- Home
- Personal Blog
- D'Amour Pacific Photography
- Twitter
- Instagram
- Tumblr
- Facebook
- Flickr
- Random Things (Mobile Blog)
- CONTACT
DALLAS NAGATA WHITE
Aloha! Welcome to the networking hub for Honolulu-based photographer Dallas Nagata White. Click the links above to experience her latest blog posts, photographs, and tweets. Or visit her portfolio, print store, and Facebook Pages via the links below.
-
Posts
- Mar 10, 12
Today, I was invited by the United States Pacific Command to photograph the Change of Command ceremony as Admiral Robert F. Willard relinquished command to Admiral Samuel Locklear III upon his retirement after 39 years of military service. Guest speakers at the ceremony included the United States Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey.
I’ve had the privilege to photograph Adm. Willard at a few events before, and even have a few of my photos of Hawaii military events hanging in his office in Washington D.C. I wish him the best in his retirement!
- Jan 20, 12
Today at Pearl Harbor, in a change-of-command ceremony at Kilo Pier, Admiral Cecil D. Haney became the new commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He succeeds Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, who was the commander for the past two years, who is now retiring after 34 years in the Navy. Walsh was honored for his service with many stories of his accomplishments, as well as a few laughs, while his wife, Andy, was also honored during the ceremony for her service as a leader among Navy spouses. Speaking at the ceremony were Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, the Chief of Naval Operations, and Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
Thanks go out to Pacific Fleet for inviting me to cover this event!
The USS Missouri and the USS Arizona Memorial served as the ceremony's backdrop.
Admiral Patrick M. Walsh salutes as he arrives at the stage.
Ciana Pelekai sings the Hawaii State Song
From left to right: Admiral Cecil D Haney, Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Admiral Robert F. Willard, Chaplain Phillip E. Gwaltney
Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, greets the crowd.
Admiral Greenert presents a poster showing how much Walsh enjoys Hawaii culture.
Admiral Walsh's wife Andy was recognized by several groups for her service and contributions as a Navy spouse.
Admiral Walsh greets Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command
Admiral Willard presents Admiral Walsh with an award.
The change-of-command
Admiral Cecil D. Haney adjusts his hat before he begins his speech.
To view more images from the event, please go here: 2012 Pacific Fleet Change of Command
- Jan 01, 12
No, we didn’t go to bed. Yes, we were silly with sleep deprivation. Happy New Year!
- Dec 29, 11
As many of you know, Ed and I are blessed to have the most wonderful dog in the world – our 2 year old Japanese Spitz, Kodachrome. We often brag that her only downside is the excessive amounts of white fur that plague our house and wardrobes (wearing our photographer-blacks means lint rollers are kept everywhere!), because she stays very clean on her own, despite being a white dog. However, there are times when she manages to somehow get herself dirty enough to require a bath, and so it’s off to the laundry room sink for her! Here are photos from today’s bath time, and I hope they amuse you as much as they amuse me – my dog makes the best expressions!
Dramatic punishment lighting.
Priceless expression of woe and resentment.
Sad dog is sad.
The water was a little warm, so she started panting, but it looks like a smile!
I love catching Koda in a yawn.
REVENGE!!! (Totally worth it for these shots)
Koda is evolving into a seal!
Doing a Hayao Miyazaki-wolf impression
She immediately jumped onto the couch, getting it all wet...but she got love from her daddy anyway.
My smiley dog is happy it's over with!
- Dec 22, 11
When talented makeup artist Natasha Stannard messaged me on Facebook to tell me she was coming home to Hawaii for the holidays and wanted to do a shoot, I jumped at a chance. (We previously worked together when I shot Mahina, Keegen, and Yvonne) I contacted my dear Helene, and out of our combined personal wardrobe of flowy skirts, this gypsy-themed shoot was born! I even made the shoulder-duster earrings the night before the shoot specifically for these two looks. Try as I might, I couldn’t narrow down my final picks any more than this. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
Model: Helene Watson
Photographer: Dallas Nagata White
Makeup/Hair: Natasha Stannard
Styling: Group effort! (Shoulder duster earrings & black headband created by me!)
If you’d like to see some unedited 35mm film shots from the same shoot, please check them out here!
- Dec 19, 11These photos were taken upon invitation by the Defense Media Activity Hawaii News Bureau. Credited captions are by DMA HINB.
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers prepares to land at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (DMA HINB)
See the full photo gallery here.
The shadows of the Iraq War have long stretched far across the world, but this week that chapter finally came to an end. Though the conflict was ongoing for the entirety of my young adult life, in the early days I never thought that it would strike close to home. I was just a high school junior when the war began with the U.S. military’s invasion of Iraq on March 20th, 2003. Never did I imagine that eight long years later, I would be standing at the flight line on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, watching a C-17 bring home members of Hawaii’s 25th Infantry Division, who were some of the last troops out of Iraq.
There is a name that has stood out for me since 2004, when my grandfather was interred in a niche at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater. Before that, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were merely scenes on the television and words in news articles to me, as I had no real personal connection to the military aside from my World War II veteran grandparents. After losing my paternal grandfather in December of 2003, and my maternal grandmother in January 2004, I became a frequent visitor to Punchbowl, especially after moving to Oahu to begin college during the fall of 2004. The courtyard of niches was new at the time, and upon each visit, more and more names would appear on the white marble slabs, though the birth and death dates revealed that most of these were veterans and spouses who had lived full lives. One day though, merely ten spaces away from my grandfather’s resting place, a niche labeled MEDINA caught my eye. It wasn’t the name itself that drew my attention, it was the word and the dates below it: IRAQ, 1972-2004.
Staff Sgt. Oscar Medina, as my research tells me, had been a part of the 25th Infantry Division’s 84th Engineer Battalion, and died on May 1st, in Al Amarah, Iraq, when his convoy was ambushed. About two weeks later, he was the first Iraq War casualty to be interred at Punchbowl. I remember feeling a little stunned as I was finally struck with the reality of the war. From then on, whenever I visited my grandparents with flowers, I would take a moment to read his name and reflect.
The years passed by, and the Iraq War, officially called Operation Iraqi Freedom, continued to take the lives of the United States military, sometimes temporarily through deployment, and too often permanently, as our heroes like Staff Sgt. Oscar Medina made the ultimate sacrifice. Politics aside, the war has left its mark on the lives of many Americans, including me, much to my surprise. Without it, I might have never met my husband, Edward, who is an Iraq War veteran himself. Due to an injury he received while serving in Iraq (where he survived nine IED explosions as a humvee driver in the Infantry), he got the opportunity to transfer to Hawaii, and I will forever be thankful for that.
On December 18th, 2011, with my husband by my side, I watched the C-17 approach against the brilliant sunset backdrop. Three days earlier, the war in Iraq had been officially declared over by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during a ceremony in Baghdad. After landing, the military personnel aboard took a moment to raise the American and Hawaii flags before taxiing to the flight line, where military leadership stood waiting to welcome the soldiers home after their year-long deployment. 25th Infantry Division Commander Major General Bernard Champoux was the first off the plane, saluting as he was greeted with a hug from Lieutenant General Frank Wiercinski, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific. Maj. Gen. Champoux then received a maile lei from Major General Darryll Wong, Adjutant General of the Hawaii National Guard, before leading his soldiers down the line of military and civilian greeters.
Once the soldiers were aboard their buses, we all headed up to Wheeler Army Air Field, where the families were anxiously awaiting the moment they would be reunited with their loved ones. While the soldiers went through the process of checking in and turning in their weapons in a separate room, children scampered gleefully, waving tiny American flags as the waiting spouses looked on. They sat facing a large wall covered in posters welcoming the soldiers home, and many of the children wore shirts saying “Welcome home, Daddy” or other variations of the sentiment. Every once in a while, Edward would wander off to say hi to friends who he had met during his years in the Army, many of whom had just returned themselves. Once the announcement was made that the ceremony was about to start, everyone cheered, and the returning soldiers marched into the hangar in formation while the band played.
During the ceremony, prayers were said and the Army song was sung. Lt. Gen. Wiercinski said a few brief words, and then he released the soldiers to their families. A year-long deployment is a difficult experience that I’ve had personally, and I was caught up in the wave of emotion as husbands, wives, and children were all reunited around me. I think we can all be grateful that all these families will have their soldiers home for the holidays, unlike so many who have lost loved ones to Iraq.
Thank you to all who serve and have served, and welcome home from Iraq…for the last time!
(Left to Right) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong, adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, U.S. Army Pacific commander, and U.S. Army Pacific Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Leota await the arrival of the C-17 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. (DMA HINB)
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers taxi's on the flightline at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (DMA HINB)
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers taxi's on the flightline at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (DMA HINB)
Greeters watch as the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th ID Headquarters soldiers approaches the flight line.
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loaded with 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers displays the American flag and the Hawaii State flag.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Wiercinski flashes a shaka while waiting for the 25th ID to disembark.
Maj. Gen. Bernard Champoux, Commander of the 25th ID, is the first to exit the aircraft.
Maj. Gen. Champoux salutes as he approaches Lt. Gen. Wiercinski
Maj. Gen. Champoux is greeted by Lt. Gen. Wiercinski with a hug.
Maj. Gen. Champoux is given a maile lei by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong
Maj. Gen. Champoux is welcomed home as he leads his soldiers off the C-17.
A child waits for a returning parent at the Wheeler Army Air Field.
A child plays with an American flag while waiting for the redeployment ceremony to begin.
Returning 25th ID soldiers begin to get into formation before the ceremony begins.
U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division Headquarters soldiers march in formation during the redeployment ceremony at at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, Hawaii (DMA HINB)
A young boy bows his head in prayer during the ceremony.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Wiercinski speaks during the ceremony.
A soldier is welcomed home by his wife and son.
Maj. Gen. Champoux is welcomed home by his family.
A returning female soldier holds her daughter's hand as they leave the ceremony.
Maj. Gen. Champoux, holding his granddaughter, is one of the last people to leave the ceremony.
- Dec 11, 11
My friend Kaeo dives for a photo during sunset at my favorite Hickam beach.
- Dec 10, 11
Very last-minute photos of tonight’s total lunar eclipse as seen from Honolulu, Hawaii. I was totally unprepared so only had my 70-200mm f2.8L IS to shoot close-ups (most of which are cropped), and used a 24-105 f4L for the wide shots. I also woke up right at 4am after an hour-long nap waiting for the moon to reach totality, so I spent the first fifteen minutes of shooting forgetting to set my camera to mirror lock. Oh well! By 2014, when the next total lunar eclipse is supposed to happen, maybe I will have a 400mm+ lens by then!
- Dec 09, 11
Today, I had the privilege of attending another arrival ceremony hosted by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Hangar 35 of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Six flag-draped transfer cases containing five unidentified military members from World War II, and one from the Vietnam War, were all carried down the ramp of a C-17 to waiting buses with full military honors. They were then transported to JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory where the identification process will begin. The World War II remains were recovered from the United Kingdom, Canada, the Republic of Vanuatu, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, while the Vietnam War loss was recovered from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, which demonstrates what a global effort the recovery process is.
According to their website, JPAC’s mission “is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of the nation’s past conflicts.” So far, since 2003, more than 608 Americans have been identified by JPAC, and this past August, JPAC broke ground on a new multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility that will help them further progress in their mission. Though many Department of Defense organizations are facing budget cuts, JPAC has actually been issued a mandate by Congress to increase their identifications to 200 a year by 2015.
Photography Note: Last year, I attended a brief lab tour before the somber ceremony began, during which I took some of my favorite photographs of the entire year. This time around, I had the challenge of balancing a more difficult lighting situation with also trying to not take the same photos as last time. Though I am posting all black and white images, I have a color gallery available for viewing here.
The C-17 sits on the flight line outside Hangar 35 before the ceremony begins.
Military personnel from various branches stand ready before the ceremony begins.
Six sets of remains at once is an unusually large number for JPAC's arrival ceremonies.
Presenting the colors.
Taps is played.
Major General Tom, JPAC Commander, walks through the hangar after the ceremony.
Again, please check out the color versions of these images in the gallery!
My previous JPAC-related coverage:
- JPAC Arrival Ceremony For America’s Heroes
- JPAC – National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony
- JPAC Forensic Science Academy
- JPAC Groundbreaking Ceremony 08/30/11
- A Bronze Star For Staff Sgt. Ross
- Dec 08, 11
I started photography doing black and white film darkroom photography, so sometimes I just like to take my digital images and color mix them into black and white photos, which is different than just hitting ‘desaturate’. Here are some of my favorites from the December 7th Pearl Harbor 70th anniversary event, except this time made into high-contrast monochrome images.
-
Posts
- Apr 25, 12
$300 May Portrait Special! Up to 2 hours of shooting & ALL processed images on disc w/ print authorization. Valid for bookings scheduled between 5/1-5/31. Email damourphoto@gmail.com, or go to the Contact link above to book today! (PS. Offer for Oahu only!)
- Apr 13, 12
When the gorgeous TV Anchor/Actress/Model/Jeweler/Social Media Star Yasmin Dar asked me to take her and fiance Salvatore’s engagement pictures, I knew it was going to be epic. So, with the help of my fashion stylist Tyson Joines (who I often work with for my fashion photography work) and makeup artist/stylist Crystal Pancipanci of Panci Style, we created my first fashion-styled engagement shoot, which was shot at a tiny beach ranch on Oahu’s North Shore. Enjoy!
- Feb 28, 12
Tim and Jenie were married in a beautiful afternoon ceremony at the Ke Iki Beach Bungalows on Oahu’s North Shore, surrounded by friends and family from both sides of the states. They are such a fun couple - so very in love and not afraid to show it…which means lots of kiss photos, and that’s just the way we like it! Combined with some glorious weather, from bright sunny skies and epic winter waves to a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset with a light golden rain, this beach wedding was a joy to photograph. Enjoy!
- Jan 21, 12
I first met Jon when he was a groomsman for my good friend Mike Carino at his Maui wedding last summer. His bride-to-be, Kristie, mentioned how much she wanted mountains in the background of their engagement photos, so we were off to enjoy the landscape and soft light of Kaneohe. Enjoy!
- Jan 10, 12
My last wedding of 2011 found me photographing Marsa and Jerry at the beautiful temple in Laie, and they were a joy to shoot! Later, they had a fun and heartfelt reception at the Halekulani in Waikiki. Enjoy!
- Nov 10, 11
Branden and Magie are such a fun couple to photograph! We spent a golden afternoon around Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Beach, and they definitely made our job easy. Enjoy the photos!
Magie’s makeup and hair styling was done by the talented Sarah la Glam!
- Oct 15, 11
When Jared’s mom contacted me about taking his senior portraits, she was looking for something different than the usual fare. This led to a fun afternoon of hanging out with the whole family, and taking pictures of everyone! Here are some of my favorites from our shoot:
- Sep 28, 11
Alayna and Kaleo are a musician couple who met in college, so of course their beach wedding featured a string quartet! Makapuu’s beach and lighthouse provided a dramatic background for their intimate beach wedding. Enjoy!
- Sep 14, 11
I recently took portraits for this nice family on the Punahou campus.
They had the cutest kids – these two sisters…
…and their cousins, visiting from the mainland.
Suddenly, something strange happened…
…the kids had become zombies!
Watch out, Grandpa!
Uh oh…too late!
We did take the ‘nice’ family portraits too, as well as some of the kids all playing together, but those were part of the bargain I made with the kids before accepting their request for zombie pictures. Kids these days…I love them!
- Sep 14, 11
Another intimate beach wedding, this time on Maui! Tammy is the daughter of old family friends – my parents used to babysit her before I was born, so it was super fun to meet her and photograph her wedding! Her and her groom, Noah, were super fun, as reflected by their enthusiasm about us playing with the fisheye this time around, which came in handy when the sky lit up in another epic Maui sunset. Enjoy!
-
Tweets
- Me and @kaeok http://t.co/EMPa1g2R
- My edamame masterpiece! #barsports http://t.co/7dhfoQVy
- Top view http://t.co/rE00o8Id
- Edamame hourglass! I win. http://t.co/6CFRYJ1q
- Orange freeze for two http://t.co/d9RCvzS7
- I'm at Liliha Bakery (Honolulu, HI) http://t.co/8jJjSSDi
- I'm at Foster Botanical Gardens (Honolulu, HI) http://t.co/pb0pWeN1
- Cannonball tree for @rickyli99! http://t.co/PxnoSU9e
- Pineapple http://t.co/JINEUvKB
- @rickyli99 which one is that?
- Corpse flower is already withering...and doesn't smell! http://t.co/8bo0UP7y
- Played Diablo III (PC) in the last 24 hours. http://t.co/Q1eRVIHm
- Still looking for a new place to live that will allow our sweet girl! #NoPetsSucks http://t.co/vzfj9WNh
- Played Diablo III (PC) in the last 24 hours. http://t.co/Q1eRVIHm
- I'm at Pho My Lien (Aiea, HI) http://t.co/65IUihEU
- If anyone has any rentals on Oahu for a young working couple & the best little dog in the world, we'd appreciate a heads up!
-
Photos
-
Posts
Test two…it’s failing to upload the first attempt and my caption doesn’t go through. (Taken with instagram)
Last week, while on vacation to the Big Island, Hawaii, our group decided to go on a hike to the active lava flow with Kalapana Cultural Tours. Once we reached the lava, we were greeted by a passing raincloud, so my husband and I made the best of it. ;)
I framed the shot and pre-focused the lens, instructed one of our friends to press the shutter while another friend held the speedlite behind us. We took a couple photos just standing before my husband said, “Just one more!” and dipped me with a kiss.Brilliant :)
SAM SPRATT’S SPRING PORTRAIT CONTEST/CUSTOM PORTRAIT/SIGNED PRINT GIVEAWAY!
Spring is around the corner which means as thanks to you for following me here, as usual—I am giving TWO of you the chance to win a custom portrait made by me, custom-tailored to your heart’s desire. Free, no strings attached. The rules are simple, but read them so you can win.
What You Get:
A Web-resolution (1100 pixel) custom portrait, tailored to your most bizarre of requests. You can get a very traditional portrait done or as outlandish as you can dream. Zombies, Hipsters, Pirates, Ninjas, Superheroes, Robots, etc. are all fair-game themes in which you can have yourself transmogrified in painted form.
ADDITIONALLY, I’ll be giving 3 runner-ups their choice of a 13”x19” signed velvet archival print. Choices are: Sherlock, Ron Swanson, and Inspector Spacetime.
How to Enter:
FACEBOOK: Simply comment on the following facebook post. You get an extra entry if you click the “share” button and post it to your wall. ( Sam Spratt - Facebook Contest )
TWITTER: Follow http://twitter.com/#!/SamSpratt and tweet the following phrase verbatim on twitter:
“ Entering to win a custom portrait #painting from @samspratt’s portrait contest! https://www.facebook.com/sam.spratt ”
This also counts as an entry.
TUMBLR: Just reblog/like this post!
How long this will last:
This contest will run until April 6th, 2012.
You all are the best! Good luck and thanks again to all who follow my little slice of artwork on the web.
NOTE: You must be a follower or subscriber at the time of the win.
Why all this? Well, you’ve gotta write a big check with quite a few zeros at the end of it to commission art from me—and call me crazy, but I firmly believe that in a perfect world, people *should* get to own art AND do things like “pay rent”, “eat food-like substances on occasion”, and maybe even “continue to live”. Two of you can do that, the rest of you… you’re screwed. Sincerely, <3 Sam
Thanks for posting our shoot, Cassie! <3
photographer: Dallas Nagata White
lighting assistants: Ed White and Jay Scotty
model: Breanne
make-up and hair: Erica Elisha
stylist: Cassie LouieAssassin’s Creed 3 inspired nail art!
Though Ezio’s story is over, he is helping me model my nail polish. ;)
Kodak Portra 160 NC
Kiev 60
Photography: Dallas Nagata White Photography
Model: Deanna E
Hair/Makeup: Erica Elisha
Styling: Cassie Louie
Photographer’s Assistant: Ed WhiteLook, I made it onto Hawaii Camera Style :D
-
Status
-
Photos
-
Posts
- Mar 31, 12
As seen on Google+ and Facebook.
Once we reached the lava flow, we were greeted by a passing raincloud, so Ed and I made the best of it. ;)
I framed the shot and pre-focused the lens, instructed one of our friends to press the shutter while another friend held the speedlite behind us. We took a couple photos just standing before my husband said, "Just one more!" and dipped me with a kiss. - Jan 25, 12
