Kailua-Kona Photographer

Ke‘olu Golf Course Photography | Four Seasons Hualalai | Hawaii /  by Ethan Tweedie

The Hualalai Resort recently hired me to photograph their newly renovated Private Members Only Ke’olu Golf Course using Drone Aerial Photography.  For 5 days in a row we started our day at Sunrise and captured 3 to 4 Holes each morning ending the day by 8am as to capture the best light on each Hole.  

The renovation took two years and is the first since the Tom Weiskopf course debuted in 2002.  The Golf Course’s major changes were converting the Bermuda grass to Paspalum.  “The Paspalum grass is more salt tolerant and has a brilliant emerald green appearance” says Dan Husek Director of Golf Course Maintenance. 

It was truly an honor to have the privilege of capturing this magnificent golf course in its best light.

Ethan specializes in photography for luxury real estate, architects, interior designers, and luxury hotels and resorts. If you have a golf course in need to photography please contact me! Ethan serves all of the Hawaiian Islands including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. You may contact me at 808-938-4665 | ethantweedie@gmail.com

Ka’ulu Lot 19 Project | Four Seasons Hualalai | Kona Coast | Big Island /  by Ethan Tweedie

One of the most exclusive resorts in the World and in Hawaii, the Four Seasons Hualalai is surrounded by white-sand beaches and black-lava landscapes on the Kona Coast of the Big Island.  It offers privacy and luxury amenities like ocean activities, golf and tennis for its A-List Clientele. The Four Seasons Hualalai Resort has been voted Best Luxury Resort in Hawaii by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report lists the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort the #1 resort in Hawaii.  The Resort is also home to some of the most exclusive private residences in the World boasting over 100 private home owners such as this property at Ka’ulu Lot 19.

Ka’ulu Lot 19 was developed by March Capital Management, a San Francisco-based development and investment firm, as an investment property that will be used by exclusive clientele as luxury vacation rental.  “MCM” teamed up with GM Construction, a design build firm to put their vision into reality.  GM Construction is “a custom, luxury home builder that, for over twenty years, has constructed residences in the resort communities along the Kona and Kohala Coast” and has built most of the homes at the Hualalai Resort.

The property is situated on the fairway of the 3rd Hole of the Hualalai Golf Course and faces West for gorgeous Hawaiian sunsets.  The home features a spa and infinity pool and three golf-carts to play golf, visit the beach or the many restaurants located within the Four Seasons Resort.

I was hired by “MCM” to photograph this property over a 2 day period to capture each space in its best light.  The home features 7 bedrooms and 9 baths boasting that quintessential indoor outdoor living here in Hawaii.  Below are some of the highlights from our photoshoot in April 2024

Ethan specializes in photography for luxury hotels and resorts, architects, interior designers and luxury real estate. Ethan serves all of the Hawaiian Islands including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. You may contact me at 808-938-4665 | ethantweedie@gmail.com

63rd Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade!! | Big Island | Hawaii /  by Ethan Tweedie

The 63rd Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade was nothing short of spectacular! Held on a perfect evening in December 2023, this cherished event brought the community together to celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable display of lights, music, and festive spirit.

One of the highlights of the parade was, without a doubt, the Truckers’ participation. These local heroes truly went all out, transforming their trucks into rolling works of art with extravagant holiday decorations that dazzled the crowd. The creativity and effort that went into each vehicle’s design were truly awe-inspiring, making it clear why they’re the parade’s main attraction.

This year’s parade in Waimea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, showcased the island’s close-knit community spirit and the unique charm of small-town Christmas celebrations. The streets were filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas as families, friends, and visitors gathered to enjoy the festivities.

I had the pleasure of capturing the beauty of this event through my lens, and I’m excited to share some of the images from the night. From the twinkling lights of the decorated trucks to the joyful expressions of parade-goers, these photos capture the essence of what makes Waimea's Christmas parade so special.

As a photographer specializing in luxury real estate, architectural photography, and luxury hotels and resorts, I don’t often get the chance to photograph local events like this one. However, the opportunity to capture the warmth and energy of a community tradition was a reminder of the magic that makes the Big Island so unique.

If you’d like to see more of my photography, feel free to follow my work or get in touch! I serve all of the Hawaiian Islands, including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Whether it's for luxury properties, architectural design, or special events, I’d be honored to help bring your vision to life.

Capturing Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, Michigan /  by Ethan Tweedie

his past fall, I had the unique opportunity to photograph another Frank Lloyd Wright home—the Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a special experience as I was visiting my Mom, who had recently moved to Ludington, Michigan, the town where she grew up. Ludington is a place I hold dear, with its pristine sugar sand beaches, lighthouses, and a wealth of outdoor activities that made for wonderful childhood memories.

While in Michigan for a few weeks, I thought it would be the perfect time to make a short trip to Grand Rapids and visit the Meyer May House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most iconic properties. After contacting Steelcase Inc., who owns and operates the property, they graciously offered a private tour just for my Mom and me, along with a few hours to photograph the home. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and I’m thrilled to share the stunning images from this unforgettable experience.

The Meyer May House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908 for Meyer May, a local businessman. As one of the best examples of Wright’s Prairie School style, the home features low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and horizontal lines that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The interior is characterized by open spaces, custom-built furniture, and natural materials like wood and stone—hallmarks of Wright’s visionary design.

After the May family sold the home in the 1940s, the property was rezoned for multi-family use. In the 1980s, Steelcase Inc. purchased the house and undertook a meticulous restoration, returning the home to Wright’s original vision. Today, the Meyer May House is open to the public as a museum, offering tours that allow visitors to experience Wright’s architectural brilliance up close.

I want to give a special thanks to Don Dekker, Director of the Meyer May House, for the personal tour and for allowing me the opportunity to photograph this magnificent property. The photos were captured on October 7th, 2022 and provide a glimpse into the beauty and timeless appeal of Wright’s design.

Ethan specializes in photography for luxury real estate, architects, interior designers, and luxury hotels and resorts. Ethan serves all of the Hawaiian Islands including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. You may contact me at 808-938-4665 | ethantweedie@gmail.com

Kilauea Eruption Timelapse January 2023 | Lava Lake at Halemaumau Crater | Big Island Hawaii /  by Ethan Tweedie

Timelapse of the current eruption on Kilauea. Kilauea started erupting on January 5th 2023 after a short pause, a lava lake has formed inside the Halemaumau Crater on the summit of Kilauea Volcano.

Kīlauea is an active shield volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with frequent eruptions that have shaped the island's landscape. Kīlauea is part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is known for its lava flows, crater formations, and dramatic volcanic activity, attracting visitors from around the globe. The volcano has a rich cultural significance to Native Hawaiians and offers an incredible opportunity to witness ongoing volcanic processes up close.

Ethan specializes in photography for luxury hotels and resorts, architects, interior designers and luxury real estate. Ethan serves all of the Hawaiian Islands including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. You may contact me at 808-938-4665 | ethantweedie@gmail.com

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Mauna Loa Eruption & Star Trails | Early Morning Photography from Mauna Kea | December 2022 /  by Ethan Tweedie

Mauna Loa Eruption and the Star Trails early morning on December 1st 2022. Taken from the slopes of Mauna Kea. Contact me if you are interested getting prints made. Mahalo!

The Mauna Loa eruption in 2022 was the first eruption of the world's largest active volcano in nearly 40 years. It began on November 27, 2022, in the summit caldera and lasted for several weeks, with lava flows primarily confined to the upper slopes. While the eruption posed no immediate threat to nearby communities, it was a significant event due to Mauna Loa's size and history. The eruption was closely monitored by scientists, who tracked the lava's movement, seismic activity, and gas emissions. The eruption ended on December 13, 2022, and while it caused no fatalities, it served as a reminder of the dynamic volcanic activity on the Big Island of Hawaii. This would be the second Mauna Loa I would be privileged to witness, the first being in 1984 when I was in High School!!

Ethan specializes in photography for luxury real estate, architects, interior designers, and luxury hotels and resorts. Ethan serves all of the Hawaiian Islands including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. You may contact me at 808-938-4665 | ethantweedie@gmail.com

Mauna Loa Eruption Images | November 29th, 2022 | First Eruption in 38 Years 29th 2022 /  by Ethan Tweedie

On Day 2 of the Mauna Loa eruption, I had the incredible opportunity to capture the raw beauty and intensity of the world's largest active volcano as it erupted for the first time in 38 years. These images were taken in the early morning hours off Saddle Road on the Big Island of Hawaii, where the dramatic glow of the lava illuminated the night sky.

This eruption is especially meaningful to me, as I was a junior in high school in 1984, the last time Mauna Loa erupted. It’s awe-inspiring to witness this natural phenomenon once again after nearly four decades. The power of the eruption and the landscape it has shaped is nothing short of spectacular.

For those interested in seeing the eruption in real-time, I filmed a timelapse during my shoot. You can catch the footage and follow my updates on Instagram for more exclusive content.

Enjoy the images, and thank you for following along as I capture this extraordinary moment in Hawaii’s volcanic history.

Specializing in photography for luxury hotels and resorts, luxury real estate, architects, and interior designers across all the Hawaiian Islands, including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. I also travel to mainland locations for select projects. For inquiries, contact me at 808-938-4665 or via email at ethantweedie@gmail.com.

Kilauea Lava Lake | Milky Way Time Lapse | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park /  by Ethan Tweedie

We spent the night at Kilauea watching the Milky Way transit the dark sky. Taken August 20th 2022 at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Be sure to click the expand button to look at the video larger!

Ethan specializes in photography for luxury real estate, architects, interior designers, and luxury hotels and resorts. Ethan serves all of the Hawaiian Islands including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. You may contact me at 808-938-4665 | ethantweedie@gmail.com