through my lens - by a top kauai photographer
Natural light photographer David Marsh specializes in family photography, couples and maternity photography, and more!
Photography Options
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
SURPRISE ENAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
SURPRISE ENAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
I can direct you to a plethora of stunningly scenic locations for your Kauai family photography session. The north shore offers misty mountains, lush foliage, sweeping beaches and sparkling bays. It’s my favorite!
SURPRISE ENAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
SURPRISE ENAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
SURPRISE ENAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
I often photograph Kauai surprise proposals during regular couples photoshoots. It means both know of the photo session, only one knows it’s a proposal. The other way to do this is with a surprise photo shoot and proposal.
ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
SURPRISE ENAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
Elopements are the staple of Hawaii's photography business so please book early as my calendar space for elopements and small wedding photography is limited.
Mahalo, and I'm looking forward to being your Kauai photographer
PORTRAITURE
KAUAI COUPLES PORTRAITS
BIG FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY KAUAI
BIG FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY KAUAI
Beautiful backgrounds are gifts of Kauai.
BIG FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY KAUAI
BIG FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY KAUAI
BIG FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY KAUAI
Making my clients comfortable so that we have a fun session is paramount.
What's up
Aloha! I'm David Marsh, an award-winning English photographer in Kauai, known as a top Kauai family photographer, with a motion picture background, a joint BAFTA and International Emmy team recipient, published novelist, and a good cook, apparently. You want to know my key ingredient, not in the kitchen but on a photoshoot? Fun! that's right. If you're having fun, I get genuine smiles and belly laughter and inhibitions fade away. So it's on me to make sure you're having a blast. if you're okay to go with the flow, let's reveal the hidden show off you didn't even know was lurking under your skin. Couples photography Kauai, you want romantic, passionate—I get that, too! It's not all about one thing. If you're willing to splash about in the ocean during your Kauai elopement photography session, I'll be there with you. You want to climb a tree and propose, fantastic. If you're not sure, no worries. Family photography is close to my heart. Simply, I love people.
LIGHT, SHADOW, ACTION
No doubt you're looking for the best family photographers in Kauai. I've been a full time professional photographer in Kauai for 15 years; before then a professional photographer and cinematographer in California, and my daughter says my English accent is still strong. I don't think so.
All these years and I'm still crazy about all three stages of professional photography: pre-shoot visualization, where ideas are born, photoshoot execution and all the fun we create together, and last, not least the place where magic has no bounds, the editing. I often spending far too much time for my pay in the editing stage because design runs through my veins, yet I wield an editing shield to minimize over-zealousness; it’s what I mean by honest photography and natural representation.
I'm a pro with photo touch-up and use it innocuously to add light where light doesn't exist and cut light when it's too harsh, which is craft that makes you look oh so good. But unless asked to, I do not perform photo touch-up that could promote comebacks like "That's photoshopped,” unless it's your intention, such as if you ask me to increase the length of your wedding veil or to make you look younger or thinner, or for your kid to be without braces.
My photography portfolio is the best way to start your journey of decision. I always prefer to go with natural light but I'm also a pro using on-camera and off-camera strobes and photoflash, when needed, especially in Kauai sunset photography. If you're looking for a Kauai photographer for events, make sure to contact me early, same when considering me as your Kauai wedding photographer or elopement photographer. If you're wondering if I do Senior portraits kauai, yes Kauai Maternity photography AKA baby bump, yes! Boudoir photography in Kauai, yes. Photographer for graduation photos. Of course. Surprise proposals, vow renewal photography. I do! I mean you do. Later then, TTFN. David your British photographer Kauai residing.
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER
A Kauai photographer with an eye for an outrigger
I cannot tell you how many times I'm asked about pregnancy photography in kauai at sunset on a beach. We have so many stunning beaches, vast stretches of sand, glimmering sunsets, sparkling ocean. So when asked where to do the session, I think of a beach with dynamic possibilities.
You might ask, what are dynamic possibilities? Think of a stretch of misty mountains, swaying palm trees, jungle shadow nestled up to a crescent beach, an outrigger canoe sitting on a sand bank, lazy rock pools, a fallen tree trunk on the beach—dynamic possibilities! Versus a sparsely trafficked beach that's lovely and romantic but has no misty mountains or rock pools or outrigger canoes, just blue ocean and sweeping drifts of sand. If I'm going to be your baby moon photographer I'd like more than ocean and a beach. This is why as a top Kauai photographer I do lots of photoshoots at Hanalei Bay and Shipwreck Beach and Tunnels Beach. While there are other beaches besides these three with dynamic possibilities, I consider other factors such as ease of getting there, parking, safety, bathrooms, etc. And while Hanalei Bay might see a fair volume of beachgoers, it never impacts my photos. It's all the more satisfying when my clients see their photos for the first time and text me, "I love them all! You made all the other beach goers disappear, thank you so much" One more thing worthy of me telling you is the photography session is just the first stage of my craft, the editing is key; the same applies when I don my blue trucker's hat for Kauai family photography or my tee-shirt children photography portraits kauai, the editing takes so much longer; it's an art as well as a technical endeavor, so choosing a very experienced family portraits photographer will transpire to be a smart decision
Every day I'm reminded I live in paradise. Everywhere I look I see stunning backdrops. Only it wouldn’t be so verdant without all of our rainfall. Still, not everyone wants a sunset couples photo session in a downpour, which is why I try to be as flexible as possible in regards to switching times, even the shoot date if possible, at no extra charge.
I prefer Kauai photo sessions on the north shore. For me less driving time which otherwise would eat into my editing time. All I can say is if you're on vacation, even if your hotel/ AIRNB is on the south side, the spectacular north shore is really worth visiting.
I'm thrilled and appreciate that you choose me out of the pool of best Kauai family photographers or that I'm your best professional photographer for your surprise proposal in paradise, as there are a handful of other very capable photographers Kauai. We all know each other—it's a small island. And sometimes we'll be on the same beach at the same time, which brings me back to the surprise proposal. I can be sitting on a blue beach blanket with a camera so you'll know it's me, and once you go down on your knee, I'll already be photographing you. Thing is, unless we've met beforehand, it can be a bit stressful. You want to make sure you propose when I'm there, not one of the other best Kauai photographers There's another way, however, and many photographers Kauai encourage it because it's less stressful: you'll tell your significant other you're booking a photo shoot beforehand. We meet and greet as usual. Then during the Kauai photo session, you'll get a wink or whisper from me, which will mean, go for it! Still a Kauai surprise proposal photoshoot. Another big advantage of doing it this way is that it will be booked as a couples' photo package, even though you will propose during the session, and the couples packages cost a lot less. Packages start at only $430. Oh and re fees, being a "best" doesn't mean most expensive Kauai photographer.
'nuff said, for now
—David, your very experienced family portrait photographer, Kauai
Sunset photography Kauai
I’m in a forest with Sarah, who's just graduated. Bright sun is setting. I place Sarah with the sun behind her. It produces amazing backlighting in her long blonde hair, but it also creates flares in my camera lens. Because I'm in a forest, it's easy to fix. "Can you move three steps to your right, Sarah." By moving Sarah and or myself I can nearly always use a tree or brush to block the harshest sun rays while getting enough back light for a magnificent shot. But if I'm on a beach at sunset doing seniors portraits, it's not so straightforward. I can either accept the sun's dazzle and allow Sarah to fall into silhouette—an exceptionally creative look—or I can use photo flash to counter the sun's brilliance and retain Sarah's skin tone. For close up shots, magnificent. For full shots, the resulting photos are likely to have a slightly unnatural look, which can also be very creative. Lastly, I can wait for the sun to get very low in the sky, when it's less intense and more colorful. This is a very small window of opportunity to take magical shots.
Sunset. Sunrise. Mid-morning. Being one of the best family photographers Kauai is something I don't shy from. It keeps me on my toes. I love being a professional Kauai family photographer and I don’t think there’s a bad time of the day for a photoshoot.
Tidbit if trivia. Do you know the three categories of twilight?
- Civil twilight.
- Nautical twilight.
- Astronomical twilight.
