This is one of the first sacred portrait sessions I did this year with the specific goal of showcasing the beauty and strength of a woman entering gracefully into her forties. We wanted to make tangible Harmony'sinner spirit through all of these images. It was a true collaboration. Harmony is a brave soul to share herself in this way, and I was so honored to be a part of her journey! She is one of the most beautiful women I know, inside and out, and her fierce yet tender nature shows perfectly through these images! The jewelry she is wearing is all designed and made by her.....original designs that you can find on her website for Harmony Scott Jewelry Design. 

Where do I start with my mom? She is a Hawaiian girl, born and raised. She is a badass. I really do bow down to her badassness (yes, mom I know that is not a real word). She gave birth to 5 10+ pound babies and lived to tell about it. She raised 3 step sons as well. She is strong and capable and the most accomplished multi tasker you'll ever meet. She can make an amazing dinner for 10 with about an hour's notice. She loves like nobody's business and takes nurturing to the level of art form. She is generous (sometimes to a fault). She makes everyone feel comfortable and loved. She is wicked smart and reads about a book every other day it seems like (Oh and she WILL correct the sh*t out of your grammar). The only thing she was ever super strict about was manners. She insisted that we needed to be just as comfortable at a 5 star restaurant as at a back country barbecue . She easily glides between these 2 worlds with grace and humility, and we learned by watching her. She taught us acceptance and compassion by living those things every moment of her life (still does). She taught us that worry is futile and is probably the calmest person I know in a crisis. She is an amazing artist and her creativity has been woven into ourlives. From hand painted lunch boxes to decorated love notes within them to elaborate hand made costumes. These days she paints and makes the most gorgeous hand-bound books you have ever seen. OK now,back to her badassness....I remember going to a feed store (did I mention she is an accomplished horsewoman??) with her when I was little, and watching all the dudes in the store watch her in awe as she slung a 50lb horse feed bag over her shoulder and walked out. Need a dress, she can sew you one. Need to fix some plumbing, shes your gal.Need to build some stuff? She can do it. Oh yeah, do you need anyone to run your cattle ranch for you? She can do it all from round ups to delivering calves for a distressed heifer in the rain. She has the patience of Job and has singlehandedly made more people than I can even count feel like they matter when no one else did. She SEES people, and makes sure they know that. She glows. She radiates love. She remembers EVERYones birthdays. I am so blessed to have this mother, and I am eternally grateful . She is in me every day. I can feel her gentle guidance in all that I do from helping raise my step-daughter to speaking to people I don't know, to doing about 50 million things in a day and doing it with ease. I mainly feel her in the way I love and express love. I catch her words coming out of my mouth and her lessons flowing through me out into the world almost everyday. She is a true example of teaching by living. She is a stellar human. I hope you all get to meet her. Those of you who know her, know exactly what I am talking about. Here she is in all of her 65 year old glory....I love you Mom!!!!!!!!

My amazing dad turned 80 in January. You would never know that he is 80 unless you looked at his driver's license. He has more energy, wit and vitality than many 50 year olds I know. I have been reflecting a lot on my parents lately, and how they shaped my life and influenced who I am today. To try and capture my dad and his humongous personality and list of accomplishments in one blog post would be impossible. I will make a meek effort here anyway.....He is larger than life and when he enters a room, you can feel it. He radiates charisma and a joie de vivre that is contagious. He will march into room full of his kids with a whistle and a laugh and love on all of us in his unique and expressive teeth gritting, knee grabbing way.  He is one of the most generous people I know, and has helped countless peoplein quiet ways, but ways that make a huge difference to them. He, like my mom can seamlessly move between worlds and honor and connect with the people therein naturally and with ease. His life has been an adventure from the day he could chart his own course.  Thankfully hebrought my 6 other siblings and me along for the ride, and by default taught us all how to create the same in our own lives. Like my mom, he taught us so much just by living his life. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" (Helen Keller), should have been his motto. He sure lives that way. Passion fuels everything he does, and although a very practical man, practicality rarely enters the equation of his life's work. He follows his gut and his heart and as a result has painted a beautiful rich tapestry that is his life . My Dad has always followed his dreams, and has encouraged us to do the same. He gets his hands dirty and really learns how to do things. He is a gifted woodworker, amazing painter, talented photographer, and an expert pilot and sailor. His knowledge of the history of this country would stop a person with a PhD in the same subject in their tracks. He is always reading and learning and nothing is done half as*ed. It is a huge inspiration, and at times has been a daunting example to live up to. All of that aside, though, it all goes back to the beginning for me. My most treasured memories with my dad are in the wilderness and on the sea. I spent the first years of my life with him adventuring in the back country of Hawaii, and started sailing with him when I was little. Our shared passion for sailing connects us deeply, but mostly we are connected by a soul thread that we cannot explain. He is a soul mate to me and for that I am so very grateful. My dad taught me how to love fiercely and freely.  I know my dad's heart, and for that I am so grateful, for despite his sometimes tough exterior, he is pure love. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

My Dad and I and our tree...

At the top of Hualalae Mountain in Hawaii

Me helping in his Photo studio ......

I love you dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!