Michele Coelho Photography: Natural Light Wedding Photos

Michele Coelho is a wedding and elopement photographer based on Oʻahu who has been photographing love stories in Hawaiʻi for more than a decade. Born in Brazil, she lived in Germany for many years and calls herself a "Germanbraz Girl," and she works with couples in English, Portuguese and German.

If you are worried about feeling stiff or awkward in front of a camera, her approach is worth reading about. Michele works with natural light, guides couples with simple directions, and puts her focus on the unplanned moments in between: the laughter, the happy tears and the spontaneous kisses.

Who is Michele?

Michele discovered her passion for photography at a young age and began working professionally after Hawaiʻi became her home. In her words, "My journey capturing love stories in Hawaiʻi began in 2013, driven by my passion for photography and the beauty of genuine human connections." Since then she has photographed everything from intimate elopements to larger wedding celebrations across the islands, and she has completed many photography courses along the way.

Family sits at the center of how she talks about her work. Off the clock she spends her time with her husband and their young son, and she describes why the job matters to her this way: "I believe that family and loved ones change and grow too fast, I believe in marriage, in love and friendship, I believe that every moment needs to be registered so they won't be forgotten." She sums it up in one line: "A picture is not only a picture but an eternal memory."

What is her photography style?

Michele describes herself plainly: "I'm a natural light-based photographer." For her, photography is about working with all the available light and capturing her clients' natural interactions rather than staging every frame.

She also puts real effort into getting to know couples before the day. She says she likes to learn their stories, what makes them unique, and what they want from their photos, so she can capture each personality on camera. The aim, as she puts it, is "creating timeless memories that will be treasured for generations."

What if we feel awkward in front of the camera?

This is the question Michele hears most often, and she answers it directly: "You don't need to know how to pose. That's my job!" She guides couples with simple directions and natural movements so they feel comfortable and confident, and she notes that some of the strongest photographs happen once couples forget the camera is there.

"Not everyone is used to being photographed, and I completely understand that!" she says. Her goal is for couples to enjoy their wedding rather than spend the whole celebration posing. "I love capturing the little moments between the poses: the laughter, happy tears, spontaneous kisses, and genuine connections."

She adds that you do not need to be professional models to get editorial-style wedding photographs. You just need to be yourselves, enjoy the moment and trust the process.

Where does she work, and does she know our venue?

Michele is based on Oʻahu and also photographs weddings on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. Her listing shows her as a preferred vendor at Kualoa Ranch.

Couples often ask whether she has shot at their venue before. Her view is that experience with light matters more than familiarity with a location: "A beautiful photograph isn't created because a photographer knows a location. It's created because they understand light, composition, emotion, and how to tell a story." She says she enjoys discovering new spaces, and that whether she has photographed a venue many times or is seeing it for the first time, her commitment stays the same. "Your venue doesn't define the beauty of your photographs. Your story does."

What recognition has her work received?

Michele's listing includes several awards and publications. She lists The Knot Hall of Fame, with recognition from 2021 through 2024, a 35 Awards recognition she describes as a top 150 USA photographers ranking in 2025, and a 2019 Wedaward recognition. Her work was published in Rock n Roll Bride magazine in 2019, and in 2025 she was featured in the Brazilian publication Diario de Pernambuco, which she says recognized her wedding photography and lighting techniques, as well as on Giro Blog Brasil.

When asked about a moment she was proud of, she pointed to having her work published internationally. What made those images special, she says, was the emotion and connection between the couple, and the recognition reminded her why she does this work: "creating images that are not only beautiful but also tell a story and make people feel something."

Pricing, video and how to book

Michele's coverage starts at $750. She has recently teamed up with a video company, so she now offers video coverage, and depending on the package you choose, a wedding content creator can be included.

When you first reach out, it helps to have your wedding date, your location or preferred venue, an approximate guest count, and an idea of the coverage you want. "But don't worry if you haven't figured everything out yet!" she says, and she is happy to help couples work through their photography needs. For larger weddings she recommends getting in touch about 9 to 12 months ahead, especially for popular dates. For intimate weddings and elopements, 2 to 6 months is a good starting point, and she welcomes last-minute inquiries when her schedule allows.

Her planning advice is practical. She encourages couples to build their timeline around lighting, weather, travel time and especially the sunset, and to leave some breathing room in the schedule. "Some of the most magical moments happen when you're not rushing from one thing to the next." Above all, she suggests choosing vendors you genuinely connect with and trust, so you can be fully present on the day.

To check dates or ask a question, send Michele Coelho Photography an inquiry from their Hawaii Vendors listing.

Photos: Michele Coelho Photography. Hawaii Vendors features businesses that list with us.