RUSSELL TANOUE
The Journey of Russell Tanoue
YESTERDAY
Every journey begins with a single opportunity.
For Russell Tanoue, that opportunity arrived during his dancing days at the age of 14.
Even then, people noticed something unique. One of Russell’s dance partners saw potential in the photographs he was taking with a simple camera. While many teenagers were focused solely on performing, Russell found himself fascinated by documenting the people around him.
His creative journey actually began with makeup. Russell would help prepare fellow dancers, then photograph the finished look as a way of documenting the transformation. Seeing both his passion and potential, a friend gifted him a Fujica camera.
That gift would change the course of his life.
Not long afterward, one of Russell’s peers, who was pursuing modeling, included one of his photographs in her portfolio. When she visited her agency, they asked a simple question:
“Who photographed this?”
For the first time, the answer was: “Russell Tanoue.”
In that moment, a career was born.
What began as a young dancer’s curiosity quickly evolved into a passion for storytelling through photography. Russell immersed himself in the worlds of fashion, beauty, modeling, pageantry, entertainment, and portraiture.
As the years passed, he became known not only as a photographer, but also as a makeup artist, pageant coach, talent manager, event producer, and creative visionary. His work would eventually appear in magazines, advertising campaigns, television features, celebrity projects, and countless portfolios throughout Hawaii and beyond.
Long before social media existed, word spread from one client to another. One opportunity became many. One photograph became thousands.
The name Russell Tanoue was becoming known throughout Hawaii—not because of a camera, but because of his ability to connect with people and bring out the best in them.
TODAY
More than three decades later, Russell continues to do what he loves most—help people see themselves in a new light.
Throughout his career, he has photographed celebrities, television personalities, public figures, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, real estate professionals, aspiring actors, models, families, and everyday people from all walks of life. Now commutes between Hawaii, New York, Seattle, Carmel-Indianapolis and Los Angeles.
Yet his greatest joy has never been fame.
It has always been people.
Whether helping an aspiring actor land a role, creating a personal brand for a business owner, capturing a milestone for a family, or helping someone see their own confidence for the first time, Russell believes every person deserves to be seen.
That belief led him to create Project Shine Hawaii in 2000, a community initiative dedicated to empowering individuals through complimentary makeovers, photography experiences, and encouragement. Through Project Shine, Russell has worked with cancer survivors, victims of domestic violence, bullied teens, at-risk youth, and countless others facing life’s challenges.
His work has earned the trust of thousands of clients and a reputation built on professionalism, integrity, compassion, and genuine connection. For more than a decade, Russell has maintained a 5-star reputation on Yelp and has been recognized among Yelp’s most highly rated and trusted businesses, reflecting the consistent experience and care he brings to every client he serves.
Today, Russell’s mission remains simple:
To create photographs that inspire confidence, tell meaningful stories, and remind people of their value, purpose, and potential.
TOMORROW
The future is no longer about building a career.
It is about building a legacy.
Russell’s vision for tomorrow extends far beyond photography.
It is about sharing stories.
Passing on lessons.
Encouraging others.
Helping people recognize the light within themselves.
Through photography, mentorship, speaking, community projects, and his message to Always Choose Joy, Russell hopes to continue making a positive difference in the lives of others for years to come.
Because in the end, life is not measured by the number of photographs taken, awards received, or accomplishments achieved.
It is measured by the lives we touch.
The people we encourage.
The hope we give.
And the memories we leave behind.
The camera was never the destination.
It was simply the tool that allowed Russell Tanoue to help people see their own light.
Always Choose Joy.