Maui Engagement Photographer - Surprise proposal Chris & Emily!

My congratulations go out to Emily and Chris who got engaged on Maui in a surprise from the groom. I received a call from a woman a few weeks ago asking for my help with a special beach proposal that had to be perfect. She was the cousin of the bride the be and working with the groom to be to plan the perfect proposal on Maui.

Chris, the groom-to-be, chose a beautiful south side beach where he would have some privacy and a spectacular view of the sunset, and we were off and running.

Chris had planned to propose but they had talked about an engagement in about a year. Emily had no idea Chris was planning and plotting all along to arrange for everything to be perfect for his engagement.

I got the job of paparazzi for the evening which is an extremely challenging job on a beach.

The big challenge for me was that Chris wanted to have photos of the proposal but not have Emily know anyone was taking photos of them. So, I invited one of my amazing interns to pose as a "model" for me while I shot the entire photo session proposal over her shoulder.

I found out later that Emily works with movie stars on a regular basis and she was SURE that I was paparazzi.
Chris vehemently denied anyone was taking photos of them walking down the beach and just laughed it off.

Chris finally chose a spot on the beach an gave me the signal that he was about to propose. Emily said YES!! Magic was in the air for the rest of the evening.

We captured some wonderful images of a very special night for the couple and I am thrilled for Emily and Chris! Congratulations you two!

Best wishes and all the best in 2010!

Aubrey

http://www.aubreyhord.com/

JAWS (Peahi) Big Swell Dec 8th

This week was magnificent for big waves and expert surfers on Maui doing their best to ride some huge waves into the north shore surf spot known as JAWS or Peahi. My spot was below. The surfers are riding the waves almost as far out as you can see. I wish I had a long lens to really get into the waves but I did the best I could with what I had.

Photographers with all types of cameras and onlookers lined the cliffs and perched in the trees above the surf spot for several days this week transfixed as big wave surfers got towed into huge waves by jet skies as if they were water skiing.

The surfers let go of the rope from the jet ski when they are ready to ride down the face and as the wave thunders towards the shore. Helicopters buzzed overhead constantly capturing images of the surfers and the crowds gathered with cameras mounted on the front of the aircraft.

It's just incredible to see the tremendous strength and power it takes this talented group of big wave surfers to take the ride of their lives down the enormous faces of these waves.

The bailouts and wipeouts were just as spectacular and scary.

These guys are amazing!

To the next winter storm that brings a huge swell,

Aubrey

http://www.aubreyhord.com/

Big Winter Surf at Hookipa on Maui!

Some of the biggest winter swells Maui has seen in years arrived this week and I had the opportunity to borrow a 300mm Tokina lens and go shoot at Hookipa on the north shore of Maui.

Surfers, stand up paddle boarders and boogie boarders were out in force yesterday ripping it up at the famous north shore surf spot.

Want to see more? More images available on the Aubrey Hord Photography Facebook Fan Page.

A hui hou,

Aubrey

aubrey@aubreyhord.com

http://www.aubreyhord.com/

Maui Honeymoons - Natalie+Jared

Congratulations to Natalie and Jared who tied the knot just before Thanksgiving this year and came to Maui for their honeymoon. I worked with Jared's father at Starbucks and was honored to be asked to photograph the newlyweds as his gift to them.

We took the opportunnity to capture some romantic moments at Kapalua Bay on a beautiful evening on the beach.

We did some romantic shots, fun shots and enjoyed watching the Maui sunset.

The weather was perfect and Natalie and Jared were perfect models for the photo session.

I wish you many years of happiness together. Congratulations!!

A hui hou,

Aubrey
www.aubreyhord.com

Living Maui Magazine Holiday 09 cover features AHP image!

The lastest Dec cover of Living Maui Magazine on Maui features one of my macro images of a protea flower. this is the third image I have had on the cover of this magazine. I love this one the best!

A hui hou,
Aubrey
www.aubreyhord.com

Faces of Hawaii art exhibit opening (Hilo, HI)

The newest exhibit of "Faces of Hawaii" debuted at the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center in Hilo this weekend.

The art opening included all the images selected for the new book, Faces of Hawaii vol. II as well as other entries into the competition.

The annual photography competition is sponsored by HI Art Magazine http://www.hiartmagazine.com/ and was hosted by the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center.

Curated by James Jensen, from the Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, 45 images were selected from the competition to complete the new edition of the book.

I was honored to be selected to be part of the book with my image of Sheldon Chong net fishing in Makena. I met him one day this spring when the weather was exceptional and the water was incredibly blue. I asked if he would keep doing what he was doing and if I could take portraits of him. He was kind enough to honor me with several portraits. Thank you Sheldon for being such a great model!

My other two portraits in the exhibition were of Hawai's waterman, Dave Kalama, and the beautiful, Lauren Ayala. The two images are on the upper right of the shot below.

The show runs for the next month in the Wailoa Center in Hilo. Photographers from all over the state entered the competition, young and old, amateur and professional. the exhibit and book are a great way to see the ever changing faces of our culturally diverse state.

A hui hou,

Aubrey

www.aubreyhord.com

It's the little things in life...

Last week, my husband and I were invited out on the new Ali'i Nui catamaran for a sunset sail. Wonderful food, company and a gorgeous sunset awaited us on the water. Any day on the water is a good day...

A hui hou,
Aubrey
http://www.aubreyhord.com/

Maui Habitat for Humanity Build a Thon

This past weekend, as the sun rose on the island, Maui Habitat for Humanity invited me to their annual Build-a-Thon, taking place in Paukukalo. The huge team of volunteers took on the immense task of rebuilding two homes in the neighborhood from the foundation up. The job had its perk though, an incredible view of both the ocean and the West Maui Mountains from the rooftop. I was there in the early morning hours and got to see the trusses go up on the roof, weatherstripping windows and the prepping of the lanai.

Everyone seemed in good spirits and very focused on the task at hand. I felt like I was on the set of Extreme Home Makeover with all the work going on at the houses at the same time.

Trusses were going up on the roof while the outside was being weather stripped and painted. Incredible!

Check out the view for the roofing team!

Thanks to the dozens of talented volunteers who made this day happen and for contributing your time and skills to a new home for a needy family. For volunteer opportunities, check out www.habitat-maui.org.

A hui hou,

Aubrey

www.aubreyhord.com

Aerosmith Rocks Maui

One of the greatest rock bands in American history came to Maui this month and gave an amazing show to 10,000 happy fans in the War Memorial Stadium. Hosted by the Maui Arts and Cultural Center www.mauiarts.org, and presented by Tom Moffatt, the concert was held at the largest venue the island has to offer. The band members got up close and personal with the fans and limited number of photographers who were granted media passes to photograph the show.

A long catwalk extended into the crowd, allowing the band to interact with fans, thrilling the audience!

Maui News photographer, Matt Thayer (with wrist bands on), gets up close and personal with lead singer, Steven Tyler.

Joe Perry set up a keyboard stand and played his guitar right in front of the photographers during the first couple of songs, making is super fun to photograph. The hard part was, when Joe Perry was right in front of us, Steven Tyler was out on the catwalk with the spotlights on him- which way to turn??

The band put on a totally dynamic show non stop for over two hours!

Steven Tyler making his way back to the stage from the catwalk.

The band, jamming right in front of the photographers.

My favorite shot of Mr. Tyler. You can see his lei around his neck if you look carefully.

The ever impressive Joe Perry on bass.

Steven Tyler thanking kumu hula, Lehua, and her hula halau for opening the show. She also presented him with a lei, welcoming him to the island.

The incredibly talented Maui musician, Vince Esquire, opened the show with his band. He got the crowd on their feet right off the bat. They didn't sit down for nearly 3 hours!

More great music is on the way to Maui so stay tuned!

A hui hou,

Aubrey

www.aubreyhord.com