Tanya and Shawn: A Maui Elopement

On Sunday I met Tanya and Shawn in Makena for a fun South Shore photoshoot. The two lovebirds got married on Friday night in Lahaina, but wanted some extra pictures to remember their elopement by. And oh, boy, was it fun!

Tanya and Shawn are from Illinois and like any good Midwesterner, they have a love for warm weather. So why not get married in Maui? Expansive beaches, clear blue water and the relentless sun; oh yes--there are so many things to love about getting married in Maui. And eloping? Gosh, if I could do it again...eloping would be very, very tempting.

They have a great chemistry, these two. Shawn rolled with the punches and Tanya got the creative juices flowing as she explained to me some of her ideas--and they were great ideas! I snapped an all-time record (for a portrait session) of 702 photos. Holy cow. But that tells you how great these two were to work with!

I was loving on that tattoo of hers!

Just look at those eyes!

 Once Tanya's dress got wet, it was all over. I couldn't keep the happy couple out of the surf! Of course, I wasn't complaining; these were my favorite shots from our session!

A big, big ho'omaika'i (congratulations) to you both! It was such a pleasure (and honor) to capture the special moments between you two on your wedding weekend. Aloha and happy travels back to Illinois!

Meet Malia, My Maui High Senior Rep!

Last week I had the pleasure of taking Malia's senior photos! We started at White Rock and made our back up South Kihei Road and ended up snapping a few shots at Kamaole Sands III.

Malia is my senior representative for Maui High, which means that for a discounted price on her senior photos, she gets to represent my business (with awesome business cards with her pictures on it--and hey! if you get one of those cards you get a discount on your photos too) AND earn cool rewards. The more people she refers to me, the more rewards she can get (ranges from iTunes gift cards, gift certificates to the theatre, free prints, and even cold hard cash)! I am still looking for reps for Lahaina Luna, St. Anthony, Seabury, Kekaulike, Kihei Charter, and Baldwin High School! Please contact me if you are interested! This is a win-win situation, folks!

But anyway, on to our senior session. We had a great time cruising around South Kihei talking about songs on the radio we don't understand and looking for spots to take photos. We were on a quest to find this bridge I once saw on a beach in South Kihei, but I'm starting to believe it was fictious. Oh well, we found some cool spots regardless. Earlier this year I took some shots for her to start her modeling portfolio. Beautiful, photogenic, kind and athletic--what is there not to love about this girl?

Thank you Malia for not only representing Angela Nelson Photography, but also being super easy-going and fun! You are beautiful!

Michelle + Phil in Maui: A One Year Meet-aversary

On Friday I had the pleasure of photographing these two love birds at Big Beach in Makena. We took some pictures, chatted a lot, and even had some brews before the sun went down!

Michelle and I met our senior year of high school. She came into our yearbook class as the new girl and she fit right in. I haven't talked to her in nearly ten years! But she truly is just how I remember her being: open-minded, warm, and welcoming. How nice it was to catch up with her! It is amazing how life can sometimes bring things full circle.

Michelle and Phil met (as of September 8) one year ago in Arizona, where she is living now. Funny enough, Phil is a Michigan boy too! They met while she was bartending and the rest is history. They compliment each other so nicely. There were moments of laughter and silliness and moments of tenderness (seriously Phil, you were making my heart melt every time you would gently brush her hair away from her face).

It was so fun taking your one year meet-aversary pictures! And I am so, so glad we got to meet up again before our 10 year class reunion (has it really been that long?). Mahalo nui loa to the both of a you! Aloha and a hui ho!

Finally Together: Kelsey + Matt in Maui!

I had the pleasure of photographing these two love birds at Secret Beach in Makena a couple of Sundays ago. Let me emphasize SECRET BEACH, not SECRETS, which is a different beach in Makena. Of course, we laugh about this because while I showed up at Secrets with my husband and dog in tow, Kelsey and Matt were waiting on me at Secret Beach, just South of Big Beach. After some confusing dialogue regarding which is which, we figured it out and met up at Secret Beach.

I met Kelsey through paddling. In fact, she stroked our state boat which took second place for the Novice B division. I kept hearing about Matt and how she was so excited for him to finally move to Maui! Kelsey and Matt met each other a little over a year ago when Matt had a short stint in Maui for business. They met and instantly hit it off. For the last year they have been taking turns visiting each other; and now they are so happy to be in one place together!

After our photo shoot we went to Monkeypod restaurant and gorged ourselves on fish tacos and pumpkin ravioli (this may be one of my favorite dishes on Maui!). Though the food was great, the company was even better. We had a lengthy discussion regarding the correct pronunciation of "fairy" versus "ferry" (apparently they sound different when you're an East Coast boy like Matt) and "carry" versus "Kerry". I can only imagine what the folks at the next table thought we were talking about as we repeated versions of carry and fairy!

Thank you Kelsey and Matt for choosing me to take your reunited-and-it-feels-so-good photos! You guys ROCK!

Baby Kaila at 8 Weeks

Last Friday I spent some quailty time with Momma Raeli, Brother Kaleb, Auntie Lauren, Grandma Lisa, and, of course, this adorable little girl Kaila.

Since my husband and I moved in next door to the Silva family, we have watched Raeli and her family grow. Only a month after we moved in, Kaleb was born. Then last year I had the privilege of photographing Raeli and Matt's wedding at The Hui in Makawao. And now, of course, I had the pleasure of spending time taking pictures of this precious 8 week old, Kaila.

One thing about newborns: they really do work on their own schedules. In an hour and change, Kaila went from alert and smiley to fussy and hungry...then to tired....then she slept a bit. And by the end of the session she was smiley again.

Brother Kaleb is a typical two year old. That being said, it was difficult for him to focus during our session. But between Momma Raeli and Grandma Lisa (and the help of some fruit snacks), we got some cooperation.

Kaleb was quickly relieved of his brotherly duties and resumed playing with Auntie Lauren so we could get a few more shots of Kaila.

Thank you Raeli, Lisa, Lauren, Daddy Matt (though he wasn't able to make the session), Kaleb, and of course, Kaila, for letting me take Kaila's newborn photos!