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Welcome

Hi and welcome to INSPIRE, the photo blog of Cassandra Dieterle Photography, a husband and wife photography team.  We are based in Honolulu Hawaii, but LOVE to travel for both business and pleasure.  We have shot just about anything you could think of at some point in our photography career but most frequently we can be found snapping away for: weddings, families, kids and babies, and of course our stock photo trips. INSPIRE-photo blog- came about after a Tuesday afternoon conversation between David and I.  In turn we came to the conclusion that...life IS short, how short we don't know so figure out what inspires you to grow and live each moment to the fullest! For us being inspired is what keeps us going in our photographic career, it's what encourages us to be a family, friend, find new angles, go new places, meet new people, and at the same time appreciate our past!  This blog serves as our own personal journal to all that inspires us, for us to share our thoughts through our images both professional and personal in  hopes that it will encourage you to find what inspires you.  So please enjoy, don’t rush through, explore the site and let us know what you think!  We love to get feedback and who knows your feedback may inspire someone else! If you are looking for something specific to INSPIRE you, use our search box, otherwise you can browse through the categories at the top until you find something that strikes your fancy.

If you are looking for our online portfolios, visit us at
www.cassandradieterlephotography.com

Warmest Aloha,

Cassandra and David Dieterle Blog

French Designer inspired bouquets-Pacific Weddings Feature

February 27, 2010 – 7:37 am

We were honored when asked to work with Pacific Weddings on the 2010 issue feature of French Inspired bouquets.  Designer Lanvin was their focus and whom most of the bouquets were inspired by.  The floral designers, Yvonne Chapman and Debbie Hemminway, did an amazing job of capturing the essence of the inspiration gowns.  To see the full spread and get more information regarding the designs please visit the Pacific Weddings website or pick up the latest copy of Pacific Weddings magazine at: subscribe PW.

Below is a sneak peak and my thoughts on the shoot and designs.  If you are looking for an amazing floral designer, have an idea you wish to express with flowers, these ladies are the ones to call!

Inspired by a dress by Alber Elbaz, floral designer Yvonne Chapman captured the essence of the dress perfectly with this striking bouquet made up of over 100 gladioli.cassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_pink rose bouquet ribbon

This bouquet of  soft pink ‘Miranda’ David Austin garden roses ; design by Yvonne Chapman gives me the feeling of innocence.
cassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_pink rose bouquet ribbon

Besides the beauty of the flowers, which were my favorite from the shoot, I really love the detail on the handle and the stark contrast of the dark black velvet ribbon. This bouquet of peach ‘Juliet’ roses gives me that feeling of romantic past, like Romeo and Juliet. I love how base of the handle emulate the patter of the center of the flowers (shown better in the second image)
cassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_peach bouquet ribboncassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_peach bouquet
Design by florist Debby Hemminway, this bouquet is comprised of rich purple stock. I love the button detail down the front.
cassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_handle closeup
cassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_purple
I love this bouquet and this shot.  Made up of anemones and Freedom Ecuadorian roses, again a Yvonne Chapman design.  Upon seeing the bouquet I instantly felt a connection with the past with the detail of the charcoal ribbon and use of red and black and knew that I wanted to photograph it in this window. 
cassandra dieterle photography_Lanvin Feature Pacific Weddings 2010_red rose

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Meleah

February 26, 2010 – 7:52 am

This is Meleah, a Australian bloodline miniature pinscher.  As you can see she’s “over the hill” in doggie terms, her once red stag color has now turned to something more like white stag :) .  Meleah has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Something I was unaware that dogs got too. She underwent a full mastectomy in December and is now doing well, bouncing about like a pup again.  She now wears a PINK collar supporting breast cancer (not shown in photo).

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By cassie | Posted in PETS | Tagged , , | 1 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Pre Halloween Spookshots

October 25, 2009 – 1:43 pm

Being that my birthday falls nearly on Halloween, I have grown up celebrating the day with a big birthday blowout/ Halloween Party.  This year we are having a black and white ghouls and glam party and along with our black and white food, drinks, decor, and favors, I wanted to decorate the walls with some wicked looking imagery.  So we took the girls out to the sticks, literally because the area had been burnt badly, and did some photos.  I tried to emulate the vintage look, ever notice how no one seemed to smile or show facial expression in old photos?  Maybe it’s just me! 
Doing this today with kids is HARD, especially yours because A: they aren’t going to listen to mom and dad and B: they’ve been trained to “SMILE”.  You would think they would be good at pouting and not smiling, but I guess at 20months old  and 5 yrs you can’t expect them to do anything you actually want them to.  Brooke however did better than I expected!  She has several different “faces” she likes to do when the camera comes out, she calls this here her “mad/angry or sassy” look and I’d have to agree on the mad/angry!  Grace on the other hand was more interested in all the burnt things (a hammer amongst other things) and this cool tree tunnel that she darted off to (and fell on the way back) hence the  leaves all over her.  
So after a whopping 10 mins the kids were DONE with photos, Grace had thrown herself on the the nice black burnt ground because Brooke wanted to hold her hand and have her stand beside her “like I’m doing” (oh yes in her pretty white top and skirt). And Brooke was upset that Grace was “ruining” the photos!  kids :) love em!!!!… well these were my favorites, some outtakes too. 

Brookes spooktacular look!

This is Gracie’s surprise look she does on command or when she’s actually surprise or excited about something!
The fall
Checking her bunny over, “you ok?”
Checking herself out, yep- all dirty!

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By cassie | Posted in COOL, FACE, INSPIRE, KIDS, PERSONAL | Tagged , , , , , | 1 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Leah and Jason- {BUMP, Florida Maternity Photos}

October 24, 2009 – 9:49 pm

 For Leah and Jason, it was only fit do something not so “boring” or “ordinary” for their maternity session.  Florida natives, and beach lovers they are… we took off to the sandy beaches of Florida for some photos.  A bit worried about the weather, it was raining and seemed kind of gloomy out, but sometimes that is the best for photos!  I swear I thought they were pros, they seemed so calm and relaxed not only with each other but with my presence and life in general.  Once we wrapped up at the beach and got eaten alive by some mysterious bug (still have no idea what it was, but it literally left bites on me for a few weeks!) We then headed over to their pool where we did some nice underwater shots, you know me always ready to get in the water :) these were some of my favorites.

 




Im not usually fond of the “heart hand” photo, but for some reason I really love this one!

My favorite shot!


I love this one, shows the fun side of pregnancy!

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Ana and Kelaula- {LOVE-engagement}

October 23, 2009 – 2:25 pm

Ana and Kelaula wanted to do something they loved- surf – for their get to know you/engagement photo session.  Kelaula makes custom boards when he is not fighting fires for Hawaii’s Fire Department, so they brought two of their favorites and we hit the water/beach!  I have to tell you that I am terrified of sharks, so we split this session- I shot from the safety of the beach (I know I’m a chicken-it’s was their dinner time though!) and Dave manned up and got in the water with Ana, Kelaula and his camera.
The last image is a canvas print we did for them for thier reception/house!  We printed it as a 20×30 canvas gallery wrap, it looks great!




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By cassie | Posted in COOL, INSPIRE, LOVE | Tagged , , , | 3 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Meet Addison- {BABY}

October 22, 2009 – 9:14 pm

We photographed Kacey and Brett’s wedding several years ago and were thrilled when they called and told us that they were having a baby  girl soon and returning to Hawaii for a visit and would like us to photograph their new bundle of joy!  Baby Addison is about 3 months, she is such a sweet little baby, very laid back (that must be the Hawaiian roots in her), and so tiny.  You easily forget how little they are at that age. Congratulations Kacey and Brett, she is precious.




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Jessica and Coleman – {LOVE, Atlanta GA}

October 21, 2009 – 12:55 pm

Jessica and Coleman’s wedding day, a few of my favorite photos from the day to share.  The wedding was held at the famous Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta Georgia which originally was built in 1924 and closed in 1982.  I remember not too long ago when a close friend of mine from Georgia Tech would pride himself on owning one of the letters from the original sign (before it was restored in 1999- wow that really ages me) I wonder what he ever did with it?- ok so anyway, the place was one that I had always wanted to go inside and see (but since we moved to Hawaii before it was restored I never got to see it – until their wedding).  The rooms, the Georgian and the Imperial are beautiful, perfect for a reception! 





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By cassie | Posted in INSPIRE, LOVE, REAL WEDDINGS | Tagged , , , | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment

Annie and Erik- {LOVE}

October 20, 2009 – 5:05 pm

Annie and Erik, had a combination of a Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, an American Ceremony as well as what seems to be a new tradition among our Chinese Brides “Gate Crashing” ceremony which is quite amusing to the ones not being crashed upon.  I have to elaborate on this Gate Crashing thing a little more as for those of you who have never witnessed it may be a bit confused by the photos.  The ceremony begins with the groom and groomsmen arriving at the brides home or where she is staying but before they are allowed to see her they are made to do some very interesting tasks including eating weird concoctions, dancing in silly outfits, acting out different skits, singing, and I’ve even seen what I call “a torture spin around your finger with your head on the ground thing”  (yes it is very hard to imagine and I would hate to actually try it!), and of course the whole thing ends with the traditional giving of the ang pao (red packet with money, a customary gift).
Once the gate was crashed so to speak Annie and Erik had their American ceremony and intimate reception at the Ami house in Hawaii Kai. 

I love her little red shoes

This was only a small fraction of what they had to do!

The Ang Pao Exchange


I love this photo of her right before she walks down the aisle


two birds flying in the sky right when he said “you may kiss the bride!”

She’s so cute here with her bashful expression.







What a little ham :) I love it!

 A good night kiss as they depart for the evening.

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Brynn and Nick – {LOVE, Honolulu Hawaii Wedding}

October 18, 2009 – 3:08 pm

Brynn and Nick’s initial consultation was a bit unusual for me. You see instead of meeting with the couple, I met with the brides father to discuss bride and grooms requests for photography. I thought this would be very awkward, but we had such a great conversation over great pineapple tea at the wedding cafe and after an hour or so of chatting he agreed with Brynns and Nick’s thoughts that we would be a perfect match not only for style of photography, but for personality.
Brynn and Nick were a very simple and low key couple on their big day,  good photography was important to them, however they didn’t want to spend their entire day taking pictures away from their guests who were traveling so far to be with them.  They wanted my focus of photos on the overall event, the details, their guests, and highlights of them throughout the evening. I guess they knew what a fun crew they would have there!  One of the younger guests went around to each table and had them act out a skit (that he made up on the spot), suprisingly everyone went along with it!  It was an absolute hoot!  I laughed so hard my stomach hurt!!!  Wish I could share all of them, but I had to narrow down to a select few. 

 

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Jessica and Coleman – {LOVE, Atlanta Georgia}

October 16, 2009 – 9:05 am

You can’t tell from the photos, but Jessica and Coleman were surprisingly on the shy side during their engagement photo session, which is exactly why we do them.  To get to know the couple and get them comfortable with us and our cameras being there.  We were limited on time and space for photos due to necessary wedding preparations that still needed to take place, but I feel and I think they agree that we got some really great shots and made some memories that they will never forget (getting wet in the Olympic Park in Atlanta GA!)  Thanks for trusting us and having fun!



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