Picture perfect

You need your child to smile?

YOU,

being the parent, should know what makes them laugh and what doesn't. Yes, I can be silly and look like a clown but what if they DON'T even like clowns? For instance, a mother wanted the whole beach, sand and ocean background. However, the baby had NEVER ever been to the beach, so we discovered right away that he simply was NOT LOVING the sand. So out the door went the tropical background.

This little guy only laughed when his Mom was doing abs. True story.

Other things that you should care for:

Naptime- I'm grumpy when I don't nap, so I don't blame them if they are too.

Food- I'm even grumpier on an empty stomach...and so will they.

Clean nappies- No, I can't literally relate, but hey, you get the idea.

I think that we have been brain-washed into defining a perfect picture as:

1- Eye contact with the camera

2- Big cheesy smile

3- Flawless face, spotless clothes and boogger-free face

Of course, you want your children to be at their best. But hey, I'm an aunty to 20 munchkins,granted my siblings are already kinda crazy, it is rarely the case. And you know what?

IT'S OK!!!

If you don't agree then Loblee photography may not be what you're looking for. And that too is ok. I believe there are enough photographers on Oahu...and one of them may just be a better match. And you know what? That's OK also.

1- Eye contact with the camera

I don't believe it is alway a must.

2- Big cheesy smile

I choose having them play their favorite - in this case peek-a-boo, actually we might have to refer to it as the back-of-you-head peek-a-boo version.

3- Flawless face, spotless clothes and boogger-free face

I believe sometimes it just can't be avoided.

10 yrs, 5yrs, or even next month down the road, your child will have already changed and grown tremendously. So my goal is to capture who they are at that very moment. They are special in their own way.

Little Anniston loves to play with her Mom's pearl pendant. True story.



Then again, Little Talei, Believe it or not LOVES LOVES LOVES the camera. Again, true story. Who knows if that'd still be the case next year. Who knows.


Let's keep on remembering.I believe in capturing what is and not what we wish it to be.
I know I've been yapping quite a lot lately and I apologize for writing the same way I talk.

Behind the scene: The HARD life of a photographer

Some of you may never realize how stressful and demanding it is to be a photographer.

Let me explain (you must commit to read it all the way through though).

We have to watch out for crazy wind, wild hair...

Explore dangerous territories that require caution and skill. Lots of it.
But isn't it all worth it :)


But that's not it:... Munchkins... they can't all talk, but oh boy, do they show me who's the boss.
They let me know right away if my suggestion stinks:

We have to take lost of breaks because they have to deal with important issues. Some ranging from gathering the most amount of sticks or rocks to making sure those candies don't run away. All of them being critical economical decisions right? I mean: Gather as much as you can and enjoy life before it runs away. So there... quickly pop candies in the mouth...


Now, something that I should have known... Models just need to take a break. Or else they just plainly refuse to have anything to do with me.
But once we're past that, and feeding, warming up and quick nap have been done, we can usually dig right back into work.


But that's not it... they need to be entertained or else they let you know that you're B-O-R-I-N-G. Its probably my fault for only knowing two jokes, so I don't blame them.
Then, last but not least, there are those who are so concerned about how they look that they stop me every second to ask "Wait: How does my hair look?".

Believe me I have a tough job!!!But hey, I'm not complaining... because once in awhile I meet one who turns out to be a great helper. "Mom let me fix your hair":


Often, THEY have to be the ones to show the way...

Bahaha... I love this. This (the whole behind the scene and the actual picture taking) couldn't be any more fun and satisfying.Now that I have more time (and since its pouring outside) to look back at previous sessions and people (yes, I'm biased, I tend to prefer munchkins) I get to meet I can't help but smile, laugh, and be touched by how precious you are. Not because of me! I'm only there to press the shutter at the right time, but simply because of who they are and most of all who they will become. Thank you.

Amber and Denzil

I've known Denzil for what seems like FOREVER!!! He was in my sister's class/form. Then we made it to school at BYUH together. How fun it was to be able to catch up then... inseparable that what we were ;) I'd show pictures from back in the day but they are not MY most flattering ones (keep in mind... it was our freshman year).He was our "videographer", canoe pusher, in charge of the slideshow and a performer at our wedding. So yeah, major part. I can't help but keep saying how excited I am for him and Amber.Bikini beach: the place where basically all the MAJOR events took place for them. Anyhow, they both were so much fun. Congratulations!!!Love,LeeYen

Love is...

I promised Marcus that I would do my homework today. But I couldn't wait to share this one :



Don't forget to enter the giveaway in the previous post!Happy weekend to all.

The verdict and a Giveaway!!!

update (Feb 1st) : and the winner is....Congratulations LANA!!! Let me know how I can get that to you ;)

Thank you for sharing how awesome your Moms are, so don't forget that!!!

Jen please don't crucify me ;)

Thank you all for your input. It looks like # 1 did indeed get the most votes. Even if some of you couldn't make up your mind either :) Proof that I'm probably the only crazy one out here :)

Anyhow, to thank you for your participation in addition to the one that I've "picked" for my Mom, I've ordered a 11x 14 float wrap of Picture #1.

This is easily shipped so if airplanes or boats can reach you, I'd be more than happy to mail it to you.

Here's how you can enter:

#1: Comment below by saying why your Mom is awesome or if you're a February baby, what your perfect gift would be. No harm in wishing. Lol.

#2: Comment again if you post this on Your FB page...yes its the IN thing

#3: Comment again again if you blog about this

#nth: Comment nth time however else you spread the word :)

We know from experience that quantity and persistence pay off ;) So the more you comment, the more chances you "should" have.

Let's keep the fun going till JAN 31st, Midnight Hawaii time.

PS: If you're birthday is not on FB, nowadays is considered as NON-EXISTENT :)

We talked some more.

Yes, I'd rather spend my saturday mornings talking about photography and shooting instead of tackling laundry. I know, what a crime :)Here's are a few shots from last week. We talked about composition. Leading line...





a little rule of thirds... and of course a Gorgeous Janine.


BIG mahalo to Janine and Kelepi and of course attendees Sarah and Mele :)

VERY IMPORTANT : Please pick one

Here's the deal... February has always (at least for the past 20ish years) been a busy month in the Tefan household. Three birthdays (Lani, Mom and Dad) in the same week = lots of presents to prepare. Although we've usually always had just one cake.
So this year, I'm trying to decide which of the following pictures to print on Canvas for my Mom's house. Yes, we've always referred to our house, car, and practically everything else as "Mom's", even my nieces and nephews do that. Digressing... So please let me know which one YOU or you think I should pick. Keep in mind that her room, "conveniently" has purple (= not the obnoxious type) walls and I do want her to think of ME every time she sees it (Hey, I'm the youngest YES ;) ... but competition is tough with 19 nieces and nephews).
This one is my favorite but my sister Heirani (the self appointed house decorator of Mom's house) thinks it s too DARK.

Its the time of the year.

I've been thinking about TONS of different things since we got back and one of my biggest concerns has been: ORGANIZATION!!!

We all know the often quoted:

" To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven, etc..." Eccle. 3:1

But I'd never really paid attention to the verses that follow:

" What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?"

Eccle. 3:9

My personal interpretation: What is it that I spend most of my time and energy to? And how do I profit from it?

I kept on reading and found the answer:

"I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice and to do good in his life"

Eccle. 3:9

I might as well have banged my head on a fat billboard saying:

BE HAPPY in and with what you do.

This ties in well with the message/morale of Night at the Museum II which we watched last night: "The key to happiness is doing what you love".

So this constitutes the basis of my goals this year. I would like to introduce you to Mr. 2010:

In case it is not self explanatory: Lets go from the top down.1- Get A's, hopefully all of them but most of all: enjoy them. I survived the first week. Let's see how the rest of the semester goes.
2- Keep my eyes on the Lord and his kingdom.
3- Keep on smiling aka Stay happy and remember not to sweat the small stuff
4- $. Its actually a $ crossed twice as is: DO NOT WASTE $. But most of all, be wiser in money making decisions.(Marcus loved that one ;))
So here it is: To a better year to all of you. May you get to accomplish your dreams, or at the very least get a little closer. Remember "TO REJOICE" and "TO DO GOOD".

I dare you to take a wild guess...

I don't have any recent portraits...I know shame on me. So this will have to do. That is of course if you can guess which one I am.

Ligaya, Paul and the snow

First let me start by saying how COLD/FREEZING my fingers were... but it was definitely fun. I'm so glad to have met up with Ligaya. Who would have thought that after being her TA for one of many bio classes, I would get to take her engagement pictures? I am just so happy for the both of them.






























Snow. What a great change from sticky grain of sand. Quite the experience...