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How did you get into photography/what do you love about it?
"My father before he past was an artist and photographer. He devoted his time to sculpting, painting, sketching, drawing, building, creating, and was proficient in film photography and developing. Out of all his artistic passions, the one that stood out the most to me was photography. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to follow him around with my plastic disposable camera and mimic the photos he took on his canon F-1. I would tag along on his wedding jobs and try to get the same angles and shots he did, although it always depressed me how everyone would look at his camera and not mine. My family would always tease me about being the family's paparazzi. As I grew up, I never had anyone to photograph and practice on, and I never enjoyed photographing landscapes, so eventually I decided to reach out to a couple girls from instagram and that's when I started to really get into photography. Photography is everything I love about art; it is visual, it is stimulating, and it is challenging. It is awe-inspiring that you can create something so beautiful with the light around you. As a photographer you can manipulate light to do what you want or you can let it control what you do, that is amazing. There is a science behind each photograph, however unlike most fields of science there is a whole world of creative and inexplicable mystery. Photography is my connection to the past and the present - the way I deal with change and loss, and I suppose my choice of therapy and expression."
Where is your favorite location to shoot in Hawaii?
"When it comes to my favorite place to shoot in Hawaii, I would probably be expected to say the beach or ocean. I love both, and they are definitely one of my favorite places, however my number one location is at a hidden waterfall or river. To find a private waterfall in Hawaii is a lot of walking and a lot of work, because I would assume it is the favorite of many other people too."
Where is the most surreal place you've traveled for photo shoots? (Or in general)
"As an island girl, I haven't traveled the world as much as I hope to or will in the future. The most surreal place I have traveled to date for photo shoots is when I went to Bali, Indonesia. I was there for almost a month and the whole time I kept pinching myself to make sure it was real."
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
"One day I hope to be able to travel to England, UK. Again, as childhood dreams go, this one must be number one for me. As a kid I spent a whole lot of time reading Jane Austen books and watching my nerdy British Si-Fi shows, wishing I lived there instead of Hawaii. Another of my dream destinations would be Egypt."
Do you prefer warm or cold vacation destinations?
"For destination climates, I've only ever traveled to tropical locations or during warmer months, so there is a strong appeal to experience winter or a chilly environment. It would be interesting for me to see if my body, mind, and camera could handle the snow."
Do you have any travel plans for the Spring/Summer?
"I am planning on spending more time on the island of Maui this spring, and I might have some exciting summer travel plans in the works, however as a rule I try to live by - I don't like to work myself up until plans are finalized. I like to be optimistic, but I am a realist."
What are your must-have travel essentials?
"For must-have travel essentials, I am known to greatly over pack. Everything seems to be essential until I am finally at my destination and only use about 1/4 of what I packed. However, my camera gear is a must have on any trip because I think I might have an anxiety attack if I didn't have it attached around my neck at all times. I always carry around a book I am reading at the time, and I would say really comfortable walking shoes."
Where is one place you would never forget to take your camera to? "I am pretty good at taking my camera with me to most places, although I would never forget to take it with me if I am going to see an amazing view or lookout point. Amazing views have become a cliche in the world of social media, but you can't really blame anyone - it is an amazing view so how could you not snap a photo of it?!"
What are your favorite SGLA sunglasses to shoot with? "This will actually be one of the hardest questions because I honestly love all SGLA sunglasses. At the moment I really love shooting with your Modern Translucent Frame glasses - they are the clear frames and are so fun to reflect light off of. I am also very excited to shoot your Internet Censorship sunglasses. I am always inspired when I have props and accessories that inspire me to go a little further to creating a better photograph. You don't really realize how importing details are when photographing something, but better images are found in the details."
Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers? "My advice for any aspiring photographers or really anyone who has an endless love for something is to do what you love and find a way to do what you love. It will be challenging, but if you don't try with every fiber of your being you will always wonder what could have been. You don't have to turn what you love into a job, sometimes just being able to do it is enough. And make sure that you still love doing it in the end. The hardest part of photography at the moment for me is turning what I love into a job, and yet at the same time keeping it fun and exciting."
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