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 Sunsets in Maui are incredible. It was raining the day we shot this. Right after a beautiful ceremony, while rounding up the guests, the sky opened up and a light rain came down. Fortunately, the wedding planner had the foresight to have a large tent available, an item often overlooked, especially during the extended drought we've been having here in Maui. Even though Makena gets the rainfall typical in a desert, rain is always possible. The bride took it in stride. We did some work in the tent and as soon as it slowed we hit the beach and started shooting. The interesting thing about rainstorms is that it means there are clouds around which help bring out the best in a sunset. We kept telling her everything was going to be OK. I never show the client images on the camera monitor but I showed the bride this one and it calmed her down immediately.
  Sunsets at a Maui beach can be spectacular. Golden clouds and rich reflections off the ocean create a magnificent backdrop for your most romantic and special day. Most Maui photographers will crank up that on camera flash and hit you full bore with it to light you against that backdrop, but is that really the way to light a couple on their wedding day? The reason most beach photographers hit their clients with on camera flash is simple: cost. It takes money to hire an assistant to hold a strobe and a reflector and in a tight economy with cutthroat competition, it is difficult to justify the extra expense. But what about the destination wedding couple who has spent a sizable sum to get married thousands of miles from home? Is it our responsibility to inform them of the difference between a professional photo shoot and an amateur one? We believe it is. When we coordinate your Maui wedding an assistant travels with the photographer to assure images like these.
  A maui wedding can be a visual banquet. When checking out a location for your big day, be sure to inquire about the Olowalu Plantation House. This circa 1930 plantation house was the residence of the Pioneer Mill plantation manager. Lovingly restored and converted into Maui's premier wedding venue, the Plantation House offers incredible sunset views, tropical landscaping and authentic architecture which lends an air of rustic elegance to your Maui wedding album. This venue can accommodate over 100 people with ease. The grounds are large enough for a tent, luau show and dance floor with space left for a romantic sunset shoot along the rocky beach. The coconut palms create that breezy island look that captures the essence of the day. If you're interested in the Olowalu House or any other premier wedding venue on Maui, be sure to contact us. You'll be glad you did. Labels: maui weddings locations photographers planners hawaii
 Maui Photographers come in all different shapes and sizes with different levels of skill and various pricing and service structures. There's so many of us, there's almost too many choices. My suggestion in picking a photographer is to find the ones who have an online photo gallery that you like. Images that you would like to have of your wedding day. Be mindful of style. Some Maui Photographers have very stylized approaches. Some shoot very posed "romantic" stuff, others use a more relaxed, photo-journalistic approach. Choosing a format that makes you feel comfortable is important. After that, establish your budget and choose the photographer that comes closest to it.
  Drama. It can be bad or it can be good. On Maui, we try to engage in the good kind. Golden sunsets, beautiful beaches and great lighting. Even if you're on a honeymoon, bring the dress along and book a session on the beach. These images will add an exotic flair to your wedding album. Be sure to ask us about our honeymoon photography sessions. Labels: maui photographers family wedding portraits
  I was told by my esteemed friend, photographer and sometime employer, Tony Novak-Clifford, that my last post had so much whine, it needed a little cheese. He may be right. When it gets busy I get almost as crazy and when it gets slow. Which brings me to the subject of "The Edit". A professional job requires not only excellent capture but a commitment to an extensive edit. Some of my clients will have 400 images in their package. This type of edit takes time. That's why I try to buy myself at least 2 months on these types of jobs. If your photographer is promising that many images and will deliver the disk to your hotel room before you leave, it might be reasonable to re-think your choice.
  Oh, the challenges of being a photographer in Maui! Aside from the big issues such as the high cost of living, cutthroat competition and idiotic government regulations, we have the merely irritating annoyances such as slim bikini clad babes cavorting in the surf right behind the wedding couple we're about to photograph, snotty little kids who can figure out the perfect place to stand so that you'll have to spend hours working the clone stamp in photoshop to remove them from your portraits and my personal pet peeve: "the entourage", outfitted with a plethora of cheap digital cameras and cell phones that take pictures. I actually have to elbow some of these clowns out of the way at virtually every wedding I shoot. I even had someone complain, while I was photographing a group, that he didn't get his shot because "this dude got in the way" (pointing disgustedly at me). The wedding couple is paying me a hefty fee specifically so that they don't get shots that look like the ones brother Jeb takes so why does Jeb even bother?
If you're contemplating hiring a photographer, do yourself a favor and request that all the budding photographers in your group leave their overpriced cameras in the hotel room. And remind your guests that when the photographer is aiming his camera at them they should smile because those pictures are not for him, they are for you, so that you can remember a beautiful, once in a lifetime day.
  Testimonials are the best way to show clients how we treat them. The internet is used by people who have plenty of experience in e-commerce and who are more than a little skeptical. That's why I try to include links from clients who have taken the time to write about how great their experience with us was. Most folks are quick to complain when things go awry but not too many take the time to write when the service is good but when they do, we should sit up and pay attention.
Dealing with the Red Tape
  The State of Hawaii has reared its ugly little head and has decided that all beach weddings in Hawaii must have a right of entry permit to be legal. Before you slam the mouse on the desk and call Mexico, call us first. If you're planning your wedding yourself and not using a professional that plans Maui Weddings, call me. I can get the permit easily and will only charge you what the state charges me which is usually 20 dollars unless you have a huge group. So don't fret, don't change your plans, Maui is still the number one destination wedding island in the world and I can steer you to the most beautiful, pristine beaches available here. Labels: maui photographers family wedding portraits
  Maui wedding photographers come in many different forms. Some are seasoned professionals with extensive online portfolios while others are amateurs who work in the hotel by day and prowl the beaches at night. It's pretty easy to tell who's who; just explore their website. The professionals will have well designed websites with plenty of imagery from different weddings. They will also be more expensive. Hiring a photographer is not like getting a product at Wal Mart. You get what you pay for. Since your Maui wedding is not likely to happen again in your lifetime, it makes sense to hire the best.
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