No matter where a couple marries, wedding photos that capture the spirit of the couple, their unique individual qualities as well as what makes them a great couple are essential. That’s even more true in Hawaii where the pristine aqua waters, the tropical feel of the surroundings, and the softness of the air can be felt in the photos themselves when the right photographer is taking the photos.
Looking at traditional wedding photos over the years, I’ve often noticed that it’s the dress I see, the tux I see. I have to look closely to see the people inside the clothes. Yet photos are one of the most important elements of a wedding day precisely because they are the one thing that will last through the years and bring back the memories of the celebratory magic of that most special day.
It may be tempting to say “yes” to a family member or friend who says, “Oh, I’m a great photographer. Why pay someone to take your photographs? I’ll do it for free!” Or they may offer to do the photos for a reduced price. Yikes! That can be a big mistake as some couples have told us afterwards. Not only is it important to look closely at the galleries of professional photographers in Hawaii before selecting the person who will carry this essential element of your wedding day, it’s also important to choose a photographer who will allow you to be yourselves, to feel free to express your tenderness and your joy as you will.
Photojournalist Candace Freeland came to Hawaii and began doing wedding photography after a twenty-five year career working for newspapers, magazines, and news services. In her work for the past twelve years she has honored the “enduring legacy of sensitively crafted photographic images.”
Having worked with well over a thousand couples myself, I think most people would agree that the two most important things in a wedding are the depth, feeling and spirit of the ceremony itself and the photography. As Freeland says, “Everything else, as wonderful as it is, is a fine addition to the celebration, but please cover the ceremony and photography first because those are the things that will last a lifetime.”
Freeland, herself, is gay and has a special affinity and feels especially happy when she finds she is going to photograph a wedding for ‘family’. She says, “I have an image in my mind. I know how important it is to me to do a fabulous job for my couples, to capture as many moments of magic as I can so they can relive the fun, the tenderness, the happiness, the beauty of their sacred union, of their loving commitment. For many people coming to Hawaii to celebrate their union may be a once-in-a-lifetime visit. To be able to document for couples madly in love with each other getting married on a gorgeous beach in the Hawaiian Islands on this one day they’ve chosen to declare their love for one another gives me a lot of joy and satisfaction.”
In photojournalism images are used to tell a story without words. The photographer must have the ability to act quickly when the scene before her or him is story-worthy. What more glorious story to tell than that of a Hawaiian wedding day!
A photographer must be able to capture the lovely tropical setting and the placement of the couple, celebrant and friends in the context of the beach, garden, waterfall or wherever the wedding is held. Photos during the ceremony include close-up shots of each partner speaking their vows and looking their beloved in the eye, the exchange of rings and the joy when the celebrant says, “You may now kiss one another.”
After the ceremony, Freeland takes the couple for a romantic photo shoot on the beach, around the garden or at the waterfall. Often couples will arrange for all three locations. (In Heaven Commitments, for example, offers a Kauai Wedding Excursion for Two with three locations for photos.) Freeland says, “We have a fun and playful time photographing family and friends and then we take a romp on the beach [or wherever] with lots of candid images of the the couple frolicking in paradise, happy, free, and full of love.” Pure magic!
What about the more traditional wedding shots? Freeland likes to do some lightly posed shots at times and also use her photojournalistic skills to “capture the action unscripted of playing on the beach, dancing, climbing the tree, whatever we can come up with that’s fun and feels natural and easy.”
Having the most gorgeous photos taken is, however, only the first step. How the images are presented is important, too. Freeland presents an online gallery of images on her Blue Pearl Images site where friends and family can order prints. She also provides the couple with full rights to their images and gives them a CD. She will craft a beautiful coffee table wedding album which will become, perhaps, the first heirloom for the new family.
Long ago someone said, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and this is no less true today when everyone has a camera that will take thousands of photos in record time. Yet how wonderful to have each image be worth a thousand beautiful, exclamatory words. Choosing the right photographer can be another fun and easy part of a couple’s Hawaiian wedding plan. A little meandering around the web and voila! Images that dazzle and bring the glorious day back year after year not only to our eyes but to our hearts as well.
Virginia St. Claire, lesbian owner of In Heaven Commitments, has a wonderful team of wedding professionals to help couples create and celebrate beautiful weddings and sacred unions on the islands of Kauai and Oahu. In Heaven Commitments offers full wedding services from the simplest of barefoot-in-the-sand beach weddings to elegant formal weddings and receptions. They provide everything a couple may need-ceremony, photography, videography, music, flowers, cake and champagne/cider, simple or full-service catering, plus all the extras like doves, a sand unity ceremony, hula, conch and chant, etc. Every wedding is celebrated in peace and with joy and love.
In honor of the new Civil Unions law which will take effect January 1st 2012, In Heaven Commitments, which provides Civil Union and Commitment Celebrations on the islands of Kauai and Oahu, is offering a 10% discount for all Kauai services during the months of January and February, 2012 to our LGBT family. Visit our website at inheavencommitments.com; or contact Stacy Mallory at 808 639 3202.
You can find Candace Freeland’s website here: http://www.bluepearlimages.com.
WHEN the Michaels’ first child is born in April, they want it to know it came into the world as part of a loving family. A loving, legally recognised, family.
