Beach Couples Session in Oahu, Hawaii | Hayley + Christian

I had THE BEST time hanging out with Hayley and Christian during their couples session at one of my favorite beaches in Oahu, Hawaii! Where to even begin. This session was absolute fate.

So first off, Hayley became a close friend of mine shortly before we moved from Oahu. She and her fam are seriously the most incredible people you’ll ever meet. We love her, her husband and their sweet toddler, Della, with all our hearts. I can talk to her about anything, she supports me, she challenges me… so basically the best kind of friend you can have, amiright?

ANYWAY. She is also a rad photographer! So when I decided literally the week before we moved that I was finally going to start my photography business (because why not add that on to moving across the country with three kids with little to no community, getting out of the military, and basically starting an entirely new life? It’s fine. I’m fine.), she was the first person I went to. I absolutely HAD to do a couples session with them before I left. No choice. And we planned to do one two days later!

Then BOOM. The weather forecast all of a sudden says it’s supposed to rain literally all over the island every single day until after we move. And USUALLY, I’m all down for a rainy shoot, but I’m talking flash flood warnings and everything.

I’m not gonna lie, I was kinda bummed. Hayley and I were texting the day of the shoot just like how ya feelin’ about this rain… It was pouring… HOWEVER. Us being the adventurers we are (we’re the run around at the beach in our swimsuits in the cold pouring rain type… Literally. We’ve done that.) decided to risk it, and I’m so freaking glad we did!

I kid you not — It was pouring the entire way there. I was driving my husband’s beater island car that was in severe need of new windshield wipers, and ya know, for a hot second, I wasn’t sure I was gonna be able to get there. But I persevered (very slowly and cautiously) and eventually made it there with time to spare! (Does anybody else giggle every time they rhyme unintentionally, or am I just five years old?)

I like to arrive a little early just to scope out everything and have a game plan ready, but it was still a tad rainy. And as soon as Hayley and Christian arrive, we walk to where we’re taking photos, and suddenly, no rain. I know, I know. I said fate and it could’ve been a total coincidence. After all, rain usually stops at some point, right? But I actually had two more sessions within that week. And literally every session, the rain stopped minutes before our scheduled meet time. So I’m calling it FATE.

AHHH! I was so so grateful. It was perfectly overcast, their outfits complimented each other so well, and the photos turned out beautifully! You could just feel the love between them the entire time — through the playfulness and laughter and the quiet, more intimate moments. It was such an honor to tell their story.

This beach is such an incredible beach for photos! A grassy area, a trail, this giant rock by the water, the mountains, the ocean itself… We didn’t get to capture all of it because some areas were flooded, but it’s definitely worth exploring the west side if you ever find yourself in Oahu, Hawaii. And if you want me to come hang with you and capture photos of you and your lover… wink wink.

No, but really. I’m available to travel and would love meet you, tell your story, and maybe we can take a dive in the ocean afterwards! Plus, I frequently travel back there, which means no travel fees if you book a date when I am. Plus, plus, if ya didn’t know, Hawaii is on my top 5 easiest places to elope in the U.S.! To inquire about a couples session or elopement, click here!

Note: Please remember to always be respectful to the land and ocean around you. Do not touch any wildlife. Be kind to locals and support local businesses if you can! Also, do not leave trash, or even better, pick up any if you see it! Hawaii is such a beautiful state, so let’s keep it that way ✌ For more info on how to care for the land, visit Leave No Trace.

Though I don’t offer family sessions, they did have sweet little Della with them, so how could I not include her in some photos?! She did so well just entertaining herself with the sand while I was capturing some fierce love between mom and dad, but man, oh, man, the love between this fam is too good not to share.

“Briana gave our family the sweetest photo session ever! We forgot we were even getting photographed as we laughed and played together . She had scouted out a beautiful location ahead of time and arrived before us to make sure everything would run smoothly. We have a 1 year old daughter with a mind of her own and Briana was wonderful at switching gears depending on how our little one was feeling and even snuck in a few photos of just my husband and I which we haven’t had since our wedding ! She was amazing. We got our photo gallery super timely and the edits are beautiful! Can’t recommend her enough.”

Thank you, Hayley and Christian (and Della!), for sharing your special, incredible love with me!

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