Things to Know Before Booking a Family Photography Session in Hawaii

Wade Wu
May 25
3 min read

Planning a family photo session in Hawaii? You’ve already made a beautiful choice. Whether you’re visiting Oʻahu for a dream vacation or you’re a local ʻohana wanting to press pause on time, a family session is a way to bottle up this season of life and keep it close forever.

Before we meet on the sand, here are a few things that will help you get the most out of your session and enjoy every moment of it.

Let the Light Tell the Story

Morning in Hawaii is soft, gentle, and almost sacred. If you’ve got early risers (and let’s be honest, vacation schedules often start early), sunrise is perfect. The beaches are quiet. The light is cool and silver. It’s peaceful in a way only this island understands.

Sunset is a different kind of magic. Warm gold spills over the horizon. The waves slow down, the wind softens, and everything starts to glow. Your kids will be sandy and sun-kissed from the day, your heart full from hours of togetherness.

Bonus Tip: The best times are usually between 5–7 AM or 5–7 PM.

Of course, if your schedule only allows mid-day, that’s okay too.

Every Beach Has a Soul

Oʻahu isn’t just “beaches.” Each one has a mood.

Some are soft and open, like Kahala or Ala Moana, perfect for toddlers and grandparents alike. Others, like Makapu‘u or Sandy Beach, feel more wild and cinematic, best for movement, connection, and a little drama from the sky.

Tell me what kind of energy you're looking for. Something quiet and private? Or lively and adventurous? I’ll guide you to the perfect location, whether you’re staying in Waikiki or driving the island with no plan at all.

Bonus Tip: Beaches are quieter on weekdays. That means fewer people in the background and more space to play and be yourselves.

You Don’t Have to “Pose”

You don’t need to know what to do with your hands. Or how to angle your face. Or whether your toddler is “cooperating.”

You just have to be present.

Some of my favorite images happen in between the prompts. A laugh you didn’t mean. A windblown cuddle. A kiss from your child that caught you off guard. That’s the good stuff. And that’s what I look for.

Wear What Feels Like Home (In Paradise)

Don’t overthink your outfits. Start with the colors of the island: ocean blues, soft creams, warm sand, sage, clay, ivory. These tones reflect beautifully in the light and don’t fight with the background.

Clothes that move are your friend. Dresses that catch the breeze, linen shirts, bare feet.

You don’t need to match, and you definitely don’t need to be perfect. Just coordinate. Think flow, not formula.

Bonus Tip: Avoid neon colors, bold patterns, or logos.

Kids Will Be Kids - Let Them

Worried your little one won’t “cooperate”? That they’ll run wild or get sandy too fast?

Let them.

Some of the most magical photos come from kids who are fully themselves. Running into waves. Squishing sand between their fingers. Refusing to “look at the camera” and giving us something even better: real joy.

There’s no “perfect” photo in my book. There’s only honest love. That’s what we’re here to capture.

One More Thing: Breathe

This session is for you.

It’s for the quiet joy of being together, far from routine. For the hugs that happen when no one’s watching. For the in-between moments that define your story.

My job is to press pause, gently. To capture what you already have but might not see from the outside. You bring the love. Hawaii brings the light. I’ll take care of the rest.