STYLED SHOOT | WAIALUA, HAWAII
In the misty valley of Waialua
The thought and work behind the design.
Like the Kamehameha Statue on May Day in Hawaii…
Inspired by the cascading strands of leis draped over the Kamehameha statue on May Day in Hawaii — a sight that’s always felt so beautiful. I wanted to capture that same sense of volume and thought: why not use lei strands as a “bouquet”—something to hold?
Plumeria was the first flower that came to mind, but then I remembered the Rainbow Shower Trees would be in bloom. The flowers of the Rainbow Shower Tree (Cassia Javanica) are delicate and don’t have sturdy parts or stems, which is why you never see them in leis. But I wondered — why not give it a try? After hours of foraging, testing, sorting, and carefully sewing the blooms together, I finally had the piece I had envisioned.
Misty Waialua Valley
Waialua Valley Farm is a special place. Nestled on Oʻahu’s North Shore, it overlooks Kamananui Stream with Mt. Kaʻala towering in the distance. It was a venue we had long admired—studying photos, imagining how best to complement its natural beauty.
For this shoot, we focused on materials sourced from Hawaiʻi, always seeking to highlight what can be gathered locally while honoring the land. Our goal was to create something that wouldn’t compete with the model or bouquet but would subtly enhance the scene with color and texture. We selected a mix of locally grown flowers and foraged grasses, incorporating textures rarely seen at events in the islands.
The day of our shoot came with an unexpected twist—a tropical storm was rolling in. We worried the rain might disrupt our plans, but instead, it transformed the landscape, draping the valley in mist and adding a dreamlike quality to the backdrop. Standing on the open grass, We were struck by the depth of the scenery—the way the layers of mountains, water, and sky unfolded in soft, shifting hues. It was the perfect setting to bring this vision to life.
Team
Photographer: Ashley Purple
Venue: Waialua Valley Farm
Model: Carly Young
Cape: CLAIR DE LUNE SF
Dress: Anthropologie
Concept & Flowers : Nine Kole