A Spontaneous Couples Photoshoot on Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii

Sometimes the best photos happen when you aren't even planning to take them.

While I was on vacation in Maui, I was spending some time on Kaanapali Beach with a friend and testing lighting and different spots for a family session I had planned later in the trip. I had my camera with me and was already in photographer mode when a couple approached us and asked if we could take an iPhone photo of the two of them.

Of course, we could have taken the phone photo and gone on our way. But I had my camera in my hands, I had been secretly itching to photograph a couple, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph a couple on a beach in Hawaii.

So I asked them, “Would you rather I just take some photos of you with my camera and send them to you for free?”

They said yes, and just like that, we had an impromptu 10-minute couples photoshoot on Kaanapali Beach.

From an iPhone Photo to a Maui Couples Mini Session

The couple was a little shy in front of the camera at first, so I had to give them some extra prompting and posing to help them loosen up. As the session went on, though, they started to warm up, and we were able to capture a fun mix of romantic portraits, candid moments and photos that showed off the beautiful Maui beach behind them.

It wasn't until after the session that I found out they were actually on their honeymoon, which made the whole experience feel even more special. At the time, I simply saw two people who wanted a few photos together on the beach and happened to be in the right place with my camera in hand. I had no idea I was photographing a little piece of their honeymoon story.

The weather could not have cooperated better. We had beautiful clouds, great light and gorgeous conditions on the beach, which made the whole spontaneous situation feel like it was meant to happen.

The Wave

Toward the end of our little session, a big wave came rushing toward the shore and completely splashed into the two of them.

Instead of trying to avoid it, we just went with it.

The result was one of those photographs that you can't really plan. They're standing together in the ocean, getting completely soaked by a wave, and the whole image feels joyful, spontaneous and very Hawaii.

It was absolutely my favorite photo from the gallery.

And honestly, that's one of the reasons I love photographing couples. You can plan the location, outfits, poses and timing, but sometimes the photographs that mean the most are the ones that happen because you were willing to play along with whatever was happening around you.

A Little Maui Photography Surprise

The whole experience lasted maybe ten minutes, but it ended up being one of my favorite unexpected moments from my trip.

I had originally been on Kaanapali Beach testing lighting for a completely different session, and somehow I ended up photographing a honeymooning couple instead. It felt like a spontaneous little blessing and exactly the kind of opportunity I would have been sad to pass up.

After I returned home from vacation, they emailed me, and I was able to send their gallery over. I was so glad that I had offered to photograph them because now they have a collection of photos from their honeymoon in Maui that they weren't expecting to have when they walked onto the beach that day.

Sometimes you just have to say yes when the opportunity presents itself.

And apparently, sometimes that opportunity looks like a couple asking for an iPhone photo while you're standing on a Hawaiian beach with your camera in your hands.

Looking for a Maui Couples Photographer?

While I primarily photograph couples, engagements, proposals and weddings throughout the California East Bay and Bay Area, I absolutely love getting the opportunity to photograph couples while traveling, too.

If you're planning a Hawaii honeymoon, destination engagement session or couples session and want photos that feel natural, playful and full of movement, I'd love to hear from you. You can inquire with me here and we can chat about what you’re looking for! Follow me on Instagram too to see more sessions and fun!

And if you're ever wondering whether you should ask a photographer to take a few photos of you on vacation... maybe the answer is yes. You never know what might come from it.