Contemporary Photography Hawaii
In 2026, for a show entitled Contemporary Photography in Hawai’i, juried by L.A.-based photographer Aline Smithson, 75 works were selected from among 400 entries.
My image, “Cleanup on Nutcracker Aisle,” was chosen for its “interesting content, technical mastery, and originality.” It was purchased by Ballet Hawai’i.
Ballet Hawai’i, known for its lavish Nutcracker set in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawai’i, offers a one-night performance at no cost to attendees who are from lower-income schools and households. I had the honor of being granted an all-access pass to photograph this performance and to help Ballet Hawai’i tell their story of philanthropy.
On this evening, the very appreciative crowd at Blaisdell Concert Hall erupted in spontaneous delight as the first act came to a close with a snowfall scene and a host of young fairies. As the curtain descended and the snow removal got underway, I caught this one ballet dancer as she turned back to collect some snow.