Honeymoon Photo
Wedding Sessions
Written & PhotographEd by Kay Salera
Wedding Photographer
Spotlight Photography
with Kay Salera
We all want to keep and cherish the memories of our happiest days for the rest of our lives. Weddings and Honeymoons are among the most joyful of life’s moments, and the photos these moments bring back the feeling of joy whenever they’re viewed. My name is Kay Salera, a Hawaii based international wedding photographer and I have been photographing couples and their joy in various locations in 20 countries since 2011. I’d like to share with you a little of what Honeymoon Wedding Photo Sessions are all about.
The Concept
Honeymoon photo session idea was first introduced to me by my Japanese clients, who are keen on travel and photography in general. Hawaii is lucky to have many Japanese couples visit our islands for their honeymoon. One of the more popular activities during these honeymoon trips is for couples to have photos taken in their wedding attire in their dream destination.
You might know this if you have already married, but time passes quickly, and scheduling is very tight on the wedding day itself. Most of couples only have 30-45 min for the newlywed portrait session in between the ceremony and reception. Wedding day photography is a great way to capture the special event, but often there isn’t enough time to take all the photos you’d like. A Honeymoon Photo Session lets you create more wonderful keepsakes. Picture this: you’re already at your dream destination, a place you’ve always wanted to visit; it’s the perfect chance to take some once-in-a-lifetime photos. And you’ll have more time for the portrait session because there is no tight schedule or guests to hurry you along!
How to find a good location for a Honeymoon Photo Session
First think about it in broad strokes. Are you looking for natural beauty, or a charming village, or the lights of the big city? What’s the overall look you’d like to achieve with your photos? You might want to shoot at a French castle in the countryside, a powerful waterfall in Iceland, an adventure hike in the Koolau mountain range on Oahu, or with a romantic view of the Aegean Sea from Santorini Island like in the photo above. Once you have some ideas, you can consult with professional photographers who can help you figure out exactly where you need to be to realize your dream photos.
A common question I get is how I find good shooting locations when I go somewhere that's new to me. First I do some research on sites like Instagram to find locations that really pop. Then I usually arrive there a few days before the photo shoot to scout those sites and get a feel for the environment. Is it crowded at certain time? How is the lighting at different times of day? What is the surrounding area like for background, etc. That way I’m fully prepared to take my couples around on the shooting day. Everybody's time is precious of course, especially during the honeymoon, so I try to make sure the shooting time and route are as efficient as possible.
Some couples already know just what they want, and give me a list of specific locations for the photos. But even if you don’t have a site in mind, it's good to share your favorite or inspirational photos with your photographer, so they understand what kind of style or atmosphere you’re looking for.
Should I hire a photographer locally or bring someone I’ve already worked with?
If you already have someone in mind, or whose work you like, you should check with them about their honeymoon photo session availability! Many photographers, like myself, are happy to shoot at different locations, and working with someone you already know can relieve a lot of stress. From my personal experience, it’s helpful when my clients inquire about my availability, to include the following information: (1) City/Country of the shooting location (2) Date/Month, (3) Concept and Style and (4) Budget Range. This information is invaluable in helping me present an offer that meets the couple’s wishes. It’s also always a good idea to ask if your photographer charges an additional travel fee or not, so you’ll have a solid budget expectation.
Hiring a local photographer can be a more inexpensive option, depending on the country, and a local can be more knowledgeable about shooting locations. Local photographers often know more hidden gems, or might have access to special areas only accessible through local connections. In this case, it’s a good idea to ask your photographer to show you the good sample of their work so you can get a feel for their style. You’ll also want to know if they speak your language or if you’ll need bring along a translator. And of course, you’ll want to make sure that the same photographer who took the sample photos you’ve seen will be actually coming to your shoot.
Do I need to bring my wedding dress with me?
Personally, if you already have a dress in the closet, I think it is a great idea to use it for the honeymoon session. If you don’t want to carry along all through your itinerary, you can either ship it from point to point, or even sell it after the photo shoot!
That way you’ll have more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Some brides choose to buy a more compact and reasonable dress online specifically for the honeymoon photo session. There are dresses that can be found for around $100 that still look fantastic in photos. Of course, you can also choose to have photos taken with non-wedding attire to capture your memories from the honeymoon as well. If you have ample time, you can always have both formal and fun photos taken on the same day!
It has been a wonderful experience for me to photograph my couples' love stories in their dream locations. I’m an avid traveler myself, so it's actually a huge bonus for me when I get to travel for photo shoots
Nowadays, every cell phone has a decent camera and the photos look great to many of our eyes, and we cherish memories in those photos. But I do recommend having a professional present to capture these most-memorable moments of your life. Photos shot by professional on DSLR cameras are very high quality, and can be printed at nearly any size you’d like. These are memories you want to return to, and share with your friends and loved ones. I’m always happy to share in my couples’ happy memories, and I hope their photos always bring them joy for the rest of the lives.
Kay Salera Photography
Wedding Photography
kaysaleraphotography@gmail.com
Instagram @kayslr
Big Island, Maui, Kaua'i, Oahu, Molokai
Kay Salera is an award-winning, International photographer, who has been photographing couples in various locations all over the world. She is originally from Japan, and now calls Hawaii her home. She has lived throughout the United States, Canada, Thailand, Italy, and France, and is always ready for the next adventure. She enjoys incorporating each couples unique love story by seeking out breathtaking backgrounds and capturing one of a kind, intimate moments. From the rocky beaches in Estonia to a huge coral plate in French Polynesia, Kay is ready to capture the memories of your special day/event.
Kay enjoys photographing engagement surprises, rehearsals, wedding day events, honeymoon photoshoots and everything else in between. Couples can enjoy a professional photoshoot with Kay anywhere in the world that they desire (based on availability); as her love for traveling and adventure is just as strong as her love for photography. If you’ve been itching to travel somewhere exotic and romantic for your big day and want to capture the memories with the best in the industry, please make an inquiry with your ideas. Whether your destination is across town or across the county, Kay would love to meet you!
