Aloha and welcome — I’m so happy you’re here with me in this behind-the-scenes blog, sharing how ShellsHawaii.com jewelry photos are really taken at our beautiful outdoor “studio” on the beaches of Kauaʻi. This is such a special memory for me, and I’m grateful to share a little piece of it with you.

Sunshine, Shells, and a Camera

When I first started creating Hawaiian jewelry (ハワイジュエリー) from shells I collected on Kauaʻi’s beaches, I didn’t hire models. I didn’t rent a studio. I didn’t hire professional photographers. Why would I rent a studio when I already had the best outdoor one in the world — Kauaʻi’s breathtaking beaches?

The sunlight became my spotlight, the wind became my hair stylist, and the waves provided the soundtrack. And my photographer? The best man in my life — my husband. He’s my bodyguard, my cheerleader, and, on his days off, my personal photographer. I always tease him, “When you’re free, you’re not really free… you’re on ShellsHawaii duty!” Since he’s not always available, I make every photoshoot count.

The Early Days of Photographing My Hawaiian Shell Jewelry

In the early days, back around 2010 when I actually started my business — all the beautiful necklace photos and the earrings you see displayed on my website, my Etsy shop, and even on social media — you may or may not have wondered who was taking pictures of the Hawaiian shell jewelry I create, or if I hired any models.

Well… here’s the truth: that “neck stand” you were seeing was me the whole time.

I didn’t even own a jewelry display stand back then, so I became the stand.

If you’ve ever looked at those old photos and thought, “What a nice display piece,” the real story is much simpler. It was just me, standing there with a lei around my neck, doing my best to hold still like a real jewelry model. No professional setup, no props, just me, a necklace of Niʻihau shells (ニイハウ貝), and the camera.

Those early days always make me smile — they were the beginning of ShellsHawaii, one lei, one photo, and one very tired neck at a time.

Beach Days and Basketfuls of Jewelry

On beautiful sunshine days, we would pack up swimsuits, colorful sarongs, and a basket full of jewelry — necklaces, bracelets, earrings, sometimes even anklets. And when I say “we,” it was really just me and my husband — the entire ShellsHawaii photoshoot team.

The ocean breeze moved gently through my hair, the waves shimmered behind me, and the warm Kauaʻi sand settled softly beneath my feet. During each photoshoot, I would switch from necklaces to bracelets, change into a new sarong, or slip into a different swimsuit — always hoping to find the perfect harmony between the jewelry and the natural island colors surrounding me.

 

There is something magical about photographing Hawaiian shell jewelry in natural tropical light; the shoreline itself becomes part of the story, wrapping every photo in the feeling of being right here in Hawaiʻi.

And sometimes, while I was in the middle of a photoshoot, tourists wandered by — slowing down, staring, and quietly trying to figure out what exactly we were doing. It always made me laugh inside, because they had no idea they were watching the entire “crew”: just me and my husband trying to catch the perfect angle before the wind changed again.

The “Money Shot” 

As the sun shifted, shadows danced across each shell, changing their color and shine. That was always my husband’s signal to step into full director mode. Suddenly he’d turn serious — almost like we were filming a major movie — and he would begin guiding me through the scene:

“Turn left… now right… just your shoulder… hold that. Okay, okay… now hold it. No—no, tilt your chin up a bit.”

If you were standing beside us, you would probably smile, shake your head, and think, He’s really into this, because he absolutely was. And even though the lighting, the wind, and my hair had a mind of their own, we always ended up laughing.

Then he would walk me closer to the water.
“Wait… wait…” he’d say, while I held the same smile, not knowing when he was going to press the shutter. If you could hear us, you would probably laugh too — it always felt like a comedy scene mixed with teamwork.

Then suddenly — click click click click — he’d fire off a burst of rapid shots and announce with full confidence:

“That’s the money shot.”

And if you know me, you can almost hear my reaction — that soft laugh, that little head shake — because every time he said it, I would think, Here he goes again. And somehow, he really did catch something special in that burst of photos.

       

Just when everything finally felt calm and under control, the ocean decided it was time to play. Out of nowhere, a wave rushed in — splashing up my legs, knocking me backward, and sending me straight into the water.

My husband jumped back to protect the camera while I tried not to fall over… but the wave still took me down. We were both laughing the whole time. These photos always remind me that behind every ShellsHawaii picture, there’s usually at least one wave chasing me around the beaches of Kauaʻi.

 

That always marked the end of our “professional” shoot. No more perfect poses, no more planned shots — just the two of us sitting on the warm sand afterward, drying off, laughing, and enjoying the island sun a little longer.

Those unplanned, messy, funny moments are the ones I treasure most — the light we chased, the laughter we shared, and the tiny memories woven into every photo.

After the Photoshoot… Heading Home

Our favorite beach to take photos for my jewelry is Keālia Beach — just a quick five-minute drive from our house. And on days when we want to relax a little longer after shooting, we head to Lydgate Beach Park. Each place has its own magic, and each one gives a different feeling to the jewelry in the photos — bright, warm, soft, or dramatic depending on the day.

After a long day of taking photos — posing in the wind, chasing the light, laughing at the waves, and trying our best to catch that perfect angle — we finally pack everything up and head home. Even when the day is tiring, we always end up having the best time together.

I am truly grateful to my husband. From the very first day I started this business until now, he has stood right beside me — carrying bags, adjusting lighting, encouraging me, making me laugh, and taking every single picture you see on my website. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.

Once we get home, my next job begins. I download all the photos — hundreds and sometimes hundreds of the same shot — and then it’s up to me to scroll through every single one to find the few good ones.

And this always makes me smile… because when I tell him, “Focus, just take a few good photos,” it never works. Not once. He always takes a huge amount. But hidden inside all the windy shots, blurry shots, and mid-blink moments, there is always that one perfect “money shot” that makes the whole day worthwhile.

By the time I’m done scrolling, I’ve usually gone through more than a thousand photos. But beyond choosing images, these days give me something even more meaningful: time together, laughter, and memories I will carry in my heart forever.

 

This is how ShellsHawaii.com began — with sunshine, ocean breezes, a little chaos, and a whole lot of love. And believe me, there are still many more behind-the-scenes stories waiting to be shared.

…and here are a couple of pictures I use very often. One of them was taken for my business card when I first started ShellsHawaii back in 2010. I still use it today because it reminds me of how my journey began — where I started, how far I’ve come, and why this work means so much to me.

 

A Quick Note for First-Time Buyers

If you’re new to Niʻihau shell jewelry (ニイハウ貝) and aren’t familiar with sizing, colors, shell types, or design styles, please feel free to contact me anytime. I’m always happy to help guide you. For me, this isn’t just about selling jewelry — it’s about sharing knowledge, culture, and the joy of appreciating these tiny treasures from our islands.

If you’d like to explore more and learn at your own pace, here are a few helpful places to begin:

• Beginner’s Guide — a great starting point if you’re just learning about Niʻihau shells and Hawaiian jewelry techniques
• Buyer’s Guide — for understanding lengths, styles, quality, and what to look for when choosing a piece
• Shell Information blogs — learn the differences between Kahelelani, Momi, Laiki, and color names
• Testimonials Page — see what other customers have shared about their jewelry, experience, and purchases

If you ever have a question or need personal guidance before choosing a piece, I’m always here to help. Just send me a message anytime — I’m happy to assist.