Inspiring Sessions, Expert Tips & Real Client Experiences
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The Cutest Family Session at Ironwoods Beach
I love my clients - all of them. So choosing which Maui Family Photoshoot to showcase in a Blog on my site isn’t ever easy - but the second I met this family…well, their two twin lil girls…I just knew it was meant for more eyes than mine & Instagram!
Where: Ironwoods Beach, Kapalua | Why: For Maui Family Photos
I love my clients - all of them. So choosing which to showcase in a Blog on my site isn’t ever easy - but the second I met this family…well, their two twin little girls…I just knew it was meant for more eyes than mine & Instagram!
We laughed the kind of laughs where we couldn’t stop…the girls were on their absolute cutest behavior ever and I didn’t want them to wind down..and Mom & Dad? Flawless. I keep looking back at this session and say to myself “I’m not crying, you’re crying” because I can’t help but feel the silliness and love all over again - and I know they feel the same 💕
First Time Family Portraits
Maui provided yet another perfect sunset, which couldn’t have been more fitting for this loving & beautiful family. And their three children?? BEYOND adorable!
This adorable family of five has never had family photos done…like…ever - so when they contacted me to capture their Maui magic and then some? You can only imagine how excited I was to work with them!
Maui provided yet another perfect sunset, which couldn’t have been more fitting for this loving & beautiful family. And their 3 children?? BEYOND adorable & so great to work with! They brought so much love and cuddles to our session - I just couldn’t help but share with you guys.
Cheers to love, sand & salt water during your family vacation in Maui!
What to Wear For A Family Photoshoot in Hawaii
What to Wear For A Family Photoshoot in Hawaii
Figuring out what to wear for your Maui family photography session is difficult...that's why I'm here to help you slim down your options, OR create some more fabulous ones!
I love color & accessories, just keep the patterns to a minimum. This goes for your kids too. If you or they are uncomfortable in their clothing, it will show in the photos. Choose clothes for everyone in the same color palette (see optimal palettes below…). The goal is for you guys to look great, but we want the focus to be on you, not your clothes. The outfits should blend together and blend a bit into the background.
Keep it fun! If you want to bring two outfits for everyone, bring two. And if you have little kids, we know how they like to get dirty, so bring some back ups.
But no matter what you wear, be confident that I’ll make you look fantastic…it’s my job.
BASIC TIPS
The most important rule is to BE COMFORTABLE! But more importantly, be you! I am going to create art that will hang on your walls for years and I want your family to look like themselves. This goes for your kids too. If you or they are uncomfortable in their clothing, it will show in the photos.
I love color and accessories, just keep the patterns to a minimum ;-) Try to have only 1 patterned outfit for every 3 people for family shoots. Then dress everyone else with color coordinating looks.
Try to coordinate outfits without looking overly “matchy”. Avoid wearing same colors and instead, find a color palette you love and piece together items from that palette that are complimentary to one another (see examples below to help get you started!).
Ladies - long maxi dresses are your best bet for EVERYTHING. They’re literally flattering on everyone! Plus they move so beautifully! When in doubt…maxi dress it out ;-)
But keep in mind…beaches tend to be windy! So those cute dresses, shirts & skirts with all the multi layers and ruffles, won’t work well on the beach. All these layers will drive you craaaazy as you try to make them stay still & flat (plus they’re distracting to the eye). So keep it simple…
I like my Maui family photo sessions to be fun and have an element of freedom, so please dress your children in clothing you don’t mind them playing in. And that goes for you too! *Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes or backup shirt/bottoms for littles ones & a towel - sand, dirt & shoreline fun are inevitable!
No visible logos or branding on the clothing itself.
Dress babies as babies. For anyone under 2 years old, steer clear of collared shirts and jeans, as they tend to make the little ones look a lot older. Try onesies for boys and sweet little dresses for girls…
In general, shoes aren't necessary for any of my sessions. You can bring standard rubber sandals for walking to/from our location or for walking on any rocks/stones.
Still need some more inspiration for your wardrobe? Visit my ‘What to Wear’ Pinterest Board!
WHERE TO SHOP:
For Mom: Old Navy, Forever 21, Asos, Lulu’s, Nordstrom Rack
For Dad: Old Navy, Zara, Gap, Target, J.Crew
For Kids: Target, Baby Gap, Old Navy, Pop Real, Bitsy Bug, My Modern Kid
COLOR PALETTE SAMPLES
FOOL-PROOF PASTEL COMBOS & INSPIRATION
(NOTICE THE 1 PATTERNED OUTFIT & HOW THE OTHERS COMPLIMENT IT IN A SIMPLE WAY…)
LOVE NEUTRALS?
THE BOLD + THE BEAUTIFUL
Golden Hour Family Portraits
From my time with Traci & her beautiful family, a collection of natural light photos at sunset, in a dreamy placed called Maui, Hawaii.
When a fellow photographer asks you to capture their family during their Maui family vacation - I’ll be honest…it’s such an amazing feeling! Us photographers are all pretty critical of our own work (and I’m sure other’s as well!), so it’s a HUGE compliment when someone searches high and low and chooses you! Seriously, it is.
Traci of Traci Merrit Photography based in Granite Bay, CA, is nothing short of sweet. And I don’t use the word short out of context…because her and her husband Josh are both on the taller side, super athletic and are the most adventurous parents ever. Just ask their two little ones, Kylie & Zoe. To say I had a blast during this session is an understatement - and I’d do it alllll over again if they come back! Or perhaps next time I’m in Cali? ;-)
From my time with Traci & her beautiful family, a collection of natural light Maui family photos at sunset, in a dreamy placed called Maui, Hawaii xo
Her First Family Photos | Wailea, HI
When they contacted me just days before arriving for a last minute Maui family vacation trip, I was so excited to meet their new little bundle of joy, so I made the time to sneak them into my schedule.
WHERE: WAILEA, HAWAII | WHO: ERIN, JEFF + BABY ELLA | WHY: ELLAS 1ST BIRTHDAY
Just a year prior, I had the joy of capturing Erin & Jeff during their Maui Maternity Photo session when they were pregnant with baby Ella & enjoying their Maui vacation and baby moon. So when they contacted me just days before arriving for a last minute Maui family vacation trip (and Ella’s first!), I was SO excited to meet Ella, so I made the time to sneak them into my schedule.
And I’m so glad I did! Talk about a cutie patootie! Erin decided to wear the same outfit she wore while pregnant with Ella so we could coordinate some before/after shots with baby Ella! And you know what Erin also did? She coordinated Ella’s outfit to match hers…and to this day, it’s hand’s down my favorite outfit EVER on a little one!
Side note: If anyone can find this skirt in an adult size, please please PLEASE let me know! I’m obsessed ;-)
After much love, coordination, pom poms, and smiles, baby Ellas first photoshoot (technically 2nd) was a success! See for your self (and seriously…that skirt…) <3
A Lush Hawaiian Maternity Photoshoot | Honolua, Maui
With their sense of adventure, we scheduled a lush Maui maternity photo session in the jungle in West Maui…and let's just say, it was STUNNING.
Who: April & Adam | Why: Maternity Session | Where: Maui, Hawaii
Within the first moments of reading her their answers to my Client Questionnaire, I just knew they were clients that were meant to be in my life…
With their sense of adventure, requests like “we want to incorporate water into our session, even if we’re just standing in the middle of a river” not only made me giggle, but got my creative beans jumping. So we scheduled a lush Maui maternity photo session in the jungle in West Maui…and it was STUNNING.
The rain stopped just in time, and the mosquitoes definitely got their fill on us, and the chickens & roosters joined in on the fun. And man oh man, was it all worth it!
And yes, I made them stand in the middle of a river xo.
Family Photo Magic with Littles | Wailea, HI
When a fellow photographer reaches out to you to capture her & her family on their first trip to Maui, you jump up; raise your hand; and say YES!
When a fellow (and amazingly talented) photographer reaches out to you to capture her & her family on their first trip to Maui, you jump up; raise your hand; and say YES!
Immediately upon meeting Claire & her family (did I mention they’re all gorgeous?), I knew this sunset session was going to be SO much fun! With open hearts, beautiful flower crowns, flowing dresses and the perfect sunset & backdrop, we jumped right in and made the most of the high tide & lava rock surroundings…
Not only were their outfits coordinated to perfection; the fabric was comfortable with plenty of beautiful textures, and their small accents like leis and crowns were just magic!!!!!
Need help coordinating your wardrobe for your upcoming family session? Be sure to check out my recent “Planning Your Wardrobe: Hawaii Family Photography Session” Blog!
As for Claire, if you’re in the area of Phoenix, Arizona and looking for an amazing newborn photographer, be sure to visit her website HERE <3
Much love to you & your family Claire…and of course, thank you for choosing me x
Sunrise Ironwoods Beach Family Photos | Kapalua, HI
The last time this dynamic duo had Maui family photos done was over 4 years ago…except it was just the two of them. Fast forward 4 years, and now, two happy kiddos strong!
WHERE: KAPALUA, HI | WHO: AUSTIN, SARAH & THEIR TWO KIDDOS | WHY: FOR LOVE
The last time this dynamic duo had photos done was over 4 years ago…except it was just the two of them.
Fast forward 4 years, and now, two (happy) kiddos strong! Introducing Kennedy (2 yo) and Luke (6 mo) - the cutest, most happiest lil siblings ever…AND at Sunrise! Honestly though, a majority of my families with little ones choose the Sunrise session because of the time change here in Hawaii - they’re already up hours prior to our session - so by the time I see them, they’re bright eyed, awake, and smiling from ear to ear!
The beach was all ours and the light? PERFECT as always. Some moments from our vibrant, casually formal, Hawaiian photoshoot featuring this loving family and SO much love <3
