Touch The Sky Photography: July 2009

The Saluone Family

I had a photo shoot with a family whose parents I've known since I was a teenager.. and we've had to reschedule a few times over the past couple of weeks due to schedule conflicts. But we finally did it!! lol.. Cornel and Bekki have 4 absolutely adorable kids.. Sheliah is going to be a Senior this year at Provo High (Go BULLDOGS!!) and she is a beautiful young lady who is smart, outgoing, and fun to be around. Junior is next in line and he seems to be the reserved type (right observation mom? lol). He was pretty quiet throughout the shoot, so we didn't get to hang out much. Kage is a firecracker to say the least! He is outrageously full of energy.. and very fun to be around. Jaida is the youngest of the bunch.. such a cutie. She's got attitude for DAYS (love it!), and a cute face to go with it. Thanks again Saluone family.. it was fun! Here's a few takes from the shoot:

Mrs. Celeste Hickman

Yesterday (Tuesday) I had a workshop that I signed up for in Provo and I was kinda nervous because I didn't know anyone.. plus, they asked that we bring a model.. What the.. models? LOL.. I don't know very many models.. but I did ask a close friend of mine if she could pose as my model for the day.. reluctantly.. she agreed hahaha.. We met up at 7 at East Bay Studios and we went with the rest of the photographers and models from the workshop.. ok, can we just take off by ourselves lol.. so fired..we were lauging our butts off.. needless to say.. we had a great time!

Anyway, long story short.. we had TONS of fun.. and I got some fabulous photos!! She doesn't seem to think so.. but I think she did great ;). Thanks for volunteering Celeste.. here's some photos from yesterdays shoot:

Miss Aliya Hiatt

I was really lucky yesterday.. I had two beautiful AND willing (lol) young ladies who were absolutely prepared and awaiting instruction on what to do..

This pretty young ladies name is Aliya Hiatt.. her brother plays football with my son in Provo.. and her mom and dad are old friends of mine from back in the day (k not too far back right guys? lol)

Incidentally, her mom Teresa hit me up about how to get started in Photography.. and I asked her if she wanted to tag along while I did Neesy's.. almost forgot she had a daughter Neesy's age.. so I asked her to bring Aliya along so we can take her pictures too.. Long story short: beautiful girl, awesome smile, and great personality.. her and Neesy got along very well..

Chris, hope you have your shotgun ready hahaha.. Here's a few takes from our day out yesterday:

Miss Shanise Olosega McKenzie

This pretty young lady is someone who I had in mind when I first starting thinking about getting into photography.. she's got the look, the outgoing personality, and beautiful smile that could light up a room. When I first mentioned it to her mom, she didn't even think twice because she knew her daughter would want to do it.. so another plus for me because she was already ready (very photogenic) and willing to submit to whatever I put her through. And believe you me it was pretty grimy and dirty where we shot.. but she did a superb job. Thanks again Neesy, Pres. and Sis. McKenzie for letting Neesy come with me. Here's a few shots from that day:

The Taotuas

Almost forgot about this one.. While I was at the Nuga-Tuimaseve wedding Fui asked me to take some pictures of him and his son Konrad while standing in the hallway.. Ok, I was trynna get creative and think of something for them to do fast kine but creativity completely escaped me (white walls, brick, hallway, people standing in line for food lol)! We did a couple of pictures then we pulled is beautiful wife Eugenia (some call her Ula) into one of the rooms and did some quick pictures of them. Of course we'll take some later at a better location.. it was hard for me to come up with something that will portray the love this family has for one another. Fui is a good friend and a co-worker of mine.. we sit next to each other and yet we still chat on msn.. sad huh? LOL.. Anyway, I hope we can schedule one someday soon.. but here's a quick peek at the Taotua Family:

AtaAta Foundation - Faumui sisters

On Saturday I met up with my nieces who are starting up their own foundation called The AtaAta Foundation. Their names are Iasemina, Sosefina, and Riana Faumui. Their youngest sibling Riana was born with a cleft lip/palette and with their foundation, they will be raising money in conjunction with Operation Smiles and Primary Childrens Hospital to help support their cause. Their website should be up and running by the end of the month. Stay tuned.. these young ladies are not only gorgeous, but charming and have the biggest smiles in the world. Thanks Gin for the opportunity to hang out with you guys on Saturday! Here are some shots from our shoot we had that day:

Nuga -Tuimaseve Wedding

I received a late night e-mail from Faga last week asking if I could take pictures at her brothers wedding reception.. as their photographer dropped out last minute.. Nervous as I was, I said yes because hello.. Samoan wedding.. didn't wanna mess up.. lol..

Friday came around and I got there around 5pm and kicked it with Faga before the reception started.. Needless to say, it went beautifully. The reception was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the entertainment was fab! The Nuga's sure know how to party :). Thanks again to Faga for inviting me.. here are a few shots from that day: