There’s honestly nothing like a family session on one of the breathtaking and gorgeous islands of Hawaii. Between its stunning landscapes, golden beaches, lush greenery, and immaculate sunrises and sunsets, the islands of Hawaii really are the perfect backdrop for a family session. While a family session may sound simple, there actually is a ton of prep that goes into it to ensure that the session both goes smoothly and you end up with the family photos you envision. There’s a magic to capturing your family as they are in the moment you find yourselves in, which is why I decided to go over 10 different ways for you to prepare for your family session in Hawaii, let’s take a look at them!

1. Choose a Date for Your Session

First and foremost you’ll want to choose a date for your family session in Hawaii. Luckily the temperatures of Hawaii don’t fluctuate too much so any season will give you incredible weather for the most part. The winter months can be a little more on the rainy side, but not to the degree where you’d want to avoid the season because of it. The main thing you’ll want to consider is tourist season as the islands and locations will be busier during those. Summer and Winter are the busiest seasons for tourists due to families having time off from school.  If you have flexibility on when you can have your family session, it can be helpful! The more dates you have available, the more likely we will be available to document your family session.

As for the time of day for your session, you’ll likely have it during either sunrise or sunset simply because their beauty is unmatched. I do recommend sunrise though personally as you’re more likely to have your location of choice all to yourself! Once you have a date in mind you can start looking into your photographer for your family session. 

2. Find the Right Hawaii Family Photographer

Next up you’re going to want to find a photographer (me!), in Hawaii for your family session, after all without them there’s no session happening whatsoever! Using sites like Instagram or Pinterest to search for family photographers in Hawaii is a good place to start. Then make sure to check out their blogs to see more images from their galleries. Make sure you pay attention to their editing style, colors, how they pose their families, and ALL of the types of photos they take throughout a session. Once you’ve found a photographer that fits both criteria and has your date available you can book them and start planning out the remaining details of your session!

If you’ve found yourself here and you’re ready for the next steps to book your family session, head to my inquiry page so we can reserve the date for your session!

3. Decide on a Location

A massive part of what you’ll talk through with your photographer is which location(s) you plan to have your family session in Hawaii at. The Hawaiian Islands are home to SO many incredible and gorgeous locations that it can be honestly hard to decide on one. Just another reason why talking with your photographer about your session is so important. They’re the professional, they know which sessions will work for your vision and which would not. Talk to them about what style and feel you’re looking for in your session and they’ll give you some options for locations that fit the bill. For some inspiration I have a blog going over my top elopement locations throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and many of these spaces can be perfect for family sessions as well!

4. Choose Your Outfit(s)

When deciding what to wear for your family session the number one thing you’ll want to remember is to compliment, don’t match. Take a look at the Cox’s family session for example where each family member’s outfit compliments the other. Avoid clothing with large logos, bold patterns, and colors that clash. Whether you do one or multiple outfits is totally up to you. It can be fun to have multiple outfits, but depending on the age and amount of children in your family it can turn into a bit of an ordeal to change everyone. When you begin your outfit search, start sooner rather than later!

5. Make it Personal

When possible to add a personal touch into your family session I always recommend it as it creates such special memories for you to look back on in your album. These can be big or small details. Whether it’s something more obvious like a child bringing their favorite toy to the beach, or something more subtle like you wearing a necklace that your oldest daughter bought for you. Whatever it is, having these details in your family session in Hawaii makes the photos just that much more personal to you. Even actions as simple as your favorite game to play with your toddler or you breastfeeding your last child can make your photos so personal.

6. Pack the Essentials

Unless your family session is taking place in the comfort of your own home, or within walking distance from it, you’re going to want to pack the essentials. Let me rephrase that, you’ll NEED to pack the essentials. Diapers, sunscreen, baby wipes, a change of clothes, a change of shoes, you name it. Being prepared for your family session in Hawaii is something I cannot stress the importance of enough. Pack the night before and double-check that you have everything, not only for the kids but also for your sanity!

7. Keep Everyone Fueled

Very much in the same ballpark as packing the essentials for your session. It is so important to keep you and the kids fueled before, during, and after your session. Before so they’re ready to go when you arrive, during so there are minimal meltdowns while we’re having our session, and after so that your car ride home is one of naps and not repeated “I’m hungry”. Be sure that along with the snacks you bring you also pack water so everyone stays hydrated as well. And don’t forget that you the parents fall into this equation too, keep yourselves fueled so you all have the best Hawaii family session possible! 

8. Let Your Kids Know What to Expect

When prepping everyone for your family session, it’s important to let your kids know what to expect for your session. For younger kids, practice smiling at the camera and standing still for the count of three. For older kids let them know that they won’t have to look at the camera the whole time. Every time you talk about your family session it’s important to have high and positive energy so that your family is excited for the session. Talk to your kids about how much fun you’ll have as a family and the place we are going to for photos. Doing these things will help them to open up in front of the camera and be comfortable with being themselves around me the photographer.

9. Embrace the Candid 

No matter what kids will be kids, and trust me that is exactly what you want for your family session! Family sessions are all about capturing you and the beautiful family you’ve created exactly as you are now. So all the belly laughs, playing with the grass, splashing water on the beach, and all the other little moments that capture their attention between the posed photos are just as important, if not more important, than the posed photos. Of course, getting great family portraits during your session will happen and is important, but trust me some of your favorite photos from the session are going to be those beautiful unplanned moments.

10. Have Fun!

Last but by no means least, have fun with your family session! Kids grow up so fast and your family is constantly changing and evolving. Capturing you all the way that you are now is what makes family sessions in Hawaii so important. Be sure to follow the guide above to prepare for your session, and then once the day arrives relax and enjoy the ride. Your photographer will guide you through your session, and you can rely on them to get the photos you’ve been dreaming of. So focus on being present and enjoying the moment with your family, the rest will come naturally!

Now that we’ve looked at 10 different ways for you to prepare for your family session in Hawaii, it’s time to take your next steps to make it happen! Pick out some potential dates for your session and once you’re ready send me an inquiry through my contact page to have me as your photographer. I’ll help you plan out each detail to get you and your family ready for your family session!