For this elopement, photographer Marlies Hartmann got to document a couple’s intimate ceremony at a beach and nearby secluded villa in Malibu. The sun was making its way toward the horizon, so after they exchanged vows, Hartmann made haste to get some portraits before the natural elegance of their surroundings would get cloaked in darkness.

First, she decided that she needed some height in order to get a full picture of the landscape. “I ran up to the villa and positioned myself on the second-floor balcony while the couple made their way up to the private deck,” Hartmann explains.

The only problem here was that the wind was so loud that the photographer and couple could barely audibly communicate—not ideal when Hartmann’s trying to give them direction.

But, she made do: “I simply motioned for them to embrace so they could take in the unforgettable setting and romantic sunset. I was lucky to catch this moment when the wave happened to perfectly compose itself around them while they shared a kiss.”

(Shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV and Sigma 50mm lens at f/2.2, 1/800 sec. and ISO 400.) 

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