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Russell Tanoue-Joy Ambassador

@therealmr.joy

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Shine maker. Always choose Joy.
𝗜𝗚’𝘀: @rtfotousa @pshinehi

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Client: Dr. Mel Ona @drmelonagi
Gastroenterologist | Recording Artist
Foto, MUP, Post: @rtfotousa
All rights reserved: RTFOTO, LLC

Thank you @drmelonagi it was a pleasure creating your images! Congratulations and good luck on your upcoming release and performance.

📸✨ THROUGH THE LENS OF A MASTER… THE INCREDIBLE Russell Tanoue! ✨ 📸
By Mel Ona

WOW!!! What an absolute privilege and joy to have a photoshoot with the legendary celebrity photographer Russell Tanoue! 🌟

I’ve admired beautiful photography for years, but experiencing Russell’s artistry firsthand gave me an entirely new appreciation for the magic that happens behind the lens.

His extraordinary eye for lighting, composition, expression, and those subtle moments that reveal personality is simply AMAZING! 🤩📸

What struck me most was his remarkable ability to capture so many different sides of a person…from warmth and joy to confidence, introspection, and a little dramatic flair! 😎 📸

Each photograph tells its own story, and Russell makes it all look so effortless.

And beyond his phenomenal talent, what a genuinely wonderful person to work with!

Mel Ona
#fyp #doctor #recordingartist #foryou #hawaiiphotographer

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
Met this darling couple celebrating their anniversary from the mainland. We shared some depth and I learned she use to be a gymnast and trained in ballet. Which took us to our love for broadway talent. Such a sweet couple keeping their joy full.

The thing about my mission is no matter what and who, JOY is the key within that sometimes needs to be unlocked. Glad to be apart of it!

Location: Hawaii
@100sails @princewaikiki
October 17th 2026

#rtchoosejoy #100sails #fyp #joy #alwayschoosejoy

For more joy visit @pshinehi

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
The ladies at Little Joes
Shared some joy with my friend and with these sweet retired ladies whose energy was full on twenties!
She asked “when can we all meet again??”

The thing about my mission is no matter what and who JOY is the key within that sometimes needs to be unlocked. Glad to be apart of it!

Location: Hawaii
Little Joe’s Steakhouse
September 18, 2026

#rtchoosejoy #littlejoessteakhouse #fyp #joy #alwayschoosejoy

For more joy visit @pshinehi

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
Preston Blair
Always a blessing sharing JOY with this guy. Proud of the teen he has and is evolving into and I’m looking forward to the chapters ahead.

Location: New York
361 W. 46th St., New York, NY
May 4, 2026

For more joy visit @pshinehi

#rtchoosejoy #teamprestonblair#newyork #nyrestaurants #fyp

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“I WANT YOUR SHIRT!” 😂✨

At the after-party in New York, I was still receiving so many wonderful compliments on my wardrobe.

As I walked past a table, a beautiful woman suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my God, I just LOVE your shirt!”

I stopped, smiled, and thanked her.

But she wasn’t finished.

“No, seriously! I WANT IT! Give it to me!” 😂

I burst out laughing and replied, “Oh, I don’t think we want to scare the other guests by having me walk around SHIRTLESS!” 🤣

We both laughed.

Then I said, “But I DO have something for you.”

I reached into my little pouch filled with my Always Choose JOY wristbands and invited her to pick one.

As she pulled one out and read the message, her excitement softened into the sweetest, most heartfelt…

“Awwwwww!” ❤️

She immediately stood up, wrapped her arms around me, and said,

“This is so beautiful. YOU are beautiful.”

And just like that, what began as a compliment about a shirt became something so much more meaningful.

You see, one of the greatest gifts I receive from my mission to spread JOY isn’t simply making someone smile.

It’s those unexpected moments when a stranger feels seen, appreciated, and connected.

She wanted my shirt.

I gave her a little piece of JOY.

And in return, she gave me a beautiful memory. ❤️

Sometimes the smallest gestures leave the biggest impressions on our hearts.

Remember… ALWAYS CHOOSE JOY! ✨❤️

For more joy visit @pshinehi

#AlwaysChooseJoy #rtchoosejoy #fyp #fyp

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BEHIND THE RUBBER. ❤️

Sometimes, the smallest gesture carries the greatest meaning.

Sitting in the Delta Sky Club, surrounded by strangers heading to different destinations, I noticed a gentleman beside me quietly staring into space.

I handed him a simple rubber wristband.

ALWAYS CHOOSE JOY.

He studied the words, looked at me, and smiled.

“Where are you heading?” I asked.

“Actually, I’m returning.”

“Oh, from where?”

“From burying my father.”

My heart sank. I offered my condolences.

He looked at the wristband again and said something I’ll never forget.

“I like this. It reminds me of all the joyful times I shared with my dad.”

I smiled through watery eyes. In that moment, I felt there was a reason our paths had crossed.

Two strangers. Two different journeys. One unexpected connection.

He was carrying the weight of goodbye, yet a simple reminder of JOY brought him back to the beautiful memories of his father.

THIS IS WHAT LIVES BEHIND THE RUBBER.

Over the years, these little JOY wristbands have opened doors to stories of heartbreak, illness, loss, survival, love, and hope.

Some bring laughter. Others bring tears.

But each reminds me of something profound.

You never know what someone is carrying until you take a moment to SEE them.

Sometimes, we can’t fix someone’s pain or find the perfect words. But a small gesture can remind someone they matter, that kindness still exists, and that even through sorrow, JOY can survive.

THIS IS MY WHY.

It’s never been about the rubber.

It’s about the human connection behind it.

Life is fragile. Time is borrowed. Nothing lasts forever.

But love, kindness, and joyful memories can live in our hearts long after a moment has passed.

That gentleman may never know how deeply he touched my heart.

But I hope whenever he sees that little wristband, he remembers not just the sadness of losing his father…

But the JOY of having him. ❤️

We can’t always change what someone is going through. But we can change how they feel in a moment.

ALWAYS CHOOSE JOY.

Russell Tanoue
@therealmr.joy
#rtchoosejoy #russelltanoue #fyp #joy #inspiration

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
Stefano
A good meal starts with an amazing waiter. Like Stefano who exudes joy in everything he does.
Location: Lattanzi Restaurant Cucina Italiana.
361 W. 46th St., New York, NY
September 29, 2026

#rtchoosejoy#russelltanoue #lattanzinyc #newyork #nyrestaurants

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Russell Tanoue Photographer’s celebrates a decade of our super kids! What a joy to be apart of their legacy and watch them blossom into super adults!!!

Featuring first @rtsuperkids and rising star, Actor Preston Blair.
Upcoming : Playing the lead role in “Newsies”| Carmel.
Parent: @kim.k.blair
Fotos: Russell Tanoue
Location: New York, New York

“Among nearly 8 million active businesses on Yelp, Russell Tanoue Photographer stands out as one of the most highly rated and trusted brands in the community.”
— Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO & Co-founder, Yelp

Honolulu|Seattle|Carmel|New York|Las Vegas|LA
By appointment only.

#rtsuperkids #rtfotousa #headshots #actor #fyp

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
Official Photographer
You got me twirling on camera that makes you a super pro!
Location: Stage Door Manor after party.
Manhattan, New York|September 28, 2026

#rtchoosejoy#russelltanoue #stagedoormanor #fyp #foryou

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
The Attendant
He takes pride in what he does and I just had to let him know “I SEE YOU”.
Location: Hunt & Fish Club NYC
Manhattan, New York|September 28, 2026

#rtchoosejoy#russelltanoue #huntandfishclubnyc#

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My mission is to always remind you - no matter what is happening in and around you, there is an option to choose. And that is JOY!

Surround your life with people who keep your joy FULL! And let it overflow onto others.

CHOOSING JOY WITH:
Evie Freeman | Photographer
Her energy was like mine- made me keep the lights on!
Location: Stage Door after party.
Manhattan, New York|September 28, 2026

#rtchoosejoy#russelltanoue #stagedooanor

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When film was the deal.
Throwback to my archives shooting film and getting it right the first shot. I miss those days.
The standards were high from models to images.
For more visit @rtfotousa on IG or www.rtfoto.com
Until next time, always choose Joy! #fyp #photographer #malemodel #hawaiiphotographer #rtfotousadecades

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