Welcome to Heliconia Hale
A space to share my love for photography, gardening, and all the little joys in between.
Aloha and welcome! I’m Chi, and I’m so excited you’re here. Heliconia Hale is my little corner of the internet—a place where I get to combine two of my favorite things: photography and gardening. What started as a simple love for plants, flowers, and fruits has grown into a full-blown obsession (in the best way possible). Naturally, that obsession led me back to photography.
I first picked up a camera in 2016, and while life has taken me through many hobbies since then (one of my “toxic traits,” as I like to joke), photography has always had a special place in my heart. I just love learning new things and diving into creative projects.
As I nurtured my garden at Heliconia Hale, I found myself wanting to capture its beauty in a more meaningful way. My phone could only do so much, and I knew it was time to upgrade. After months of research (and a lot of indecision), I finally chose the Panasonic Lumix S9, a mirrorless full-frame camera. It’s a big leap from my trusty Canon 40D crop-sensor, which served me well for years.
To support my love for macrophotography, I paired the Lumix S9 with a Panasonic 70–300mm macro lens. And wow—after just a few test shots, I was completely blown away by the sharpness and detail. I was so relieved to have made the right choice on the first try! The camera doesn’t have a viewfinder, which has been an adjustment, especially with the weight of the lens, but I’m slowly getting the hang of it.
I still consider myself an aspiring photographer and a beginner in many ways, but I’m thrilled to be on this journey. Whether I’m in the garden, behind the lens, or exploring new creative paths, I’m just happy to be learning and growing.
Thank you for stopping by and being part of this adventure.
Peace & Mahalo,
Chi
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