When I am not doing a family photo shoot, one of the things we like to do as a family is to motor over to Haleiwa in the North Shore. It’s not very far from us and it’s away from the bustling busy-ness of Waikiki. Haleiwa is a sleepy town with our world famous shave ice shop and a little mecca for one stop shopping for all your surfing needs. It has also got its own little population center of food trucks that attracts people from all over the world. On this particular afternoon, it was a bright, sunny day and my son spotted these kids jumping off Rainbow Bridge. Of course, he wanted to do it too. The cautious mother in me said “No”, but the “Oh!!! He’s a BOY!! Let him have some fun” dad chimed in. They both jumped together and had a great time. I’m not saying that YOU should do it too, because I’m sure we might be breaking the law here, but it’s something that the local kids do and if you are apt to some risk taking and checking it off your bucket list of “Things to Do in Oahu, Hawaii“, by all means. Just watch out for the paddle boarders that cruise underneath the bridge.
My husband took this fabulous lifestyle shot… I love her wet hair, her chipped blue finger nail polish, the other kids in the background, and the paddle boarder coming into the corner… it really tells the story without having to obviously tell the story.
World famous Matsumoto Shave Ice is always bustling with patrons waiting patiently to order their delicious, refreshing treat on a hot, sunny day. It’s a must do when visiting Oahu. It’s pronounced “shave ice”, not “shaved ice”, btw. We always get it with a plastic cup holder (a 25 cent splurge) our 3 flavors topped with condensed milk and vanilla ice cream on the bottom. The flavors all melt together once you get to the bottom where the ice cream is ……. FLAVOR EXPLOSION! Trust me.
Did I mention that our biggest problem on weekends is deciding (as a family) which beach to go to. #hawaiiproblems Seriously. Dad wants to go to one place, each kid want to go to another. I’m just along for the ride. Sheesh. My husband likes to go to Pua’Ena Point. He and my oldest daughter are still beginning surfer’s and this beach has manageable waves, perfect for the first time surfer.
When they surf, I hang out with my middle child and we people watch and relax under the big shade tree. I also drag her around and position her so that I can constantly perfect my photography in all light conditions. On this day I took our medium format film camera… in fact, all the images here on this post are taken by my film camera. Ya, film… the kind that you press the shutter button and you don’t have an LCD display on the back of the camera to see what you’ve taken. The kind of camera that you have to finish the roll of film and mail out to a processing lab to get processed. I love experimenting, learning and pushing my creativity. I still love digital, but I can honestly say that I love film photography as well. I mentioned here that film photography is something that I will be exploring this year.
The quality of light in North Shore, Haleiwa during the afternoon is just beautiful!
My little guy likes hanging out on the tree limbs making new friends everywhere he goes.
Whenever you venture out this way, stop by Haleiwa at the North Shore if you are ever wondering “What to do in Oahu, Hawaii“. Beginning surfing, catch a bite to eat at the many food trucks, treat your self to shave ice, jump off a bridge, hang out under the shade trees and people watch, meander around this sleepy town and see what it has to offer. Lots of other things I didn’t mention, the fabulous Kua ‘Aina Burger (oh my goodness, the burger’s here!), the town shopping center, the huli huli rotisserie chicken… all things to put on my “things to photograph” list to share with you in upcoming blog adventures! Warmest Aloha~ j
Oahu, Hawaii based family and wedding portrait photographer, Jennifer Brotchie, specializes in fun and connected portraiture on the beaches of the North Shore and Disney Aulani, Koolina.
All film processed by Richard Photo Lab.
