When two became three
There once was a girl
And that girl met a boy
They found living as two
Was a life full of joy.
These two happy lovebirds
This couple, this pair
Were snug in their nest
but they though it quite bare.
So they cuddled up closer
Made room in their tree
and their joy overflowed
When two became three.
-Ally Pally Poems
Wishing you both much aloha from Oahu! It was so nice to meet you and thank you for letting me capture these moments.
I always feel a little behind anyway so this post is just being real. Per usual, I’m playing catch up here.
I had the chance to shoot two beautiful families at the end of last year. You just didn’t catch wind of it until now. Enjoy!
When I met with this lovely military family on that glorious day; we talked, photographed and walked along one of the most gorgeous beaches I have ever been lucky enough to enjoy. Naturally our conversation led us both down the question of “Where will you end up after serving your country? Where do you think home is for you?” For military families this might be a tough question to answer especially when you haven’t been in control of where you live for 20+ years. But if there’s one thing i’ve learned on this journey, home is not a place, it’s a feeling. Thank you so much for spending time with me on that beautiful morning. I hope that you will always feel at home wherever the military sends you. Then when that time comes to find home, I hope it is some place where you are surrounded by beauty and always at peace. Much aloha!
XOXO - Sharlyn
When I was young I heard folks say,
“Youth’s wasted on the young;”
Now I can fully understand
That age-old song they sung.
Life goes by so very fast
While we’re doing other things;
We often fail to notice
The changes that time brings.
Now here I stand with aches and pains,
A stranger in the mirror,
Wondering how time moved so fast
While I failed to hold it dear.
Young people, life’s a journey
With no destination but “the end.”
So please don’t take the fastest plane
Or rush to round the bend.
You’re on your way to nowhere–
Your whole life you’re passing through–
So make sure you’re at the window
With your eye upon the view.
Do not miss a moment
As you ride through time and life;
Do not waste a moment
On useless rush or strife.
Life is far shorter than it looks
When all of life’s ahead,
But when someday you have grown old
You’ll remember what I said.
And rue the day you turned away
From my wise words of truth
To waste the speeding middle years
That makes old folks out of youth.
Edwina William
Thank you for letting me capture this magical moment in your life - - it was truly my pleasure. You two deserve every bit of happiness this baby is going to bring you. Congratulations!!
Much love, ~sharlyn
Sometimes life is Just. So. Busy. Depending on what season of life you are in it could be busier than others. There might always be something waiting for you to give it some attention. I know that's how it is for me a lot of the time during this particular season of life. But with that said, I love what I do because I get to meet many families that are here on vacation. Vacationers are some of the happiest people you are EVER gonna meet. The are devoting time to pleasure rather than to work, and it's their time to reset mentally and physically to forget whatever obligations are at home....even if it's for just a little bit. When I get to hang out with "The Vacationer" their energy spills over onto me and I get to feel a little bit free even for just a little bit. So thank you very much for thinking of me to capture these wonderful memories. I needed it more than you know. Come back to visit paradise soon!
If you could pack up your life and move to a dream destination for just one year, would you do it? Perhaps sell all your things and go on an adventure of a lifetime? Why wouldn't you?
It's my dream to travel the world for a year or two. What's your dream?
I hope that your time here on Oahu was a grand adventure. One day you and your children will look back and be so glad that you were able to spend that year of your life in paradise. Come back to visit again soon! Much aloha!
Military families know how wonderful it feels to just. be. together. It's not something we can take for granted for many times we don't have control over this. When apart, months pass and with them there are seasons, holidays, birthdays, milestones, laughs and tears. Everyday life happens with a huge separation between. So needless to say, the feeling of life together for military families is a very happy place. To him: Welcome home and I hope you stay awhile . To her: You were holding it down with so much dignity and grace, you made it and you are strong! I am so glad that you asked me to photograph your family and all it's "togetherness". I hope you treasure these images for a lifetime. Enjoy Hawaii! Enjoy summer and all it's sweetness. Until next time......
"Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over." Life is one continuous journey of starting and stopping. Getting up when you fall down, fighting back when you feel defeated. Erasing what you thought should of been or could of been and figuring out a way to make it better. It's a continuous journey that forces us to figure out what brings us joy and to do more of that. It's a continuous effort to not fall into the trap of "victim". We make mistakes, things are hard but you have to get over it and get on with it. Continue to ask your self the tough questions. What do you need to be happy and who do you want to be. Find what fills you up and your best will be just around the corner. Believe it when they say that you are the only one who can write the book of your life. I am so glad that we met in Oahu and I know that your book will be filled with so many beautiful things. Sending you strength and much aloha! Come back to paradise and visit again soon.
"Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first." Matthew Jacobson
These two parents you see right here are pretty amazing because as we can all imagine parenting 4 little ones is no easy feat by any means. Every family I meet always leaves a lasting impression on me and I find that I learn a little bit from all of them. This family far exceeded my expectations and I couldn't stop talking about how relaxed, grateful, humble and beautiful they could be. Not to mention the parents were so patient and loving with each of their children - it was definitely something to be admired. With four little ones you never really know what you can expect at a session. But I have to admit that these children were such a joy to capture -- I am so happy that you chose me to create these last few memories on Oahu for you. Believe me when I say that I am cheering you on from a far. Wishing all the best things that life has to offer. Your future is bright and I hope you enjoy almost every minute of it. If you ever come back this way I hope our paths cross again.
Soon life as you know it will change with the birth of a new baby. So happy you decided to save this moment in pictures for one day, years from now, these memories will take your breath away.
We decided to combine these two sister sessions into one and I'm so glad that we did. It was one of the most relaxed, easy going and fun loving sessions that I've ever had the opportunity to photograph. Thank you sister-girlfriends for choosing me to photograph your memories during this season of your life. Until next time......
We all love a good memorable family vacation. We look forward to them, plan for them and enjoy the time we spent getting away from it all. Then just like that it's over too soon. Document this time. Take those photos. You won't regret it. Thank you for letting me capture your memories on one of the most gorgeous beaches on Oahu. I hope that you were able to relax and reset during your stay here. Until next time, aloha!
It was an early morning photo session when the world is still quiet and calm. It was the perfect time for a vow renewal and for creating memories on a beautiful beach. You both have so much to look forward to. I hope that your move to So. Cal is full of excitement and endless possibility. Always remember and share the aloha and come back to visit us here in Oahu!
I love big families. And by big families I mean families with more than two kids. It's tough to raise multiple children no matter what the generation. If you don't already know I myself have four children and I learned that after two kids you and your husband's defensive line up changes from one-on-one to zone defense. #truth
You can guarantee that you are totally outnumbered, always exhausted, seriously disorganized and probably always late. But I'll be the one to tell you that it is all worth it. It's a crazy loud, (maybe a little dysfuncational) but super fun and happy home. So to all the parents out there that decided to brave the waters and have more that two children. I get it and you are awesome. And your children are awesome too! So carry on with the awesomeness.
Curly Gurl,
24 years ago we sat in communications classes and some random study groups and our paths crossed. When I think about those years we spent together at UCSB it makes me smile -- SO. BIG. We had a goooood time. :-) Today, although we are so many miles apart and we experience different day to day lives, it's those memories of those years as young college students that keep our friendship really really tight. You have always been the most thoughtful, responsible, caring and intelligent person I was lucky enough to meet way back then. Not to mention all these years have been good to you. You haven't aged a bit and you still look exactly like her -- that young college student in communications classes at UCSB. I'm so happy that you came out to Oahu on your way to New Zealand. It was so awesome to spend those few days together. I was so glad to capture these awesome memories of you and your beautiful family. They are absolutely stunning and I hope you treasure them for a lifetime.
I'll see you again soon!
It looked like rain all day. But we did it. Made it happen.
And so it got me thinking about deployments. There are those who say to many military spouses, "I have no idea how you do it?!" After I wipe away a few tears. My answer is always the same. We have no choice. And when you have no choice, it's pretty amazing all the things you CAN do. So my dear friends, when he deploys for months on end -- sing through the rain and tell yourself it's one day closer. You can make it happen.
I know your days are chaotic -- most days a life full of messy. But just remember this. "The thing about chaos, is that while it disturbs us, it too, forces our hearts to roar in a way we secretly find magnificent" - Christopher Poindexter I hope these images remind you how magnificent and beautiful and blessed your life is in the midst of all the chaos. May your heart and soul always feel enjoyment and fulfilment in the present. Had a great time with you all and I loved photographing your family!
Indulge in your daydream. Distract your attention from the present.
"Let's move to the seaside and live by the ocean where you can frolic in the beautiful turquoise ocean and forever bask in the warmth of the sun".
Don't quit. Turn that daydream into a reality.
If there's one thing I know about this military life. You have to find your people. It's the people you meet on this wild ride that makes your experiences more enjoyable. I'm so happy I was asked to photograph this stunning family at a session recently. Years from now when you look back at these images I hope they bring you warm and fond memories of your time here in Hawaii.
