Video by: Krystle Marcellus
Interview by: Don Wallace
Audio Assistance: Christy Davis
Music by: Sir Fish
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The entire day was seamless for our photography, having had an engagement shoot earlier in the year, they were seasoned pros at forgetting about the camera and just being themselves. Congratulations Bethany & Donnie!
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That day we never left their house. Upon arriving I went through and evaluated different rooms for good lighting and background options. After brainstorming with the parents, we styled out the areas and had 4 great indoor location options and 2 outdoor areas to add variety to the portraits. I set up a small studio lighting kit that could be moved through the rooms and we were on our way. Because we were at the family's home, everyone could easily do multiple outfit changes, we even managed to pull Brody the dog and Turtle the cat into a few photos. Being at home also helped to manage the chaotic moments that can come up during a family shoot with easy access to baby's favorite things (puppets, toys, snacks, the dog and other entertainment). These options mitigated any meltdowns and allowed us to shoot 6 different looks with 3 outfit changes for almost 2 hours!
So while there are many great outdoor locations for family and child shoots, talk with your photographer and consider if an in-home shoot could work for you.
I am also equally in love with golden sunrise light. Bethany and Donnie were amazing - they were willing to trust my 6 a.m. call time for a great adventure that we could capture for a lifetime of memories. And boy did it pay off. Everything came together for this shoot, the light, the love, the energy, the adventure, the weather - (the coffee). The Ko'olau's took a break from their winter rains to stand above us looking majestic as ever and cotton candy clouds painted over the sky in all the right places. 3 outfit changes, 4 locations, 2 cups of coffee, 5,000 kisses, 50 dips = priceless.
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I had the opportunity to work with this great Honolulu family at one of their favorite places to go together on the weekends and relax. When we got there the kids were immediately comfortable looking for sand crabs and ready to throw a pole in the water. It's always great to photograph at a family's "backyard" beach because the more relaxed everyone is, the more fun we'll have during the shoot.
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A wise person once told me, that cameras do not make portraits. And this session with Kauhane totally reminds me of that. A bright eyed 19-year-old, over 6'2" is one of the sweetest kids I've met. We spent the morning laughing, enjoying the view and turned out with some great photos. During the shoot we took some chances, when you're new to posing, you've got to go big and try out different things with your body. As time goes on during the shoot, you'll find your flow, let down your guard and then we'll make photos like this.
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I am so appreciate to my community of friends, family and clients. Everyone that I have worked with, photographed and laughed with this year has made a difference in my life and where my business is today. Mahalo nui loa and now I want to do something to give back to you.
Win a free Portrait Session with Krystle Marcellus Photography
$250 value, session includes sitting fee, an online gallery for proofing & sharing and four print resolution files for a group of up to 6 people.
How do you enter?
1. 'Like' Krystle Marcellus Photography on Facebook
2. E-mail [email protected] and explain why you or someone you know deserves a free photo session and include a photo to support your reasons (you can enter a group of up to 6 people as well as individuals). We will post some of the best submissions on our Facebook page and make the final selection on January 11, 2012.
Rules:
Entries from all ages are welcome. You may submit on behalf of another person or family as long as you have permission to use their photo and information.
One entry per person.
Shoot must be booked by 12/31/13 or it will expire.
Shoot must be on Maui (if more than 25 miles from Wailuku, a travel fee will be added) OR during a working visit to Philadelphia (selected February and May dates available).
If a group entered is larger than 6, a $25 per person fee will be charged for the session.
Personal use only, does not apply to wedding or corporate photography.
All applicants will be added to our quarterly newsletter.
All applicants must 'Like' Krystle Marcellus Photography to enter.
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Many of you may recall the photo story I did in 2009, Waiting for Relief, on the rebuilding shortly after the Philippines was slammed by two back-to-back typhoons. Due to unfortunate weather and minimal means for prevention of disaster, Manila's 12 million people are under water again and they need our help. I am making a call to anyone who is able to donate what they can to Migrante International, the organization I worked with during my month in Manila. With just $200, I watched them feed hundreds of people, so that is what I want to do, raise at least $200 to feed hundreds.
Migrante International is able to make change with such little funds because of its amazingly dedicated volunteers. I can whole-heartedly say that each penny donated to this organization is used for relief efforts for those in the most need. So please check out my photo story and help make a difference in even one person's life by donating on my Be1Vision page or go right to Migrante's website.
Much aloha and love for all of your support.
]]>I'm learning to really appreciate and be thankful for the times that are good. I'm surrounded by so much love in my life, one of the strongest families I've ever witnessed, and I get to be a part of it! It also makes me appreciate even more when I cover events and get to be a part of other people enjoying great experiences with the closest people in their lives. One of my brother's was in town this week with his girlfriend and seeing my family come together and just embrace every moment that we have together was so beautiful. My Grandma turned 99 in May and has taught us all how to love and care for each other in the realest way. Conquering things head on and experiencing things as they really are and without attachment or judgement. I hope that I can continue to be like my Grandma and my Uncles in my life AND in my business. These principles of love and doing what is right are universal.
Mahalo nui loa to my Ohana.
Everything is about balance. I am starting a new project working with Google and I have been putting a lot of effort into this new work. Much of it so far has been training in new software and learning how to shoot virtual tours-very tedious process (yet very rewarding). It's so good to get out of your comfort zone and learn a new things within your field, it can only make you stronger.
So during this process, I've been missing shooting. Because more time at the computer means less time in the field. So I decided to take a look at what I've done recently as a reminder to what work I've gotten up until this midyear point. And I'm happy to see the mix and really had some inspired experiences working with great clients so far, excited to see what happens from here.
Sunset images during final shootout of a 4-week class I taught at Lighthaus Camera.
Sunset Light in Kaanapali.
Pregnancy Shoot in California with Jaime
Malia & Brian Wedding at Zuma beach in Malibu.
Malia and Janean prep for the wedding.
Wickes Family gets air at the Maui Tropical Plantation.
Choppers dump water over fire in Kula.
]]>I've been excited to take photos for fun and have the good fortune of making pictures while teaching lessons as well. So here are a few from Kanaha Beach, where many people look past, but to locals we can see the beauty. I took a few students here to practice basic photo techniques.
I was feeling this way today so I went for an acupuncture session, planned my meals for the week, went to the market and worked on my breathing to relax my mind. When the emotions started to clear, I sent out 2 leads I've been thinking of and found some photos that I've never published to blog for you today. Whenever I have doubt I work to stay focused on the thought that I am going the right way in life and that every experience adds to my character.
Many of you know, I keep a mostly vegetarian diet and believe that you should stare the meat you eat in the face with a clear conscious. My Uncle raises chickens at my Grandma's house as they've done for generations. While this chicken went into a pot for soup with green papaya, I think he went easily and with respect. I lost these photos I took about 3 years ago and have had this picture stuck in my mind ever since. I found them on an old card I never use and was really excited.
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Senior portrait in Kihei, HI, one hour before sunset with a fill flash.
I've made the leap and am now being fully supported through my photography work once again. It's a freeing and scary process to start over. Not too many people talk about the emotional rollercoaster that you go through when starting your own business, but I am going to be honest about my experience as I go through this first year of change. I'm in a new market, new state and forming a new network. Change is exhilarating to me, but it takes constant reminding of my goals to stay on track and remove doubt.
Much of the work I've been getting so far has been in teaching. I've had so many amazing mentors in my life. My experience with each of them has really made me the person and photographer that I am today. I was reminded by a thought that I've always had about my career while watching Mad Men last night and it is that I don't really think I chose photography, I think it chose me. So as I've transitioned to my dominant work being in teaching these last 2 months I get a lot of my inspirations from all of the people that have taught me the way. Also, I've found myself shooting for fun a lot more.
Here are a few photos from a few days I spent in Philly. I'm starting to play with color in Photoshop on my portraits. Testing it out.
But more often I feel inspired and I strive for inspiration to be my first reaction to all good work that I see, recognizing my own capabilities in the process. I moved to Maui to go back to my roots, be with my family and learn how to look inward. I lived in Philadelphia for seven years, working hard everyday, feeling stimulated and inspired from the city and other outside sources. Rarely did I ever stop to look at myself and check in on where I was. I have spent the last three years doing just that. I value both experiences and know that everything in my life has led me to who I am today, therefore each experience has value in the now.
As this new year moves forward and I am pursuing my photography business full-time. I made a commitment to myself and my work that I will give it the time and space to grow. And I will strive to be inspired and to inspire by always checking in with myself to know that I am exactly where I want to be and doing all that I can to attain my goals.I challenge you to look where you are now and see yourself completely.
A child looks down an alleyway in Medio batey in Muñoz, DR.
cows graze in a field after a heavy storm.
a man sits by the road after working for the day.
A little boy leans over a railing and dangles his feet outside of the Muñoz batey school, Ebenzer School.
Dalina Rojers looks for water in the batey. The water supply to the Muñoz batey has been cut off and no one is sure why.
