Blog

Darling Magazine, Issue 3

Lehua Noëlle — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:49:10 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to shoot for Darling Magazine. My photos accompanied an article written by Amber Davies about fostering the community around you. This idea has been especially pertinent in my life this past year as I was more involved with my community group from church. It's tough (terrifying, actually) to allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of others and with others, but I'm learning how rich the experience can be. Special thanks to the talented and delightful Ruthi Auda, for art directing and having me shoot. *Cover photo by Nicole Hill.

Engagement Session ::: Aaron & Janell

Lehua Noëlle — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:01:48 +0000

These two get married next month and I can't wait! For their engagement session we went up into the mountains and were surrounded by giant trees, quiet spaces and a breathtaking view of the island with the shared company of low clouds. Aaron and Janell have been together for years, but their excitement for one another was so sweet to observe. I'm looking forward to being a part of their big day, surrounded by family and celebration!

Portraits at Griffith, my favorite place

Lehua Noëlle — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:52:57 +0000

If you asked my husband what my favorite place in LA would be, he'd immediately say Griffith Park. We live about 2 minutes from the park and I tend to go there when I'm feeling a little down and want to catch my breath for a second. Something about it moves me, there's a little magic floating around in that air.

Eva is a fellow designer and friend from my undergrad. Her work is fun and full of whimsy and her blog is filled with consistently great imagery. She and her husband modeled for me a while back and in turn I gave them a portrait session. We weren't sure where to shoot, but it had been a while since I visited some beloved spots of mine at Griffith Park and it felt like it'd be the perfect setting close to sundown. Please enjoy and visit this park of mine soon, it'll do good for your soul.

Trials & Triumphs: A Year of Growing Pains

Lehua Noëlle — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 20:51:39 +0000

All throughout elementary school, I was the tallest girl in my class. I remember lying in bed wondering why my legs were hurting. My mom told me they were growing pains. Once the 6th grade hit my classmates experienced their own growth spurts, surpassing me for the most part. To this day I remain at the same height that I was in 7th grade, a very intimidating 5' 2".

2012 has been a "growing pains" kind of year. I've experienced heartbreak, doubt and regret. I've also experienced an abundance of grace, reminders of hope and a place in a community.

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions but this year I do hope for certain things - to have courage and perseverance to work towards my dreams, to continue to seek truth and spend time with the people and things I value. Above all I hope to love others, especially my sweet husband who has been an example of selflessness to me in all the little and incomprehsible ways. Thank you David, for choosing to spend not just this year, but your life with me.

Happy New Year everyone, may you be blessed with hope, grace and love. Thank you to all of my clients for being part of my dream, wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

XO,
Lehua

Just Some Words

Lehua Noëlle — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 19:17:12 +0000

You know that moment when you come to the realization that something's different and it won't ever be the same again? Is there a word for that? Perhaps there's not because it's such a full feeling that can't be explained with something so simple as a single word. A word would be too easy, almost a cop-out from the vulnerability and bravery it takes to face the fear of change and all that it brings.

I was never really one to be scared of change or committment and now that I'm confronted head on with these emotions I feel like I'm in new territory that I haven't a map to. I know this is all vague and the point isn't ambiguity, but to share that sometimes we all need a little pocket of space to catch our breath, validate our feelings (if we're lucky enough to identify them), and count on our friends and loved ones to guide us as we take steps to move on in this newfound land.

Napa Wedding ::: Under the Oak Tree

Lehua Noëlle — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 02:27:29 +0000

The weather has finally changed, at least temporarily here in LA and there's a much welcomed chill in the air. The leaves don't quite turn into rich fall colors, but the wind blows and I love how my face feels cold and my nose resembles a beloved reindeer we all know. Seth and Megan's wedding was gorgeous, up in northern California at Megan's parents house, where in fact, seasons do exist.

One of my favorite things about weddings is that no matter what kind of positive impression I have of the bride and groom before the wedding, more often than not, my admiration for the couple grows after being a part of their big day. This was especially true of Seth and Megan. They both share a spirit of quiet confidence and show genuine concern and care for those around them. It was beautiful to be a part of such a special day for them, their family, and friends. Happy upcoming Anniversary Seth & Megan, I hope it's one to remember!

Lucky We Live Hawaii

Lehua Noëlle — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 05:37:52 +0000

Wait, what? So I may not live in Hawaii anymore and it's really weird to come to terms with the fact that I've lived on the mainland for the past 7 years. It makes me feel old and the feeling is intensified by the fact that my birthday is tomorrow. I'll be a quarter of a century old and the rite of passage of renting a car without the inevitable underage fee is on my side and quite frankly, nothing else except that I am definitely in my mid-twenties. Aside from my ill-placed insecurities of getting older, for those of you who don't know, "lucky we live Hawaii" is a phrase that we say when we see the sunset or the daily dose of rainbows, when we get to swim with honus, where the ocean gives us comfort and the sun gives us life. Though I may not be able to say "lucky we live Hawaii" anymore for now, I am very lucky that I get to visit so often. I'm grateful and humbled that my friends are supporting my craft and hiring me as their wedding photographer.

I was in Hawaii this past weekend for my third wedding this year on Oahu. It's been such a treat and, to be honest, somewhat of a necessity to be able to see my family this much. It's been a difficult year for my family back home and I'm thankful that friends have seen something special enough in my work to fly me out for their biggest day yet.

Here's to Jon & Hope, may you have the best honeymoon in Maui, getting lucky in our beautiful Hawaii ;)

Pineapple Fields Forever

Lehua Noëlle — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 06:37:45 +0000

A few of my favorite shots from a shoot we did months ago on the North Shore of Oahu. We didn't have time to do a day after session, so we opted for a "day after session" a few months later the next time I was in town. Don't these make you want to skip work and book the next plane to Honolulu? It sure does for me. It's true what they say, the older you become the more you appreciate where you came from. It's obvious my love for Hawaii grows each year, isn't it?

Thank you to Chris and Mel for traipsing through the red dirt with me, I had a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to being in Hawaii at the end of the month to shoot Chris' brother's wedding at the same location I was married at! I think it's safe to say it will be an emotional day for me :)

If you'd like to see more photos, this session was featured on Style Me Pretty a couple months ago, enjoy!

Little Islands

Lehua Noëlle — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 20:35:22 +0000

I was born with an unusual birthmark on my left arm. It begins on the top of my hand, travels its way up my arm in sporadic splotches, and if I crane my neck far enough I can just see the last little mark on the back of my shoulder. It's one of those things that never really bothered me though. As a kid I would tell people they were the Hawaiian Islands because there are eight little "islands" on my arm.

I have a memory from when I was seven or eight playing at a friends house. I could feel her eyes staring at my left arm and could tell she was trying to figure out what it was. I responded to her looks with, "no, I didn't get burned, it's just a birthmark." Caught off-guard, she mustered up some wit and courage and said "it looks really good on you."

Don't be ashamed of those little physical inconsistencies or "islands", allow them to take on a little role of what makes you, you. Don't hide those birth marks, freckles, beauty marks or whatever your "something different" is, because honestly, it looks really good on you.

Fell in love yesterday with Kate's freckles

Let Go

Lehua Noëlle — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:42:20 +0000

This was one of the best moments I've had at a wedding, as simple as it was. The flower girls just decided to go for it. They giggled together and with a burst of adrenaline started running down the aisle in a full sprint. The crowd started laughing and I wondered if anyone or everyone was thinking and feeling my same emotions as we witnessed this joyful and unplanned dash or escape from the pressure of petal tossing.

When's the last time you've done something spontaneous? I definitely wish I had more of a carefree outlook towards life. I wish I had the guts to grab my pal and hop on a plane, or get in the car and drive 2,000 miles to who knows where. Spontaniety has never been my strong suite. I'm careful, I plan, I make pro/con lists, I do my research, while relying on structure to help me complete my tasks since my artist brain doesn't naturally lend itself to organization. I hold on to the what if's, always wanting to be responsible and being fearful of letting people down. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the responsibilty jacket that I wear so often, it's a part of me and I'm proud of that fact that I'm reliable, and can be counted on when it matters and even when it doesn't, but sometimes, much of the time, I wish I could just let it go, take off the heavy coat of "mulling over the consequences of my actions" and just take a risk. I want that rush of adrenaline, I want to feel my hair blowing in the wind as I take a chance. I know I'll get there one day, I plan on it.

P.S. I may or may not have been listening to Frou Frou's "Let Go" while writing this :)