number one
They are both great, it really depends on the look you want for your pictures. The mornings give a brighter more tropical look, they also tend to be less windy. The sunset session offers a more orange/warm light and the opportunity to have a Hawaiii sunset in the background. We recommend mornings for families with small children. Kids are usually more focused in the morning and have more energy. It can be tough for kids to play in the sun all day, then stay focused for up to an hour and a half when they are hungry for dinner!
number TWO
There are many great locations on Oahu for portraits! To start, take a look at our Oahu Portrait Locations Page here:
We have our most favorite spots for portrait photography listed there. You can also see tons of real portrait sessions at these locations on the blog here:
oahu portrait locations page
view the blog
number three
We have a really helpful page about what to wear for Oahu family portraits, so check out this resource below.
First and foremost, wear something you feel good in! The better you feel the better your portraits will be! Second, matching aloha prints or totally matching in general is not advised, it looks dated and takes away from the individuality of each group member. Our goal is to bring out your individual personality as well as the feel for the family as a whole. It is tough to do that when everyone is wearing the same thing! Try to coordinate rather than match. Our favorite colors on the beach are blues, pinks and greens. Try a neutral base like khaki pants for the guys then throw in splashes of color with tops, dresses or jewelry on the ladies. Take a look at the blog for tips from our past clients.
Wear something comfortable that you can move in and if you are planning on being on the beach, something you don't mind getting a little ocean water and sand on! Avoid loud patterns and prints or large logos, these sometimes look strange in pictures (especially stripes) and logos will make your pictures look dated quicker as brands and trends change quickly. You can also see our pin boards with lots of examples!
what to wear for family portraits in hawaii
number four
We assign a photographer to you based on availability. If you have a preference for a specific Oahu photographer on our team we are happy to assign them if they are available. If they are not, we will notify you and you can decide if you want another team member.
number five
There is no limit to the number of pictures we take during your photo session, this usually ends up being about 100-200 pictures per hour. The amount of pictures you will get in your final collection will depend on your package selection.
oahu portrait packages
number six
We require a $50 deposit to reserve your date and the balance of your session less the $50 deposit will be due two days before your session, we accept credit cards and bank transfers.
number seven
A sneak peek on our blog with around 20 photos will be ready in about a week. Your full collection will be ready to view 3-4 weeks after your session. Turnaround time may be longer in peak times.
number eight
Once your photos have been edited, we upload them to a private proofing website that you can share with friends and family. You can download a zip file of your photos directly from that proofing website! No waiting for snail mail from Hawaii! In addition to the digital download, we also offer a keepsake USB drive for $175 that is made of wood and custom printed with a photo from your portrait and presented in a wooden keepsake box with a photo on the top.
number nine
Luckily this does not happen very often in the locations we usually work in. The first option would be to re-locate your shoot to an area of the island that is not raining. If your session gets rained out, we can try to re-schedule at no additional charge, if your session can not be re-scheduled your booking deposit and full session fee will be refunded.
number ten
Our beach portrait packages are designed to capture the natural interaction between you and your loved ones, a snapshot of your time together, so we don't bring props. However you are welcome to bring any props that you love or you feel represent you and your group. Popular props are beach toys for the younger kids, ukuleles, beach blankets, starfish or shells, fun signs etc.
Our Team is available on All the major Hawaiian Islands: Maui, Big Island (Hawaii Island), Kaua'i and Oahu.
select yours below: