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)

Visiting Hawaii || Trip of a Lifetime

Many of the people who visit the Islands of Hawaii are first timers. Many are celebrating something special, and some just finally made the time to take the long vacation out. When most first experience Hawaii, its almost like experiencing a different country with a culture, traditions, and even a language that is completely foreign. Steve and Elen were first timers to Hawaii, and they dove right in. 

Steve and Elen searched out the local cuisine, drove through the beauty of the aina, and even went to a luau to experience the culture of the Hawaiian Islands. Visiting us from Connecticut, and leaving their 6 boys behind, I can imagine that these two felt a renewed sense of youth and wonder exploring our island of Oahu. No doubt, a Hawaii beach photo session would allow them to continue to experience it for years to come.

Elen and Steve were guests at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on the south shore of Oahu. Lucky for them, it is one of the most beautiful sites on the island for a couples photography session. We spent a short half hour session with them walking the white sand beaches, and capturing their radiating love.

Its easy to fall in love with the island and not take the time to capture your Hawaii memories. In our experience, vacation passes way too quickly, so why not hire a vacation photographer to help you remember your visit and live it over and over in years to come. One thing I do know to be true, once you visit Hawaii for the first time, you will forever have an itch to come back. 

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