aloha!
I’m Mal!
Mahalo for stopping by. You stumbled across my work somehow and I am so happy that you did.
I am a Taurus. And yes, I will ask your sign, too. Don’t worry. ; )
I am mom to two keiki (tween and teen) doing what I love on the most magical island in this galaxy. I love meeting people and getting to know what makes you Y O U. Human Connection is vital for a happy life and I feel I gain a little something to help me along my journey each time I make that connection. I can only hope I do the same for the people I meet along the way. I want to know your story. I want to hear what life is like for you, where you came from, how you got to where you are now. So let’s share some time and make some memories.
My main focus in life is NOT Instagram (passing no judgements!) and therefore I am not concerned with creating a “cohesive feed” where all of my sessions look like each other. I truly believe in celebrating individuality all while remembering the collective conscience, so each session is tailored to fit in with who you are and how we vibe and jive during our time together. My art is a mood. It’s real. So many components come together to achieve the art I will pass on to you. It is darker, moodier, and a bit grainy to give it that timeless film feel. So with that said: Your session won’t look like anyone else’s, but I can promise that I will strive for the beauty of your story and thought-evoking imagery for you.
My main focuses in my art is the beauty of motherhood at each and every phase. I also thoroughly enjoy couples/lovers/partners and their stories. I dabble in everything but those are my passions in the world of photography. Simple, intimate, and unique elopements also light a fire inside of me.
And now, a little bit about Mama Kaua’i:
Kaua’i is not only a fragile natural ecosystem, it is culturally sensitive and historically significant. Therefore, you will not find me running around in areas that are special, sacred, and meaningful taking photos of people. I respect the land and her people to the best of my ability and try to pass that on to everyone I work with and encounter, especially the visitors who are lucky enough to be able to visit Kaua’i. It is a privilege and and honor to be able to come to the islands, so please be mindful as you choose your photographer and venture around this truly magical lil’ rock in the middle of the sea. With that said, I can show you some amazing places and get epic imagery all without sacrificing what Hawai’i Nei and her people is all about. I do not venture to locations that are off limits legally, of cultural importance, or just plain no safe. So as much as you may want those epic waterfall pics you see floating around the ‘gram, I won’t be the one to take you there. I hope to take you to some different and equally as amazing places in the safest and most appropriate way!
Loves:
Anime, Mexican Food, Indian Food, Salad Bars, Tomatoes, (Okay…. FOOD.) Travel, Art, Music (making, watching, and listening to it), Cooking, Matcha, Coffee, Beer, Indica & Sativa, Animals, Reading, Painting, Plants/Botany, Hiking, Watching Movies, Crystals and Gems, Loving Mama Kaua’i and Earth, Car Rides with Air Conditioning, the occasional Dr. Pepper, Ice Cream, The Fresh Shave (shave ice), Rainy days, Making clay jewelry (@mallo.made), Learning about people and where they are from, what they do, etc., ( Loving that I can find WAY more things that I DO like than what I DO NOT like (yay!)).
Dislikes:
People forgetting that we are all humans; we are ONE. Onions (I know. I am weird.), Things sticking to my bare feet, People who litter, Being so far from Mainland ‘Ohana and friends, Fake/Disingenuous/angry/impatient/culturally insensitive people.
publications and features
Ugly Magazine
Dark Beauty Magazine
Wedding Gawker
Ever Smitten Blog
Bohemian Living
Huffington Post “HuffPost”
Edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine
Modern Luxury Hawai’i Magazine