MangoTree Photography Blog

Details, Details!

Wow, where did the time go?  Sorry for the delay in posting.  It has been crazy busy, since coming back from destination weddings on the Mainland and Mexico.  Have a few weddings to post but think I will hold off as we are getting ready to launch our new website, www.mikeadrian.com

You can stop by the new blog as thats where I will be posting from here on out. http://mikeadrian.typepad.com

I thought I would still post a few detail shots from the last wedding at the Four Seasons Maui.

Thanks for checking in and see you at the new Blog!

Po'olenalena Beach, Waliea Maui, Hawaii

Here are some images from Kevin and Pamela's wedding in Wailea, Maui.  Great couple, and really fun to be around.  I enjoyed the beautiful ceremony and the time we got to spend on the beach with perfect evening light.  

Kevin and Pamela will be having a Celebration back home in Canada, and from what I gather it's sounding like it's going to be a fabulous event.

Congratulations you two!  Thanks again for being such great clients.  May you both have many, many years of happy bliss together!

Mike

Four Seasons Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele

When I post about working with "amazing clients", Rosalyn and Tyler, are exactly why I say, Amazing! 

The couple had contacted me a few moths back, so we began talking about their wedding plans at the Four Seasons Lana'i.  During our first conversation; Rosalyn asked what I thought of the resort, I said, it looks very Grand, Great Locations to shoot, and top notch Wedding Department.  Intresting part was, I was sitting in the lobby of the Hotel just about to start photographing another wedding.  This was the very hotel Rosalyn wanted to have her wedding at, and all I had to do was look around the room and describe what I saw...

Fast forward a few months and, I am back in Lana'i for Rosalyn and Tyler's wedding.  The event was as Rosalyn put it, "A day right out of a fairytale".  Family and friends gathered to enjoy a very emotional and private ceremony.  Tears, smiles, and laughter made it such a joy to photograph.

Below is a sneak peak at some images from the day.  A special "Thanks" to Akiko, and the staff at the Four Season Lana'i for making this event truly special.

Rosalyn and Tyler,  I was an Honor to meet, connect, and work with you.  Enjoy your images, and I look forward to seeing you on our next visit.  A Hui Hou...

Mike

Price vs. Value, or both?

Had this discussion at our last Hawaii Photographer's meeting on Tuesday night.  Today, I stumbled upon this article from Author Seth Godin viewing our friend JSandifers Blog.  This article sums up my thoughts, and our recent discussion exactly.

Two halves of the value fraction

By Seth Godin

In a down economy, marketers fret a lot about price. We think that since times are tough, people care about price and nothing but price.

Of course, people actually care more about value. They care about value more than they used to because they can’t afford to overpay, they don’t want to make a mistake with their money.

Value = benefit/price. That means that one way to make value go up is to lower price, right?

The thing is, there’s another way to make the value go up. Increase what you give. Increase quality and quantity and the unmeasurable pieces that bring confidence and joy to an interaction.

When all of your competitors are busy increasing value by cutting prices, you can actually increase market share by increasing value and raising benefits.

Over the past six months, our studio has increased focus on our customer service and quality products to our clients.  We feel that providing our clients with a even higher quality of Service and products has been the catalyst to our studio's continued growth during this down economy.

A note to photographer's feeling the pressures of the failing economy. Stop playing the pricing game! This only devalues your services, and your livelihood. Take actions to start providing amazing customer service, and the best quality/Value for your clients!  

You owe it to yourself to be paid for your talent, Your clients deserve to have the best Service/Quality/Value your business can provide.

Mike

Grand Bay Resort, Isla Navidad, Mexico

Friends and Family joined April and Reid for what has to be one of the best weddings this year!  The wedding was held at the stunning Grand Bay Hotel in Isla Navidad, Mexico. The event was set up as a multi day Destination wedding, with events and activities for all that joined the festivities.  The days leading up to the wedding were filled with welcome dinners, fun parties, and a ton of pool time...

After months of planning with family and friends, the big day went off without a hitch.  The weather was calm, sunny and perfect.  The guest who made the trip were treated to a great ceremony, good food, and one heck of a party, compliments of DJ Matty Matt who made the trip from SB.

April and Reid, here is a sneak peak at some of the wedding day photos.  Have a great time in Costa Rica, and thank you for allowing me to join you for such a amazing event.

Mahalo,

Mike

  

This is a relatively calm photo for the groomsmen, who definitely knew how to keep everything lively and fun during the weeks festivities.

The Dress.

The Shoes.

The Bling!

Just before the ceremony, the bridesmaids getting together for a quick photo. 

April, looking stunning for the camera.

Reid, catching a glimpse of April coming down the isle.

Nothing but great moments during the I Do's, and ring exchanges.

 

Mr. and Mrs...

This has to be my favorite image,  April and Reid in front of the Marina, enjoying post ceremony bliss.

April and Reid having a private monemt durning the first dance.

I love this shot!

John and Larry, Groomsmen who get the party started.

Cy, having a good time dancing with friends. Goodtimes...

Towards the end of the night Maid of Honor Camella, showed her amazing slide show.  Reid and April very pleased with the efforts.

 

Out of the Office

Just thought I would post here as a reminder that we are out of the office from 4/22-5/11.  Over the next few weeks we will be in Mexico, Lana'i, Napa, and Yosemite.  If you need to get a hold of us, email is the best way.  Send a message to aloha@mangotreephotography.com and we will get back to you when we get a chance.  Hope you are doing well.

Aloha,

Mike

Flying the friendly Skies.

Haiku Mill, Heather & Jason's Wedding

Well, another fabulous wedding with a genuine and loving couple.  Heather and Jason made the trip down the isle in one of Maui's most scenic and history rich estates.  The bride had a great vision for her wedding day, and when all the details were put in place the location looked amazing.  The Florals were by Floral Designs Maui, and looked amazing within the walls of the the old sugar mill.

If you have been following the blog, you know I did a shoot with Heather and Jason a little while back in Pasadena. They are a really fun couple, and very down to earth.  I had a lot of fun getting to know them while we wondered the streets of Pasadena looking for great places to shoot some photos.  When it came time for the wedding day here in Maui, it was like hanging out with good friends.  I like the feeling of being able to show up at a wedding, walking up to the bride and groom, and giving them a big hug congratulating them, and enjoying with them such a special moment in their lives.

One of my favorite places to shoot before the wedding is in the cottage at the Haiku Mill.   The light in the cottage is so ideal for photos due to big windows and nice linen window dressings. Dan Sanchez, and Jessica Waite, took charge in getting Heather's hair and makeup ready for her big day. I really like when I get the chance to work with both of these artists, the photos are proof of how talented these two really are.

The Haiku Mill, is an old sugar mill on the North Shore of Maui.  The four very tall ivy covered walls of the mill are left standing, and create a very intimate and romantic setting for a wedding.  The Haiku Mill, is one of my favorite places to shoot in Maui, because there is so much variety of locations to shoot photos.  Most clients love the property when they first take a tour of the location.  But for me, I think it looks it best when it's all dressed up for a classy ceremony.

All in all, the wedding was a success, and I was really honored to be there to document Heather and Jason's event.

Here are a few of my favorite images, and we created a small slideshow for Heater and Jason.  You can view the slideshow on our Gallery page.  The video is a bit big, so please be patient while it uploads, or try and view in the small viewer. 

Heather and Jason, thanks again for such a fun and enjoyable wedding, I hope you are completely relaxed after your Honeymoon to Kauai.  Congratulations!

Lahaina Portrait Session, Monica+Dale

Monica and Dale were recently engaged.  Two of the nicest people you could meet, ready to take their commitment to each other to the next level.  So we set up a shoot, and I got a chance to hang out with both of them in Lahaina Town last week for a really fun session.  

I love shooting in fun and interesting places, and Monica and Dale were game to just see where the afternoon took us.  

Congratulations Monica and Dale! Looking forward to the wedding this fall...

I also had a group of photographers join us to help photograph Monica and Dale, the photographers can use the images the shot, to build their portfolios.  The Photography group meets up each month on the second Tuesday of the month.  If you are interested in joining us stop by the webiste for more info.  I will post some of the images from the other photographers who joined us soon.

Below is a sample of some of my images from the afternoon.

Aloha,

Mike

iPhone pano images, and tips

I have been on a iPhone photo kick the last few months, and since posting images or emailing them to friends, I have gotten quite a few questions regarding the images.  Many people ask if the images I send them are really from the iPhone, because they look like they were shot with a more fully featured digital camera.  Since the comments have been a plenty, I thought I should give a little tutorial on capturing images with the iPhone.  

Tip #1

The iPhone camera is not a DSLR.  So don't try to make the camera do something it can't.  There is no flash on the phone so remember that you are working with a slow shutter, and available light.

Tip #2

The camera captures images when you release the photo button, not when you push the photo button!

Tip #3

Hold the camera steady until the shutter has released and the photo has been taken... By following just the first 3 tips, your images should be quite a bit better.

Tip #4

Buy 2 apps.  Camera Bag ($4.99), and Pano($4.99).  Both these apps will let you make very creative images from your phone.

Below is the results of tips 1-4, using the app Pano.  I hope you enjoy the images and this inspires you to take some really cool images with your phone.

Upcountry, Maui.  Shot with Pano, using 4 frames

 

Winters, CA  Shot with Pano, using 3 frames.

 

Lake Berryessa, CA Shot with Pano, using 3 frames.

 

Lake Tahoe, CA Shot with Pano, using 5 frames

 

Ocean Front Estate, Maui, Hawaii

Tuesday, I had the honor of joining Manny and Lisa at a Ocean Front Estate in Maui for their beautiful wedding. The couple planned a very Classy affair, with all the details expertly crafted.  Event the ring bearer Cole, was looking quite stylish with his black suspenders and polished shoes.  I really enjoyed the couples fun attitude and wonderful Family and Guests. 

Manny and Lisa, Thank you so much, for letting me be a part of your special day.  I had a blast photographing the event, and enjoyed your warm hospitality.  

Here are some of my favorite shots from the afternoon.