The recent issue of R Magazine's Celebrate issue is out and I got to look at it while I was in Oahu shooting for the Spring 2016 issue. It's been such a treat this year to be flown out 4 times to do these editorials!
I'm lucky enough to call Los Angeles home, which means I have unlimited resources and beauty all around me. One of those beautiful spots is Deep Creek Hot Springs. This place is absolutely majestic. I'm going to have to camp there this summer to really soak in all the beauty. I had an idea for a little film I wanted to do, but event though I researched this place quite a bit before going, I quickly realized that this place is a little more gnarly in the winter time than I was expecting. I would advise anyone who goes there in the winter to really take caution and take into consideration the cooler temperature, 1 hour hike each way, hot and cold water difference, etc. There was a person that needed to be air lifted out because he was suffering from hypothermia when we left, so this place is no joke. I got some really lovely photos out of the trip, and now that I've been there, I have a much better understanding of what I need to do/bring in order to accomplish the video piece I want to make. Martha is such a doll to work with, and I can't wait to go back there to make the video!
This past August, I made it a priority to spend some much needed time with my brother, Ryan. I funded and planned the whole trip for us starting in Kauai and then going to Big Island. Ryan has never been to any of the Hawaiian Islands before, and since I'm so familiar with them, I thought it would be a great first sibling vacation. I found some pretty rad places on air B&B for us to stay at and obviously I rented a jeep so we could splash around in the mud and rain. One thing I was reminded of about Ryan from when we were kids is that he's always noticing the animals and the tiniest of details. I approach life with a huge picture in mind such as creating a massive itinerary and he was pointing out the smallest reptiles and microscopic water beads on the plant life. Some things never change!
It's so rewarding to finally be in a place in life where we can both do this, and I have every intention of making this an annual venture. Looking back on my life during my teens and early twenties, I have a few regrets with spending too much time with friends and their families and people I will never be related to instead of prioritizing my own family, which matters the most. I'm still a huge fan of having photos made into albums, so I also made these photos into a book for him for Christmas.
