Creative Shoot | Jarusha Brown

by Jarusha Brown

Jarusha Brown Photography

I am a people photographer who LOVES to travel and because I shoot a lot of weddings each year I am able to explore and find new and beautiful locations - places often overlooked.  My inspiration for this creative was to do a very simple take on a tropical bridal shoot. Maui is a very laid back island and would be the perfect spot for a natural, low-cost wedding or elopement.

Jarusha Brown Photography

I found Patty Sorgman through the website Model Mayhem and not only does she model, but is an actor and makeup artist. I found that through her online profiles I could tell a lot about her personality and felt we would be a perfect match.

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

This season I am loving the trend of feminine, lacey sun dresses and found a lovely creamy white one at Zara. For the shoes, I got some classic coral coloured flats from H&M as well as gold knot earrings.

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

The day before the shoot, my boyfriend and I took a drive part way up the volcano Haleakala to scout for locations. While sunset beach photos are gorgeous for tropical wedding photos, I am entranced by the scenery of the Maui Upcountry. The whole climate changes again and again as you rise in elevation. The air is cooler (thank you Patty for braving the cool air at sundown!) and the vegetation is more lush. I always scout the areas where I plan to shoot ahead of time, whether it’s a wedding, family session or creative shoot. I like to have a plan and in this case it was essential.

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Sunset in Hawaii is a very short, but brilliant event, so we had to hustle. The first few shots were at a Jacaranda tree in bloom. I’m drawn to photographing trees and this one was so amazing. We moved on to a hedge of brilliant bougainvillea, a field by some eucalyptus forests and ended by some giant agave plants.

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

Jarusha Brown Photography

The bouquet was bought at a cute little roadside stand for $4 and made up of protea flowers, bird of paradise and eucalyptus. I made the birdcage veil and Patty and I arranged the bougainvillea flowers in her hair with hair pins.

All in all I was thrilled with the unusual locations and the photos and I hope they can be an inspiration to brides looking for a low-cost option for their dress, flowers and accessories. Working with Patty was a blast and we plan to keep in touch for future projects.

model:  Patty Sorgman (http://www.modelmayhem.com/724217)

hair and makeup: Patty Sorgman

assistant: Colin Chamut

styling & photography: Jarusha Brown Photography(http://www.jarushabrown.com)

dress: Zara

shoes: H&M

earrings: H&M

location: Upcountry Maui – road to Haleakala

bouquet: roadside stand on road to Haleakala

birdcage and crown of flowers: made by Jarusha