p r o j e c t s h i n e

a d d i n g

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p e a c e.

"Take time to smell the flowers, and in that moment you'll realize how sweet, gentle and special life is.  It's not what we say, but what we do.  It is our responsibility to "G I V E" to this precious life around us, for it may be on it's F I N A L breath:  Our earth you and I.  I've always believed, to live is to G I V E, because it's what we give that blooms in the universe, and showers our every moment, with COLOR."   By: Russell Tanoue

Media coverage: 

-Hawaii Woman Magazine

-Click here for Project Shine Debut: Aired on NBC affiliate KHNL NEWS 8 on May 9, 2001 5:00 p.m. 

Project Shine Event:

  Click here for the next event.

How to qualify for a Project Shine session:

All recipients are required to send a doctors note stating the condition and limitations for a 2 hour photo session.  Also, the Project Shine candidate must send a letter expressing his/her condition.

Mail to:

RTFOTO Project Shine

350 Ward Avenue, Suite 106

Honolulu, Hawaii  96814

Volunteers and sponsors:

If you are an individual or organization seeking to support RTFOTO'S  Project Shine, such as make up artist, hair stylist, dentist and interested sponsors,  please email, rtfotousa@aol.com.

Testimonials/Shine Gallery

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Russell Tanoue's Project Shine

"As a fashion beauty photographer, I've been inspired by so many things in life to create this project. The most important, is because I've always believed that it's not what we say that matters but what we do. And in this lifetime, we strive and strive to become better people, more successful every day and along the way we forget about what really matters. For each and everyone one of us, what matters is a personal thing. For me, what matters is that I take time to realize that my success, my challenges in life, and the desire to become better in all I am each day is simply temporary."

This is where project shine is lifted from. It comes from within. Along with celebrating life each day, reaching for goals and dreams, it has always been important to me to utilize any talent given to me to touch others in positive ways.

L i f t i n g   t h e   s p i r i t s   o f   t h o s e   l e s s   f o r t u n a t e .

"Russell brought out my spirit that was smothered by my physical condition.  He rekindled my spirit.  I will never forget him, he is God sent. I know I am beautiful, alive and now live my life in peace."  Leila Moniz            "Russell, I think of you every day with fond memories of how beautiful you made me feel and look."  Deborah Ardof        "Russell has such a pure heart.  After my session and seeing myself, it changed my life.  I am no longer afraid of what people think when they look at me."  Leesa Loftin

ABOUT PROJECT SHINE There are 2 parts to Project Shine. 

Part 1 of Project Shine offers makeovers with photo shoots to people battling Cancer and other related diseases, teenagers out of drug rehabs and, victims of domestic violence. It's to help give them a moment to forget what their body is dealing with and, to give them a moment to shine. Reminding one that, regardless of what the body is battling with, the spirit is very much alive and to boost self esteem. 

Part 2, involves, hosting events in the beauty/entertainment industry to raise funds for Project Shine and charitable organizations such as the Life Foundation, Cancer Association, AIDS, etc. If you are a charitable organization, foundation who would like to be involved or need any of Russell Tanoue's Project Shine services, please email, rtfotousa@aol.com or call 808.836.7877.

KHNL News covered the debut of Project Shine on May 9th, 2001 by Diane Ako. Deborah Ardolf who has a rare disease called Fibromyaligia and is incurable received a make over and photo shoot. A week after the shoot, she writes, "I think of you with fond memories and on how beautiful you made me look." That touched me being that when she wrote that, her doctors had just discovered several different forms of bacteria in her body. She expressed, "every time I experience pain or unable to get out of bed, I look at my pictures and reflect the wonderful moment"

The story can be found on www.russelltanoue.com/projectshine.com or www.khnl.com.

Project Shine not only touches the terminally ill persons but, also the elderly, troubled teens, drug recovering individuals and children such as the Shriner's and Kapiolani Children's Hospital.

Spreading inch by inch involving and working with various organizations.

Along with hosting events in the beauty/entertainment industry to raise funds for Project Shine and charitable organizations such as the Life Foundation, Cancer Association, AIDS, etc.