Boots & Heels - how do they do it? (Model: Amy Smith)

To all you women: It just baffles my mind how you walk in the skinny heels & leather boots? The price you pay for beauty... still amazes me. Now I know why sometimes when women fight they take off their heel because it can also be used as a deadly weapon! Speaking of deadly weapons...

I had the pleasure of shooting Model, Neo Soul/MC, and "Hippie" at heart - Amy Smith. We had lots of fun shooting using natural light. We used natural surroundings & played with all kinds of styles...  which i love! I may have over-exaggerated on editing with some of the photos... but that explains me sometimes..OVERDRAMATIC (lol) get over it! LOL. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

More Rain... More Tragedy...

I woke up this morning checking the morning news and saw that Chile was hit by an earthquake & now tsunami warnings plague the South Pacific. I can't take anymore of this tragedy. When the tsunami hit Samoa a couple of months ago, I was personally affected by this tragedy. My mom's village in Western Samoa (Malaela) was completely wiped out from the Samoa tsunami & I can remember that heartache that we all experienced. Family members missing, homes demolished, and spirits crushed.
I was on my way home driving past this local church down the street from my house and for someone reason I looked up & was really really drawn to the clouds and the cross. I immediately ran in the house to grab my camera and started snapping. I can see the clouds forming around the cross and for me personally, there was a spiritual connection. In these times, we can use assistance from the one above...


I know with all of our busy lives we tend to forget those suffering in other countries. Here is my challenge for you all and it is a simple one. Try to take the time out to pray for safety in the South Pacific, those rebuilding in Haiti, and those hurting in Chile...
Doesn't hurt to think of those going thru tragedy and say a tiny prayer for them...

This is my challenge for you this weekend. 

Hopefully this image can inspire faith and hope...

Have a good weekend and stay dry!

-RM

The most precious things in this world...

It's been a busy week! I know I suck for not posting lately. A lot of things have happened this week and great may I add?

Let's start off the arrival my new niece: Baby Maopa Kaufusi Maelega Fifita - Born February 19th, 2010. 9lbs, 1oz, and 22inches. I can not say how happy I am right now that a new life has started in my family.  Isn't she the most precious little thing that you have ever seen? If I had breasts then I would totally breast feed!
She lives in the Bay Area (San Francisco) which is 6 hours away from me. I am going to definitely make time to get out there and see this bundle of joy in person and when I do... someone better pass me some tissues & not the for what you normally use it for but, for my tears of joy! Happy Uncle again for the 17th time! (Yes i said 17!)

My letter to Maopa: 

Dear Maopa,

We have been waiting for you for quite some time. Do you know that you are miracle baby? There is so much that I need to tell you. There is so many thing that I need to teach you. There is so much in this world that you do not know and I will be here every step of the way to guide you through it all. When someone hurts you, I will be there to punch their face... When you are hungry I will make sure you have a buffet... When you cry, I will cry... when you start walking I want to be there with open arms... when you get sick I will make sure the I have the medicine in my pocket and don't look at the other medicines that you may think I may be on. Forgive right now baby if I am a RAMBLING WRECK right now...
I can go on and on Maopa but one thing that you need to know and this is the most crucial of all things in this life... is that I LOVE YOU.


Uncle Ralph

COUPLES: Mulu & Pedro Engaged!

VOTE FOR PEDRO! LOL!

I am excited to announce a really good friend of mine Mulu Lokeni is getting married! Out of all places I found out on facebook... You know the place you go to where you want to everyone's business! Yeap... that place! I am pretty sure we are all familiar with the "status" change right? Well, like everyone else I happen to stumble across Mulu's page and low & behold-the marital status changed from dating to "engaged".  You should have seen my mouth... it literally dropped with excitement!!!As soon as i read it i was texting and emailing her to congratulate her!

Couple of weeks later after all the LA rain, we had a chance to shoot some engagement photos!

Everything about this day was right... the weather, the scenery, and most of all the couple! We spent half the day laughing but for me behind the lens was something else. I couldn't help but notice the love between the two. For those who don't know me... I am not really a softy and mushy type of person but I could feel something was definitely in the air and it was not the Los Angeles smog! It was the love.. and all the goofy stuff that goes along with it! Check it out! Congratulations Mulu & Pedro!!!