Maui Wedding Photographer - Anna Kim Photography » Maui

Saying “I Do” at Merriman’s: Lindsay + Aaron

Anna Kim — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:59:18 +0000

There are a few places on Maui which are so magical, I could shoot there every day and never get tired of it. One of those places is Merriman’s on the West side of Maui. There is a beautiful bay with calm, clear blue water, soft sand, and a short walk away is an amazing lava ledge that flows out into the ocean. When the sun sets, the golden light hits the black rocks, the sea turns a deep blue, and the stars come out to play. And of course, just up the hill is Merriman’s, one of my favorite restaurants on the island.

We had the pleasure of photographing Lindsay and Aaron’s wedding at this beautiful spot last weekend. They were such a sweet couple, and they had a great group of friends and family to share the moment with them. They wrote their own vows, which didn’t leave a dry eye among the guests. Afterwards, we walked down to the bay for some shots in the sand and water, and then finished up on the lava rocks, where they were treated to the most spectacular sunset of the year!

Congratulations, Lindsay & Aaron!

Wedding ceremony & reception: Merriman’s Maui
Wedding florals: Della of Dellables

The Ocean Blue

Anna Kim — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:36:50 +0000

I grew up in land-locked Minnesota. The state does have over 10,000 lakes (with nearly as many mosquitoes on any given night) which made the summer months at friends’ cabins and occasionally on boats quite enjoyable. However, there is something indescribable about being so close to a vast ocean – the smell of the salty air, the ocean breeze running through your hair, and the freedom to take a refreshing dip whenever you want. Lately, I’ve been guilty of not taking advantage of this, and my stand-up paddle board has an impressive layer of dust to prove it.

Luckily, a good friend visited last month, so I played tourist and had an excuse to get out on the water. With lots of colorful fish, turtles, dolphins, and whales splashing around at this time of year, this is one of the best ways to enjoy the islands. Reminiscing about her visit, I was inspired to post a few shots from our snorkel trip on the beautiful Kai Kanai sailboat!

Trust me, if you do visit Maui, getting out on the water is a must.

Lanterns of Love: Susan + Yung

Anna Kim — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:28:44 +0000

As the saying goes when it comes to meeting The One: “When you know, you know.”

On the day they met, Yung had a strong hunch that Susan would be the girl he would end up marrying. The two were having lunch with mutual church friends, and Yung jumped at the chance to sit across from the pretty new girl. They had an instant connection and the flirting began. After a few months of dating, he decided to propose.

She said yes, and they planned this all-day destination wedding in just a month, which is incredibly impressive. They said their vows on the breathtaking grounds of The Ritz Carlton Kapalua amid friends and family. Whales were breaching in the background as the two were married, and there were many tears of joy and hugs shared among the guests. They decided to incorporate elements of their Korean culture into their wedding, which I absolutely adored. They wore brightly colored hanboks for Pyebaek, which is a ceremony where the bride formally greets her new parents-in-law after the wedding ceremony. The newlyweds bow and the parents throw dates to them. The number of dates that they catch symbolizes the number of children they will have. The groom also gives a piggyback ride to his mother, mother-in-law, and his bride which symbolizes his acceptance of his obligations to both his mother and wife.

To close the perfect evening, Susan and Yung, along with their immediate family and pastor, went to Kapalua Bay to light wish lanterns under the full moon.

Congratulations Susan & Yung on an extraordinary wedding! I will see you next year for your anniversary.

Ceremony & Reception site: The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Maui
Florals: Asa Flowers
Videography: HI Focused Videography
Pastor: Jin Han
Hair & Make-Up Artist: Mira Hong of Labella Wedding Hawaii

Thank you to Trish Barker for assisting me on this wedding!

Girls just want to have fun

Anna Kim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:08:27 +0000

Here are a few of my favorites from yesterday’s shoot for the incredibly talented makeup artist Jessica Waite. She is one of Maui’s most sought after makeup artists and for very good reason. She not only makes brides look beautiful and radiant for their wedding day, but she is also just the sweetest person to be around, which makes the whole process so much more enjoyable and relaxing.

Thank you, Jessica, for asking me to be a part of this shoot — I’m looking forward to the next one!

Cruising the North Shore

Anna Kim — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:58:12 +0000

When I received an email from Ja Tecson asking if I would take photos of him and his wife while they were on Maui, I was flattered. That lasted only a second before the panic attack set in. You see, Ja is an incredible photographer who has shot for some huge companies, including Nike. I’ve admired his editorial work for quite some time.

As soon as I met them, I knew they were going to be awesome to work with! We went around to some of my favorite spots on the North shore. Many thanks to my friend Camps (Ashley Camper) for connecting us. I truly feel that it’s talented and supportive photographers like Ja, Bev and Ashley who make the photography community as amazing as it is! I am looking forward to the Ja Tecson Hawaii shoot out next year!

Michaela + Kyle: Makena Beach & Golf Resort

Anna Kim — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:11:23 +0000

When Kyle and Michaela visited the Makena Beach & Golf Resort a year ago, they knew right away this would be their wedding spot. They spent the next year planning their beautiful Maui wedding. There were so many helping hands in this wedding and sweet little touches to the details. The bouquet had buttons from her mom’s wedding dress, and Kyle’s talented aunt made Michaela’s exquisite sash. As soon as Micheala got into her dress, her mom started crying, which started a cascade of others in the room tearing up. Kyle had sent her a hand-written note with a beautiful heart bracelet the morning of the wedding.

The love and enthusiasm that surrounded this wedding was such a pleasure to document. I knew this was going to be a fun group as soon as I walked into the room and the groomsmen were engaged in some friendly ribbing with Kyle. Kyle was glued to his phone, watching a YouTube video on how to tie a tie. Not just any knot, he wanted to tie a double knot for this special day, and look his best for Michaela.

Michaela is one of those girls whom you feel like you’ve known for years. She was dancing in the hotel room, hugging everyone in the room who was helping her get ready, and telling everyone how thankful she was for them to be with her.

With their hands held tight, these two said their vows at the Makena Vista site at Makena Beach and Golf Resort. There was a huge outpouring of love and excitement levels were super high on their picture-perfect wedding day! And honestly, one could not ask for a more breathtaking sunset, everyone should be so lucky to have a sunset like this on their wedding day!

Congratulations Michaela & Kyle!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Makena Beach & Golf Resort
Hair Stylist: Dan Sanchez
Make-up Artist: Jessica Waite
Wedding Florals: Della of Dellables

Thank you Jes Akin for assisting me on this wedding!

Laura + Jackson: Married!

Anna Kim — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:23:55 +0000

These two lovebirds were married today at The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Maui!

Here’s a sneak peek of Laura and Jackson’s spectacular wedding!

Endless Summer

Anna Kim — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:10:41 +0000

Taking the leap…

Anna Kim — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:40:53 +0000

These two do stunts for a living so you can imagine how much fun we had during the Bride & Groom portraits!

Congratulations Rorelee & Chad on a sweet wedding yesterday!

Petals & Pup: Stylized shoot in Kula, Maui

Anna Kim — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:52:39 +0000

Beautiful upcountry Maui. A furry pup. A swing. A dazzling array of flowers. And one of the sweetest couples ever.

A few weeks ago, Della had an impromptu idea for a stylized shoot. Della of Dellables is one of Maui’s most popular florists and it’s easy to see why, her work is simply fantastic. There are few people I know who have the artistic vision and talent that Della possesses.

Thank you to Chrissy Swink for doing such a beautiful job on the hair & makeup! And a big thanks to Jes Akin, who helped pull this shoot together within a day’s notice. It’s wonderful to be surrounded with such talent & inspiration.

Beautiful floral arrangements by Della of Dellables
Hair & Makeup: Chrissy Swink
Models: Jamie Akin & Tony

This pup was a good sport, letting us decorate her with flowers!

My + James

Anna Kim — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:16:42 +0000

I’ve been having a great time editing the photos from this wedding session on Maui!

Here’s a sneak peek of these two lovebirds!

Olowalu Plantation House: Yukari + Luke

Anna Kim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:38:26 +0000

I cannot wait to share this wedding with you. Yukari and Luke were married at the Olowalu Plantation House this week! Stay tuned.

Married on Maui: Kelli + Daniel

Anna Kim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:15:44 +0000

Kelli and Daniel were married last month on the beautiful grounds of the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. I loved all the bright colors in this wedding, as well as the details, like the flowers arranged along the aisle.

Congratulations, Kelli & Daniel!

Ceremony & Reception: Makena Beach and Golf Resort
Officiant: Revernd Al Terry
Gorgeous florals: Della of Dellables
Make up artist: Cindy Walker

A big mahalo to Nirav Patel for assisting me on this wedding!

Wide-eyed Wonder

Anna Kim — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:42:19 +0000

Jennifer & Matt: Getting their feet wet

Anna Kim — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:33:20 +0000

These photos were taken a few days before their wedding here on the island, and the two of them could not have been more excited! Jennifer and Matt traveled from Tennessee and I just love their Southern accents. Right off the bat, I knew we could be good friends if they only lived on Maui. Matt met Jennifer when he was interviewing at different pharmacies, and when he happened to interview with Jennifer, he was easily convinced to accept the job. It has been a sweet romance ever since!

Congratulations, Jennifer & Matt! If you do ever decide to open a pharmacy here, please let me be the first to know.

Bubbles and Umbrellas

Anna Kim — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:22:55 +0000

Canh and Thu met via mutual friends one night out on the town. He worked up the courage to ask for her number, which led to two weeks of texting before he finally asked her out on a date. The date went great, and they’ve been crazy in love ever since. He proposed to her at La Jolla Cove, when his initial plans of proposing on a hot air balloon (adventurous, right?) were foiled by poor weather conditions. It worked out for the best, since now they have a place to go and celebrate their anniversary. Thu and Canh are such a great match, and they are the type of people who treat everyone with kindness and love.

The two worked incredibly hard planning their wedding, and certainly didn’t leave out any details in the biggest celebration of their lives. They decided to have their wedding be a smaller, more intimate event, inviting only their closest friends (no parents or family, even). They basically wanted to throw the best party possible, and The White Orchid Beach House is the perfect place to do that. It’s a charming ocean-side property, where the gentle ocean breeze can be felt and the incredible sunset can be enjoyed.

Congratulations Canh & Thu on a beautiful wedding!

Ceremony & Reception site: White Orchid Wedding House Makena, Maui
Officiant: Reverend Tino Rosete
Wedding Coordinator: Patty Flax of A White Orchid Wedding
Harpist: Kristine Snyder
Rentals: PeteRock, Inc, Pacific Isle Rentals
Flowers: Teresa Sena Designs
Caterer: Cafe O’Lei
Bar Service: Bars Are Us
Entertainment: KC Sounds
Wedding Cakes: Maui Wedding Cakes

Mover & Shaker: Brayden & Co.

Anna Kim — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:14:02 +0000

I couldn’t be more happy for my good friend Karma Hill, who’s expecting next month. She is one of Maui’s most popular photographers and I am lucky to call her a friend. To say that I am grateful would be an understatement; This lovely lady has been such an inspiration and a catalyst not only in my photography business, but also in my personal life. I find myself frazzled sometimes over life’s little hiccups, and she’s just the person to talk to to put things in perspective and to make me laugh at the absurdity of it all. Friends like Karma are invaluable.

She makes managing her busy shooting schedule and family time look effortless. It absolutely helps that she has such a supportive and loving husband, Steve, who has been a rock for her. Together, they’ve raised their son Brayden, who is a lively, fun-loving boy. At such a young age, it’s easy to see Brayden’s curiosity and zest for life. He is a smart kid with a big heart, and this boy can dance, as he belts out a 40’s pop tune (see black & white photos below)! Every time I see this boy, he makes me smile from ear to ear with his charm. I cannot wait for their next child–it’s such an exciting time in their life!

Karma, you are radiant! Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like you.
Hair & Makeup: Adiel Sneary of Salon 253

Chasing birds: A Maui engagement session

Anna Kim — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:55:45 +0000

Katrina and Ted are getting married next year on Maui–I feel so lucky to be photographing their wedding. Here are a few fun shots from their engagement session!

Married Away: Nicole + Travis

Anna Kim — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:33:44 +0000

It is a privilege and a pleasure to document a love like this. Travis spent the entire wedding day with his arm around Nicole, stealing kisses when he could. Throughout the reception, he would look at Nicole so lovingly, gently kiss her on the shoulder, and continually shower her with affection. And how could he not complete love this girl? She is such a beautiful person — inside and out. She reminded me of a mini-Reese Witherspoon.

Travis has known Nicole since childhood, being good friends with her cousins. They started dating 3 years ago, after a big winter storm in Seattle that snowed in everyone for two weeks. They spent that time playing in the snow, snowboarding down the street, walking in their snowsuits to a local pub, and cuddling by the fire. A couple of years later, Travis proposed to Nicole on a snowboarding trip to Sun Valley Idaho, where he arranged a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Talk about romantic!

Hawaii holds a special place in Travis & Nicole’s hearts. Growing up, Travis vacationed with his mom and grandmother on the Hawaiian Islands. Since both of them have passed, they really wanted to say their vows in Hawaii.

Congratulations Nicole & Travis on a picture perfect wedding! You two were such a delight to photograph!

Wedding ceremony & reception: Gannon’s
Officiant: Dennis DeRego
Musician: Tarvin Makia
Flowers: Nicole’s fabulous bridesmaids made the bouquets. And the rest of the flowers were done by the wonderful Della of Dellables.

Thank you Jes for assisting me and always being so awesome to work with!

Tamie + Andy: Married in Maui!

Anna Kim — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:13:47 +0000

Sneak peek from yesterday’s gorgeous wedding at Gannon’s in Wailea, Maui.

What a smokin’ hot couple!