Beach Photo Session in Oahu, Hawaii: No Shoes, Just Shots
I absolutely love a beach photo session in Oahu, Hawaii—they’re like a crash course in island chaos (the good kind). Want golden-hour glow? Check. Laughing kids knee-deep in surf? Double-check. Wind determined to turn your hat into a kite? Oh, you bet. But that’s the fun of it. After booking, we’ll pick a spot that’s convenient to you and what you’re looking for in a session. Most Ko Olina clients want to stay close to their hotel - which is great, since there are gorgeous options within walking distance. For those wanting to explore other areas of the island, that’s an option, too. After that, your job is to just show up and have fun.
When planning your Beach Photo Session in Oahu, Hawaii, here’s how to ditch stress and lean into the adventure:
1) Shoes? Don’t wear them.
The sand on Oahu isn’t packed hard like other beach areas may be. If you try to wear heels to the beach, you’ll most likely get frustrated and spend your time sinking. The best thing to do is to wear slippers (“flip-flops”, for you mainlanders) and kick them off once we get to the sand’s edge. Let’s relax, get comfortable, and embrace the beach life - just a little more dressed up from the ankles up.😉
Speaking of getting dressed up…
2) Get Comfortable
You (and your kids!) being comfortable helps get great photos. Wear something that feels like you—whether that's a favorite pair of jeans, a breezy sundress, or whatever makes you feel good. No need to dress like you're headed to church (unless you want to, of course!). The best photos happen when you're relaxed and feeling like yourself. (Me? I’m not a dresses kinda gal, so the closest I’ll get is a skirt).
And don’t be afraid of color if that’s your thing! I usually recommend skipping cherry red and neon colors since they tend to take over the image, but bright blues, purples, pinks, and yellows can look amazing against the sand.
Casual clothes for a photo session can give a laid-back island look
And speaking of wind….
3) Prepare for wind. And, oh yeah, sand too.
Ask any local and they’ll tell you how HOT it can get when the trade winds are quiet. So, the winds are a blessing, for sure. But sometimes they can prove challenging for photo sessions. Different areas of the island are often more prone to wind than others (I mean, there’s a reason it’s called the Windward side!), but that doesn’t mean we avoid sessions there. But there are a few things you can do to prepare for potential wind at the beach. Starting with the first:
Don’t be surprised by the wind. Hey, it happens. Let’s just go with it.
Consider hairstyles that keep hair off your face. Top half up, braids, etc, are all ideas that may help keep the hair out of your eyes without pulling it totally back.
Consider bringing a hair tie just in case. (I know it’s not the best case scenario, but if the wind is SUPER strong that day, you’d probably prefer to have your hair back than whipping in your face.
Haku Leis/Lei po`o (flower crowns) are great (and gorgeous!) ways to keep your hair where it’s supposed to be. It’s a beautiful way to add to your images - and with the added bonus of helping keep hair tamed.
Georgous flower lei can add a great tropical vibe to your images
Finally, I have to mention that if your session will be on a beach, please know that there’s sand. 🙂 I know it may sound silly to bring this up, but some parents worry about their little ones getting all sandy for pics. Thing is, kids tend to like sand and to be honest, that’s a good thing! Let them look for shells and build that sand castle. We’re here to play and have fun. So, just remember that everyone may get a bit sandy, but ultimately - it’s the beach! That’s why you’re here! ☺️
Pastel colors at sunrise can create a soft, almost monotone look.
As always, if you have any questions, I’m here to help! We’re going to have a great time in our photo session.