California & Hawaii & Seattle Wedding Photographer

Looking back at Cindy and Bill’s wedding feels as if it happened only yesterday. It was an honor to document a celebration both grand in scale and rich in meaning, a day that felt as much like a gathering of friends as it did a wedding. From the way the day was designed to the vows they exchanged, every moment carried their story. Spending the day with them, you could feel the depth of their connection and how it had touched everyone present. Friends laughed, embraced, and celebrated under the same roof, a reminder that this is the true heart of a wedding. No set of ten photographs could hold the full splendor of a luxury castle wedding. Every room, every corridor, every garden at Oheka Castle seemed steeped in history, each corner ready to tell its own story. When fireworks lit the night sky, it felt like the final note of a symphony, the kind of summer wedding, steeped in old-world elegance, that will be remembered for years to come. Here’s to Bill and Cindy, @billyanhuang @cindyhan0209 and to a lifetime of moments as luminous as this day. ✨❤️🎇 Venue @oheka_weddings_and_events  @ohekacastle Planning & Florist @floraland.weddings.events Photo @allen_caocaocao Video @_insomniaproduction Live band @ti_fusion_band Makeup Muystudio - Yaoyao Dress @galialahav #LuxuryWedding #NewYorkWedding #NewYorkWeddingPhotographer #OhekaCastle #OhekaCastleWedding #OldMoneyStyle #OldMoneyWedding #NewYorkPhotographer #NewJerseyWedding #NewJerseyWeddingPhotographer #WeddingBand #weddinginspiration #weddingoftheyear #luxuryweddings #ohekacastle

Aloha everyone! This is Allen! 👶🏻 2026 arrived quietly, almost without notice. With it came a deep sense of reflection on everything the past year held. Looking back at 2025, my heart feels full of gratitude. So much happened, and so many people crossed paths with me. Old friends and new friends alike. Every encounter felt meaningful in its own way. Over the year, we documented more than 90 one of a kind stories. From the snow covered mountains of Seattle to castles tucked away in New York. From sun soaked Northern California to the glowing nights of Tokyo. From volcanic landscapes shaped by fire to sunsets above the clouds at ten thousand feet in Maui. In 2025, I flew nearly 70 times, logging a total of 130,000 miles in the air, enough to circle the earth five times. More than a hundred days were spent away from home. At times, it felt like a third of my life was lived on the road. I am deeply grateful to every creative partner I worked with this year. Every seamless wedding was made possible through trust, collaboration, and shared dedication. It is a privilege to work alongside people who care so deeply about what we do. And to every couple who chose me, thank you. You trusted me with one of the most important days of your lives, and I never take that lightly. During the busiest season of the year, I was injured and could barely walk, yet seven weddings went on as planned, and not one of you stepped away. That trust meant everything to me. Spending a full day together, slowly getting to know each other, watching connections unfold naturally. Those real, imperfect, living moments stay with me the longest. 2026 is a new beginning. With your expectations and trust, we will continue forward. Traveling farther, meeting more people, and preserving stories that are sincere, alive, and free. Whether in front of the lens or in the lives still unfolding ahead, I hope we all continue to find the most genuine version of ourselves, and the one that truly loves life. Thank you, always. Here’s to 2026. And to everything still ahead. ❤️ #2026happynewyear #hawaiiweddingphotographer #califorinaweddingphotographer #seattleweddingphotographer #hawaiiwedding

Some weddings feel less like an event and more like a reunion. Guests flew in from China, Europe, and the East Coast. All to witness one couple’s vows by the ocean in Wailea, Maui. There was sun, salt, and soft Hawaiian wind. There were friends dancing in linen under string lights, personalized blind-box toys as wedding favors, a map-themed invitation suite, and the warmest aloha energy. And when they kissed, color smoke burst into the sky.🌈It felt like the whole wedding exhaled in joy. We may have witnessed the first color-smoke ceremony in North America, all thanks to the vision and magic of @mannasunevents and @kristinacruz_weddings who made this moment and so many others happen. From morning prep to a sunset dip into the Milky Way, this wedding was loud with laughter, full of heart, and soft with love. Thank you to all the incredible vendors, teams, and friends who made this happen. And to the couple, may this always be your kind of magic! ✨🎆🌈 With so much love @lsyamie62 @yuanchen_royce_xu Venue @andazmaui Planning @mannasunevents @kristinacruz_weddings Photo @allen_caocaocao Video @kenson_production Color smoke @hawaiipyro Makeup @yibridal @makeup_jessicahi Florist @bellabloommaui Graphic Design @missbcalligraphy DJ @mauidjservices Live Painter @the_gx #MauiWedding #HawaiiWeddingPhotographer #AndazMauiWedding #LuxuryWedding #HawaiianWedding #WaileaWedding #TropicalWedding #DestinationWedding #MauiBride #LuxuryDestinationWedding #OceanfrontWedding #ColorSmokeCeremony #WeddingReunion #HawaiiBride #MauiLoveStory #PacificWeddingVibes #LuxuryWeddingInspo #HawaiiWeddingVibes #AndazMauiLove #IntimateLuxuryWedding

Maui always has a way of reminding me what really matters. 🌊 I have been thinking a lot lately about why I love being a photographer and this wedding by the shore was such a perfect reminder. Beyond the vows and the stunning backdrop, the heart of a wedding is really just one big reunion. It is about having every single person who has shaped your story, including the four legged family members, all in the same place at the same time. 🐶🐱 There is a certain kind of energy that kids and pets bring to a wedding that I just adore. They do not care about the schedule or the perfect pose. They are just present and so full of life. To me, those unscripted moments are what make a wedding gallery feel alive. The atmosphere was incredibly lush too. We were basically breathing in the scent of Garden Roses and Sweet Peas all afternoon. 🌸 I can still picture the Butterfly Ranunculus moving quietly in the wind. Next week I will be flying back to Maui for another wedding at Andaz, and something about that already feels comforting. I know there will be more wind, more waves, more unexpected little moments waiting by the shore. 🌊🏝️⛪ Event Planning, Design & Coordination⠀ @lovelytimeweddings  @kristinacruz_weddings ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Venue @andazmaui @andazmauiweddings Photo @allen_caocaocao Video @_insomniaproduction Makeup @yibridal Florist @mandyfloristry Rental @rioeventdesign  @artisan.events.maui #mauiwedding #hawaiiweddingphotographer #hawaiiweddings #realwedding #mauiweddingphotographer

A moment lasts forever🕊️🤍🦢🪽 ​ Photography📷- @allen_caocaocao

The story of the raw mana on the Big Island for Weilai & Kaixing. ✨🌋 I’m still replaying these moments in my head. Standing on that ancient volcanic rock, I could literally feel the pulse of the island on my feet. It wasn't just a ceremony, it was like a deep, ancient conversation with Mother Earth. Watching them exchange Lei felt so sacred, like they were weaving their spirits together with every petal. And when they cracked open that coconut and shared the Sand Blessing with the jet-black volcanic sand, you could just feel the weight of the tradition. It’s like the island herself was witnessing their promises and sealing them in stone. No fancy ballroom could ever touch this kind of energy. I’m leaving a piece of my heart on this basalt shore. @lai_030 and Kaixing @kaixing_w May the tides always bring you back to this peace, and may the Pele (volcano goddess) always protect your fire. "E lani pua ma ke aloha" may you be forever blessed in love. 🌋🌊🌿 Wedding Planning | @chapteroflovehawaii Venue | @fairmontorchidweddings @fairmontorchid Photographer | @allen_caocaocao Videographer | @kenson_production MUA | @susubeauty.studio Officiant | @simplekonawedding Florist | @daisydukesflowerfarm Rental | @hawaiiislandevents #hawaiiweddingphotographer #bigislandwedding #hawaiiantradition #aloha🌺 #bigislandlove

Bringing LuLu and Zixia deep into the mountains reminded me why I’m so obsessed with this place. We spent hours wandering through the pines, with nothing but the sound of the wind and the sight of those massive, snow capped peaks above us. 🏔️ The sheer scale of these mountains always hits me, it reminds me how small we are in the grand scheme of things, but also how big and beautiful a single moment can feel when you’re in the right place. There’s something about being dwarfed by these giants that makes everything else feel quiet and loved. 🫶🏻 This is exactly why I’ll never stop falling in love with our PNW wilderness. It’s where I feel most like myself. 🌲🌤️ Photo @allen_caocaocao Makeup @vickyymakeups #mtbaker #pnwisbest #pnwelopement #mtrainierelopementphotographer #pnwlove

Magic happens when old friends gather at an old castle. ✨ A night full of candlelight, endless laughter, and a sky lit up by fireworks to celebrate it all. Here’s to a century of history and a lifetime of love & friendship. 🏰🥂🎆 Venue @oheka_weddings_and_events @ohekacastle Planning & Florist @floraland.weddings.events Photo @allen_caocaocao Video @_insomniaproduction Live band @ti_fusion_band Makeup Muystudio - Yaoyao Dress @galialahav #ohekacastle #realwedding #ohekacastlewedding #gatsbyvibes #newyorkweddingphotographer

Like a scene from a dream, we left our heart in Sausalito. 🦢🌁 Photo @allen_caocaocao Mua @mandywang.makeup Floral @unifloral_us Dress @aswishesbridal #sausalito #sanfranciscophotographer #sanfranciscolove #sanfranciscocityhall #californialove

Still can't get over the character of these San Francisco neighborhoods. Every street corner and steep hill seems to tell a story of its own. 🌁🚞 Thinking about Xintong @xtaimiaomiao & Qiulin @qiulin8098 standing by the cherry blossoms in front of the church, looking down the Chinatown slopes at the bridge, and those quiet sunset walks by the piers. They even brought their “baby” 🐱 along for the stroll, a little wool felt cat pinned to them, so it felt like they were all exploring the city together. It’s easy to see why San Francisco holds such a special place in their story. It truly feels like home for us. ❤️ Photo @allen_caocaocao Mua @yibridal Dress @galialahav #sanfranciso #sanfranciscophotographer #sanfranciscocityhall #californialiving #bayareaphotographers

Throwing it back to this beautiful Maui wedding. This was my very first wedding in Hawaii five years ago... I still remember how everyone traveled in from all over the world to be there, turning the whole celebration into something that felt so full and alive. Even the couple’s pup made the journey all the way from the Bay Area, just to be by their side on the ocean. It was right there on those shores that I also crossed paths with the incredible creative partners who have since become my closest friends and long term collaborators. 🧡 Looking back at these photos, I realize how lucky I have been. 🙈I ended up documenting the weddings of three different couples from this exact bridal party. Watching them go from bridesmaids and groomsmen to becoming the bride and groom themselves is so special. I think that is the real reason I love being a creator, getting to grow alongside my clients and capturing their lives as they unfold. ✨🎞️ Sending so much love to @ramune94 and @joeytried and of course @mannasunevents for being the beautiful beginning of it all. Event Planning, Design & Coordination: @mannasunevents ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photographer & Videographer: @allen_caocaocao ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Florist: @mandygracedesigns   Venue: @ritzcarltonkapalua ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Make-up and Hairstyle: @yaneyanech  ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Rentals: @latavolalinen  @inspirationhawaii  @setmaui Picnic: @mauiluxepicnics   Lighting: @encore_global Harp Trio: @snyder.kristine Cake: @ritzcarltonkapalua DJ: @mauidjservices Calligraphy: @inkinitystudio.calligraphy #mauiweddingphotographer#hawaiiwedding #mauiwedding #aloha #destinationwedding

Falling in love with Seattle spring all over again. 🌸The petals have fallen, but the feeling lingers. Maybe this is why we choose to be here. 🌤️🧡 📷 @allen_caocaocao 🎈 @uofwa @seattle #seattle #universityofwashington #seattlespring #seattlecherryblossoms #cherryblossoms