BASED ON OAHU + SERVING HAWAII + CHICAGOLAND AREA
jenna lee pictures
Where love meets adventure.
808.339.6659
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Your Ultimate Guide to an Epic Family Photo Session in Hawaii
Whether you’re chasing toddlers on vacation or wrangling teens for a holiday card, we’ve got you covered. Our family sessions are all about connection, fun, and beautiful chaos — and this guide will help you show up relaxed, confident, and ready to have a blast.
WHAT TO WEAR
Styling can make a huge difference in how your photos look and feel — but don’t overthink it! The key is to coordinate, not match. Think soft tones, neutral colors, and light textures. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you show up feeling confident and looking amazing:
• Stick to earth tones, neutrals, and pastels. These photograph beautifully against the beach and lush green backdrops.
• But don’t be afraid to bring the color! I especially love deep gem tones and vibrant florals — think red, mustard, rust, or fuchsia — the kind of colors you see in the flowers around Hawaii
• Want to make a visual impact? A bold red dress always steals the show — especially in drone shots. It pulls the eye and adds instant wow.
• Avoid bold logos, neon colors, or busy patterns. They can distract from the emotion and connection in the photos.
• Dress comfortably — especially for the kids! Flowy dresses, rolled-up pants, and bare feet are all welcome.
• Layers and textures (like linen, cotton, or knits) add depth and polish without feeling fussy.
• Coordinate tones rather than matching outfits. Everyone wearing the exact same outfit is a little 1997. Instead, go for a mix of soft colors that complement each other.
If in doubt, bring options! We can always do a quick switch if something doesn’t vibe.
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR hawaii family photo session
🌴 BEACH SESSION ESSENTIALS – What to Bring for Your Hawaii Family Photoshoot
• Water & Snacks — Especially helpful for keeping little ones happy and energized.
• Hairbrush — I always say to embrace your inner beach babe and your wild beachy hair — but if you’d rather be neat and polished, toss in a brush!
• Extra outfits — Perfect if you plan to get wet and sandy or want a variety of looks.
• Towel or Blanket — For Cozy cuddle moments or quick dry-offs between shots.
• Bribes (aka treats or toys 😄) — Great for motivating the kiddos and keeping the vibe fun.
• Any Accessories You Love — Like a flower crown or leis (optional, but fun for that island vibe!
WE RECOMMEND THE HAPPY HAKU FOR ALL OF YOUR HAKU (AKA FLOWER CROWN) AND LEI NEEDS!
Note on Packing Light:
While it’s great to come prepared, we recommend packing light and bringing only the essentials. At certain locations (like Waikiki), we often walk between photo spots and move around quite a bit to capture a variety of scenic backdrops. Too many bags or items can quickly feel like a burden and moving them can eat up precious shoot time — especially with little ones in tow! A small, organized beach bag or backpack is perfect. We’ll keep it easy, breezy, and fun!
What to Expect During your Family Session
Our family sessions are laid-back, fun, and totally focused on connection. Don’t worry — this isn’t a stiff, stand-in-a-row-and-say-cheese situation. We’ll guide you through natural prompts, playful movement, and genuine moments that bring out your family’s real energy and love.
Here’s how it usually flows:
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We’ll start with a few relaxed posed shots while everyone’s fresh — think smiling at the camera, cuddled up close, etc.
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Then we’ll ease into movement, interaction, and the good stuff — twirls, walks, tickles, piggyback rides, and real laughter.
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You won’t need to stress about directing your kids — I’ll guide the session and keep things flowing naturally.
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If the kiddos need a break? Totally fine. We roll with it and find the beauty in the chaos.
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Expect to walk a little, especially at scenic locations like Waikiki or Lanikai. We'll chase good light and even better moments.
Reminder:
It’s totally normal for kids to be wiggly or unpredictable — that’s part of the magic. Some of the best photos happen in between the “perfect” moments. Also, PRO TIP, The less we control kids, the more we can capture their true personalities, which, let's face it, end up being the photos we cherish the most years down the road!
GETTING READY + DAY-OF TIPS 🌞✨ for your oahu family photo session
We want your shoot to be relaxed, fun, and unforgettable — here’s how to make the morning of your session stress-free and magic-filled.
👧🏻 Get the Kiddos Pumped
Let your little ones know it’s going to be an adventure! Whether it’s splashing in the ocean, playing in the sand, or twirling on the beach — our goal is to have fun. When kids feel like it’s playtime (not photo time), we get the most genuine smiles and sweetest moments.
PRO TIP: Let them pick a small comfort item or give them a little “job” like holding hands, leading the way, or spotting rainbows!
⏰ Use Waze to Check Travel Time
The morning of your session, we highly recommend checking Waze (or your favorite traffic app) to get a real-time estimate — especially if your session is around sunrise. Even just a 10-minute delay can mean missing the golden light or the epic sky that makes these photos so breathtaking. Plan to arrive early, soak it in, and feel calm going in!
📸 Fun fact: Sunrise shoots are usually easier than you think — most mainland travelers are already waking up early thanks to the time difference!
🗓️ Book Early in Your Trip
Try to schedule your session early in your Hawaii stay — this avoids sunburns and gives us a buffer in case we need to shift dates due to weather. Flexibility = peace of mind. And if we get a light sprinkle? We love it.
Because let’s be real — no rain = no rainbows! 🌈
☎️ Need Help the Morning Of?
If you need anything at all — from help finding the location to last-minute questions — don’t hesitate to call or text your photographer directly, Jerry will have sent you their info in advance. You can also reach Jerry at our main office (808.339.6659).
🌞 Fun Fact: Jerry’s based on the mainland, which means while most of Oahu is still waking up, he’s already up and caffeinated — ready to help make your sunrise session smooth and stress-free!
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225 LILIUOKALANI AVE
HONOLULU, HI 96815
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