Portraits, Hindu Festivals, and Rice Fields

There is a saying that I learned in Hawaii, Aloha Kai, "love the water, love the land"

Taking the opportunity to respect these aspects of life and the world encompasses a soul to a fuller life, a fuller understanding of surroundings.  This said, the wave swell never came, or at least, isn't here yet.  What a great opportunity to visit the rice fields of Seminyak, Bali and go to a Hindu offering.  The rice fields feel like 110 degrees F. with 99% humidity.  All of the people that live in these areas show wrinkles of age aching for rest.  There is none.  Our driver said that if some of these people don't harvest rice or sell to chance visiting westerners, they don't eat.

At the Hindu temple, the children giggle and giggle at the thought of getting their photographs taken.  After every one, they want to see their faces on the back of my large digital camera screen.  The ladies here all introduce themselves to me, just as the book I just read - Eat, Pray Love - there are only 5 names in all of Bali.  The first that comes out, male or female is named Wayane, the second . . .etc.  Needless to say, it's easy to remember names around here.  Some develop nicknames, one lady was named "peanut" because she is always feeding peanuts to the monkeys, a guy we met was named "hero" but I couldn't quite figure out why through the language barrier.  I have decided, though that I love this name and I ever have a son his name will be Hero.

Surfing Indonesia

Surfing every single day in Indonesia sure does get you into tip top shape!  Walking on live reef during low tide out to the break wasn't as bad as we anticipated, no booties necessary.  We met up with the hot couple Matt S. and Kelly, Justin, Barry Jr. and Ashley Heath from the Outer Banks for an Ulu's evening session.  Waves, barely overhead but glassy.  We are waiting for the 8 foot big swell to come like last week to the Nusa Dua break.  Swell.com is predicting a great week.  Barry Jr. leaves tonight to head back to work at Whalebone, thanks for the surfing tips, Barry!

Everyday Views of Indonesia

Twiddy Realty's Johana- true beauty

I have been wanting to add a section on the site called Beach Wedding Glam Squad for a while, but there is just not anybody that has sported this more than Johana from Twiddy Realty on the Outer Banks.   She went all out with an updo and tiara.  It goes to show that just because you are having a beach wedding doesn't mean that you don't go all out to look your best!

Outer Banks Training Specialist

A new trainer has arrived in the Outer Banks.  I have used her several times for training schedules for my triathlons, for a hurt knee and physical therapy or simply to get a good friend to get inspired and get off his couch to get his blood pumping.  $100-$400 has been worth it's weight in gold every time - and she comes to you!

I got to thinking, what a great idea for an Outer Banks wedding!  She does a simple stretching class for relaxation the morning or week of the wedding or a full - LOSE 10 POUNDS TO FIT INTO YOUR DRESS nutritional analysis.  What better way to prepare for your wedding, portrait session, or simply . . . . to get off the couch and get your blood pumping!  She will brighten your day, your month, your year, and your life - Thanks Patti!

turningpointfitness.net

The Bride Wore Very Little

Wedding Dress

The International Herald Tribune

Ruth La Feria-New York

I bought this newspaper when on the road and found it fasinating so I thought I'de pass it on to all of my brides.

The gown was almost wanton-fluid but curvy with a neckline that plummeted dangerously.  "It makes me feel sexy and beautiful" said Natasha DaSilva, who slipped it on for a fitting last week.

Cut away at the rear to reveal a tatoo at the small of her back, the dress suggested a languorous night in the honeymoon suite.

Except that DaSilva, who will married in Long Island in September, plans to wear it at the altar.

"Why not?" she asked.  "I want to look back in 20 years and feel like I looked hot on my wedding day."

"Brides today absolutely want to look sexy and glamourous," said Mara Urshel, an owner and the president of Kleinfeld, the venerable Manhattan bridal salon.

"Young women increasingly look to the red carpet for style ideas," said Millie Martini Bratten, the editor in chief of Brides magazine. "When they marry they they want to be the celebrity of their own event."

Today the prevailing fantasy is no longer, " 'I want to be a princess in my ball gown,' "Dias said.  "A lot of women have done that already for their prom."

Dias, who is based in Los Angeles, accommodates clients' desires for dresses that echo runway trends with halter tops and off-the-shoulder gowns that are more emphatically provocative than the strapless looks that have become commonplace.

Similar considerations prompted the designer Monique Lhuillier, a favorite in Hollywood, to fashion a dress with an Empire bodice, wide lace straps and a wispy chiffon skirt - features more often found in a nightgown.

This article was written by the reference above, for the full version, visit the International Herald Tribune

I met these two on the beach in Indonesia

Do it the simple way, just the two of you!

Drive to Ubud, Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia

We've just arrived in Bali, Indonesia, the most populous island in the world, on our winter break tour. 

Just 8 degrees south of the equator, Bali has a tropical climate - the temperature has been, well HOT ever since we got here.  The direct sun feels incredibly hot, and this is "winter time".  

We have decided to stay on the Bukit Peninsula, the southwestern tip of Bali.  There are people, motorbikes, broken down bikes, everywhere you look.  You cannot wake up in the night at any given moment without hearing the humm of the motorbikes, roosters cackling, dogs barking and the smell of fresh burning insense from the daily prayers and offerings.

For a portrait photographer, this is heaven.  Everywhere  you look there are people sitting on street corners almost posing for your photos without knowing it, if they do catch your eye every one of them lets out the biggest, brightest smile you have ever seen.  This might be the friendliest place on the planet.

We are on a mission to visit the temples this week.  Next stop - Ubud