This December, once we were nearing the end of our wedding season (I say nearing because we still had 3 weddings to go!) we took a well earned break to the Hawaiian islands for a couple of weeks. Our second day on the island started by meeting with my friend Angie with Angela Nelson Photography and Engaged on Maui to photograph her beautiful family at sunrise. After a bit of exploring, we reconvened for a sunset session for Tommy and I! It was so fun getting on the other side of the camera for a change, and I couldn’t love these photos more. They capture us, as we are, in love in this moment.
I wanted to share a bit from both sessions on the blog today!
When we arrived, it was violently windy and Eddy, Angie’s independent adventurous 18 month old ran the show. She did what she wanted to and I quickly had to abandon any hopes of executing the shots I had in mind. I wanted to do all sorts of creative lighting and compositions for my friend Angie, but Eddy had other plans… namely rocks and water – most often throwing rocks at water. This is yet another example of what I often learn in photography – abandon your expectations. Because whatever you expect to happen isn’t always going to work out. But if you focus on the disappointment of not being able to get that great shot you had envisioned, you might miss what’s happening right in front of your face… and most often, that’s much more beautiful anyway.
We also got photobombed by a sea turtle… because, Hawaii.
Paia, Maui Family Photography
Later that day we met up with Angie for our session and went on a bit of an adventure. I told Angie we wanted more than just water views and loved the mountains on Maui. We started at the Maui Tropical Plantation and took some photos around the grounds – went chasing a rainbow onto private property (oops) near Lahaina, and ended on a cliff side near the water with an epic view of Haleakala. We didn’t get an amazing sunrise or sunset that day, but we did get a lot of great stuff either way. I’m so thankful for these photos because they feel like us. A lot ridiculous, a little sweet, and always happy. Also, on a personal note – this was my first time ever being photographed with no makeup and natural hair… and I kind of love it.
Photos below are of Tommy and me by Angie Nelson with Angela Nelson Photography.
West Maui Couples Portraits by Angela Nelson Photography
Wow wow wow! I don’t know where to start. You took such beautiful family photos, wind and all, and I can only imagine how happy they are to have this time in their lives so well documented. And the pics of you and Tommy…. incredible! How are you ever going to pick what to hang on your wall?? I love all the rainbow things, and the third to the last one is kind of blowing my mind.
Beautiful, both sessions! These are the best kinds of photos… they show the genuine love, happiness, joy, silliness, and even a little bit of crankiness. Real life at it’s best, taken at a special time in all of your lives… so special to have these beautiful images to look back on and cherish forever!
Oh man, they are going to love these images forever! I know first-hand how great it is to have your family documented by you and you totally knocked this one out of the park. And I’m with Emily, the photos of you and Tommy are awesome- they totally capture you as a couple.