Family | Big Island Jungle
Family | Big Island Jungle
Emily emailed me asking for a photoshoot for their family for when they would be vacationing on the Big Island. She told me the Big Island was a special place, because it was their Dad’s favorite place, and he passed 3 years ago. I was instantly connected to this shoot, and felt the privilege of capturing them as a family while on Big Island, and what it held for all of them. A place of reflection, a place that reminded them of their dad in the best way possible - happiness.
We planned the shoot for March 26th, 2020. They got to Hawaii just before things really started rolling in Hawaii with COVID-19. Once they were here, things began to unfold, and beaches closed. They called me and asked if we could switch the date so they could still have photos done before they caught an early flight back, cutting their trip short.
While knowing the precautions needed, I absolutely wanted to make this shoot work for them, and it worked with ease. Since our original plan of a beach shoot was not longer an option, we decided to head to the jungle. ( one of my favorite locations to hike )
Everyone showed up with big smiles. We headed into the jungle, and I knew I was with some adventurous people when the trail didn’t phase them, a group of 9 ranging from baby to grandma!
The kids went exploring, periodically being snuggled and loved on by their parents. I captured their little adventure through the jungle while pulling them each aside for their own little photo shoot moments.
I saw such loving, caring, nurturing parents, and a loving, sweet Noni (grandma) …
When we were heading back to the car, Emily said - “When we were in Israel, our guide told us that while we were on a tour of the Garden of Gethsemane. He said when an olive tree limb gets cut off, it doesn’t stay dead, but instead multiple olive shoots grow up out of it 🌱 ….we call times like these - “olive shoots” … our original plans changed, but I am so glad we were still able to do this shoot and it worked in a different way, but even better!“
That is something SO true. When something unexpected, or “bad” happens in life, its like what happens to an olive tree. It’s cut, but it doesn’t shrivel up and die. From it shoots new opportunities and new things that weren’t existing before. From the shoot with Emily and her family, I left feeling better and more built up than I was before! The world is still the same, but my outlook shifted. I am grateful for that. Especially in the time we’re in right now.
Enjoy the photos from this beautiful jungle session <3
