Ewa Beach Family Photographer

Ewa Beach Family Photographer | A new Beginning

Being a single parent is never easy. Whether by choice or by life circumstance, raising children alone is not for the faint hearted. When Carmen made plans to bring her children back to Hawaii for a family vacation, she contacted me to take family photos. This isn’t in and of itself a strange request. After all, I had photographed Carmen and her family several times over the past 8 years. However, this time, it was for a whole new reason. This time, it was her new beginning.

I met Carmen about 8 years ago when I was teaching her son. In fact if it wasn’t for him, we may not be the friends we are today. Let’s just say, we needed each other a lot to stay sane back in those days….Brock kept us both on our toes! I have seen Carmen’s life change like none of us could have predicted when we first met. From an unexpected divorce, to being a single mom. To another marriage, a new baby and back to life as a single mother. She is one of the strongest women I know for recognizing an abusive relationship and getting out before it got worse. Not settling and hoping it would get better. She had done that before and was not about to make the same mistake twice. The most important thing to her is her children. Choosing her children and their well being over her own desires at this point in her life are most important to her. I am so proud to call her my friend.

A new little family.

I had flown to California several years ago to photograph Carmen’s maternity with little Jaycee, but this was my first time meeting her. Jaycee was just shy of turning 3 when I met her and absolutely adored by her older brother and sister. Seeing Carmen with her children, smiling, happy and knowing she had made the right decision was priceless. Sure it’s hard to do all by herself. There are days when she is exhausted. Days when she has to be both mom and dad. But at the end of the day, she has her children. And when all is said and done, no amount of money, comfort or compromise is worth anything less.

Thank you Carmen, for sharing your struggles and wins no matter how big or small. Your love for the kids is very tangible and obvious. Jaycee is incredibly sweet and both Brock and Ryndi are a true testament to all the hard work you are doing. Thanks for a peek into your life now! I know it isn’t easy, but you are doing an absolutely incredible job of raising your children.