Keeping the Love Alive || Eric & Elaine

When you are a photographer, often times you find yourselves enveloped in intimate moments between couples. Photographing honeymooners, Bride & Groom, vow renewal ceremonies, or even just a couple vacationing, we are welcomed into a space, with oftentimes new friends, that gives you a close glimpse into that relationship.

We are so lucky to be able to experience that love and intimacy on a daily basis, because it helps keeps us grounded and thankful in our own lives. 

I had the pleasure of photographing a couple last week at the Kahala Hotel & Resort in Oahu. Elaine told me that she didn't get pictures with her husband of over 20 years as often as she'd like and wanted to plan a fun beach photo session for the next afternoon.

After 24 years of marriage, Elaine and Eric were just as fun, playful, and starry eyed as when they were kids. In fact... they still looked like kids! Elaine showed me a picture from when they first got married, and it was eerily identical to some of the pictures we had been taking. The scariest part is, they hadn't aged a day!

I had to ask Elaine, how do they keep such a youthful playfulness with each other, which she confided in me all her secrets. But most importantly, they set aside time to do fun things with each other. Whether it be sparring in their martial arts class, a birthday trip every year for the two of them, or a sunset beach photoshoot in Hawaii, these two really know how to keep the love alive.

Written by Julia J. (Pacific Dream Photography at The Kahala Hotel & Resort)

Wedding Re-Creation at the Grand Hyatt Kauai

What would you do if you received your much anticipated wedding photos, while on your honeymoon at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, only to find that they are a complete disaster?! Well, Brian and Morgan immediately sought out Pacific Dream Photography to “re-create” their mainland wedding images. We jumped at the opportunity to capture beautiful moments of the newlyweds on Kauai. 

Morgan, the “bride”, made an appointment to get her hair and makeup done at the Anara Spa and found a perfect beach appropriate white dress. Their photographer Elena, who happens to be our primary wedding photographer here on Kauai, met the couple for their sunset experience photo session and could instantly feel their excitement! With the beautiful grounds of the Grand Hyatt and Shipwrecks Beach as backdrops, and the natural chemistry the couple shared in front of the camera, we knew they would not be disappointed. 

The viewing came the following afternoon and from the first glance, the honeymooners were ecstatic! Every photography session that we have the privilege of shooting here in Kauai is special, but being able to give this couple the wedding pictures of their dreams was really amazing. Congratulations again Brian and Morgan! Thank you for allowing Pacific Dream to “re-create” your wedding day. It was truly an honor! 

If you ever find yourself in a similar position as Brian and Morgan, where you just need a “re-do”, we would love to be the solution. Or if you need an excuse to get dressed up and have your picture taken in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, we would love to be a part of your vacation or special event!

-written by Alyssa (Pacific Dream Photography at Grand Hyatt, Kauai)

Honeymooning in Hawaii ~ Oahu Photographer

At Pacific Dream Photography, we love our clients from all around the world, and there is a soft spot in our heart for those who celebrate "La Bella Vita" in Italy. When you think of Italy; passion, warmth, and laughter come to mind. Claudia and Francesco, a couple from Milan, embodied all of what Italy has to offer. 

Newly-wedded Claudia and Francesco made the long trip across a couple of oceans to Hawaii for their honeymoon. In our experience, when you meet Italians, it's easy to feel like you've already been friends for years. Claudia and Francesco quickly welcomed us into their lives, showing pictures from their wedding in a beautiful Milano Cathedral, and buzzing over their genuine excitement to explore Oahu. 

Dedicated to making some beautiful honeymoon pictures in the resort grounds of The Kahala Resort, Claudia and Francesco opted for the sunrise session. Not everyone is committed to getting those beautiful shots with the warm early light, but thankfully they were because it was a stunning morning. 

This very-much-in-love couple had no trouble revealing their passion for each other into the camera. They seemed naturally at ease in each other's arms, and you got the sense that all they needed was each other. It certainly wasn't all serious, however, as the couple would break into giggles and teasing intermittently. My attempts at getting some moody pictures with soft smiles nearly failed as the couple just beamed great giant smiles every time they looked at the other.

After going through the images together I told them it was my mission to make them feel so touched that they would cry. To which, Claudia responded "We don't cry, we only laugh."

written by Julia (Pacific Dream Photography at The Kahala Resort)