Just Because : TIARE TUIOLOSEGA | California

I took these photos last summer and never got around to posting them. My baby sister is the namesake of Tiare Photography :). She is sweet as can be, and I love her beyond all words. As much as she's grown over the years, I don't think I could ever see her as older than 2! She's a great aunty to our girls, and the best little sister ever ♥.

For as long as I can remember, Tiare has been quite the ham for the camera ;)! We had a good time taking a few pictures of her at a park close to my mom's house in California.

Love you baby girl!

Just Because : 'ONE RUFFINS | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

This shoot was a quick one, but I wanted to post a couple of pictures from it. 'One is FABULOUS! She is the Mama Extraordinaire to the featured Honestine & Tyson, and beautiful wife to Murphy. She's also my mom's sister-in-law who we absolutely adore :). 'One is kind, funny, and great to be around, and since I've met her, she's been nothing but wonderful to our family. Thank you 'One for everything, and for such a fun day!

Just Because : Sisters ~ APRIL & NOEL | Des Moines, WA

April and Noel are sisters, and we originally planned the shoot to include their brother between them who was visiting from overseas. He wasn't able to come, so we did a sisters shoot instead, just as the sun was setting at Saltwater State Park on a beautiful Monday evening. We met up at about 7, and took pictures until we got kicked out of the park at sundown! I had such a fun time with them :)!

Angela Baraquio Grey | Anaheim, CA

My trip to California was a quick one, leaving Junior and the kids behind in Seattle. It was my first time traveling without them, and I missed them more than I can put into words! The reason for my trip to LA was to meet with good friends, Omi and Mapu for a photography workshop (of the sorts). We spent a good part of Thursday indulged in everything photography, and it was truly a highlight of this brand new venture! I can't say enough how fortunate I was to spend the day with them.

We were lucky to do some practice shooting with the beautiful and talented Angela Baraquio Grey at her home in Orange County. She is a highly accomplished motivational speaker, teacher and owner of Isle Entertainment in California - and completely down-to-earth. Amongst it all, she's also Mom to two adorable little boys. We had so much fun with her, and she was the perfect model for our practice session. It was great to meet you, Angie! Thanks again!

Déjà vu!

While editing more of Heidi's pictures for her CD of the entire shoot, I came across a few more that I just LOVED! I know I've posted several photos from this shoot already, but what the heck...here are just a couple more!

And the famous vele vao ("pulling weeds" in Samoan) pic Heidi loves so much..LOL! There was one grassy bush by where I'd had Heidi sitting and I wanted to get it in a shot, so I told her to turn to it and touch the grass or something. She gave me the craziest are-you-kidding-me!?! look, but played along anyway. She couldn't stop laughing from embarassment as several crowds of people had been down by the water barbequeing that evening, and were watching the entire shoot. See Haiki, you look great even when you vele vao! LOL!!

Just Because : ANGEL

Angel is MULTI-TALENTED; she is the ever-so-creative owner of Angel Cakes and dance instructor for SunDancers West Seattle - plus she can work the camera! Check out how gorgeous she is! We got some great shots at Lincoln Park, and caught some views of the city at Alki Beach, literally RIGHT as the sun was setting.

Angel, it was great to meet you!! I had an excellent time!

Just Because : HEIDI

Heidi and I go WAAAAY back. Back like hopscotch & jumprope, peanut-butter-and-jelly, pigtails-sporting days (but fast forward 20 years, and we're sporting anti-wrinkle cream). We officially met in Kindergarten, but became classmates and friends in Ms. Dolan's first grade class, and the rest is (literally) history. She's one of my oldest friends, and we've seen each other through all of the embarassing kid-to-preteen-to-teen moments. So naturally, there's no filter when we get together and we goof off like we're 10 again, and childhood memories come flooding back.

This shoot was a TON of fun, and Heidi is beautiful, inside and out! I had such a hard time deciding which pictures to post because there were so many FABULOUS ones to choose from.

Thanks Haiki, for a great time!! Love you to pieces!

Just Because: ARIANA

We did a very last-minute session with Ariana yesterday afternoon, after she got off work. Ariana is Andru's older sister. Yes, good looks evidently run in their family!