Russell Tanoue by Katie Young
Russell Tanoue by Katie Young
Russell Tanoue has become one of Hawaii’s top fashion/glamour photographers and remains in high demand and is currently celebrating 20 years behind the lens. He brings out the best in models, actors, recording artists and celebrities in Hawaii and across the United States, capturing a person’s unseen beauty and creating images that can only be described as electrifying. He is also known for creating the “faces” of tomorrow.
A former dancer Tanoue’s work has appeared in magazines, brochures and models’/actors’ portfolios as well as on posters, CD/video covers and calendars. His client list includes such celebrities as actor Daniel Dae Kim of LOST/Hawaii 5-0, actress Kelly Hu , former Miss USA and actress Laura Harring actor Jason Scott Lee, artist Christian Lassen, international male models Sebastian Siegle and Scott Milligan, the Playboy Playmates for Hardbodies as well as recording artists, Anita Hall, Kristian Lei, Pauline Wilson, O-Shen, Raiatea Helm, international star Anita Sarawak and from the reality TV shows, Anya Kop from America’s Next Top Model, Mark Kanemura from So You Think You Can Dance to name a few.
His work has taken him from Hawaii to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Chicago. On his future destination agenda is Florida and New York. He has been the photographer of choice for MidWeek newspaper’s annual swimsuit issue for the past 11 years. Tanoue’s talents have also put him in front of the lens on occasion, making him the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles as well as news and entertainment programs, including E Entertainment’s Wild On. Currently, Russell is the cover model for Look Hawaii Magazine, April 2010 and also featured in the local/national magazine Real Word. He can also be found in the May 5, 2010 MidWeek Swimsuit Issue.
One of his missions is to make a positive difference in the lives of people he encounters. To that end, he created Project Shine in 2001. The program offers free makeovers and photo sessions to people fighting cancer and other diseases, victims of domestic violence and teenagers rehabilitated from drug abuse. Most recently he has done makeover photo shoots for 4 at risk teenagers from Palama Settlement.
Tanoue has also become one of Honolulu’s premier party hosts, creating industry events such as the popular once a month BEAUTIFUL @ Pearl, and produces various events that support his Project Shine or other charities.
He has entertained at his events such celebrities as NBA Star Reggie Miller, Cory Hart, Playboy Playmates, Deal or No Deal models, Actress Kelly Hu, Platinum Recording Artists, Ready for the World, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Comedian/Actor Jon Lovitts, Wayne Brady, Wilmer Valderrama, Johnny Depp Recording Artist, Bruno Mars and more.
Tanoue actually began his career in the art world as a professional dancer. He traveled throughout the United States and Canada for eight years, and performed on the Hawaiian Moving Company and the national 20th Century Fox’s Dance Fever. Tanoue’s talent for doing make-up and taking pictures of some of the dancers eventually led him to his passion for professional photography.
He feels very blessed to be celebrating 20 years and continues to reinvent himself. His philosphy on life is, “we only have now, right now. This is what life is, in this present moment. Not yesterday, tomorrow or in 10 minutes. It begins right now.”
