Exclusive:
Ocean Zbiciak of ODH gets up close with Russell Tanoue , Photographer

Q. What is your passion?
A. My passion creating and making those around me happy and to hopefully spread positive message to a bigger audience one day.

Q. What does your company specialize in?
A. Photography for aspiring models and the entertainment industry, professionals and celebrities. Make up, pageant coaching and basically anything that deals with beauty and soul.

Q. Would you consider your self and artist?
A. Yes.

Q. What is your driving force in business?
A. I'm a firm believer that in order for you to reach your destination, you must first be able to help others. So the force comes from making others successful.

Q. What is your driving force in life?
A. What drives me in life is knowing that each day is temporary and to live life with urgency.

Q. How do you nurture your creativity?
A. Simply by allowing myself to be open. Being open allows me to take in new energy, new light, and therefore, create new colors.

Q. How many hours a week do you work?
A. Being my own boss, I sometimes work just 3 to 5 hours a day. However, that's rare. The hours are long as I not only am a photographer but I have my Project Shine, Club Event, Pageant Coaching and a handful of talent that I manage. Not to mention, I do web sites and graphics.

Q. How many hours a week do you play? And how hard do you play?
A. I'd say about 5 hours of playtime, and "hard" is the only way to play!

Q. How many hours a night do you sleep?
A. It fluctuates from 4-7.

Q. What do you do for stress relief?
A. Hmmm, if and when I do find the time, I like to sit still, light candles and just breath!

Q. What is your biggest vice?
A. Have to think of that one.

Q. What were your hobbies as a child?
A. Collecting stamps, coins, photography.

Q. Has there ever been a mentor in your life? If so, tell us about him/her.
A. You know, I never really had a mentor. I always did what I wanted to do and took it as far as I could and moved on.

Q. What have you accomplished that you are most proud of?
A. Here is what's crazy, I never have the time to really stop and think about my accomplishments. It sort of just rolls into the next. Maybe it's because I'm never really satisfied with my work. I guess I am proud for the fact that I am still in demand after 16 years knowing all that I do was self taught.

Q. Where can we see your work?
A. Well, you can visit the www.rtfoto.com or www.russelltanoue.com. You can see some of my work annually in the MidWeek Magazine swimsuit issue, CD Covers, magazines and soon a calendar.

Q. What inspired you to take the risk of becoming an Entrepreneur opposed to giving in to the 9-5 daily grind?
A. What inspired me to be self employed was not a choice really. I had to do it full time as I became in demand and needed more time to do so.

Q. What makes you stand out from others in this world?
A. According to others, they say my "light."

Q. What would you say to a young child with dreams and ambition?
A. To live out loud! Express yourself and don't hold back. Never let anyone determine your success.

Q. If you could sum up all of your experiences in to one word that best describes where you are in life now ­ what would that be?
A. Fabulous

Q. In business, what would you do differently?
A. Nothing

Q. What would you never wish to change?
A. My freedom

Q. When you win that award (or have you already?) Who would you thank and why?
A. God first, because really he's the only one that brings me peace.

Q. If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be?
A. Could? It's right here baby, Hawaii.

Q. Where do you hang out?
A. All over.

Q. Where do you see your business in 50 years?
A. I hopefully will have several Project Shine offices that will aide in the less fortunate.

ARTIST FEATURED:
Name of Business: Russell Tanoue Photographer
Name: Russell Tanoue
Mailing Address: 350 Ward Avenue, Suite 106, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Ph: 808.581.0419
Email:rt@rtfoto.com
Web: www.rtfoto.com ; www.russelltanoue.com