The Sunset Sessions: December 2012

Friday, December 28, 2012

▲ FRIDAY, I'M IN LOVE ▲

Johnny Abegg is a photographer based in Byron Bay, Australia who shoots rather lovely, natural images for fashion lookbooks, professional surfers and general lifestyle assignments. He has been shooting the lookbooks and ethereal, beautiful shoots filled with bohemian, wanderlust spirit for amazing accessories & clothing line Spell & The Gypsy Collective. Recently, Johnny shot Spell's Spring-Summer 12/13 lookbooks and I've just completely in love with how the art direction and styling turned out in these images from the latest Spell collection.

Spell Spring Summer 12/13:
Photographer Johnny Abegg
Model Matilda Price @ Priscillas
Art Direction and Styling Isabella & Elizabeth Briedis of Spell
Hair & Makeup Luciana Briedis

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

▲ INSPIRING LIGHTING ▲

Absolutely love the natural sunlight & really simple yet beautiful swimwear shoot from

LA-based fashion photographer Kesler Tran

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

▲ STOKED OUT IN OAHU ▲

Billabong Pipe Masters & a little aloha spirit from a magical island...

Josh Kerr x Kelly Slater

Dane Reynolds

Billy Kemper

Gabriel Medina

John John Florence

Pipe Dreams

Solo Mission

The Sunset Sessions

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to spend this December in the Hawaiian Islands for both personal and work purposes this year. Although having been born in and spent most of my years growing up in California, I've had lifelong deep connections with Hawaii—with extended family living on different islands, as well as the fortune to have been included in numerous island vacations with my parents living in California.

Hawaii has become somewhat of a second home for me; a place I've consistently visited 1-2 times/year nearly the last two decades. Although there's absolutely no question I'm a California native, I do feel a special connection in my heart for Hawaii and I'd honestly split my working, living year 50/50 in between both locations if I had the ability to do so. There's a peace and energy in the Hawaiian environment which is indescribable and the people whom I've been blessed to connect with here (family or friends) have all graciously opened their homes and hearts in completely transparent, un-superficial, nonjudgmental ways which I have found to be a rarity while living on the mainland.

When people talk about spreading the "Aloha spirit" and stoke, I truly believe this is what they are talking about. The value of connecting with family (whether blood-related or not), friends, and positive-minded people to share life experiences and the beauty (whether physically surrounding or spiritually inside) of valuable moments in time...it doesn't matter if that's spent on a board in the ocean, watching an outstanding sunset amidst dark silhouetted palm trees on a beach, or enjoying a fantastic home-cooked meal with gracious people—I honestly feel the individuals who call these islands "home" really, truly know how to live and appreciate the value of life each day.

Yes, I ventured out to these islands to surf some epic waves, photograph amazing moments in life and enjoy warm sunny days on beaches in stylish swimsuits I can't ever wear back home in chilly 50 degree waters—but the most magical parts of being here, truly experiencing Hawaii and the spirit of aloha with family—I just can't describe in a blog post or capture in a photograph. You'll have to just get over here to experience it firsthand for yourself. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

All photos above taken by: Graphicsdiva http://graphicsdiva.com/

Thursday, December 6, 2012

▲ RIDER ON THE STORM ▲

Really admiring these recent images taken by Keegan Gibbs of Alex Knost surfing Backdoor this week, during a stormy North Shore session. I love the dramatic light and intensity captured by the perspectives of Alex surfing solo in the storm... Two totally talented dudes.

Please check out more of Keegan Gibbs' unique and inspiring surf photography at: http://www.keegangibbs.com/

photos by Keegan Gibbs

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

▲ THE STYLIN' SEEA BABES ▲

If you're like me and have a thing for totally unique, amazing looking, vintage-inspired swimwear (that also FITS comfortably AND which you can SURF in...) you will fall in love with the new stylish & functional swimwear from California-based, female surfer owned and operated brand, Seea.

If the business story doesn't convince you enough of how awesome this brand is—have a look at their latest promo video for the new Spring 13 line, filmed and edited by Tiffany Campbell. Each Seeababe got to create their own character, inspired by the Hollywood surf movies of the sixties....how fabulous is that??!!!

Even the makeup and hair is adorable.

The stills are also really fun and inspiring...the style is totally rockin' and I of course, am a complete advocate of incorporating vintage surfboards, rollerskates and classic cars into photo shoots whenever possible!!

So, this production is right at the top of my favorite fashion inspiration list right now..

*disclaimer from Seea: no cute dogs were harmed during the filming of this clip, and yes, smoking is still bad for you, so don't do it! :)

If you want to check out their fabulous collection, please visit: http://www.theseea.com/

photos by Alison Beachem

via Seea

Monday, December 3, 2012

▲ SLIDE YOUR BRAINS OUT... ▲

In case you Californians missed the recent new book release/signing of "Slide Your Brains Out" by Thomas Campbell at Mollusk Surf Shop in S.F., this Thursday night, Dec 6th, Thalia surf shop will be hosting T-Moe as well as The Mattson 2!!! OK, this should ROCK...

(More details at Thalia surf )

▲ HAPPY MONDAY ▲

Have a lovely Monday and great start to your week...

just don't forget to smell the flowers along the way.

Photo: Angela De Cenzo

Featuring: 60s custom vintage caftan & pashmina from The Sunset Sessions » sunset-sessions.com