“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.”
— Jacques Cousteau

“When Marisa first came to visit Oahu last year, our intention was to shoot every day, every moment we could. A strong drive to create. But during her most recent visit in September, our intention was more to just hang out, hike and explore. Any shooting we did came about very organically, in a moment of inspiration, aroused by the lush beauty of our environment. Marisa’s first comment when she saw these images, was, “that is my waterfall. I live here.” Indeed. Of solitude and belonging. Elemental yet surreal. Of this world, yet beyond…

Photography by Michael Chichi
Model is Marisa Papen
Location: Waimano Falls & Crouching Lion, Oahu