Life has a way of reminding us that permanence is an illusion. One moment, you’re surrounded by the familiar; the next, it’s all gone. Except for memories. And the photographs that hold them. This is the story of life before the Lahaina Fire, the world it reshaped, and the journey forward with love, resilience, and a camera in hand. Pictured below – the stop sign I’d see nearly every morning at Baby Beach, Lahaina.
Before the Fire: The Life I Knew
Life on Maui was a constant push and pull. The island wasn’t just my home; it was my childhood, my history, and my pride. Every day, I was shuttling my kids to and from school, managing office work during the day, and often squeezing in two shoots—one at sunrise before the school run and another around dinnertime. I was exhausted, but I wore that exhaustion like a badge of honor. Maui is an expensive place to live, and I was proud to make it work—to support my family and live in a place others only dream of visiting.
But it always felt fragile. No matter how hard I worked, we were living paycheck to paycheck, balancing on the edge of “just enough.” It was fulfilling but relentless. I felt the weight of the grind and the fragility of it all.
Even in the chaos, Maui’s beauty never escaped me. One client once asked, “Oh, another rainbow. You probably don’t even notice them anymore.” I corrected him immediately: “Are you kidding? I’m in awe every single day.” Whether it was a sunset painting the ocean pink or how the light touched someone’s face during a shoot, I never took it for granted.
But there was a conflict I couldn’t ignore. My livelihood was tied to tourism—the very thing I knew strained the ‘aina (the land) I loved so much. I carried this double-edged sword daily: the pride in capturing the island’s stories and the sadness of seeing its resources stretched thin.
If I could speak to the version of me from before the fire, I don’t know how I’d guide her. She was doing her best, but she was conflicted and tired. She was so busy trying to hold everything together that she didn’t see how quickly it could all change.
And then everything did.
On August 8, 2023, I was in Lahaina for a return client photo session at Baby Beach. The winds grew, roads were closed, and I had to circumnavigate a police blocade to get out of Lahaina. As I drove, the fire began and I witnessed the immediate first plumes of smoke.
The Fire: Everything Changed in an Instant
On a day that began like any other, the Lahaina Fire tore through our lives. In moments, the tangible parts of existence disappeared. Homes, belongings, routines, and the hardest of all, family members —all gone. I’ve never believed in the permanence of things, but this? This was something else. It was a visceral reminder that nothing lasts forever. Nothing, except the memories we carry and the art we create to keep them alive.
After the Fire: Growth and Connection
Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you grow, inch by inch, moment by moment. In the aftermath, I found myself rebuilding in ways I’d never anticipated. Moving from Maui to Portland wasn’t just a logistical change; it was a leap into a new life. It was a decision to grow and find beauty in a different kind of landscape—not just the forests and rivers, but the people and stories waiting to be told there.
But let me be honest: the trauma of the fire lingered in ways I couldn’t have foreseen. Many of us who lived through it sprang to action, helping our community and giving what little we had, even when there was no income coming in. The weight of everything left a deep emotional toll. The choice to move wasn’t just about finding a new home—it was about preserving our mental health, allowing ourselves to heal without nearly daily triggers of seeing the aftermath, and acknowledging a hard truth: we had been priced out of our island home.
Life after the fire means I’m slowing down. Instead of working nonstop, I’m focusing on photographing what makes my heart feel full. I’m crafting a more intentional, luxury experience for my clients—one that reflects the care and connection I bring to every session.
And while I’ve begun this new chapter, Maui is still my home. All my previous blog posts, spanning nearly 20 years, can now be found at meetmeonmaui.com/blog. Mauis sessions continue with my incredible team, who carry forward the same love and artistry – we also make sure that these sessions give back to the Maui community. I’m still taking on Maui Luxury sessions as well.
But let me be clear: resilience isn’t about pretending things are fine. It’s about finding strength in the connections we build and the values we hold dear. For me, that means creating art that celebrates love in all its forms. Love between families. Love for our pets. Love that defies labels and boundaries. It also means standing firm in what I believe:
- Love is love.
- Science is real.
- Climate change is urgent.
- LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.
- Women have the right to control their own bodies.
These aren’t just beliefs; they’re the foundation of who I am and the work I do. I want to collaborate with people who share these values, who understand that life’s most meaningful moments deserve to be celebrated authentically.
Why It Matters: Photography as the Tunnel to Memory
Photography is more than a collection of pretty pictures. It’s a bridge between the fleeting and the permanent, turning intangible moments into something you can hold in your hands. Our minds forget—they’re fickle that way—but photographs remain, holding the details, the smells, the emotions, and everything in between.
Through my lens, I’m drawn to the in-between moments—the unscripted laughter, the fleeting glances, the quiet pauses where people let their guard down. It’s about holding space for the duality of life: the messy and the beautiful, the heartbreaking and the joyful. I hope that when you see these images, you’re not just reminded of a moment but transported back to exactly how it felt—its texture, its warmth, its soul.
A New Chapter
So here I am, starting fresh in Portland, carrying the stories of Maui with me. It’s a new chapter, one I’m embracing with a brave face and an open heart. My work, my life, my art—they’re about connection, resilience, and the love that binds us together.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Thank you for reading, for seeing, for sharing in this journey. I invite you to explore my work, connect with me, and let’s create something timeless together.
Because everything can change in an instant. But love, memory, and connection? Those are forever.
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