tidbits: hawaii wedding finds: professional prints vs. costco prints

nothing like a tsunami warning to cancel your days plans, and let you catch up with things! i've been meaning to post about professional prints for a while. i had an experience in which my local costco did not live up to its billing. up until now, i have been happy with the quality and pricing of prints from costco and even longs. support our local photography labs, ya know? but i had a photo that just wasn't coming out as brilliant as on my screen. (now, there is that whole thing about your monitor being off color from your prints, but mine is calibrated and pretty accurate and this is a whole 'nother story...)
luckily costco has a return policy on their photos. if you are not happy, for any reason, you can return it with your receipt and get a refund.

i sent the picture off to the professional lab that i use on the mainland and the results were amazingly different. more brilliant, better clarity. i urge you to use professional labs to print your images that you will be displaying, or giving as gifts. the cost is somewhat higher than costco, and often times, you will have to order through a professional (me) but the images and photographs are worth it. i knew this was the case, but it has been reaffirmed. please let me know how i can help your images be better!

gallery wraps

new and the rage... these are high quality, canvas wraps without the thickness. easy to hang on your wall and very cool...

the contemporary museum- elizabeth berdann, judy fox, fay ku and allison schulnik

another great opening at the contemporary museum in makiki, and artists from new york are in the house!
fay ku will be here for the next 3 months, conducting workshops and talking to school groups- part of the museum has turned into her studio space as well. you are invited to stop by, chat, check things out.
for more information on the artists and their works, please visit the contemporary museums website for more info about the artists and the new exhibitions - here.

Tidbits: hawaii wedding finds, tips & ideas- the wedding planner

i have had the honor of working with one of the great wedding planners in honolulu. susan o'donnell and aloha wedding planners can take the stress out of planning and help find great services that fit your needs for your special day. she will work until every last detail is perfect and you are satisfied. she is honest, helpful, and a blessing to work with. give her a call now!
alohaweddingplanners.com or (808)943-2711

tidbits: hawaii wedding finds, tips & ideas- the good tailor

so i had to start looking around for a tailor, and it hit me that probably a lot of other people (and brides) are too. if you are planning a wedding, you are also looking for a florist, photographer, reception site...
i know a few things here and there, and will start posting little tidbits, things i wished i knew before my own wedding, things that i have found over the years that are cool thoughts for making your wedding special. if you have a request, please let me know and i'll look into it, otherwise please sign up so you can get tidbits sent to you when i post them- will try for 1 a week...

so for my first tidbit is a good tailor. linda's alterations, on king st. on the left hand side, after keeamoku.
very polite and helpful, she is hemming my new (and too long) banana republic pants for $11 each ($20 for a cuffed ones) and will have them ready in 5 days. she also specializes in wedding alterations. ideas for wedding dresses: next post. :)

my philosophy

happy february 1st to everyone! hope all of you had a great weekend, and are ready for the 2nd month! hope all the brides out there have had some time to sort through all the info at the bridal show- someone asked me my philosophy behind how and why i shoot... here's what i've been thinking about...

starting up my own company began after my own search for a wedding photographer a long time ago...(can you believe that this march will make 10 years?!?!??gets better everyday too. :)

but i digress. back to the philosophy- i was on a budget (and still am) and couldn't find any great rocking, artistic, responsible photographers in our price range. (we did find a great one though, and are still great friends with her) 

 i resolved that i would be a great, artistic, responsible, fast photographer that was affordable. great service, artistic photos, quick turn around, laid back yet able to focus people to the photographs ahead. i love taking photographs and would do it all for free if i could.... but can't- still have mouths to feed... and i believe that photography should be affordable. being on a budget doesn't mean that you have to skip and skimp on quality, professionalism and beauty. i am able to give you everything you need from a dependable, artistic photographer AND i know of others in the business who feel the same way and can help you get your ideas going. it shouldn't cost an arm, a leg, two brain scans and three years worth of medication to pay for great services! give a call, lets talk about your wedding and how i can make it be remembered with style, grace, love, fun and smiles.