Tag: women

Maui Goddess Project Chelsea Vitiligo Love

Love Yourself Inside & Out

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Chelsea & I connected in the Facebook world when she asked for a portrait session. I was the lucky one she messaged back and we talked, I realized she had an incredible story to show. She lives with a skin condition called Vitiligo in which her pigmentation began to change around age 9. She was very embarrassed by the condition as it came in and had a heavy heart about exposing herself to classmates & other community in fear of being bullied. In this day & age, we all know how real this issue of bullying is and how deeply it has effected our youth. Now that Chelsea is in full blown adulthood, she has had a shift in her heart and is ready to show how much she loves herself,  especially her Vitiligo. We followed through with this photo session to raise awareness about this skin condition and encourage others to embrace what life hands to them. As Chelsea & I walked the beach and she shared her story, I was so completely honored to be the chosen one to bring her message through in the form of imagery. I expressed to her that she was a perfect fit for Maui Goddess Project which allows women to see their beauty EXACTLY how they are. She also resonated with this deeply. We had high winds and rain surrounding us on all sides, yet we had sunshine and calm conditions right where we decided to photograph. It was truly, truly magical. We both opened our hearts to each other and I was so filled with joy that Chelsea was able to express self love with such grace & ease.

Chelsea… I can’t thank you enough for your bravery, courage,  and self -love.  You were able to show these attributes in such an exceptional way and I am sure these photos will make an impact on the Vitiligo community.  It is the beginning of something great for all humans who live with skin like yours. My hope it that this photo shoot will help to shift their beliefs from Vitiligo being something wrong into the belief that it is incredibly beautiful because it is!!!!

Cheslea ~ I Honor the Goddess in You

Much Aloha…. Desiree

Maui Goddess Project Chelsea Vitiligo Love Maui Goddess Project Chelsea Vitiligo Love

 

Embrace your Human~ness

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This beautiful goddess Joy & I have been waiting awhile for the right time for this Maui Goddess Project Session. Months and months have passed since our initial conversation and shortly after the powerful Scorpio New Moon, we met at the forests edge in Makawao. The sun was gently shining and there was a peace about the woods. When I met Joy, we began talking about her intentions for the session and she expressed that she was simply in the flow. I was feeling the same way and just as I sat her under a sunlight ray  peeking through the trees, another Goddess that she knew appeared. Phoebe was having a morning run also processing the New Moon and stopped to join us for a bit. These are the moments when I just relish in the magic of Maui Goddess Project. Both women sat under the golden light giving one another encouragement, love, understanding that was so incredibly powerful and necessary in that moment. We all bonded and I took photos showing the authentic sisterhood that these two goddesses shared so naturally. Phoebe left and Joy & I continued deeper into the forest. We discovered that we are both on the path of fully accepting our souls choice to come to the Earth, be a part of the human experience and go through all the lessons that come with that choice. It isn’t easy at all… It seems easy when we try to think beyond our choices to be here in our form on the planet and yet the beauty is living fully and being a part of it all. As we left the forest, I am sure that Joy & I both came out changed women… women ready to support one another, accept our paths and enjoy life to its fullest.

I Honor the Goddess in You ~ Joy

Much Aloha to you Always,

Desiree

Keep on Shining

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Kira is such an amazing supporter of Maui Goddess Project. She reached out to participate again so we began the process of setting our intentions and being open to the location of where the session should take place. She wanted to go to these gorgeous ocean side pools to bring out her inner mermaid. Kira offers reiki and crystal healing. She also helps people to heal through movement and dance. I love being with her as she is always sending out powerful prayers for us all and the children while dancing around joyfully. It is nice to be around that kind of goddess energy. Thank you so much Kira for your continued support and love.

I see the Goddess in You ~ Kira

Lots of Aloha to you Always,

Desiree

A Rose is Absolutely a Rose

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Many of you may have seen Rose before as the face of Infinity Photography Hawaii for years as she was the model for one of my favorite stylized wedding photo shoots years ago. We randomly crossed paths again at an event on Lanai where I got the opportunity to thank her for unknowingly supporting my dreams. She then shared with me how she is pursuing more of her musical interests and has been out and about performing regularly all over Maui. I was so happy to hear this and I suggested we give her some fresh photos and a Maui Goddess Project Session. We met at the iconic Old Maui High to play with the rain and an array of cute outfits she had chosen for the afternoon. We had some great laughs together and she is such a sweet woman. She was just as fun to photograph at Old Maui High as she was years ago. I am so blessed to be able to share these times with women going after their passions and I hope these images help them along the way. If you wish to hear the beautiful voice of Rose Renee, look her up online under Rose Renee Music. You won’t be disappointed.

I honor the Goddess in You ~ Rose

Much Aloha to you Always,

Desiree

 

A Look Back at 2017

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Maui Goddess Project is celebrating its first year of adorning, honoring and empowering women through visual imagery and connection. I am blown away by all of the beauty that unfolded and how touched I was by each story that was shared. I am looking forward to what 2018 brings to the women who are awaiting their sessions and the continuation of this very special project.

I honor all of the Goddesses in Each and Every One of You and All of those to Come!!!!

Much Aloha Always ~ Desiree

Dare to Follow Your Heart

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I met Taylor through an email that she sent about creating a modeling portfolio for herself. In the shuffle of life, I put her on my calendar as a Maui Goddess Project Session without another thought. When I went back and looked through the email, it dawned on me that she was seeking something else, a photo shoot for her career not exactly the “Adorn, Honor and See” vision of Maui Goddess Project. We sorted things out and off we went to Kealia Pond Reserve.

It was a fairly stormy Birthday day for Taylor and she had been through a rough couple of days prior to our photo session. As she shared about her life, I saw so much of my younger self in her. I related to her Maui journey and all that lies ahead. It was no coincidence that we had crossed paths and I knew that we were actually going to heal together by the pond that day. Our professional, career driven session evolved into a need to honor this sweet girl and empower her to follow her passion. In the 15 minutes we drove together another Maui Goddess Project Session was upon me to spontaneously create with this young woman who was on the brink of a creating a new life for herself.

We really connected on a heart level and I guided her to soften and show me who she is. Each moment she was able to let go and enjoy all that was around her. Thank you Taylor for allowing me the opportunity to capture these sweet moments. I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful life ahead full of anything and everything you dream up.

I honor the Goddess in You ~ Taylor

Much Aloha,
Desiree

Bee The Change You wish to See

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This beautiful goddess Kerry has been in and around my Maui life for quite sometime now. We have catered large weddings together, been around the Waldorf school together as she was a nanny for children there and we have belly danced at Dance Church for an event or two. We have pretty much crossed paths many times so it was such an honor to receive a message from her that she wanted to be a part of Maui Goddess Project. She had a clear message and vision for her session that was very powerful and beautiful. Kerry has been facing her fear of Bees and had a once in a lifetime encounter with one at Sufi camp. She told me the bee sat on her hand for a long meditative moment and her fear of being that close to a bee completely softened. She also received a message from the bees to work hard at her passions and find the work that is like smelling the flowers at the same time.

On Halloween evening, we met at 3rd Day Nursery in Kula so she could express her love for bees among the lovely succulents and flowers. She had spent the day with the very talented Melissa Bruck, who had adorned her with striking bee inspired body paint. Our time together creating the story was wonderful and very fulfilling.

Thank you Kerry for all that you are and offer. I have been very fortunate to have you in my world.

I honor the Goddess in You~ Kerry

Much Aloha,
Desiree

The Journey of Seeking

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This is the beautiful Jeannine who approached me about participating in the Maui Goddess Project as a means to honor the Four Elements. She has been on a journey of self discovery and wanted to incorporate her heritage as well as the message of her company, The Seeking Root. We decided to walk through the Waihou Springs Reserve and enjoyed the trees, fallen leaves and sunlight that would peek through on occasion. It was peaceful and we connected over shamanism and listening to our intuition. To find out more about what services she offers check out The Seeking Root at http://www.theseekingroot.com

Thank you Jeannine for opening your heart and making the photo shoot very creative.

I honor the Goddess in You ~ Jeannine

Much Aloha ~ Desiree

 

 

 

 

 

The Warrior Within

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I have worked along side Rachel for years and have also witnessed the last couple of difficult ones with her battle with cancer. It is always a shock when someone you know receives this news and it definitely brings things into perspective. She told me how much her community surrounded her with love & support and she was happy to tell me that she has been cancer free for over a year now. When I saw her back to work, I got a vision of her as a beautiful warrior, done with battle, and showing me what actual surrender is like. The fight is only half of the battle, the other is surrendering part of one’s self to truly gain victory. When she accepted my offer to participate in Maui Goddess Project, I was thrilled. As I tuned into where the photos needed to happen, I received yet another vision of her in a sacred, healing heiau here on island. This heiau is a place that is specifically for healing and rejuvenation. I honored what I saw and took her there. We had such an unforgettable experience together as the heiau was peaceful, warm and filled with blessings. She charged up her crystals, laid on the land and received an unexpected prayer and mini healing session from a woman who showed up while we were there. We were both moved to tears and left that sacred place knowing we were supposed to be there at that exact time, in that exact place. I then took her to a beautiful stream where she showed me the warrior inside and cleansed herself, a sword and swam with the beautiful dragonflies that showed up. I could not believe all of the magic that surrounded us that day. It was beyond anything that I could have planned or expected. When I asked Rachel how she felt now at this point in her life, she expressed that she felt lighter, more grateful and happy for the opportunity to continue on her journey. Thank you Rachel for our beautiful day together and being the wonderful soul that you are.

I honor the Goddess in You ~ Rachel

Much Aloha to You,

Desiree

Calling in the Queen’s Love

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It was so special to get a day with my dear friend Rachel who was visiting us from Oakland, California. She is an amazing photographer as well and she was more than willing to support the Maui Goddess Project by being my goddess for the day. I wanted to take her somewhere off the beaten path so I made a connection or two and we found ourselves at the Queen’s Pools. The water was rushing a bit as we skirted along the side of what used to be a more gently flowing stream. The energy was strong but the pools and waterfalls were definitely fit for a Queen. Rachel glowed in the jungle light and her adventurous spirit was a perfect fit for the trek we did together. We are blessed to have her in our lives and her radiance shined through the photos that day.

I honor the Goddess in You Rachel….

Much Love ~ Desiree