sunrise beach session in kailua, hawaii • documentary couples photography

This sunrise beach session in Kailua, Hawaii felt like a rare little gift — a quiet morning just for Addie and Dave before the rest of vacation (and real life) kicked back in. As parents of teens, this was one of those fleeting moments where no one needed anything and the day could start niiiiiiice and slow (and we most definitely went out for brunch after the session).

We met at dawn, barefoot in the sand, with soft light, gentle waves, and plenty of room to just be. The session was relaxed and documentary-style, with no posing and no pressure, letting the morning unfold naturally. A film-inspired photography approach kept everything feeling lo-fi, imperfect, and real. There was laughter, easy closeness, and that familiar comfort that comes from years of shared life. Nothing fancy, nothing staged — just two people enjoying a peaceful moment together while on vacation in (my home), Hawaii.