Documenting real moments with chill vibes and artistry on the Big Island of Hawaii

The Diptiman Family

December 9, 2018 Tags: Big Island, Family, geek moments, kukio, life, photography, Waikoloa

Happy Holidays from the Big Island, everyone! I hope it’s going smoothly for you, and may your gift shopping quests be victorious. 🙂

Speaking of, we actually just ordered our daughter a 3T sized astronaut suit for Christmas, since she really loves everything space and likes to pretend she’s flying to Jupiter. It has been an amazing joy sharing my own love for space with her, and teaching her about black holes, exoplanets, and nebulas.

My secret hope is that she becomes a genius level engineer and is selected to go to Mars, and somehow pulls the strings that score her Mom, Dad, and future brother tickets onto her spaceship. Who knows if it’ll happen but the mere possibility makes my head spin!

Anyway, I just wanted pop in here and share a bit of what’s going on, and some photos of an amazing, energetic family I had a pleasure of working with. A massive thank you to the Diptiman family for letting me document their genuine, unobstructed love for each other!

Big Island Family Photo sunset Kona Family on the beach Hawaii family sunset Waikoloa vacation photo Dad playing in Hawaii

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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel with the Wilcox Family

August 2, 2018 Tags: Big Island, Family, Kona side, mauna kea resort

Summer may be coming to a slow and steady end, but it has been just as warm and sunny here in Hawaii, and it has been pretty busy for me, too… as summers tend to be.

This family session with the Wilcox family was both the largest I’ve ever done, as well as the hottest! I faced an instantaneous torrent of sweat the second I walked across the resort lobby. A palpable layer of humidity floated over the entire Mauna Kea resort area, and the sun beamed across the sky with such determination that it even seemed to keep the mighty Hawaiian tradewinds at bay.

Humidity + sun + zero wind would usually make for unhappy people, but the entire Wilcox ohana — all 25 of them — were in good, loving spirits, and despite the environmental challenges, I had a great time creating photos that would remind them of their family vacation here on the Big Island.

– Jim

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Sunset Surreal with the Roscoe Family

July 18, 2018 Tags: Big Island, Family, Kona side, kukio, photography, repeat clients

I have a list of words in my head that are a sort of “driving force” for my work. Words I think about, words that inspire me, words that even just make me seem cooler than I am when I say them out loud to myself (confidence boost!).

Combined, they form a mood that for me is incredibly powerful and inspiring. With every single session, I try to reach for this mood, to pluck it from the sky and express it through my work, but it’s a finicky thing, like sweeping your hand through fog and hoping to get a drink of water. The thirst for this expression will never seem to end.

Occasionally I’ll meet other people who seem to respond to this mood too. People like those here on my blog. Maybe you, reading this now! People like the Roscoe family, who I first met about 5 years ago. Our session then was one for the record books, and this most recent session was wonderful as well.

If anything, I can be thankful for that, and for them. I’m not sure if I met the mood my words above convey, but at the very least I’m blessed to have the opportunity to try.

Thanks for taking a look!

I first met the Roscoe ohana around 5 years ago. We had a wonderful time then, and I

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Allison & Nick in Kealakekua

December 18, 2017 Tags: Big Island, kealakekua, Kona side, Wedding

I drove around the south end of the Big Island; a beautiful route I normally don’t take. It’s out of the way for my usual shooting locations.

But Allison and Nick’s wedding wasn’t at any of my usual locations. For their wedding day they had secured an oceanfront estate in the stunning Kealakekua bay. To say that I was excited to be in such a magical place would be an understatement!

Despite being a popular tourist attraction, it has a quiet, off-the-beaten-path and rather local vibe to it… which, it turns out, was absolutely perfect for Allison, Nick and their family and friends.

I entered the estate well ahead of schedule and found the place to be quietly, confidently moving along with preparations. Some weddings I’ve done have had a hurried feel, a nervousness, which is understandable… because it’s a wedding. But for these two and their loved ones, it almost felt like just any other day, and I instantly felt a calm wash over me as I introduced myself to everyone. Allison in particular had to have been one of the calmest, most relaxed brides I’ve ever met, and Nick was charming and hadn’t broken a sweat even in the coastal heat.

The rest of the afternoon proceeded just as smoothly, and I had such an enjoyable time capturing it all.
This, I believe, is the universe in perfect alignment. Thank you, Allison and Nick, for having me there to document it!

-Jim

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Pololu with the Spector Ohana

October 24, 2017 Tags: Big Island, Family, Hilo side, pololu

Sigh. I like the families I get to work with.

It’s a good feeling, a comforting feeling, like putting your hands right in the warm air blasting from your car’s vents on a cold day. Or slumping down on your couch after a long day. Your feet might ache, your back might ache, even your heart might ache, but you’ve got that couch and for a brief moment, it’s all you need.

And this, right below, is all I need to be pleased as a photographer. A rockin’ family, a beautiful location, and an hour or so of time. Spector family — you guys are amazing and I am so thankful to have hung out with you all!