oahu photographer – StoryTeller.

May 2, 2018April 25, 2018

Watching & Waiting: A Stanchfield Moment Captured In Time.

I always enjoy watching and capturing a family who allows their family-time to happen as if I wasn’t watching.

Themes of sessions sometimes seem to reveal themselves without provocation. For this family, that was certainly the case. The theme? Watching & waiting.

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The four of them watched one another at various times and waited for reactions. Together, they allowed their laughter to fill the air around us.

Walking, relaxing, parenting and playing; now that is a good combination. Mix that with this evening sky at one of the clearest teal water beaches I have ever seen, that is THE combination.

You never would have known that just moments before the session began and as we were leaving the parking lot, rain clouds filled the evening sky. I stuck to my gut knowing they’d clear and an impressive sunset revealed itself.

I am still coping with the idea that I may never again be able to capture this stunning family, due to distance and military duty stations, but I feel blessed beyond belief to have had the chance when I did.

April 28, 2018April 25, 2018

Livin’ The Dream: A Hike With Destiny

When someone hires me to do a lifestyle session, I literally do a happy dance. When Destiny suggested that her lifestyle session be at the beach followed by a hike to the Lanikai Pillboxes, my excitement went through the roof. An afternoon starting at the beach and ending at sunset overlooking the Pacific, and I get to call it my job?

I am SURELY livin’ the dream.

Destiny is a fit and fierce woman who can take on anything.

I urged her to hike the hardest portions of the hike for “that shot”…

…and she certainly took that challenge head on.

Enjoy the little video below of our adventure to the second Lanikai Pillbox at sunset.

Enjoy your ALO][A Friday and thank you for stopping by! Be sure to “share” and comment if you like what you see!

Email me at Chelsea@Lifesongdesigns.com for your Lifestyle session!

April 27, 2018April 26, 2018

Corey + Alyssa: Capturing JOY

THIS is a couple which exudes happiness and love for the life that they share.

Corey & Alyssa’s smiles are never forced or fake. The hands never had to be told to be held. The lips never had to be begged to be kissed.

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They are the real deal.

“Joyous” is the best way I can describe their session. They are a couple which everyone would love to have as a leading example in their own lives.

I wish this couple the best as their journey continues. I pray our paths will one day cross again!

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April 15, 2018April 14, 2018

A Contest To Remember!

412,379 Photos.

115,097 Voters.

127 Different Countries.

These are the details of the recent photography competition I entered into.

It was my first competition and I had no idea how I’d come out. I am astonished with how well Lifesong Photography & Designs compared with the AMAZING talent from around the globe!

In this particular competition, you have no idea who’s images are who’s. In addition to it all, you have no idea if your own images are still in the race to the top of the heap unless you or someone you know well sees your work! However, it is fun when you recognize fellow ‘togs work and let them know their image was still in the competition! I even found an INCREDIBLE photographer from my hometown who is AMAZING and reached the top 100 of ALL entered images!! These are the moments I KNOW God is at work in my life. These feelings of purpose and inspiration drive me to do more and be more for my family.

The images I entered are in this video (made for all contestants by ViVi)!

Well, as for the results of Lifesong Photography & Designs… here they are!

One FINALIST image

Two images in the top 10%

Two images in the top 20%

TEN images in the top 30%

Four images in the top 40%

That is 15 images in the top 30% and it makes for a total of 26 images in the top 50% of the competition out of the total 50 images I entered!! Let’s not forget, if it were not for YOU, I would be nowhere. THANK YOU, my dear clients and friends!!

I am humbled to see where I have landed this year and am so excited to see how I can grow in this industry. The images which made the most impact on the competition (the top 40% or better) are below but EACH of the 50 images I entered I am PROUD to claim as mine.

A competition such as this allows me to grow, be inspired AND seek out other photographers to chat with. Thank you to the Shoot & Share competition team for making these successes possible.

THE FINALIST IMAGE

THE TOP 10%

THE TOP 20%

THE TOP 30%

THE TOP 40%

(This one, my Alaskan moon hit the 30.1 percentile: SO close to the top 30%!!)

December 8, 2017December 7, 2017

Growing Gambones: Friendship & Photography

Joining a running group in Hawaii, I never knew I’d meet such an inspirational and wonderful person like Jess. Certainly, that was not the intention when I began attending. We became fast friends which turned into best friends.

It was a couple of months after we knew each other that she asked me to capture her daughter’s 3rd birthday. A couple of years later, that one session has turned into many more sessions.

This is where my job constantly reminds me how blessed I am. Yes, it is true, friends are given the opportunity to witness children grow up and even celebrate with them. However, as a photographer who is also a friend, that honor of being the one asked to capture the milestones is something I do not take for granted.

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From shooting a certain once in a lifetime occasion to the annual picture for a family is something I feel great pleasure in doing. It is what I consider my “calling” to be. Being behind the camera I feel at home, I truly feel like I am able to help others step INTO the picture and become a part of that memory.

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We were finally able to have all four of them together for a family session. Before parting ways, due to military orders, we spent a relaxing evening strolling the Windward shores of Oahu.

It is nights like that I thank God for the gift I have been given. It is nights like that I am in awe of the supportive people in my life. It is nights like that I will never forget.

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Mahalo Gambone family!

September 20, 2016July 6, 2017

Motorcycle Mama

http://www.LifesongDesigns.com

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph a stunning mama and she was in her element! I am working on a few new techniques with lighting and am thrilled to see it come to life! Catherine is a natural in front of the camera, which made this shoot so fun and relaxing. It is obvious that the vintage pin-up is her forte.

Thank you to the Rose family for letting us use your bike for such a unique shoot!

(Click on each image to make them larger.)

I enjoyed this shoot so much, be on the look out for a model call for an upcoming project!

Mahalo!

February 25, 2016January 16, 2018

MILES Of Beauty

The landscape of an image sets it’s tone and can bring energy to an image. Without the best landscape, the focus of the image can get lost and the message can become unclear. Fortunately, I am living in one of the most picturesque places on Earth-islands of the Pacific. I have miles of beauty to choose from and a wide array of backdrops to go with.

Stacy is a good friend and already a wonderful mama. I am so incredibly thankful she and her hubby asked me to capture this journey for them.

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Hair and Makeup: Lifesong Photography & Designs

Floral Crown: C Crafts and Cupcakery

Please contact me at Chelsea@LifesongDesigns.com for details and pricing.

October 9, 2015October 9, 2015

Behind the scenes at the Hussey’s….

Have you ever referenced the fantastic view a “fly on the wall” has? I know I have! I often wonder how things look if I just take a moment to step back and think about nothing but what you are seeing. Sometimes we don’t have the time to do this and that is where I so greatly appreciate it when someone makes it possible for me to ponder the situation later!

I am always thrilled when someone else surprises me by snapping some images while I work. After the session, when I get to step back and ponder it, the fact that someone was excited enough to want to share an image of the session brings a smile to my face. The captured workspace also shows me what I could have done differently in my set up. These are two things which make each session extremely valuable; appreciation of photography from someone other than me and the experience I gain.

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A big shout out to Chloe for asking me to be a part of something so special. Eloise is so precious, I hope there are many more behind the scenes chances with this family!

October 8, 2015July 12, 2017

One Week and Counting!

Aloha!

I have thrown myself into many adventures throughout my life but never before have I seen such an exponentially growing appreciation for my decision to act. Over the past few weeks I have heard only the kindest of words and received an amazing outpouring of support from people all over, some who know me and some whom I have never met. This type of reaction to my business not only builds my self-esteem, but makes me incredibly grateful to have found such amazing clients and friends to start this venture along side.

I have officially been in business for one week and I am excited to be filling my calendar with the Lifesong of many. It looks like through the end of the year, I will be capturing children’s lives which are just beginning and in their infancy all the way through senior’s who are thrilled to be taking the next step to adulthood. Later this month I have the privilege to honor our military families and be present for a special military homecoming. I will also be capturing the Island “Aloha” for a few families who are arriving on island or leaving island. Finally, no year is complete without couple’s portrait sessions and an up-and-coming, business product shoot. From Michigan to Hawaii my lenses will get quite a workout and I could not be happier.

A special thank you to my good friends who have trusted me to snap images of their newborn and their families. To my mentors, I wouldn’t have had the self-confidence that I did. To my new clients for reaching out to me and props to Pro Camera Hawaii, who has helped my startup on island be so easy and comfortable.

I look forward to making many memories with this new business and capturing YOUR Lifesong as we take this journey together.

Mahalo.

Contact me today at chelsea@lifesongdesigns.com to grab one of the last few slots available for the year!

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One FINALIST image

Two images in the top 10%

Two images in the top 20%

TEN images in the top 30%

Four images in the top 40%

THE FINALIST IMAGE

THE TOP 10%

THE TOP 20%

THE TOP 30%

THE TOP 40%

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(Click on each image to make them larger.)

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Aloha!

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