Hawaii - The Big Island and Kauai

Aloha everyone!
I have just recently returned from an amazing journey to the Big Island of Hawaii and Kauai Island. I had the pleasure of joining Nikki and Dan on their honeymoon to document their experience and the beauty of the places they chose to spend their time together. 
We saw an amazing array of landscapes... from the desolation of the lava fields outside of Volcano, HI to the sandy beaches of Kauai, to the lush jungles of the Na Pali Coast and the Kalalau Trail.  We stayed in Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii, Halalei (where Puff the magic dragon is from) on the island of Kauai, and camped a night on the Kalalau trail... which Sierra Club rates a 9 out of 10 for difficulty. If that is a 9, Everest must be a 10!
Here are some preliminary pictures from our big adventure, hope you enjoy them. I may post a video as well, so stay tuned!

Many, many thanks to Nikki and Dan for including me during this special time in their lives.  I have become good friends with both of them through our travels and challenges and enjoyed seeing all of these wondrous places with them. 
Mahalo Nikki and Dan. 
Aloha to all the people who love Dan and Nikki...


 

Hilo - Big Island
View of the observatory on Mauna Kea.




Birds of Paradise near Hilo


Volcanoes National Park - Big Island


Volcanoes National Park - The great Pacific Ocean meeting the Volcano shelf


A blessing from Pele the goddess of fire


Pele in all her glory - This is where the lava meets the cool waters of the Pacific... it was absolutely amazing to witness this.


This is the private viewing platform we went to with a local. It was so nice not to be with 1000 other people during this event!


Akaka Falls State Park - This falls is over 400 feet!


Right outside Akaka Falls Park


Wouldn't be Hawaii without some surfing!


One of Hawaii's beautiful beaches. The day we were there there were 100's of families grilling food, hanging out, kids surfing and running on the beach, a true local experience.


Wind Farm near Kohala, big island


The beautiful couple of the Kalalau Trail.


View from the trail


Hanakapiai Beach


View from about mile 4 on the trail


Creek at mile 6 where we camped.


Kalalau Trail Head signed adorned with Lei's and walking sticks.


Hanalei - Ke'ee beach


Ke'ee Beach


Hanalei Pier - one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Amazing cliffs and mountains right into the bosom of the Pacific. The mountains look like a sleeping dragon..


On Ke'ee beach our last night on the island...
Love this shot!

Great Job Everyone!

Nikki and Dan have a lot of people who love and care about them, that's for sure. That was the fastest 25 comments in the history of this blog!
Can you take it to the next tier?
50 Unique comments gets Nikki and Dan a 16x20!

Feeling the love...

Jon

Nikki and Dan - The wedding preview images.

Hello all!  I am proud to present a small sampling of images from Nikki and Dan's wedding this past weekend. You may remember Nikki and Dan from the engagement images. Well, this weekend at Hidden River Events in Swannanoa, Nikki and Dan tied the knot. 
It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend to have an outdoor wedding in the mountains, the sky was blue, there was a light breeze and the humidity was low. Nikki and Dan's families flew in from all over the country to be with them this weekend and Mother Nature rewarded them for their love for Nikki and Dan. 
 After knowing Nikki and Dan for a year, I felt like one of the family as I went to capture their wedding this weekend. Nikki looked absolutely stunning in her dress, orchids in her hair, a beautiful smile on her face, she looked radiant. Dan and the boys looked dapper in their tuxes as they made their way to the ceremony, walking along the rose pedal lined path where Nikki would soon join them. 
As I accompanied Nikki and her Father, Larry, in the horse carriage to the ceremony area, Nikki was calm, full of love and glowing. It filled my heart to be around her in this moment. Her love for Dan was evident in her every move and breath. 
The young couple wrote their own vows and recited them to each other during the ceremony. I must admit, a bug must and flown into my eye while Nikki was reading hers becaue my eye started to water as she declared her love for Dan. (ok, I was crying a little).
The ceremony over, Nikki and Dan rode off in the carriage, made a lap around the beautiful venue, and returned to the ceremony area to take some pictures with me while the guests made their way to the reception tent.
All day long, through the ceremony, the reception, the toasts, the dinner, the cake cutting, everything that was done, and said, one thing was obvious, these two were meant to be together. From the stories shared, both new and old, I believe that these two were destined to be together, and I, along with the guests, reveled in their love and joy. 
It was a wonderul, enchanted day and Nikki and Dan enjoyed themselves and loved on each other in a way that was inspiring to behold. I am so glad I was able to be a part of their wedding day. 

Thanks so much Nikki and Dan! 

If Nikki and Dan receive 15 comments on this post I will give them a free 8x10 ($40 value) If they get 25 comments, they will recieve a free 11x14 ($80 value). Tell your friends, people. 


Needs no explanation.


The Beautiful Bride.


The Boys!


I love their embrace here!


When it comes to love, this says it all!


Nikki and her smile!


In the comfort of each other...


Your carriage awaits, my lady.


The gang!


Remember I said during their engagement images that they had been practicing their first dance. Whoa! It was hot! Not your normal boring first dance! I know this is representative of their union...great stuff!


The beautiful bride.


Loving embrace. What a day!

Asheville Gems: Moog, Toubab Krewe and Echo Mountain Recording Studio

I have once again been blessed by the Moog Foundation. This time in the form of an invitation to Echo Mountain Recording Studio to capture images of Toubab Krewe's finishing touches on their new album. Toubab Krewe has been a big supporter of Moog Music and the Bob Moog Foundation throughout their wonderful career. 2 of the members are Asheville locals and have known Bob Moog since they were young and have been using Moog equipment for almost as long. 
The guys in the band were kind enough to grant the Moog Foundation access to their recording sessions so that they could capture Toubab using Moog equipment on their album. In addition, Drew Heller, guitarist for Toubab, gave an interview with the Moog Foundation about how Moog insturments have influenced him and how he uses them to get the sounds he wants.
During all this, I got to be a fly on the wall, taking pictures and hanging out, in, what is one of the most amazing spaces I have had the opportunity to be in... Echo Mountain Recording Studios. 
No detail was left undone in the building of Echo's second space. The opportunity to record an instrument lies in every corner and crevice of the building, including the bathrooms. And when I saw that, I had the thought: "Why not! Even my singing sounds pretty good in the shower!" From the lighting to the choices of wood for the baffles, to the amenities, to the control room, to the lounge, Echo has it all. Balconies over looking downtown Asheville, roof access to get a breath of air, video editing... it's all right there. Another wonderful feather in the cap of Asheville, N.C.. 
So big thanks to Moog for the invite. Big props to Toubab for the upcoming album, which is rockin' if I do say so! And many thanks to Echo for allowing all of us in to document this wonderful occasion. 
I love this town!







Recording in the bathroom, Luke said it sounds like the home his teacher lives in, being constructed from stone and corrugated metal. **Note the Zildian cymbal light fixture.


Holdin' down the rhythm in the back.


Giving the low end some flavor.


Toubab uses a lot of unique instruments accumulated form their extensive travels... check out the cigar box guitar. Mix that with a bank of Mooger Foogers and you have Toubab Krewe.


Drew upstairs in Echo laying down the guitar tracks. He had the whole room to himself. It was amazing to be in that space with him while he communicated with the band and laid down the various tracks and sounds for the new album.


David feels the beat as he works the Rickenbacker.


Drums and bass keep the beat moving along.


This is one of my favorites. This is the space Drew sat in as he recorded. What a gorgeous room, the light coming in through the windows, mixed with the wood floors and red curtains, and the solitary light on Drew... to cool! I love Drew's shadow on the floor as well.


The setup for the interview with Drew.


Drew talking with Meg from Moog Foundation.

The Beauty of Being Pregnant

I love shooting images of pregnant women. I think it is due to the awesome transformation that is taking place, the "glow" that pregnant women get and the overall aesthetic of a woman, heavy with child. The curves of the belly and knowing there is a little person in there soon to join this world, fills my heart to be around. 
These shots are from a recent session I did with a soon to be Mom and Dad who wish to remain anonymous. I must say that Mom looks wonderful! Her belly is gorgeous, her skin is flawless and her glow is full of joy and fills the room when she walks in. Mom is probably about to give birth any moment now, and I wish her and Dad all the best as they prepare to bring their first child into the world.
I hope to be able to capture baby's first moments here on Earth really soon!

All the best to you three!



I am really digging the subtle color tones in this image.


Mom and Dad sending love to the little one.


The heart of Mom's hands with the strength of Dad's.

Nikki and Dan - Engagement session

One of the aspects of my work I enjoy the most is getting to spend time with, and document, people in love. Nikki and Dan are perfect examples of this. 
The new couple hired my a year ago to shoot their engagements, wedding and bridals shots. During the year since we signed the contract, I have gotten to know Nikki and Dan really well. We have had many email and phone conversations and the subjects of those conversations have ranged from the many aspects of planning a wedding, to Buddhism,vegetarianism, live music and everything in between. 
Nikki and Dan are one of the couples you hear people speak of... the couples who were made for each other...  "a match made in heaven"... This is not lip service. The support each other fully in their endeavors, they stretch each other to grow, they laugh a lot, honestly listen to each other and to be around them is a real joy. 
Recently, after battling scheduling Dan in Ohio, Nikki in Cary NC, and a non cooperative mother nature, we finally got together in Asheville to shoot their engagements images. We spent time downtown, in the Flat Iron building, and at one of my favorite locales, the botanical gardens at UNC Ashevile. We ate chocolate, walked around and laughed as I kept the camera to my eye looking for images that best represent Nikki and Dan's deep connection. I think I got several images that show their love...


Thanks Nikki and Dan... I had a blast with you guys!





Love the big smile on Nikki's face. This was shot walking around downtown Asheville.


A quiet moment by the creek at the botanical gardens. One of my favorite images.


Lounging on the grass. They are so comfortable together, and this image captures that.


Nikki and Dan spent four months working on their "first dance" for the wedding. Knowing how much time and effort they put into it, I asked them to give me a little demo during our shoot. I was impressed, these two know how to move around the dance floor! * More to come of the dancing couple from the wedding.


Another sweet moment of their deep, loving connection.


Too cute! Hanging out by the river.


This is my second favorite. Nikki leaning on her man, and Dan there for her completely. Love it!