Cotton Carrier Update

Here’s something that doesn’t happen every day. Shortly after I wrote the blog post about the Cotton Carrier, I received an email message from them letting me know that they posted a link to it on their blog, and asked if I would be interested in swapping mine out for their latest and greatest model with the camera tethers.

It’s almost as if they were reading my mind. One of the reasons I love the Cotton Carrier is it eliminates the straps around my neck, but the downside to that is it also eliminates my drop prevention strategy, so I’ve been a little nervous about that. I accepted their offer gladly, and they shipped me a new system, complete with the tethers and handstraps.

In exchange, they asked me to post a photo of myself with the system against a Hawaiian backdrop, update the blog and send my system back for R&D evaluation. Easy enough.

Thanks, Cotton Carrier. Great system, great folks.

Peter Liu sporting the Cotton Carrier at the beach in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. Photo by Kathy Becklin.

Peter Liu sporting the Cotton Carrier at the beach in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. Photo by Kathy Becklin.

Liza Pierce AKA @AMauiBlog

Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog), author of AMauiBlog.com

Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog), author of AMauiBlog.com

Recently, my friend Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog) and I were asked for headshots for an upcoming social media “Tech Talk” we’re scheduled to do later this week. When Liza replied she didn’t really have one, I had to intervene.

Friends don’t let friends go without headshots, especially on Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there…

Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog), author of AMauiBlog.com

Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog), author of AMauiBlog.com

Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog), author of AMauiBlog.com

Liza Pierce (@AMauiBlog), author of AMauiBlog.com

Giving Back With Photography

It’s always fun meeting a Twitter friend IRL (In Real Life). About a week ago, I met Children’s book author Judi Riley at a book signing after we’d been tweeting for several months. She mentioned that she’s been hounded about getting an author photo for a while, but hasn’t been able to get to it.

Not long ago, she suffered crush injuries to her arms as a result of a cabinet coming off a wall and pinning them to her washer/dryer. They’re still in splints, making it difficult to juggle being a mom to her young child and promoting their books (he has books of his own).

Coincidentally, I caught wind of a movement called Help-Portrait where photographers were called upon to take a picture of someone in need and simply give it to them, on or around December 12th.

We got together at a Christmas Maui Tweetup that day and did some shooting. The results couldn’t have been more rewarding.

It’s interesting that it should take a groundswell movement like this to prompt photographers (or anyone else) to think about donating their time, equipment and expertise to someone in need. Everybody needs to make a living, but every once in a while, it’s good to take time out and give back, even if it’s not the holiday season.



A Weekend Shoot

Outdoor Portrait of Maria Mazurova at Ali‘i Kula LavenderAbout three years ago, I was asked to do a shoot with Maria Mazurova by her mom, Svetlana. Maria was 17 at the time and trying to kick start her modeling career.

Three years and a bachelor’s degree later, she and her family are vacationing on Kauai right now, and she decided to take a side trip to Maui with her sister to visit with me and do some shooting to enhance both our portfolios.

We had a blast and burned through over 1400 frames at a few of our south Maui beaches as well as upcountry at the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm, where I’ve done a lot of work in the past. Maria has matured into a wonderful lady and a gorgeous model.

Hope you’re all enjoying your time on the islands, Maria! Mahalo nui for visiting!

Aloha…

First On Explore


Maria
Originally uploaded by peterliuphoto

Not long before I left California, I did a model shoot for a good friend. Last night I was pruning my photostream and I realized I had no people shots, so decided to add one of those photos on a whim. 181 views overnight and it made Explore/Interestingness besides. Wish all of my photos could do that!

Aloha…

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