I'm married to a photographer, and I love it.
I take Mike's picture as he takes mine on top of Haleakala. Yes, those are clouds behind him.
I've been planning this blog post for awhile–sneakily taking pictures of Mike Neal taking pictures.The sheer obsessiveness, the contortions to get the shot, are just too fun.
Mike shoots forget-me-nots in California two years ago.
It's helped that my interest in photography, sparked by my iPhone, coincided with the blossoming of Mike's career in photography–so most evenings we can be found in the crow's nest of our house on Maui, shooting the sunset.
My dad was a photographer, and some of my earliest memories are tangy with the smell of developing fluid. He loved taking nature photos and surf photos, and had “the eye” for composition that it appears I've inherited–because with my husband, I'm often the spotter:”Mike! There's a good shot! Get the shot!” I yell.
And usually he does, better than I ever could with my limited tech skills and impatience.
But I see the shot, and I love the man for getting it. Someone who sees beauty and captures it is a (wo)man with a gift, someone who never be poor because he's rich in beauty.
The world is full of beauty, if you have eyes to see it. Photography helps us see it.
Photography has become a shared passion for both of us, one we can do every day in our beautiful Hawaii Nei.
What are your experiences with photography? With today's technology, everyone's a photographer. Give it a try–start with your cameraphone, and see where that takes you. At the very least, you'll become more sensitized to the beauty surrounding you.
I so lack patience with photography. Strange because it is a hallmark for me in most other areas. So glad I can enjoy Mike’s viewpoint with out the contortions. Mahalo for the generous sharing.
Hey, be happy he WORE a towel. 😉
Yeah, you got that right Peter! Glad you understand, getting the shot is what matters!
I love it, that you two can share “awesome togetherness!!” With that, it’s even more of a beautiful world we live in! You both are inspiring to me, because I see each of you fulfilling the other’s piece of a puzzle, living life in completeness and happiness!
It does feel that way, after 26 years and raising a family we are really having fun together in midlife.
Sorry about the duplicate! I’m not sure what’s wrong. I filled out Name and Email as required and listed my comment, and states my email will not be published, but that my comment is awaiting moderation??? Tried a few different things, but nothing will clear the notation. I done what was required correctly, I thought???
Totally no worries, so fun to see you show up at the blog, Kathy! Aloha!
Love this! And you guys. You inspire me! Yes, I can see how Mike might have chiropractic issues. 😀 You guys are so cute, though.
I was an art minor, and while I didn’t have an official concentration, unofficially, it was photography. Y’know, back when we had film cameras and processed it with all those loverly chemicals in a small (but well-ventilated) room with a red light. I still have my Nikon. It’s in a bag on a shelf, waiting for the day when I get a DSLR so I can use the lenses again. In the meantime, I have my Canon point-and-shoot, which does what I need it to do: snap pics of the kids being goofy, receiving awards, and occasional stock photo shoots for clients. I miss “real” photography, though. The kind where you have a telephoto lens and you’re out in the world…
I keep thinking about a series of shots I want to do of trees. I love trees. They have such character, and their looks change drastically from summer to winter. Unfortunately, I seem to always notice trees when I’m driving to an appointment or on the way to drop the kids off at school, so stopping to snap a photo isn’t viable. “Sorry Principal…Thing 1 is late because the light was hitting this oak just so, and I *had* to get a few pictures of it…” Yeah. Probably not.
When the kids are older and not in need of *constant* attention, I’m going to get my DSLR and set up a few series I’ve been wanting to do for years.
I think you should carry that extra 20 lb of equipment around at all times, just in case you need to “get the shot!” ha ha!
This is why I love the iPhone, I always have it on me and its so easy and fast…if I’m a little late, oh well. Keep the flame alive, Noelle, and if you use a cameraphone there are still a lot of “apps” you can use to play with your shots. It’s better than waiting for years!
XOXOXO
Oh my goodness, Toby, you are hilarious! I’m
glad Mike wore the towel too, but isn’t that the infamous deck? 😉
It sure is! Got a lot of bird poop up there this summer, I may even have to scrub it!
Love the Story, I’m a photographer as well and can see my wife in your posting :). Looking forward to meeting you’ll on our trip to Maui this Winter. Thanks to both for the inspiration
See you’ll soon!
Jorge and Montse – Houston, Tx
Sounds great, I’ll look forward to that! Aloha!
My husband becomes a photography widower from time to time. I’m usually running around with my telephoto lens aimed at the sky for those elusive ‘flying bird’ shots. Or up to my arse in a plant trying to get a hovering bee. It’s hard work. And you, and my Pete, are both heroes.
I love that, Great, and I love your photography work. I can’t get images like that with my iPhone–Mike is always telling me to “get a real camera” because I DO have the eye, but I don’t have the patience.
As strange as it sounds, I miss the “tang” of the darkroom chemicals. I spent many of my teens years under the red light.
Yes, Michael, it always seemed like a magical process to me–the smells, the paper swishing in the liquid, the image slowly emerging, the eerie red light. A cave where magic happens= darkroom.
Haha! You must have been very sneaky to get all those shots 😉
I love taking pictures with my Iphone: “The best camera is the one you have with you.”
Can’t wait for the newest version to come out in a few weeks!
Seeing the beauty is a gift. Both of you seem to have that. I got a camera at about 8 or 9. I used to do a lot of black and white, and darkroom work. It was fun and I think black and white experience helped me with composition. Love my IPhone now.
ME TOO! I’m so grateful to be married to a photographer. We have so many priceless images of our family and life because of it. I also have become interested in photography due to my iPhone. My tech skills are pretty weak with a REAL camera, but I’m learning slowly.
We’ve been following Mike’s images for a long while now, and we love the shots from the deck. Keep em coming! ALOHA!
Excellent! Thanks for commenting!
Wow. First time I’ve been to your blog/website. REALLY nice.
I love photography as well and the shots you have on here are fabulous.
Most of my photos these days are of dogs and taken with my iPhone. But I still get some pretty cool shots here and there.
Aloha wags!
Thanks so much for popping by, I’m an iPhonographer too!
Hi Toby! I’m currently reading your book and am on the part where you talk about investing in your website, so I thought I’d check it out 🙂 By the way, love the book so far (and your website). Fun hearing about your hubby who’s a photographer. My husband and I are also photographers for http://www.melenbackerphotography.com (it’s my day job)! Fun seeing your images and completely envy your location!
Wonderful! THanks so much for popping by, and I hope you enjoy the book! Much aloha, I’ll check out your site.
Love the macro forget me not shot! I’ve been on the side of the road trying to shoot some weed flower that no one else can see and have gotten some strange looks!
I LOVED this post; it completely resonated with me. My grandfather was a photographer, my father was a photographer, and my uncle Neil Chaput owns the workshop school Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. I was blessed to be able to go to his Summer Intensive program in 2002, and the friends I made there remain dear to me to this day. I even ran the program for a while — an exercise in managing exuberance, if there ever was one. I ended up not pursuing photography, but I adore photographers. And my favorite photos, hands down, are the ones I’ve taken documenting my talented friends’ pretzel-ized bodies as they get the EXACT right shot. The obsessive personality is a must for this career! Thanks for sharing your love for Mike and for Mike’s photography. I love seeing his photos — glad to see yours, too.
It’s a wonderful life!
Aloha
Toby
LOL! I have a couple of shots of Mike Neal too – gotta share them w/ you. He’s crouched high up in his hideyhole overlooking Jaws. I tried to walk up to him to say hi and to meet him in person, but it was too darn steep. Don’t know how he climbs up there w/ all his equipment.