California Dreamin.....

I moved!

Took the kiddos and moved to Encinitas, the last "real" surfing town left in California.  (Don't argue with me, it's true.)

We survived our first two weeks.  Brought the kitty, our surfboards and our wits.  I couldn't be prouder of my kids.  They are AMA-ZING.  They took the challenge and ran!  They love their new school and are digging the cool weather.  There is so much I forgot about on the mainland.  Hummingbirds, skunks, deer, fog, farmers markets and TRAFFIC.  :)

Here's a splash of what we've been up to.  Cole's best friend Max also moved here.  Pretty convenient....  I'm about six months behind on blogging so forgive me!  I'm catching up!

Reflection, Maui Photo Group

I assumed for this project featuring the topic "Reflection" most of us would be using the medium of water.

I had a great idea and then it got lost in the day to day things I do.  (And most of all I don't have a way to shoot myself and my daughter without help from someone.)

SOOOOO......My lifelong friend Mariah will be the subject today!  I LOVE getting this shot during a bride's "getting ready process."  I like to switch the focus back and forth between the mirror and their veil.  It's pretty and a classic.  I always make it black and white.  Seems more fitting.

Congrats to my first Bride Mariah.  She was confident enough in my ability to let me shoot my first big wedding with her and her husband, Scott.

And now they have a baby.  :)  Can't wait to photograph that little sweet girl.  Can't wait to meet you Baby Claire!

Make sure you follow our Maui Photo Group's circle by checking out Trish Barker's interpretation of "Reflection" here.

 

Negative Space, Maui Photo Group

Negative space is our Monthly Maui Photo Group's "challenge" this month. It's one of my favorite design principles within photography and I use it on almost every applicable photo shoot.

Negative space, in art, is the space around the focal point or subject, thus creating a silhouette or a shape within itself. The use of equal negative space in composition is said to be good design. Because I shoot portraits and weddings, I like to incorporate negative space in my shoots. I think it's a challenge to nail the composition with people. Knowing I had this topic as our monthly challenge for April, I took that into consideration during my last few shoots and tried to have some fun with it. As you can see, I have a wide range of portraits and shoots. Funny because I always thought I was a better landscape photographer and now I don't think that so much.

Make sure you check out my talented sister in law Wendy Laurel's interpretation of negative space here.

Claire & Jonathan, Haiku Mill, Haiku Hawaii

Thank you to Matthew Alvarado, of Beloved.   He's taught me so much.  What a pretty event.  I loved all the colors.  The flowers were sooooo beautiful.  The PINK.  The pink is amazing.  And of course, let's not forget.  The prettiest venue ever, The Haiku Mill.  Best part?  I live 5 minutes away.

 

 

 

 

 

AND last but not least......The Food.

Wow.  Maui Executive Catering did a beautiful and delicious job.

I sort of really enjoy shooting food.  Isn't their food pretty?

 

Maui Family Photographer. The Elyas Family from Canada

Finally.  I blogged!  It's been awhile and I apologize!  I'm back in action and am ready to blog away!  Hope 2012 is treating everyone fabulously!  I'm super happy to be blogging this great family from Canada.  Enjoy!

Barbara Vanderpool of Miss Bee Calligraphy and Pacific Weddings Magazine.

Stop looking around on Etsy, or Ebay or where ever for this type of talent.  For real people.  Just come here,  www.stephaniesheveland.com for rad insight and links to sweet vendors like this one.  Barbara Vanderpool (isn't that a great name?)  is who you are looking for.  Calligraphy is the name of her game.  She is uber talented.  Graceful.  And lives 10 minutes up the jungle from my jungle on the North Shore of Maui.  I first viewed Barbara's work at a wedding at the Haiku Mill that Mike Adrian shot.  I noticed there were some plates that had some incredible font on them, naming the tables at a gorgeous wildflower garden themed event.   I was impressed.  Soon thereafter, I realized the coordinators were the great team from Belle Destinations, and I quickly found out about Barbara. So off I went!   To Barbara's house now.  And there I FINALLY got to enjoy her art.  In Nature.  In the garden.  With cool fabric, some silly props and a beautiful calligrapher.

Thank you Barbara.  (P.S.  I learned we share the same random birthplace somewhere in Southern California too....)

I started doing some calligraphy in High school.  How lucky was I?  What a very progressive place, to be studying calligraphy and photography and pottery at at high school?  (We won't talk about my violin playing.)  Such a beautiful art. A true refined art.  It's not something I get to do anymore.   (Too many hobbies, sewing, baking, etc..)  Someday maybe I can study with Barbara.

I truly respect what Barbara does, because I know the amount of patience is involved in this type of art.  Lots.  And her perfect execution is, well......delicious.

 

 This is where we did the shoot.  Stupidly pretty.  This is why I live in Haiku.  Like Oregon, but warmer.

You can view more of Barbara's work HERE at Pacific Wedding's beautiful site.

 

 

 

 

Haiku Mill Wedding, Yaebin & Nick

I was lucky this summer to photograph quite a few weddings with the very talented Matthew Alvarado of Beloved. I'm lucky he lets me tag along. Nick and Yaebin chose the gorgeous Haiku Mill in my hometown of Haiku, Maui. Yaebin was probably the most photogenic bride I've ever seen. Seriously. Her skin was perfection! I loved shooting this because not only was the group really fun, they chose all the best vendors. Did you see that bouquet? And how about that Groom's cake? (Apparently he had a small obsession with "Lost.") Fun stuff. Very pretty. AND I guess no one caught the bouquet because it landed in the chandelier! Congrats to Nick and Yaebin. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness! All-Star vendor list is below.....

Catering: Maui Executive Catering Bar: Garnish Events Rentals: Island Rents Specialty Rent: Pacific Event Group Videography: Hawaii Video Memories Officiate: Keli'i Brown Musician: Ron Schecter DJ: Ace Beats Tent: Maui Rents Cake: Designer Cakes Hair: Dan Sanchez Florals: Bella Bloom

Four Seasons Maui

The Four Seasons Maui. Understated elegance, unparalleled service, amazing food (chef Sam Faggetti you are talented) and just plain awesome.  Dreaming of sitting on the lounge chair with my boyfriend and having a cold Corona.  Until then, I'll "settle" for shooting weddings there.  :) 20111017-190324.jpg

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Dreaming of Maldives

So my lovely friend Lena from Belle Destination Weddings and Events recently vacationed at the Maldives.  If any of you have heard of this place, you will know what I'm talking about.  HOLY AMAZINGNESS.  I always think Maui is beautiful (which of course it is) but the Maldives are BREATHTAKING.   Really ridiculous.  Apparently star-studded as well.  Lena "ran into" Kate Bosworth and Darryl Hannah.  (Of course I couldn't resist asking if Darryl's mermaid tail made it's appearance when she went swimming......glad you all enjoy my sense of humor and love for cheesy 80's flicks..)  It's pretty much 48 hours of travel from anywhere because it's smack dab in the middle of the Indian Ocean (have no clue where that body of water is....I guess by India? ;) but apparently well worth the jet lag.  I happen to love island-style, so along with some photos I stole off of the resort's website (click here to wish you were rich and/or famous enough to go) I also created my own style set for the Maldives.  Oh, and in honor of Miss Lena, I also threw in the island-style Fedora hat.  She sported one in all of her photos.  A true island fashionista.  Enjoy.

p.s. I also threw in two of my favorite Maui companies.....Hula Hoops Maui for the most amazing jewelry (at last night's wedding I shot for Belle Destinations, I noticed all of us women vendors were wearing this brand of jewelry.  If you live on Maui and you want to be cool but look HOT you wear this line)  and also Acacia swimwear by Naomi Newirth and Lyndie Irons.  Check em ladies.....

Dreaming of Maldives

 

Details. It's the little things.

I love shooting details.  It's fun to tell the whole story, even if it's just a silly two hour beach wedding.  Love shooting the rings, the dress, the shoes, the food, the drinks.  Why not?  Plus it makes it easier to build an album and vendors LOVE it.  Fun stuff.  Even if there aren't details, I make them up.  Tell the story of the day and the bride and groom will be happy clients.

 

 

 

Kyle and Nicole, True Love

Kapalua.  Two lovebirds.  Middle-school sweethearts.  These two have it all....brains, looks, class and LOVE.  So happy for their engagement.  It was so much fun to shoot these young cuties.  Good job Kyle, you scored a really gorgeous young lady!!

 

Kyle and Nicole, Kapalua Engagement Shoot

A quick shot of the gorgeous Kyle and Nicole from Denver, Colorado.  Can't wait to show you more.  They were darling and sweet and together 9 YEARS from middle school.  LOVE IT.

Let the Love....and ME.

Let The Love is a RAD photo blog for weddings and engagement shoots that shows off true and honest photography.  They had a contest with the theme of "Summer Love."  They wanted to see "romance in the sun."  I just happen to have a great shot of the beautiful Shelley Laine (my lovely baby sister) and her gorgeous man, Marlon Lewis.  (Yes, the son of famous windsurfer and shaper Jimmy Lewis.)  Marlon loves to spearfish, so I caught (no pun intended) a great shot of Shelley trying to steal a kiss....  And I WON!  YIPPPEEEEE

Check out Let The Love's blog here.  You can also click on their logo below to see my post on their Facebook page.  Keep up the awesome blogging Tory and Wendy, you guys rock....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haiku Mill, Corey and Jim

This is how I photograph weddings.  Fun details.  Beautiful couple.  Lots of love. Jim serenaded Corey as she walked down the aisle.  Seriously?  Where do women find men like this?  :)

Jim and Corey were a pleasure to work with as were all the amazing vendors at the Haiku Mill.   I've shot a ton with Matthew Alvarado from Beloved.  What a talented guy. Kudos to him for allowing me to tag along and capture the beauty in this union.  Stephanie from Garnish provided the pretty cocktails, for whom I LOVE working with.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Maui Vow Renewal, Kapalua Bay, Jim and Sue

For those of you who know me, you know I've had a tough year.  It's called "DIVORCE."  It sucks.  It's hard.  It hurts.  And of course I shoot a ton of weddings.  Lots of tears at these events!  I've hid behind my camera so many times, crying, trying to pretend it's because I'm so touched by the vows being exchanged in front me, but it's not.  It's because I'm sad.  Wondering about love.  Testing my faith. I still believe in love.

 

Maui Wedding Photographer, Hotel Wailea, Suzanne and Dinan

After this sweet couple's vows were exchanged, we ran down to Polo Beach and did some fun beach shots.  More later from their awesome event at Hotel Wailea.  Big thanks to the talented Rachael Barnard and Kara from Hotel Wailea Weddings and Island Rents.  Beautiful two day event.  Thank you........