Hansen Ohana | Kualoa Regional Beach Park | Oahu Family Photographer
Meeting the Hansen Ohana was such a pleasure and quite the quick encounter. I met Colter on a Friday afternoon at a networking meeting he was visiting while in Oahu for a family vacation. As fate would have it, we got to talking and between 2pm on a Friday and 6pm the following day, we had booked his session, informed his wife to start setting out wardrobe for the three girls and met at Kualoa Regional Beach Park for their session. Oh and side note, 24 hours after the session we met for their Image Reveal and ordering session…now hows that for a fast editing turn around time (this is not normal fyi LOL). The Hansen’s were starting their one year long journey of traveling the US in an RV (well, the officially started the RV thing on the mainland but Hawaii was their first destination on their epic sabbatical). After Colter took some drone footage of the beautiful Ko’olau mountains on one side and and the ocean on the other, we began the photoshoot, which to me seemed more like playtime with their three beautiful daughters more than anything. I love my job. How beautiful is this family? I mean!
Hawaii Filmmakers Collective Pitch Meeting | Hawaii Filmmaker
You know those moments when you step out in fear and do something that scares you half to death? Well, that was me as I presented my script and story idea for a feature film called "The Gift of You, a Story of Adoption" at the Pitch Meeting at Hawaii Filmmakers Collective. I was a nervous wreck. Thank you so much to my filmmaker friend and mentor Jana of Hapa Films Studio, my friend Tina with Eat Cake Gallery and my bestie Amber of Amber DeCicco Photography for having my back and encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and present my story.
I was still an emotional wreck from my dads unexpected passing exactly one month prior. I thought of 8,497 of other reasons why I should just sneak out the back and door and NOT get up in front of the audience. But with the help of Jana and Amber and my dad watching me from above giving me courage, I stepped out into fear and presented my story idea.
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
- Jack Canfield
Amber offered to pick me up because she knew I would be too nervous to drive and that I wanted to practice my pitch on her on the ride over. We arrived early and as I sat in the audience and saw all the others looking so confident,
I sank into my chair and told her
"I'm too nervous, I am not going to do it", I WANT TO GO HOME!.
She encouraged me that I was going to do great and that everybody else was probably nervous too. I nervously looked at my pitch notes and took the book "Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear" out of my purse, the I had been carrying with me everywhere I went the past few weeks. I held them both close to my heart with my sweaty palms and listened to the first pitch and when it was over I quickly raised my hand to go second to get it over with before I passed out from nerves. Haha
There were ten stories pitched.
My pitch tied for 2nd place!
But even more important than that...I see the night as a win because I looked fear in the face and told it to take a back seat. Now, here's to the next chapter...filming the thing!!
Huge thank you to my Hawaii Film Collective Ohana and founder Tom Schneider for putting on this quarterly event to allow filmmakers, storytellers, writers, producers, directors and the like to present their stories.
The concept of the HFC Pitch meeting is to share your story ideas and concepts. You have three minutes to present your pitch and make them precise and most of all, make them memorable! Projects that can attract most member interest get to join the third production cycle of 2017 with HFC benefits, such as free use of our space and access to our resources and network. The first place winner received a $750 Voucher by Hawaii Camera. The pitch meeting is open to HFC members only. If you're interested in pitching a film concept or would like to join one of the film crews, but haven't signed up to HFC yet, please check out their membership options and benefits here:
Hawaii Filmmakers Collective community has become ohana to me and such a great group of supportive, creative people, including, writers, actors, producers, directors and filmmakers.
Here's a highlight reel produced by HFC to showcase all the awesome stuff they have been up to in the last few years.
Becoming a member of HFC has so many benefits, here are just a few:
• Networking with Hawaii's filmmaker community
• Regular pitch sessions and film production cycles
• Facilities for crew meetings, castings, table-reads
• Screening facilities to showcase your latest masterpiece
• Structure and network to get your project off the ground
• Guest lectures and workshops by industry professionals
And here is what you get out of your membership:
Build and grow your network with local filmmakers
• Hone your skills and gain more experience
• Build your reel and resume with the films you make
• Get input and feedback from your peers
• Help the local film community grow and prosper
• No need to leave the islands to make more films!
To sign up for HFC membership http://hifilmmakers.com/events---pitch-meeting.html
What's your Story?
I know I am not alone in feeling nervous to do something outside of the comfort zone. Please comment below with your story of being brave and taking a leap of faith.
Proud Cheer Moms Blaisdell Arena | Hawaii Photographer
"Your mom is so proud of you, don't you ever forget that Raina".
Those were the last words my dad said to me and my daughter Raina the day before he unexpectedly passed away in August. He was a man of few words so when he spoke it was always with intent, and I always listened! He saw the day before that she hesitantly allowed me to share a picture of her in her cheer uniform.
As I watched Raina so excited and nervously get on that huge stage and cheer with her junior varsity squad at the HHSSA competition I was beaming with pride, tears streaming down my face, and smiling from ear to know knowing without a shadow of a doubt that my dad was there watching over her and SO damn proud. He was always so proud of me and my sister Nikki in all we did and accomplished, and even more so, he was so proud of his four grandchildren.
iPhone video and pics below.
Here is a video of their routine. Raina is a "base", the tall one in the back, and her best friend Kirra is a "flyer", the one they throw up in the air. Oh and don't mind my screaming and crappy video coverage, I got so into the moment I completely forgot I was holding my phone. Oops.
Five months ago if you would have asked me what I'd be doing yesterday it would have never guess I'd be at the Blaisdell Arena watching Raina and her JV team cheer at the State Championship. It was only five short months ago that she joined the cheer team with her best friend Kirra, so making it to "states" was not even on the radar. The girls worked so hard all season and it really paid off. The placed fourth in the OIA competition last week which qualified them to be able to perform yesterday. They weren't being judged because they are a Junior Varsity team, but they got to perform on the big stage in the Blaisdell Arena with a huge crowd. What an amazing experience for the girls to prepare them for next year when they are competing on the varsity team.
JV cheers weren't scored, but the Aiea High School varsity team did amazing and placed 4th out of 15 teams. Next year, that will be Raina and Kirra on that team!!! Go Na Al'ii!
Here is me and Kirra's mom Marika, we were sporting our Aiea high School shirts. Next year we have LOTS of plans to represent the girls...think banners, balloons, flashing lights, lots of leis, matching cheer shirts, etc. We may embarrass the heck out of them next year but thats ok, it just shows that we are proud. Hey, we are parents, its our job!!
And just for the record, Silas was completely content the entire competition, he just refused to get his picture taken here.
Girl Behind the Camera Series - I Married a Sailor | Hawaii Photographer
On this Veterans Day, I want to thank my sailor, USN Retired, First Class Petty Officer, Gunnersmate, Affron Herring, and all military veterans for serving our country.
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”
—Jeff Miller
If you would have told me I would one day marry a sailor and live this crazy military life, I wouldn't have believed you.
It was almost 20 years ago when I was in Hawaii on a national student exchange program from the University of Minnesota to the University of Hawaii Manoa. Upon arrival, I knew I was in love with the islands (as I had visited once before in 1993 with my friend Tara), but I had no intentions of falling in love at 22 years old with a US Navy sailor.
When I entered the room of a local Honolulu church "singles ministry" in September of 1997, I couldn't help but notice the tall (dude, he's 6'5", you can't miss him!), dark and handsome man who happened to be in charge of the meeting that night. I sat in the back like a scared little puppy, not wanting to be noticed as "the new girl". I'm not sure if it was my midwest vibe (picture overalls, Birkenstock sandals and a thick Minnesota accent) or my short spikey blond hair that got his attention, but a certain somebody made sure I was on his team for the scavenger hunt activity that evening.
At the time, I had no idea he was in the Navy. So it wasn't the uniform that got me (and I am sucker for a man in uniform...I mean, who isn't??), it was his good looks and charm that won me over.
When the semester at UH was over in December, Affron was supposed to drive me to the airport for my flight back to Minnesota, but he was on an emergency duty at sea and wasn't able to bring me. And, this was long before everybody had cell phones so I didn't know he wasn't available to bring me until it was almost too late and I was moments away from missing my flight. I do believe that by us not being able to say goodbye, it made the "distance makes a heart grow fonder" thing real strong and being 5,000 miles apart really made us realize we had fallen in love.
Once back home in Minnesota, as I was sleeping off my jet-lag, my mom said "this man keeps calling the house phone and wondering if you are ok". Turns out "this man" would come visit me in February of 1998, would give me a ring and would marry me a few months later in August 1998, just a few days before he would be deployed to Afghanistan for six months.
When he returned from our first deployment as a married couple, he was required to do recruiting duty, and as luck would have it, Minneapolis/St. Paul was one of the location choices. So we lived in the Twin Cities where I was able to finish my college degree and he was a navy recruiter from 1999-2002.
Our daughter Raina was born in Minnesota in June of 2002 and one month later the Navy moved us to San Diego where Affron was stationed at Coronado. Unfortunately for us, he was then sent on a 10 month deployment and missed the entire first year of Raina's life.
As the ship pulled back into Coronado in September of 2003, he had a retirement ceremony on the ship, at the age of 37 with 20 years of service.
The Navy then moved us one last time back to Hawaii where we have lived every since.
This military life has been a crazy one, but one that I am so thankful for all the things it has given us. Now as a retired veteran, Affron is able to receive wonderful benefits from the Veterans Association, nearly free medical care for our family, access to reduced rates at military stores and the commissary and many other things.
Oahu, Hawaii Videographer | Lucky Latina Clothing ~ Brand Film
We are so thrilled to be a part of Sharon's journey with her Lucky Latina Clothing brand and jumped right on board when she said the brand vision is to celebrate strong, sexy and unstoppable women.
Done and Done!
From initial consultation to finished film in 3 weeks. Boom, we got right down to business on this one folks. Show her some love at crowdfunding Indiegogo page and on her facbebook page or go to Lucky Latina Clothing to shop.
Fur baby Chupacobra and Joy joined in on the fun at the end for some fun bloopers.
Island Adventure - Location Scouting with Gloria | North Shore Oahu Hawaii Photographer
Out location scouting for an upcoming video project with my girl, and fellow photographer Gloria of Gloria Posada Photography and we found ourselves at Kualoa Ranch Beach Park, Kahana Bay and Dole Plantation
Nature never ceases to amaze me. I've always been fascinated with trees and flowers and being outdoors. I fell in love with the texture of this weathered tree and this driftwood just spoke to me and begged me to turn it into a black and white photo. Hawaii has no shortage of awesome stuff to photograph so go out and find some cool stuff!
Always loved finding little rocks and shells as a kid. This little guy just spoke to me and I had to photograph him, he is so cute and small in contrast to the Ko'olau Mountains in the background.
Gloria squealed with delight as she found a childhood favorite plant, the Mimosa Pudica which closes or sleeps when touched.
Found this little beauty while grabbing a pineapple dole ice cream.
Yeah for girlfriends on a Friday that are as obsessed with their camera as me. Thanks Gloria for coming along on the mini island adventure. Always more fun to explore with a friend! The giggles were a bonus and much needed therapy after a long week.
VIP Sweet Rain Media Facebook Group Invitation | Hawaii Photographer
Pssst. We've created a private group for Sweet Rain VIP including past clients and anybody interested in getting news on exclusive promotions and our advanced travel schedule for 2016. To be added, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/VIPSweetRainMedia/
A special promo code will be posted exclusively in the group this week so be sure to become a member of the group today so you don't miss out.