Aviva Photography Blog

Hi again! It has been awhile… I’m working on some back-office type of things (you know, getting ready for the fall and such) which aren’t nearly as exciting as showing photos to you. So I know you keep looking to see what I’ve got; here are some photos from our Hawaii trip.

One morning after having some delicious breakfast, we headed out to Puli Lookout to get a lay of the land. WOW it was windy! But so beautiful. I could’ve stared out at that view all day.

After that stop, we went to the Punchbowl National Cemetery. I had honestly not heard of it before (my hubby is the history freak… just art history for me) and not only is it a big and beautifully landscaped national cemetery, but Kanoe’s father was buried there. So the kids had been before. The flag was flying at half mast (we weren’t sure why) and I love this shot of the sun behind the stars & stripes.

Ernie Pyle was buried there. Obviously there are countless others (Punchbowl is now filled to capacity with 33,230), but he’s famous so I took a photo of his stone.

There’s a monument at the end of the road, and it’s surrounded by walls with the names of service members who died during World War II. The walls are divided up by branch of service.

The statue at the memorial is huge:

and on either side there are walls with mosaic maps of each battle fought in the Pacific during WWII. It’s beautifully done.

Looking out over the cemetery from the memorial steps is just incredible. I put one here with my kid in it for scale.

That was just one afternoon! (Not even the whole afternoon.) More to come – including the luau…

And the north shore.

Sigh. Beautiful!

I’m hard at work – trying to think up a good promotion for the fall launch which is also – get THIS – the one year anniversary of Aviva Photography! WHERE did that year go? Unbelievable.

More soon! Stay tuned…

I’ve been a bad blogger. But I’ll improve. Between rainy days and hot weather, I’ll be taking a few less photos, but I’m still busy. And I’m still taking some personal photos too, so stay tuned – there are never enough hours in a day. Particularly when my kid is out of school!

So this beautiful family that I photographed late last year contacted me to see about shooting David’s retirement ceremony. At the time I had no idea where it would be, or really any of the details – but I told them I’d make it happen. This was another “something different” – and the reason for that title is that it isn’t too far in our future. My hubby has just about 23 years in the USMC and at some point either before we leave Okinawa or not long afterward, there will be a retirement ceremony happening for him. Not to shift the focus here, but of course you understand how emotional this was for me even though David and MaryBeth and their girls are just friends. In general (if you haven’t already gathered), the military community is a tight-knit one; particularly on a sub-tropical island halfway between Japan and Taiwan!

Enough rambling. David, very much in character, chose a low-key small ceremony with a handful of very important people and some darned good food. MaryBeth did a lot of planning (not all of which went smoothly) and it was such a wonderful ceremony and reception. Despite the pouring (and I mean pouring) rain, and a forgotten shadow box that involved breaking and entering (don’t ask) it went smoothly…. thank goodness it wasn’t set for outdoors! I mean just THINK of what would’ve happened to the CAKE!!

Yum.

As I entered, I saw the covers sitting on the table.

The band played (love the USMC band!).

The Presentation of the Colors commenced. (This gets my heart thumping and my eyes teary every year at the USMC Birthday Ball, so I really enjoyed photographing this!)

During the beautiful opening prayer.

A shot of the room…

David gave a very emotional and amazing speech. I cried when he spoke beautifully of his wife, MaryBeth – including talk of how she has touched the lives of so many (you’re such a special woman, MB!) – and his daughters A & K – who were the only ones who didn’t “volunteer” for service, but grew and bloomed in a difficult life for any child. David – you’re an amazing father, husband and Marine, and it was an honor to be there.

Just when I thought the waterworks were over, I saw this…

There were a couple of group shots requested; one with the people in their cul-de-sac:

And one with the group from their church:

And MaryBeth and I share this wonderful friend, Michelle. She actually brought this family to me in the first place – and I know Michelle will miss MaryBeth more than anyone. I’m here for you, Mickey – a bottle of wine when you need it and plenty of laughter to go with it!

All gorgeous people of course! And thank GOODNESS, some comic relief – I mean really, this IS the same family I laughed myself silly with before…

(I KNOW, right?!)

Better yet (sorry, David – your turn for blog abuse) – the MOOSE ANTLER sneak attack on David as he posed with his sister who flew in from mainland. (Yes, I also have one without the moose antlers, don’t worry.)

And last but not least (it was an eventful day, ok??) the beautiful Oliver family.

I wish you all the best in Austin, Oliver family. A lot of hearts in Okinawa are breaking but I know you reunion with family and friends will be sweet.

Safe and happy travels!