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Gabby Fa'ai'uaso

@alafaga

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island girl with a camera
photo + video @falefilm
based in amerika samoa ⛰🌊

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La'u manamea 🐚

Manuia lou aso fanau 🎂

@pafluka 🖤 by @alafaga

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a month ago

What I see when I dream of home. taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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a month ago

Can you hear “I like this little life”? Overlaying that song over the natural sounds of their fingers weaving feels sacrilegious, so I won’t 😅

It’s been a minute my friends but I have lots of little moments like these I’ve treasured from the past few years offline. I was practicing living in the moment versus just capturing it… this beautiful moment was from 2022. This is Solo & Tino of Faleasao, Manu’a (American Samoa) as they lalaga le ato or weave coconut fronds into a basket in preparation for the umu, or Samoan feast. When it’s completed its purpose, it’ll return to the land.

Some extra thoughts while capturing this:

Sustainability is not new but it’s a slow fading practice amongst our society’s modern conveniences. Our ancestors lived a simple life of reciprocity and balance with nature…if only we could return to that in small ways through the little choices we make, like bringing your own take out container instead of to-go styrofoam plates, or choosing to carpool to as lessen your carbon footprint. You don’t have to be perfect, but every little thing you do makes a difference.

Trust me, it’s been a struggle to be more accountable and I’ve bought a few more plastic bottles than I have the past few years out of convenience since my water machine is down. The message is, we can do better… taken in Faleasao by @alafaga

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3 years ago

@siaosimusic new 🔥 single EVA MAI 🌺 drops on Friday, February 25 🌴

Listen out for it cause it’s 🔥 and so was the shoot!

Produced by: @drumwise_ / @thegreenstonegroup
Model: @brittfuimaono
Artwork: @dougc1971
Photographer: @alafaga
Wardrobe: @leiatasi

#onlyhitsaremadeinthewashhouse #greenstone #SiaosiMusic #polynesia #tonga #pasefika #island taken in South Pacific by @alafaga

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5 years ago

Here’s to enjoying the fruits of our labor. I’m a huge proponent of rest being equally as important as work. Have a great weekend and rest hard 🍻
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Photos for Land Grant American Samoa
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#humpday #wednesday #samoa #americansamoa #tutuila #samoan #tamasamoa #taro #kalo #plantation #nature #life #islandlife #alafaga taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

Who lies awake in bed contemplating their life choices 🙋🏽‍♀️ that was 2020. Here’s to #2021✨
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#tutuila #amerikasamoa #longexposure #night #nightphotography taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

Brown girl, tell me what you dream of... do you seek to travel beyond our ocean to a land far far away... or do you dare to dive as deep as you can to feel the pulsating roots of our living island? Brown girl, whatever you decide, home will be with you always.

There’s a stigma that returning or remaining on the island is seen as a failure. Nothing could be so untrue. I sometimes struggle with the little resources we have, whether it’s materialistic or people who are like-minded, but if you try hard enough, you’ll find them and learn to be just as creative.

When I first moved here, I resented this place I now call home. I used to think I was missing out on the grander things in life. As I grow older, I have gained a new appreciation and a deeper love for my people and land. The connection to my ancestors only make living here just as meaningful and contributing to the community holds more weight. I feel responsible and now understand why my parents decided to come home despite all the golden opportunities they were offered off-island, but this being the brightest of them all. I couldn’t see this at the time, but where in this world do I belong if not on the land where my blood runs deep? There is no rent to pay because this land can only be inherited if you are Samoan. I can do whatever I want and build whatever I want, so as long as I make this my home and have as much pride in taking care of it. I am so blessed to be Samoan.

I thank my lucky stars that I chose to return. If you asked me 10 years ago would I have wanted to come home, I would’ve laughed. It has been 5 years and I would do it all over again.
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#phoneography #samoa #americansamoa #samoan #pacific #pacificislander #teinesamoa #nature #ocean #woman #home #alafaga taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

A flower a day keeps the blues away 🌺 taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

Taking one day at a time 🌱
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Photo for Land Grant American Samoa
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#nature #plantation #taro #grow #growth #samoa #americansamoa #samoan #pasefika #islandlife #tbt #work #alafaga taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

She dreams of diving into the big blue, head first, fearlessly 🌊

This is my best friend @nerelleque 👯‍♀️ She is pure dynamite. Small, but packs a punch. Youthful in her appearance, but far wiser than her years. I look up to my Jelly. Her patience is unmatched and I take notes how to be more graceful. She is water, strong but soft, she tames my flames. She is my balance. Our friendship began in creating and continues to strengthen in it. She inspires me everyday. Relly is an amazing creative and earth warrior extraordinaire. Alofa atu to my beautiful Jelly 🖤 so happy to have you in my life xx

P.S. She made that dress 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
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#americansamoa #nature #woman #islander #pasefika #portrait #portraitphotography #bestfriends #alafaga taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

Just one of those days... taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago

Seek your truth and live it ✨ @vasamoana
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#americansamoa #samoa #samoan #teine #teinesamoa #eyes #beautiful #alafaga taken in American Samoa by @alafaga

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6 years ago