LENS & SNAP

Give yourself a round of applause for making it here to my blog! Any greeting should always start with a handshake, a smile, and a greeting... "HOW YOU DOIN?"

Welcome to my official photography blog!

RALPH MISA - I am a photographer. I create art. I am samoan. I eat lots of polynesian food. I am a chameleon. I have this ongoing love affair with 90's R&B music. I shop at old vintage stores. I am the best dancer in the aisles of Wal-Mart. I am a social media geek. I am a community worker. I love connecting with real people. I have a bigger than life imagination. I believe in being original. I see people "live and in color". I treasure being a friend, brother, nephew, uncle, and son. Most of all - I love God.

*I am available for travel worldwide. Please contact me for information info@ralphmisa.com
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- RM on CALLED TO SERVE

05.01.12

DINAH JANE | A powerful young songstress!

A DAY WITH DINAH JANE HANSEN…

(PHOTO SHOOT)

DinahJane1

If the name doesn’t familiar… it will very soon! A young singer whom I came across a while back through youtube & mutual friends of mine that have been raving about this young star. The minute I heard her voice I said to myself… “where is the power in her voice coming from?”. It is truly one of a kind & god-given! If I were to describe her voice I probably couldn’t just pin point one particular artist out there. If there was melting pot to describe her voice and presence I would say: Add a dash of Beyonce’s power & confidence, a sprinkle of Etta James soul, and the youthfulness & control of Jennifer Hudson. A big melting pot right?

Needless to say, this is what comes to mind when I listen to Dinah Jane.

…and get this… she is only 14. BOOOM! Sorry it felt like a “boom” moment.

With influences that are as wide ranging as her octaves, Dinah Jane’s melodic vocal ability is awe-inspiring. Belting out goose bump-rendering highs and soul stirring lows, she will have everyone amazed that all the power is coming of out of someone that young.

The oldest of five children Dinah Jane’s talent is just as diverse as her multi-cultural background. This powerhouse of Tongan, Samoan and Danish decent. Dinah Jane writes, plays the piano and wants to share her music with the masses from her own unique point of view with R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae and soulful undertones. “I want to touch people hearts and change the world through my music and inspire young girls to sing and follow their dreams,” says Dinah Jane.

ON THE SHOOT:

Dinah & I had a field day talking about music, the business, and just where she would like to with her music. Nothing is more rewarding then hearing someone so young, focused and ready to pursue her dreams. The ability to discover your god-given talent and working towards that is nothing short of amazing. At 14 I was just getting over cartoons. LOL!

We were joined by a great friend & whom I discovered as family Elizabeth Jennings as our make up artist and stylist for this shoot! Thank you Elizabeth for your wonderful work in the make-up and styling you truly captured an edge and natural look!

Dinah & I were like kids in a candy store laughing and talking about music & just overall laughed about silly things that young people do these days. I could have sworn I was talking to someone who was my age.

Thank you to Milika Hansen (Dinah’s mother) and her aunties who cheered us on before doing the photo shoot! You are all a blessing!

Thank you Dinah for sharing your gift, your heart, and talent with us all! I wish all the success in life and most of all “STAY IN SCHOOL!”

Alofa Tele! -RM

Now for the skinny:

I get to see her perform live in San Jose this weekend! Looking forward to it!

Here is one of her songs that I really enjoy called:

“NO RUSH”

…and another great song with a reggae feel

“I WANT YOU”

Here are photos from our session!

Enjoy!

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03.12.12

HOOLIGANZ ALBUM “YOUR LIFE” | SHOOT & ITUNES!

HOOLIGANZ ALBUM: “YOUR LIFE” ON ITUNES!

I am excited to announce the release of long awaited album HOOLIGANZ album “YOUR LIFE” Now on ITUNES!

This is not one of those blog posts for promotion but simply a gift of gratitude to this awesome reggae band. Earlier today I was searching through my ipod for reggae music and often find myself sometimes just wanting a jolt of inspiration when it comes to music. Low and behold, I find the HOOLIGANZ ALBUM on ITUNES. There are a couple of reasons why I excited about this.

I had the honor of shooting their album photos a while back and I got to know this band on a personal level. Much like photography work a lot of preparation, thought, and emotion goes into putting together an album. There are so many elements such as: lyrics, melody, substance, and timing. I spent time getting to know these guys and the excitement that they had in putting together each & every song. I have to tell you that it can be a strenuous process to do this because it really is “LIFE” that you are putting into song form.

With that said, I had the pleasure of listening in on the album & talking to the band about the “creative process” for this album. It just blew my mind the life experiences that were shared and the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s. I found myself linking some of my own life experiences to theirs and then I started to connect to their music.

Let’s just say I am a huge fan! Simply because they are from the same area I grew up from in Southern California & the fact that the journey they take to pursue their dreams in music is just awe-inspiring.

Thank you Hooliganz for the opportunity to work with you & also to see my work on ITUNES!

As for the album… it’s great REGGAE MUSIC! It depicts the lifestyle of growing up in Southern California with a universal message of life, love, and just a feel good vibes with songs such as:

REVOLUTION, WILDFIRE, CALL ME, ONE LOVE, & ZOOGIE DOWN.

But my favorite on this album is “PRAYER”

Check it out on ITUNES and you will see what I mean…

All the best HOOLIGANZ on your album & journey entitled: “YOUR LIFE”

Here is a video that I was able to get behind the scenes and witness! Shot in parts of my hometown Carson, California.

Filmed by my creative bro Hagoth Aiono.

REVOLUTION VIDEO HERE

Here are a couple of my favorites from this photo shoot!

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03.02.12

MANUSINA | SAMOAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN

MANUSINA SAMOAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN!

A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a good friend of mine Serafi Auva’a Tavita about putting together something creative (photo & poster) in support of “Manusina” – A samoan language program for children to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah which starts tomorrow March 3rd,2012.

Speaking your own native tongue is one listed the most important way of preserving culture.

As one that is still learning to speak fluent Samoan, I love the efforts set out to preserve the language in a country where hip-hop, fashion, tv, and internet are an adapted part of American culture.

Learning your native language as told to me by High Chief Bill Helmsley from Samoa stated: “Knowing your language gives you a true sense of who you are and where you come from.”

Manusina is a white bird that can be found in Samoa looking for food for her family from the ocean then flying back home to share her food with her family. Manusina. the bird is able to see the world and aspire to reach higher ground because of her abilities.

Knowing the meaning of MANUSINA I was able to do a mini-photo shoot featuring Krystle and Mele.

Here is the mini-photo shoot in support of this awesome program!

Thank you Serafi for allowing me to contribute to this!

For more information on classes you find them on facebook here –> Manusina Language Program.

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03.01.12

RALPHMISA.COM | OFFICIAL WEBSITE IS LIVE!

RALPHMISA.COM IS NOW LIVE!

I am excited to announce that my official website is now up and running! I am kind of emotional about this because I have been shooting for a couple of years and a lot things went through my mind. Things like why I picked up the camera in 2008 and why I love photography so much. In saying that, I discovered myself in the process. I wanted more from my work. I wanted people see life through my own eyes.

I have had the privilege of shooting a lot of people from all different points in their lives. The common thing that I found was that they were going through the same things I was. Life changing & pivotal moments in their lives and I was the one to witness it. Indeed a humbling experience to continue to share these moments with clients who I call “my friends”.

It’s sharing.

It’s loving.

It’s LIVING.

Through all of this I came alive.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me all of these years.

There was a special person that was there from the beginning Maryanne Pale , she literally opened my eyes and my heart and it translates in my work. I love you.

For that I am grateful and blessed.

Enjoy!

-RM

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Maryanne Pale - March 4, 2012 - 1:20 pm

CONGRATULATIONS RALPH! It has been a pleasure watching you grow and develop in your area of passion. Your photograhpy work has captured wonderful moments in peoples lives which I know they will cherish for a lifetime. Continue to excel in your work and share your gifts and talents with our Pasifika people and the world at large. I am proud of you! Thank you for the shout out I am humbled and honoured that you acknowledged me as “the special person”. That was unexpected. Continue to strive forth in love and success. May God continue to bless you abundantly in your journey. ‘Ofa lahi atu xox