Sunrise Family Portraits - Party of 3!

Meet Amanda, Chris & Theodore…

In 2018, I was called upon to capture their babymoon here on Maui. Not only was it gorgeous, THEY were the most gorgeous little family to-be!

Enter Theodore (aka Teddy), now 9 months old, and another family trip to capture their adorable growing family with a Maui family photo session! And what better plan than to capture them at the same place, same time, as their maternity session!

Sunrise, Makena Cove, and these three = Perfection ✨ And Teddy? He’ll melt your hearts…Just see for yourself 💕

FLOWER CROWN: HOUSE OF HAKU | HAIR + MAKEUP: MEILI AUTUMN BEAUTY

Furry Family Portraits

What do you do when you just can’t stand to be away from your beloved pooch back home? You bring him on vacation with you to Maui!

The last time I saw Karen + Brendan was back in January for their maternity photos. Much to my delight, they contacted me upon their return to Maui to this time, capture their TWO little ones during a Family Photo session! Everyone…meet 6 month old Jay and his adorable older (and furry) brother, Nacho (give him a follow on Instagram @nachopup. He’s quite the adventurer (just like his Mom + Dad!).

I can’t tell you how lucky I feel when my clients return back for more family portraits on Maui. From a Maui Engagement to a Maui Honeymoon to Maui Maternity Photos to Maui Family Photos, to ??? I feel blessed beyond words. And this family is absolutely, no exception. Just check out all the fun, love & warmth during our session ;-)

Mahalo Karen, Brendan & Jay (and Nacho!) for being so beautiful (and well behaved) inside & out. I’m so lucky to have you in my photography life!

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

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

Their First Golden Maternity Session | Makena, HI

Who: Boldt Ohana | Why: Maternity & Family Love | Where: Makena, Hawaii

When locals seek locals for photography services (or anything really…), I get ecstatic 🙃 Because hey… #supportlocal 🙌🏼

David originally hails from Makawao in Upcountry Maui, but he, his wife Lauren, & their adorbz daughter Lucia, currently reside in California. A few times a year they come back for a visit to see family and relax beach side; but this particular time, it was more special than usual…

Lauren was pregnant with their second child, and at 11 weeks along (donning the most gorgeous gold dress ever), she easily took everyone’s breath away. So naturally, they reserved an evening with me for a Maui Family Photo session (and maternity session!) with the recommendation of a mutual friend (Mahalo Jessica - I heart you!!!).

Sunset aka “Golden Hour” on Maui is by far, the most gorgeous time to shoot ANY session…and especially on the South Side in Makena. The colors, the cooling temperatures, light breezes, the vibe, the hues…it’s just GOLD all around!

I must say though, the sun on this particular evening, showed us her best game…and little Lucia? She had her game face (and cheeks) on as well!

Meet the Boldt Ohana & their little bump-to-be…

Her First Family Photos | Wailea, HI

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

Beautiful Sunrise Family Session | Makena, HI

WHERE: MAKENA, HAWAII | WHO: MINI & HER ADORABLE FAMILY | WHY: FAMILY & MATERNITY SESSION

Mom & Dad contacted me about a Sunrise Maui Family & Maternity Photoshoot with visions of pastels, neutrals, some greenery, lots of lava rock, and some bright sunshine to capture her growing tummy, her husband, and their adorable son. Luckily, this location at Sunrise is perfect for all of the above!

I always arrive slightly early to my sessions in hopes I can be there before my clients so they have a reference point…but in this case, this family had already arrived! And apparently, they’d been there for over 30 minutes just taking in all the beauty! I mean…can you blame them?

Some of my favorite moments from my Sunrise Session with this adorable family at one of Maui’s most gorgeous beaches in Makena <3

Family Photos Made with Love | Wailea, HI

WHO: THE PENTECOSTES OHANA | WHERE: WAILEA, HAWAII | WHY: FAMILY SESSION

What do you do when you’re visiting Maui for the first time and you want to capture your genuine family dynamic in a special, unique place…with a wiiiild little one who can’t sit still? You contact me!

When Jenilyn first contacted me, she said “capturing our son's wonder and amazement is always our top priority during our Maui family photo sessions, as well as our genuine family dynamic, inspired by the unique location we are set in.” So naturally, I jumped to respond, because THIS is what I live for!

It came down to a few very special locations on Maui, and ultimately, we decided on my most favorite, because it was warmer, and had minimal effort / maximum beauty. Fast forward to the evening of our session, and I finally got to meet little Alexander…who stole my heart from the second I met him <3

Just moments later, I knew we had an adorable little wild one on our hands, so I encouraged Mom & Dad to relax and let me do the talking, while they just entertain him and love him (when they can get their hands on him lol). And that’s just what they did with SUCH grace!

From my time with this lovable, picture perfect family. And Alexander…the cutest little wild one you ever did see!

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Note: Parents…it’s easy to get flustered when your little ones are running around and playing at the beach. But it’s what they’re supposed to do! I’ve got some wisdom in my pockets that I’ll share with them, and I may even take your little one aside and get to know them so we can be on our own (and super cool buddy) terms…but that’s what I’m here for…to make your session go smoothly! So trust me…I’ve got you 😉