Pregnancy Announcement Session

Sometimes the most heartfelt way to announce your pregnancy is to let the older sibling take center stage and share the news. They’re often genuinely thrilled to be part of the moment and love being given the important role.

I did this with two of my pregnancies. My oldest and I did a photoshoot at Moanaloa Gardens to announce the birth of my son. She had a “Big Sister,” shirt on. Then, when I was pregnant with my third child, I had both kids wearing a “Big Brother” and Big Sister shirt with 2019 on it. We went to my Granny’s house in Aiea, who was 82 at the time. We patiently waited for her to figure out what was on the shirts but she wasn’t paying attention to it. We went outside and took photos after we pointed it out. She was so excited and the kids loved that they got to surprise her. I genuinely think that I don’t love surprises but I really enjoy surprising others.

what’s my style?

Recently, a few clients have sent me over a questionnaire that I could tell was prepared by AI, to see if I'm the right photographer for them. One of the questions asks if all of my photos have the same mood, tone and fluidity. If each photo in the final gallery delivered has the same appearance. This has always been something that kind of plagued me. I remember several years ago when I participated in social media, I would post my photos on Instagram and they were not at all exactly the same but instead eclectic. Which is actually how I see myself as a human. I love such a wide variety of things. I take things I love from every religion, philosophy, ethnicity, place, etc. and I apply those things to my life. I’m a free spirit. I never want to be doing what everyone else is doing. I jumped on the preset and filter train very briefly before I jumped off, and I never looked back. I run a business with zero interaction on social media. I don’t even use YouTube anymore. It’s just not for me.

So my reply to the questioning clients was that there is no way that all of my photos in the gallery will look the same. If that’s what they are in search of they should continue searching. A couple of them did and I was okay with that. I’d rather them get exactly what they want and not be disappointed. I am an old school photographer. I love timeless photos which by my definition means that they are sharp, framed correctly and the subjects are the main focus. I like capturing people and places in their most natural form. Things that are the most important to me are exposure, framing, catch light in eyes, posing, etc. the environment around us is the bonus. I like to accentuate my subjects with lighting. I am a lighting nerd! I get very excited about it. I use off camera flash, grids, Magmods, Neo lights, reflectors, etc. I’ve taken lighting workshops with some of the world’s best photographers. I’ve shot weddings alongside some of Oahu’s greatest. I lightly edit my photos because I use technique and skill to get them as perfect as possible in camera. I want my photos on your walls to look amazing in 25+ years when all of the trends die off. Here are some examples of a typical gallery of mine.

Below: Off camera flash to my right. Notice the catchlight in their eyes.

Natural Lighting. No flash.

Off camera flash to my right.

On camera flash. Catchlight in her eyes.

The Youngest

We named our youngest Farrah, which means happiness, joy, gladness in Arabic. I studied a lot about Islam in college, namely Islamic philosophy, and received a certificate in Islamic Studies. The name suits her extremely well. Our little Farrah is literally a joy. She has the best personality, imagination and sense of humor. She is a free spirit.

I work with families and young children very often. Most of the time, I have to do loud, silly things to keep the kids attention. I often have to repeat things over and over. Parents are negotiating and bribing so the photo sessions go well. It’s chaotic with kids. I was also used to my older two who fought and acted completely nutty every time they’d see my camera. With this said, it was a dream to take photos of Farrah. The session took about 5 minutes. I wanted to capture her before her teeth fell out and it’s a good thing I did because she’s lost 6 teeth in a row, shortly after.

I let her choose her own outfit in which she hand selected from Target. I also allowed her to do a few poses the way she wanted to, offering her no direction and those turned out to be my favorites.

Richards Family Vacation Photos Ko'olina

The Richards family came from Texas for a very special visit. Their sweet teenager Ace, was chosen by the Make a Wish Foundation. Out of all of the places he could’ve chose to visit, his wish was to come to Oahu. During his visit, he caught a giant Mahi Mahi and was super proud of it. He was the only one on the boat to catch a fish that day and deemed himself the “fish slayer.” The sunrise was beautiful and bright after days of rain. He even got to see a jellyfish up close and personal thanks to his Dad picking it up off of the shoreline! Ace and his family were so fun to work with.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a special organization that grants heartfelt wishes to children facing serious illnesses, bringing joy, hope, and unforgettable experiences to families during difficult times. I have been fortunate to work with this organization and the children/families it blesses many times. I love when a child chooses Hawaii as their wish. Knowing that this amazing place, that I am so fortunate to call my home is someone’s greatest wish to see. I also love that I get to be a part of their Hawai’i experience. I hope the mana of the island and aloha helped in aiding their wellness.

The Pros and Cons of AI for Photographers

In my opinion, AI has been very helpful in terms of editing. It helps photographers by automating time consuming tasks such as culling hundreds of images, applying consistent color grading, and removing background objects with the touch of a button. In the past two years alone, Lightroom editing has made major improvements. It’s capable of accomplishing in seconds, what once required transferring the image into Photoshop and spending endless amounts of time editing.

I vividly remember an occasion where a couple wanted to be married on a beach in Waikiki, around sunset, and all I could think about was how long it would take me to edit all of the background people out of their images. My young kids would be running wild and taking full advantage of me glued to my computer. I would have to manually edit every single unwanted thing out of a photo back then. On a beach, in Waikiki, that meant hundreds! It would literally take days to edit a gallery because of this. Lightroom now offers this with a single touch. It also offers amazing noise reduction to salvage challenging shots. No more losing beautiful images because your flash didn’t fire. So many amazing, time saving offerings and the images just look top notch. So I’m able to deliver higher-quality work faster than ever.

But what about the cons of AI for photographers? The main issue I’m having is that it tends to produce style averaged and trendy imagery. Which leads to homogenized visual aesthetics across brands that diminish the value of the photographer’s unique vision and personal styles. This I find is happening to me a lot more now. In my opinion, it all began around 2018, with the use of presets on social media. Photographers from every skill level could slap a preset on their gallery, upload it to social media, giving the impression of perfect consistency. Photography is NOT consistent. Every single photo is slightly different for a host of reasons: lighting, movement, framing, etc.

These impacts are really reshaping the photography industry. Clients are increasingly requesting unrealistic images. Everything is becoming overly dreamy and perfect—photos so heavily embellished they often look downright ridiculous. I think in terms of the future and the images you will be left with once the filters and trends die. Will you be happy with consistently, overly contrasted, softened images, often prioritizing the background over than the subject? Because I personally, would absolutely not want that. I would want images that are tact sharp, perfectly exposed, the subjects are lightly retouched and the main focus of the images.

The perception that a machine can replace artistic judgment is demoralizing, yet when it comes down to it, a skilled photographer still offers insight, emotion, and human intuition qualities that AI cannot fully replicate. Things like client interaction, on-location problem solving, lighting control, direction of subjects, and bespoke styling.

A few ways photographers can protect their craft and business are by:

• Asserting copyright: watermark your images so AI is not able to use them.

• Differentiate through storytelling, consistent branding, and specialized niches where human presence matters (e.g., family, maternity, editorial).

• Educate clients about the value of original photography versus AI imagery to maintain pricing and expectations.

How to Choose the Best Time of Day for Your Photo Session

Photographers often prefer to shoot at sunrise or during the golden hour, and the main reason for this preference is the exceptional quality of natural light available at these specific times. During these early morning or late afternoon hours, the sunlight is noticeably softer, warmer, and more beautifully diffused than at other times of the day. This gentle lighting produces flattering shadows and highlights that add depth, dimension, and texture, enhancing the overall composition and mood of the image in a subtle yet profoundly powerful way.

It would not be advised to capture images at other times of the day because of the harsh shadows, intense bright light, and extreme heat commonly experienced in Hawaii. These conditions can negatively impact the quality of the photographs and the comfort of those being photographed.

Also consider the time change that comes with travel when planning your photo session. If you have younger children, they are most likely happier and more cooperative in the morning, making it an ideal time for photos. By the evening, they tend to be worn out from the day's activities, often hungry and grumpy, which can make the session more challenging. The photo session below was done at sunrise in Ko’olina. The children were happy and cooperative.

Children’s Photography

If you are a family with babies, toddlers and children under 10 years old, be sure to choose your photographer wisely. Ask them how much experience they’ve had working with children. It’s important to find someone who knows how to work with toddlers and younger children because finding a photographer with those skills is crucial for capturing genuine moments and creating lasting memories.

Young children often have limited attention spans and can feel uneasy in unfamiliar settings, which makes patience and adaptability essential qualities in a photographer. A professional experienced with kids knows how to engage them, making the session enjoyable rather than stressful.

Moreover, photographers familiar with children understand how to capture natural expressions instead of forced smiles or awkward poses. They use techniques that allow kids to be themselves, resulting in authentic emotions and candid shots. This expertise also means they can work efficiently to get the best photos before a child’s energy or mood changes.

Choosing a photographer who is good with toddlers and children ensures a smoother experience and ultimately leads to images that families will treasure for years to come. It’s not just about technical skill but also about creating a comfortable environment where children feel safe and free to express their unique personalities.

I genuinely feel that having my own children gave me a lot of the skills needed to work with other younger children. I love making the experience fun vs a chore that they’re forced to do. I’ve had several families come back to vacation on Oahu and hire me again for their family photos. It makes me feel so great when the kids remember me and are actually excited to take photos again.

Kreel Family Vacation Photos

I love, love, love big families. I always say that if I started earlier in my 20’s, I would’ve had at least five kids. I loved every moment of being pregnant. I absolutely adore babies, toddlers, just tiny humans in general. Believe it or not, I’m actually even loving having a teenager. My kids are my favorite part of life.

With this said, I got the pleasure of working with the Kreel family. They were vacationing in Hawaii to celebrate their 25th marriage anniversary. It was literally a blast working with all of these teenagers and young adults. I smiled throughout this session just as much as they did.

The best compliment I’ve ever received was from a couple who told me that my session was more than a photo shoot because I made it an experience. I aim to make this happen with every client. I like to have fun and leave my clients with the memory of an awesome experience, and the photos end up being the proof (pun intended).

Pistalu Family Vacation Photos

Family vacation photos capture moments of togetherness, joy, and exploration that become treasured memories for years to come. Whether at the beach, in the mountains, or exploring a new city, these images tell the story of shared experiences and highlight the unique personalities within your family. My photography style includes natural lighting, along with off camera flash. I love a mixture of posed and candid shots, while offering a variety of settings. Group portraits, action shots, and quiet moment help create a well-rounded collection. These photos serve as both a keepsake and a reminder of the special time spent together away from everyday routines.

Josh and Jenna Charming Estate Wedding

The Charming Estate is quickly becoming a popular wedding venue on Oahu and it’s obvious to see why that is. The entire landscape is an amazing photography backdrop. You can literally feel the Mana shining into you at this location. After the beautiful ceremony, we jumped into the golf cart and headed out onto the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course. The hills were steep and it felt like a rollercoaster ride which caused a lot of laughter. We had free range of the entire course which was amazing for the couple’s sunset photos. We made it back in perfect timing for the indoor reception. They had DJs, an MC, a Chinese Lion Dance, and then danced the night away. This couple was so in love, surrounded by so many friends and family members, and had a truly amazing wedding. Congratulations to you and very best wishes!

The Miller Family Sunset Session

Makua Beach is one of my all time favorites for photo sessions. The majestic, lush green mountains, the electric blue water, rainbows, the most amazing sunsets…it really has it all. Not to mention the organizer of this session, spent 6 hours hand making lei po’o for herself and daughters, and her husband’s lei! Despite rain being dumped on us and getting a latter start than intended, we pulled it off and laughed a lot.

How precious are these sister shots?!