About
O’ahu wedding photographer
Wedding photography for the big-feeling humans
The couples who know that life is short, love is rare, and time with your people is the most precious thing there is.
I’m Sarah Goya
she/her
Jual is my middle name, pronounced like ‘jewel,’ it’s a blend of my grandmas’ names: Judy + Alice.
I’m a fellow big-feeling human and wedding photographer based on O’ahu, serving Honolulu, Kaua‘i, Maui, and beyond.
If you’re the kind of person who tears up just thinking about the way your partner looks at you… you’re in good company here.
I photograph weddings for people who want to feel their day because they know life is short, love is sacred, and time with your people is the most valuable thing in the world.
That’s not something I say lightly.
My grandpa passed away a month before my wedding, and that loss changed the way I see everything.
The photos I have of him mean more to me than anything we could’ve staged or planned. They bring me back to his voice, his laugh, the way he’d ask if I was going to finish my plate. They remind me how deeply he loved me in his own way.
That’s the kind of memory I want you to have, too… the kind that tethers you back to a feeling you never want to lose. So when I show up on your wedding day, that’s my focus: to give you reminders of joy, of presence, of how it felt to be surrounded by so much love.
My work is guided by three core beliefs:
Presence
My photography is rooted in moments that only happen when you’re fully present. I’ll never ask you to fake a laugh or recreate something twice because I’m already watching for the real ones.
Care
I care deeply about your photos, of course. But I care even more about how you feel while I’m taking them. My hope is that you feel calm, supported, and able to be your full self.
Respect
For your story, your people, and the island we’re standing on. I believe in Pono (po-no), which is Hawaiian for living righteously with those around you, your community, and the land we’re on.
Pinky promise, I’m in it with you for all the messy emotions
You’re not just hiring someone to show up, snap photos, and bounce.
You’re trusting someone to witness your most personal, emotional, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Sometimes with messy family dynamics, grief, anxiety, or joyful chaos all tangled up in the day.
That’s not something I take lightly.
That’s why I’ll advocate for your peace, protect your energy, and gently step in when you need a break, a tissue, or a deep breath.
A few things that might make us fast friends:
I happy-cried through my entire wedding day (and probably will at yours, too)
I’ll always choose a botanical garden over a tourist hotspot, especially when I need a moment of peace
If your wedding is full of big feelings and deep people, I’m home
Dogs are my favorite, and yes, I did ask my brand designer to sneak a pup into my site (have you spotted Daisy the dog on my site yet?)
I will absolutely eat dessert with you during your reception
Kind words from past couples
Sarah has one of the best personalities we have ever encountered.
She is so easy-going, funny, thoughtful, and incredibly down to earth. She is also well-prepared and professional. She had poses and picture ideas already in mind. She asked questions about us throughout the session to get to know us better. You can tell she really cares about her clients and is passionate about what she does. A 10/10 experience with a 10/10 person. She is just truly a good human being and radiates positive energy.
Michelle M.
