Hanae + Tana

Photos I took for Hanae and Tana late last year when they made their love official in a beautiful emotional court wedding. They crossed their t’s and dotted their i’s in the High Court of American Samoa, with only a few close island friends as witnesses. They’re still planning to have a big wedding off island to celebrate with family and friends, but wanted to seal the deal here in our slice of paradise.

My thoughts on court weddings

This is only the second court wedding I’ve photographed, but I realize I much prefer photographing court weddings than traditional weddings. After shooting a couple big traditional weddings, I’ve found that I get so stressed and nervous that I might not get ‘the shot’, and I just don’t really enjoy it as much as smaller intimate weddings like court weddings. I’m normally a very subtle person and can be a total fly on the wall when it comes to non-intrusive lifestyle photography,  but if there’s a big ceremony and I’m wearing all black and running around with my camera equipment, I can’t help but feel like I stick out like a sore thumb getting in everyone’s way, and I’d rather be sitting in the pews watching the wedding. Now court weddings, I like. I love how short and sweet they are, and when the couple puts a touch of personality into it… I’m all for it.  

Personal touches

Hanae and Tana’s union was so sweet and personal. My favorite part was the handmade coconut shell rings that Tana carved just the day before from a coconuts he picked in their backyard in Vaitogi. Their bands hadn’t yet arrived in the mail, so it was a last minute idea that turned into a forever piece of memory! I’m so glad that I could witness this and snap some photos.

Congratulations again Hanae and Tana!