Solar Eclipse 2012 captured from my back yard. It never got super full here in Hawaii only about 10% but it was still a super cool site.

Spring has sprung in my horse pasture!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Everything…

Spread Holiday Cheer!

Island Reflections Photography has a line of  Holiday Cards with a little island flare! Stop by my Hanapepe Studio/Gallery to purchase or you may order directly thru me if your off island.

Pearl & Linen Finish folded greeting cards with blank insides printed on eco friendly papers printed with soy-based inks. Custom writing available.

$3.50 each

$12.50 for set of 5

$45.00 set of 25

***IRP logo for image protection only, does not appear on cards

Keepsake Albums are by far the best ways to cherish your images forever. They tell your story and can be shared like a coffee table album to friends and family for years to come.

I love offering unique professional papers and custom cover options to my clients making your album be about you and your style. Custom finished papers make the images really pop! To me it’s important that my clients take away something breathtaking from their session. I am not talking about just getting images themselves on a disk to throw in the desk drawer and never to look at again, but a work of ART!  I DO feel it is important to have a professionally created piece after your session to have at least one awesome piece to go away with. Let me create a keepsake album from your wedding &/or session and make your story be told and come to life.

Please take a moment and view the incredible Layflat Album (solid brown) & Flush Mount Albums (speckled brown).

Boutique Packaging included.

JUsT For FuN!

TimE TO LaY oFf That AUTO SetTinG!

When there is more than one person in your photoshoot — like, if you’re having an engagement session or a family session — you will want to put some thought into your group’s attire.  Your outfit can make your photos look drab or fab!

Important Note: I am not trying to say anyone has bad taste or that a particular style is unattractive. I am actually trying to do just the opposite! I want your photos to be about you! Of course these are just my tips, other photographers may have their own advice to share (and if any of you out there are reading, please feel free to share them in the comments!). Style is completely subjective!  This is just my opinion! These tips are to help those who would like tips in choosing portrait attire.  Please remember, in the end, wear what you (and the rest of the group) feel most comfortable!  Being comfortable and “yourselves” is what will make you the most relaxed at your shoot.

You want to look coordinated, but NOT matchy-matchy!

Solids vs. prints.

Solids will get my vote every time. The right print can look great, but more often I will suggest that a client wear a solid color. Bold prints can look very busy and distract the viewer from the focus of the photo, you! Although, including an inspiration piece with some print may be a beautiful way to incorporate prints.

Color can be your friend!

Comfort over trends!

Be an Individual, Not Identical

One way to start is coming up with a color scheme, style, pattern or theme.  It could also be a piece that inspires you, like a scarf, a shirt, or a hat. Then tie everyone else’s outfit around that inspiration piece.

Think of your images as Home Decor

Think of your home decor. Is it bright, colorful, more neuatral, etc…?  Think of your images as art you hang in your home and plan your outfits around the decor in your home. What colors would match or compliment what you already have in your  home?

Example A:  A flower theme.  Mom can wear an outfit with a floral pattern.  Dad can wear jeans and a green shirt.  Baby can wear a pastel outfit with a flower clip in her hair.

Example B:  An inspiration piece. Drive your inspiration from one piece of clothing or accessory, ie: a patterned shirt. Then pull different colors from shirt to create everyone else’s outfits.

Example C:  Style similarity.  Everyone is wearing casual Summer attire.  Or dressy evening attire.  Pick one and stick to it.

Whether you follow my tips or the tips of others, always remember who you’re dressing and what everyone will enjoy wearing.  Being comfortable and happy, to me is the only tip! Lifestyle photography will have you moving, laying down, sitting, possibly even getting wet….so if your uncomfortable in what your wearing this will show in your images.

Feel free to email me or call me with your questions. If you have pictures of your outfits you can email them to me and I can help you choose outfits on location as well. Don’t worry about bringing more then one outfit…MOST PEOPLE DO

On my way home from a session with an adorable family….whom I will post soon!!!   I was driving down the longest straight  stretch of road on Kauai, the Mana Stretch. I was taking in the view and enjoying the silence in my car….which is usually filled with screaming little children!  I was so excited to spot this Pueo, Hawaiian Owl, sitting on the telephone wires.  Since I was alone, without busy kids in my car…I pulled over just to watch the predator stalk it’s pray, possibly a little mouse in the brush.

Sometimes in life we need to slow down and just take in the things we might not have noticed if we were rushing thru this rat race we call life! Enjoy the simple things, enjoy little gifts which pop up all around us and look onto them as a source of inspiration.

As this pueo spotted me, it flew off…souring into the sunset….spreading his wings to fly!  Perhaps so it too could be alone with the stillness and silence of our natural world which we all share! How ever you may find your inspiration….it’s there to be found!!

AND THE WINNER OF THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE GIVEAWAY IS….

Maile Moriguchi and her family with over 417 votes…they kept pouring in even after the contest was over!

Her daughter Kaile was so creative she even made a YouTube video on why they should win and asking for votes from friends and family!  How cute is that!!

Congrats to Maile and her family for their big win and for being role models to our community for striving their best to uphold a healthy lifestyle.

Thanks to all the vendors for helping make this giveaway such a success and to all those who participated and took time out of their busy schedules to get those votes pouring in!  Good job Kauai families!  Your all such amazing healthy role models!

Here is the winning picture!

The Moriguchi’s are our Healthy LIfestyle Winners!  :)

Do want your engagement session to be more then the standard ‘pretty beach’ pictures?  Here are some ideas to give your engagement session the extra edge they need to be SHOW STOPPER fabulous!

Props

Taking along some props is an easy way to incorporate your personalities and interests into your session.  Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowin!

• Instruments. Bring your instrument along to play for each other during your shoot.
• Bring along love notes, postcards etc..or just anything with romantic meaning.
• Use your wedding date in your shoot to make your “save the dates”
• Chalkboards. Can be fun to write each other love notes or fun sayings during your shoot.
• Balloons are very popular in engagement shoots, lots of creativity can emerge with them.
• Make signs and hold them. I have many signs in my studio for use but if there is a certain saying etc…you would like and can’t seem to find just let me know
• Incorporate numbers into your engagement session to make table numbers for your wedding by holding up the various numbers throughout your pictures. I love this idea!
• Sport Fanatics? Bring along your surfboards or favorite sports team jerseys.
• Do you have a favorite book, do you love magazines or technology. Bring your fav. along for the shoot!
• Do you have a special furry someone in your life?  Bring your pet along!
• Are you a photographer? Bring your camera or old cameras in your collection. I have some old cameras as well, if you would like to use please let me know before hand.
• FUN FABULIOUS Shoes or hats!  WEAR THEM!
• Flowers are simple & beautiful & are easy props to bring into your engagement session.
• Do you love all things vintage? Bring something special from your collection along.
• Are you a antique car lover!? Let’s incorporate your hot rod!
• Have a boat? Let’s do a shoot on your boat!
• I WANT CANDY! Candy can be colorful and fun and playfull!
• Do you love to travel? Bring along some old maps, globes, etc to showcase the travel bug in you!
• Love playing board games together…bring along your favorite game.

Themed Shoots

Themed shoots are  often styled shoots. They are fun to create and they also can showcase your personality or play off your favorite things! For themed shot you will need to think of things specific to your interests, personalities and styles to create a unique themed style shoot for your session.

• Have a favorite story, comic book, play, movie or book….why not create a reinactment for your session!
• Artists? Incorporating your love of art can be a super fun, creative theme to work with.
• Family heirlooms or land.  Have the location be at a family land, old homes etc. Bring along some family heirlooms to create a beautiful sentimental scene.
• Pictures for a good cause. Why not dedicate your shoot to your favorite good cause, ie: surfrider foundation, american cancer society…etc, etc… I loved this idea!
• Romantic picnics have been growing more popular but can be beautiful and uniquely styled to you by incorporating your interests within the picnic.
• Do you dance Hula? We can theme a shoot around your love for hula.
• Do you ride horse? Rodeo or leasure, let me know we can do a lot with this!
• Surf themes can be fun and prepresent your love for surf!
• Do you have a love for the outdoors? Love camping together or love bonfires on the beach?

Be sure to let me know if you would like a themed shoot and we can talk about your specific details before hand.

Unique Locations

Let’s find a location that is truley unique and fits your personalities or helps re-tell your love story. Here are some things to get you thinking beyond the beach….

• Where did you get engaged?
• Where did you met?
• Driftwood scultures and camps on the beach.
• Old towns are fun to go to like, Koloa, Hanalei and Hanapepe. The old town charm can be truley romantic.
• A beautiful favorite mural.
• Where did you fall in love?
• A colorful truck/shop/stand.
• What about the Local Fair or Carnival?
• Is there a fun place you like to hang out on weekends? Coffee house, arcade, old movie house, bowling alley….
• Swinging Bridges, we are lucky to have quite a few on the island, they can be playful and fun.
• The Sugar Mills can be fun and represent the days of old Hawaii.
• Stables. Farms.
• If your adventure people….why not do an ATV Tour!

I loved this video and thought I could share it for those of you who are like me and like visuals Engagement Photography Tips Video Link

****Now remember, these are just a few ideas, if this has sparked your creativity and can think of something I didn’t mention please let me know in your consult. Engagement shoots are supposed to be fun and are to show your personalities, styles and interests. Let’s talk, let’s get creative!