Whimsical Hawaiian Elopement at Makapu’u || Destination Wedding Photographer || Hawaii Wedding Photographer

It’s hard to summarize something that seemed almost like a dream. I had been to Hawaii one other time and there is just something magical about it. “It calls me…” as Moana would say. I may or may not have watched more than enough of “Moana” leading up to and once we left the island. My kids think that Hawaii is where Moana lives, and I never corrected them!

About a month before we left, I got a huge feeling that I needed to put together a styled shoot while on the islands. I discussed it with Kevin and we agreed to pursue it. It was a long month with lots of emails and photography permits. The images below are a result of reaching out to incredible vendors (see their credits and links below) that worked with me on a vision that I only ever dreamed of doing.

Eden and Me was created with idea of finding beauty everywhere. I have found beauty everywhere in so many phases of life. It’s unreal. However, my son, Eden, was named after a perfect place. A place that I visualize as being peaceful and, honestly, surrounded in beautiful nature.

Hawaii is beautiful in its natural form and I wanted these images to capture exactly that. A natural love that was simple, but beautiful. I wanted it to feel like freedom. I can’t express all the emotions that went through me the morning of the shoot, it was incredible. It was Eden & Me: it was nature, it was beauty, and it was an adventure.

We had the sun coming in and out throughout the shoot, and I loved every minute of it. I know other photographers will probably laugh, but I feel like I enjoy embracing the sun as much as I enjoy the softness of the shade. I truly do love soft light, but, man, I love flares. The light and flares that the sun creates are magical! I did my own thing.

This will definitely NOT be my last trip to Hawaii, because you know… “it calls me”. 😉