Matthew and Shaylin, honeymoon photography session at A-bay in Waikoloa

Matthew and Shilynne were married on September 28, 2012,  but decided to hold off on a professional photography session until their belated honeymoon on the Big Island. I had such a fun time walking around A-bay (Anaeho’omalu Bay) in Waikoloa with Matthew & Shilynne!  For not having ever had their photos taken professionally, they were naturals in front of the lens, they both looked so happy and in love! It was such a pleasure to work with you guys and capture some beach side honeymoon memories.

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James and Jennifer, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, Big Island of Hawaii

Today’s wedding at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort is definitely a fun one for me to share. Not only because bride and groom Jennifer & James are two super cool and amazingly nice people, but also because everything about this wedding was just fun and relaxed, just the way a wedding should be. Jennifer works in a creative field, and she wanted her wedding look  to reflect her style, a blend of hollywood vintage glam and gritty rock-n-roll culture. Her 1950’s inspired birdcage veil, paired with a stunning strapless wedding dress was a great way to get that vintage look with a modern twist.

Located on the Kohala Coast, and just a short drive from the airport, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offers the best of Hawaii Island and looks out onto the white sands of Anaeho’omalu Bay where we did the wedding portraits. Congratulations again to Jennifer & James!

Caroline and Scott, Hilton Waikoloa Village

Caroline and Scott were married at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, one of my favorite Big island venues! These guys are an amazing couple – so sweet and adorable! The wedding day was truly a reflection of their love and one awesome celebration. The couple got ready early, and then we took pictures before the ceremony to take full advantage of the gorgeous Hawaiian light.  The day was  filled with lots of laughter, happy tears, and joy!

Rick and Ellen’s Wedding / New Orleans, Louisiana

I’ve had a great time getting to know Rick and Ellen over the past few years. These two fun-loving former New Orleaneans moved to Kailua Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii about 4 years ago. Ellen is a former elephant manager at the Audubon zoo in New Orleans and was among those who rode out hurricane Katrina with the animals, so having their wedding at the zoo had special significance for the couple.

This is a couple that works hard, plays hard, and throws some amazing parties. It’s difficult to sum up their wedding into just one day….. the wedding festivities truly began a week before for me, with the arrival of myself along with many other Hawaiians into New Orleans in time for the end of jazzfest, followed by a full week of festivities leading up to the wedding, which included a crawfish boil, the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the reception dinner and finally the wedding…..

Rick & Ellen married on May 14, 2011! Preparations for the day began at the beautiful Avenue Plaza Hotel on St. Charles, then we headed to the Audubon Zoo where their evening ceremony took place in front of the fountain close to the sea lion exhibit.

The reception took place at the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit which is a re-creation of a 1930s swamp settlement equipped with a trapper’s cottage, Spanish moss, white alligators and cypress knees. This wedding included a blend of  Hawaiian and Louisiana traditions. Ellen wore a white orchid haku lei in her hair and Rick wore a traditional maile lei. Their first dance, “A Beach in Hawaii”, was followed by a New Orleans wedding tradition, the Second Line Parade, which signifies the start of a new beginning of life for the bride and groom. Friends and family danced the night away in celebration in the Cajun Ballroom.

Rick and Ellen, you both are wonderful, kind hearted people and it was truly a pleasure to be there for your wedding day. I enjoyed the entire week, but after all those parties, I’m definitely looking forward to a vacation from this vacation! Congratulations! KL