Inspiring Sessions, Expert Tips & Real Client Experiences
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Their First Golden Maternity Session | Makena, HI
Sunset aka “Golden Hour” on Maui is by far, the most gorgeous time to shoot ANY session…and especially on the South Side in Makena. The colors, the cooling temperatures, light breezes, the vibe, the hues…it’s just GOLD all around!
Who: Boldt Ohana | Why: Maternity & Family Love | Where: Makena, Hawaii
When locals seek locals for photography services (or anything really…), I get ecstatic 🙃 Because hey… #supportlocal 🙌🏼
David originally hails from Makawao in Upcountry Maui, but he, his wife Lauren, & their adorbz daughter Lucia, currently reside in California. A few times a year they come back for a visit to see family and relax beach side; but this particular time, it was more special than usual…
Lauren was pregnant with their second child, and at 11 weeks along (donning the most gorgeous gold dress ever), she easily took everyone’s breath away. So naturally, they reserved an evening with me for a Maui Family Photo session (and maternity session!) with the recommendation of a mutual friend (Mahalo Jessica - I heart you!!!).
Sunset aka “Golden Hour” on Maui is by far, the most gorgeous time to shoot ANY session…and especially on the South Side in Makena. The colors, the cooling temperatures, light breezes, the vibe, the hues…it’s just GOLD all around!
I must say though, the sun on this particular evening, showed us her best game…and little Lucia? She had her game face (and cheeks) on as well!
Meet the Boldt Ohana & their little bump-to-be…
Her First Family Photos | Wailea, HI
When they contacted me just days before arriving for a last minute Maui family vacation trip, I was so excited to meet their new little bundle of joy, so I made the time to sneak them into my schedule.
WHERE: WAILEA, HAWAII | WHO: ERIN, JEFF + BABY ELLA | WHY: ELLAS 1ST BIRTHDAY
Just a year prior, I had the joy of capturing Erin & Jeff during their Maui Maternity Photo session when they were pregnant with baby Ella & enjoying their Maui vacation and baby moon. So when they contacted me just days before arriving for a last minute Maui family vacation trip (and Ella’s first!), I was SO excited to meet Ella, so I made the time to sneak them into my schedule.
And I’m so glad I did! Talk about a cutie patootie! Erin decided to wear the same outfit she wore while pregnant with Ella so we could coordinate some before/after shots with baby Ella! And you know what Erin also did? She coordinated Ella’s outfit to match hers…and to this day, it’s hand’s down my favorite outfit EVER on a little one!
Side note: If anyone can find this skirt in an adult size, please please PLEASE let me know! I’m obsessed ;-)
After much love, coordination, pom poms, and smiles, baby Ellas first photoshoot (technically 2nd) was a success! See for your self (and seriously…that skirt…) <3
Adventurous Couples Photos | Makena, HI
From Oahu to Maui and a sprinkle of the other islands in between, these two made their first visit to the Hawaiian Islands beyond memorable - and they deserved it!
WHO: VICKY + DAVID | WHY: LOVE + ACCOMPLISHMENT | WHERE: MAKENA, HAWAII
What do you get when you have two newly crowned Dentists (no pun intended), endless feelings of wanderlust, the cutest relationship ever, and an airplane or two? Vicky + David totally conquering Hawaii!
From Oahu to Maui and a sprinkle of the other islands in between, these two made their first visit to the Hawaiian Islands beyond memorable - and they deserved it! After years of schooling, studying, testing, etc., you’re now looking at two of Taiwan’s newest Doctors of Dentistry -and their families are beyond proud (because they’re dentists too!). This vacation was well-deserved, and so was this romantic (and oh-so-fun!) Maui couples photo shoot!
My evening with Vicky + David, their silliness, their smarts, their ridiculous good-looks, and a backdrop to die for…
A Loving Maui Elopement | Ironwoods Beach, Maui
For starters, I don’t specialize in photographing weddings here on Maui. I prefer to keep things small, intimate, personable, and on the less serious side. But sometimes, I make exceptions…
WHO: MEGAN & CHRIS | WHERE: KAPALUA, HAWAII | WHY: FOR LOVE
For starters, I don’t specialize in photographing Maui weddings. I prefer to keep things small, intimate, personable, and on the less serious side. Besides, there are TONS of super talented Maui Wedding photographers who can capture your day perfectly - I promise - so I encourage you to reach out to them…
But when one of my closest friends told me her long-time partner just proposed to her, I jumped at the occasion to photograph their wedding…AS A GIFT to them. She naturally couldn’t turn that down ;-)
Fast forward about 7 months later, a guest list of 10, and a bride & groom that couldn’t have had their “day of” go any smoother, here we are. Chris + Megan. Two of the most grounded, honest, loving, and giving people you could ever want as a part of your life.
Perfect weather, two loving families who flew out from the mainland to witness their perfection, the perfect Maui location…and naturally, the perfect Maui photographer. JUST KIDDING. What I meant to say was, the perfect love. Because it’s honestly, SO perfect.
My afternoon with Chris + Megan. Cheers to the rest of your lives (and mine - because I’m so lucky to call you two friends) <3
Officiant: Ernest Pua’a @ernestpuaa
Flowers: Sunya's Flowers @sunyasflowers
Hair & makeup - MeiLi Autum Beauty (MAB) @meiliautumnbeauty
Lash extensions - Alohi Lash @alohi.aesthetics
Dress - Katie May (from Nordstrom) @katiemaycollection
Suit: Topman (from Nordstrom) @topman
Shoes: Vans
Kultura Mag feature - KULUA, a Sustainable Maui-based Clothing Line
I’ve had the pleasure of capturing pieces from the Kūlua 2018 collections, and there aren’t nearly enough words to describe the magic that’s intertwined into each piece of fabric Anna designs & molds.
“Inspired by family tradition and a desire to give back to Maui, Anna Kahalekulu talks about creating Kūlua, an environmentally sustainable clothing brand that respects ‘āina and serves the community. Anna shares her business journey, the importance of staying true to your values, and work-life balance.” - Kultura Mag
I’ve had the pleasure of capturing pieces from the Kūlua 2018 collections, and there aren’t nearly enough words to describe the magic that’s intertwined into each piece of fabric Anna designs & molds.
And Anna? She herself is quite magical…so I suppose that explains the love & grace behind her work…
A newly posted article from Kultura Mag, featuring Anna Kahalekulu, her brand Kūlua, and so much more.
Love what you see?
Purchase Kūlua’s pieces directly from her website HERE
OR
Visit her new Upcountry Makawao Studio at: 1156 Makawao Ave 1A. Makawao, HI 96768. Open M - F. 9a-3p Sat. 11a-3p.
Stunning Maternity Photos | Lahaina, Maui
For this Maui Maternity Photo session, the wind was prevalent all over Maui…and I mean eeeeeeevvvvvvverywhere! There are only a few spots on island where you can fully escape the drifts, whips, and squalls, regardless of the wind direction…so I made sure we made the most of our little hideaway as best we could - and boy did we!
WHERE: LAHAINA, HI | WHO: DIANNE + DUSTIN | WHY: MATERNITY PHOTOS
For this Maui Maternity Photo session, the wind was prevalent all over Maui…and I mean eeeeeeevvvvvvverywhere! There are only a few spots on island where you can fully escape the drifts, whips, and squalls, regardless of the wind direction…so I made sure we made the most of our little hideaway as best we could - and boy did we!
Dianne & Dustin arrived on Maui for their baby moon…their FIRST baby moon…and they were just smitten. A little bummed because of the winds, but obviously, Maui delivers when it comes to beauty (regardless of weather). A little mix of sunshine, calm waters, a slight warm breeze and a couple that radiated love & excitement for their new lil one, made this session so effortlessly beautiful - I literally could have photographed them for dayyyyys!
Thank you both so much for your positivity, wonderful conversations, and easy-going nature <3 Water sessions aren’t easy, but with a little extra time & effort, they always end up breathtaking!
Engagement Photos Gone Right | Makena, HI
A small collection from a sunrise Maui engagement session in Makena. The perfect location, the perfect weather, and of course, the perfect couple.
WHO: NATE & SAORI | WHERE: MAKENA, HAWAII | WHY: ENGAGEMENT LOVE
They say when you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with…you “just know”. Well, that saying has certainly held true for these two!
It’s not easy dating these days (ladies & gents, am I right?!), let alone finding the time to go on a date….So when one of those dates finally goes right…you hang on (and you hang on tight!). And that’s just what these two did with each other...
Embracing their traveling souls, senses of adventure, earth rumbling love and amazing ability to be up at the crack of dawn looking like this (seriously stunning!)….they came to Maui for a Maui Couples Photography session to capture it all and so much more. And they chose me…
So here’s a small collection from their sunrise Maui engagement session in Makena. The perfect location, the perfect weather, and of course, the perfect couple.
Mahalo Nate & Saori for sharing your love with me x
Hair & Make-up by: Maui Makeup Artistry | Haku Lei: Bella Bloom
Beautiful Sunrise Family Session | Makena, HI
Some of my favorite moments from my Maui Sunrise Family Session with this adorable family at one of Maui’s most gorgeous beaches in Makena <3
WHERE: MAKENA, HAWAII | WHO: MINI & HER ADORABLE FAMILY | WHY: FAMILY & MATERNITY SESSION
Mom & Dad contacted me about a Sunrise Maui Family & Maternity Photoshoot with visions of pastels, neutrals, some greenery, lots of lava rock, and some bright sunshine to capture her growing tummy, her husband, and their adorable son. Luckily, this location at Sunrise is perfect for all of the above!
I always arrive slightly early to my sessions in hopes I can be there before my clients so they have a reference point…but in this case, this family had already arrived! And apparently, they’d been there for over 30 minutes just taking in all the beauty! I mean…can you blame them?
Some of my favorite moments from my Sunrise Session with this adorable family at one of Maui’s most gorgeous beaches in Makena <3
