utopia Photography

So Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Time is traveling just too fast in the Uesugi household.  As a mom, I had another first, prom.  Jack went to his first prom last weekend and while we were happy for him, it was also bittersweet.  Seeing your son in a tux for the first time ( since he was a toddler ring bearer ) was a lot to take in.  Of course I made sure I snapped a few photos of him.  Here he is on the way to meet his friends to take the limo. 

Jack and his date..

See what I mean?  Way too fast.  He had a good time and came home safely which are two pluses in my book.

But, Jack isn’t the only one growing up too fast.  Kate will be going to California this summer to take a summer class at John Hopkins at Santa Cruz U.  She’ll be taking the plane all by herself and staying for three weeks.  I’m sure it will be more traumatic for me.  And my littlest Annie… she’ll be on May Day court tomorrow as Princess of the island Niihau.  I’ll take tons of pictures but I’m not sure any of them will make it onto the blog.  She’s sensitive about that.  She is the last of my kids to be exiting elementary school.  I can’t hardly believe that.  We’ve been parents at Iliahi for 11 years, this being our last.

Please enjoy every minute with your little ones.  It seems like once they hit middle school and high school, time speeds up and whips you around. I’m trying to live in the moment but they keep slipping out of my fingers.  Summer is almost here and we have no solid plans.  I do plan on enjoying that.

Let me leave you with an image of a beautiful mom and her little boy.  I just love the look on her face.

I would love to help you document your bond with your kids.  I can create gift certificates of any amount.  Buy it for yourself ( if you are a mom reading this ) or for your wife.  Any way you look at it, it will be something to enjoy for a long time.  Even if time slips by in a wink, you can always revisit in photographs.

Thanks for stopping by,

lisa

I have one more opening for my mini sessions at Moanalua Garden on April 21st.  I’m only shooting from 8-11 so the light will be amazing.  Call me or email me if you are interested.  I’ll give you all the deets then.

Saw this today and it made me smile.  It has nothing to do with the minis.  Just thought I’d share.  I think everyone could use an extra smile, no matter how many you’ve already had.  This little boy reminds me of Jack and his business mind at that age.  Unlike Jack, this little one already has a hefty college fund now set.  The internet is an amazing place.  This little guy is gonna make it big one day.

Caine’s Arcade

Thanks for stopping by,

-lisa

Last week I installed some images in my family’s pediatrician’s office.  They are at Pearl City Medical over in Pali Momi..  My kiddos have been patients of Dr. Rovner since Jack was born 16 years ago and we love them as a group.  Lots and lots of relatives also are patients of the group of Drs. in the office space.  We are comfortable there and love looking at ALL the holiday cards they keep up year round. I also love looking for the cards that I helped create.

About three weeks ago Dr. Rovner approached me to update their reception space and I was only too happy to accommodate.  I love it.  Here are some images.  There are seven images in the waiting room and three in the infant room. Please excuse the iphone pics.  The lighting is not optimal but I think the walls look great.

Infant Room:

Waiting Room:

Thanks for stopping by-

Lisa

While waiting around for inspiration to hit for a new blog post, I got this in my inbox.  It’s a new movie set to come out in April.  I’m not sure if there will be a screening in Hawaii or if they will show it after the April release.  I sure do hope so.

A couple of years back there was a call out for short video clips documenting your 10-10-10. They have been compiling and editing those clips since then and have come up with a feature length film.  Here is the trailer and it makes my heart sing.  Just the trailer did that so I can’t even imagine what the whole thing will do to me.  It’s huge.

I think it’s a great way to lead us into the weekend and certainly something I’m looking forward to in April.

Enjoy:One Day on Earth

Thanks for stopping by,

-lisa

I have a 16 year old.  I still can’t believe it.  I also have a 14 and a 10 year old and I have a equally hard time believing that.  But a Jr. in high school?  Not me. I’m still right out of college aren’t I?  Not so much I suppose but not old enough to have an almost adult.  Gah.

My first born is an independent, smart, and stubborn kid who has an entrepreneurial spirit.  He has started his own businesses since he was 10 years old.  His first was a fresh vegetable business that delivered from the farmers market every Wednesday during the summer.  His clients were of his aunties.  He did good and now little Annie is taking that one over and she is making it her own.  He also did some selling of electronics and some tech fixing for a little side spending.  But this new venture is a big one.  It is a graphics and marketing company that helps local artists and also helps his community.  He has us all backing him on this one.  It’s good and aspiring to be great.  He has the support of, not only his family and friends ( which is extensive ) but the art community and his school.  Can’t ask for more than that.

He is now entered into a contest through facebook for the next two weeks.  If he wins, he could get some seed money and also a trip to NY to see a teen Ted Talk.  That would be fantastic.  Here is a link to his video. Vote if you feel inclined. 

We are all very proud of him.  He did the video all on his own with only help from his dad to film him talking.

I still can’t believe I have a 16 year old.  But, if I do, I wouldn’t want any other one.

Thanks for stopping by.

-lisa

So I was having a cup of coffee yesterday talking to a client/friend about life.  We were also looking at her proofs.  We were saying how it’s funny how mom’s don’t have many pictures with the family since usually it’s the moms that are behind the camera, coaxing eyes and smiles.

I can do that.  I can capture parents and their children for who they are.  The more natural and open to each other, the more meaning I get on film. Those are some of my favorite images, the ones with mom and dad. The ones where they aren’t looking at me or even acknowledging that I’m there.  They are focusing on each other.

Sometimes there are parents who are apprehensive about stepping in front of the camera but there is where my coaxing comes in.  The images are not really for you ( the parents ) in the long run, it’s for the kids.  The kids are going to want to see what you looked like, who you were and how you loved them 10, 15, 20 years from now.  They will want to see that, remember it.  I feel good, great really, being able to help with that.  I can do it and I can do it well.  Every kid should have that.  Whether it’s taken professionally or with a timer.

That’s when my own guilt kicked in.  I need that.  I am the one behind the camera.  I am the one coaxing eyes and smiles from my own precious kids.  I need to be hugging them in pictures.  I need to practice what I preach.  I think I just found my resolution for 2012.  Whether I ask a professional to take one, or a timer.  It will be done.

I leave you with a mom pic.  Can you feel the love?  Do you see what I mean?

-lisa

Ok, I know it’s been ages but I think I’m finally ready to give this another go.  There has been so much I’ve wanted to write but I’ve been lazy.  Yes, lazy.  No excuses.  So I’ll be getting back on the horse and hopefully you’ll see more of me around.  Now that I’ve put it out there….

Lots of announcements in the coming weeks.  Very exciting.  So add me to your readers and find me on facebook.  Tell your friends… I’m back and ready.  I’ll also be revamping the site.  All new images and some information changes.

I’ll leave you with a picture of my three.  They are growing up soooo fast.  Way too fast if you ask me.

-lisa

Thank you, thank you everyone.

Let the carbo loading begin!

I had such a great response that I was able to open up and extend to a half day on Sunday the 21st. I have only 3 slots still available. Call me asap if you want one of them. It’s going to be an exciting weekend!
-lisa

I’m now booking for 2011. Remember, it’s still fun to do “Happy New Year” cards or Valentines Day cards as well. I’m actually doing a few of those for next year.

I’ll still do newborn sessions through the beginning of December if the little one is still 10 days or younger at the time of the session. Expecting moms should call me asap to set something up.

Thanks everyone!
-lisa