Susan Solo – Photographer | Traveler | Adventurer

Tag: North America

A Week on Oahu

And now for just a few fun/personal Hawaii pictures! Since Chris and I were out in Hawaii specifically to shoot a wedding, I was feeling a little over-cautious about things and didn’t want to put myself in any situation where I might not be 100% for the Big Day. Meaning, I didn’t want to get sunburned, sick, sore, stung, kidnapped, lost, etc., so Chris and I just hung out around Waikiki most of the time relaxing and taking it easy. Which was totally nice and not a bad time at all. We had been to Oahu a few years ago and did a lot of the must-see stuff, so we didn’t feel like we were missing out. And both of us really needed some time just to rest. (That said, I don’t have a ton of super exciting look-what-we-did-all-over-the-island photos. I have those from our first trip.)

We ended up staying at the Sheraton Waikiki right on Waikiki beach, where we stayed the last time we were in Hawaii. I especially love their pool right off of the beach with the amazing view, so it was an easy decision to book there.

I say “ended up” because we were originally booked at the Aqua Palms, which I selected because it was the closest hotel to the military hotel, Hale Koa, where Jenn and Stephen (the bride and groom) were staying. However, when we checked into the Aqua Palms and went to our room, I discovered that it was a room above the street that was a little noisier than I could handle. To be fair, I’m a super light sleeper, and very sensitive to noise. No other rooms were available, and I never fell asleep that night! So in my exhausted state, I blearily hopped onto the Internet kiosk in the lobby and booked a room at the Sheraton for the remainder of the week. (I have to mention though, that the staff at Aqua Palms were really sweet and very accommodating for the night we were there. And it’s a good value for a hotel right in the heart of Waikiki.)

The vacation gods were smiling upon us as we checked into the Sheraton, because they upgraded us two levels to a luxury suite! Check out the amazing ocean view from our lanai, looking right at Diamondhead:

And this was our view further to the right:

We took this cute trolley around the city when things were beyond walking distance. $2 each way…can’t beat it.

Waikiki is pretty touristy, but is kept really clean and manicured, and still has a good bit of lush tropical flora amongst the high-rises.

And two last random photos – a self-portrait on our lanai, and our fresh flower leis. Jenn and Stephen gave one to everyone in attendance at their wedding!

So, all-in-all the trip was a nice mix of resting and working, and really…how can you really call a wedding in Hawaii “work?”

September 30, 2008
Jennifer & Stephen – 09.25.08

As some of you may know, Chris and I were away this week with the honor of photographing one of my dearest friend’s wedding in Oahu, Hawaii! We returned safely this morning, and we’re a little jet-lagged but I just couldn’t wait to get a few photos on the blog for Jenn and Stephen.

Gosh, what do I even say about Jenn and Stephen? I’ve known Jenn for about ten years now and I just adore her. And as one of Jenn’s matrons-of-honor, Rosa, said in her toast to the bride and groom, “Jenn has had her share of frogs.” But she has certainly found her prince in Stephen, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.

So Jenn and Stephen planned an intimate celebration week for friends and family on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Chris and I arrived on Saturday evening to get ready for the big week. On Monday, Jenn set aside some time to do a makeup and hair trial, and we took the opportunity to take some pictures of course. I think she looks positively stunning here, but wait until you see her on the wedding day!

A few of her day-of details like the dress, shoes, and flowers. I wish you could smell these plumerias, because they were so fragrant and heavenly. Sadie of Picket Fence Florist provided Jenn and Stephen with the amazing bouquets and leis for all of the family members and guests!

I know in this next photo it looks like Jenn is doing all the work, but her fabulous hair and makeup are courtesy of her Aunt Susie who has her own salon on Oahu. Susie also did Jenn’s trial hair and makeup earlier in the week. She also did the hair and makeup of the entire bridal party, mother-of-the-bride and grandmother-of-the-bride. How she did all of that this week so quickly and so expertly without showing a hint of stress or fatigue is beyond me!

The ceremony was held in the Maile Garden at the Hale Koa – lush, cozy, private, and simply beautiful.

This super sweet and adorable flower girl is Jenn’s niece!

We had to race against the clock right after the ceremony because we were rapidly losing light, but we managed to get a few portraits of the happy couple and of the families.

Jenn and Stephen’s dinner reception was also at the Hale Koa, and it included tons of creative DIY touches.

I especially liked the part of Tracy’s (sister/matron-of-honor) speech where she referenced my favorite show, Friends, and how Jenn has “found her lobster.”

Jenn and Stephen, it was our honor and pleasure to celebrate with you in Hawaii this week and to capture your wedding memories for you. Chris and I had a great time, and I’m just in awe of your grace as host and hostess amidst all of the wedding planning. I know it’s a tough job to plan a wedding, much less a destination wedding, and coordinating everyone’s travel and leisure on top of that. You both did a fabulous job and everything was beautiful and without a hitch. Well, except you two getting hitched! (Get it?) Congratulations and best wishes! I love you guys!

September 27, 2008
Joint Service Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base

Chris and I took the metro all the way out to the last stop on the green line today to see the Joint Service Open House Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. According to the Joint Service website, there would be a “convenient shuttle service to and from FedEx Field and Branch Ave Metro station” (the only way in and out of the show).

The highlights of the show that Chris really wanted to see were scheduled between Noon and 3pm, and we also planned to have lunch there, figuring we’d arrive around 1pm. But we got to the Branch Ave station and the parking lot was an absolute zoo. There were so many people just standing in line in the lot, waiting to get on the busses to go to Andrews AFB. Here’s the line to get on the bus that continues on way into the back and snakes around the lot:

One of the military personnel said that if we got in line, it would be about a one-and-a-half hour wait to get on a bus, and the last bus was running at 3pm so we might not even make it onto the last bus! So we ended up leaving. It’s ironic that the website also said, “It is our intent to accommodate everyone,” because tons of people were turning around and leaving once they saw how long they’d have to wait for the convenient shuttle service, which wasn’t even a guarantee to get to the show. So, two hours of commuting to get there and we didn’t see a thing.

And because we had planned to eat at Andrews AFB, we were both starving and didn’t end up eating lunch until 3pm. It’s funny how good stuff tastes when you’re that hungry…almost as good as it feels to get out of soaking wet clothes and into dry ones after being out in a torrential rain for hours! (Thankfully it was a gorgeous day here today.) So, I’m sorry that I don’t have any really cool pictures of the F-22 and the Blue Angels to show you. Maybe next time! And I’m sorry my last two stories from my weekends were kind of abysmal! I’ll post some happy wedding pictures from last weekend soon – stay tuned.

May 17, 2008
D.C. at Night

Chris and I went to see the National Christmas Tree last night, with the intention of taking pictures. We got a slap on the wrist though for trying to use a tripod in front of the south lawn of the White House (setting up a tripod indicates that we are snipers apparently), so we went over to the WWII memorial to take pictures there. A tripod was used for all of these, so ha.

Unfortunately we got a little turned around trying to come back out of the city towards home, and we got lost. The funny thing was that I had just purchased a GPS device from Best Buy, so we thought, great! That’ll be so useful. But the GPS was inside of one of those sealed plastic bubble packages and we could not get the darn thing open. Perfect irony. (Obviously we made it home, thanks to cell phones with Internet connectivity and the use of MapQuest.)

And just as a bonus since it’s on the same topic, here’s another photo I took of the city at night a few years ago. This one is scanned from a 35mm film print. It had been raining all day, so I loved the way the streets are reflecting the traffic trails and street lights.

December 15, 2007