An elegant and impactful, new, coffee-table book titled MĀLAMA MAUI: Music Photography from Lahaina, featuring unique, vivid photographs of rock music icons and musicians from Maui, Hawai’i, including Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Ross Valory (Journey), John Densmore (The Doors), and Hawaiian bluesman Uncle Willie K, shot between 2016-2017 at Fleetwood’s On Front Street in Lahaina, photographed, written, and curated by photographer Sarah Sharaf-Eldien, has just been released by Genius Book Publishing of Milwaukee, WI.

Author/Photographer Sarah Sharaf-Eldien, and Steven and Leya Booth, Co-Founders of Genius Book Publishing, jointly announced that 100% of the profits from sales of the book will be donated to the Maui United Way Fire Disaster Relief Fund.

Rock legend Mick Fleetwood said, “Sarah has a wonderful creative eye, and her photos that chronicled the musicians and guests that performed at Fleetwood’s on Front Street captured the passion, joy and exuberance that we all felt while playing there. Having this memorialized in her book is a treasure and a forever keepsake. Thank you, Sarah!”

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Adds Sharaf-Eldien, “The word ‘Mālama’ in the Hawaiian language means ‘to serve, honor, protect, and care for.’ The wildfires’ heartbreaking devastation left hundreds of families displaced, countless businesses destroyed, and a tragic toll of lives lost. It is my hope that the photographs I’ve presented in Mālama Maui will preserve treasured memories, celebrate moments of magic, and cherish a sense of community that perseveres even in the face of adversity.”

“To the Ohana of Maui who have lost this historical part of their homeland, I wish Ka Lā Hiki Ola – the dawning of a new day. I sincerely hope that the funds raised from the sales of my book will contribute to the families and individuals who need our support, and will assist in the preservation and rebuilding efforts of Maui and Lahaina.”

Nicholas Winfrey, President/Chief Professional Officer, Maui United Way, said, “Mālama Maui will be a treasure to all who enjoyed music at the iconic Fleetwood’s on Front Street. Sarah’s book is a fabulous example of the greater community using their talent and creativity to support the people of Maui during this challenging time. We are honored to be the beneficiary of the profits from this book, and will continue our work to support children, mental health resources, and economic stability for all who struggle in the aftermath of the devastating fires.”

Steven and Leya Booth, publishers at Genius Book Publishing, add, “Mālama Maui is a very special book both to Genius Books and to Sarah. The photographs from her time as the house photographer at Fleetwood’s on Front St. working with Mick Fleetwood, depict magical experiences for the audience and musicians alike. We are saddened by the loss of Lahaina to the August 8 fires, and we are honored to support the relief and rebuilding efforts through the profits from Sarah’s book to the Maui United Way.”

Brief History Behind The Creation Of MĀLAMA MAUI
Sharaf-Eldien wrote and curated her new book as a heartfelt tribute to the island of Maui, Lahaina Town, and Front Street, where she discovered the rich, spiritual Hawaiian traditions that she says both inspired her work and shaped her values. She lived there from 2015-2017, and began working with Fleetwood’s On Front St as a photographer after reading Joseph Campbell’s book, The Hero’s Journey, and embracing its message to “follow your bliss.”

Having discovered Fleetwood’s in 2015, Sharaf-Eldien frequently enjoyed the live music and atmosphere that she describes as “a vibrant musical oasis that captivated visitors and locals alike – a celebration of music, art, culinary excellence, and the Aloha Spirit that is Maui.”  For seven months (2016-17) she worked alongside Mick Fleetwood, documenting the day-to-day life at his restaurant and the intimate concerts held there, photographing live performances by musicians including Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar, Uncle Willie K, Ross Valory, John Densmore, Donovan Frankenreiter, Mark Johnstone, Rick Vito, and Rock Hendricks, among others.

During her time in Lahaina, Sharaf-Eldien also met and photographed perhaps the most iconic rock music photographer in history, Henry Diltz. Mr. Diltz has photographed over 250 famous album covers, including those from such iconic musicians as The Doors, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and The Eagles, to name a few. Diltz’s Morrison Hotel Gallery Maui was located inside Fleetwood’s restaurant, where Sharaf-Eldien worked often, documenting events and exhibitions being held there.

Regarding Mālama Maui, Mr. Diltz said, “Sarah’s photos capture the joyful and colorful moments at a wonderful club we all love and miss. Although we can’t go there in person now, the good times we shared remain alive in her exciting photographs. To see these images of Mick Fleetwood and his friends having great fun making the music we loved puts us right back into those wonderful days before the great fire and makes us want to bring it back! Thank you, Sarah, for keeping it alive – this is a great book!”

About The Author
Sarah Sharaf-Eldien (pronounced ‘Sheriff el-Deen’) is an Egyptian-American portrait photographer who has worked closely with some of the most sought after musicians of our time. She began working in a fashion photography studio in Sydney, Australia, and transitioned into the world of music photography while shooting for legendary Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood on the island of Maui, Hawai’i.

While working in Maui, she also photographed iconic music photographer Henry Diltz at The Morrison Hotel Gallery, influencing her perception of portrait photography as an art of storytelling. Her timeless images of musicians and celebrities to entrepreneurs and everyday people, capture intimate soulful moments that reveal the subtle genuine beauty within. Sarah is currently based in Alexandria, Virginia, and travels with her two mini-pin chihuahua rescues, Ava and Julian.

See: https://www.1144studios.com/

And on Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/11-44-studios/

About GENIUS BOOK PUBLISHING
Genius Book Publishing, based in Milwaukee, WI, was founded by Steven and Leya Booth, both avid readers. The company was launched in 2011 and, to date, has published over 60 titles in genres ranging from horror to mystery-thrillers to true crime stories. The Genius catalogue also includes traditional print coffee table books about music, photography, and history.

See:  https://geniusbookpublishing.com/

And on Social

“The students have gone through a lot in the last few years, so they had a lot to say,” photographer Meredith Mashburn begins the conversation. “They focused on everything from the loss of a loved one, to saving our planet from climate change, to finding time to connect with others after being isolated for so long due to covid.”

Mashburn was one of the mentors for “Beyond the Lens,” a teen photography mentorship program held this fall at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The six-week interaction was part of “Annie Leibovitz at Work,” on exhibit through Jan. 29 at the Bentonville museum, and the legendary photographer herself met with the cohort of student photographers Sept. 16.

“Annie Leibovitz has a long-standing interest in mentoring young creatives, and Crystal Bridges has a long-standing commitment to educate our younger audience in various art forms,” Marta Knodle, Studio Educator, Public Programs, for the museum, said at the beginning of the interaction. “This program, specifically tailored to teens, was the ideal way to honor both of these commitments.

“We find that providing teens with an opportunity to engage with living artists is a great way to inspire creativity and artistic expression.”

Mashburn, a Springdale photographer, started her career path “after saving my allowance for two years and purchasing my first camera at Colliers for $150, a Pentax K1000. I was 14 years old,” she remembers. “Since that day there has not been a day in my life where I have not had my camera at hand.”

One of the students she mentored through the Crystal Bridges program was her own daughter, 17-year-old Skyler Baird.

“My mom was a big reason why I became interested in photography, but I also just love taking photos of the things and people around me,” Baird says. “My first camera was a little pink point-and-shoot camera, and I do actually still use it! Although it is super old, I love the grainy image that it produces, and I always carry it in my bag to take pictures of my friends and the environment.”

Known for her dramatic, quirky, engaging portraits of people like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Queen Elizabeth II, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, Leibovitz inspired the participants in “Beyond the Lens” to capture their own subjects’ individuality.

Mashburn chose Dr. Daniel Wildcat, a member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, professor at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., and author focused on Indigenous knowledge.

“We are nature,” Mashburn writes in her artist statement. “Humans are the only living beings on earth that do not live by the laws of nature. … Unless we take a good look at our lives and bring ourselves back into balance and alignment with our natural surroundings, we are headed for destruction.”

Baird made her selection a little closer to home. She photographed her friend Zander.

“I really hope my image captured Zander’s unique style,” she says. “He started coming to school dressed how he would be when he was out of school, and I’ve always loved his sense of fashion, so when he finally started expressing himself in places outside of his comfort zone, I started to look forward to what he would put together every day.

“I hope when people look at my picture they just see how cool he is, and how it is OK to express yourself in any way you want to,” she adds. “Zander is really passionate about fashion, and I am so happy that he can come to school wearing his amazing outfits every day.”

Mashburn says while photography has come a long way with technology, “the traditional aspects of photography resonate strongest with people because of its authenticity. In a world full of fake, we are seeking realism.”

“I strive to be able to express myself in the same ways Zander can,” concludes Baird.

FAQ

‘Beyond The Lens’:

Showcase

WHEN — Through Jan. 28

WHERE — The Studio at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville

COST — Free

INFO — crystalbridges.org/teen-photography-mentor-program/

    Mashburn’s daughter, 17-year-old Skyler Baird, photographed a classmate known for his sense of style. “I strive to be able to express myself in the same ways Zander can,” she says. (Courtesy Photo/Skyler Baird)
  

THE Marianas Visitors Authority is creating a media splash with the results of an underwater photography seminar recently held in the Marianas.

In collaboration with renowned diving photographer Sachi Murai of Japan and Marine Diving Web (marinediving.com) online magazine, MVA hosted the seminar last month with ten divers who had never visited the Marianas before. Prior to the event, Marine Diving Web published a series of articles with photos to promote the Marianas as the ideal destination for first overseas diving from Japan due to the islands’ proximity, clear waters, comfortable water temperature, and no language barriers owing to numerous Japanese diving guides available.

“The seminar and resulting media coverage aim to attract more first-time overseas divers with stunning photography and enticing stories, as the Marianas is the perfect destination for a first overseas dive trip,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion.   “Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands together offer a tremendous selection of beach, boat, and marine life encounter dives, perfect for even new divers.”

The seminar was held at two of the most popular dive sites in Saipan, Laulau Beach and Obyan Beach.  Eight articles have been published on Marine Diving Web, with one more planned for this month.  The articles are also being promoted via social media channels and advertising banners on the site.  In addition, more than 300 social networking posts have been made by the participants on their personal accounts, sharing their experience in Saipan.

“Sachi Murai was an ideal photographer to host this seminar.  He loves the ocean and is very familiar with our Marianas waters, having dived here many times, brought divers here on dive trips, and contributed to various articles about diving in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota,” said Concepcion. “We also thank our local dive operators for lending their support to the huge success of the seminar: Anclah Saipan, Aqua Gate Saipan, Make Sure Diving, Sakura Marine and Selfish Saipan.”

Marine Diving Web has 1,250,000 unique users.

The Society of the International Nature and Wildlife Photographers have recently announced the winners of the SINWP Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 competition. Organized in support of the RSPB, this competition helps to showcase some of the best wildlife photography from around the world. 

With 1,750 entries, the judges saw a huge range of feathered species from around the globe. However, there could only be one winner. The wildlife photographer to scoop the top prize was Gianpiero Ferrari, from Leicestershire, England. His image of a fieldfare enjoying an apple in the snow helped him win a collection of prizes worth £900. 

His winner was shot with his Canon EOS-1DX and 500mm f/4. The exposure was 1/200 sec at f/10,  ISO 500.

”The shot is from my home”, he explains. “After a snowfall during the night, several Fieldfare came in the garden to take advantage of the apple that I provided. This one was very aggressive and took over the entire garden chasing away all the other birds. I started to take some pictures from the house through a window, but I was not happy with the composition. I thought a ground level composition would have been much better. So first I had to build a pile of snow to use as a background and then lay on the ground under a camouflage blanket, waiting for the bird to return to eat the apples.”

The competition raised over £2,200 for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds – bringing the total raised for the conversation charity to over £13,000 in the six years of the contest.

• Check out the best lenses for bird photography