Amanda & Joel – Kauai 10-Year Anniversary Session – Waimea Canyon

10 years of marriage and two kids led them here. A Hawaii trip without the kids to go back to where it all started… with just the two of them. 

I will always advocate for doing couples trips when you have kids. Although I’m sure it’s hard to leave your kids behind, it’s so important to remember who you are as a couple without them. The kids will grow up and leave you one day and you don’t want to be strangers with your partner.

Amanda and Joel… oh man, I loved my time with them. I live on Maui, but I typically island-hop once a month for couples sessions or weddings. I’ve shot on Kauai a few times, but never at Waimea Canyon. I’ve been wanting to photograph a couple here for such a long time so I was really excited when Amanda and Joel picked this location!

We met at the very top of the canyon and it instantly felt like we had known each other for years.

During the session, Amanda & Joel wanted to do a vow renewal. This is something that I really want to touch on. When people think of Vow Renewals, I imagine they think of a second wedding. While that sometimes is the case, it isn’t always. You don’t need anything fancy to renew your vows. You don’t even need an officiant. Yep. I can be just the two of you.

It’s always the biggest honor to be invited into such a sacred place. To get to hear and photograph Amanda & Joel reflect on the last 10-years of marriage was amazing. The common thread is always this: Marriage isn’t always a fairytale, but it’s so so worth it. Doing life with the person you love and knowing that they always have your back is the biggest blessing.