TIME'S A-FLYIN'!

Internet, I'm alive!  Happy 2012 :).

I can't believe I didn't post a single thing the entire month of December - the most eventful month of the year in my household.  We celebrated two of my daughters' birthdays (Eden turned 6 and Taimane turned 5), welcomed my brand new niece Catherine into the world at the beginning of the month, then our own new daughter Tiare-Rose made her debut a few days before Christmas.  We celebrated our wedding anniversary in the hospital with our newest addition who came the day before, and had a wonderful Christmas with my mom, stepdad, grandma and sister visiting from Samoa and California, as well as my youngest brother and his girlfriend.  It was a busy month to say the least and I'm still in recovery-mode, but it was an exciting time, and a great way to wrap up the year.

I haven't had much time to sit down and post anything, and it's probably safe to say I'll be on maternity leave for a few more weeks :).  2011 was a year of triumphs and challenges, as in any year, and a tremendous learning experience all around.  Here's to 2012, and all that it will bring!  I have huge plans for the Stunning brand this year, and hope you stick around to see things unfold :).

Wishing you all a fabulous year! XOXO

~Pua

Friday’s FABULOUS FINDS | Vol. III

Yes, couldn’t help myself - Friday’s Fabulous Finds on a Saturday since I missed (almost) 2 Fridays!

Some BLACK FRIDAY Fun & A Christmas Gift for You!

To spread some Holiday Cheer, and keeping in line with Black Friday deals, check out this interactive website, designed by Melissa Love, and brought to you by Tiare Photography - PLAY, WIN and DOWNLOAD a little something from me to you!  Feel free to redeem it for yourself, or re-gift it to someone special.

It’ll only be up for a little while, so take advantage of the FUN while you can! ;)

Click the screen shot below:

GRATITUDE

I woke up this morning to my little boy, fast asleep and curled up against my side, and I felt a wave of gratitude come over me. For him, for my daughters, and for my newest blessing growing in my tummy. Even on the roughest days of fevers or tantrums or huge messes in the house and crayon marks all over my walls :), life is sweet, and I can’t think of anything that brings me more joy than being a Mommy. I love my babies to no end, and am thankful every day for each of them, their health, and the way they make me smile at the simplest of things.

Every year around the holidays, I think about all the things I have to be thankful for, and I’m overwhelmed. My gratitude list could go on forever.

Thanksgiving 2011 has come and gone, and after slaving away in the kitchen, stuffing myself silly, and going into a 4-hour food coma afterwards, I’m ready to get my butt back in gear. After getting into such a great blogging groove since launching this new photography line, life, in all its craziness and glory, stepped right in and hasn’t given me as much time in the last couple of weeks to sit down and stick with it. I have lots of things to share, amazing things planned and prepared, and I’m excited to bring in the New Year with a BANG - so, if I have any blog readers out there, stay tuned..I promise to try not to disappoint!

Seeing as we’re on the brink of Black Friday, look out for tomorrow’s Fabulous Finds and a Holiday Special on the way!

Friday’s FABULOUS FINDS | Vol. II

Happy 11.11.11!  This week’s Friday Finds comes from our FABULOUS Facebook friends ♥! Thanks for all the great feedback, ladies!

AUDREY HEPBURN’S WISE WORDS

One of my favorite quotes by Audrey Hepburn - featuring the exquisite Cayden.

BE YOUR BEST SELF | Oprah’s Live Facebook Interview

This video spoke VOLUMES to me, and I wanted to share it on my blog – it’s long, but it’s worth taking the time to watch. Toward the beginning of Oprah’s live Facebook interview, she talks about feeling “fear” when she made the decision to end her show and open her own network.

While obviously on a much smaller scale, I felt a great deal of this before launching the new line and website. Oprah asked herself, “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?” Subconsciously, I wondered the same thing. Taking the step to focus my business energy on something different altogether felt like a huge risk, but it was a change I felt was necessary - not just for myself, but for what I thought I could offer women everywhere. Oprah goes on to mention that she feels that part of her mission is to get people to see the best of the themselves, to be individually empowered.

That is the similar mission of this brand - to help women feel individually empowered, to express their essence and to celebrate themselves.

One of my favorite things Oprah says in this interview is, “I think that what we all desire is the fullest, highest expression of ourselves.”

Couldn’t have said it better. When we think of who we want to become, when we set goals or we think of ways to be better people, we are essentially setting our sights on the highest expression of ourselves.

BE YOUR BEST SELF. Make the choice to be as AMAZING as you have the potential to be. Everyone is destined for greatness!

Friday’s FABULOUS FINDS | Vol. I

DISCLAIMER:  TGIF!  Welcome to the first edition of "Fabulous Finds" - the just-for-fun Friday blog post that contains random finds and faves of yours truly.  In the coming weeks, these "magazine pages" will include things that range from beauty to home decor to technology to photography stuff to things for moms, and more - just a bunch of stuff I happen to like :).  And who knows - they could get more random than that!  Keep an eye out for Fabulous Finds every Friday!

DAUGHTERS

Before all else, I am a mommy.  It's one of the things I am proudest of, amongst any and all accomplishments in my life.  When I started to develop the concept of the Stunning brand, I thought often of my daughters.  At 5 and 4, they are extra impressionable, especially inquisitive, and their innocence is beautiful.  Often, I find them playing dress-up, pretending they're princesses, or quietly watching me put on make-up.  When I fix their hair or they have a new outfit on, they're quick to ask if they look pretty.  I always wonder who they'll grow up to be someday, and what it is I can teach them about what really makes them beautiful.

True beauty shines through when it comes from within.  Physically, everyone has something going for them - great hair, luscious lashes, straight teeth, a good jawline, perfect skin, toned arms, curves, etc.  Similarly, we all have quirks about what we don't like about our physical selves.  When someone is beautiful from the inside though, it shines brighter than any physical imperfection.  While you can't tell a person's personality from a photograph, I can say that it is possible to bring that beauty out so that the captured image does reflect it.  Before I launched the Stunning line, I thought about that very thing - capturing TRUE beauty.  Professional hair & make-up application can enhance our physical qualities, and when we physically feel beautiful, the beauty beneath it all makes itself evident.  The Stunning experience, as I've said before, is intended to draw that "beautiful" out.

More than anything, I want my daughters to grow up to be healthy, kind, patient, loving, respectful, confident, intelligent, honest women.  I want them to have integrity, to be helpful to those in need, to be strong and to always stand for something good.

I want them to be stunning, from the inside out. 

FAQ | Camera, Makeovers, and More

I decided to answer a bunch of questions I've received lately, in a blog post.  I thought about doing this later in the week, but after getting a ton of questions, I figured I'd split them up into two posts, and do another one later in the month.

You asked..here are the answers :).  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions!

What do you shoot with?  This is possibly THE most frequently asked question :).  I shoot with the Canon 5D Mark II - my trooper of a camera body - and mainly two fixed prime lenses that I like to switch between: the buttery smooth Canon 50mm f/1.2L (the Nifty Fifty!), and the fabulous 85mm f/1.2L.  I also have a dependable 35mm f/2.0 that can do wonders in great lighting.

What kind of post-processing do you do?  I do all post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop.  My post-processing is minimal; I will color-correct an image, retouch skin if necessary, and sharpen.  Some images will get converted to black & white.  That's about it.  It's my preference that the photograph look as true to reality as possible, but I will enhance it a little if necessary, and only with very basic touch-ups.

What are your prices?  Under "Investment" on my website (also named "Collections"), there are 3 main collections (Classic, Boutique and Couture) with pricing information.  

Do the Stunning shoots include makeovers?  The Boutique and Couture collections include professional hair & make-up, while the Classic collection does not.  I highly recommend that clients choose to have their hair and make-up done professionally, as it plays an essential part in the Stunning session results.  Should a client choose the Classic package, she does have the option of adding hair & make-up at an additional cost.

Do you offer payment plans?  Absolutely!  Generally, payment is due in full upon booking.  However, I'm completely open to payment arrangements that are most convenient for you.  Payment plans can be weekly, bi-weekly, split into 2 or 3 or 4 - whatever works best.  The only catch to payment plans is that the shoot must be paid in full at least 2 days before the scheduled shoot date.  30% down (in however many payments it takes) is required to reserve a specific date.  Email me, and we can discuss arrangements.

Do you do "Stunning" maternity photos?  What about senior portraits?  YES, and yes!  Either type of shoot can be done under the same collections that are listed on the website.  

Do you still do families, weddings, engagement shoots, etc?  Yes, I do.  While the focus of my branding is for women, I will do portraits for men and children, family photos, and I love to shoot engagements and weddings.  Email me to schedule a shoot/book a wedding.  I am currently limited to doing 4 weddings per year.

Your bio on your website says you are mommy to 3.5 kids.  What does that mean?  I've been blessed with 2 daughters and a son, and am expecting baby #4 due some time soon :).  Another little princess to add to the bunch!  I say "3.5" since she's not quite here just yet ;).

Do you do group sessions, and if so, do you offer discounts?  It's always fun when friends book shoots together - yes to the group sessions/marathon shoots!  Collections are not offered at discount rates, but I am putting together a referral and "frequent flyer" program right now.  "Like" my Facebook page to stay current on any promotionals that may come up in the future.  Stay tuned for more details on the programs in the works :)!

What do I bring to a Stunning shoot?  Depending on the collection you choose, you can bring different outfits to change into during your shoot.  As I shoot fashion/editorial style photos, I suggest bringing more fashion-forward items.  If you're scheduling a boudoir session, you can bring lingerie, a pretty bra & panty set, a men's shirt, etc.  Possibilities are limitless!  Shoot me an email if you have an idea for the type of shoot you'd like, and we can work together to tailor the shoot specifically to you!

I'm nervous!  What should I expect the shoot to be like?  Don't fret - it's natural to be nervous before a shoot (that's why I stay on the other side of the camera..lol!).  The Stunning experience is intended to be your very own pampering session where you can get dolled up and beautiful and I can document it afterwards.

Do you travel?  ABSOLUTELY!  I am a destination photographer, and plan several trips a year to different places.  I'm also available for trips at your request, and have set travel fees depending on states.  Email me if you'd like to book a shoot in a location other than Western Washington.

Hope this answers most questions :).  I'll run another soon - post any questions you may have on the Facebook page, send me an email, or give me a call!