Fotos by Mendi

12/02/2022

I didn’t expect to feel so much exhilaration and excitement as I did while shooting these! It was incredible and so beautiful!

Here are some quick edits from last night at the Mauna Loa eruption :)

Shot on my using a and lenses. Edited on my using .

11/10/2022

Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. When the moon was at full eclipse, it had a hint of red and I was able to capture how cool and vibrate the moon still was despite looking very dark to the naked eye. Last picture is the eclipsing moon.

The star captured along with the moon made this so much better and different than most moon pictures I have seen posted.

08/03/2022

Sometimes you see a moment in your mind that makes you say to another person, “Don’t move!” Then you jump up and run to get your camera at 1am and take this photo.

Jenn was super stressed out during the time that this photo happened and was spinning from personal and work issues crashing at once. But in this moment, during this conversation, at 1am on our lanai, she lite up and I ran to capture it!

Happy birthday to our good friend and business partner! You deserve the world!

02/16/2021

The last picture here...letting the world know how strong she is going to be. I can hear her say, “I am a tiny feminist now, but just you wait!”

So grateful that our friends chose us to capture these beautiful moments with their first newborn. We have enjoyed seeing Evelyn Grace already growing up in just the space of the few times we have seen her.

My favorite moment was a couple days before this photoshoot when she fell asleep in my arms 🙂

01/12/2021

This week we talked story with Cisco and we’re inspired by the story of his two cousins and love he has for them.

Meet Cisco. A fun, caring and generous man whose mother is Taiwanese and father is from Iowa and is of German, Irish and Italian decent. With his diverse and rich heritage, he has a unique view of family, and being raised in Hawai’i. He says, “Growing up in Hawai’i has truly been a blessing. From as far back as I can remember family has been a focal point here. Any excuse for us to come together or throw a party, we jump at the opportunity. Family, love, and respect are the pillars of the islands. One of the most proud moments of my life, besides graduating from high school and community college, was when two of my cousins got their American citizenship.

It was a long and tedious process for my two cousins to get their citizenship, and not many people are aware of how hard it is. Not only was it very time consuming, but it was also very expensive for them. All the while, they were going to school, and also dedicated to going to English as a Second Language classes. So for them to complete all of that, and now to see both of them being successful and sending money back home to Taiwan to help their family, well, it makes me very proud of them. Proud to be their cousin, and I love them as younger brothers. I truly love my family and all of their sacrifices, and I’m proud to call them fellow Americans, because to me, being an American means to be loyal, true, kind, and just. I see that in them and all their hard work.”

01/08/2021

Check out the new culture and diversity series we started doing over at Limitless Pacific, our new photography partnership!

“I’m not a stagnant person. I’m the type of person that when I master something I need to go to the next level, next step.”

Meet Chelsey Sjolie. A Filipino Norwegian powerhouse woman who shared with us her story of determination and perseverance.

Chelsey took a waitress job at the Beachhouse by 604 and decided she wanted to be the most knowledgeable waitress in the restaurant. She quickly moved up to a bartending position, where she began to implement more effective procedures and policies that grew the business. It didn’t take long for the owners to take notice and they quickly promoted her to restaurant manager.

She is compassionate yet holds steady to high standards and expectations. She prides herself on strong leadership. She pays attention to detail and works tirelessly. The owners of the 604 restaurants agreed with this. Yesterday, after only two years, Chelsey was promoted to the General Manager of Restaurant 604, an achievement than can take up to ten years!

In a field that is generally run by men, being a women there is no easy task. When asked what keeps her going, she laughed and said, “Rough waters make great sailors.”

12/15/2020

Here they are after edits! That sunset was fire and so stunning! Check out our last post on Fotos by Mendi to see the shots straight from the camera.

No matter how good your camera is, the artistry of photography lies in many areas. Editing is a huge one, composition is the ultimate one and knowing your camera and gear is critical.

- cause a phone alone can’t do this!

11/07/2020

These are straight out of camera, unedited images from tonight’s sunset, but they are so awesome, I just had to share them!

Good luck in South Carolina and sad to see you leave Hawai’i!

In collaboration with Limitless Pacific

10/19/2020

A fun, light hike today in Oahu’s lush jungle.
Shot and edited on my iPhone. Before and After in comments.

10/10/2020

Fear the reaper of fish. If you are not careful, he will follow you into the deep.

10/09/2020

Katrina practicing her bubble rings for our underwater shoots and looking good doing it!

Hawai’i has been a dream in so many ways and being able to do this in the open ocean with clarity like this - yeah, it’s as great as it looks!