4 {more} Hawaii Photo Shoot

Well, before we had started planning for Hawaii, Scott and I had talked about booking a photographer (home in CT) to get some family images.  But as Hawaii started to become a real realization I thought, "why not do our family photos in Hawaii?"

I researched but quickly found Littlebird Photography.  I chatted on the phone with Heather for a while and she put together a dream session for our family.  She gave us 6 locations (with images shes done there) to choose from.  We loved them all but quickly chose one with an open beach that showed the vastness that is Hawaii.

When we all look back on this trip it is one of our favorite evenings.  A deserted beach.  In Hawaii, At sunset.  A photographers dream. And although I've been 'the photographer' for many other families, I so enjoyed not being the one composing the images.  I felt so relaxed not making the session into what I wanted.  I just got to be the mama.  And love on them. And although I shoot with the very same camera body and many of her lenses I am not in the same league as Heather.  I'm just happy we found her!

Heather spent 3 hours with us and must have taken over 1000 images.  She is an expert at family photography at the beach and in the water. Yes, IN the water!  She had underwater gear for her camera and was IN the waves, diving under and snapping all the while.  (I was not in the waves past my knees)  She has mastered capturing light and using light to bring a magical quality to her images. I was so impressed with Heather's relaxed personality, raw talent, and love for what she does.

 I want to bring her on every vacation for the rest of my life.  But I can't.  Sigh.  I am so grateful for how she captured the love in our family.  These are some of my favorites.  And this is US.  So us.



little arm reaching across her daddy



dreamy light









the way the sun hits her hair





being her mama



and being hers too ... I for real love this girl



the way her hair hits the lace on her dress and those Chinese eyes I love so much



she makes me laugh like no one else





so them... she's a cuddle bug







oh goodness, her eyes









swoon over this one... all of it... the landscapse... the little one with her daddy





us





something about this one









after a wave crashed over my legs up to my waist she tries to pull me in again



















best of friends forever ... and how are those two mine?  God is so creative... and so good





the one on the right, she still needs me that way



anna's smile .. . and scotts too





out of all of them, this is my favorite... I think





I didn't blink, but she still turned 13












wet ends of hair, sandy feet, ruffles on her suit, what's not to love



she's timid



until she jumps



yes, we changed, like behind a couple of bushes (did I mention that the beach was deserted?)









just that look between us









I see so much in this next one but you'd have to know these two like I do



size 5 suit when she's 9... but I sure love it





let the fun begin







twenty years... twenty years... twenty years



I love this boy



whatever one I said was my favorite before, I changed my mind





yes, we forgot to take a few us the two of us before the bathing suits.  So after I was in the water, I changed back (yes, in the bushes) and yes, my hair is now all wet but I don't care







ocean foam



eyelashes



sand in her hair

















that pearl bracelet I bought in China in 2004 with this baby (now 13) on my hip.  we couldn't afford it but Scott said I had to buy real pearls in China.  I'm so glad I listened to that boy



I hope she can look at this and see it in my eyes like I do



let the action begin







while I'm safely on the shore (and yes, Scott changed again)







way cool









and there you have it. Heather, I know you're much too busy to see this but goodness, if you ever do. I am so grateful for these. MAHALO!

Dear Diary,
I curled Anna's hair although I don't know why.  Hawaii has been amazing for our skin, but awful for our hair.  I rushed a bit of makeup.

We drove down the most beautiful road with cliffs to the ocean on one side and mountains on the other.  How I loved that drive through Hawaii tonight ~ it felt like the home I remember so well.

Met Heather laid back, relaxed.  She spent 3 hours with us.  She started with photos of Abigail and then Anna.  Our salt air soaked hair was matted and messy, our salt air skin glowing and pretty.  We were adventurous and changed behind the bushes into bathing suits.

She created a relaxed easy - to - be- us session.  After some (brave... eek!) swimsuit photos Scott and I changed back so that we could have some anniversary photos.  As the girls started building a sandcastle behind us.  It had a bod, a flower, and an "SK" on the front.  They emptied water bottles and used ocean water to hep them with a moat.  Quickly they discovered that they could create "sand globes" with sand, ocean water, and an orchid.

Then Scott changed again to get IN the water with Anna.  They swam in the waves and Heather go in with them - she's brave!

I'm so happy and so tired.  Must sleep... tomorrow is our last full day on this island.

Bye!