Pastel Horizons
Maui, Hawaii
I had been in Hana all day, completely immersed in shooting the waterfalls that define so much of that rugged, wild side of Maui. There’s something timeless about Hana—the way the thick jungle surrounds you, the sound of water crashing down on rocks, and the feeling that you’re capturing a place untouched by time. I hadn’t been back to the island since 2011 and 2012, and I wanted to see what had changed. But as the hours passed, I lost track of time. It’s easy to do when you’re so focused on framing a shot, balancing light and motion to get just the right feel from the waterfalls. The air was thick and humid, the kind that sticks to your skin, and I was deep in the process, trying to capture the essence of the location with each frame.
By the time I looked up, the light was already fading, and I realized I was nowhere near the spot I had planned to shoot for sunset. Panic set in for a moment. I could see the sun inching closer to the horizon, knowing I had little time to get where I wanted to be. But sometimes, plans have a way of unraveling into something better than you expect. I knew I had to make a decision fast, so instead of pushing on toward my original destination, I started scanning for a place to pull off. That’s when I spotted this beach—a stretch of coastline I hadn’t intended to shoot but one that seemed promising. With the sun dipping faster than I anticipated, I decided to take the chance and set up right there.
It’s in moments like this that the art of photography becomes as much about instinct and improvisation as it is about planning. The time constraints forced me to work quickly, setting up my gear with just minutes to spare. As I hurried to set up my filters, adjusting them precisely to manage the dynamic light and contrast, I could feel the excitement building. Photography isn’t just about capturing what’s in front of you; it’s about translating a feeling, a moment, into something that speaks to the viewer. With only five minutes to prepare, I had to trust my experience, knowing that sometimes the best shots come when you don’t have the luxury of time.
When the sky began to change, it was like the island was rewarding me for the rush. The light went from soft to vibrant in a matter of seconds, with hues of pink, purple, and orange bursting through the clouds. I was facing the opposite direction of the sunset, but the color in the sky was so intense that it wrapped around, lighting up everything in front of me. It was a kind of magic that only happens when all the elements align—water, sky, clouds, and light all converging at just the right moment. It reminded me why I love this art form so much. It’s not just about pressing the shutter; it’s about being present in the moment, anticipating what nature will give you, and reacting to it in real-time.
As the color show unfolded, I found myself in a state of flow. Every shot I took felt deliberate, yet effortless—like I was in sync with the scene unfolding in front of me. The palm trees lining the shore, the smooth rocks scattered across the sand, and the gentle waves rolling in all came together to create that perfect tropical island vibe I had been looking for all day. It’s those brief, fleeting moments that make the work worthwhile. You can plan all you want, but at the end of the day, it’s about how you adapt and react to the world around you. That’s where the real art lies—finding beauty in the unexpected and being ready to capture it when it happens.
Looking back at the shot now, I realize that this wasn’t just about getting the image. It was about reconnecting with Maui, seeing how the island had changed, and reminding myself of the unpredictability that comes with this craft. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical side of photography, the filters, the equipment, the angles. But at the heart of it, it’s about the experience—about being in the right place, even when it feels like the wrong time, and letting nature take the lead. That evening in Hana was a reminder that sometimes the best shots are the ones you don’t plan for, and that the beauty of photography is as much about being present in the moment as it is about the final image.
40 Artist Proof | 550 Limited Edition
Artwork ships in 3-6 weeks depending on size and season if you are interested in purchasing an artist proof or need custom sizing information please email us here.