A Salty Maui Elopement

Misa + Curtis arranged a quick & super private elopement the hour prior to our session. They wanted their elopement to be intimate, focused, and full of love - so they reserved me for after their session for a romantic Maui couples photoshoot, so we could then, capture all their excitement & of course, her trashing the dress!

Her dress was just immaculate - I was in awe of how beautifully she wore it too. Curtis was looking as dapper as ever, and he was such a good sport, even if he had to keep his sport coat on a little longer than he may have liked ;-)

From land to the ocean, their love will for sure, last a lifetime. And their Maui photos? Well, I’m sure they’ll last much longer….just look at these two!

And because their Google Review was so sweet, I just had to include it below:

“Amanda is hands down one of the most talented photographers out there. She captures emotion and human essence so beautifully in her photos. And her underwater photos are absolutely breathtaking! Amanda made my partner and me feel so comfortable during our shoot that my partner (who generally hates any camera pointed at him) said he actually enjoyed having pictures taken of him and repeatedly kept talking about what a wonderful experience it was. The memories Amanda captured are the most beautiful photos I have ever seen of myself and my husband and we will cherish these for rest of our lives as some of the best moments from our wedding trip to Maui! Thank you so much Amanda!” -Misa + Curtis

The Most Stunning West Maui Babymoon

WHO: MADELEINE + AUSTIN | WHY: BABY MOON | WHERE: MAUI, HAWAII

It’s funny…I feel like many of my blogs have begun with “weather issues” here in Maui - but honestly, and I PROMISE when I say - weather in Maui is 9/10 days PERFECT. Seriously! It’s only occasionally that we get weird rain, storms, etc. I just mention it because a bunch of my clients worry when they look at the weather forecast for the islands and they start thinking about rescheduling, new locations, etc.

I’ve said it a few times and I’ll say it again - weather here moves quick! I swear, those weather folks at The Weather Channel just look out the window and give a forecast - don’t listen - they’re typically wrong. Just wait and if there’s ever anything to worry about, I’ll be in touch couple hours prior to your session ;-) I promise, you’ll never be left wondering what’s next with our session!

With that said, Madeleine & Austin’s first trip to Maui hadn’t been going very well - it rained the whole time they were here and they didn’t get to explore how they wished they could have. With our luck, the heavens cleared and the sun brought out it’s “A” game - but not without a few clouds in sight and a small sprinkle prior to our session.

We went ALL out for their Land & Ocean Maui Maternity photography session - three outfit changes, land + ocean photos, rocks & beach, as a couple + solo - this gal and her 34 week (super adorable) bump toughed it out and all I have to say is….wow. Mahalo to the both of you for being so beautiful, so in love, and so adventurous!

Sunset Maternity Portraits in Wailea

WHO: GABBY + JERRY | WHY: BABY MOON @ 8 MONTHS PREGNANT | WHERE: MAKENA, HAWAII

Maui Maternity photos are my most popular sessions…and for good reason. I LOVE witnessing women blossom into motherhood! There’s a quiet beauty & strength surrounding every mother-to-be; and witnessing it as they make their way along Hawaii’s shorelines is seriously beauty at it’s finest to me. They don’t have to try…they just are.

Case in point - Gabriella (and Jerry of course).

A calm, quiet beauty who’s never had professional photos taken before and without effort, performed gracefully in front of the camera. Jerry was as understanding and patient as they come, so he helped her along the lava rocks and guided her to safety and stability when needed (but really, I think she may have guided him along more than her lol). The power & strength of a woman in general is what I live for - and my time with Gabby was no exception.

See for your self below…

Their First Golden Maternity Session | Makena, HI

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

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

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

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

“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.