When we booked our flights for our family vacation to the island of Kauai, I immediately knew I wanted to organize a styled shoot while there. The last time we visitied Kauai was when our oldest was just 10 months old. I absolutely fell in love with this island four years ago during our first visit, and had been dreaming of visiting again since. Kauai is so lush and green, a far cry from the desert of Tucson, Arizona. I was eager to capture the beauty of this island that I love! I anxiously began to organizing my first styled bridal shoot. With each vendor that I met, I became more and more excited. Not only were each of these women incredibly talented and creative, but they were so genuine and warm. I truly experienced the spirit of Aloha! What’s more, is that I found a fellow AJ photographer who wanted to fly in and participate in the shoot as well. I couldn’t wait to share this experience with Dana Arnold.  

As the day drew nearer for the planned shoot, the couple I had originally had planned to model wasn’t able to. I tried not to panic, I mean, it was only the day before! Generously, the original model, Daphene, connected me with Ryan, a friend of hers who recently got engaged to Holly and they were looking for someone to take their engagement photos! It truly was meant to be!

I love to hear how people from the mainland come to call Kauai home. For Holly, she had an opportunity through work to move to the island with a friend of hers. She is an occupational therapist assistant, and I enjoyed our healthcare connection. She then shared with me how she met Ryan. As I listened to how Ryan and Holly met, I was all smiles! Their story is truly the stuff movies are made of. These two originally met at a local restaurant, but coming out of a relatioship, they both weren’t ready to jump into a new one. However, fate kept bringing these two back together. They would share long, heartfelt, deep converstations that all love stories are made of, but it took time for them to call each other home. Eventually these two found their way to each other, and they knew that they had found the person to adventure through life with. 

The day of the shoot couldn’t have been more perfect! I had vistited Moloaa Bay earlier in the week and fell in love with it. It is the perfect combination of tropical green and ocean vistas. And fun fact, the original Gilligan’s Island was shot at this location. As I walked down to the beach to meet the women that I had been coordinating with, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the time and talents that they shared to make this shoot a sucess! I mean, you will see for yourself as you look through these images! Their work is phenomenal! As Dana and I began capturing photos of this darling couple, we were both thrilled at how natural and comfortable these two were in front of the camera. They are so in love and the chemistry between them was off the charts during our session! I loved that they were always sneaking kisses and the adoring glances that they kept giving each other just melted my heart! Both of them having the most infectious smiles! You know, the kind of smiles that just radiate joy and leave you smiling? I am so excited for their wedding that is coming up in December. I wish them all the joy and happiness in the world! Congratulations Ryan and Holly! I loved getting to know you both!

 

Coordination/ Styling/ Photographer: Melissa Fritzsche Photography

HMUA: Kauai Makeup and Hair

Florist: NSBudsandBloom

Garland: Hana Lei Creation

Stationary: Case Sensitive Designs

Models: IG @holly.girlkauai , @nunez_hilife , @fotopopkauai