Ho'onani Photography

So many changes... improvements are on the way.

2010-09-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hi - we hope everyone is having a stellar weekend. This is a quick post outlining the upcoming changes to our business and sites. After a few months of working with our technical team, we are excited to tell you about all of our improvements that we are making to benefit our clients and future customers.

A New Blog is in the works. In about a week - we will no longer be using our Blogger blog for our updates & blog posts. Though we have enjoyed our time with Blogger - we have decided that it was time to upgrade to a Wordpress Blog. For those of you that are still interested in visiting and reading old posts - please feel free to visit here to view our original blog (hoonaniphotography.blogspot.com) as our older posts will be available for your viewing.
A slideshow viewing option for our clients. This is a new option that we will have available for our clients to view the Artists' selection of images in a slideshow format that includes special transitions and music for their viewing pleasure. Clients have the opportunity of sending the link of their slideshow to anyone they choose. This is a fun way to view your photographs and also give you the ease of viewing your images in the comforts of your own home. Family and friends will also enjoy being able to view your images if they didn't have the opportunity to be present while the photos were taken.
Gift cards! Woohoo - we now offer gift cards in most amounts starting at $25.00. This is a convenient way to provide awesome gifts & prints for your loved ones. Simply contact us for more information or visit our Storefront for details.
We LOVE photographing Weddings. It is our passion to photograph others' Love Stories and share their memorable moments with them. Because of this - we are offering COMPLIMENTARY WEDDING WEBSITES to all of our clients that book a Wedding Photography Package for the year 2010 - 2011. This value alone (up to $250) is worth its weight in gold. Use this site to share your "love story" with your guests (family & friends), upload photos from your Engagement session, customize a RSVP section or Guest book to use for your Wedding Guests and Go Green and paperless by using electronic communications with your Wedding Guests. And, to top it all off - your Flash based Wedding Website will be customized by you. Simply select from a handful of templates that you can customize, including color & text.
A HTML site for our clients who are viewing our site from a slower connection or do not have Flash on their computer. Our HTML site will mirror our Flash site - allowing our viewers to see our site the way they want to. The music and images will be the same through out both websites. We are happy to provide this service to our past and future clients and hope that you all can utilize this service with ease.
FACEBOOK Contests are in the works. We LOVE contests. Our goal is to role out a few contests from time to time on our Facebook Page including contests called: Cutest Baby Contest, Share Your Love Story Contest and much more. Prizes include Portrait Session, Wedding Photography Sessions, Albums, DVD's and much more. "LIKE US" on Facebook to keep up to date with our Contest Roll Outs and all the details. Don't have a Facebook Profile? You can also follow us on Twitter.

We look forward to bringing you new & improved services. Thank you to all of our clientele (past, present & future) for your business and for continuing to choose us as your Photography Specialists. Keep an eye out for posts from our new blog ;-)

Bryan & Melanie - Maui Wedding Photographer, Wailea - Maui and The Dunes at Maui Lani

2010-09-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege of being a part of Bryan & Melanie's wedding day. Bryan has family on Maui, though he & Melanie live in California. They had a beautiful, intimate ceremony at Polo Beach in Wailea and their reception took place at the Club House at the Dunes at the Maui Lani Golf course. The event was simple & elegant and just perfect for the couple who wanted to be with their family and friends on this special day.

Thank you to Melanie & Bryan for allowing us to be a part of your wonderful day. We wish you many many years of love and happiness together.

Here are a few photos from their day.

The Nishida Ohana - Maui Portrait & Lifestyle Photographer

2010-08-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of working with the Nishida Family on August 15th. It was nice to reconnect with an old High School Friend (Kelsie) and meet your beautiful Family. Kelsie contacted me about a month before their session to take part in their Keiki Time offer - (Free Mini Session with a $100 purchase).

Our session took place in 2 areas - Iao Valley Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens and the Wailuku Heights Keiki Park. It was a fun couple of hours as Kelsie and her husband Kelvin along with their children Kyler and Kaley joined me for some pictures. Thank you Nishida family for spending the day with me. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed my time with all of you. Here are a few photos from their session:

Change in Proofing/Viewing Gallery

2010-08-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

Aloha Past & Future Clients,
This quick Blog post is to inform you that we will no longer be hosting our Viewing Gallery with Smugmug (http://www.hoonaniphotography.smugmug.com) come the end of August. All photographs that you have viewed on our Smug site will now be transfered to our "Your Event" site (http://www.hoonaniphotography.photoreflect.com) hosted by Photoreflect which we have used in combination with our Smug site. You will have the same options for Viewing/Purchasing your photos as you did with Smug - however, it will allow us to keep the simplicity we all like while viewing our photographs. If you are a Past Client and have had your images hosted on our Smugmug site - do not worry, we keep back up files of all of our images and if you are looking to purchase your photos, simply let us know.

There will be many changes in our business before the year's end... all of which are to enhance our customer experiences. Stay tuned.

Budgeting for your Honeymoon - Quick Tip

2010-07-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, budgeting for your wedding is one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do. Financially - a wedding can put deep holes in your pocket book, unless you have been saving up for years. Even wedding budgets that can afford the lavish and luxury - will still have to do some creative budgeting to ensure that all the details down to the honeymoon are planned accordingly.

Here's a really smart financial thing you could do as a bride/groom. Apply for a Hawaiian Airlines or any type of Airline credit card that will allow you to earn points or miles. Hawaiian Airlines will earn you one (1) Hawaiian mile for every dollar you spend and you can also receive up to 10,000 bonus miles when you make your first purchase. Use this credit card to purchase your important wedding necessities and to pay for your vendors. That means the expenses for your wedding gown, bridal attire, catering, florals, photographer, cake and even the reception venue can actually reward you when you use the Hawaiian Airlines credit card. By the time your big day arrives - you may have earned enough miles for free award travel and can use it towards your Honeymoon travel.

When you are signing up for a reward card (airlines, etc.) be sure that it is a Visa or Mastercard - as those are accepted at more than twenty-million locations so you can use your card with confidence when you are making purchases.

I personally enjoy Hawaiian Airlines Visa credit card because it will allow you to book your trip to your honeymoon as the big day approaches and you can have your Hawaiian Miles transferred to your account for free. Hawaiian Airlines also make many stops to different destinations all over the world - so it will make your Honeymoon planning a cinch.

Apply for your card at Hawaiianair.com.

*Please note that we were not compensated in any way by Hawaiian Airlines or other to make this post. This is simply a "FYI" and tip for you to use in your wedding planning. Ho'onani Photography will not be held responsible for any misuse of this information or held liable in the event of a mishap or occurrence. This is simply a tool to use at your own discretion.

Introducing - The Baby Grow Up Plan

2010-07-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

As every parent knows... the first year of a child's life flies by so quickly - it's gone before you know it. The Baby Grow Up Plan was created to capture your child’s (keiki's) first year at every important milestone.

This important time can never be replaced - and there are so many changes that take place in this very essential year. We want to be there to help document your memories... to help you remember every stage, every smile, every milestone with our Baby Grow Up Plan. By enrolling in the Baby Grow Up Plan, you will save a very sizable amount both in session fees and print prices. Best of all, your Baby Grow Up Plan sessions will produce "Once in a Lifetime" memories for you to look back on for years to come.

With our Baby Grow Up Plan - you will receive a total of 4 (four) sessions including Newborn, 4 Months, 8 Months and 12 months. You will also receive an 8x10 image from each session and a flash website that can be used up to 2 months after your little one turns 1 year old. This site is a valuable tool especially for those that have family abroad or want to keep their family & friends updated with all the important memories of baby's first year. At the end of the Baby Grow Up Program - you'll also receive a 16x20 Canvas Print with up to 4 of your favorite images for only $125.00 (plus tax. Canvas is valued at over $300). Our Baby Grow Up Plan Packages start around $100 with individual prints starting around $25.00. We have several additional items such as birth announcements, photo gifts, 1 year luau (birthday) invitations, slideshows, and more. We also offer easy payment plans to help our clients afford these professional keepsakes.

If you are expecting to give birth in the next 2 months - contact us today and we will do a complimentary maternity shoot in honor of the parents to be.

Know someone who’s expecting? Give them a gift they’ll remember. We also offer gift certificates for our Baby Grow Up Plan. Call us to purchase one today.

We shoot on-location - so you have many different selections for your backdrops (i.e. Your home, park, beach, playground, etc. - the options are endless.)

Restrictions do apply - please contact us for more information & details.

We are still looking for a few more Senior Reps for 2011

2010-07-23T02:16:00.000-07:00

We are still searching for our 2011 Senior Reps!!!

Who is eligible? Current students in the graduating class of 2011.

What is the Senior Rep Program all about? This program is a way for Class of 2011 Seniors to earn free / discounted photos and get some awesome Senior Portraits.

What will we receive?

Your Senior Session will be complimentary since you are a participant in the program.
You will have an Online Viewing Gallery that you can email to all of your family & friends for them to view and comment on.
You will receive a complimentary Senior Flash Website - upload your photos from your session and use to keep in contact with all your friends. You will have access to this site to post your photos on for up to 1 year.
You will receive a discount on prints.
You can receive up to 100 Senior Rep Cards - custom designed and ready to hand out to all of your friends as a part of your program participation - simply refer a friend to Ho'onani Photography for their Senior Portrait Session. (Senior Rep cards are valued at $65.00)
Current Students in the graduating Class of 2011 are eligible.
Our Senior Rep Program is a way for Class of 2011 Seniors to earn free photos and get awesome senior portraits.

We are excited to start to work with you. We are not looking for the perfect model - but someone who likes to have fun and enjoys having their picture taken. We only have a few slots left for Senior Rep - so contact us today to join in on all the fun.

Lisa and Keith's Wedding - Bailey House Museum, Maui - Hawaii (Maui Wedding Photographer)

2010-07-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

On Saturday July 10, 2010, I had the privilege of photographing Lisa and Keith's Wedding. They were married at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku on a beautful and sunny day. I was joined by my second shooter - Harmony that day as we captured the moments of their ceremony and details of their reception.

We had the opportunity to work with Frank Pulaski with Dream Tyme Films again and though the ceremony was short and sweet - it was very intimate and just perfect.

Here are a few photos from the day. If you would like to see a slideshow of images - please visit our Client Viewing Site and click on Weddings - Keith & Lisa.

Introducing - Wedding Websites from Ho'onani Photography

2010-07-19T01:08:00.000-07:00

We have been in the wedding photography business for some time now... and have been asked time and time again by clients if we can direct them to a complimentary / free wedding website that they can sign up for and customize. After working on developing the idea behind the scenes, we have now launched our new service and are excited that we have been able to make this available to our clients.

With our Wedding Sites, our clients will get their very own exclusive wedding website domain (i.e. kazandteana.hoonaniphotography.com) as a part of our Ho'onani Photography website. This will allow you to post all of the details of your wedding (including RSVP section, Story section and accommodations) for you to utilize before and after your special day.

There are many features available to our clients - but here is a quick list of some of the options that these websites will include:

Clients can choose from several customizable flash templates and have the option of selecting the color themes to match your special day.
Upload photographs of yourself (they can be personal photographs along with images from Ho'onani Photography).
You will get a page where you can tell "Your Story", how you met, the details of your engagement and just an area to express special sentiments of your love.
Accommodations are an important part of the day - you can provide Event details, Links to Accommodations for destination weddings and your reception details.
Are your registered? Use one of the pages to list your Bridal Registry.
Set up an online RSVP page to let your guests RSVP online.
Guest book sign-in feature - especially for those guests that love to stay interactive.
Have a Facebook page? You can post a link to your wedding website on your Facebook page and keep your guests / family and friends up to date.

This is your wedding day! We want to make it special for you and allow you to share your joy with all of your family and friends. With this Wedding Website - you will be a cut above the rest and it will make for a great event piece.

Your wedding website is complimentary with any wedding photography package. We can even assist you with designing it and updating it if you need us to.

Here is a sneak peak of Kaz and Teana's site.

You can check out their complete site by going to: KazandTeana.hoonaniphotography.com

If you are a Photobiz customer - please check out the mini sites option if you do not have it yet. You will surely love this option. ;)

Olowalu Plantation House, Maui Wedding | Victoria & Jake

2010-06-23T03:36:00.000-07:00

I have had the privilege to work with Jake while I was employed at Starwood Vacation Ownership several years ago and was thrilled when he and Victoria contacted us to photograph their wedding day. Jake & Victoria traveled to Maui from California to get married in front of friends and family.

The wedding ceremony & reception was located at the Olowalu Plantation House. My husband Kevin, our assistant Harmony and I arrived early to capture the bride & groom before the ceremony took place. I was lucky enough to get there and capture a few shots of Victoria getting her hair and makeup done by awesome Bridal Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist Karine Cummings with Bridal Hain on Maui. After the pamper session - we took Jake & Victoria out for a few group shots before the event started. It was great to meet their families... including their children Jacob, Dylan & Krislyn as well as Jake's parents, Victoria's mom and brother and Jake's lovely sister Jenny. ;-) While that was going on - Chef Ralph & Daniel from Soup to Nuts (Onolicious Food) prepared for the Reception with food that smelled so delicious... it made it difficult to keep my tummy from rumbling ;-) This was also our first opportunity to work side by side with Frank Pulaski III of Dreamtyme Films as he was the videographer for Victoria & Jake's special day.

Their beautiful reception showcased Chef Ralph & Daniel's awesome food and entertainment from Manutea Nui E which included an arrangement of Hula & Tahitian dances as well as a Fire dance that took the show. ;-)

Jake & Victoria, congratulations to both of you...We wish you all the happiness in the world. Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day.

Here are a few photos from Jake & Victoria's special day.

Stay tuned for a slideshow that will be posted in the next few days ;-)

A bunch of cuties.... - Maui Children & Portrait Photographer, Luke & Isaiah

2010-06-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the word "CUTE" - there are two words in the dictionary that define that word... and they are... "LUKE & ISAIAH". The twins will be 9 months old this Tuesday, June 8th. They have personalities all their own... and they are moving around so quickly - that it is beginning to be a bit of a challenge to keep an eye on them. They are so cute... and just love to play with their big brother Ka'eo, who is on summer vacation - so they get to spend 2 whole months with him.

Above is Luke. He is pretty easy going and just likes to be lazy for most of the day. He loves music, loves to dance and every time he hears music he likes, he starts to move from side to side. ;-) He is the oldest of the 2 by one minute, though you would never know he was because he is so chill.

This little goofball is Isaiah. He laughs at just about anything and he is always getting his hands into things he is not suppose to touch. Turn your head for a second and he is finding something else to keep him company. He has so much personality and loves attention... though he is still independent in his own way.

It is amazing how life takes you by surprise. One moment... you are a mother of a 5 year old... and the next moment, you are pregnant with twins. They definitely keep us on our toes but they are a joy to have (as all children are). Never in our wildest dreams did Kevin and I think we would be parents of twins... but we wouldn't change it for the world.

These little boogies are growing so quickly - in a blink of an eye, they went from being newborns to babies who will be 1 years old in just a matter of months. We love you little ones... God Bless all of our children. ;-)

A Beautiful Day in Hawaii..., Maui Nature Photography - Kula, Maui

2010-06-05T01:43:00.000-07:00

It was quite a warm day here on Maui - and though we live in Pukalani, I decided that it was too warm to stay home. I packed the keiki up and we drove up to Kula where we stopped by Kula Country Farms to pick our own strawberries. While there - I caught a glimpse of this beautiful plant. I'm not sure what it is called... but it has always caught my eye - being that it is purple, and purple is my favorite color. I couldn't resist taking this photo. I absolutely love this image. ;-)

Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens, Iao Valley - Maui Wedding Photography, John & Christal

2010-06-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

On May 22nd, Kevin and I had the privilege of photographing John & Christal's wedding. The wedding took place at the Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens at Iao Valley State Park on a beautiful day. John & Christal were joined by family and friends as they exchanged their vows.

It is always fun to photograph a wedding that includes Kama'aina. You could surely see how much John & Christal loved one another.

Here is a photo from their special day - followed by a slideshow of their images.

Maui Lifestyle Couples Photography - Jerry & Melanie

2010-06-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have had the privilege to photograph many couples, either engaged or just "in love". On May 5th, I had the opportunity to photograph Jerry & Melanie. This couple met me at Secret Cove in Makena for their Couple's Photo shoot. It was a beautiful day - filled with lots of vibrant colors in the sky and a cool breeze.

Jerry & Melanie wanted to capture their love in a few photographs so that they would have memories to cherish while they are apart - seeing as their relationship has to endure such a long distance between them. Melanie lives here on Maui and Jerry lives in Washington. Their love definitely shows in all of their images.

Thank you Jerry & Melanie for letting us capture your special moments on camera. We wish you all the best.

Thanks Harmony for being my second shooter. ;-)

Here is a photo from their shoot and slideshow to follow.

Kapalua Bay, Maui Wedding Photos - Greg & Lori

2010-06-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Greg & Lori were married by Kahu Keli'i Arruda on a beautiful bluff overlooking Kapalua Bay on May 6th. It was a very intimate ceremony as Greg & Lori traveled here from Georgia to get married.

Greg & Lori are a very sweet couple. Their love for one another definitely glowed in their images and they were so easy to work with. I can still remember how they looked at each other while they said their wedding vows... there was so much love and emotion in their eyes.

Thank you to Kahu Keli'i Arruda for inviting us again to photograph one of your wedding ceremonies. Thank you Harmony for all your help as my second shooter. ;-)

To Greg & Lori, we wish you all the best and many blessings. Thank you for allow us to be a part of your beautiful day.

*Here are a few images from Greg & Lori's wedding in a simple collage and a slideshow of their images.

Our Island Home...

2010-05-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here are more images taken by Kevin and I of our Island Home...

Hawaii in all it's Natural Beauty... - Hawaii Landscape & Nature Photographers

2010-05-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

It is such a rare opportunity for us to share our images of Hawaii's natural beauties. Often we take our surroundings and the sites that we see so often for granted...

The following posts are images that Kevin and I have taken over the years. All of our images were taken in the Hawaiian Island - either on our island Maui or elsewhere.

We are so lucky to live in Hawaii, aren't we?

*Please remember that all of our images are copyrighted and protected by the Copyright Infringement Laws. Please do not steal our images.

Mahalo.

Goodbye Oahu

2010-03-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

I just love Oahu. The memories I have made there from my childhood and my adulthood are plentiful and wonderful. This past weekend, my family and I were privileged to go back Oahu for a Induction Ceremony for Kevin's Grand Uncle Anthony. He was inducted into the Hall of Heroes at Fort DeRussy. It was an awesome ceremony and after that we were able to have some awesome family fun. We met up with Family and ate till our hearts content. On the last day of our visit, while on a Photo shoot - we caught this beautiful photograph. The water was absolutely beautiful that day, who knew that we were coming back to Maui to this windy and rainy weather.

This photograph was taken at Hickam AFB. I hope you enjoy this shot as much as I enjoyed being there. ;-) Have an awesome day.

Weekly Wedding Tip #6 - Quick Tip, A Girl's Day out!

2010-03-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

I apologize for being 2 days late on this post - as I hope to have my Wedding Tips posted on Mondays. This week seems like it continued endlessly from last. Hawaii experienced a Tsunami (Tidal Wave) on Saturday and though we all escaped the worst... I must admit - having to be prepared and assisting those that were in harm's way did not leave me to much work and production time at all the last few days. My Weekly Tip for next week will be late as well as I am traveling to another island and will not have access to my blog.

So anyway, instead of lingering on why I couldn't get this done sooner... on to the tip of this week. This week's tip is a fun and short one meant especially for the bride.

Brides, Planning a wedding can be quite stressful... but, don't let the stress get to you - Have some fun. Take a day where you and your girls (bridesmaids and/or females that are a part of the wedding party) can have a day all to yourselves. Visit bridal shops and scope out all of the wedding dress ideas and little details (from hair to the footwear). Try on dresses together, even the really "over the top Bridesmaid's worst nightmare Prom Gowns" and laugh it up... Have fun. Make sure that when you are trying on different dresses that you are making notes of those you like and what you don't like about them. Ask the Bridal Shop if you are able to take photographs of the dresses on your Bridesmaids, as some of them do allow it. The pictures will be useful when reflecting back on the perfect cut and color of the dress selection and they will make great additions to your bridal binder or memory book. Make it a girl's day out and include a fun lunch or cocktails and spend the day having a good time and enjoying each others' company.

Though planning a wedding can be fun and exciting... many times the stress of the wedding can make you forget what the Wedding is all about... "Love and commitment." By taking a day with the girls and just laughing and having a good time, the stressful parts of the planning process will seem minimal and hopefully, you will Have Some Fun!

Happy Girl's Day Ladies. ;-)

Aloha,
Honey

Weekly Wedding Tip #5 - Quick Tip about Photo ready when it comes to Hair & Makeup

2010-02-22T22:19:00.001-08:00

Due to the extensive amount of photo editing and post processing of images I have to do this week, I am making this Week's Wedding Tip a short & sweet one.

Let's talk about a Quick Tip about being Photo ready on your big day. We are not going to discuss anything "general" or get into detail about all of the options. What I want to focus on is your choice for Hair & Makeup when it comes to your Photographs on your Wedding Day.

Each year, I photograph many Brides or Bride's Maids that spend what seems to be endless hours primping and grooming for the big event. Much detail is put into your Hair & Makeup preparation and often times, lots of money is invested as well. My biggest advice when choosing your hair/makeup style is to first find photos of looks you are interested in (from magazines, websites, books, etc.) and be sure to have those ready when you are meeting with your hairstylist or makeup artist for your trial run. If you are doing your own hair/makeup on the big day... I can never emphasize enough on "Practicing to make it perfect". Be sure when choosing a style/look that you find something that will compliment you as a person. You want to ensure that you look glamorous but natural... not overdone and uncomfortable. Ask your makeup artist about styles that he/she may think would work best for your body/face shape, build and skin complexion and color. Remember when you are applying makeup that you may have to add more to your look then you would wear on a normal day to ensure that the camera can pick up on all that beauty that you or your stylist worked so hard on. Most importantly, try to avoid sprinkling glitter in your hair or on your body or using heavy shimmery eye shadows on your big day. Often times, the glitters will not photograph well and will leave specks of dots all over your body and face. Though it may look pretty in person, the camera will not give it the same effect as you may think... and you may not be happy with your photos.

I hope this quick tip has assisted with being "Camera Ready" when it comes to your Hair & Makeup on your big day. We have many many more to come... so stay tuned for next week's tip.

- Honey

Weekly Wedding Tip #4 - Planning for your Budget & Wedding Needs

2010-02-15T21:07:00.000-08:00

Getting engaged and setting the wedding date are just a few details involved in planning a wedding. Having planned many in the past as well as my own, I know that the Wedding Budget is by far one of the most important things to think about before moving forward in your planning.

The amount of time you have before your actual wedding date are also factors in the wedding budget. Make sure that when you are deciding on an amount, that you plan for reserves or "emergency funds" in the case that something should occur during the last minute where you will need to rely on these extra finances.

If you are a DIY Bride/groom (as I was) and you are putting your wedding together little by little, by pulling a few dollars here and there from your savings or paycheck... then make sure that you have an estimate of how much money you plan to spend at any given time/moment and how much money you plan to spend all together. This will assist and be a guide for your spending so that you do not "over spend" and buy things that are not needed, just because they catch your eye or you can afford it with this paycheck. IF YOU DON'T NEED IT - DON'T BUY IT! Be sure that you keep your receipts each time you spend so that you can calculate the amount you spent during this purchase and you can factor in what other spending you will need before your wedding day.

The budget is important, not only because it keeps your spending to a limit (so that you can ensure that you start your new married life off on the right foot), but it also allows you to plan your finances accordingly so that you don't come up short. Making a budget is pretty quick to complete and easy to do. Simply sit down with your fiance and discuss the items and options you want at your wedding (including any rehearsal, ceremony & reception costs). Here are a few items that you can include:

Venue (including ceremony & reception)
Catering
Decorations (including bridal bouquets, pew decor, etc.)
Bridal attire (groomsmen & bridal party)
Grooms tuxedo or other form of attire
Bride's gown
Bridal party gifts
Photography
Videography
Wedding Cake
Invitations, Programs, Guest book, etc.

There are many many more other items involved in a wedding, but those are a start to the basics. After listing each item, you need to decide how much money you would like to spend on each category. Once you decide on that, then you need to look at how much money you truly can devote to the wedding planning and how much of it will go to each category. Don't forget to factor in the "emergency fund". Make sure to stick to the amounts that you planned for. If you have a little wiggle room to spend more money on the flowers, since you saved money on the rest of the decorations, that should be okay so long as you are not taking away finances from another item/option or putting your budget in the negative. Stick to your list and you will not only have an awesome wedding, but you will also start your new life off wonderfully and "not in debt." ;-)

I hope that helped you out a little with your budget planning. Please feel free to contact me if you need more insight or advice, I'll be happy to help.

Have an awesome week. ;-) - Honey

Shan & Bran - Maui Couples Portrait & Lifestyle Photography, Sneak Peak

2010-02-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

Before heading out to our photoshoot today, we were kind of worried that the rain would not let up... it was pouring in Pukalani and the sun barely made it through the clouds. We made our way to our shoot location and low and behold... the clouds and rain had drifted away.

We had the privilege to shoot Shannan & Brandon today. They just celebrated 10 years together as a couple and wanted to commemorate their love in some new photos. Kevin and I had fun with them and it was nice to see old friends of ours again. Here is a sneak peak of their photoshoot. Thank you to Shan & Bran for letting us capture your "Love Story" today.

Robert & Jessica's Wedding 02.06.10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-02-12T21:45:00.001-08:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Jessica & Madison - Maui Portrait & Lifestyle Photography

2010-02-09T23:36:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I blogged about a photo shoot I did on Super bowl Sunday with Jessica. It was an awesome shoot and I truly enjoyed my time with her. Not only did I have the opportunity to shoot Jessica, but I also had an opportunity to photograph her with "her little munchkin" Madison. Madison (Madi for short) is a year and a half and is filled with so much sunshine and happiness. She is a complete joy to photograph and together, mother & daughter make a wonderful pair. I wanted to share this wonderful photograph I captured of the two of them... my absolute favorite. Thanks again Jessi (& Madi) for letting me spend the day with both of you... I had so much fun ;-) I look forward to the next time we get to photograph the two of you.

Wedding Tip #3 - The all important, Checklist

2010-02-09T23:12:00.000-08:00

"Oh - I don't have to worry about that, Lucy will handle it for me." Those words are heard all too often when it comes to wedding planning. But, unfortunately - many times, they are followed by... "The wedding is tomorrow, why hasn't this been taken cared of when it was promised?"

We are so lucky to have family & friends that are not only excited but very eager to assist you with your big day. Though their hearts and intentions are usually in the right place, everyone has a life that they can get caught up in. Mistakes are made, important details forgotten (not on purpose), feelings get hurt and in the end... what ever did not get done, will be handled either during the last minute, or just thrown out the window to save time and effort. All of this can be avoided, by simply using a piece of paper (or more... depending on the size) and a pen.

"Always make a checklist. Never, EVER expect that someone else will take care of it for you!"

By making a checklist of what needs to be done and who will be doing it... you not only keep track of the items that still need to be completed, but you also make a list of who is going to be held accountable when it was not done. This "All important" Checklist can be placed in your binder that we discussed as Tip #1 and you can refer to it when ever you need. It is especially perfect to list who will be completing key wedding items like Invitations, Programs, Favors, etc. You can list the item, the date it should be completed and delivered by and then an area that lists when the item was received. Not only will this keep you organized, it will truly help when you are in need to provide a time line to your coordinator or to gauge the shipping times for other items. Excel spreadsheets that you can print out and add information to are perfect resources and can be a great template for your checklist.

Don't get me wrong... you may have a perfect wedding that goes off without a hitch... however, you NEVER want to be caught wondering on the day of your wedding if you missed anything. This checklist can be broken down into sections like: Pre Wedding (invites, etc.), Ceremony, Post ceremony & Reception. This can be useful in a crunch when you can't remember if you packed the rings in your clutch or if the flower bouquets were delivered. Though this can be tedious... it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Sit down with your wedding party or your parents to discuss important items that should be placed on this list. Yes, it's an additional thing to do... but I promise that you won't be sorry you had this little piece of paper tucked into your pocket to reflect on... not only to make sure you have everything, but for a little piece of mind. ;-)

Weekly Wedding Tips #3

2010-02-08T20:22:00.001-08:00

Help... I need an assistant... hehe! I will be posting the weekly wedding tip in the next few days. I'm running really behind because it's been a bit busy. Thank you for being so patient. ;-)

Jessica - Maui Portrait & Lifestyle Photography

2010-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

I have had the privilege to photography many women in my career. Some are shy, some are quite bold and love the camera... but never have I photographed someone who is shy but is an absolute natural to photograph. I had the opportunity to photograph Jessica on Superbowl Sunday. She was a bit shy, having not really been photographed at this extent before in the past... but she was a natural and the camera absolutely loved her. Thank you Jessi for allowing me to photograph you. ;-)

Here's a few shots from her shoot.

Weekly Wedding Tips #2 - The Wedding Invitation

2010-02-01T12:44:00.001-08:00

The Wedding Invitation ~

The Invitation to your wedding is just as important as your wedding cake. It helps to establish the theme of your wedding and most importantly, it tells your guests when, where and what. Many couples planning their wedding day do not put much emphasis on their wedding invitation because it is something that they may consider trivial or useless... however, I beg to differ.

A Wedding Invitation sets the state for the type of ambiance that can be expected at your wedding, down to the crystal glassware and/or porcelain chargers... or in some cases, the paper plates and plastic forks and spoons. When creating an invitation - let it speak for you, presenting your guests with a sneak peak of what they have in store for your wedding ceremony & reception.

With our economy in a recession and everyone thinking more budget friendly - there are always ways to make a Gorgeous Invite without putting a large dent in our wallets. When my husband and I got married almost 9 years ago, you could not find invitation stationary with envelopes that you could print at home so I went to a specialty paper store and chose a paper with matching envelopes that would represent my wedding as well as the feel I wanted to portray for my special day. I went home, worked up a bunch of mock ups for the invite and settled on one that I truly loved. It was simple but elegant and even though I bought special paper to use, it was still VERY inexpensive in comparison to the types you buy from huge Invitation Makers.

Now a days - there are "Print your own Invite" kits sold at almost every store from Target and Walmart to Office Max. They have the embossed borders with silver and gold inlay or plain ones that include vellum and all of them can be printed on a standard ink jet printer. They are quite affordable - ranging from $15-$50 for 50 invites, envelopes and sometimes they even include programs. This is a great option for the "Budget Friendly, Do it Yourself" Bride & Groom ;-) If you don't want to do it yourself - there is always the option of working with an Invitation maker to complete your invite for you. Though you are looking on spending a huge cost at times, if this is the route you want to go - you can pretty much guarantee your invites will be beautiful as well.

Another option is a service that Ho'onani Photography provides to our couples as well. It is the Photo Wedding Invite. We have packages that include 50+ invites with envelopes and they are very affordable ranging in sizes to meet every couple's need. How this works is: You would meet with a photographer (like us) or just take a beautiful picture on your own. Design the invite with all the much needed information and then have it printed on photo paper (or in some cases they can be printed on postcards, etc.) and mailed out. When we have a couple that books an engagement session, they have the choice of using their images from the shoot and have us design an invite to fit their needs. This is a popular idea that seems to be ever growing and most photographers have some type of options for doing so. If this is the route you are looking to go - when you plan to photograph your Engagement Session, ask your photographer if this is a service they provide and if they can include it in your package or have the option to do so.

When it comes to Wedding Invites, there are so many ways to be creative and showcase your theme and love as a couple. If you are crafty... pull out those scissors and hot glue gun and hand make your beautiful invites. I hear that the Cricut is also an awesome tool for putting beautiful hand crafted invites together and you can save a lot of money by going this route. Remember to plan out what you want your invite to say, ahead of time... so as to not be rushed or have problems when the time comes. Utilize your Wedding Binder to put the samples of your invites in and make sure to always follow your heart when choosing what is right for you. It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion - but don't let that opinion outrule what you really want if this is something you have your heart set on.

I wish you tons of luck, happiness and fun in finding that perfect Wedding Invite. ;-)

2010 - New Year, Exciting Changes

2010-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

2010 has begun and it is definitely a year with Many Exciting Changes. As many of you know... Each year, we make changes to our website, blog and galleries to add new flare to our business. Our changes this year reflect a sunnier side of our personalities. If you take note of our splash page, blog and flash site, it has a brighter, cleaner, white backdrop in comparison to our usual Black backgrounds. 2010 is a year for bright cheery changes and sunny outlooks and we wanted our personalities to be portrayed in our sites.

We also have many other changes that we are excited about. As mentioned in our previous post - we have started the "Wedding Tip of the Week!" We hope that this will help new brides/grooms in the planning of their upcoming special day.

Specials and Discounts Galore! Starting with our Engagement/Couple Free Photo Session for Valentine's Day, we are looking forward to rolling out many more specials that are perfect for every budget and to reward our clients with awesome deals.

We look forward to working with our past and new clientele and are ecstatic that 2010 will be an awesome year. ;-)

Introducing... Weekly Wedding Tips - 1st Wedding Tip in the series

2010-01-25T16:10:00.001-08:00

Having been a bride once before... (almost 9 years ago) and having planned numerous events as well as photographed them, I must say that I have some insight on a thing or two about weddings. I wanted to ensure that I pass on this useful knowledge to my clients (old & new), fellow photogs, vendors and my twitter followers, blog readers and facebook fans. Each week (I'm shooting for Mondays), I will be posting a "Weekly Wedding Tip" that I hope will assist future bride & grooms or those looking for inspiration in their upcoming wedding. The tips will include everything from general information to info meant mainly for Hawaii Brides & Grooms. I also hope to have a few inspirational quotes listed from time to time. I hope that this will benefit everyone in their plans for the special event.

My goal is to provide important information and ways to help make the planning process go smoothly. ;-)

If you have a special tip that you would like listed, send me a comment or an email with the info.

WEDDING TIP #1:

"Use a binder to jot your notes, vendors contact information, meetings, ideas & to stay organized. "

With many Brides & Grooms taking charge and planning their own wedding, whether it be because they need to be more budget conscious or because they like to be in charge... this is a sure way to keep everything organized and neat. Wedding Planning Binders can be costly or sometimes they are not published with information pertaining to your location... so this can be the perfect substitute. Though - I must say, if you are able to get your hands on a Wedding Planning Binder from the store and it is tailored to your every need, make use of them... they have very valuable information. ;-)

By the time I walked down the isle in 2001... my binder was so HUGE - it couldn't even close. But, I had every idea for the wedding in one place and I knew exactly where all the information was. My binder consisted of some of the following things:

Date, Time, Location and other information pertaining to the wedding ceremony, reception and rehearsal.
Vendors that I had previously contacted for services, their prices, my pros & cons with hiring them, samples of their work and if I did hire them... a copy of their contracts.
Invitation and stationary samples... this one is important, especially if you are choosing corresponding ribbons to go with napkin rings/holders, decor, etc.
Wedding Vows (I wrote my wedding vows more than 5 times and they were all different. In the end I was able to combine words from each one to make the perfect vows for the wedding... though I was so nervous, I didn't end up using them... hehe!)
Favors, decorations, Ribbons & Balloons and Floral Samples... everything you can think of that will go with the decor from actual samples to photographs should be included. This will allow you to pick and choose and always reflect back to what you decided upon. This is equally important if you decide upon a design - pay a vendor for that look (that they said they could recreate) and Heaven forbid, they aren't able to pull it off... this is a great documentation to use later.
Any Documentation from a vendor: including but not limited to emails, mailers, approvals, quotes, etc. If you agree on a certain design or photograph of something, have the vendor initial and date (you do this too) on the photograph acknowledging that they know what you want. This will protect you later.
Bridal party attire - photos & sample material swatches. It makes a whole lot of difference on how something will look on someone, depending on the type of fabric and cut that is used. This is a perfect area to also list the measurements of everyone in your bridal party so that you will always have this info on hand. That way, if someone is not available, you already have their measurements for last minute questions.
Music Choices. You can write/list the name of the song and the artist and if you want, you can even separate them by Genre. This comes in handy and this list should be provided to your DJ for his/her reference.
Photography/Videography information. I used this area to put CD/DVD samples, flyers and samples from the Photographer & Videographer.
Transportation - if you are renting limousines, town cars, etc. - this is a perfect place to put photographs of the vehicles you choose to ride in, vendor contracts, etc.
Cake & Caterer - contracts, photographs, set up outlines and designs... menus, etc. All of that will be placed here for your reference. You can also have a list of vendors that you did taste testing with and your comments next to the items on how you enjoyed or disliked the tasting.
Officiant - you can combine this information with your vows if you like. This is a perfect place to keep your information on the Marriage License, wedding vows, certificates, etc.

There can be many more tabs and dividers that can be used for your Binder along with other topics pertaining specifically to your wedding... and you can decorate it to match your theme or however you decide. It is good habit to take your binder with you to your vendor meetings and when doing Wedding errands to keep you organized. You can easily purchase a binder from any office depot, officemart or officemax store for a few dollars or more and you can make your own dividers or buy premade ones there as well. Another good thing to have are binder wallets that you can seal with a velcro or string to keep your samples from falling out of the binder (especially DVD or CD samples) and many office supply stores have filing envelopes that you can reuse for this very purpose. Business Card Sheets and Sheet Protectors are an awesome way to keep things neat, organized and clean too. Don't forget to have a pen handy and a note pad that already has 3 holes punched in it for easy filing into your binder.

If you have any questions regarding other things you can input into your Wedding Binder... feel free to let me know. I wish you awesome Wedding Planning & Organizing and hope these tips help you along your journey.

Calling all Couples - Valentine's Day Special

2010-01-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

Love is in the Air and Cupid is releasing his arrow all over the place. Ho'onani Photography would like to help Cupid this year and offer an Awesome Valentine's Day Special
to get couples in the Love Groove.

So... what's the Special?

Ho'onani Photography is offering
FREE VALENTINE'S DAY PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS for Couples.
This is perfect for couples who are newly engaged
or those who are just looking to get a special photograph taken of them.

Guys... use this as a Gift to your Hunny - a way to express your Love for her.
Ladies... this is your time to go all out and dress to impress.

Getting Married - use this as your Engagement Session and you can use the prints/photos
for your Wedding Stationary, Invitations, etc. (we can design that for you too).

Prints and DVD with all of your images are provided for a fee.
Book your session date before Valentine's Day (February 14th, 2010) to Qualify.
Session does not have to take place before Valentine's Day -
but must be done before the end of 2010.

Session includes:
30 Minute Couples Photo session.
(Kihei or Central Areas are included. West Side and other areas for a fee)
FREE Online Proofing Gallery with embedded Links for email provided for 30 days.
FREE low res image provided for use on your Facebook, Myspace, Website, etc.
(company watermark will be placed on image)
FREE 8x10 included with purchase of a Print Package or DVD.

This offer is a Huge Steal.
A 30 minute Photo Session is valued at $350 and you are getting it for FREE. ;-)

Contact us for details.
Phone: (808) 870-5597
www.hoonaniphotography.com
info@hoonaniphotography.com

Here are a few samples of a couple we photographed for an Engagement/Couples Session.
We look forward to working with you.

Happy Holidays to all...

2009-12-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays. We hope that all of our Family, Friends and Clients are enjoying this Holiday Season as much as we are and we are surely looking forward to a Happy and Prosperous 2010.

So much has happened in 2009 for our Family. Our lives changed forever, with the birth of our Twins - bringing our family from 3 members to 5 overnight. Luke Keoki and Isaiah Keali'i graced our lives on September 8th and have been great companions for their older brother Ka'eo. They are now almost 4 months old and are busy cooing and kicking - and keeping us on our toes. They like to giggle and smile when they are tickled and enjoy being talked to and engaged in conversation. At first, they did not like riding in the car... but it has grown on both of them. ;-)

Ka'eo (Kevin) is in Kindergarten and he is loving all the adventures that come with going to school. Though he still enjoys Spiderman, he has been venturing into new types of Superheros and other Cartoon figures like Ben 10 Alien Force and of course, Transformers. Now that he is a big boy, he's been able to help his Daddy & Papa George with putting up the big tents for parties and the Christmas lights at our House and Grandma K.'s - he's truly enjoying his time with the big boys. We just can't believe he will be 6 in about a month - where has the time gone? He REALLY loves his baby brothers and looks forward to every second he gets to spend with them. Kevin and I are truly lucky to have such an independent and loving son as our oldest - his brothers are lucky too. ;-)

Our Dog Koa is "same ol Koa". Always looking for love and attention. He is 10 years old already and is keeping himself busy chasing after the creatures that grace his play area. He's still very active for his age... though we swear that he is a puppy instead of an adult doggie... he always wants to play. ;-)

Kevin and I are doing well. As any parent knows... we've been keeping busy with the babies and Ka'eo and trying to balance work and home life. Kevin is now a Recruit for the Maui County Police Department and this is a new venture from his last line of work. Ho'onani Photography did quite well this year. We have been lucky to have worked with many awesome clients this year and have taken many awesome photographs as well. We've been able to meet with clientele from all over the States - from California to New York. We have also had the privilege to meet new vendors and network with companies and individuals all over the world... VERY COOL!

This year has definitely brought us many challenges and many blessings. Thank you all for being a part of our lives and we hope you all have an awesome Holiday Season and wish you the best for 2010.

Love & Aloha,
Kevin, Honey, Ka'eo, Luke & Isaiah

Braceros/Hinau Family Portraits

2009-12-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

I have been very lucky in my career to have met and photographed many people with all kinds of personalities. One family that has been our constant clients have been the Braceros/Hinau 'ohana. Last year, we had the privilege of photographing their family portraits for their Christmas cards... and wedding photos for Joe & Kim. This year, they are back again... first, allowing me to capture Corrina & Hoalii's school portraits and again, their family photos for their Christmas cards this year.

This past Sunday, we found ourselves up at the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, where the mist was slowly creeping over the mountains. The overcast made way for great photo lighting... and of course, the family photos came natural for this large family... (though we were missing a few children this time) ;-)

Here are a few photos from the session. Thanks to Joe & Kim and all the keiki for always calling us for your photos... we enjoy working with you all and look forward to our next session together. ;-)

Ho'onani Photography: Free Engagement/Couple Photo Session to one Lucky Couple

2009-11-30T13:29:00.000-08:00

Ho'onani Photography: Free Engagement/Couple Photo Session to one Lucky Couple

Free Engagement/Couple Photo Session to one Lucky Couple

2009-11-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, you have read right... each year, Ho'onani Photography offers "representative slots" to a lucky person(s) who are interested in being our Representative. This year, besides offering just the "Senior Representative" slot - we are also offering an "Engagement / Couple Representative" slot as well.

What does this mean to you? If you are selected - you will receive a free 30 min. Portrait Session (whether it be Engagement or couples) at the location of our choice. The normal price of this portrait session is $325.00 plus tax and you get it for FREE.

Besides the free session - you will also receive a complimentary 8x10 Print (valued at $25.00)

There's more...

- Online Proofing Gallery of your images so that you can show your family and friends and they can purchase the prints too.

- Printing Discount! Your images will be discounted for your purchasing pleasure. Instead of paying full price for your images, you can purchase your prints at a discount, giving you more options and selections at your fingertips. (i.e. Instead of paying $25.00 for an 8x10 Print, you will pay $20. Prices will be provided to you upon purchase)

- B/W, Sepia and Custom Colored images to choose from.

- CD/DVD Discount! If you are interested in getting all of your images on CD/DVD for printing - along with a Printing Authorization, you can get it at a discounted rate. Inquire about the new pricing.

- Free low-res image for your Myspace, Facebook and Twitter Profile. Or - for what ever you want to use it for. We do hold the copyright on all images - so a small watermark with our logo will be placed on the image. (this is not a printable image)

So... how do you sign up to qualify??? Simply send us an email (info@hoonaniphotography.com) or write us a comment on Facebook (Become a Fan) with contact information. If you are selected - we will contact you by email or phone (which ever is provided.) This offer is for couples only, please. We are making our selected on Monday, December 7th, 2009 - so be sure to submit your name ASAP. The Representative will be announced on Friday, December 11th.

If you have any questions, contact me. ;-) Have an awesome week.

Looking back at this past year...

2009-10-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

Each year I go through our archives and select a few photos that we have done over the years that continue to capture my eyes. These photos happen to be some of my favorites and the couples we worked with were absolutely adorable. I wanted to share a few of those photos with you. What do you think? Aren't these couples just gorgeous???

Holiday Photos - Book your session today!

2009-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Book your Holiday Photo Session today! Purchase a Photo Session Package and receive a Free 8x10 Print to add to your Holiday Collection.

Restrictions Apply - so please inquire for more information. If you booked your Photo Session prior to this post, unfortunately you do not qualify. However, ask us how you can qualify for a free 8x10 print for your shoot.

Dyson & Dodi's Wedding - Upcountry, Maui 10.24.09

2009-10-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege of photographing the Wedding of Dyson & Dodi Freitas yesterday afternoon. The wedding took place at Rice Park in Upcountry Kula, Maui. The view from the park was absolutely fabulous and it was such a beautiful day. The couple exchanged vows in front of a crowd filled with family and friends. It was a very lovely ceremony.

After capturing a few shots at the Park, we traveled over to Sun Yat Sen Park (also known as Dragon Park by the locals) outside of Keokea to capture a few group shots.

Many thanks to my sister Hau'oli for being my secondary/back up photographer for the day... it was awesome to get to photograph with you.

We wish Dyson & Dodi a lifetime of joy and happiness. Thank you again for allowing us to capture and be a part of your beautiful and special day.

Corrina & Hoalii's school portraits

2009-10-18T00:37:00.000-07:00

It was a fun day with Corrina & Hoali'i this past Thursday. School was out due to Teacher's Institute Day - so their mom brought them by my house for their School Portraits. I always enjoy working with the Hinau & Braceros keiki... they keep me on my toes and I enjoy them very much. Thank you Corrina and Hoali'i for spending the hour with me - I hope you had as much fun as I did...

Here are a few photos from their shoot:

Victoria & Eric's Wedding Vow Renewal 08.21.09

2009-08-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

I am usually not behind when it comes to posting - but due to the pregnancy and the "prescribed bed rest" by my doctor... I am having difficulty sitting in front of the computer and getting work done so I am sorry this is a week late.

On Friday, August 21st - Kevin had the opportunity to work with Kahu Keli'i Arruda once again. The shoot was for Victoria and Eric who were renewing their wedding vows and have traveled to Maui from New York. It was a fun filled sunset shoot (from what I hear - seeing as I was not able to accompany my hubby this time) and the couple was such a joy to work with.

Along with Kevin were our 2 photographers in training - Frank and Lindy. We are working with them as our back up photographers and our secondary photographers at a shoot. Frank and Lindy did an awesome job and we look forward to working with them more for future shoots.

Thank you to Victoria & Eric for choosing us to capture your memories on camera and to Keli'i for inviting us as well.

Carter 'Ohana - Family Portraits

2009-08-16T01:52:00.001-07:00

Today was a fun and exciting day. We had scheduled a Family Portrait session with the Carter 'Ohana for today - thinking it would be a wonderful day to shoot photos at the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm... however, much to our amazement - it was pouring up there. After contemplating where we could go that would give us a great photo session, we found ourselves heading into Makawao and utilizing the grounds of the Hui No'eau Visual Art Center. It's always easy to shoot there because of the different surroundings around every turn - so it although it was not our initial plan, we had fun and quite enjoyed ourselves. ;-)

Kevin and I had lots of fun on this shoot, as the Carters and Papa are not our average Family Portrait session... they are old time friends (considered to be 'ohana) and it was nice to spend the few hours catching up on ol' times as well. Because my pregnancy has me limping and dragging along, Kevin was the main photographer for this shoot... and I stood in the backdrop catching pictures from afar. Our son Ka'eo even joined in and acted as assistant for Kevin and I - holding the reflector when needed and carrying our clipboard... a little guy in training... ;-)

Above are a few photos that I put into a quick collage to share. Thank you to Kaleo, Kamiki, Papa, Kamahi and Maka'iwa for working with us today and for having such a nice dinner out... we had so much fun and truly enjoyed it.

Are you looking for a Photography website Host?

2009-08-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

I've had the privilege of working with several different Web Hosting companies with regard to getting an awesome Flash/Website up and running for my business. It's been almost a year since I first found Photobiz - and in my opinion, they are quite possibly my all time favorite Web company of all time. Their affordability is by far top notch - allowing for any business owner, whether they are just starting out or have been Pro for years to make great use of their service and still be able to afford such quality in these tough economic times. As if this wasn't enough - Photobiz is continuously updating their database with new templates that are customizable, allowing the owner of the business/site to adjust as they see fit and at the click of a mouse.

Those are options that are wonderful and perfect when you are a business owner in an industry that can often times be very competitive. Photobiz also provides THE BEST Customer Service in the field. I have had to call upon them several times - even if it were to just ask a lame question to ease my mind... and their response was not only timely but it ALWAYS satisfies what I am looking for. Photobiz also provides their clients with weekly if not daily posts on their Blog - that provide Photographers and business owners with ideas, guides and other really cool aspects that most if not all Website Hosts do not offer.

I enjoy working with a company that is intuned with their clientele and our needs. If you are interested in finding out more information on Photobiz or are looking for a website host - check them out, I promise you will not be disappointed. I am a very satisfied customer and am sure you will be too.

http://www.photobiz.com

Aloha,
Honey

Lots of changes - Seniors Website is up and running

2009-08-03T19:21:00.001-07:00

With today being the start of the new school year for many students, especially high school Seniors - I have gone ahead and dedicated a website completely for the use of Senior Portraits and previewing ideas and designs for seniors who are looking for that creative, casual portraits to add to the Excitement of their Senior Year.

Take a look and let us know what you think. Click on the link below.

Seniors Website

Company Updates - Blog

2009-08-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Aloha all,
It has been a whirl wind of changes for Ho'onani Photography. Maybe it's all due to the pregnancy factor and my hormones having a say in what it is I do on a day to day basis.... ;-) But - we have decided to return to our old Blogger blog site and keep our Wordpress site as a secondary site for pages and other unique items. I am just not quite conformatable with using the Wordpress site at this time and am hoping to get further engaged in it once the twins are born.

You can still view our wordpress site if you want to refer back to it and all of the information listed can be found there by clicking on the links above... Seniors, Specials, Wedding Q&A's, etc.

Should you have any suggestions - please feel free to let me know.

On a personal note - I am now 31 weeks pregnant and the doctor says I could give birth at anytime now. We are busy making plans for the twins' arrival and trying to balance our crazy busy schedules that we have for the month of August - tons of photography sessions booked. ;-)
I'll be sure to update everyone on the pregnancy progress once I get more updates.

Aloha,
Honey

Updates - New blog

2009-05-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that we are transitioning to a new blog through wordpress.com
It's a bit of a change and lots of different aspects to learn - but it allows us to have several different pages to work with including an "About Us", "Links & Resources" and others.

You can visit our new blog while it is being produced into it's final stages by going to: www.hoonaniphotography.wordpress.com. I will be updating all of our links through out our sites so that we will all have ease of access again to the new blog.

For those of you that are still interested in visiting our old site - do not worry, our old Blogger Blog will still be active for a little while until the transition to the new one is completed.

Thank you to all of our blog followers and clients for making this such a fun tool to use. We look forward to having this new blog develop into something that is truly interactive and unique for Ho'onani Photography.

Stay tuned for more fun stuff to come.
;-)

Copyright Infringement - important information you should know.

2009-05-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

The following information was obtained/provided by our friend Rodel Casio of Kreative Dream Studio.
You can also find more sources and information at this address: http://www.photolaw.net/faq.html

What is Copyright Infringement?
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of a copyrighted work. This includes photocopying a copyrighted image without permission.

When there is an infringement, the owner of the copyright can sue for damages. All law suits for copyright infringement must be brought in federal court, and will not be handled in or by a state court.

What is Copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection, authorized by the United States Constitution, that gives photographers, artists, authors, musicians, choreographers and architects the exclusive right to use and reproduce their works. Essentially, all original works can be copyrighted. This includes photographs, art works, sculpture, writings, music and computer software. Virtually all works created or first published after January 1, 1978 are protected by copyright.

Generally, owners of copyright have the exclusive right to use and copy their works. Copyright owners can also authorize others to use their works. The use or copying of any work without permission from the owner of the copyright is a violation of the United States Copyright Act.

About our (Ho'onani Photography) Photography & Graphic Work:
All of the Photography & Graphic Work produced by Ho'onani Photography (a.ka. Always means... Forever, Productions) and Honey & Kevin Kaho'ohanohano is copyrighted. No image may be copied from our website, blog or other postings (including prints, CD's/DVD's, brochures, flyers, etc.) without direct, written consent from Ho'onani Photography (and/or its Owners). Please respect our company and our Hardwork by not stealing our images without our permission. ;-)

*thank you to Rodel for assisting with this very important information. ;-)

Joseph Kaimana okalani Braceros

2009-04-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of shooting the first pictures for baby Kaimana. He is 9 days old today - born on April 19th, 2009. He was such a pleasure to photograph and was very easy going and relaxed. His mommy & daddy hired us to take his first photos and to do his birth announcements.

Here are a few photos from his shoot:

Steve & Sara Newman's Wedding 04.25.09

2009-04-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was definitely a crazy and busy one - but it was filled with tons of fun. After our Junior Prom photo shoot - Kevin and I headed over to meet with Kahu Keli'i Arruda (http://www.4opihisweddings.com) to photograph the wedding ceremony of Steve & Sara. It was an honor to be a part of Kahu Keli'i Arruda's ceremony once again, as we have worked with him a few times before - his ceremonies are unique, beautiful and simple.

The ceremony for Steve & Sara took place at the beautiful Kapalua Bay on the far side on a bluff above the ocean. After many days of rain and wind - we were very lucky to have such wonderful wedding weather and the sunset that afternoon was absolutely amazing.

Along with Steve and Sara were their beautiful children - 3 girls and a boy. They were a lovely couple and a lovely family and Kevin and I surely had lots of fun capturing their special day. Thank you to Steve, Sara and their wonderful children for allowing us to be a part of your special day. And of course, Mahalo to Kahu Keli'i Arruda for giving us the opportunity to share in such a special moment.

Here are a few photos from the Newman wedding shoot:

H.P. Baldwin High School Junior Prom 2009

2009-04-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

It was a privilege to capture the special moments of a few teens that attended the Junior Promenade for H.P. Baldwin High School. The Prom was held at the Beautiful Westin Maui Resort & Spa on Saturday, April 25, 2009. Not only was this a momentous occasion on my end because I am an alumni of Baldwin High School having attended my own prom more than 10 years ago - this was also the prom for my baby sister Harmony. The Prom committee made a fine choice of choosing The Westin Maui as their location - not only because of their beautiful landscaping and architechture - but also because I had worked at property before and was very familiar with where would be the best locations to use for back drops. Kevin and I had a blast capturing these photos and the team was very energetic and fun to work with.

Here are a few pictures of Harmony and her friends that joined her that evening. Thank you to Harmony, Nohea, Michelle, Reanne and Jaren for allowing us to be a part of your special event.

Karen Kondo & Ohana - Family Portraits

2009-01-28T21:31:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I had the opportunity to do a Family Portrait shoot on Saturday, January 24, 2009 on the Grounds of the Maui Kaanapali Villas. Karen Kondo contacted us a month or so ago as she won the bid on a Gift Certificate that we donated to the Taste of Italy Auction for the Kihei Rotary Club. We were very excited to do this shoot as it consisted of several different types of portraits: Head shots and Family Portraits.

Here are a few photos from the shoot. Thank you so much to Karen and her ohana for allowing us to photograph all of you... it was very fun and we enjoyed it very much. ;-)

2008 - A Year in Review

2008-12-30T15:38:00.001-08:00

2008 has definitely posed many challenges for me & my family. With the economy in its current financial situation and everyone cutting back on expenditures - business has definitely had their ups and downs. With just a day left of 2008 and a welcoming of 2009, I couldn't help but reflect on all that could have possibly happened this year. I must admit - I am quite happy to see 2008 go and very excited that 2009 will be prosperous and filled with much happiness... but even in light of all the difficult times - I could not help but reflect on all that was positive in our lives this year.

A few highlights for 2008:

July 2008 - Always means... Forever, Productions establishes itself with a new name and face - "Ho'onani Photography" The business that once catered to Wedding & Event Planning changes to become one solely focused on Photography.

Sept. 2008 - Ho'onani Photography purchases their second DSLR camera, a Canon Rebel xsi 12.2 MP - yippee!!!

Oct - Dec. 2008 - Ho'onani Photography donates 2 (two) $100.00 Gift Certificates to the Kihei Notary for the Taste of Italy Auction. (that was so fun... we are sure to do it again)

Nov. - Dec. 2008 - Busy! Busy! Busy! Family photo shoots are a must for the Holiday Season...

A few 2008 Photos:

Mike & Kellie Ferraro's Vow Renewal

2008-12-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

Mike & Kellie Ferraro's Vow Renewal - Tuesday, Dec. 9th, 2008

As mentioned in the previous entry - it has been very busy for us. Kevin (my husband) and I, had the privilege of shooting the vow renewal of Mike & Kellie Ferraro. This couple traveled many miles from Chicago to have their vows renewed here on the beautiful island of Maui where they honeymooned after their first wedding 3 years ago. The ceremony was beautiful and very unique - performed by Kahu Derego.

It was a busy busy day of weddings and Secret Cove was filled with 3-4 weddings going on all at the same time. Kevin and I really enjoyed working with this couple as they were so loving and playful and we really had lots of fun...

thank you Mike & Kellie for spending the time with us.

Here are a few shots from their shoot:

Christmas Eve Rainbow

2008-12-30T15:05:00.000-08:00

It seems like forever since we have had the chance to update our blog for Hoonani Photography. Things have been so crazy with the Holiday Photoshoots and family gatherings.

On our way to the Family's house on Christmas eve - my husband Kevin caught this pictures while he was sitting in the passenger seat (driving down Haleakala highway). He was using our 3 or 4 year old Casio Exilim 7.2 mp. I thought this was a great picture to bid farewell of 2008 and welcome 2009.

AJ & Marsha's Wedding 11.17.08

2008-11-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I had the privilege of shooting AJ & Marsha's wedding this past Monday. The wedding was officiated by Judge Boyd Mossman and it was a beautiful ceremony. Thank you to AJ & Marsha for allowing Kevin and I be a part of your wonderful life... and Congratulations! Here are some photos from their session...

Fun on a slow day...

2008-10-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

It was a lazy dazy day here in Pukalani yesterday... my son Ka'eo went outside to play for a little while and I caught him jumping around the yard. A child's innocence is worth more than gold when captured in the act. ;-) I couldn't resist posting a picture of him having fun.

We were also privileged to catch a beautiful sunset from our porch. The colors lit up the sky like an acrylic painting. It was absolutely beautiful...

There are many times I wish that my family and I could move some place else - where the cost of living would be more affordable... but then a sight like this one helps me to see Hawaii's true colors... I am truly lucky to live Hawaii. ;-)

Mother Nature

2008-10-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

This shoot was fun - but a challenge. It was a warm day in Pukalani but we made it work. Our model loved how the pictures came out and I had fun shooting the photos and doing her makeup. ;-)

More BFF's

2008-10-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

Best Friends and their men...

2008-10-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

In our earlier posts - we uploaded pictures of Brooke & Dave and Jenny & John. They were on island attending a friend's wedding and wanted to get some pictures in while they were here. Brooke & Jenny are best friends (and in fact - consider themselves sisters) and we took a few shots of the BFF's and a few shots of their men. These two couples were a joy to work with and they truly made Kevin and I's job easy. They knew what they wanted and their poses were natural and fun. Thank you to Brooke & Dave and Jenny & John for spending the late afternoon with us. We hope your trip was fun and that you enjoyed your time here. ;-)

Jenny & John 10.11.08

2008-10-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I also had the privilege of shooting Jenny and John who are here on island with Brooke & Dave (our engagement couple). It was the sweetest thing to capture their love on camera. Here are a few pictures of the couple. They were also very fun to work with. ;-)

Brooke & Dave's Engagement Shoot 10.11.08

2008-10-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I had the privilege to shoot Brooke & Dave yesterday. They are on island for a few days because they attended a wedding for a friend & they wanted to get some engagement photos in before they left the island. They are visiting from Portland Oregon and they were so much fun to work with. The camera absolutely loved them and they were so easy to photograph - especially since they made our job easy and fun. ;-) Here are a few pictures taken from their shoot.

A fun photo shoot

2008-10-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of shooting a few fun and exciting pictures yesterday. In preparation for the Halloween Holiday - I took out my make up train case and started painting away. This is definitely a conversation piece. ;-)
Here is a shot that I edited and wanted to share.

the Kanemitu Ohana

2008-10-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

It was such a privilege for Kevin and I to shoot the Kanemitsu ohana this past saturday at D.T. Flemmings. They were dressed to impress and we had lots of fun with all of them. Here are a few family pictures that we captured that day.

We are now... Ho'onani Photography

2008-09-28T00:27:00.000-07:00

You can visit us online at Ho'onani Photography (www.hoonaniphotography.com) We have a new look and new logos. After much consideration - we decided to make our main focus "photography" as it is one of our passions. Our new (very cool) website is flash and so much fun to go through and take a look around.

We are very thankful to all of our faithful clients for encouraging our growth and success. It's because of your support that we have made it this far.

We are in the process of switching and rerouting our old domain (www.alwaysmeans4ever.com) to connect with our new site. For those of you who have our old site bookmarked - please be sure to make the change. ;-)

We are looking forward to a great future with all of you. Mahalo again!

My cute Hawaiian Boy

2008-09-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

My son is always up to take a picture - whether he's taking the picture or smiling for the camera. I took him up to Iao Valley Kepaniwai Park this past weekend and shot a few pictures of him. He looks so much like his daddy ;-) Here are a few cute shots of him.

A beautiful Hawaiian Girl

2008-09-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Dasia this past weekend. She is beautiful and was an absolute joy to take pictures of. Here are a few picture collages that I put together for her and her dad.

A few Collage Portraits

2008-09-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share a few collage portraits that we had done. We had lots of fun working with these gals this past weekend. They were both fun & made us laugh. Thank you Harmony & Kuulei for letting us photograph you.

Our new site...

2008-09-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to say that we have been working non-stop on developing our new "Main" website. please check it out by clicking on the link below...

Always means... Forever, Productions

It's still in the working process but I'm in hopes that it will be up and running by early next week. It features a photo gallery to take a look at our new and past work as well as many site options similar to what our old site was like. We even have music player features on some of the pages - featuring some really cool songs.

Please stop by and enjoy.

Our new flyers

2008-09-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Family Portraits

2008-08-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I had the privilege of taking our family photos with my parents and siblings. It had been years since we had all taken a photo together and they came out great. Here are a few to share.

Beautiful shots to share

2008-08-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some beautiful shots taken by Kevin. The detail and the close ups in each photograph are absolutely enchanting that I couldn't help but share them with all of you. Please enjoy.

Can you say... "that's funny" ???

2008-08-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

We have had the opportunity to take pictures of many characters in our life... wanted to share a few with you!

The Bride...

2008-08-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Nichole is not your usual bride... simplicity was her desire for all aspects of her wedding. So - when it came to pictures... she didn't want a huge fuss made over her. We were able to catch a few candid moments that would make for great memories...

The Groom...

2008-08-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

It was a nice touch to some of Juno & Nichole's wedding pictures to have a photo of Juno posing in his natural elements...

The first picture shown here is my favorite. Kevin has a great eye when it comes to taking posed and candid photos.

Kevin's sunset photos

2008-08-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege of being invited to attend a birthday dinner at Isana's in Kihei on Thursday, Aug. 14th. Before heading in to the restaurant - we captured a glimpse of the beautiful sunset. My husband Kevin couldn't resist snapping a photo or two. (Here's one of those photos to share)

It's moments like this that remind us how much we enjoy Nature and all it has to offer...

The Smallest Wedding Cake Ever...

2008-08-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist posting a picture of the tiny (but beautiful) wedding cake that Nichole & Juno had at their wedding. It was intimate and perfect for such a sweet and intimate affair. The cake was made & designed by Marie Audant of Ghiselani Cakes.

More pictures from Nichole & Juno's wedding

2008-08-13T17:17:00.001-07:00

Nichole & Juno's wedding 08.08.08

** Please remember that all pictures are copyrighted by AMF Productions 2008. Please do not use any pictures without prior consent from the Owners & Photographers at AMF Productions. Mahalo!

Nichole & Juno toasting to a lifetime of memories together.

Casey taking a break on a hot day.

the bride & groom in front of a beautiful sunset.

wedding party smiling for the camera.

the bride & groom posing with the bride's parents.

the shot of the wedding rings.

the exchange of rings.

Nichole & Juno's Wedding 08.08.08

2008-08-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a weekend. Nichole & Juno's wedding occurred at a beautiful bluff on Private Property overlooking the entire Wailea area. In the background boasted views of Lana'i, Moloka'i and Molokini. It was a short & sweet affair. Thank you Nichole & Juno for having Kev and I be apart of your special day. Here are a few pictures to share:

AMF Production Updates:

2008-06-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

A few updates...

Upcoming Events: We are excited & happy to announce that we will be doing the Wedding Photography for Nichole & Juno on their special day in August. They will be getting married on August 8, 2008 (08.08.08) at a beautiful bluff above the Diamond Resorts, overlooking the Kihei & Wailea area. We will post pictures after the wedding.

Specials...

Graduation Special: We are extending our Graduation Special till the end of July 2008. Graduates, contact us to get 10% off of your invitation designs & productions.

School Portrait/ Sr. Portrait Specials: Don't forget, we are running a special for all students & high school seniors that are looking to have their pictures taken. Why settle for the regular school photos? Contact us and book your appointment today. SPECIAL: All packages include a free 8"x10" print, compliments of AMF Productions.

Free Consultation for Wedding, Event or Party: Don't forget... AMF Prod., offers free consults for coordination on your wedding, event or party. Just contact us for more information.

Reminiscing of the Past

2008-06-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

I have been going through some old photos of past weddings that we have done & reminiscing of how fun they were. Some of these weddings, like any event, had its challenges... but we are glad that we had the privilege of being a part of all of them. We not only enjoyed ourselves - but we had the privilege of working with & meeting new people. The picture of the Kahu is Kahu Keli'i Arruda. This was the first wedding that we had the chance to work with him on. He truly is a joy to work with and we consider him as a part of our 'ohana.

Delicious Wedding Cake

2008-06-17T00:46:00.001-07:00

This cake is from a wedding we did in 2007. I was browsing through some of the pictures of the cake & food and started to have cravings. I couldn't resist using it in our blog. This delicious cake was made by the bakers at Safeway Kahului.

2008-06-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

More wedding updates to come...

2008-06-15T02:27:00.001-07:00

As you can imagine, it has been very crazy the last few months... which is why it took us a few months before we posted some of the weddings here just today. Please do check back every so often as we plan to keep our site/blog updated regularly. Thank you for your patience.

Glenn & Kalei's Wedding

2008-06-15T01:54:00.001-07:00

Glenn & Kalei's wedding is definitely one for the memory books. It was a very simple but so elegant affair. Held at a beautiful Upcountry Maui (Kula) Estate on April 28, 2008 - the wedding ceremony boasted of views that overlooked the South Maui & Central Maui towns. It was breath taking. Our photographer, Kevin (my husband) attended for both of us as I was on the west side that day. His photography skills spoke tremendously of how beautiful & elegant the day was.

Their very intimate reception was held at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa. Kevin took them around the grounds and grabbed a few photos of the couple before they sat down to their first meal as husband & wife together. Thank you Glenn & Kalei for making us a part of your special day.

A few weddings have kept us busy...

2008-06-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

It has definitely been a busy year thus far. In February we had the pleasure of assisting with the wedding of a couple that happens to be very good friends of ours. The day was a challenge as it had been hotter day then we had expected and the shadows & sun just was not cooperating with us... but the bride & groom (Shannon & Scott) were as happy as could be - and at the end of the day... that is all that mattered most.

This beautiful wedding took place at Airport Beach in Ka'anapali on February 29, 2008 - Leap Year. This will be a day they will always remember... I'm happy I was able to be a part of it. Thank you Shan & Scott for including me in your planning & happy day.

January 2008 - off to a great start

2008-01-21T21:06:00.000-08:00

It has been a bit of a challenge this new year. To ensure that everything is running like clock work and that the wheels are turning properly - I have been pretty busy trying to ensure that all is going the way it should be. The year is definitely off to a great start. :)

2008 - A New Year... 2007 - A Year in Review.

2007-12-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

2008 is just around the corner. I'm glad to be ending 2007 as it has been a very trying year on AMF Productions and my family life. But - nonetheless... it has paved the way for a better future - better decisions and better relationships.

In 2007, AMF Productions encountered many brides and grooms looking for assistance with their wedding planning. We've had the privilege of working with people from all parts of the world - Hong Kong, London, California and even here in Hawai'i. Working with clients located internationally definitely posed as a challenge... not only because of the language barriers but price differences and customs from their home lands. It was interesting to learn how unique different nationalities were and how they varied from those in Hawai'i.

After being out of commission for over a month due to a sprained ankle in the earlier months of 2007... it was a bit difficult to get back in the groove of business. It did not look quite as appealing to meet with a coordinator who was walking around with a casted leg and crutches... but I managed.

The year took off slowly and it gave me some time to recuperate from my disabling injury... but spring took off with a bang. The spring and summer months kept myself and my team quite busy with wedding and party planning - reminding us that this is what we enjoyed to do.

Now the year is coming to a close... and we are looking forward to the challenges of 2008. AMF Productions wishes all the best to our readers and friends alike and hopes that your New Year is Prosperous and filled with Happiness.