Kauai Photographer, Dana Nadeau of Garden Island Photography

Dana Nadeau's first foray to the Hawaiian Islands was in 1971 when he made the customary winter long trip to surfing Mecca "The North Shore" of Oahu. After several trips over the ensuing years he finally made the leap to fulltime residence on Kauai in early 1989. He has always been enthralled with the beauty of Hawaii, and especially the ocean. He studied Photography in college and has been shooting regularly ever since. Over the years he has been an opportunistic shooter of the beauty around Kauai, but lately he has been actively hunting it down. People say he "has an eye" for the elegant and spectacular as well as the detailed and unusual beauty that is easy to miss. We hope you enjoy the results of his hunting. In addition to fine art photography Dana also photographs weddings as well as personal and family portraits.

Gallery Descriptions

Sunsets:
The tropical islands are known for dramatic sunsets. Kauai is no exception. But not every evening provides what people anticipate. You may even be good at photography, but be here at the wrong time. I maintain a careful watch on conditions and the sun’s trajectories and the objects I want to include in the foreground to capture images that you don’t just stumble onto (unless you’re really lucky). After the preparation and running around sometimes I just get lucky too. These are all right out of the camera, not manipulated to look as they do. Enjoy.

Sunrises:
The tropical islands are known for dramatic sunrises. Kauai is no exception. But people on vacation don’t always get up early. You may even be good at photography, but be here at the wrong time. I maintain a careful watch on conditions and the sun’s trajectories and the objects I want to include in the foreground to capture images that you don’t just stumble onto (unless you’re really lucky). After the preparation and many early risings sometimes I just get lucky too. These are all right out of the camera, not manipulated to look as they do. Enjoy.

Seascapes:
The magic hours for photography here on Kauai are the first light and the end of the day. Like the sky, the ocean here is often doing something spectacular. Besides its shear beauty there are times when it displays explosive power. Other times it appears warm and soft and inviting. I try to capture all its moods for people to enjoy, but I must admit I find the power the most appealing (and the most difficult) to convey.

Landscapes:
Although Kauai is best known for its beaches, the unique foliage and topography of our island lend themselves to dramatic photography as well. As with other scenic shots it helps to live here and keep an eye on conditions as they develop, and know where to be for those peak moments when the falls are flowing or the sun is striking the mountains a certain way.

Flowers:
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Kauai is its flowers. There is no “season” when they bloom. It’s always flower season for something, and many bloom year round. For every occasion the local people pick them by the ton and we still never run out. I’m amazed by the variety of colors and design. It seems endless. With photography I can capture them in their most compelling light so that everyone can enjoy them at their best, whether they live here or not.

Scenic:
Somewhere I have to put the pictures that don’t quite fit in the other categories. Photography here on Kauai is always drawing me in. It’s an exercise in extreme discipline every time I put my camera away. There is always some other beautiful thing beckoning to be photographed. I sometimes tell visitors (jokingly of course) that all you have to do is aim your camera anywhere here and you’ll get a great photo.

Black and White:
You would think that in a location like Kauai there would be no place for black and white photography. We do have cloudy days, when something still strikes my eye as beautiful, but not necessarily colorful. Sometimes the sun is playing through the clouds in a dramatic fashion but just the interplay of light is the star of the show. At these times just a little color seems like more of a distraction than just recording the light values in B&W.

Abstract:
I see beauty everywhere. I find practically everything interesting. When I’m done photographing every little thing I find interesting here on Kauai I’m going to where you live and do the same thing. I’m 55. When I’m 140 I’ll be done here.

People:
Like flowers, people come in an endless variety. With the exception of a couple of notable politicians (who shall remain nameless) all of them are interesting. Here are some of my favorite photographs mostly taken here on Kauai.

Weddings:
Wedding photography here on Kauai is a unique art combining the advantages of Kauai’s natural beauty with every photographer’s nightmare – harsh lighting. An understanding of light and lighting is a prerequisite to using the elements to create beautiful photos in any conditions. Capturing people and their relationships in a way that expresses their unique beauty in that light is my mission at every wedding. Check out the photos in this category and decide for yourself if I’ve succeeded.

Children:
Are kids cute or what? They are the most challenging and the most rewarding to photograph at the same time. They possess a freedom that adults have learned to suppress (for obvious social reasons). Yet in kids it’s OK, because they’re just kids. So with children’s photography I like to just let them be their cut little selves and shoot away catching those expressions that you see and delight in every day and wish you could cherish forever.

Families:
Every family has its own personality, and so does each individual. Communicating that through photography is an art I immensely enjoy, mostly because I just enjoy meeting people and getting to do something meaningful for them. Here on beautiful Kauai there are many scenic spots that just cry out for family portraits. Family vacation is a nice time and this is a great place to create a special memory that everyone will cherish.

Locations:
Photography here on Kauai is enhanced by the presence of so many wonderful scenic locations. Here are several that we use regularly for weddings and vow renewals.