Who says you can't have a second chance?

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!

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

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

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

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

       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

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

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