Jackie + Clayton: 25 years and still in love

One of the unexpected joys of being a photographer is actually the drive home after a session. The anticipation to see all the pictures full-size on the editing computer, the discussion and debriefing of the favorite moments during the session, the inevitable stop for McDonalds french fries and a frozen coke.

Well, needless to say, we were all smiles driving home after our session with Clayton and Jackie. These two had just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Kaanapali on Maui, and their wonderful daughter, Emma, surprised them with a sunset photography session as an anniversary gift. It was so sweet to see the surprise on their faces as they turned the corner to the beach and saw us standing there, with leis and camera in hand! Clayton’s best friend had officiated the vow renewal, and he and his wife joined in on the photoshoot too!

The love these two share is so inspiring. They can’t get enough of each other, even after a quarter of a century! It was such a pleasure to capture their love. At the end of the session, it turned out that Clayton himself had a surprise for Jackie. He enlisted Emma to help him make it happen, who then enlisted us! A dear friend of the couple, Jearlyn, recorded a special version of the couple’s wedding song from 25 years before - “At Last.” Emma sent us the song ahead of time so we could have it ready to play. As soon as Jackie heard it, tears of joy welled up in her eyes, and the two of them danced in the sand as the sunset glow spread out around them.

Check out some of their gallery and Super 8 film (featuring a snippet of Jearlyn Steele’s rendition of “At Last”) here!

This was the moment Jackie realized she was hearing their wedding song, “At Last,” and closed her eyes to take in all the memories from the past quarter of a century.