Congrats Robert and Jamie!

If it looks like we dropped into the set of ‘Lost’ for this wedding… it’s because we did! Kualoa Ranch is, in my opinion, one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous areas of the entire island, and this Secret Island wedding was absolutely exquisite in every way.

I am in love with this floral crown, which was hand created by Manu over at Posy Parties. The evening before the wedding, Manu had a class with the bride and bridesmaids and assisted them in creating their own bouquets, which adds a special touch to any wedding… and is a lot of fun! If you’re wanting to make your own bouquets but are unsure of where to start or don’t want to have to supply your own flowers, get in touch with her — her work is incredible and she is totally amazing to work with. Seriously.

A scenic boat ride between the softly-rippled mountains of the windward side took us to Secret Island, a secluded strip of paradise that the happy bride and groom — along with their guests — had all to themselves. 

Rob and Jamie met under a beach shower after a swim race last year and, after a bit of (non-creepy) stalking on his part, they fast became best friends. Their love for each other is obvious and just seems so right. To capture this special day in their lives was a joy.

I loved all of the handmade touches that were a part of this wedding… simplicity and elegance, and an abundance of exploding colors that I think are such a necessary part of any wedding in Hawaii, since the palette of this island is so vibrant. Congratulations, Jamie and Robert! Thanks for choosing Selador Images to be your Hawaii wedding photographer! I’m so happy that you both truly did marry your best friend and am confident that you will have a long and happy future together.

CII loved all of the 

Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Graner!

It was a perfect Independence Day weekend in Honolulu, topped off by the ceremony of this beautiful couple in a lovely garden at the foot of Diamondhead. One of the most fun parts of being ‘new’ to a place is getting to discover it, and I’m always excited to shoot at a new wedding venue. Anela Garden and Chapel is an incredibly gorgeous wedding destination, and I look forward to capturing more weddings here in the future!

       

Thank you for choosing Selador Images to be your Oahu wedding photographer!

A Little Peek at Embrace Boudoir

Since moving to Hawaii, I’ve branched into the beautiful, simplistically elegant world of boudoir photography. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many women these past few months who are absolutely stunning inside and out, and I love every minute of it. My heart is to help women see their own beauty and worth, perhaps in a way they haven’t before. It takes some serious guts to show up to a boudoir shoot, and to be entrusted with the gift of capturing beauty and soul in such a vulnerable, intimate way is an honor. I always love hearing peoples’ stories and hearts, but especially with my boudoir clients, I am consistently amazed by the strength residing in woman in our culture (and everywhere!) Just to live and thrive in a healthy, positive way in a society that is so disempowering to and demanding of women takes a tremendous amount of strength and resilience.

I’ve been thinking about the subject a lot these past few months, and realized one day that out of all of the women I know all over the world, I can’t think of a single one (myself included) who I know looks into the mirror and honestly and wholeheartedly likes, accepts, and embraces every single aspect of the body staring back at her.

As someone who struggled with eating disorders throughout adolescence and young adulthood, I am intimately acquainted with the life-consuming battle. To hear women talk down about themselves and their bodies and to know that hating or being critical of your body is the social “norm” in the western world  — and how much time, energy, emotional anguish, and even lives get poured out in sacrifice to an unattainable ideal — breaks my heart.  If you’re a woman reading this, imagine what your life would be like if a negative thought or belief about yourself was never allowed access into your mind. That, I think, would be literally life changing.

I have hope that one day things will change; that one day the idea that women have to match a certain, unrealistic physical “ideal” to have beauty or value will not be the message bombarding us everywhere we look. That the deepset knowledge that your value and beauty are not determined by your skin, weight, or whether or not there’s a gap between your thighs becomes the norm, rather than the oh-so-difficult to believe.

We all have a part to play in getting us there. By lifting each other up, as women, rather than tearing each other down. By celebrating our individual uniqueness, as well as our unity with every other woman on the planet. By embracing every aspect of femininity. By letting love in because we know that we’re worth it… not because we’re special, or better than… but just because we are. By letting go of the lies we’ve been told by others and ourselves to make room for truth. By turning the page on our pasts, our failures, our broken hearts, and the voices in our head that would tell us anything that doesn’t empower us.

To be able to use my camera to help people see themselves, others, or the world differently takes my work from just “a job” to so much more. Thank you for allowing me to capture your beauty. You are, truly, such a delight to get to know during the brief time we have together. You are brave. You are inspiring. You are strong. And you are so, so beautiful, from your tippity toes all the way to the deepest parts of your soul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats, Darja & Rok!

This sweet couple from Slovenia met in the Peace Corps and came all the way to Oahu to get married on our sandy shore! Capturing their love and witnessing how they treasure each other was such a privilege!They chose Waialae Beach as the location for their Honolulu destination wedding… Waialae Beach is one of my favorite spots for both weddings and portrait sessions because it is GORGEOUS and, for some reason, very rarely crowded. Only about 15 minutes from downtown Honolulu, this beach is tucked along a stretch of Oahu coast that features a mix of foliage, sandy beach, and dark volcanic rocks that provide a dynamic contrast for portraits.

It rained on and off throughout the wedding, but not in a way that provided too much interference… typical tropical weather 🙂 

I videoed this Oahu wedding, in addition to capturing the still portraits, and will be posting the video soon! I am excited to start offering Oahu wedding videography as part of my services.

Congratulations, Darja and Rok! Thank you for choosing Selador Images to be your Honolulu wedding photographer and videographer!

a Princess Bride

One of my Charleston brides was married over the weekend, which means that the portraits from her bridal session last Fall can now be shown to the world. This was one of my favorite sessions of the 2013 autumn season… We did the shoot at a location I had been wanting to use for several months, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, and the bride and her dress were absolutely perfect for this setting — I couldn’t have asked for anything better! I enjoyed getting to know Tabatha and Colby over several months last year and was sad to miss their wedding, which was a beautiful Charlestonian affair at Magnolia Plantation. But, I did get to edit their wedding photos, which was such fun because it enabled me to feel as though I actually was there. Portraits are awesome that way. They have the power to magically transport one to a time and place with such clarity and vividness that it can be felt, heard, etc… If you are doubting the importance of having your wedding portraits taken by a qualified professional, think again! They are the single most important thing that you will have to carry with you through your married life together that can, with one glance, carry you back to the excitement and emotions of that special day.

Congrats, Jasmin and Rick!

Once again, the rain stopped just in time for this lovely Hawaiian beach ceremony and then started again right after — the third time this has happened to me since moving to Oahu. I definitely feel embraced by the island, and am grateful. The ceremony took place at the beautiful Kailua Beach, with  its signature turquoise water and miles of white sandy beach.

This couple was so full of life and joy, and their Oahu wedding ceremony felt like a celebration. Hawaiian weddings are filled with so many vibrant splashes of color, and Jasmin’s hair made a striking addition to the color palette — I loved it!

Keeping with Hawaii tradition, the officiate opened the ceremony by blowing the conch (pu) shell in three directions, and after the ceremony ended, he handed it off to the groom to try… and the bride obviously appreciated his efforts 🙂

Congratulations, Jasmin and Rick! Mahalo for choosing Selador Images to be your Oahu wedding photographer. I wish you many years of love and laughter.

Tabatha and Colby… Engaged!

Congrats, Nikki & Zach!

Kelsie and Rob

Thank you for choosing Selador Images to be your Charleston portrait photographer!

the Gentry Family

Thank you for choosing Selador Images to be your Charleston beach photographer… I hope to work with you again!