When to Schedule a Maternity Photo Session in Maui

The timing of your Maui maternity photo shoot (on land or in the water) is critical - especially during your babymoon in Hawaii…

Schedule it too early, your baby bump will not be as visible and won’t take as prominent of a role in the photos. Alternatively, if you schedule your maternity shoot after the 34 week mark, you might be dealing with swelling, aches and pains, and generally feel like a photo shoot is too much work!

EVERY WOMAN IS DIFFERENT…SO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, SEE HOW IT’S CHANGING, AND MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR YOU.

Some women are showing earlier in their pregnancy, so booking a shoot near the 6 month mark may work great! Plus you’ll be more mobile, adventurous, show less fatigue, and generally, happier and more comfortable. And trust me, you’ll want to be mobile during your time here in the islands ;-)

In general though, the best time to schedule a maternity session during your baby moon is typically anywhere between 26-34 weeks, or at the 7 to almost 8 month mark, when your bump is big enough to be seen, and you’re still in your comfortable zone.

At this point in your pregnancy, your baby will not have started to move downward - that means you’ll have a higher tummy that looks much better in a portrait than after the baby has started to move its way lower in your body. In the third trimester, your belly will be just the right size - big and beautiful, but not so big that it’s difficult for you to move around, change positions, swim, and pose for the camera.

DREAMING OF AN UNDERWATER MATERNITY SESSION IN MAUI, HAWAII?

THE EARLIER IN YOUR PREGNANCY, THE BETTER!

Think about it - you, the ocean, a dress/bikini, your growing bump, and Mother Nature - it’s a lot to manage! What we really want to avoid is you performing a water birth during our session (I’m SO serious) - so be sure to time our session when you’re not too far along and your tummy is still in it’s “floatation device” stage (usually no more than 7.5 months max).

If your tummy is too heavy, it’ll feel like a weight in the water, and that’s no fun for anyone ;-) I’ll be with you every step of the way, so rest assure that I’ll do the managing - you just show up feeling & looking your best (and lightest!) .

Salt water is super buoyant, but there are currents, sometimes waves, and you may need to tread water if you really want some of the deep, underwater shots (like the ones above + below). Fabrics like chiffon and tulle do really well in the water and look amazing when you can get them to float just right - so plan accordingly to make your time in the water, as effortless as possible.

See some wardrobe tips from my blog on “Planning your Wardrobe for Your Maternity Session”.

My biggest advice? Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your photo shoot! Plan ahead with your photographer and get on their calendar well in advance - especially if you’re in the process of planning your Maui BabyMoon. Trust me…it’s worth it!

The Cutest Family Session at Ironwoods Beach

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 💕

Maui Maternity Love + Laughter

When Ryan first contacted me about a Maui maternity session for her and her husband Dan, I could immediately tell they were a match made in laughter…

Maybe it was the way she answered her Questionnaire, or maybe it’s because I started following them both on Instagram and adored the way they entertained each other; whatever it was…I was SO right! (Go me!)

From the parking lot, to the beach, then to the ocean, they made it really hard for me keep my camera focused b/c they couldn’t resist being so cute with one another. And the conversations we had together were even more great! Can we say “flooooowing”?! If these two lived on Maui, I would totally adopt them as friends!

Top 3 things I love about these two:

1) Even after almost 10 years, they STILL flirt as if it’s Day 1

2) They’re practically fish in the water 🐟

3) Their amazing hair!

So Ryan + Dan, thank you for bring along your whits, your love, your bump, and your all around awesomeness. I can’t wait to see the three of you again!

A Memorable Maui Elopement in Kapalua

Who: Candice + Colin | Why: ForEVER | Where: West Maui, Hawaii

What do you do when your partner lives in Shanghai and you live in LA? You make long distance work like magic, and then you make it official…by hiring me and eloping in Maui ✈️

To say this was an adventure, would be a complete understatement. We began in the jungle, conquering spot after spot, and losing battle after battle with more mosquitoes than we could ever possibly count. And bug spray? Ha! Like it helped…

Nevertheless, we conquered! Did I say that already?

Our next location was the ever amazing Ironwoods Beach in Kapalua, where there were NO mosquitos, and plenty of gorgeous sunlight to expose this beautiful couple.

Were they troopers? Absolutely! Were her dress & veil out of this world? You bet! Will their love last forever and ever? If they can take on millions of mosquito bites without crying…I can guarantee it!

First Time Family Portraits

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!

Maui Maternity Photos on Land & In the Ocean

In search of beauty, uniqueness, and someone to truly capture “them”, Mary + Bart (and their bump full of twins!) waltzed into my life in 2020. On the agenda? A Land + Ocean Session at Sunset…

At 27 weeks, Mary was feeling like a million bucks, and the two dresses she chose for each portion of her session were drop dead gorgeous! Did I mention these two couldn’t wait to get into the ocean? I swear, it wasn’t because it was hot + humid 😉

I like to get to know my clients before, during, and in the moment, at my sessions; so when Mary + Bart told me they’d been practicing their swimming for this session, I was so excited to see what they had in store (especially Bart). And seriously, Bart if you’re reading this, I’m STILL so in awe of your skills! Mary - you’re full of grace, patience, and absolute beauty - you’re a complete natural as well!

Some of my favorites from our evening together…

Hair + MUA: Melissa from Maui Makeup Artistry

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

Named in Top 10 Best Engagement Photographers on Maui

Soooo I was recently featured on PeerSpace as one of the Top 10 Best Engagement Photographers on Maui! Very cool indeed! Mahalo Peerspace!

See my lil feature HERE 🙃