Rick and Ellen are a lively couple, who were engaged in December 2009. I remember when Ellen told me, “He liked it so he put a ring on it!” was how she announced it, while thrusting her left hand under my nose to show off the ring! Rick and Ellen have lived on the Big Island for several years now, but they’re originally from New Orleans, and they seem to internalize  “dat N’awlins spirit”, just being around them always feels like mardi gras!  They are getting married at the Audubon Zoo in N.O. in May 2011 and I will there to photograph the party!

For their engagement session, I photographed Rick and Ellen at and around St. Peter’s Catholic Church, a.k.a. the little blue church, located off of Ali’i Drive, south of Kailua-Kona.

This tiny little church is located right on the ocean and surrounded by colorful floral bushes. There are only a dozen pews and a pulpet, but the setting is serene. A beautiful etched glass window casts soft light over the entire church, especially during the sunset. The church was built in 1889 on the site of an ancient Hawaiian heiau. Today, many couples choose this quaint chapel for their wedding. Directions: Take Ali’i Drive south of Kailua-Kona. The church is located on the ocean side of the road just north of Mile Marker #5.