Project Demi 365

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I started realizing that lately life has been revolving around one person..........Cole.  Surfing takes a lot of time.  Cole's 5th grade homework takes a lot of time.  (Why did we change math people?  Don't try to fix things that aren't broken...helloooo)  Monitoring of Cole's new FB page takes time.  Cole.  Cole.  Cole. Poor Demi.  Demi just comes along for the ride even when she doesn't feel like it.  You'd wonder why any of us would ever get tired of being at the beach, but it does happen.  Sometimes Demi doesn't want to go, but he wants to.  Cole surfs, we all go.  So is the life of a younger sibling to have to join in on the good AND the bad.  (I remember listening to my sister's choir practice, going to her Volleyball practices, drum marching band parade things, the list goes on.)

So.  I've decided.  It's time for a cool project involving this child of mine named Demi.  It's called Project Demi 365.  I've vowed to snap a photo (nooooot with the iphone.  With the bad boy Canon 5D Mark II.) everyday, for 365 days.  A year.  Now...don't get me wrong.  There will be times when I won't be able to.  (She'll be at her Father's house on the Westside.)  But the rest of the days?  I'll be in her face with a camera.  Getting a screenshot in the life of a Maui born 8 yr old.  Expect this to be somewhat artsy because I'm not shooting fancy.  I want this to be a bit raw.

What I hate about being a parent.

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Seeing your child in pain is of course awful.  But what can you do?  You can't say no to everything for fear of them being injured.  Parenthood is all about the slow letting go moments.  From watching Cole jump off a boulder at 2,  to letting him surf in double overhead waves (for him at least) with the big boys at 10.  It's hard.  And my hair is not getting any less grey.  Or silver I should say because at least that sparkles.  The stakes are bigger now.  He's 10.  He's stronger.  He wants to be a ripper surfer which means bigger waves, stronger currents and injuries.  Owies.  Boo-boos.  And people laugh at me when they hear that he still sleeps in my bed.  (Shhhhh don't tell his friends.)  He can be there as long as he wants.  It's not weird.  He's my baby.  And I only have these moments for a little while and then he'll be a teenager and want nothing to do with me.  And then he'll be a man.  Poof.  Gone.  Childhood is quick.  I'm holding onto every moment I can.

Anyway.......

Cole's home from school today with a really sore back from his afternoon session yesterday at his good old homebreak of Hookipa.  He was shivering.  He was scared.  He got slammed.  Luckily he's going to be okay.  But I would be lying if I wasn't terrified when I saw the look on his face coming in from the waves.  Be safe buddy.  And here's to getting better so you can rip at this weekend's contest.

Barbara Vanderpool of Miss Bee Calligraphy and Pacific Weddings Magazine.

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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

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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

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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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My kiddos.

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BIG SALE ON HOLIDAY PORTRAITS WITH MEEEEE!  BOOK ME AND I'LL INCLUDE THESE SILHOUETTES!  $175 FOR 1 hour session at the location of your choice.  Cute silhouettes included!

Ever since my first trip to Disneyland back in '83 (just kidding, I don't know what year it was) I've been obsessed with these silhouette drawings.  Mine are FAR from being drawn, but hey, my Photoshop skills are probably better than drawing, so these will have to do.  Not too shabby if I don't say so myself.....I love their cute noses and chins.  Cole thinks he has a mullet.  Not quite kiddo.....

Next up...silhouettes on pumpkins!  Then after that I'll throw these in some cool funky vintagey frames and put em up.  Love cool, quick, crafty crafts like this.  Fun stuff.

 

Dreaming of Maldives

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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

 

Give us this day, our daily bread....

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I stole this recipe from someone I went to school with who has a beautiful blog (and a perfect family I may say) and is a very talented photographer.  Leah Naomi is truly an inspiration to me.  I love her simplistic approach to photography and also being a mother.  She is everything you would want a Mother to be, nice AND a great homemaker.  (Did I just use the term "homemaker?"  Yes.  I did.)

Make this bread TODAY.  It's so yummy and easy to make.  There is something truly special about baking bread at home.  The kids were so excited when they got home from the cold (okay, sort of cold) surf with the smell of fresh baked bread filling our home.  Crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside.  Seriously yummy.

Kind of a fuzzy photo, but you get the idea.

Tomorrow I'm adding jalapenos and cheddar to the recipe for something zesty.

Baking the Perfect Loaf of Bread at Home Formula and Process created by Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan St Bakery

3 cups (430g) flour 1½ cups (345g or 12oz) water ¼ teaspoon (1g) yeast a little less than 1 tablespoon salt olive oil (for coating) extra flour, wheat bran, or cornmeal (for dusting)

Equipment:

Two medium mixing bowls 6 to 8 quart pot with lid (Pyrex glass, Le Creuset cast iron, or ceramic) *I use a dutch oven Wooden Spoon or spatula (optional) Plastic wrap Two or three cotton dish towels (not terrycloth)

Process:

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add water and incorporate by hand or with a wooden spoon or spatula for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Lightly coat the inside of a second medium bowl with olive oil and place the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest 12 hours at room temperature (approx. 65-72°F).

Remove the dough from the bowl and fold once or twice. Let the dough rest 15 minutes in the bowl or on the work surface. Next, shape the dough into ball. Generously coat a cotton towel with flour, wheat bran, or cornmeal; place the dough seam side down on the towel and dust with flour. Cover the dough with a cotton towel and let rise 1-2 hours at room temperature, until more than doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 450-500°F. Place the pot in the oven at least 30 minutes prior to baking to preheat. Once the dough has more than doubled in volume, remove the pot from the oven and place the dough in the pot seam side up. Cover with the lid and bake 30 minutes Then remove the lid and bake 15-30 minutes uncovered, until the loaf is nicely browned.

Details. It's the little things.

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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.

 

 

 

All the leaves are brown...and the sky is grey.....Wishing for Fall.

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Dreaming of a chill to the air, boots, caramel-colored coats and pumpkin spice lattes. Fall was my favorite time of year when I grew up in the Sunny state of Oregon. (Kidding on the sunny part.) No, but really people. Fall in the Pacific Northwest is RAD. Beautiful colors, a crispness in the air, sunny days and chilly nights. Maybe I'll pull out my Frye boots today and wear them. With cutoffs and a tank top that is.....

Fall