Christina and Akhil’s Anniversary: A Dreamy Sunset Session on Oahu

March 5, 2023

Christina and Akhil celebrated their love in a truly special way: a dreamy sunset anniversary session on the North Shore of Oahu.

A Special Place That Brings Nostalgia

I have been doing wedding photography for years, yet, it has not made me immune to the excitement of capturing special moments for my clients, and this session was no exception. The couple chose to celebrate their anniversary on the same island where they got married, adding even more significance to this session.

The North Shore of Oahu is a truly stunning location for a dreamy sunset session, and we decided to shoot at Papa’iloa Beach. Papa’iloa is a large white sand beach with unique reef features and stunning views of the North Shore mountains. The best part about it? The beach faces the sunset. It provides the perfect backdrop for a dreamy, romantic photoshoot.

What Happened Before the Dreamy Sunset Session

We scheduled the session for one hour before sunset to capture the vibrant sunset colors that Oahu is known for. The weather in Oahu is usually sunny, but rain is common from November through February. Before the session, we were concerned that rain might ruin our plans, but we decided to go ahead with the shoot anyway. We hoped that the clouds would break and give us a rain-free dreamy sunset session.

As we drove to Papa’iloa Beach on the day of the session, it was pouring rain. Fortunately, when we arrived at the beach, the rain had passed, leaving us with clouds in the sky and a vibrant sunset. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the unexpected could create the most stunning results. Fun fact: clouds are necessary to get vibrant sunset colors. The sunlight must catch in the clouds to refract the vibrant sunset colors. A cloudless sky will not be as stunning as this.

A Dreamy Sunset Session that Meets Christina and Akhil’s Warmth

Christina and Akhil were perfect for this dreamy sunset photoshoot. They were both relaxed and easy-going, glowing with happiness and love. I always aim to capture my clients’ unique personalities and emotions in my photos, and they made my job easy. Their love for each other made every shot feel effortless and natural.

We started the shoot on the sand, capturing the couple with their backs turned as they walked toward the reef area. The reef at Papa’iloa is unique, with large, flat rocks jutting out of the water. With the sun setting behind, it provided a stunning backdrop for the photos and we captured some truly magical moments.

When the sun began to set even more, the sky transitioned into a stunning mix of pinks, oranges, and purples. It was perfect. It was as if the sky was agreeing with the love that is radiating between Christina and Akhil when it decided to match their warmth. We continued to shoot, capturing the couple’s love against the beautiful sunset. The photos from this session turned out stunning, and I was so grateful to be able to capture this special moment for Christina and Akhil.

From Megan’s Lens

If you’re ever on the island of Oahu, I highly recommend checking out Papa’iloa Beach for yourself. It’s a stunning location that will certainly take your breath away.

This photo shoot was truly a dreamy, romantic experience. The North Shore of Oahu is a magical place, and Papa’iloa Beach provided the perfect backdrop for this dreamy sunset session. I loved every moment of this shoot, from the unexpected rain to the stunning sunset. It was a stark reminder that sometimes beautiful moments can come out of the least favorable situation, and sunset never fails to make a stunning setting even more magical and dreamy.

From Megan: “Christina and Akhil’s anniversary session was one of my favorite sessions in 2022. It is some of my best work in my 11 years of being a professional photographer. It is also a testament to being steadfast in inclement weather. You truly cannot predict what the weather will be like.”