done just before going to the studio.

Posing
Whether your portrait style will be literal or interpretive, if you give some thought to posing before going into your session, it’ll be easier to work with your photographer, and you will look more natural and relaxed in your portraits. In the weeks or days preceding your portrait session be particularly aware of people you see in commercials, movies, magazines, TV shows, at the park, at home, at a friends house. Try to see poses of individuals, or groups, which look good, and portray a quality of feeling or emotion as in a good painting. Imagine yourself or your group in the same or similar pose.

When we see ourselves in a photograph, or portrait, we don’t always look the way we think we do, or should. Fact is all faces are asymmetrical to a greater or lesser degree, and we can present different looks from different angles. It’s a good idea to look at your face in a mirror and ‘practice’ looks that you think are flattering to you. Check your smile from different angles. Look at your nose and chin from different angles. What looks best to you? Work on reproducing two or three looks that you like. When you get to your portrait session show your photographer what you like, and ask for help if you think you can use it. Remember, the lighting your photographer uses wont be the same as you have in your bathroom or hallway where your mirror is, so if he knows what you like, he’ll be able to reproduce it for you with his lighting.