Changes.. Oahu Family Photographer
Changes
While I love flip flops, tan lines, and salty crazy hair.. I realize my time in Hawaii is limited. To be more general, we will most likely be relocating next summer. Hold while I cry a little.... Anyways, a little over two years ago we moved back (yup we lived here before) to Oahu. Oh boy was I JUMPING with joy when I found out. I actually remember running to my best friends house, yes, literally running to her house and screaming with excitement. Because, she was also relocating to Oahu.
My dreams ran wild. I imagined, thought, and dreamed all these plans. While I have always been a photographer, after taking it easy in California while going to school, I knew moving back to Oahu meant going full force with my business again.
I dreamed of pineapples at sessions, splashing, and loads of laughter.
That has happened. I LOVE that I can with all my heart and soul say I did what I wanted to do and I loved it all.
When we got here I rebranded to Aloha Family Photography, I set my goal to focus 100% on families. THIS was difficult because I LOVE to photograph just about everything but especially photographing women. I put that on the back burner. (WHICH I miss dearly).
Anyways, I realize that I rebranded and only thought about the next 3 years. I stepped away from my huge online following of over 4K to start Aloha Family Photography. Now that I'm thinking about my future and the things I want to accomplish, I realize I need to rebrand back to my name.
There are some things in my 5 year goal and life goal that would be a lot better if I were to rebrand back to Chelsie Thompson Photography. So I'm jumping again with both feet in the deep end and rebranding back to Chelsie Thompson Photography (for short CTP).
What does this mean, really not much. I'll switch over my business legally and my contracts and logo will change but my branding with the aqua watercolor and the palm trees and pineapples will stay the same. In fact, here is a look at my new logo.
So over the next few weeks I will be making these small adjustments to my website and all the fun back-end stuff.
With this comes some exciting news, I will now more officially be booking boudoir sessions again! Limited because I still want about 90% of my focus to be on families!
Click the link below to contact me about booking a session!!
My Life | Oahu Family Photographer
My Life | Oahu Family Photographer
Aloha!
I try to keep a healthy balance of get to know me, and find out more when you meet me. :) But this year is going to hold some unique challenges. I am a Navy wife, and I've been fortunate to have my husband home most of the time since we started our family. So, sadly this is a lot of uncharted water for us, dealing with deployments and everything those entail.
He left a few weeks ago and will be back and then gone and then back and then gone, basically for the next 6 months then gone for way too long. The biggest challenge to this is not having him home to hangout with the 3 children while I work. So far we have over come this with the generous help of friends.
Another thing, because I like a full plate. I'm creating my first online course for photographers!
Which means if you're interested in photography or are currently a photographer, you should keep your eyes open for JULY!
Also here are some adventure self portraits, in this wonderful group I help run I started doing monthly photo challenges! April was adventure self portrait! It was awesome. I explored a lot to try to get a good variety since I didn't have any single idea.
Contact me if you're wanting to get photos taken!
Somewhere in Kailua.... | Oahu Family Photographer
Somewhere in Kailua.... | Oahu Family Photographer
Growing up, my Dad always took me and then later my siblings on adventures. We would wander and explore and check things out. It was rarely planned. It was always fun. Since moving to Oahu, I try to explore here and there and not have an agenda. Because being lost with no concern of time, it so peaceful.
With my Mom visiting, we have been exploring a lot. I found this really neat photo on instagram, and had no idea where it was, but I knew I had to go there. Turns out it was in Kailua area, my friends are awesome and helped me find it.
Well I've also been working on self portrait challenges in my spare time. So I had planned on taking some self portraits at this spot (which I did, and I'll probably edit them next week.. or maybe next year).
Then this couple came down the path and took some cell photo shots and were hanging out, its a REALLY small spot. So I asked if they wanted me to take a few shots and I would email them. They said yes, and it must have been meant to be. As it turns out they are from my home state (Oregon) and were visiting friends in Kailua. They were awesome! This whole experience reminded me of when I was a teenager maybe.. 16.. or 17. One of my sisters was really shy, so my Dad told me to take her downtown Portland to talk to people. So because I was born a photographer, I turned it into an adventure. I had her approach people and ask them to model with her. The whole thing was fun. Maybe I'll just ask random people at beach if they want photos taken.. who knows. This was fun :) Here are a few photos of this awesome random couple.
Family Memories | Lifestyle Messy Baking | Oahu Family Photographer
Family Memories | Lifestyle Messy Baking | Oahu Family Photographer
And memories were made... the kind that warm your heart so much you get goosebumps from chills, no matter how warm it is on Oahu. The memories that you can close your eyes and remember the sweet little laughs, the flour coating her hair. The kind that you cry happy tears because even though this isn't your family, you love being a photographer and capturing what one day will be their history.. oh I started talking about me.. or maybe I was the whole time. These are the sessions I live for, the moments I hope to imprint on their memory. I want those little girls to have an album and look through and OOO and AWW over all the fun, funny, cute photos. And because they are a military family living on Oahu, I want them to remember their house, because we all know that changes every 2-3 years. Which is both "refreshing" and "irritating", but it is the lifestyle.
So here is my point of view in a family film of this gorgeous family.
Book your family lifestyle session!
Oahu Watermelon Childrens Session | Aloha Family Photography
Oahu Watermelon Childrens Session |
Aloha Family Photography
Lately it's been pretty rainy here on Oahu. Not that it
actually" has been cold. I have considered getting those good
old' fashion toe socks, since I can't seem to not wear flip flops.
We had a few glimpses of sunshine this week. I also managed to make it to the store with all three children. We picked up a ton of fruit, might be because we are trying to eat healthier snacks or it might be for photo shoot... maybe both.. or we're just fruity. My middle child, the only one not born on Oahu, we call her danger, because he outrageous lifestyle and being a tad crazy. She picked the watermelon, and was way to excited to wait till sister got home to share.
It was actually really nice to sit in a soggy field, chase the baby who is crawling and tries to eat grass, and let them just enjoy a tiny bit of sun, and a lot of watermelon.
I hope you enjoyed and if you are looking for family photos, children, or couples photos I would love to talk to you and schedule your photo session.
Military Homecoming | Oahu Family Photographer
Military Homecoming | Oahu family Photographer
These moments are the best.
Lighting | Tips | Oahu Family Photographer
I would love to go over some quick easy tips about lighting. It is probably one of the most asked questions I get.
"Chelsie, what time will we do out photos?!"
I generally do photos about an hour before sunset. I am not a golden light photographer. I LOVE light, full but soft light. To achieve the look I want, one hour prior to sunset.
There are exceptions but because we never know what the weather will be I plan for an hour before sunset.
The fun thing about being a Mom is that I take so many photos of my kids, so I can go out some days at noon and have perfect lighting. I always keep an eye on the weather. When it's cloudy its generally perfect for that soft creamy light.
Below I will show you some photos at different times.
This was a cloudy day about an hour before sunset.
About an hour before sunset on a sunny day.
Around 2-3pm on a bright sunny day.
Around 11am on a partially cloudy day.
Around sunset on a cloudy day.
A lot of variables go into what the final photos will look like, but that is all part of my job.
I love being able to adjust as needed in camera to get the look I want, then enhance the photos further with presets I make in Lightroom.
If anyone has any specific questions, please email me: Hello@AlohaFamilyPhotography.com