This session was all about the kiddos and it was fast and fun. Mini sessions are great for younger children, and this was the perfect amount of time to play at lovely Baby Beach with this adorable bunch.

As I posted on my Facebook page, I truly feel like I have dual jobs – to capture the beautiful portrait and also to capture real life. Which is great with kids because they are always willing to show me their personalities, talk about interests, and just PLAY. I feel like these qualities are so important to capture during childhood because they will be so much fun to look back on and reflect on during adulthood.

These four were so much fun and definitely wanted to play. They gave me some really great images and I am so excited to share them!!

Location: Baby Beach, Lahaina

Time of Day: Morning

Editing Style: Natural, Subtle Film

Maui Family Photographer: Photography by Mariah Milan

To reserve your Maui Family Photographer online, head over to the Maui photography booking form!

There is just something about photographing families with little boys. It’s always so interesting to me how different boys and girls are in a photo session. This session was a lot of fun because the boys were very fun and silly. The light of the afternoon was a beautiful pastel color and there were lots of fun sticks to play with. What I really enjoyed about this session is that while we did get the family posed images that most everyone wants, I also got to capture the boys just being boys – and that always makes me happy. Thank you for such a wonderful session, “B” Family!!

Location: Baby Beach, Lahaina

Time of Day: Sunset

Editing Style: Natural, subtle film tones

Maui Family Photographer: Photography by Mariah Milan

To reserve your Maui Family Photographer online, head over to the Maui photography booking form!

Krystie and Carlos were married last year at Makena Cove and came back to Maui this year with their adorable little boy! We met up for a Maui mini session mid-day at Makena Cove to capture some family images. The mid-day light was exquisite and that left me with a little dilemma – the colors were so perfect I didn’t want to mess with them, but at the same time I know that Krystie loves a vintage look. Being that this session was full of play, I decided to leave the beautiful Maui colors alone… the water and sky looked amazing!

It was so wonderful to meet your son Krystie and Carlos! It was great to see you both!

And just as a side note, if you happen to be in the Sacramento, California area this Fall, you’ll have to check out their haunted theme park, Fright Planet!

Location: Makena Cove, Makena, Maui

Time of Day: Mid-Day

Editing Style: Natural, Vibrant Maui Colors

Maui Family Photographer: Photography by Mariah Milan

To reserve your Maui Photographer online, head over to the Maui photography booking form!

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I last saw this sweet family. We planned for their session at Baby Beach in Lahaina town and it was so great to see how much the kids had grown since our last photography session! I was excited that this would be a two parter – the first portion with everyone looking great in their cream and blue clothing and the second part a casual, lifestyle photography approach with everyone playing on the Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP).

Baby Beach was the perfect location to be out in the water as I was out with my Nikon DSLR without a worry of being knocked over by a wave. I enjoyed watching the kids jump off the SUP and all the snuggling going on. The rays of light from the sunset were beautiful. I am so honored to be invited back to capture families on their return visits to Maui. I love seeing the kids grow!

Enjoy this sneak peek of a really awesome Maui Family Photography session!

Location: Baby Beach, Lahaina

Time of Day: Sunset

Editing Style: Subtle Vintage and Film Tones

Maui Photographer: Photography by Mariah Milan

To reserve your Maui Family Photographer session online, head over to the Maui photography booking form!

When Whitney reserved her session, she had not yet held her baby girl. She had not yet met her baby girl. Her daughter, Aliona, was across the world in Russia waiting for her.

Whitney and Doug saw Aliona’s picture online and knew immediately that she was meant to be their daughter. Though paperwork went through on time, the new laws in Russia pertaining to US Adoptions were making the finalization challenging. After a lot of stress, they brought beautiful Aliona home last month. Aliona was one of the last children to leave Russia to be adopted by an American Family. Read more of Aliona’s adoption story online here.

I was deeply honored to capture a moment of their family vacation while they visited Maui. We met on a beautiful morning at Baldwin Beach park. Like any three year old, Aliona loved the water, the sand, and the dog that was being walked. I enjoyed watching this lovely mom and dad interact with the new light in their life – their little girl.

As I sat down to edit this session, I kept humming Across the Universe by the Beatles. And I think the last verse is pretty perfect. Aliona is home with her new family and their story as a family is just beginning.

Sounds of laughter, shades of life
Are ringing through my opened ears
Inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love, which
Shines around me like a million suns,
It calls me on and on across the universe

I have been excited to blog this wedding since I photographed it. I love Maui, but you’ll find that a lot of wedding spots are very popular and I photograph in a lot of the same places – Which is comfortable and familiar. But when I am asked to photograph in a place that’s not as well known, or off the beaten path, my heart jumps for joy.

Tawni and Nate were married at Ho’okipa Beach lookout on Maui’s incredible North Shore. I was so glad to hear that Tawni loved the cows as much as I do – that cow pasture is just incredible. The heartfelt ceremony was officiated by Rev. Diana George as family from both sides watched, along with Tawni and Nate’s adorable son. It was windy, but so worth it. And Tawni and Nate were completely adorable together. These images are just them – they didn’t need directing. They were in the moment and beautiful and I’m so excited to share these images. I just couldn’t narrow it down…

What is a Maui Lifestyle session?

For me, a Maui Lifestyle photography session captures you and your child and family in the moment, as you are, doing things that you always do. It’s not meant to be posed or staged. It is one of my favorite ways to capture children.

This is my son, Cruz – nearly two years old. We were playing tickle and peekaboo. If we were doing a formal portrait shoot, I’d certainly make sure his hair was combed and he was wearing shorts. But this is so HIM. This is so who he is at this moment in time. A Maui Lifestyle session captures this moment in his life so perfectly.

Maui Lifestyle Photographer

Maui Lifestyle Sessions are best in a place where children are comfortable and can be themselves. They are to capture everyday things – playing with favorite toys, playing tickle, taking a bubble bath, ect. They are a time capsule. I love these types of sessions!

To reserve your Maui Lifestyle Photography session, head on over to the booking page.