Elyse Butler Mallams - Hawaii Photographer: January 2012

2011 was a year of ever flowing growth for me. I traveled throughout the Hawaiian islands on assignment photographing for Hana Hou! The Hawaiian Airlines Magazine and Honolulu Magazine getting to meet some of the most interesting local characters, experience some of Earth's epic majestic landscapes and feel the mana within, observe endemic endangered wildlife with some of the leading researchers in the field, and learn about inspiring cultural traditions. I also started using different artistic mediums to express myself including drawing, journaling, woodblock printing, and screen-printing.
I became an open water swimmer, and I'm hooked for life, I love the ocean so much. I've always been a water baby but was scared to venture too far into the depths, fears of sharks and such, but decided I wanted to explore the ocean more and conquer my fears. I swam over 80 miles in the ocean throughout the year, swam in 6 open water swim races on the North Shore and South Shores of Oahu, including the 2.3 mile Pipeline to Waimea Bay Swim and 2.4 mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim. It is my favorite place to be, under the sea, it's calming, meditative and equally adrenaline-filled and exciting, every time I'm in the ocean I feel like I'm on an exploration into the unknown, on an adventure.
Saving the best for last, I got engaged to my best friend and love of my life, Matt Mallams, we've been together for years and are excited to make it official! He's also my business partner and we've worked together as a team on photo projects this year more than ever with new editorial and advertising clients. Our life in Hawaii has so been blessed and I'm excited to see what wave 2012 will bring.
Here's 11 memorable images from my 2011 and the stories behind them.

Surreal Sunrise
Haleakalā, Maui
Matt and I awoke in the wee hours of night to drive switchbacks high above the clouds to the summit of Haleakalā Volcano on Maui, witnessing the most incredible, awe-inspiring sunrise. Clouds roll in like a wave at twilight while orange hues breakthrough the vast sky and a car drives up the House of the Rising Sun.
Lights, Fog, Ecstacy
Makapu'u Meadows, Oahu
Amidst brightly colored flashing lights, the crowd dances to the beat of Paul Oakenfold during a rave at Sea Life Park, I photographed while on assignment for Hana Hou! Magazine.
Nicole
Turtle Canyon, Oahu
Nicole is one of my oldest and best friends, a true mermaid, and my swimming sister in the big blue sea. Always encouraging me, she's adventurous, brave, playful and my favorite person to swim with and explore the deep ocean together.

Atlantic Sea Nettle
Waikiki, Oahu
I love watching jellyfish at the Waikiki Aquarium. So fluid and graceful, I could stare at them forever.

Elder Williams
Laie, Oahu
Matt and I worked on a portrait photo essay 'Faces of Faith' for Honolulu Magazine this summer. We had such a lovely time meeting people from all different walks of life and learning about the beliefs and spirituality of Sikh, Muslim, Mormon, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Rastafari, and Catholic faiths. Above, Elder Stephen Williams is a Mormon missionary living on the North Shore of Oahu. Check out the final spread here.

Verdant Ocean
Nā Pali Coast, Kauai
Matt and I hiked and photographed the Kalalau Trail on the Nā Pali Coast of Kauai for Hana Hou! Magazine Korea. It was a gorgeous, rugged journey along massive sea cliffs hugging the coast, hiking through mud and overgrown tropical brush from sunrise to sundown with epic views at every turn, it was one of my favorite assignments to date.

Leilani
Wilcox Hospital, Kauai
I had the privilege of working with stellar graphic design firm, Wall-to-Wall Studios to photograph the annual report for the Hawaii Pacific Health Foundation that helps fund Hawaii's largest health care provider. We photographed patients, doctors, newborns, traumas, new procedures and everything in between at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Clinic & Hospital, and Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Kauai. Here, young patient Leilani sits in the lobby of Wilcox Hospital, tired of being cooped up in her bed all day.
Nenes in Flight
Haleakalā, Maui
I photographed endangered Nene Birds on Haleakalā Volcano, Maui for Hana Hou! Magazine, issue coming out soon. It was a remarkable time searching for and banding Nenes in front-country pastureland with biologists and park rangers who were so knowledgeable about the unique birds.
Walkin' on Water
Three Tables, Oahu
While swimming with friends at Three Tables on the North Shore, a snorkeler standing atop reef appears to walk on water.
Cockroach Cove Drawing
Halona Beach Cove, Oahu
I've been making these surreal beach drawings whenever I have some time to relax by the ocean for a while. It's a great creative practice and so much fun.
Holua Sunrise
Haleakalā, Maui
Matt and I hiked deep into one of the quietest places in the world searching for silence in the dreamy, barren landscape above the clouds on Haleakalā Crater, Maui for Hana Hou! The Hawaiian Airlines Magazine. Read more about our odyssey into the volcano here.