Family photos on Hawaii’s Big Island, Tran family

March 10, 2023 by KarenLoudon

It’s amazing the memories we have from our childhood.

Funnily enough, those memories deeply etched in my mind are the simplest moments with my family. My parents always had time for me. They made me feel good and special and loved. I can’t thank them enough for this.

As an adult, I realize now how hard this must have been. There are a million and one things to get done during the day. But I remember how wonderful it felt to have their undivided attention, to hang out together, to chat, and to laugh…special memories that I am forever grateful for.

Photographing this wonderful family embraced all of that. Simple, pure, heartfelt moments that unfolded one after the other.

I was in awe at the way they interacted and treated each other. Such kindness, such consideration. Such love. It really was beautiful on another level.

The Tran family lives in Hilo, and they booked a staycation at the Waikoloa Marriott Resort to celebrate Lillian & Justin’s 10 year anniversary. When we discussed the setting for their family photos, we decided on nearby Waikoloa Beach. They wanted a combination of family photos as well as some romantic couples photos. I asked them what their favorite thing to do as a family was and this was it, jokes, tickles, singing, dancing, spending quality time together, so we did just that!

It’s so important to me when photographing a family session like this to let the kids be themselves, let them have fun and allow the parents to enjoy this too. I really strive to capture personalities. Life can get so chaotic, so these are the moments you will want to remember. Their little personalities (naughty and adorable), tiny teethy smiles, mischievous dimpled hands, laughter, cries, tears and all.

Waikoloa family photo session, Davignon Family

March 10, 2023 by KarenLoudon

Tanya and Timothy were married 20 years ago in Oahu and recently returned to celebrate with their family

Fast forward 20 years and they now have 4 older children + the eldest’s significant other came along for the vacay.

Being based in Kona, Hawaii, beach photos are something I often shoot. For this session I chose to shoot at Anaeho’omalu Bay (A-Bay) in Waikoloa. Tanya and Tim were staying at the Waikola Marriott Beach Resort & Spa, and this beach is fronting it so they were able to walk up the beach to meet me.

I love taking couples and families here because the sunset light is always nice and if we walk about 5 min to the south, around the corner is an awesome “hidden” little beach which is pretty empty. There’s also variety in this location with gardens, kiawe (mesquite) trees and lava rocks that jut out into the ocean.

For outfits, I suggested wearing pinks, greens and blues as it always looks soft and dreamy against an ocean palette. Long dresses like Tanya wore have great movement in the wind. How sweet are they? This was a really fun and really intimate portrait session. I look forward to many more like this!

Waikoloa Wedding, Jen & Jamie

February 20, 2020 by KarenLoudon

I had the pleasure of photographing Jen & Jamie’s wedding at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Hilton Resort on the Big Island is a magnificent oceanfront resort located on the Kohala Coast, located just 20 minutes away from the Kona International Airport.

This was much more than a wedding ceremony between a man and a woman that are absolutely in love – it was also a union of two families. Throughout the entire wedding ceremony the children were included and I personally feel that including the children in the process helps them feel like they’re part of the new family that is being created through the marriage. Jen and Jamie did an excellent job at planning their wedding. Everything was absolutely beautiful! But the one thing that stood out to me was the way they used this ceremony to create a new family by including them in the blending process. Jen & Jamie included their children in their wedding by incorporating a sand ceremony.

A very special signature piece of blending two families into one during the ceremony is the creation of the jar of sands. The jar is a small, clear glass container that fits into the palm of the hand. In the bottom is a layer of pure, shining black lava crystals that Aunty Tutu has collected from a remote place at the top of the volcano. Next is a layer of pure white sand, representing the bride, who pours it on top of the lava layer. After that, the groom adds his layer of colored sand. In succeeding layers are placed sand from children of the bride or groom, each adding sand in their color of choice. A last bit of sand from the site of the ceremony, a scrap of ancient kapa cloth once owned by royalty, a pinch of pa‘akai, (Hawaiian salt), petals from everyone’s lei, a piece of ti leaf that was used in the water blessing, and a silk flower petal on top. At the end of the ceremony, as photos are being taken and everyone is congratulating the bride and groom, Aunty Tutu glues the glass top onto the jar and ties a bow of raffia around it. She presents it to the couple as a makana (gift) and souvenir of their union, representing the families union as one.

Flowers: Ainahua Florals

DJ: Hawaii Sound & Vision

Officiant: Aunty Tutu, Alohilani Weddings

Wedding Dress: Stella York

Venue: Hilton Waikoloa Village Weddings

Wailea Maui, White Rock Beach wedding, Julie & Ryan

August 20, 2019 by KarenLoudon

Dating is difficult under the best of circumstances, Julie & Ryan dated for eight years and a lot of that time she was really sick, for these two, their bond became even closer over the course of their relationship. As a team, they fought Julie’s illness head-on, fighting right back at it. Their story is an inspiring triumph of human spirit and courage, compassion and love between two people who asked for nothing more in life than to have each other in it. They wanted their wedding to be a new chapter in their love story.

When Julie & Ryan first inquired about photographing their Maui wedding, she wrote that her heart sank when she figured out that I wasn’t based in Maui but, after reading that I will travel, she had hope! From Julie, “I have been searching and searching through a million photos and websites and nothing has been my perfect fit, until now. Your photographs are gorgeous and exactly what I am looking for. Please tell me that you aren’t totally booked and that you would be able to come to Maui. I must have you as our photographer!” -talk about an ego boost! I was so flattered by her complements and to be asked to travel, there was no way I wasn’t going to find a way to get myself to Maui to cover their special day! I think the thing I loved the most about their wedding was the way Julie and Ryan clearly adore each other, they are naturally affectionate, and I never had to ask them to put their arms around each other, kiss, or smile at each other since they couldn’t seem to keep from doing that spontaneously!

Fairmont Orchid Wedding, Big Island Hawaii, Rebekah & Frank

August 12, 2019 by KarenLoudon

Rebekah and Frank chose the luxury Fairmont Orchid Resort for their dream wedding. The Fairmont Orchid is located at the majestic Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, a tropical getaway to having your most memorable experiences.The resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and a tranquil white sand beach and lagoon. The beach is part of the crescent shaped Pauoa Bay and located right behind the Fairmont Orchid. It is a small bay with one Hawai’i’s most mesmerizing sunsets, ideal for your sunset wedding shoot.

The couple payed a respectful not to Rebekah’s South Korean heritage, by changing into traditional Korean ceremonial robes. The bride wore a red robe and the groom wore blue to symbolize the Confucian idea of yin (female, red) and yang (male, blue) energy.

Venue: Fairmont Orchid Resort

Hair & Makeup: Grace Makeup Artistry

Decor and Design: Vintage and Lace

DJ: Tiger Jones Productions

Sunshower Farms wedding, Holualoa, Hawaii, Christine & K.O.

July 10, 2019 by KarenLoudon

K.O. and Christine met overseas on a humanitarian medical mission for the US Navy. They risked it all to be together! They had to keep their love a secret for 3 years due to their job positions. Now that the secret’s out, they’re so happy to be able to finally share their love with everyone they care about.

This brave couple’s wedding took place at Sunshower Farms, an intimate family-owned coffee farm in Holualoa, on the Big Island of Hawaii. The ceremony took place in front of a small banana grove, fitting as banana trees are thought to bring wealth, happiness, and bless couples with a good marriage! Later on, the wedding guests dined under a dramatic floral canopy by Lalamiloflowergirl on the back lanai of the house overlooking the ocean.

Venue: Sunshower Farms

Organizer: Kate Hickey, Sunshower Farms Events

Flowers: Mah Lyla Lalamilo Flower Girl

Officiant: Michaela Lehuanani Larson, Hawaiian Style Beach Weddings

Hair and Makeup:Beauty Lux Salon

Outrigger Kona Resort Wedding, Remi & Jon

February 17, 2019 by KarenLoudon

Outrigger Kona Resort Wedding, Remi & Jon

From high school sweethearts to being together for ten years. Being with each other through that time was perfect for supporting and pushing each other to be the best versions of them that they could be. They were able to be completely in love and still follow their individual goals, with a deep friendship and understanding that was forged with time. The proposal happened right in front of Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World, a beautiful and long awaited proposal. Now their adventure and love story continues with the newest chapter in their journey together.

Remi had her hair and makeup done in her room while her bridesmaids helped get her ready for her big day. Along with help from White hot Hawaii who designed her dress and some other items from David’s Bridal. Jon and his grooms men were ready with some of Zara’s finest.

They choose a beautiful destination wedding at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, overlooking Keauhou Bay, lava cliffs, mountains, and beautifully landscaped grounds. The resort is technically in Keauhou, which translates to “a new current”. This is a very beautiful and special place that means a place that we call home. Perfectly fitting because Remi and Jon are finding their home together. Their wedding was filmed by Techy3 who helped to capture their memories from this special day. The flowers were arranged by Hitomi Gilliam giving the wedding a creative flower design and tropical flowers were provided by Green Point Nurseries. The cake and delicious treats were made by Kona Sweets. The music was done by Eclipse Effect. They added a special touch to the wedding. The décor was perfectly suited for the event done by Paradise Décor. Their forever was about to begin as Pastor Eric Anderson married them off to a happily ever after.

Kukio engagement photography session

August 10, 2018 by KarenLoudon

Hulihee Palace Wedding, Kailua-Kona, Big Island Hawaii

December 31, 2017 by KarenLoudon

Kyle had just finished up a hard day’s work of landscaping in the yard of their new home when Alexis arrived home….. dirty and sweaty, he got down on one knee and proposed. It fit that the proposal occurred in the home they had built together, the home that meant so much to both of them, the home where they will start the rest of their forever.

On the big day, Kyle looked absolutely charming in his tan suit and Hawaiian print tie that perfectly matched his bride’s bouquet. Alexis was stunning in her simple and elegant spaghetti strap wedding gown.

The ceremony took place on the oceanfront lawn of Hulihee Palace, the historic vacation residence of Hawaiian royalty, located right in the heart of Alii drive in downtown Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

As the sun went down, the lights on the wedding tent started to shine. It was almost as if the lighting determined when the party was really going to start. As evening set in, more guests took to the dance floor and seriously rocked the night away to live music from Beyond Paradise

These two were such a absolute pleasure to work with. Their excitement and love bubbled and burst through every photograph. They also know how to throw an incredible party!

Wedding Ceremony + Reception: Hulihee Palace
Wedding Coordinator: Crystal Rayne- Isle Love Weddings and Events
Florals: Grace Flowers Hawaii

Hair & Makeup: Beauty Lux Salon

Shuttle bus: Jacks Tours Hawaii

Ceremony music: Dennis Garcia

Reception tent: Big Island Tents

Catering: Color Catering

Sound System: Hawaii Sound and Vision
Reception Band: Beyond Paradise

Sunshower Farms wedding in Holualoa, Big Island of Hawaii

November 30, 2017 by KarenLoudon

Their love story started off sweet, Marina and Jono met first very briefly at Halloween party. Later Jono invited Marina to a photography exhibition, afterwards grabbing drinks and a bite to eat with their friends. They found themselves alone in downtown Osaka, at her favorite pedestrian bridge. Once they approached, he took her by the hand and raced to this special place, putting off their first kiss until moments later, in front of the departing trains.

The couple chose Sunshower Farms high up on Hualalai Mountain, above Holualoa on the Big island of Hawaii. With breathtaking sunsets and lovely gardens, Sunshower Farm is an awesome location for a romantic and intimate wedding. The Farm is also home to many animals for a lovely fun and free spirited wedding. The wedding was officiated by Kahu Kealoha Sugiyama who was accompanied with hula dancers bringing a feel of aloha and connection to the island, to the ceremony. Music filled the air with a sweet melody by Eke Kekauoha. The catering and cake were made by Kate Hickey of Sunshower Farms. Marina and Jono had a lovely wedding with family and friends on the beautiful island of Hawaii.