SENSEI a Four Seasons Resort, Lanai

editorial for RUE Magazine featuring the Four Seasons Sensei Lanai Spa resort and its surroundings.

I had visited this property many years ago, at a time before lush gardens and luxurious, private spa hales. I remember being told about Talaia, the 30-foot-tall, white polyester and marble dust sculpture of a young girl’s face by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. Yet, it had not been finished at that point. Let me tell you, it is magnificent.

I spent three days at Sensei. Watching the light, listening to the rain, wandering and indulging in the balmy air. I sat in one of the private Onsen Pools in the Onsen Garden multiple times a day, camera at hand, drifting between relaxation and creative spurts to document the serenity.

The property is located in the spiritual highlands of Koele on Lanai, and the altitude makes for changes in conditions. Beautiful misty fog, rain, and sunshine may occur within a short amount of time. Each atmospheric condition offering a different, stunning rendering of the extravagant gardens. From a photographic perspective, my approach was experiential; wander, sit and observe, capture. Let the energy of the subject guide your creative work.

A large sculpture of a serene, elongated face with closed eyes, surrounded by plants in the foreground, with a background of trees and a partly cloudy sky.
Tropical garden with palm trees, lush green plants, and a small waterfall flowing into a calm pond, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
Small propeller airplane on the tarmac being prepared for departure, with ground crew and equipment around it, under a partly cloudy sky.
Black and white close-up of a large, textured monstera leaf with water droplets on its surface.
A tropical outdoor scene with a wooden deck and lush greenery surrounding a modern open-air house, featuring chairs, a small table, and a pond with water lilies.
White and orange anthurium flowers surrounded by green tropical leaves.
House with a metal roof surrounded by lush tropical greenery and a small waterfall flowing into a pond at sunset.
A traditional Japanese meal featuring sashimi, steamed rice, pickled vegetables, seaweed salad, poached eggs, and cooked vegetables, served on black tray
Bronze sculpture of a muscular woman standing in a lush jungle with dense foliage and trees.
A lush indoor garden with tropical plants surrounding a small waterfall flowing into a dark pond, with rocks and greenery.
Sunlight filtering through dense trees and foliage in a forest with a leaf-covered ground.
A black sculpture of a nude woman sitting amidst lush green tropical plants and trees, viewed from behind.
A man with a beard and long hair styled in a topknot standing with hands on hips in a lush green garden, smiling at the camera.
Black and white photo of large palm leaves from below, showing their detailed, spiky fronds.
A desert landscape with scattered large rocks and a bright blue sky with a few clouds.
A wooden bench with two rolled white towels decorated with purple orchids on top, placed by a poolside with a dark pool and plants nearby.
Pathway through lush tropical garden with large rock arch and greenery.
A modern outdoor shower with water cascading down in a lush, dense jungle setting.
A dirt trail with a sign pointing upward that reads 'Koloiki Ridge' in a desert-like environment with green bushes and a cloudy blue sky.
A stone pathway cuts through a lush tropical garden filled with various green plants and palm trees, with a duck walking along the path.
Living room with a beige sectional sofa, two white pillows with gold patterns, a side table with a cup and saucer, a lamp on a side table, and a wall-mounted lamp, next to a window with white frames letting in natural light.
A two-story building with white walls and a balcony with white decorative railing, surrounded by lush green tropical plants and trees, with a hillside covered in trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A wooden house with large glass windows and sliding doors surrounded by lush tropical greenery, with a pond reflecting the house and patio furniture.
A modern bathroom with a wooden bathtub, a cloth on the side, and a large floral artwork on the wall. A window lets in natural light, revealing outside greenery.
Close-up of lush green and red tropical leaves in a garden setting with trees in the background.
A house surrounded by lush tropical plants and tall palm trees, with warm sunlight illuminating the scene.
A lush garden with a stone pathway leading to a wooden house, surrounded by tropical plants and trees.
Black and white photograph of a pine tree with a blurred tree in the background.
Lush tropical garden scene with various green plants, colorful flowering bushes, and a pond with reflections.
A lush garden with a pond reflecting the sky and tall trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.
A wooden partition in a spa or massage room with a white towel draped over it. On top of the partition, there is a large green leaf with a pink and white flower, and a small white bowl filled with coarse salt.
A lush tropical garden with various green plants, trees, and colorful flowers, surrounding a water body that reflects the foliage and sky. In the background, a large white sculpture of a human face is partly hidden among the trees.
Kelli Lamb in a patterned dress walking barefoot on a wooden deck outside a modern house with large windows, surrounded by tropical plants and a small pond.
A dirt road leading towards the ocean, flanked by leafless and sparse green trees under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a cluster of pink and yellow orchid flowers with green leaves and blurred foliage in the background.
Shiny metallic sculpture of a woman reading a phone in a hotel lobby decorated for Christmas with a Christmas tree and holiday decorations.
Close-up of tree trunks with hanging roots and fern plants in a forest, black and white photograph.
Green coffee plant with clusters of unripe green coffee cherries hangs in a lush jungle, with sunlight peeking through the leaves.
A sandy beach with gentle waves on the shore, blue ocean, distant mountains, and partly cloudy sky.
Black and white photo of a large tree viewed from below, with dense foliage and long, hanging vines.
A bright, modern restaurant or lounge with a glass ceiling, wooden walls, and large windows overlooking a garden. There's a long white dining table with beige chairs, and stylish hanging lights.
Close-up of a horse's face, showing its eye, ear, and mane in black and white.
A black and white photo of a cat sitting on a wooden surface outdoors, with trees and sunlight in the background, making the cat appear to be mid-meow.
Colorful koi fish swimming in a pond with dark water.
Scenic view of a desert landscape with red rocky terrain in the foreground, green shrubbery, a canyon, and a body of water in the middle. Mountains are visible in the distance, under a partly cloudy sky.