Kathleen Davenport Photography Blog

Is your dream powered with passion?

2011-10-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Click here to listen to the music which inspired me to create this image:

Yanni - Reflections of Passion - Live at the Acropolis

I'm feeling highly energized this morning, mostly because I'm caught up on my sleep and also because I'm hugely passionate about what I do. I love being able to capture and create beautiful images and also now to be able to use these images in my success workshops and seminars.

I photographed this pond and stand of trees on a recent trip to Kansas. The unedited image was nice, but I really wanted to pull out how inspired I was feeling. I gave the trees a fiery quality which, to me, represents the fire you have to have to follow your passion.

Uplifting Water

2011-08-01T01:02:00.000-07:00

I recently learned that the image of uplifting water strengthens and protects you against negativity. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a statue, standing in the middle with uplifting water rising on all sides around you. Hold that thought whenever you're feeling under attack.

I call this image of the Bellagio Fountains "Dancing the Night Away." I created it during a recent business trip to Las Vegas where I and a team of amazing individuals were being coached and trained by Jack Canfield (author of the Success Principles and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series). (Stay tuned for more info on my Focused Success seminars and how I'll be incorporating that alongside my photography.)

I created this image in black and white to emphasize the light and lines. Usually I'm all about adding color to enhance an image, but for Vegas I thought it was better to strip away the facade and see what's underneath (another teaching point from my success seminars!). I added grain for texture and if you look closely, you can see the water specks flying all around--I didn't try to clean them out of the picture. Rather than try to enhance an already over-the-top scene, I wanted to make it more authentic.

I like authentic.

When lightning strikes....

2011-05-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

....you get out your camera and take pics! We had thunderstorms yesterday. Big ones. Not unusual for those of you who live on the mainland, but for us here in Hawaii, thunder and lightning is a big deal because it doesn't happen here very often. So I don't get a lot of practice! In fact, this was the first time I've ever tried to photograph lightning. Although I got a little wet, I got to see an amazing light show. What I learned about photographing lightning is that it takes quite a bit of patience and a fair amount of luck. And the guts to go into a storm.

Making molehills out of mountains

2011-04-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

When I'm faced with having to learn a new skill or try something that'll require a bit of effort on my part, I tend to procrastinate. I guess it's because I know there's going to be a learning curve and I'm the type that likes immediate results. The thought of climbing that mountain is exhausting. So I just sit in limbo rather than get into action. Part of my rationale is that I'm waiting for the moon and stars to align just perfectly and I'm waiting for that big chunk of time to free up on my schedule. So rather than get into action, I do nothing. (Sound familiar?)

About two years ago I was introduced to a new technique to enhance my images. I put off actually trying it (for two years!) because I knew it meant that I would have to sit myself down, study the information and do a lot of trial and error. It would take extra time, something I've convinced myself that I don't have a lot of.

Anyway, this past weekend I decided to take a little break from my routine and play for just a little while. I pulled out some images, started watching the training videos, and jumped in.

What surprised me is that it didn't take as long to learn as I thought it would. (Isn't that the way it always works?) That mountain wasn't nearly as big as I thought. Or maybe I'm a quick learner or maybe I just didn't pay attention to the time. Whatever the case, what I learned is that those things that seem difficult and time-consuming aren't as bad once you just get started. My mountain was really just a little molehill.

Here's another favorite which just goes to show what you can do once you get into action.

So if you're like me and tend to procrastinate, my advice is to just lean into it. Get moving. It's not as difficult as you think.

If you'd like to see a few more images that I've enhanced, look here: KD Portfolio

Sewa Fare (Joyful Celebration)

2011-04-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I volunteered my services to Island Pacific Academy's annual Mardi Gras. It's always an awesome event with great entertainment, very unique silent auction items (many handcrafted by the students), good food and great fun! This year's theme was "IPA goes on Safari" and everyone got into the theme by turning out in animal print outfits. Guests were greeted by an African dance troupe called "Sewa Fare" which means Joyful Celebration. I love the sound of that!

Turn up your volume and enjoy the music video slideshow!

IPA Mardi Gras 2011 - IPA goes on Safari

(click on the link above, it'll take you to my website where you can see the video
and other pics from the event)

Carefree!!!

2011-03-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

My daughter and two of her friends asked if I would take them to the beach this evening to watch the sunset. Since I'd had a very busy week, I thought it was a perfect spur-of-the-moment idea! While they poked along the beach and took pictures of each other, I took pictures of them. They played in the waves, watched the birds skittering along the sand, and they even buried a dead fish. As the sun set, I caught them jumping off this concrete slab. They were giggling and chatting and just enjoying each others' company. I'm so glad I gave in to their spur-of-the-moment request!

Glory and greatness

2011-03-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

I've never seen a rainbow like this before. I was out doing a senior portrait session this morning and we were waiting out a rain shower. I was sitting under the tree and saw the faint impression of the larger rainbow, but from where I was sitting, I couldn't see the second rainbow closer to the horizon. As the rain let up, I decided to go get a shot of the larger rainbow. Imagine my surprise when I saw the vivid second rainbow underneath. Life lesson - sometimes greatness isn't always apparent. You have to get up and go see what's really there.

Morning Has Broken

2011-02-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Got up early this morning because I have a very, very full plate this week. When I went to bed last night, I was already stressing about how I was going to get everything done on time. So I was in my office working about 5:30 a.m. Around 6:45 I opened the blinds in my office and the sky caught my eye. I saw these magnificent colors forming on the clouds against a striking blue background. Grabbed my camera, and was about to head out the door when I realized I was still in my pajamas. (That would not have been a pretty sight for any neighbors to see.) Quick change and then I jumped in the car. Sunrises and sunsets happen quickly, so you have to act quickly. I was afraid I might already be too late to catch the best rays, but I told myself, "It's never too late." As I got to my favorite spot, the sun was just peeking above the horizon. So I stopped to relax a minute and catch my breath, and I got the privilege of watching a beautiful morning unfold. I started shooting, but there were times when I just sat and watched the colors develop. Since it had rained heavily yesterday, the air was cool and I heard a stream flowing in the distance. Beautiful. A reminder that it's okay to slow down, no matter how busy you may be. As I thought about what to call this image, a perfect song started playing through my head, "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens.

Those of you who were around in the '70's will remember this song and in case you're too young to know it, here it is:

Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens

Happy Monday!

There will always be weeds

2011-01-17T17:25:00.000-08:00

I took this image yesterday, not knowing how I was going to use it or what I was really going to do with it. I just happened to notice the weeds and how they fit into the larger picture.

This morning I was having a discussion with a dear friend and business associate. We were discussing a problem she was having when I thought about the image I took yesterday. I said it out loud:

"There will always be weeds."

We both thought about it for a minute, and realized that yes, weeds are always going to be underfoot. There will always be weeds in your garden (just as there will always be bugs at your picnic or rain in your day.) What's important is to quickly deal with the weeds and bugs and then focus and enjoy the surrounding beauty. There's always a bigger picture for you to see. You just have to see past the little annoyances. Oftentimes, those little annoyances help you appreciate the good stuff all the more!

(P.S. I'm excited to announce that this image is the first of a Signature Series called Lessons From the Lens©. These images will be available as fine art prints on textured portfolio paper or heavyweight giclee canvas. Stay tuned for more details.)

Wet & Wild

2011-01-16T17:11:00.000-08:00

Twenty to thirty foot waves were forecast for today, so I grabbed my camera and my daughter to keep me company. Instead of heading to the North Shore and fighting traffic, we headed to the Waianae coast. It was a beautiful drive and the waves were thunderous. I watched one guy taking pictures with his point-and-shoot just as one of the waves splattered over him. Fortunately, he was far enough away that the force of the wave didn't do anything but get him seriously wet, but I kept my eye on him. (Not that I was going to go after him if he got eaten by one of those monster waves.... ) Later, I caught up with him and we joked about how he was getting a little up close and personal with some of those waves.

Old and New

2011-01-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

My daughter had friends visiting from college, so one evening I asked if they'd like to do a portrait session. I thought it would be fun for them and it would give me a chance to play around a bit. They did their own hair and makeup and we pulled out some clothes and jewelry. Kylie had pulled her hair into a pretty bun, and when I saw how she looked I knew exactly how I wanted to photograph her. I had her put on my daughter's vintage dress (the one that's shown on my website homepage) and here was the beautiful result. I love the fact that this is a modern-day 20-year old, but she looks timeless.

And here was another fun one from the session. She was checking her texts during a break and I simply asked her to hold that pose.

You've Got a Friend

2010-12-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

This image is one I took two years ago, just after my oldest daughter graduated from high school and her friends were all getting ready to head to different colleges. They were sharing one last sunset at the beach together. Their friendships have endured since grade school and they most recently got together just a few days ago for a party at our home. It's wonderful to see them all grow and change, and to see how their friendships still remain strong.

So when a friend shared this song today, it reminded me of how valuable our friendships are. (This song was suggested for someone who's creating a playlist of positive songs to listen to whenever she gets a little down.) This song takes me back and always wraps me in warmth. I'd forgotten how much I love it.

To all of you who are reading this, my warmest aloha to you and yours and I hope all of you are blessed with an abundance of love, gratitude, and great friendships! I hope you'll share the warmth!

Maternity Portraits

2010-12-06T17:27:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I love doing maternity portrtaits. I get to photograph some amazing things, and a woman awaiting the birth of her baby is so magical. Here's a portrait I recently did that I just love. I think the look says it all. I call this one, "Lindsay Waiting".

I'm always chasing rainbows

2010-11-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

I was ready to settle in and do some office work this afternoon. Then it started raining. Pouring. And the sun was shining! That meant only one thing-- rainbows! I'm a sucker for rainbows. So I grabbed my camera, jumped in the car and headed to my favorite little bluff overlooking the city. Of course, rainbows only come about when it's raining and the best shots are when the water is still coming down. I really don't like taking the chance of getting my camera wet, but you really can't get a good shot while you're sitting in the car. So I hopped out and snapped away. Getting wet was worth it.

Living in the Moment

2010-11-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I truly, passionately, absolutely love what I do! I get to capture a moment in time. A moment that will never be repeated. The light will never be the same, the clouds will never be the same color, the expressions will never have the same look. Just recently I got to capture a moment with Peter and Tiara against the beautiful Ko'olau mountains. As I put them in position, we saw the sky start to change color and the sun shoot across the top of the mountains. It was one of those "omigosh" moments and as soon as I snapped the image, I knew this moment was a keeper.

Why I love senior portraits

2010-09-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

High school senior portraits are definitely one of my favorite types of sessions. Maybe it's because I have two teens of my own and love the challenge of capturing their personality. I get to be really creative and we have a lot of fun during the session. We chat. And sometimes we just stop and laugh.

I think the main reason I like working with seniors is their energy. They have the whole world waiting for them. We talk about their plans for college and what they plan to study. Where they want to go and how they came to their decision. It's fun knowing I'm photographing future surgeons, nurses, journalists, designers, engineers, and who knows? I hope they'll drop me a line in the future and let me know how they're doing.

More Senior Portraits

Hawaiian Shaved Ice--In Kansas!!!

2010-08-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Who would imagine finding a Hawaiian Shaved Ice stand in Kansas??!!! This little place in Junction City, Kansas was a surprisingly great find. Living in Hawaii I'm used to having some delicious, authentic shave ice. Pelican Pete's in J.C. was a treat! The ice used at Pelican Pete's was more finely ground than what we're used to in Hawaii (I liked both kinds), and the flavors were just as yummy. The 110-degree heat index also made these taste especially good.

We got a huge kick out of the decor......

Tiki man was a bit scary-looking.....

And I'm pretty sure we don't have alligators in Hawaii....at least not on my roof we don't!

The kids (my two daughters and a friend) enjoyed the oversized swing.

But my favorite decorative item was the pedal-boat-to-nowhere....

A great place to go on a hot summer afternoon! (Evenings are great, too--the place is ablaze with twinkly lights and happy music.) How can you help but love a place like this??! It'll definitely be on my tour stop the next time I'm in town.

City Girls and Country Cows

2010-08-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

I was in Kansas recently, helping my oldest daughter get settled back at K-State. It was also a great time to visit with friends and family.

One of the first days I was back home, we visited a dairy. Since my girls are "city girls," my mom thought it'd be fun for them to see some cows close up. Visiting cows was not on my girls' list of things to do while on vacation (their idea of sightseeing is to visit shopping malls), but they went along for the fun. We were warmly welcomed at Hildebrand Farms and invited to go visit the cows in their pens. (I had to remind the girls to stand upwind, not downwind!) It was great fun, and I'll bet those cows have never been photographed so much!

This little calf craved attention:

She even offered free kisses:

And more pics:

It was a great little visit to Hildebrand Farms. Although we didn't get a chance to try the ice cream, we did buy some delicious fresh cheese curds. The ice cream will have to wait til our next trip....

Shooting my kids

2010-08-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

This was literally one of the hardest sessions I've done in a long time. It was hard because these are my daughters. And they wouldn't sit still! They kept giggling, tickling each other, refusing to get close, and then they'd complain they were hungry. One would make a comment and they'd fall over in a fit of laughter. I told them it was easier to photograph the family pets than it was to photograph them! (You can see some of the pet pics in an earlier post.)

We'd been planning to do a formal session for awhile. My oldest daughter (the one on the left) was home from college for the summer and both girls wanted formal portraits taken. (Caroline will be a sophomore in college and Catherine will be a high school senior this fall.) My friend Corvette Dela Cruz is an awesome hair and makeup artist and she offered to come over and make the girls up. They were so excited! You would think that being the daughters of a photographer they'd be tired of getting their pictures taken. Not necessarily. When they're in the right mood, they love to ham it up for me. This session was especially fun (and challenging!) because I'd shown them some ideas I had and they were just plain giddy.

It took me over an hour to finally get the shot I wanted. Not because I'm slow, but because they'd sit for a second, then look at each other and burst out laughing. It's a far cry from when they were younger and would argue constantly or simply refuse to cooperate. (Someday I'll have to post a pic I used for our Christmas card when the girls were little. I tried to get everyone smiling, but my youngest refused to smile. So the annual card had a family pic with her scowling while everyone else was smiling.)

For this session I was finally able to get them to settle down by doing what I always do when working with wild animals. I bribed them with food. I told them that if they'd sit for just a couple more shots, my husband and I would take them out for a nice dinner. It worked like a charm.

It's nice to have this image of the two of them because creating the image was almost as fun as seeing it finished. I smile every time I see it.

How did I get here?

2010-07-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

I'm often asked, "So how long have you been doing this?" That's not a quick answer. Most of the time, I find that when people ask this question they really want to know how I became a photographer. It seems photography is one of those jobs a lot of people dream about and so they're curious how I actually got to where I am.

I opened my photography business almost 3 years ago. But I've had a camera in my hands since I was about 10 years old. When I was a teen, I trained in a darkroom learning how to develop my own film and processing my own black and white/color prints. I absolutely loved the smell of the darkroom and the magic of seeing a photograph develop right before your eyes. If I'd had a good mentor, I'm sure I would've pursued a photography career right out of college. But instead, photography took a back seat while I followed a military career and raised a family. I continued to take pics, but mostly just happy snaps here and there. After I retired from the military, I spent several years as a consultant teaching photo organization and preservation. Finally, I decided it was time to get back to my love of photography. It was time to pick up my camera and get serious.

I studied, took workshops, and studied some more. I've been fortunate to train with world-class wedding and portrait photographers. I've trained with a photographer who was a Pulitzer-prize runner up. I've learned printing techniques from a Digital Print Master. I continue to take classes and workshops to improve my techniques. I'm also a member of several professional associations which has helped me become a better photographer and a better business-person. Photography may seem very glamorous, but there's a lot of hard learning that goes along with it.

About the above picture. It's my absolute favorite place to go and relax. Do you know where this is? Hint: It's not on Oahu. My family and I go here to relax, unwind, and do absolutely nothing. I go here when I want to reflect on where I've been, what I've done, and where I still have yet to go. I don't get to go here as frequently as I'd like, but the few days spent unwinding is all I need to get re-energized and re-focused. I hope you have a special place where you can do likewise.

Lantern Floating Ceremony

2010-06-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at Magic Island. What a beautiful experience. The ceremony "remembers those who gave their lives in conflict, allows for reflection on the memories of loved ones and dedicates prayers for a peaceful and harmonious future."

Even though I don't like crowds and was feeling a little under the weather, I told myself I would go this year. I've seen the beautiful images of the lanterns floating on the water and knew I had to take my camera and go. Over 40,000 people were in attendance, yet my daughter and I were able to make our way to the water's edge for a good view. As the 2,000 lanterns were released, I found myself wading into the water (jeans and all) to get a closer view.

The music, the ceremony, and the incredible sight of the lanterns floating off in the distance was truly one of those "chicken-skin" experiences. If you've never gone, this is one of those events you shouldn't miss. The event is sponsored and officiated by a Buddhist sect in Hawaii, but people of all religions participate and the ceremony is one of "inclusion and harmony". What a great concept!!

And in case you're wondering, the lanterns are collected from the ocean before they get too far out to sea. This keeps the environment safe and the platforms are re-used the following year.

The sky was singing

2010-03-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

I was working very late last night. I was overwhelmed by paperwork I'd been putting off and feeling rather frustrated by the whole mess. I had the TV on and was half-watching Oprah when she announced The Canadian Tenors would be on her show. They had no idea that they were going to be surprised by Celine Dion (whom they'd admired for years.)

Just watching this and listening to their beautiful vocals was everything I needed to end my day. It was amazing how a great song could so quickly change my mood. (Their reaction to Celine was equally priceless.) And it got me thinking about how a great image can do the same thing. A great image should make you pause.

I shot this image after a long day of meetings and various errands. I was tired and my drive home was made even longer by slow traffic and rain showers. As I neared my house, the clouds and the sky started to take on this beautiful hue. For half a second I was tempted to just continue on home, I was so tired. But the sky was SO incredibly striking and I had my camera with me, so I pulled into this park and started shooting. Even after the sun went down, I just stood there amazed. It was the same feeling after listening to this song. I hope you'll pause a moment take this all in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tubL9EaiztM&feature=player_embedded

Song: Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. I first heard it by kd lang at the Winter Olympics and I was mesmerized.

Who says you can't have a second chance?

2010-03-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I got a nice pic of a rainbow. My biggest disappointment was that I didn't have my wide angle lens with me. The rainbow was so big that I couldn't get it fully in the frame from my vantage point. I knew I'd have to have just the right conditions to try and capture it again--late afternoon, showers coming in, and I'd have to be up on the hill with my camera ready--not an easy thing to plan since I don't generally have time to camp out and wait for rain.

So when showers started rolling in again, I made sure my camera was ready and that I had my wide angle lens on it. Fortunately, I was at home when it started raining and could see the possibility for a good rainbow. So I grabbed my camera and drove to this spot near my home. I was rewarded with this insanely beautiful rainbow. And this time I was ready!

Draw whatever conclusions you'd like, but there's a lot to the saying that "Success happens when preparation meets opportunity." I thought it would be a long time before I'd have the opporunity for a shot like this again, but fortunately, I was ready for it to happen sooner than expected!

Are you ready?

Rain brings rainbows!

2010-03-10T01:23:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday was a very busy day for me. I started out with a meeting in town in the morning, followed by another meeting and some errands. By the time I was ready to head home, I was tired, hungry, and stuck in rush-hour traffic. Off and on showers made the traffic even slower than normal.

Rather than do battle with traffic, I decided to stop and pick up a mock-chicken salad wrap from Down To Earth (if you've never tried it, you absolutely must!). That perked me up and I didn't mind the slow drive home.

As I neared my house, I saw a beautiful rainbow forming overhead. I drove to a good vantage point and pulled out my camera. This was one of the hugest, most perfect rainbows I'd ever seen. In fact, it was a double rainbow!! It was so big I couldn't get all of it in the frame! (If I'd moved, there would've been a huge ugly fence in the picture.) This is a shot looking from Makakilo towards Honolulu.

What can I say about rainbows. They come out after the rain. They make a brief, spectacular appearance. You have to be quick to catch the moment. But usually, things are always brighter after the rain. Rainbows are proof of that.

Riding out Hawaii's tsumani warning

2010-02-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

I awoke yesterday morning about 6:00 a.m. and my usual routine is to groggily flip on my computer and check my e-mails. The first one I got was from a friend, titled "Praying for you!" That opened my eyes and I was instantly awake. I really didn't know what she was talking about until I read further and realized that the entire state of Hawaii was under a tsunami warning as a result of the 8.8 earthquake which had struck Chile hours earlier. I turned on the news just as the civil defense sirens started blaring. Facebook and Twitter came alive with chatter.

We live on the top of a mountain which is at least 900 feet above sea level and we're 15 minutes from the nearest coastline. So I knew we were safe (but if floodwaters ever do reach our house, then you can assume the rest of Oahu is underwater). Nevertheless, we filled our bathtubs with water and made sure everything was charged in case of power or water outages. We also checked our supply of toilet paper--you see, we live on an island and if anything happens to shipments, t.p. becomes one of the hot commodities around here. Food--I'm filipino so we always have plenty of food in our house, so no need to even check if there's enough to last us for a few days.

The first wave was expected to hit Oahu at 11:19 a.m. It was 6:00 a.m. when sirens started going off and the entire state began serious movement. I've never experienced anything like this, and to make a long story short, it was comforting to see the coordinated state response and the effective communication. Hawaii was very fortunate that the waves were much, much less than anticipated. We had been told to "prepare for the worst and hope for the best" and again, we're thankful for the way things turned out for us. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Chile.

As a photographer, I couldn't resist the urge to go out and take a few pics. (Yes, I know we were told to stay off the roads.) I wasn't about to go near the water (police were making sure people didn't), but I wanted to go see what was happening since I'd heard people were starting to fill the park and church in our neighborhood.

Since we live on a mountaintop, hundreds of people in lower areas began making their way up to our neighborhood. The main road uphill became a constant procession of cars. This normally empty street was packed.

People began setting up tents on the sidewalks. This is an overlook which gave a view of Diamond Head and much of the leeward coast. I saw trucks loaded with grills, water jugs, and pets.

The pets--I saw an elderly man sitting by himself, cradling his little dog in his arms and you could hear the civil defense sirens in the distance. I was driving too quickly to get the shot, but of all the things I saw and heard yesterday, that image stays with me.

All people could do was watch and wait. It was nerve-wracking for everyone, not knowing if their homes would be safe. Yet, there was an air of calm acceptance for whatever might happen.

While I was out driving around with my daughter and taking pictures, I got a text from a photographer friend on the mainland (Rita Lawrence with Bitsy Baby Photography). She said she was thinking of me and hoping all was well. I texted back saying "Believe it or not, I'm out driving around taking pictures!" She texted back saying, "I KNEW IT!!!

I didn't get the shot I wanted of this, but I had to take this one anyway. Earlier, there'd been a little girl sitting on top of the truck next to the box which said, "FISH FOR SALE." I thought it was priceless.

The tsunami turned out to be no more than a gentle 2-foot wave. But you never know how these will really turn out, so we stayed prepared. Anyway, all of Hawaii is breathing a collective sigh of relief today. I've been chatting with friends and every one of us seems to be using today to wind down from yesterday's emotional events. It was stressful. But we're all so grateful things turned out the way they did, and I thank all of my distant friends and family who sent their thoughts and prayers to us. (P.S. I'm still keeping my surfboard and swimfins within easy reach!)

Bridal Photo Shoot

2010-02-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I got to do a bridal shoot arranged by awesome hair and makeup artist Corvette Dela Cruz. (Corvette has this wonderfully bubbly personality and you can't help but have fun whenever you're around her.) We had great models (friends and family of Corvette) who agreed to have their hair and makeup done, put on some beautiful gowns and pose for the photographers. Such a tough job! They were so patient with us photographers as we tried to capture them from every beautiful angle. It was a fun day with everyone oohing and aahing over the gorgeous gowns. (Made many of us think about wanting to get married again, if only to slip into the satiny material for just a few moments.)

Hair and makeup by Corvette Dela Cruz, 220-0376

Wedding gowns by Princess Brides, 592-8888

Tuxedos by Hale Niu, 734-2125

Flowers by Pauahi Leis & Flowers (Leny), 521-6156

Location by Ocean Front Oasis, 497-2749

Photography by Kathleen Davenport, 372-0065

Here are some of my favorite images from the day:

Photo session with Miss Windward 2010

2010-01-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

I get to do fun stuff! The other evening I had a photo session with Miss Windward 2010, Lauren Cheape. Lauren is a sweet gal and we had a wonderful time doing some beach portraits. I think it's so fun to combine a formal gown with sand, surf, and sunset.

Lauren will be competing for the title of Miss Hawaii in June. Good luck, Lauren!!!

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

2010-01-12T23:49:00.000-08:00

Engagement portrait by Kathleen Davenport Photography

I've been really busy these past few weeks experimenting with some new techniques and outlining some exciting new plans for my business. As I looked back at some of my work from 2009, I was still figuring out exactly what kind of a photographer I wanted to be. Now, I'm much more clear about the type of work I love and want to do. As I tell people, I'm skilled at photographing a wide variety of things, but I specialize in family and individual portraits. I love interacting with people and bringing out their joy in the photos I take. I love the creative process. And my "style" is developing.

As I move into 2010, I've got a clear vision of where I want to go. Now I'm putting the pieces in place. I'm excited about some new services I'll be offering. I'm excited about the new opportunities that are developing. I hope you'll stay tuned!

A vintage-inspired session

2010-01-09T00:12:00.000-08:00

I love looking at old photographs. I love old movies. I love the elegance of the 1940's and '50's. So it's only natural that my style is a nod to the classics.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do a vintage-inspired photo session with hair and makeup artist Corvette Dela Cruz. Corvette has an amazing ability to transform her models into period timepieces. I have a young model who adores vintage fashion and was all-too happy to pose for us.

My good friend Tracie joined me on the shoot and we had a wonderful time making some awesome images.

(Click on the arrow to start the short music video.)

Pets like to have their portraits taken, too

2010-01-03T23:35:00.000-08:00

Today I was practicing some lighting techniques using my daughter as a model. After we finished, I noticed one of my cats had jumped up on the settee and looked at me as if to say, "I'm ready to have my portrait done."

So I quickly adjusted my lights, put a new memory card in my camera, and started shooting. Eventually all four of our cats took a turn, but Boots turned out to be the most relaxed and willing subject. He even came back for a second sitting after the other cats had finished.

Boots (aka "Mr. Photogenic")

Misty--if she were human she'd be a 1940's or 1950's glamour girl.

"You can bring me a drink and the paper now."

All images copyright Kathleen Davenport Photography

The last sunset of 2009

2009-12-31T21:47:00.000-08:00

I didn't plan well enough to get to the beach to see the last sunset, so this was taken from the overlook near my home. Farewell 2009, hello 2010!! (And yes, we have pine trees in Hawaii along with our palm trees.)

Cranes in the Fire Mist - A story of pre-visualization & patience

2009-11-28T12:27:00.000-08:00

Back in September I attended the first-annual Maui Photo Festival and Workshops. Met a lot of awesome photographers who shared amazing stories. One of those was Scott Bourne who told the story of how he captured the image, "Cranes in the Fire Mist." It's an incredible story of how he spent 12 years trying to re-create his own version of an image he had seen captured by another photographer.

For the image to happen, he knew several factors would have to converge. What were the chances? You have to read his story and see the final image. Scott Bourne's story of Cranes in the Fire Mist

I couldn't get the story and image out of my mind. I was struck by his incredible patience, discipline, and tenacity for getting what he wanted. The result is breathtaking!

UPDATE: On a whim, I called to see if there were any prints of this image available. To my surprise, there was ONE LEFT, so I purchased the last remaining print! It's now hanging in my office and is a daily reminder to stay focused on what I want, have patience, and know that the rewards will come.

Honoring our veterans

2009-11-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

I photographed this flag flying at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. As a military veteran myself, I ask everyone to honor and remember the sacrifices of our military members and their families.

Behind the scenes

2009-11-05T19:37:00.000-08:00

I thought it might be fun to show you a behind-the-scenes look at one of my photo sessions. This session was set up by a photographer friend of mine who wanted to get out all his equipment and play. We brought in a couple of models and had a great time shooting. We got to practice our techniques and had a lot of fun and got a lot of great images. Mahalo to my friend and fellow photographer, Ricardo Finney of Precision Photography of Honolulu for setting this up and taking this photo of me hard at work.

Here's the behind-the-scenes look:

And here's one of the finished products. The little girl is the daughter of a friend of mine and I just happened to catch this look in-between poses.

Ghosts at the Claremont Resort (my own experience)

2009-10-31T18:16:00.000-07:00

I'm in Berkely, California for a women's conference. My 16 year old daughter came with me and we're staying at a lovely, 85-year old hotel overlooking San Francisco Bay. We got here about a week ago and definitely had an interesting first 24 hours.

The Claremont Resort
(Click on the name above to see a pic of the hotel. We were staying on the far left end.)

Beautiful hotel lobby:

We've since changed rooms, but our original room was on the 4th floor, at the very far end of the hotel, Room 416.

Long hallways. Eerily quiet at that end of the hallway where our room was located. Room was smallish, but cozy enough with a view. But something just didn't feel right. Did not sleep well at all. Neither did my daughter. (I usually don't have any problem sleeping in hotels.) We kept hearing noises from the people in the room above and next door, and doors slamming shut.

In the morning, my daughter said, "Mom, I don't like this room." She had done a google search and found out that the 4th floor has had reported hauntings, one room in particular (not ours). I said it'd be alright, but in the back of my mind I was already thinking that I didn't want to spend another night on that floor.

In the evening we went downstairs and chatted with the bellman about good places for dinner. He said that since things were slow, he'd be happy to give us a tour after we had dinner. Said he'd take us to the 4th floor, there's "lots of trippy things there." We said, "We're staying on the 4th floor..." He asked which room and we told him. He didn't say anything, just that he'd be happy to give us a tour of the rest of the hotel later.

At dinner, my daughter said she really, really didn't want to stay in that room. So when we got back from dinner, we asked the desk clerk if we could change rooms. He smiled and asked if we'd been talking to the bellman. We said we hadn't heard his stories yet, but we'd maybe like to hear them after we changed rooms. We said we just didn't feel comfortable where we were and we'd really like to change rooms and move to another floor. Then the desk clerk said, "Don't worry, we'll get you out of there." Now THAT confirmed to me that something was not right on that floor.

Moved to another floor, and we immediately felt better. There was just something really unsettling about the 4th floor.

Talked to the bellman later. First of all, there is no floor above our old room. So there were no people above us making those noises. And there was no one in the room next door, either. Also, the bellman said the room next door supposedly has a lady in white who passes through that room. My daughter said that during the night she stretched out and her hand touched the wall (of the adjoining room) and it felt hot and "weird." She pulled her hand back and couldn't sleep.

There are stories about a young girl who reportedly haunts the 4th floor, playing with guests and the hotel staff. And the bellman told us a story about one guest who came down to the lobby in the morning, pale and shaking. The guest said there were "people coming out of the walls" of his room on the 4th floor. The bellman told us about another couple who pushed the record button on their phone as they were walking up to the hotel. They weren't talking to each other, but as they played it back, there were voices, one of a young girl saying "Mama." When I heard that story, it reminded me of something I heard when I used my cell phone and called my husband earlier in the day (while we were still in the old room). I called his cell but it didn't ring right away. So I called again, this time, before he answered, I distinctly heard a young girl's voice saying "Mama" just before my husband said hello. I remember thinking, "How did a child get on the line?" Really weird.

The bellman (who's been here 9 years and has seen and heard a lot) said that a ghost hunters team did come here to investigate a couple of years ago. He said it was a big team and they came in disguise so as not to alarm the guests. They kept interviewing him about things that went on. He didn't say if the story every aired.

My sister called and she googled and found more stories from guests. Similar stories to ours about noises and hearing a little girl saying "Mama."

Funny thing is that my daughter and I both watch "ghost hunters" on TV, but to find ourselves in the middle of a real-life adventure is a whole 'nother thing. My daughter had wanted to go on a ghost tour while we're here, but we've nixed that idea. We're not going to Alcatraz either, we figure we've had our fill of creepy stuff.

Another story from the bellman I forgot to mention. Two women were in a room and they heard a knock on the door. They answered it and no one was there. Another knock, they unlocked the door and again, no one was there. Then, as they're in bed, the SAW the deadbolt turning and the chain lock being undone!!! If that happens, I'm sleeping in the lobby.....

Also, there's a story that a lady died in a fire in room 417--the room directly next to ours. Maybe that would explain why my daughter said the wall felt "hot" when she touched it.

None of the spirits here are reported as being harmful, just playful. The maids and other guests have reported lights flickering, televisions going on while you're in the shower, and drawers opening by themselves. Nevertheless, there's a distinctly eerie feeling when you go to the 4th floor. We didn't even know any of the stories when we got here, yet we could feel something strange as soon as we stepped off the elevator. I just attributed it to being an old hotel.

This is a pic of the 4th floor hallway with our original room on the left. (We walked down 3 hallways like this to get to our room at the end of the hotel.) Our room is the next to the last door. At the end you can see a firedoor which leads to a stairwell (used for emergencies only). There are no rooms across from ours, only windows.

During the night, I kept hearing what I thought was the stairwell door slamming or the next-door room door slamming shut. Every time I'd open our door to look out, I never saw anyone. Yesterday I asked the desk clerk if anyone was staying in the end room the same night we were. He said no one was in that room. And I asked him if the security guards or anyone uses the end doorway. He said no, no one uses those doors. My daughter and I both heard noises in the room (and from the non-existent room above us), so I know I wasn't imagining things.

Since we've changed rooms, nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Tonight is Halloween, but I'm not planning to do any ghost-hunting.

Other than the strange experiences, I've found the hotel to be quite charming!

UPDATE: We're back home, safe and sound. During the last couple of days of my stay, almost every staff member I spoke to had a story or experience to relate. Here's one more from a lady in the gift shop. She said that when the hotel was undergoing a renovation, she and another staff member visited Room 422 (or maybe it was 423, she couldn't remember). They walked into the room and looked around. They looked into the bathroom, but neither of them could go in. She said it was as if both of them got a message saying, "Don't come in." They looked at each other and knew they weren't going in. She said it was the weirdest feeling.

It's all in your perspective

2009-10-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I was editing some images to give them an "old Hollywood glamour" type of feel. When I asked my 16-year old daughter what she thought of the "old" look, she said "Oh--the 1970s!!"

Big pause. I told her this was supposed to reflect the '30's and 40's. She looked at me and said, "Mom, I was born in 1993. EVERYTHING is old to me!"

It's not what you have, but what you do with what you have

2009-10-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to a photographer's meetup in Ewa Beach. We were meeting to practice our skills at shooting the full moon. While we were waiting, I decided to take some shots, but the scene wasn't very pretty or very colorful. It was hazy out, there was a light mist in the air, and only the faintist hint of color in the sunset. It was pretty enough, so I took some shots and figured I'd see what I could bring out in post-processing.

Here's the same pic after I did a little processing to it. As you can see, there really was a lot of color behind all the blandness. And that got me thinking about how often we only see the surface, when all the beauty is really there just waiting for someone to notice. We just need to take the time to develop it a little more fully. Think about it. What's there for you to bring out of yourself--or what can you help to bring out in someone else?

Don't sit in the dark

2009-10-02T12:44:00.001-07:00

After I dropped my daughter off for school this morning, I decided to get a bite to eat and have some coffee from a favorite family restaurant. The waiter started to lead me to a dark, quiet table at the back of the restaurant. But I spied a nice booth next to a window where the sunlight was streaming in. I asked for that table. He looked at me and said, "Oh, I didn't think you'd want to be in the sun."

The spot was bright, cheery and filled with sunlight. I had a nice breakfast, sipped my coffee and made notes on some new and exciting things I plan to do. Sitting in the warm sunshine set my mood for the whole day.

Thank goodness I didn't let him put me in the dark corner.

Are YOU letting anyone put you in a dark corner? Take action and move to a different table!

Have Patience!

2009-09-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'm attending the Maui Photo Festival and Workshops this week. What an amazing opportunity to be around and learn from the "rock stars" of the photography world. Yesterday started with a 6:00 a.m beach session with Clark Little who's known for his amazing wave photography (www.clarklittlephotography.com). He became more famous when President Obama selected one of his images. About 30 of us got up early to meet Clark and learn how he does what he does. We all wanted to get a great shot of him in the water, but the sun stayed behind the clouds and all we could get were dark, lifeless images. After awhile, most of the photographers left to find coffee and breakfast. A few of us stayed behind, and sure enough, a few minutes later the sun rose high enough to pop over the clouds and highlighted Clark in the water.

Have patience and you'll be rewarded!

Take my picture!!!

2009-08-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to photograph Kansas sunflowers, but my timing for visiting Kansas never seemed right. It's hard to find them in the winter (as if I was ever looking for them during sub-zero weather), and oftentimes during my summer visits I always seemed to have other things to do. This visit I had some free time on my hands so I grabbed my camera and walked down to a patch of them just a few hundred yards from my mom's house. There was this cute little grouping of flowers which seemed to keep jumping towards the camera as if to say, "Take my picture, take my picture!" The wind was blowing them and they really looked like a group of teenagers jostling for the best spot in front of me. I could almost see them smiling!!

Mamma Mia!

2009-08-03T10:05:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I'm behind the times. I know the movie came out last year, but I just had the chance to watch it for the first time last night. What a delightfully fun movie!! I never knew Meryl Streep could sing. (And Pierce Brosnan can't, but who cares?)

It's a good movie on so many levels:

- It's lighthearted. No heavy drama to weigh you down.
- No deep mystery and not too many twists and turns to try keep up with. Sometimes my head hurts after watching mystery-thrillers because I've had to work so hard to keep up with the plot.
- No blood and gore. No foul language.
- The scenery is spectacular! Makes me want to just go jump in the ocean.
- It's refreshing. My favorite scene is where the mother and daughter are curled up together in a big chair and mom is painting her daughter's toenails just before the wedding.
- And the song, "Slipping Through My Fingers" is so touching! As my own daughter heads out to college in just a few weeks, I find myself relating so much to this song.
- The MUSIC! How can you not get on your feet when listening to anything from ABBA?

I love the fact that there's a song for every situation. Hmm, gotta go see what my song is for today. Since I'm getting ready to send my daughter off to college, I think it's going to be "Money, Money, Money."

Set sail!

2009-07-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently shared that she was afraid to take the next step towards something because she was afraid. Afraid she wasn't good enough, afraid of being rejected, afraid of failure. ( I know we can all relate.) I couldn't quite find the right words of encouragement, but then I remembered a photo I'd taken recently and I thought of just the right words to say:

"Don't let your fears stop you from sailing. The world awaits you!"

Aloha and welcome to my blog!

2009-07-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

Aloha!!! Since I live in Hawaii, I thought it only appropriate that I should share one of my favorite photos to start off my blog. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time to capture this beautiful image. And isn't that what so much of life is about--being in the right place at the right time? Enjoy the view!