Planning a trip to the Big Island and want to get awesome Big Island family photos? Keep scrolling to find out how to book affordable Big Island photographers for your vacation!
This post about affordable Big Island photographers and how to take Kona 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.
You know what drives me crazy?
Scrolling through my phone after a Big Island vacation and realizing I have 847 photos of my kids eating shave ice, approximately zero good family photos, and way too many blurry selfies where my arm looks weird.
That’s exactly what happened on one of my earlier Big Island trips.
I had this amazing week with my family, but when I got home and looked through the photos, I felt genuinely sad.
Where were the photos of all of us together? Why did every “good” shot have someone blinking or making a weird face? And why did I look so washed out in every single beach photo?
Here’s what I learned after visiting Hawaii 40+ times as both a professional tourist and a mom: if you want actual, frame-worthy photos from your Big Island vacation, you need to hire a photographer.
Not your partner juggling a heavy camera. Not a stranger you flag down at the beach.
A real photographer who knows the island and can make your family look natural and happy.
I recently did a solo trip to the Big Island with my 5-year-old son, and we booked a photography session in Kona.
The photos we got back were honestly some of my favorites from any Hawaii trip.
They captured the exact vibe of that trip, my son’s personality at five years old, and the gorgeous Big Island sunset in ways I never could have managed on my own.
I talk about this more in my podcast episode Why Your Hawaii Vacation Photos Always Disappoint (And How to Fix It), but the short version is: booking a photographer is one of the best investments you can make for your Hawaii vacation.
Let me walk you through exactly how to find an affordable Big Island photographer, what to expect, and how to make sure you get photos you’ll actually want to print and hang on your wall.
Why Hire a Big Island Photographer Instead of DIY-ing It?
Look, I get it. Photography sessions aren’t cheap. When you’re already spending money on flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities, adding a photo shoot to the budget can feel excessive.
But here’s the thing: you’re spending thousands of dollars to go to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Don’t you want at least a few gorgeous photos to remember it by?
After 40+ trips to Hawaii, I’ve learned that trying to get family photos yourself just doesn’t work.
Someone’s always behind the camera. The lighting’s wrong. Your kids are over it. You’re stressed about getting “the shot” instead of actually enjoying your vacation.
When you hire a photographer, you get:
Someone who knows the island. Local photographers know the best spots for photos, when to shoot for ideal lighting, and how to avoid crowds.
They know which beaches photograph beautifully and which ones look better in person than on camera.
Professional-quality photos. These aren’t iPhone snapshots. You get properly edited, high-resolution images that you can print large, use for holiday cards, or frame for your walls.
Everyone in the photos. This is huge for moms especially. How many photos do you have of your family where you’re actually in them? When you hire a photographer, you can hand over your phone and just be present.
Less stress. You don’t have to worry about lugging camera equipment around or making sure you get the perfect shot. That’s someone else’s job. You just show up and hang out with your family.
Photos your kids will actually cooperate for. My 5-year-old was done after about 30 minutes, but we got tons of great shots in that time.
If I’d been trying to get photos myself throughout the entire trip, he would have been cranky and uncooperative by day two.
I used to think vacation photos were something we could handle ourselves. After all, my husband’s a decent photographer.
But the reality is that when he’s taking photos, he’s not present in the moment. He’s thinking about settings and angles and lighting.
And we never get photos of the two of us together unless we’re taking selfies.
Hiring a photographer means everyone gets to be in vacation mode.
How I Book Affordable Big Island Photographers (Without Compromising Quality)
After trying different photography services over the years, I always come back to Flytographer.
They’re a vacation photography service that connects you with local photographers all over the world, including several on the Big Island.
Here’s why I keep using them:
The booking process is actually easy. You pick your location (Kona, Hilo, Waikoloa, wherever), choose your date and time, and they match you with available photographers.
No endless emails back and forth trying to coordinate schedules.
You can see photographers’ portfolios before booking. This was huge for me. I could scroll through different photographers’ work and pick someone whose style matched what I wanted.
Some photographers shoot more candid, lifestyle stuff. Others do more traditional posed portraits. You can find what works for your family.
They’re fast. Like, ridiculously fast. We did our Kona photo shoot on a Tuesday evening, and I had our edited photos by Friday lunch. That’s faster than some of my local photographers back home in Seattle.
The photographers are local. This matters more than you might think. Our photographer Amanda knew all the best spots in Kona, gave us tips about other things to do with kids, and even recommended her favorite local coffee shops.
She had a toddler at home, so she knew exactly how to work with my energetic 5-year-old.
They’re affordable. Flytographer sessions start around a few hundred dollars depending on length and group size. That’s less than a lot of the activities you’re probably already booking for your trip.
Plus, when you use my link, you save $20 on your session.
I’ve used Flytographer in Maui, Kauai, and now the Big Island. Every single time, the photos have been worth way more than what I paid.
These aren’t photos that sit on my phone forever. These are photos I actually print, frame, and send to grandparents.
What to Expect When You Book a Big Island Photography Session
If you’ve never booked vacation photos before, here’s what the process looks like:
Pick your session length. For families with kids, I recommend 60 minutes. It’s enough time to get a variety of shots without your kids completely melting down.
If you’re doing extended family photos with multiple generations, go for 90 minutes.
Choose your location and time. Photographers typically shoot in the early morning or around sunset for the best lighting.
Sunset shoots are gorgeous on the Big Island. The light is soft and golden, and you get those beautiful orange and pink skies in the background.
Decide on your wardrobe. More on this below, but think about what you want to wear ahead of time. The photographer can give you suggestions based on your chosen location.
Show up and have fun. This is the easy part. Your photographer will direct you on where to stand and what to do.
If you feel awkward (I always do), they’ll help you relax and give you prompts that lead to natural-looking photos.
Get your photos back quickly. With Flytographer, you typically get your photos within 5 days. They’re edited, high-resolution, and ready to download.
Our photographer Amanda met us at Old Kona Airport Beach about an hour before sunset.
She had already scoped out the best spots and knew exactly where she wanted to start.
She was patient with my son (who decided to make friends with a lava rock he named Rocky and carried it through half the shoot), and she gave me direction when I needed it without making me feel stiff or posed.
The whole shoot took about an hour. My son was starting to get antsy toward the end, but we already had tons of great photos by then.
We walked back to our car, I tipped Amanda in cash, and that was it. A few days later, I was scrolling through our gallery on the plane ride home.
How to Get the Best Photos at Your Big Island Session
Want to make sure your photography session goes smoothly and you get photos you love? Here are my best tips from someone who’s done this a lot:
Do your hair and makeup. I know you’re on vacation, but trust me on this one. Put on some foundation, mascara, and lipstick. Do your hair.
You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not wondering why you look so washed out in every photo.
If it’s a really special trip or occasion, book a hair and makeup appointment that morning.
Watch some posing tutorials on YouTube. I used to have no idea what to do with my hands in photos. Everything felt awkward and forced.
Then a friend told me to watch posing videos before my next shoot, and it made such a huge difference. This is one of my favorites because it shows simple poses anyone can do.
Bring props if your kids need them. My son is much more comfortable when his hands are busy. Having something to hold or play with helps him relax.
For this shoot, he picked up that lava rock and it ended up in a bunch of our photos.
You could also bring a ukulele, a beach ball, fresh leis, or anything else that fits the vibe you’re going for.
Request specific shots. Before your session, think about what photos you really want.
Do you want individual photos of each kid? Photos of just you and your partner? All of you together?
Tell your photographer at the beginning so they make sure to get those shots.
Don’t forget about you and your partner. If you’re doing this as a family, make sure to get some photos of just the two of you. This might be your only chance all trip to get a good couple photo.
Our photographer always makes sure to grab a few of just my husband and me when we do family shoots.
Relax and trust your photographer. They know what they’re doing. If they tell you to tilt your head or shift your weight, listen. They can see what’s happening through the camera lens, and they want you to look good.
What to Wear for Big Island Family Photos
This is always the question I get: what should we wear?
The good news is that you have a lot of options. Here’s what works:
Matching aloha wear. This is a classic Hawaii family photo look. You can find affordable Hawaiian shirts and dresses at Target, Walmart, Ross, or on Amazon.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on matching Reyn Spooner or Tommy Bahama. The cheap stuff photographs just fine.
Coordinating colors. Pick a color palette instead of matching exactly.
For our Kona shoot, my son wore a red button-down shirt and I wore a white dress. The colors looked great together without being too matchy-matchy.
Whites, creams, light blues, and soft pinks all look beautiful against the ocean and lava rock.
Flowy dresses and skirts. Maxi dresses photograph beautifully, especially in the wind. The movement adds interest to the photos. If you’re doing a beach shoot, a flowy skirt or dress is perfect.
Add fresh leis if you want. If your hotel gives you complimentary leis when you check in, stick them in the fridge until your shoot. You can also pick them up at KTA or Walmart.
Haku lei (flower crowns) are really popular right now too. You can find them at local florist shops on the Big Island. Keep them fresh in the fridge with a damp paper towel.
Skip the busy patterns. Solid colors or simple patterns photograph better than crazy busy prints. You want people to look at your faces, not your clothes.
Wear something you feel good in. This is the most important thing. If you don’t feel comfortable and confident in your outfit, it will show in the photos. Wear something that fits well, flatters your body, and matches your personal style.
For our Kona shoot, I wanted to keep it simple and classic. White dress for me, red shirt for my son. The colors popped against the beach and the sunset without being too loud.
I felt good, my son was comfortable, and that’s what mattered.
Best Big Island Photography Locations
Your photographer will have recommendations, but here are some spots that photograph beautifully:
Old Kona Airport Beach. This is where we did our shoot. It’s a mix of white sand, black lava rock, and tidal pools.
The sunset views are gorgeous, and there’s usually not a ton of people around. The beach is also protected, so the water is calm for kids.
Hapuna Beach. One of the most beautiful white sand beaches on the island. The water is that perfect turquoise blue. It can get crowded, so early morning shoots work better here.
Mauna Kea Beach. Another stunning white sand beach with great sunset views. It’s a bit more exclusive since it’s at a resort, but photographers can usually get access.
Waikoloa area beaches. If you’re staying on the Kohala Coast, there are several great beach options near the resorts.
Volcanoes National Park. For something different, you could do photos at the park with the volcanic landscape as your backdrop. This works better with older kids who can handle a bit of walking.
Your photographer will know which spots are best based on the time of day you’re shooting and what kind of vibe you want. Trust their recommendations. They’ve shot at all these places dozens of times.
Big Island Photographer FAQs
When should I book?
As soon as you have a rough idea of your itinerary. Photographers book up quickly, especially during peak season (summer and winter holidays).
The best times for photos are sunrise and sunset, which means there are limited spots available each day.
I recommend booking your photo shoot for one of the first few days of your trip. That way, no one has sunburns yet, and you can reschedule if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
How long should my session be?
60 minutes is perfect for families with young kids. It’s enough time to get a variety of shots without anyone getting too cranky.
If you’re doing extended family photos or want to hit multiple locations, go for 90 minutes.
How much does it cost?
Flytographer sessions range from a few hundred dollars depending on session length and group size.
A 60-minute session is less than what you’ll probably spend on some of your Big Island activities. When you use my link, you save $20 on your booking.
Do I need to tip?
Yes. Plan to tip your photographer 15-20% in cash at the end of your session. They work hard to make you look good and make the experience fun.
What if the weather is bad?
Most photographers will work with you to reschedule if conditions aren’t good for photos. This is another reason to book your session early in your trip.
Can we do photos at our resort?
Maybe. Some resorts require photographers to have permits or don’t allow professional photography on property.
Your photographer will know the rules and can suggest nearby locations if needed.
Why Vacation Photos Are Worth the Investment
I know some people think hiring a photographer is an unnecessary expense. I used to think that too.
But here’s what changed my mind: these photos aren’t just pretty pictures. They’re the only professional-quality documentation you’ll have of this specific time in your family’s life.
Your kids won’t look this age forever. You won’t always be able to take trips like this. The memories fade faster than you think.
When I look at our Big Island photos from this trip, I don’t just see pretty sunset shots. I see my 5-year-old’s personality captured perfectly. I see the joy on both our faces.
I see that moment in time when it was just the two of us having an adventure together.
Those photos are priceless to me now, and they’ll be even more valuable in 10 or 20 years.
If you’re planning a Big Island vacation and you want photos that don’t disappoint, book a photographer.
Flytographer makes it easy, and you’ll get your photos back before your trip is even over.
Use my link to save $20, and trust me when I say you won’t regret it.
Need help planning the rest of your Big Island trip?
I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where I can help you build an itinerary that works for your family, recommend kid-friendly activities, and share insider tips I’ve learned from 40+ Hawaii visits.
Or grab my comprehensive Big Island Travel Guide for Families with everything you need to plan an amazing trip.
Your Big Island vacation photos don’t have to be another disappointment. Hire a photographer, show up, and let them capture the magic.
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- Best Things to Do on the Big Island with Kids
- Big Island Instagram Spots
- Where to Swim with Dolphins in Kona
- Best Things to Do in Kona Hawaii
