Q: When planning my dream wedding on Maui, and desiring to be married on the beach, do I need to budget any money for a site fee or anything like that?
A: All beaches on Maui have public access by law. Therefore, you can have your Maui wedding on the beach without paying any fees. However, most of the resorts have policies in place against having your wedding photographer take photos on their property unless you've arranged it with their wedding coordinator. For instance, if you were planning a Maui beach wedding in front of the Grand Wailea Resort, you could have the ceremony on the beach, shoot wedding photographs on Wailea beach with the resort as a backdrop, but you couldn't actually step onto the Resort property for the purpose of photography without having arranged it with the hotel wedding planner first, and for those who desire, there is a site fee.

Q: Do you shoot digital wedding photographs or film? And what are the advantages of each?
A: Yes, I can shoot either format. For years Medium format film was considered the preferred format for film wedding photography. The larger film size could capture more information for quality wedding portraits. The equipment, film and processing had greater costs. The Maui photographer using these systems were more knowledgeable and better trained wedding photographers. Medium format film is still the preferred film over 35mm film for post photographers. I still use Medium format for the discreet wedding couples. Digital photography has made leaps and bounds from were it was just a few years ago. The larger file sizes for digital help insure that the customer can go to larger size wall portraits should they want. The quality of equipment used by the wedding photographers, especially the lenses, play a very important part in the final product. Digital photography plays a better role for clients who like Photojournalism photography. Photojournalism is less structured, capturing moments as they happen, allowing the wedding photographer a bit more freedom in the way he photographs Weddings in Maui. Both Medium format film and Digital photography have advantages. Consult your Hawaii photography specialist to find out what will best meet your needs.

Q: How do I know what will be the right Maui wedding photography coverage?
A:  There are several factors that you should consider. The length of time is always important. Good Maui wedding photography takes proper planning and shouldn't be rushed. Factors for the amount of coverage needed should included:  the ceremony time, family and wedding party pictures, Wedding portraits for the couple and any other coverage that may be needed. The type of album you want to present your wedding day photography in is a major factor. Your budget is also a factor. I have several packages to fit most needs. I can also custom design a package to fit your needs. Please contact me for more details.

Q: How far in advance do we need to book our wedding photographer?
A: As with most things in life, the further in advance you make your plans, the better your chances of getting the date you wish. The same goes with planning your Maui wedding. Maui is one of the most popular places on the planet to be married, so things book up fast.  I recommend contacting me as soon as you know you're coming to Hawaii to arrange to hold your wedding date.

Q: Should I plan my own wedding?
A:  Since you'll be traveling, and that may add some stress to things anyway, I always recommend hiring a qualified wedding professional who will make your day as stress free as possible. Hiring a professional wedding coordinator will make such an important day of your life much more enjoyable. I can always recommend someone I work well with. Please contact me for further information.

Q: How do I book you?
A:  That's easy, simply go to the Contact Us page of this web site and fill in the information. I will contact you directly if you wish.  From there we can discuss all your wedding day needs. A small deposit will be required to insure your wedding day photography. Visa, Mastercad and American express cards are accepted. Shortly thereafter you will receive a wedding photographer contract. If you've been referred to me by a wedding coordinator, simply ask them to book me for your Wedding Photography. If you've found me on your own, you should always book me directly.

Q: Do you offer any post photography digital services like retouching, etc?
A: Yes, Once you have had time to look over your images and decide which photographs you can't live without, I crop and color correct all images. I offer several image categories for different choices of quality prints from standard prints up to top of the line canvas wall portraits. The style of album you choose will also play a factor in how your images will look. I offer several choices for you, depending on what best fits your needs. You'll have choices in high quality traditional matted albums to the contemporary flush mount digital style albums. Please consult your photographer to find out more.

Q: What are the best beach and resort wedding location on Maui?

A:   Of course, that's a matter of personal taste, but we can make the following recommendations, considering the needs of your Professional Wedding Photographer and you, the client. Below is a list of some of Maui's  beaches and resorts with some information about each one. Please note that remote beach or resort wedding locations may incur additional costs.

South Maui Beaches:

Most of the beaches in south Maui offer a beautiful beach location. Some beaches have facilities and some require a bit of a walk. Most of the beaches in south Maui have great weather year round. South Maui is considered the dry side of the Maui.

Maluaka Beach - Fronting the Maui Prince Hotel, Makena, Maui, Hawaii
Probably one of the best and most beautiful beaches in South Maui. A long stretch of beach which will often have several weddings in the evenings. Excellent shoreline photography, with Molokini and Kahoolawe on the horizon. Excellent swimming and snorkeling can be found at this beach, which is also home to many green sea turtles.

The Maui Prince Hotel - The courtyard at the Prince is is one of the best locations to hold your wedding in Maui. The lighting and weather conditions are some of the best in all of Maui. The courtyard features a beautiful waterfall, garden and Koi pond. The pacific lawn allows  for a scenic ocean setting. Maluaka beach is one of my favorite beaches for wedding photography.

Wailea Beach - Fronts both the Grand Wailea resort and the Four Seasons Maui resort. Convenient for those who wish to stay close to the resorts.  The beach will have a bit more traffic, but offers some nice backdrops for sunset wedding photography.  A variety of activities and facilities are close by.

The Grand Wailea Resort -  One of the largest resorts on Maui. The Grand Wailea features an air conditioned Wedding Chapel with beautiful stained glass windows. The grounds of the Grand Wailea have a variety water features and gardens. The Architecture of the hotel is also must for photography. Wailea beach also one of nicest beaches in south Maui.

Keawakapu Beach - Begins off South Kihei Road, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
This beach extends one-half mile south into the Wailea Resort and offers some scenic backdrops for wedding photography. This beach is also good for swimming and snorkeling. A very scenic white-sand beach.

Mokapu Beach Park - Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii In front of the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort on Wailea Alanui Drive, this beach offers excellent backgrounds for your wedding ceremony . Depending on the time of year this beach may not be available because of wind and water current conditions. This beach is a good location for swimming and snorkeling. Water sports equipment rentals are available through the resort.

Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort - One of the first resorts in South Maui. This resort features a tropical garden location surrounded by a koi pond. An excellent choice for an intimate wedding ceremony. Easy access to Moakapu beach makes for a very nice location for wedding photography.

Kea Lani Resort - Often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Maui. This resort Features a beautiful Wedding Gazebo. The resort also offers an ocean backdrop location. The architecture of the Resort should always be incorporated into your wedding photography. Very nice gardens and Koi pond provide for some nice photography. The resort is also home of Nick's Fishmarket Restaurant, a very popular dinner location for wedding couples.

Polo Beach Park, Kea Lani Resort, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Located at the south end of the Kea Lani Resort on Wailea Alanui Drive. This beach has a few rock outcroppings, a flat beach with white sand. Polo Beach Park features excellent swimming, snorkeling, facilities and picnic tables.

The Marriott Wailea - The hotel has a nice waterfall feature and lawn at the front of the lobby which will provide for some nice wedding photography.  They do have a small wedding site featuring a koi pond with an ocean backdrop. Mokapu beach is within walking distance.

Ulua Beach Park, Renaissance Wailea, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Next to the Renaissance Wailea on Wailea Alanui Drive, this beach offers a very good photographic beach location, excellent swimming and snorkeling.

Kama‘ole Beach I, II  - On South Kihei Road, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
All adjoining white-sand beaches. Kama‘ole Beach I, II offer good a nice beach for beach photography. These are some of the most popular beaches for swimming, sunning and snorkeling. So weddings may draw a crowd. In addition, there are facilities and lifeguards close by.

West Maui Beaches:

Sheraton Hotel Ka‘anapali - Located in the Kaanapali beach resort area of Maui.
The Sheraton has some large green lawns for weddings and wedding photography. They feature a small wedding site high up on famous black rock with ocean views. The hotel provides some nice hallways and small water features for some nice Wedding & Family portraits. Beautiful Kaanapali beach allows for some nice sunset Maui photography.

Ka‘anapali Beach - Ka‘anapali Resort, Maui, Hawaii
This three-mile strand is widely known as “Dig Me Beach.” Hotels and resorts line this beach. The middle to north end of this beach is usually the best location for weddings on Maui. The Islands of Lani and Molokai provide for nice scenic backgrounds for Maui Wedding photography.

Black Rock - Behind the Sheraton Hotel Ka‘anapali, Maui, Hawaii
Black Rock Beach is excellent for diving, snorkeling and swimming. There is easy access for a wedding party and wedding photographers to make their way to the sand. Beautiful part of Maui, Hawaii for sunset wedding photography and ceremonies.

The Westin Maui, Resort -  Ka‘anapali Beach Resort, Maui, Hawaii. This Hotel provides for some of the nicest wedding photography opportunities in Ka'anapali. The Hotel features a large waterfall and water feature in the hotel lobby. They also have a nice Wedding Gazebo and easy access to Ka'anapali beach.

The Hyatt Ka'anapali - The hotel provides a nice Japanese garden area for a wedding site. They also can do an indoor wedding in an air condition wedding chapel. The beach-front of the hotel is sometimes scarce. Time of year can play an important part in the success of your wedding day, please consult your photographer for more information and details.

Kapalua Beach - Kapalua Resort - Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Kapalua Beach has been voted the “best beach in America.” The beach offers excellent scuba diving and swimming opportunities. A very popular site for beach weddings on the west side of Maui. A very scenic beach for maui wedding photographers.

Napili Bay - Just south of Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Napili Bay is noted for its sandy beaches and good swimming. The steep beach will accommodate a small beach wedding. There is a nice flat sand and rock area to the south side of this location. This beach is located just around the corner from Kapalua beach.

Kapalua Bay Hotel - Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.
This hotel provides for some very nice wedding & family portraits. They have a scenic point for wedding ceremonies which overlooks Kapalua bay beach. The beach has easy access from the point. A very beautiful location for Wedding Photography and ceremonies.

The Ritz Carlton - Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.
One of the largest and nicest hotels in Maui. Weather can often play a factor here, but they do have a wedding chapel and Gazebo for Wedding ceremonies. Some of the most dramatic scenery is provided from the golf course adjacent to the resort wedding sites. The hotel sits high above the ocean and D.T. Fleming beach.

D. T. Fleming Beach Park - North of Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
This beach is far enough north that it is very often void of foot traffic. It is a nice long scenic beach. Wind and inclement weather will often play a part in how nice your Hawaii beach wedding will be, consult your photographer. This park offers plenty of body and board surfing, swimming and picnic tables. There are also lifeguards on duty and facilities close by.

East Maui Beaches:

Hamoa Beach - South of Hana, Maui, Hawaii
A very scenic and beautiful location. Located on the windward side of Maui, which will often provide inclement weather conditions. Consult your wedding photographer for time of year and additional costs at this location. Hamoa Beach offers excellent swimming and bodysurfing.

Hana Beach Park - One-half mile from Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Hana Beach Park is often windy, but a nice break from the busy Ka'anapali beach sites. Hana Beach Park is one of the safest swimming beaches on the island.

Wai‘anapanapa State Park - Hana, Maui, Hawaii
On the northeast tip of Maui, Wai‘anapanapa State Park is a black-sand beach, very photogenic but often crowded with visitors.  Wedding Ceremonies on this location can often be very difficult, consult your photographer if you desire to be married here. The beach park has mostly rough swimming and snorkeling conditions. The park also has freshwater pools in caves.

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