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Best Affordable Oahu Family Photography Service

Planning a trip to Oahu and want to get awesome Oahu family photos? Keep scrolling to find out how to book an affordable Oahu family photography session for your vacation!
This post about affordable Oahu family photography and how to take Oahu family photos was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Are you visiting Oahu with your family?

If you are looking for a fun and unique way to capture the memories of your trip, then book an Oahu family photography session. We recently went to Oahu with our kids and had a Flytographer photoshoot done at sunset at Kualoa Beach Park that was amazing!

Keep scrolling to find out why we are repeat Flytographer customers and how you can save money on your own Hawaii vacation.

You won’t believe how much fun it is until you try it yourself! The best part about booking a Flytographer photoshoot is that they come up with creative ideas for poses, locations, etc., so all you have to do is show up ready to smile in front of the camera.

They even send over an online gallery where you can view all the images from your photoshoot within a week after the shoot has been completed. This means no waiting weeks or months for pictures like other photographers require!

Start scrolling down below if you want more details about where to find cheap Oahu Hawaii photographers who take such fun Hawaii family photos!

Don’t want to scroll? Click HERE for $25 off a Flytographer photoshoot!

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Why are Oahu Vacation Photos Important?

I don’t know about you, but I’m really feeling like the past few years are a total blur, and my kids are growing up quicker than I anticipated.

I know I only have a few more years of them being their silly, loving selves before we enter the next phase of life. So, I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity to get “nice” photos of them so I can look back on this chapter of life.

And selfishly, I know they won’t always wear the coordinating clothes I pick out for them.

https://youtube.com/shorts/W3PDOXPes6M?feature=share

One of the reasons I love doing vacation photography in Hawaii is that our family tends to be in a good mood. We do lots of fun adventures, buy cool souvenirs, and basically have a lot of “yes days” for the kids.

I’d rather get photos of my family when they are at their best instead of trying to force a photoshoot at home. And there are so many amazing Hawaii family photographers to choose from.

Image of a family dressed in rainbow colors posing for a photo in front of the ocean at Kualoa Beach on Oahu.
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

Why You Should Hire a Hawaii Vacation Photographer in Oahu

1. SECRET INSIDER TIPS

When we arrived at our Oahu photography spot, we saw about 5 other photographers taking photos of their clients in a specific area. We also saw other people taking selfies there, too.

Image of a family dressed up and tickling each other while on a beach in Oahu Hawaii
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

However, our photographer knew exactly what she was doing, and we took her own special route and method of taking photos. By the time we got to the once-crowded area, there were zero people there, and the lighting was perfect!

Plus, she was able to share quite a few tips for spending the week on Oahu, including her favorite places. And she offered to let us text her if we had any questions or needed food recommendations, which is always a nice touch!

2. POSING HELP

I don’t know about you, but I feel super awkward in front of the camera. It’s like I forget how to look “normal,” and I end up doing the same pose over and over again but hoping it magically looks different on camera.

Image of a mom in a pink dress sitting on the beach with two little boys kissing her cheeks with Mokoli'i island in the background.
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

Our photographer did an awesome job quickly coming up with posing ideas as well as activities that would make our photos look natural and spontaneous.

3. CAN LEAVE YOUR GEAR AT HOME

There’s really nothing worse than hauling around heavy camera equipment on vacation, especially if you have young kids that you might also need to carry.

Image of two boys wearing button down shirts with their arms around each other smiling at the camera on a beach in Oahu Hawaii
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

When you book a Flytographer shoot, you can literally leave your photography stuff at home and just be fully present for your Oahu family photography session.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about looking natural while you put your camera on timer mode to try to get a family photo. It’s way less stressful to have someone else worry about it so you can just have fun with your family.

4. THEY ARE FUN + EASY!

Our photographer Natalie was a former 4th-grade teacher, so she knew exactly how to talk to our kids on their level and keep them super engaged in the photoshoot!

Image of a family pretending to be dinosaurs at Kualoa Beach Park on Oahu
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

She came up with all sorts of games and secret missions, and it made our 60-minute photoshoot fly by!

Top Oahu Photography Spots

KUALOA BEACH PARK

One of the most popular places to take photos on Oahu is Kualoa Beach Park. It’s across the street from Kualoa Ranch, and it provides awesome beach photo options as well as sweeping views of the mountains seen in Jurassic Park!

Image of a family holding hands and walking in a grassy field with Kualoa Mountains in the background.
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

We chose to do our Oahu family photos here because I liked the versatility of the area. And we were able to get photos with Mokoli’i Island in the background!

Beach family photography, especially sunset portrait photography, is one of the top photos to get while you are in Hawaii.

The North Shore is also a great place for a family portrait or even some environmental portraits!

How to Book Affordable Oahu Photographers

While we’ve used a lot of different vacation photographers throughout the years, some of my most memorable experiences have been through Flytographer.

Basically, it’s a concierge vacation photography website where you can find photographers almost anywhere in the world, including Oahu. Actually, they have tons of photographers in Hawaii. Find the best prices here.

You can find anything from Waikiki family photographers to Honolulu maternity photographers and everything in between!

Their photography services can include wedding photos, engagement photography, portrait photography, maternity photography, couples photography, vow renewal, and even surprise proposal photography services! If you want professional photographers, Flytographer has you covered.

If you need some business headshots, why not get them on the beautiful islands in this Aloha state?

Flytographer makes it simple to pick the perfect Oahu family photographer. You can find out all about their photography style, secret places to take photos, and even scroll through their online portfolio before you book your shoot!

And Flytographer’s booking process is simple and quick — just pick your preferred dates with a click of a button.

The professional photographer you choose will then check availability for you so that there’s no stress involved in selecting an available date or time slot when they get back to you with more information on what works best for them!

What I love most about Flytographer is that they are FAST! We sometimes receive our photos before the end of our trip! I love looking at them on our flight home.

What to Wear for Oahu Family Photos

Of course, you can totally wear whatever you want for your Hawaii family photos. But, I know some people like to get ideas, so I’m listing a few options for your photo session to add to your Oahu packing list to make your photos look cohesive.

Image of a family holding hands while walking into the water at Kualoa Beach on Oahu
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

Aloha Wear

I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of friends or family who have worn matching Aloha shirts and Hawaiian dresses for their professional portraits.

That’s because it’s a timeless look that never really goes out of style. However, it’s not always in the budget to outfit everyone in these matching clothes every time you want new photos!

Luckily there are plenty of affordable options if you’re on Oahu looking for something fun to wear at your shoot. The Aloha Swap Meet is my favorite place to find Hawaiian clothing at a fraction of the price. You can also check Ross, Target, Walmart, and sometimes even Costco.

Of course, there are also plenty of Oahu stores that specialize in Aloha Wear, like Reyn Spooner, Shaka Time, Manuheali’i, and Aloha Outlet.

Maxi Dresses

If the Aloha style isn’t quite your thing, you can always choose a nice maxi dress.

It looks great to have some members of your family wear print Hawaiian dresses or shirts while others in the pictures are wearing solid colors that coordinate well.

A similar option is to go for an airy skirt, like a lightweight maxi one, that will add movement and flair when photographed against winds or blowing leaves!

Maxi dresses are especially great for maternity portraits in an outdoor beach setting.

Same Color

Aloha shirts are great, but if they’re not your style, then you should consider wearing the same color as your other family members. Wearing all-white (or light colors) can look awesome against the colorful, tropical background!

You can also have each member of your family wear different shades or colors to make their clothes match and be cohesive. Or why not choose an awesome theme like a pastel rainbow?

Hawaiian Flower Crowns (Lei Po’o)

The Hawaiian flower crowns, called haku lei or lei po’o are a staple of any Hawaii photoshoot in the last few years.

Image of a woman wearing a flower crown and pink dress looking at a boy in a purple shirt and kukui nut lei at a beach in Hawaii.
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

They have been around for ages, but people all over Instagram and other social media sites are grabbing them up to wear during their Oahu photoshoots.

With so many places on Oahu where you can order these beautiful flowers with little trouble from your phone (or computer), there is hardly any excuse not to get one!

After your photoshoot on Oahu, keep them in the fridge. You’ll just need to put a wet paper towel over the top or slip it in a plastic bag so it stays fresh. That way, you can get an extra few days of wear out of it! 

5 Tips for Getting Awesome Hawaii Family Pictures

1. DO YOUR HAIR AND MAKEUP

So many people spend a lot of time figuring out what to wear for their Oahu photoshoot that they completely forget about their hair or makeup.

While it’s totally cool to rock a natural-looking beachy look while you’re vacationing on Oahu, it might make you look washed-out and older than you are in photos.

That’s one of the reasons I started wearing full makeup when doing professional photos in Hawaii. It’s mainly just foundation, lipstick, and mascara to brighten up my face a bit for pictures.

You also don’t want to forget about your hair. I used to pose for photos with my hair pulled back in a ponytail or up in a bun. But that can look really weird in family portraits.

Now, I usually add a flat iron or curling wand to my Hawaii packing list specifically to use for photoshoots. I do my hair about an hour before our photo shoot, and I feel super put-together. I’m pretty obsessed with this curling wand.

But, you can totally skip the curling wand and just wear your hair in a bun during the day. Then, simply let it down before your photoshoot. Usually, you’ll get effortless beachy waves that will add some movement to your hair.

If you really want to look amazing (or it’s a special occasion), go and get your hair and makeup professionally done at a local spa or salon.

2. WATCH POSING VIDEOS

When friends take photos of me, I never know what to do with my hands because I feel so awkward. In every photo, I end up doing the same pose over and over again, which results in pretty boring photos.

That was disappointing for me until a friend suggested watching posing videos on YouTube to help us figure out an easy pose that still looks natural yet pulled together!

This is one of my favorite posing videos because it breaks down a few easy poses that anyone can do.

Watching how-to pose videos has helped me figure out what to do with my hands, where to look, and how many ways there are flattering your body.

Not only that, but you can get ideas on interacting cutely with kids, which will be adorable in pictures.

3. GET PHOTOS WITH YOUR PARTNER

One of the things I notice most about doing family photography on vacation is that we usually get a lot of full family photos or photos just of the kids. We rarely get “couple” photos.

Image of a man wearing a blue shirt and a woman wearing a flower crown and pink dress posing for a photo at Kualoa Beach Park on Oahu.
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

So, now I’ve made it a point to let our Hawaii photographers know that I want to make sure to get a few shots of just me and my husband. These usually end up being some of my favorite photos of these special moments together.

And when you think about it, this might be your best chance of getting any photos with your partner during your entire trip.

4. COME UP WITH A SHOT LIST

One of the most important things that you can do for your Oahu photographer is to communicate what type of photography style and interactions with other family members or friends are desired.

Image of a man and two boys dabbing on the beach in Hawaii.
Photo credit: Natalie from Flytographer

Think about your photo location and if you’re picturing something specific (like splashing in the waves or getting shots with the mountain).

I’ve found it really helpful, especially when doing multi-generational vacations, to think about any combinations you want to make sure happen (especially if they might not come out naturally in a photo).

Scrolling through an Instagram page or visiting their portfolio should give some great ideas for poses and creative shots.

5. USE PROPS

One last tip for getting the best Oahu family photos is to include props.

Kids tend to relax a bit when they are holding something or doing an activity. It helps avoid the awkward “cheese” face so many kids pull as they get older, and it’s also a good way of having them participate in making their own memories!

Some ideas include ukuleles, surfboards, fresh flower leis (which you can make yourself), beach balls, and signs made out of cardboard that say things like “I love my mom” or whatever your heart desires.

Oh, and food always works!

Usually, we bribe our kids with a special treat at the end of the photoshoots. And we give it to them right at the end.

You could do ice cream cones, shave ice, popsicles, fancy drinks, etc., depending on where you are taking photos. These make some of my favorite photos of my kids!

Oahu Photographer FAQs

When should I book my Oahu photographer?

Once you have a basic idea of your Oahu itinerary, it’s important to book the photo session. Ideally, schedule this for one of the first few days of your trip so that people don’t show up with sunburns or if it starts raining, in which case you can reschedule without any problem.

How long of an Oahu photoshoot should I book?

A 60-minute photoshoot with a Hawaii family photographer works best for families with kids. That way, there’s enough time in case of meltdowns or emergencies but not enough time for them to get too bored before it’s over. If you are doing multi-generational Hawaii family portraits with large groups, they recommend 90 minutes so that the photographer can capture all those special moments and still have plenty of extra footage if anything goes wrong!

Do you need to tip a photographer?

Yes, it’s customary to tip your photographer in Hawaii. You can do a cash tip at the time of your Oahu family photography shoot.

Where can I take family portraits in Oahu?

Kualoa Beach is one of the best places to take family portraits in Oahu. But really, any beach will do; the Hawaiian islands are all filled with beautiful locations! The beauty of family photo shoots in Oahu is that no matter where you go, you will always get the best pictures filled with precious moments you will treasure.

How much should you spend on family photography?

This all really depends on the family photographers in Oahu, Hawaii; you choose to go with. Typical Hawaii family photography can range from $100 to $300. It also depends on the type of portraits you choose to get.

Which beach in Oahu is best for a photoshoot?

Waimanalo Beach, Kualoa Beach, Lanikai Beach, Waikiki Beach, and pretty much any beach on Oahu will be great for family photos in Oahu. Try to choose a beach that isn’t too crowded.

Are professional family photos worth it?

Booking an award-winning Oahu photographer is definitely worth it! These Oahu family photographers are incredible and will give you the best family photography Oahu has to offer.

Oahu Family Photography Wrap-Up

Get your Oahu family photos taken by one of the best photographers on the island.

Check out our list of recommended photographers in Oahu, Hawaii, and book a shoot with them today! They have Waikiki photographers, Honolulu family photographers, as well as photographers across the island. You can also get some Hawaii Instagram caption ideas or cute Hawaii quotes.

Remember to wear colors that pop so you can have an awesome photo session in Hawaii. Make sure to follow these tips for getting perfect pictures, too!

Now get ready for some fun in paradise – it’s time to start looking at those cute kiddos again and plan how they’ll look when they’re standing next to that iconic Hawaiian landmark or lagoon.

Check out these awesome Oahu family photographers! Click HERE for $25 off a Flytographer photoshoot!

Looking for more Oahu Travel Resources? Find out 101 things to do on Oahu with kidsbest Oahu luaushow to book a Kualoa Ranch ATV tour, Best Hawaii Beach Proposal Ideas and Romantic Locationsvisting Pearl Harbor with kidsmost beautiful places on Oahu, and our guide to the Dole Plantation.