I was invited to photograph Jim and Galina’s birthday celebration on the Big Island of Hawaii last July, and even now, I find myself thinking: did that really happen? It feels like a dream.

I first met Jim and Galina years ago, at their wedding in Tuscany. A perfect day in a place I know well, surrounded by their closest friends and family. A year later I photographed their first daughter’s baptism, Isabella, in Florence. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to be part of some of their most beautiful memories. So when they reached out and asked me to come along to Hawaii for their birthday week, I already knew it was going to be something special. But I didn’t realize just how special.

Never in my life would I have imagined visiting Hawaii..let alone Kona, or the stunning coastline of Hualalai. I’m from Italy. Growing up, Hawaii felt like another universe. It was somewhere I only knew from movies or glossy travel magazines. But there I was, flying Turkish Airlines from Venice to Seattle (Turkish Airlines will always have my heart: perfect service, the most comfortable seat I’ve ever slept in on a flight!!), and then on to Kona, landing on this rugged, volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Hualālai: A Slice of Heaven on the Big Island

Our home for the week was one of the private villas at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, perched along the Kona-Kohala coast. I don’t think any words, or photos, can do this place justice. The villa was its own world: bright, open, and surrounded by lush green and the endless Pacific. Five suites under one roof, outdoor showers that made you feel like you were bathing in a secret garden, and beds so comfortable I still think about them when I’m jet-lagged.

Every night, we gathered around the fire pit under the stars. During the day, we spent hours floating in the infinity pool, watching the sun dip below the horizon, turning the sky into a watercolor of pinks and oranges. Most of the photos I took were by the pool at sunset, when the light was soft and golden.. perfect for group photos, candid moments, and portraits that feel timeless.

Travel Tip: When to Visit Kona

“If you’re dreaming of visiting Kona, July is one of the best times. Long days, warm nights, and little rain. Just be prepared for some heat during midday! We often started our days early and took it slow in the afternoons.“

When we arrived at the Four Seasons Villas in Hualalai, I felt like I’d stepped onto another planet. The villa was perched on the northern side of the resort, in the Puka Pa neighborhood. Five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms: bright, contemporary finishes, yet warm and welcoming. The infinity pool stretched towards the ocean, and in the mornings you could see the mist over Maui in the distance. Every guest suite had its own outdoor shower, and the beds? Like sleeping in a cloud. I can’t tell you how hard it was to get up early for sunrise photos when the mattress was holding onto me like that.

Our week together was a beautiful mix of relaxation, family time, and celebrations. We weren’t rushing from one activity to another… it was slow, intentional. There was always time for another coffee, another laugh. Most afternoons we stayed by the pool, letting the hours drift by, waiting for sunset. That’s when I took most of the portraits and family group photos. The light was golden, soft, and warm, wrapping around them as they laughed, splashed, and toasted to another year.

We also spent time exploring the island: visiting Waimea farmers market for fresh fruit (I think we ate our body weight in mangoes and papayas), and dinners at some of Kona’s most charming restaurants. Every morning, we started the day together with breakfast: local coffee, piles of tropical fruit, and something sweet or savory made by the family. My favorite breakfast? French toast with strawberries and cream. Simple, but unforgettable.

Hualālai Volcano: Ancient and Alive

Hualālai is not just a backdrop for vacation resorts—it’s an active volcano with deep roots in Hawaiian history. Rising over 8,000 feet above sea level, it’s one of the five volcanoes that form the Big Island. Though it hasn’t erupted since 1801, it’s expected to awaken again in the next century.

Nature and Culture

The western coast of Hualālai was once home to Hawaiian royalty, and you can still explore historical sites in the area. It’s also rich in rare plants and birds. Whether you’re hiking or simply looking out from the villa, you feel a deep connection to this ancient place.

One of the highlights of the week was a cooking competition we organized (I say “we,” but really Jim deserves all the credit). We split into three teams, and of course, I joined the Bianco family. We went all-in on the Italian tradition. James and I made pumpkin leek soup, focaccia, and finished with a classic tiramisu. It felt like being back home in Italy, but with an ocean breeze and palm trees swaying above us.

Jim also asked me to help him plan a surprise for Galina: something meaningful, something personal. We put together a video montage of their life together: old photos, little video clips, moments that told their story. Watching Galina’s reaction was one of the most emotional moments of the week. I was behind the camera (of course), but I definitely had to blink a few times.

At night, we gathered around the fire pit, under a sky full of stars. The conversations were deep, funny, sometimes a little wild, especially when Galina’s daughter Mary got ahold of the golf cart. I think we’re all still recovering from her driving.

As always, I brought my film camera along. There’s something about Hawaii’s colors… the greens, the blues, the golden light, that deserves to be captured on film. The nostalgic tones, the grain, the softness. It felt right for this place, for this family, for this moment in time.

I’m endlessly grateful to Jim, Galina, and their family for trusting me with their memories. For inviting me into their lives again and again, and for giving me the chance to experience places I never thought I’d see. Hawaii is now a place that lives in my heart, not just in my dreams. And I hope that when they look back at these photographs, of laughter by the pool, of sunsets by the ocean, of dinners filled with wine and conversation…they’ll feel that same warmth.

As a family photographer, I’m often invited into intimate moments: birthdays, weddings, quiet mornings with kids in their pajamas. But this trip was different. It wasn’t a job. It was a reunion with old friends. And a reminder of why I love what I do.

Until next time.