Hawaii
Family session · Maui
In short
Family session in Maui starts at $375: 75 min on location with a photographer who works in Maui, and 40 edited photos delivered to a private gallery within 5 business days.
Why choose Family session in Maui?
A Maui family session is almost always photographed on the one week a year the whole family is in the same place, which raises the stakes and narrows the window. The two practical decisions are the hour — sunrise or the last ninety minutes, because the middle of a tropical day is unforgiving on small children — and the location, because the resort beach everybody is standing on is the least distinctive option available.
Worth knowing about Maui
Shade is the thing to plan a Maui family session around and almost no beach here has any. Ironwoods is the exception — the ironwood trees come right down to the sand, which means a toddler has somewhere to be between frames and nobody is standing in full tropical sun for seventy-five minutes. It is the single most useful piece of local knowledge for a family booking on this island.
What does the session in Maui look like?
- A south-shore cove
- Lava, sand and calm water, away from the resort strip. Sunset, and not crowded.
- Ironwoods Beach, Kapalua
- Shade from the ironwood trees, which with small children matters more than the view.
- Upcountry Kula
- Cooler, green and completely unlike the coast. Pasture and jacaranda at 3,000 feet.
What does family session in Maui include?
- 40 retouched photographs
- Posed group frames and candid coverage
- Individual portraits of each child
- Private online gallery within 5 business days
- Print release for personal use
Permits at these locations: Ironwoods Beach, Kapalua: Hawaii DLNR right-of-entry permit for weddings and commercial photography, from $20; the beach is shared with the public.
FAQ — Family session in Maui
What time of day works with young children?
Sunrise or the last ninety minutes of light. The middle of a tropical day is hot, bright and unforgiving on small children, and it shows immediately in the photographs. Sunrise has the additional advantage that the beaches are empty and, with jet lag from the mainland, small children are frequently awake for it anyway.
Do we need a permit for a beach family session?
Yes, for a professional session on a Hawaii state beach — the DLNR permit covers commercial photography rather than only ceremonies. It costs from $20, and a photographer registered with the state can buy it on the day of the session.