Red Heart Photography » wedding lifestyle photography on Hawaii

For those of you who don’t  live in Hawaii, you may not have heard of “Furlough Fridays”.  As a parent trying to see the glass half full, I have decided to take full advantage of these extra 17 days with my boys home from school by having “Fun Fridays”.  

Here are a few articles: 

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091023/BREAKING01/91023028/1362

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/22208/76/

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/bulletin/65822337.html

Unlike the majority of people quoted in the media, I don’t think my kids are going to be less prepared for life by missing school, in fact I welcome the break of routine and authority. 

I hope that by being home and out on our excursions, my kids will learn that there is education outside of the classroom.  In the next few weeks I plan to take them on hikes, an art museum or two, snorkeling, and at least one trip to zoo (where Mr.L wants to have his birthday in the tiger cage with the baby tigers!). 

Here is a little of our first of many Fun Fridays.  

Only about 7 more weeks before the baby is due.  I am starting to feel the waddle everywhere I go.  I see myself spending lots more time in the water with my new housing.  :)

xoxo, Marina

Almost 2 years ago I met Curt, Ramona, and their awesome kids.  At the time they were living on Maui and thinking about moving back to their hometown here on Oahu.  Now they are back and settled in Laie, a little town on the North Shore.  Curt and Ramona are still shooting weddings and making a name for themselves here as a part of the Wedding Cafe family.  Also, Ramona and I shot a wedding together!  I will post a link if she blogs it.  It was a good one.  :)

Here is one from the last time we got together:

Wow the kids have grown!!!  And there is one more….

And then we all got wet.  :)

As you can see, I now have an underwater housing for my camera.  If you are a bride who wants to go surfing in her wedding dress on Oahu before I give birth (December 5th!) email me!  I want you in my portfolio. 

xoxo, Marina

The day after my accident Jason and I spent the day shooting Kara and Iosefo’s wedding.  I was still a little sore with a bum knee but that didn’t stop me!  :)

Both getting ready and the reception were at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki.  The hotel is large with lots of different spots for outdoor photos.

Then everyone headed up to the  Bernice Pauahi Memorial Chapel at Kamehameha Schools for the ceremony.  It is such a beautiful venue. 

Iosefo’s cousin and Hawaiian musical talent Keali’i Reichel played for the wedding party as they came own the isle.  It was pretty unreal to hear such beautiful music LIVE! 

Then we all headed back down the hill to Waikiki for the reception.  Kara’s brother’s band One Groove flew over from California to play at the party.  Again, you can’t go wrong with live music.  

Congrats Kara and Iosefo!  Thanks for letting us be a part of your fun day.  

xoxo, Marina

Thursday night, I was shooting 3OH!3 and my van got towed.  That should have been a warning or a sign….

Then the next day as I was giving my mom a ride to her last radiation treatment, I got into a car accident and totaled my van.  My husband had just bought it for me for our growing little family.  I had never been in a car accident so severe before.  

After spending 5 hours at the hospital hooked up to a fetal monitor, I was told the baby was okay and we could go home.  It was also Mr.E’s 5th birthday and I was so bummed that I couldn’t do all the things I had planned to make it a special day.

The next day I shot an 8 hour wedding.

Yesterday, we finally found where the van had been towed and went as a family to say good-bye.  

Now the boys are home for Fall Break and I feel a bit at a loss.  I’ve had a full week of drama and the work is piling up.

I just want to say thank you to my husband Jason who has been my rock though all my emotional ups and downs this past week. 

xoxo, Marina