mokelife

August 2, 2011

 

Dear Tiana & Joey,

You know what? I like you two(: A lot. And not just because you love photography and let me do what ever creative impulse comes my way, but because you like people. From your engagement session to this Honeymoon session every where we went you talked with strangers, learned their names and took time to hug and kiss all your old friends too. It’s like a party hanging out with you. And you make each other laugh, like crazy, and there is nothing I like better about a couple than that!  Oh yeah, an added bonus is your cool factor, let’s just say I feel a little bit cooler every time I am around you. Good thing I get to see you often(:

I really think this is just the beginning, just the opening page to all that God has in store for your lives together. His love is already evident in your story, just keep letting Him grow you and cling tightly!!

Aloha….

Ajja

These two were wise ones and chose to start their married life off with the simplicity of  an evening backyard dessert only wedding. Yes, I said dessert only(: Told you  they were wise ones!!

I should have probably started with a post of pictures from their wedding, but their session in front of the Lahaina Shores was just way too ‘good fun’ for me not to share first.

T & J rode around on their bikes all week long enjoying the West Side of Maui like they never have before. These first series of four pictures is classic Front Street.

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Cool is their middle names.

I think they said they are looking to pick up some modeling/promo gigs for Ray Ban.

They stayed at the Lahaina Shores, which was certainly a hidden gem to me. It has an old time Hawaii  feel that is priceless.

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Picture above inspired by ‘mokelife’…(: I scared.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moke

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Mango love.

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Front street makes me happy.

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A few amusing drive by’s.

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Tiana keeping it real.

I love a good tip toe kiss!

Oh and there is more…..

tomorrow!

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Take a picture of me.

July 5, 2011

Dear Aaron, Juliet, and Kingston,

You have a beautiful story of redeeming love and I am privileged to have captured the heart beat of your family through these. May the warmth of this day radiate into your home in Washington as you hang and consume these images.

I think it is hard not to have fun at Big Beach, but I think we experienced the best of Maui right there with the sand in our toes building sand castles, looking for shells and running from the waves.  I know you will come back soon with a taller, even more handsome and funnier Kingston!

Aloha,

Ajja

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Grandpa and Cousin stepped in for this awesome one.

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After an hour and a half chasing after Kingston, coercing him into natural smiles he turns to me standing on this rock and says ‘Take my picture!” and flung his arms out to the side. It was a gift to me.

 

 

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Maui No Ka Oi…..I mean Mommy No Ka Oi!

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Yes, you have to remember these three cuties!!

Here is another look we went after that day. I absolutely adore these dresses, the boots, the Gerber daisies and each and every expression on their faces.

True joy

true girl,

true play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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B&J

May 20, 2011

Dear Ben & Jess,

When we first met last year I chose for us to meet at Pertucci’s and I just loved the look on your faces as you were telling me your story and, Ben, you realized that this was indeed the place you two had decided to ‘officially’ start dating. I had that amazing feeling I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Your story goes back further than that commitment over ice cream! I have lost track of the dates that tell the full story, but what I do know is that your very real love for each other has been ebbing and flowing as naturally as the tide of the ocean. The best part is that it finally got expressed last Friday in the tidal wave of a party called your wedding!

Seriously, a parttttaaayyyyyy!!!

Looking forward to visiting Phoenixville often and meeting you two at Pertucci’s to hear of all the delights your everyday love story will bring you.

Aloha,

Ajja

 

I walked into the Starczewski home and this is one of the first things I saw. It was instant inspiration and reminder of why I do what I do. Priceless!

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Dad helping son with his tux, yes I think it could possibly be more priceless than the above.

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Jess had one of those dresses that dreams are made of, needless to say it came with instructions and thankfulness she had plenty of help to put it on.

I spoke with Ben & Jess about seeing each before the ceremony and they were adamantly against the idea, but months down the line they changed their minds.

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And for moments like these I am so glad they did.

They were floating and just resting in the comfort of each others arm.

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And for moments like this I know they were SO glad they did(:

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This is my favorite, Ben you are so genuinely head over heels!

And Jess may you always look at him this way when he plays you songs on the piano.

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The bridal party I have nicknamed Sass and Swagger. Hopefully you can see why.

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Jess’ dad did not know he was in the picture. I for sure did!

 

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Here is proof seeing each before the ceremony does not lessen the glory of watching your bride walk down the aisle.

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Father Jeff at the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli announcing that it’s official, Mr and Mrs Potts.

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Yes friends, Sass and Swagger, down at the Curtis Center in Philadelphia.

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This picture does not do justice to the moment because you can’t hear the original song Ben and Jess wrote and recorded for their first dance!

This guy owned the reception. And for good reason, boy has got skillz!

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Priorities here on the blog, I must keep to my priorities!

Glad to get this nameless move captured by the lady in the shiniest dress and tallest heels!

I understand now why these two chose the Curtis Center for their reception, it was almost as grand as the party they were going to have on the inside. Seriously, there was not a moment of downtime and no limit to the surprises that night.

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Ben and Jess this is just a taste of the images that are YOUR wedding day!

May you be feeling the sweet Punta Cana breezes in your hair Ben and Jess!

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Thank you Jason for literally having my back all day, even keeping me out of traffic!

 

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take time for tea.

April 21, 2011

Dear crazy cartwheelers,

I have missed you and I know, oh yes I know you have some great tricks to show off. So do your splits and practice your Spring Show routine cause here I come!

And look at this awesome tea party we had! You look so pretty.

Miss Ajja

This is just another set of photographs that has me SO excited to go back to Pennsylvania. I took these the day before I moved back in September and these incredible faces never got a chance to say hello to you all! So meet my friends Hayley, Ellie and Teagan. I have a lot to learn from them because they know how to PLAY.  They also KNOW  how to smile genuinely at the camera because they KNOW without a shadow of a doubt they are loved, beautiful and cute!

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Nashville Sweethearts

April 18, 2011

Dear Shannon and Jay,

You brought your Southern charm right here to Maui; it was evidenced in your laughter and genuine appreciation for every person you encountered. All evening it was about your love, but it also was about the entire experience of being on Maui, together, taking it all in. I hope these photographs bring to life the joy and sincerity that was packed into this evening because I know your family and friends back home are relying on them.

Jay, I am so glad you walked into Shannon’s workplace and whisked her off her feet, it’s obvious you continue to do that day in and out. Shannon, the way you fit into Jay’s arms and the way your smile  turns heavenly in his presence brings all sorts of  romantics onto their feet for a standing ovation.

And me, well I am still recovering from the fact that whales that came out to play that night.

Aloha,

Ajja

 

 

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After a little beach time we all gathered to set out on a little adventure.

I was so delighted to have me an opportunity to photograph a wedding on a boat. What a unique and fun idea!

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Shannon and I talked the week before and she said there was 90% chance of rain.

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The night before we had thunder storms.

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I reassured her this all meant there would just be a more beautiful sunset.

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The boys of  the Mahana Nai’a were just the best, it really felt like family to be on their boat.

Here is John, taking it all in, the fact his friend decided to get married in Hawaii on his boat!

Thanks to Pastor Laki the ceremony was so heartfelt and full of laughter.

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Every word spoken that night was full of emotion and intention.

 

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I love the view of the Pali tunnel here, one we don’t get to see often and a great backdrop here!

 

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Lois put together such a vibrant bouquet full of orchids and every color of plumeria imaginable!

We all settled into the wonder of the sunset while Pastor Laki serenaded us.

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Then we were off to go see the  whale show a bit closer!

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Night fell on us quickly as we marveled at the whales and the beauty of what the day had unfolded.

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I love this picture because somehow it makes me feel the breeze off the ocean and the peace over this evening.

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It was so special and I hope Nashville has heard all about it. This is for sure, this Maui wedding photographer is still taking it all in.

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From Miss to Coach.

April 16, 2011

 

 

I have been thinking a lot about these girls. Mostly because I get to see them in less than two weeks when I am PA. These are just a small portion of girls I look forward to hugging and playing around with in the gym. The amount of progress they will have made in 7 months will be absolutely astounding, it makes me giddy to think about.

As I came across this picture what struck me as much as the excitement of seeing them is that fact that I learned photography through their faces. I bought my first SLR camera and they immediately became  my way to learn. It was an intense beginning as  they present two big challenges; fast moving children and terrible gym lighting.

I can’t wait to hear them squeal, “Miss AAAjjjjjjaaaaa!”

And I will have to tell them they call me Coach Ajja on Maui (:

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kA tirA

April 13, 2011

Katira,

Thank you for the way you LOVE  to have your picture taken. It makes me smile that you want someone to follow you around for life and just snap, snap, snap all the day long! Well until you can afford me full time you got your dream for about an hour. And, wow, now I get it. If I had your looks and my face loved the camera like yours I would hire someone to follow me around with a camera too.

I hope a few of these inspire you and will make it to your new blog, website or at least Facebook page that you will create for your blossoming business. Your passion and creativity are fierce.

ajja

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If you saw the pictures that Wendy did for me earlier in the year you saw Katira’s work. Yes, here she is working it out as a model, but I mean her work as a hair and makeup artist. She asked me to help her put together some pictures for her website and plus she let me play and have some fun. We had too many ideas to execute in one day. Expect to see her again. I know you won’t mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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These two, oh yes, they are fun! I know that is why their clients LOVE them. But to sit in on Day 3, Business and Marketing,  I know why they have been SO successful, they work hard, really hard. But there is such a love there that it seems they don’t work hard at all. Integrity and boundaries are two words that really seem to sum up the way they run their business. They know the in’s and out’s of what they do and it gives them such clear intentions of why they are doing it.  Or maybe it’s the other way around?! Either way I was so impressed with how they had such a great way of making it all seem SO attainable for me. I need that, simple, clear direction when it comes to business.

My favorite thing about the day was the time at the end of the day set aside to make a goal or two after all that we had heard. Drumroll please…..my goal was to create a checklist for an ideal workflow for one wedding. I am happy to say I finished it, but it was actually very easy after all the tips, tricks and inspiration they gave. Seriously, they were such open books and for that I am so grateful.

How do you like those two Nashville shakas? Hang loose, Maui misses you two.

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This day was so much fun. Zach and Jody  have such a great ability to set you up for success. We were particularly blessed to have a small group which meant we had a lot of different set up’s and chances to practice. Again, their methods are meant to give you the best ‘in camera’ images, which means less time in front of the computer! I love this. A lot.

Look at us here; we were the lighting tramps of Paia for the afternoon!

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Zach explaining the in’s and out’s of the light meter. Such a happy tool I have never had the privilege of using.

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Just a pretty picture for ya! No lighting here. Look at her cool pinky tattoo!

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Zach rocking it for us in the first set up.

Here is Anna setting up for our new spot.

Ashley showing me some shoulder for this ‘before’ shot without light.

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Now you can see a little more of that shoulder, but even better her eyes!

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Here you can the see the Paia slide (traffic) going along getting a good view of our little outdoor studio.

They gave us such a useful and simple formula for setting up these shots. Took the intimidation factor right out of off camera lighting.

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Zach using his modeling skills here. Though I think this looks closer to a yoga pose!

Show her how it is done Zach!

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Another set up with Jody. Jan getting some feedback. She had an Olympus (I believe the rest of us were Canon shooters) and both Zach and Jody bent over backwards to make sure she was taken car of. Awesome.

Look at that palm tree grazing Jody’s side. Thanks for coming to paradise and working!

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Zach giving us the second light low down.

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Happy Photography couple. They even wore matching colors for the occasion!

Anna laughing with Zach about the excitement over his images and this process. Truly never a dull moment here.

Here is an after and before for ya.

We really had such a beautiful night.

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Two more images with some back lighting added, you know because that is what us off camera lighting folks like to do.

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In all seriousness I am excited to continue to get really confident with this and make this my own. I can see so much versatility in being able to incorporate this and putting my own ‘ajja’ on it.

 

 

 

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