Your Legacy — as art.
( the experience )
Photography has always spoken for what sometimes cannot be said. It serves as a voice for the soul and an ear for the eyes. Pausing time, preserving moments, and in turn — preserving humanity. This is why photography holds so much value to me. It is evidence. Evidence of the human existence. The story we live and tell as individuals, as a collective. And every story is worth telling. Every expression is worth sharing.
I feel there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.
— VINCENT VAN GOGH
Safety.
Trust.
Connection.
Because I approach our container in an intentional and holistic way, our journey together begins long before the actual session. We first connect — human to human. We share a connection that facilitates creativity, expression, and honest storytelling. I send over a questionnaire to dive a bit deeper into the inquiry process, which often guides my clients to discovering their why. This becomes the intention we hold for our session together. Next, we collaborate on the shared vision and sensory experience. Together we develop the foundation of your story through a vision feeling board and poetic transcript. My foundation of photography began in narrative imagery. I would often take the poems I wrote and translate them into an image unique to my perception. And years later found myself coming back to this approach holistically with my clients. We co-create together and this allows you to be the artist as much as I am. Because in my eyes, we are all artists. Sometimes we just need a supportive space to get in touch with that part of ourselves.
We both connect to the character (which is you). Which also gives my clients an opportunity to embody an intention they wish to integrate. Or merely an honest expression in a space they feel comfortable, seen, heard, and felt. I begin to notice details during the session that are intimate, and rather precious to the character (you) because I am connecting to the story through your eyes. I understand the power of perception and it is my goal to get into the perception of the characters.
This is the beautiful art of storytelling. And the process may sound unfamiliar at first, but I promise it is rather playful and liberating. The act of creating and expressing is an inherent birthright. The humans who step into this journey with me often leave feeling a bit more embodied. Even inspired to start creating more artistically themselves. Because they taste an experience that felt meant to be. And they have honest photographs to reflect on — that feel authentic and intimate.
( My Process )
Once I leave our session together, I intentionally gather the images that will tell your story honestly. I often ask myself, “how does this photo feel?” in order to curate an authentic gallery. Then I edit each image according to your story. My style is often described as cinematic, poetic, journalistic, timeless, moody, editorial, and natural. Yet I don’t artistically limit myself to a defined style — I interact, direct, photograph, and edit according to the humans I am storytelling for. Your photographs will be a reflection of who you are and how everything energetically felt.
( offerings )
Storytelling for the
emotive souls.
Submit your email to receive complete access to my Wedding & Elopement investment guide. For all locations outside of Hawaii & California, please inquire through my Client Application form.
( Frequently Asked Questions )
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14 years! I began shooting before then but officially established my business in 2010.
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In 2021 Caleb transitioned into another industry and Zephyr & Tide transitioned into a holistic photo and coaching studio. He still second shoots alongside me on wedding days because he’ll forever be my favorite teammate :)
When he is unavailable I hire a second shooter and always reach out to fellow friends in the industry first. I don’t always require a second shooter, this is an individual decision based on your needs and size of the wedding.
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I do! I love to travel and experience different landscapes and cultures. I only accept a limited number of weddings per year — weddings that require out of state travel are limited to 5 per year.
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I am based on both the Big Island of Hawaii and Northern California. Reach out if you are planning on traveling to the area so we can coordinate a session! Clients often travel to me because the area is so beautiful and interesting to explore :) I live about an hour away from Big Sur and many other beautiful destinations in Northern California — I’m within driving distance to Yosemite, Tahoe, and am always up for a beautiful drive / camp out!
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Travel is included in all of my pricing! So you don’t have to worry about any unexpected costs.
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I take on an average of 10 weddings and elopements per year. I value the experience I offer to each and every one of my couples. And I truly value my energy as an artist. Traveling, communication, coaching, creating, shooting, and post processing require a lot of precious time :)
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A bridal coach is someone who holds space for the bride (and groom) throughout their engagement. They can offer support and offer guidance in areas of stress, conflicts, relationships, goal setting, and planning. As an integrative life coach with a background in depth and somatic psychology, I support my couples through emotional triggers and stressful situations. This often includes family dynamics, money blocks, pressure and unsolicited advice, and other emotions that surface during this transitional season. Together we lean into the opportunities by drawing on methods like shadow work and somatic experience — then integrate the experiences through somatic mindfulness and working with the nervous system. This provides clarity, connection, peace of mind, conscious decision making, empathy, and presence on the wedding day. I also provide my clients with a Holistic Handbook to walk them through the planning process in a very intentional and mindful manner.
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For weddings I require a 25% or 30% retainer to secure your spot in my calendar. The remaining 75% or 70% is due 2 months in advance.
For other sessions I require a 30% retainer to secure your spot in my calendar. The remaining 70% is due 1 month before the session date.
You can choose to split the investment into 2, 3, or 4 payments to make things more affordable.
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I shoot on both digital and film depending on the occasion. I have a professional SLR and variety of both 35mm and medium format cameras I like to incorporate into my sessions. I offer an add on that includes one roll of 35mm film and 1 pack of polaroids. In some cases I shoot a hybrid of film and digital — reach out and we’ll see if this is an option for you :)
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If the weather is too harsh to shoot in or unsafe to travel then we can totally reschedule. But I always encourage embracing whatever weather comes our way — messy weather is beautiful and unique in photos!
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I try my best to work with my couples as I realize that life happens and some things are inevitable! If I can reschedule your day then I make it happen, otherwise if you’ve already put a deposit down and then have to move/cancel it, the deposit is legally non-refundable.
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Before Covid I would have proclaimed that there’s no way anything could keep me from making it to your day other than my literal death. But if anything were to happen out of my control — I would do my best to help find a replacement photographer I trust to take my place. In some cases it can be arranged to have them stand in as photographer and send the photographs to me for editing and processing. In other cases I would hand the deposit (and you) over as a beloved client to them. If I can’t make it to your wedding your money will be refunded.
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All of my prices are firm. I intentionally price according to my availability, demand, energetic offering, and travel. For *local* portrait sessions — I do offer mini session options.
For those with currently limited financial resources who are planning a conscious wedding, I offer 3 supported partial grants per year. I value love and the intention of planning a meaningful day and realize the cost of planning a wedding can be overwhelmingly expensive. Some couples simply do not have the financial assistance from family, or means to take out a loan for their wedding. I don’t believe making a conscious decision should sacrifice having your dream photographer. In many cases, that is the only vendor that some couples hire because they have simplified with everything else. All that matters is getting married to their lover and telling their story authentically and artistically. I cannot offer this to everyone (though I wish I could) but I do reserve a percentage from each wedding to be able to make this possible for 3 couples a year. Reach out to me — I’d love to connect with you and see if working together will be a possibility. You won’t receive any less of my energy, services, or time :)
( Travel Itinerary )
Over the years I have become super intentional with my travel. I tend to travel in seasons and try not to spend too much time away from home. I will only take on an additional session if I have enough time in my itinerary that still allows for flow. If you are interested in booking me while I’m in the area, please contact me ahead of time so I can notify you before booking my travel.
JANUARY — Kauai & Big Island
FEBRUARY — Big Island
MARCH — Northern California
APRIL — Northern California
MAY — Big Island
JUNE — Northern California
JULY — Oregon
AUGUST — Washington
SEPTEMBER — North Carolina
OCTOBER — Big Island
NOVEMBER — Northern California
DECEMBER — Northern California
Your Legacy as art.
I believe everyone deserves to take up space. To step in front of the camera and express. To celebrate their life and share their legacy. Because photography is evidence. It is the medium that explores the enigma of the human experience, woven together by each and every story told on earth.