Summer 2018 She Is Gallery Party
The Summer 2018 She Is Gallery Party was a huge success and so much fun. Catered by my husband, Chef Affron of Affron’s Soul Food. It meant the world to us to see your faces and feel your love and support for my portrait project and the launch of his new soul food cookbook.
The portraits of each of the beautiful ladies that I had the pleasure of photographing for my second ever photo exhibit and the first for this project. We felt the love and cherished the hugs from each and every one of you. And thank you to Hawaii Filmmakers Collective for allowing us to use their amazing space for the joint event.
The gorgeous women I had the honor of photographing.
The photo exhibit party.
She Is Portrait Project - Summer 2018 Registration
We are so excited to announce the open registration of our passion project the SHE IS PORTRAIT PROJECT!
Many instances have led up to this project.
One of them being having my own portrait photo session done by Mapuana Reed Photography in 2014. I was amazed by how beautiful I felt. She kept telling me “I want you to see what I see”. When I saw the final image I saw a beautiful women looking back at me for the first time in 40 years!
Also, I came across these videos and was so moved by the participants reactions. Its as if either they have never been told they are beautiful or they just don't believe that they are...like I did for 40 years.
"I think you are beautiful"
"You’re more beautiful than you think"
Its my desire to connect with women and make them feel beautiful and show them the beauty I see in them. I hope to encourage women to value themselves and see themselves the way I see them through my lens…beautiful.
I hope to create a timeless and genuine portrait of each women. Each image will be processed in black and white and presented in an art gallery exhibit in Honolulu Hawaii toward the end of 2018.
We are looking for woman of all shapes and sizes and ages who are or who are striving to be:
strong, compassionate, bold, brave woman who are willing to share their stories to be a part of a this super special portrait photography project!
These are woman who are going through or have overcome a struggle in their lives and are willing to share their story (in a 1-2 minute video and/or written text).and would like to have their portrait taken by lead photographer Noelle of Sweet Rain Media.
Each eligible woman will then have their portrait taken in a fun, relaxing, non-judgmental environment and the portrait and story (application video and/or text) will be displayed in an art gallery exhibit setting later this year.
YOU ARE A GREAT FIT IF:
You are a mom who takes cares of EVERYBODY else except yourself all day, errr day!
You are a "mature" women who has age, experience and lots of wisdom to share.
You are a young women who struggles to find your identity in a society that constantly tells women we aren't good enough if we don't look like super models..
You are an entrepreneurial and/or business women who has built your business from the ground up and puts all of your clients first and never takes time for yourself.
You are a women who has never had professional portraits taken.
You are a women who can't see her own beauty.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must be available on O'ahu for your photo session between July 1-14. Specific date TBD.
THE REGISTRATION PROCESS:
1. Fill out the form below.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE:
As a thank you for your time and willingness to share your story, you will receive the following, a value of $375:
A portrait session
A gorgeous Fuji Deep Matte 8x10 matted print of your portrait
The digital image of the print
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Secure your spot and reserve your time slot. Applicants will be notified via email on June 27.
SHOW UP AND HAVE AN AMAZING TIME WITH AMAZING WOMEN!!!
Applications due by June 25 Midnight HST
SESSION DATE IN HONOLULU HAWAII BETWEEN July 1-14, 2018. SPECIFIC DATE TBD.
Share Your Story with the She is Portrait Project
Share Your Story with the She is Portrait Project!
Registration open Friday, June 15!
We are looking for woman of all shapes and sizes and ages who are (or who are striving to be): strong, compassionate, bold, brave woman who are willing to share their stories to be a part of a special portrait photography project. These are woman who are going through or have overcome a struggle in their lives and are willing to share their story and would love to have their portrait taken by Sweet Rain Media.
Photo by Noelle Herring
Each eligible woman will then have their portraits taken by Sweet Rain Media in a fun, relaxing, non-judgmental environment, and the portrait and story (application video and/or text) will be displayed in an art gallery exhibit setting later this year.
YOU are a great fit for this project if:
You are a mom who takes cares of EVERYBODY else except yourself all day, errr day!
You are a "mature" women who has age, experience and lots of wisdom to share.
You are a young women who struggles to find your identity in a society that constantly tells women we aren't good enough if we don't look like super models..
You are an entrepreneurial and/or business women who has built your business from the ground up and puts all of your clients first and never takes time for yourself.
A women who has never had professional portraits taken.
A women who can't see her own beauty.
Application and more info on Friday, June 15!
MOMMY AND ME MINI SESSIONS
Hey mama! You are always taking care of everyone else!
You're always taking photos of your children but you rarely get IN the picture WITH THEM. Your'e kiddos want to see YOU in the pictures so TREAT YOURSELF this year and get IN FRONT of the camera with your little one(s).
Mini session takes place Sunday May 6th, exactly one week before Mother's Day! Prints will be ordered THAT day and arrive at the studio a few days later, just in time for you to pick up before Mothers Day so you have a gift to GIVE TO YOURSELF!
This image is everything!
No fancy backdrop, no fancy lighting. There's no frame, theres no mat, Its just me and my boy. A frozen moment in time showcasing the relationship between me and Silas when he was one year old. Its not often that I get in front of the camera but seven years ago when my friend Brenda had a mommy and me mini session I jumped at the chance to get an image of me and my baby.
Its printed 16x24 in my studio because I love it so much.
I want every mama to have the same feeling when they see a print of them with their beautiful children.
Please join me for our first annual
Mommy and Me Mini Session in our new studio!
Sunday 5.6.18
$150
Includes a 20 minute portrait session
Two favorite digital images
One matted 8x10 print available in time for Mother's Day
(maximum 2 siblings per session)
Its as easy as 1-2-3!
Step 1. Select your time below!
Step 2. Look for your confirmation email and pay the session fee.
Step 3. Grab your little one(s) and see you May 6th!
BEYOND the STILLS WORKSHOP ~ 5.12.18
THE "BEYOND THE STILLS" WORKSHOP
AN IN-PERSON FILMMAKING COURSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Take Your Knowledge "Beyond the Stills" & Learn How to Shoot Video with your DSLR Camera
DATE & TIME
Saturday, May 12, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 10am-4pm.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The "Beyond the Stills" workshop will teach you how to master video using your DSLR camera. Yes, the very same camera you use for still photography is capable of creating an Emmy Award Winning Film (my goal one day). Capturing even just 4-5 second small snippets of video and incorporating it into your clients slideshow really adds a whole new dimension. There's just something about adding movement and sound that brings those images to life. You will learn the basics of filmmaking so you can easily transition between stills and video.
As a photographer turned filmmaker, I (Noelle) have gained many valuable lessons and learned so much about filmmaking and want to share my tricks of the trade with you! After years of workshops, seminars, mentorships, webinars, Google searches, YouTube tutorials, etc, and basically learning by trial and error and making a million mistakes, I have so much to share with you!
SCHEDULE
10am-12:00pm Part I
12:00-12:30pm Lunch
1:2:30-2pm Part 2
2pm-4pm Part 3
Snacks, drinks and lunch provided.
LOCATION
Studio in Aiea (details released to participants upon registration).
EXPERIENCE
You need to be comfortable shooting your dslr camera in manual mode, but you do not need to have prior knowledge of shooting video.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
BEFORE YOU START FILMING
Gear
Lens selection and movement
FILMMAKING FUNDAMENTALS
Camera settings
Mastering manual focusing
Audio
Stabilization
Switching between stills and video
VISUAL STORYTELLING
Building a story
B-Roll
PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production planning
POST-PRODUCTION
Choosing and licensing music
Editing
Editing software
Data and storage
Organizing filles
Exporting and delivering
BONUS ITEMS
60 minute post-workshop mentor session
PDF guide of the workshop
Hawaii Military Spouse Photographers 2017 Holiday Party
Our Hawaii Military Spouse Photographers holiday party fundraiser was such an amazing time. We laughed so hard our cheeks hurt, ate our hearts to to a delicious catered meal by fellow military spouse Amy Pottinger of Cavier and Crayons Catering, a Food Network star and a delicious custom cake by HMSP member (amazing photographer and baker) Marian of Our Treats Designs. We had a raffle, a photo contest, lots of giveaway and awesome swag bags and best of all enjoyed each others company for an evening with just the girls and a chance to get all dressed up. .
Thanks to all the ladies who attended, and the amazing sponsors that donated such fabulous door prizes for raffles and giveaways.. We are so grateful for our amazing donation from our photography vendors. We had the most amazing swag bags a photographer could ask for, and a ton of door prizes and giveaways from the following generous vendors:
Business Brilliantly & The LIfe Boss Society
The three of us crazy kids (me, Andrea of Mi Amor Photography and Lisa of Lisa Lantz Photography) are the admins of the group which means we are responsible for monthly meetings, quarterly shootouts and the annual holiday party. This was our first holiday party with the three of us as admins so we might have been a tad green but we pulled off an amazing party and had such a great turnout. We couldn't have have it done it without the generous donations of our vendors and the amazing venue the Hawaii Filmmakers Collective.
Because of the amazing swag we received from our generous vendors, we held a raffle for some of the donations and were able to raise $800 for a local Hawaii-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Hawaii Filmmakers Collective. What an honor it was to hand over the money we raised knowing it was going to such a great local cause. Thanks to all the ladies who attended, and the amazing sponsors that donated such fabulous door prizes for raffles and giveaways.
Our custom HMSP cake by member Marian of Our Treats Designs
We had so much fun planning the event. Something new we implemented this year was a photo contest. Only rule was it had to be a 10x10 print. Votes were cast and member Sarah of Sarah McKay Photography won the first prize. So much fun to see what image each member choose.
I can't event begin to tell you how much I love the ladies of HMSP. We collaborate together, learn from one another, refer business to one another, have quarterly styled shootouts, monthly coffee meet-ups and so much more. Being a military spouse has its challenges, and we bond over much more than our love for photography. We have become such a tight knit group that we consider one another family and I don't know where I would be without these awesome girls.
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.
Honeybook Me | Hawaii Photographer
As a photographer, business owner, mom and creative, my brain is often swirling with a bazillion thoughts per second and keeping those thoughts, deadlines, ideas and things that I need to take action is almost nearly impossible. Until I found Honeybook that is. Ok, so it cant help my kids with their homework or do the dishes, but when it comes to keeping my business dates, transactions and details in check, this program is my life saver!
Our clients are loving the user experience and sheer prettiness and ease of using Honeybook to review session and product prices, sign contracts, make payments, receive emails about shoot details, etc. And for my fellow business owner friends, you are going to LOVE Honeybook. You can do a free 14 day trial here and use this 50% off code. For you Apple product lovers, you'll feel right at home using Honeybook to streamline your biz. Its just so perdy!
Once I became a member of the Honeybook clan, this little beauty of a notebook arrived in the mail with a hand written note saying "Welcome to the Family". And doesn't she just fit right in with my desk accessories nicely? It's these little touches that really make a company and a brand stand out to me and make me want to shout from the rooftops how amazing they are.
And FYI...We were not sponsored to write this blog post. The views expressed are solely those of SRM and reflect our true feelings about having used this company for the past two years..
Not to date myself back to the stone age or anything, but when I started my business six years ago, I did all of our bookkeeping on paper. I mailed contracts back and forth with clients, had them mail checks for retainers and final payments and filed everything in a filing cabinet. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE me a shiny new notebook and I keep most of my notes handwritten in a journal, but keeping track of our clients these days is so much easier with the advance of technology and Honeybook makes it so darn easy.
Before we committed, we did lots of research on Client Retention Management systems, aka CRM's (phew, that was a doozy...basically client software programs) specifically for creatives and photographers and found a few good ones, but ultimately fell in love with Honeybook. It seemed only natural that we love it, since its a affiliated with the Rising Tide Society which is a community of creatives across the globe that I belong to and adore. Read about our fun styled wedding shoot and collaboration with some amazing creatives Rising Tide Society here.
Get 50% Off Your First Year Here!!!
I found Honeybook and was so intrigued by its pretty interface and user-friendliness that I booked a demo with Ian to see how everything worked! I was hooked and signed up that day and have loved used it daily every since.
We love how efficient Honeybook is and how easy it is for us to keep up with all of our bookkeeping, client emails, contracts, etc.
We love it so much we think that you would love it too! So here are 9 reasons why:
1. Accept Online Payments.
Enough said. No more paper work and filing cabinets.
2. Customer Service is Amazing!
Honeybook has top notch customer service. Their help desk is always available to answer questions. And the best part...you email them your contracts and email templates and they will integrate the information for you right into Honeybook so all you have to do is log in and get started connecting digitally with your clients with contracts.
3. Automation baby!
Tracks new leads, bookings, payment schedules and integrate Honeybook with your calendar and you are set to go baby! Never forget to follow up with a lead ever again! Umm, this one is a game changer for me. It also allows you to set up email reminders that go out automatically to your clients so you don’t have to keep track of payments due, etc. This feature alone has saved tons of hours NOT being on email for hours every month. And you can even optimize this by creating email templates right in the software to that you don’t have to rewrite that same email over and over!!
4. Digital Brochures
Back in the day, when we got a new inquiry we would mail each perspective client a physical booklet with our prices and portfolio. This was not only tedious (think licking stamps, dirving to the post office, spending hundreds on printed products, envelopes, etc) but extreamely expensive. Now, when we get an inquiry, within moments, we can check our integrated calendar to see if we are available on that date, and sned the prospective client a digital brochure.
5. App on your Smartphone
Now when any of the above happens....we dont need to be near our computer to get information to our clinets.....we simply log onto our Honeybook App (available in teh app store and tend to our clients needs with a push of a button on our phone. Genius!
6. Collaborate with Other Creatives & Vendors
This is incredible! I love that I can add the florist, planner, caterer, etc to my workspaces so that we all can be on the same page for a wedding. From viewing and sharing the timeline to quickly and efficiently sharing emails, to even viewing details about the event like addresses, dates, and times. It’s so efficient and I LOVE that!!
7. Project Management
Each project has a timeline with steps or so called “status” of your project. You can easily verify if you need to follow up with a client, send a proposal, email or setup a call. No tasks are left forgotten or overlooked. Integrate your calendar, set alarms or reminders.
8. Branded Content
Personalize and add your branding to proposals, contracts and invoices, email templates, etc.
9. Client Questionnaries
Get valuable feedback and testimonials from your clients by sending questionaries to collect information and feedback from them.
Honeybook has been an incredible game changer for our business and I highly recommend them. Check them out and get 50% off your first year!
Tropical Wedding | Dillingham Ranch North Shore Hawaii | Wedding Film
It's so amazing to see a creative vision come to life. So when my photographer friend Vanessa of Vanessa Hicks Photography told me she had a vision for a tropical styled wedding shoot and she shared the concept and Pinterest vision board with me and I was all in and just had to do a behind the scenes film to capture all the awesomeness.
Like, duh. Look at this board!!
The colors...the romance. Yep. You had me at tropical.
The following are screengrabs from video footage, go here to view Vanessa Hick's blog post
The historic Dillingham Ranch in Mokuleia on the North Shore of Oahu is a breathtaking venue for a wedding, or any event for that matter.
Every detail by Vida Chic, Anna Claire Calligraphy and florals by Creative Concepts by Jeff were just perfection and brought Vanessa's vision to life. Right down to the horses standing in cue for the last frame of the evening as the sun was setting.
The amazing vendors:
Photography: Vanessa Hicks Photography
Styling and Coordination: Vida Chic Events
Venue: Dillingham Ranch
Cake: She Bakes It Designer Cakes
Florals: Creative Concepts by Jeff
Models: Moana and Stafford
Dress: Oleg Cassini
Hair and Makeup: Moana Cheryll Makeup and Hair
Calligraphy: Anna Claire Calligraphy and Design
Table: Accel Event Rentals
Film: Sweet Rain Media
