Aviva Photography Blog

I was editing a few photos from about two weeks ago (don’t ask… it’s HARD to get to everything I do for myself!), and Craig (hubby) grabbed the tripod and was in the living room messing around with the camera. All of a sudden, I hear, “Cool! Come here & check this out!”

I looked on the display and he’d controlled the shutter so that he had time to run over and scribble with a flashlight. “Wait! Gimme that…” I said, grabbing the flashlight and running behind the chair. He explained what to do and where to stand, and that I needed to point the light at the camera… and…. VOILA!

Ok, not perfect. But COOL, right? (I turned the flashlight on & off for the separation between letters after ending up with a big zig-zag trying to do it in one line the first time.) Next time we might end up with sparklers or chem lights at the sea wall… look out for the crazy people holding the lights in front of the camera on a tripod and jumping around.

It’s sold – currently winging its way to Australia.

Athena, this one’s for YOU. And for everyone else… I promised that I’d put more photos up on a more regular basis.

This guy. Sigh. He was the first newborn I photographed. I mean since I was photographing for more than just a hobby. (Ok…fine, here. Don’t laugh, I’ve learned a lot in the last year.)

K was born last September and his 2 older brothers happen to be my daughter’s boyfriends. He’s baby #4 for my neighbors who are soon to PCS. (SNIFF) Anyway, he’s MY boyfriend. He’s delicious and adorable. As you can see. Look what a difference (almost) a year makes!

He’s definitely coming by the good-lookin’ DNA honestly… You’d recognize his sister & brother from my website.

But Mia’s boyfriend – L – he hasn’t been honored with a photo before. He’s about as goofy as my daughter, and he knows me; so it is hard for me to get a good photo of that kid. He’s adorable though – and he does crack me up. My daughter has excellent taste.

I’m really going to miss these folks; Okinawa will not be the same without you! But don’t doubt for a second I won’t knock on your door in North Carolina when we go back to the States – with a bottle of prosecco and a handful of glasses.
Last photo of this post – totally random….

My friend’s really sweet and gorgeous cat, Lavender. If she’s missing I’ve cat-napped her.

I just blogged a few of these on my personal site but I did want to share them here as well. I promise to be better about blogging on this site as the business really starts – for now it’s much less interesting stuff for me – making sure things work properly so that when clients hire me, things go smoothly. Nothing glamorous about it – but it has to happen.

Anyway – here are a few shots I took when we pulled over to get some of the beautiful light hitting a Marina near Nago.

Ah the mighty Aphrodite. This makes me think of my friend Nick – not only a boat aficionado but a Greek.

The fish were literally jumping in this marina. So I shouldn’t have been surprised that I saw a couple of guys with poles.

Just a couple more shots I grabbed before we hopped back in the car for the ride back home.

As a sweet and knowledgeable friend just told me – I need to take this moment in. So that’s what I’m trying to do… but it’s been hard to breathe at all!

Let’s slow it down. For starters, a photo. Last weekend we trekked up to Emerald Beach, just north of the Churaumi Aquarium for a day outside. It was hot, but with an umbrella in the sand and an ocean to play in – it was paradise – our permanent vacation!

Mia ran off into the water the moment I finished putting on sunscreen and handing her a mask. Soon she was out there playing with three Japanese children whose mother was standing closeby in the thigh-deep water. (Thigh-deep for an adult, anyway.) As I walked out there, I heard them. Language barriers mean nothing to children, I think we could all learn from that. They were playing on platforms, jumping, splashing, laughing, and praciticing their English & Japanese. It was delightful! I met the kids’ mother, who spoke much better English than I do Japanese. She said her children were trying to figure out Mia’s name. I said, “It’s Mia. What about your children?”
She pointed at her daughters (and you’ll forgive me, I don’t remember her son’s name) and said “Mi-yo and Mi-yu!”

So Mia, Miyo and Miyu frolicked together for the afternoon. With their brother too.  I’m so sorry, I’m sure you have a lovely name. We even got a glass-bottomed canoe together and checked out the sakana (fish) swimming underneath us!

So back to business… here comes my launch – in September. I am probably as ready as I’ll ever be – I mean, I’m already working, right? But now – it’s real. I’m going to be emailing out a coupon to those who have been supporting me – probably YOU sitting there reading this right now! (Unless you aren’t in Okinawa, then I think that would just be a big tease.) Hitting “Send” on that email is going to start my business. That is a very big deal for me. I guess it would be for anyone, but even bigger because I have been on this island for 14 months. That’s how long it has taken to cultivate this pearl that is Aviva Photography. So – you will be thanked in my email to you with the eCoupon, but I’m going to thank you here too. THANK YOU – YOU have made this what it is. YOU have been encouraging to me even when I was laughing you off and thinking eh – it’s just a hobby. YOU have blessed me with your family’s faces and beautiful souls in front of my camera. And I can’t wait to keep doing it. I know you’re holding my hand, and here I go – deep breath… jumping in!
Please don’t let go!

I took photos of a senior a little while ago. She’s Phillippina and she has 6 names. Do not ask me to remember all of them, I do remember Maria & Vevrette. (She goes by the latter.)

Vevrette is my friend & occasional assistant Shannan’s neighbor’s daughter. Shannan is so sweet, and she knew I was looking for another senior to photograph and talked Vevrette into emailing me.

We met her to go walking out in town, and she was so shy and quiet. She wouldn’t even let Shannan carry her stuff because she felt bad. She had no idea what to do in front of a camera. But as time went on and we started talking and having fun together, she came out of her shell. I think it’s apparent as you look through the photos that she became more and more comfortable.

Shannan was right though – she IS beautiful.

And guess what? After my comment about Tara’s harp, Vevrette took it to heart and brought her guitar!

She’s just now learning, but hey – you can’t hear photographs, right?

I loved her blue sneakers.

Blue seemed to be a theme. Isn’t this gritty urban shot so cool?

Looking really good, V!!

Her dark eyes and black hair are so gorgeous against this bright blue!

Oh for the days when I was in a high school band and didn’t need makeup. Sigh.

It was a pleasure meeting you, Vevrette. I loved seeing you come out of your shell, and hope you love the photos!

I met Anna via email initially, but finally met her in person at a barbecue get-together on Torii Beach. Anna is a civilian contractor here, as is her husband. She has two adorable daughters, L & E – and she is also Okinawan. She has lived here for 10 years, and this is a great thing since her family is here. As we spoke that first time, she explained how she’d like to have some photographs done of the three generations of Okinawan women in her family. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance!

I’m so thrilled Anna contacted me to do this shoot – it was delightful meeting her aunts and her cousins, and enjoying their incredibly beautiful home (which has been in the family for 35 years!). (I’m not sure that spider in the previous post hasn’t been living in their garden for about that long too…. shudder.)

I pulled up to the extraordinary shiisa out at the front gate and knew this would be an extra special day. Here are a few details from the amazing garden. That little dog was quite protective.

As Anna’s cousin showed us inside, he grabbed iced tea for Shannan and I and we marveled at the details inside the house. (In the photos here you can see his business card with his photo that he made himself. The photo on the lower left is Anna’s uncle accepting an award.)

We were led upstairs to catch the final moments of Anna and her aunts putting the kimono on E & L. Adorable! (It was HOT – no surprise for Okinawa in July – but next time I can’t wait to see all the gorgeous women in their kimono!)

More from the day… Anna’s cousin with gorgeous L.

I think blue is E’s color, don’t you? Her smile lit up the whole garden!

Here are all the ladies – Sadly, Anna lost her mom eight years ago, but the relationship between Anna, her daughters, and the great aunts is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen. Anna – your mom was smiling at you all on this day! And E & L are so lucky to have their family and your rich culture here.

Anna’s Aunts are so beautiful. Look at their lovely smiles. The language barrier didn’t stop me from enjoying their company thoroughly!

Anna is a runner. All the friends we have in common, refer to her as “Anna the Runner”. Well look at this woman! It shows. Some of the genetics from this family were passed down, and I think I’d call her Anna the Stunner.

The love for these smart and friendly little girls just oozed all over the place. By the end of the shoot I was covered in sweat but I didn’t even notice or care.

From Anna: Thank you for a wonderful session. My Okinawan family had NEVER experienced anything like that before. They only know the Japanese way of going to a studio and getting the 3 canned poses. A million times thank you for this family treasure. My daughters will look back someday and see the Okinawan women who loved them from day one.

It was an incredible experience to photograph your family. I do really hope we can do it again when it’s a bit cooler, I’d love to spend some more time around the family! Thank YOU, everyone.