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LANIKAI BEACH Photographer  Elopements, Proposals & Family Photos on Oahu

Also available for Engagement Shoots, Maternity Sessions, and Just-Because Beach Magic.

Soft Sands, Turquoise Waters, and Iconic Oahu Sunrise Moments

Couple standing barefoot on Lanikai Beach at sunrise during romantic Oahu elopement by Jenna Lee Pictures

Capture epic moments at Lanikai Beach—
sunrise engagement sessions, surprise proposals, family photos, and barefoot elopements in paradise.

Lanikai Beach  
Epic Sunrises, Soft Sand, and the
Ultimate Oahu Photoshoot Spot

If you’re dreaming of an iconic Hawaii photoshoot or elopement, this is it. Lanikai Beach is everything—glowing sunrises, soft white sand, calm aqua water, and views of the Mokulua Islands that look straight-up fake (but are 100% real). It’s hands-down one of the most epic places to get photos on Oahu.

Whether you’re eloping barefoot at sunrise, snuggling with your boo on vacation, or chasing sandy little feet during a family session, Lanikai delivers. We are absolutely down to get wet and wild to ensure we capture the most incredible of photos—known for capturing real moments with a wild, fun, and cinematic edge. We LOVE this spot and will capture it beautifully for you. Additionally, we’ll guide you through everything: timing, parking hacks, the shoot so you have a blast and forget the camera is there.. that's how we capture real authentic moments... Photos that make you FEEL something. 

If you want the kind of images that make you say “IS THIS REAL LIFE?!”—you’re in the right place.

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FIND IT ON THE MAP! 
About 35 minutes from Waikiki, Lanikai Beach is located on Oahu’s windward side in the charming town of Kailua—known for its iconic Mokulua Island views, powder-soft sand, and legendary sunrise light.

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Aerial drone view of coral reef and turquoise water at Lanikai Beach on Oahu, Hawaii
Family walking along Lanikai Beach with palm trees and mountains in the background during an Oahu photo session

Lanikai is my FAVORITE beach on the planet! From the white stands to the turquoise water, it's truly a tropical paradise. We have loads of experience with this location and have all the insider tips on when the best time too shoot, and how to navigate having the best photo session ever here.

Services

What We Offer:
Photo, Video & Drone Coverage

We’re more than just your average photo team—we’re your full creative crew. Whether you want emotional candids, cinematic video, or jaw-dropping aerials, we’ve got you covered with:

  • Photography: Natural, vibrant, storytelling imagery that captures your vibe

  • Videography: Emotional, cinematic films to relive the day (with music and real moments!)

  • Drone Coverage: Epic aerial views of the beach, ocean, and you—especially magical at sunrise

Want it all? Ask about bundling photo + video + drone in one easy package.

Couples & Engagement Photoshoots
at Lanikai Beach

This is where the love stories glow. Lanikai is perfect for engagements, honeymoon shoots, or just documenting this wild season of life. With gentle waves and warm skies, everything here feels romantic.

You've come all this way to paradise, make sure you book your photoshoot while you're here!

📸 Popular for:

  • Engagement Sessions

  • Proposals

  • Anniversary Photos

  • Honeymoon Shoots

  • “Just Because” Couples Shoots

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Proposals
at Lanikai Beach

Emotional proposal at sunrise on Lanikai Beach with ocean waves and Mokes in the background, captured by Jenna Lee Pictures

Ready to Pop the Question?

Lanikai is literally a DREAM Proposal location!—this place is seriously straight-up proposal goals. Powdery soft sand, glowing pastel skies, and the Mokulua Islands in the background? Come on. It’s pure magic, and one of the most gorgeous proposal spots on the entire island (for good reason).

We’ve helped plan tons of proposals here and can totally help you pull off the perfect one. Whether you're keeping it discreet and want us to pose as beach-goers just catching the sunrise , or you go the route of a “planned couples photoshoot”that turns into a surprise proposal halfway through—we’ll help you figure out the best setup for your vibe.

And yes, we’re PROS at catching that tearful, joyful, cinematic “YES!” moment without giving it away too soon. (And if you want to pop champagne after? We got you.)

💍 Here’s what our Proposal Planning Includes:

  • Epic location + lighting scouting

  • Our Exclusive Proposal Guide

  • Best time of day for light, privacy, and tide

  • Discreet communication + surprise execution

  • Gorgeous Engagement Photos Afterward

If you’re even thinking about proposing at Lanikai, let’s chat. We’d be absolutely honored to help you make it unforgettable—and photograph the whole dang love story from the start.

We'd LOVE to Capture your Proposal! & offer Services starting at only $550

Shoot us a line to learn more today!

Contact us

What can we capture for you?
Engagement
Proposal
Family Photos
Elopement
Other

Family Photography 
at Lanikai Beach

Families LOVE Lanikai. The soft sand is great for little feet, and the calm water makes for beautiful beach play. We help you make it fun, not formal—so your crew ends up with real smiles, sweet snuggles, and all the magic in between.

📸 Popular for:

  • Family Photo Update

  • Vacation Family Session

  • Maternity Photos

  • Family Reunions

  • Just Because

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Elopements at
Lanikai Beach 

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Get Married in the Most Gorgeous Tropical Paradise!

If your dream wedding looks like barefoot vows with the sun rising over the Mokulua Islands, this is your spot. Lanikai is one of the most sought-after elopement destinations on Oahu—and for good reason. With soft sand, warm pastel skies, and total romance, it’s hard to beat.

As your go-to Oahu elopement photographer, we’ll guide you through everything: the right time of day for perfect light, tide schedules, ideal ceremony spots, and even parking tips (yes, that’s a thing here!). All you need to do is show up and soak it in.

Bottom line? If you want that laid-back, cinematic, tropical elopement vibe—Lanikai delivers.

Palm Trees

So Where do we begin?!

No Worries! We've done all of the work, and compiled all of the info, so you don't have to! After shooting countless events at Ho'omaluhia, we've got the down and dirty to help make your event SPECTACTULAR and hassle-free.

🌿 Permit Requirements

If you're our photo client, we take care of applying for the photo permit—and if you book an Elopement Package with us, we take care of your ceremony permit too! Otherwise, your wedding officiant will handle this.

To hold a wedding or photoshoot at Lanikai Beach, you need a beach permit from the State of Hawaii:

  • Wiki Permit (Photo/Video Permit): Required for all professional photography and videography
    💲 Cost: $20 (State fee only)

  • Beach Wedding Permit: Required if you’re holding an official wedding ceremony
    💲 Cost: $50 (State fee only)
    📌 We include this in our all-inclusive elopement packages. If you’re working with your own officiant, they’ll need to apply through the DLNR directly.

📌 Important Notes:

  • Lanikai has limited public parking—we recommend looking for legal street parking near Lanikai Park.

  • Sunrise is the best (and most peaceful) time to shoot here.

  • No arches, chairs, or decor allowed. Keep it simple and nature-focused.

💡 We make it easy. We handle the Wiki Permit for you and guide you through everything behind the scenes—so all you have to do is show up and soak it in.

 

📅  Ceremony Details

  • Guest Limit: Up to 40 people, including the couple and vendors
    Availability: Monday through Saturday, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM

  • Restrictions:

  • No arches, chairs, or large decorations allowed

  • No alcoholic beverages, receptions, or throwing of confetti/rice

  • Only pre-packed food (like bentos or sandwiches) and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted

📸  Photography Permits

Professional photographers and videographers must obtain a separate commercial photography permit to document your elopement. (We handle this for our clients!)

🚁 Yes, we can fly drones at Lanikai! We follow all FAA regulations and fly safely and respectfully to capture the most epic aerial views of your day.

 

💡 Additional Tips

  • Parking: Limited street parking near Lanikai Park—carpooling is encouraged if you're bringing guests. We recommend parking on KAIOLENA DR, near Lanikai Park. We always meet clients at the corner of Kaiolena Dr and Mokulua Rd

  • Weather: Expect sunny skies, but be prepared for the occasional misty morning. A little rain can create rainbows and extra magic! If there's wind, LET THE WIND WORK FOR YOU! Don't fight it... If hair blows across your partner's face, use this as an opportunity to lean in and using a finger lovingly tuck the hair behind their ear while making eye contact. (These moments can make for the best photos!)

  • Privacy: Lanikai is public and beloved—it's not secluded, but we know how to find the right pockets for magic.

  • If you need guidance on amazing local officiants and photo/video packages—just reach out!

Tips for a Smooth Elopement or Photoshoot at Lanikai Beach

  • Aim for Sunrise(our favorite time to shoot!): It’s calm, gorgeous, and the light is unbeatable. Also, if you're traveling in from the mainland, due to the time change waking up early should be no problem!

  • Pack Light: You may need to walk in from Kailua Beach Park if there's construction happening in the neighborhood.

  • Give yourself at least 10 extra minutes as sometimes there's construction diversions.

  • Leave No Trace: This beach is sacred to locals—please respect the land.

  • Expect Beauty, Not Privacy: It’s stunning but public—we’ll work magic around it.

  • Avoid Weekends if at all possible! Week days are far less busy.

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Why Choose Lanikai Beach?

  • World-Famous Views: Sunrise over the Mokulua Islands is iconic.

  • Soft Sand + Calm Water: Ideal for barefoot moments and families with kids.

  • Laid-Back Energy: Less crowded at sunrise and absolutely peaceful.

  • Top Oahu Photo Spot: Ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

  • Most Popular Proposal Spot: Lanikai is one of the most requested spots for proposals in all of Hawaii. With soft sand, dreamy sunrise light, and those iconic Mokulua Islands in the backdrop—it’s a yes-worthy place to pop the question and capture it beautifully.

"Choosing Jenna to capture our proposal and engagement photos at Lanikai was one of the best decisions we could have made. From start to finish, she delivered not only stunning, high-quality images but also an unforgettable experience. Her expertise, attention to detail, and thoughtful guidance turned our vision into a beautiful reality. Thanks to Jenna’s creativity and foresight, the entire shoot was seamless and genuinely magical—an experience we’ll treasure forever. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again for any future photography needs, and we’ll be recommending her to everyone we know. A heartfelt thank you to Jenna and the entire JLP team for making our special moment truly picture perfect."

– Cory & Nicolette

Ready to Book
Your Lanikai Beach photoshoot or elopement?

​​

Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime elopement or a beachy family photo session, we’ll guide you through every step. Let’s capture your love story at one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

🎥 Photo + Video packages available


📍 Includes permit + timeline planning


📧 Let’s make magic → Contact Us Now

WAIKIKI

225 LILIUOKALANI AVE

HONOLULU, HI 96815

CALL / TEXT

808.339.6659

EMAIL

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Gallery
Random Shots from our Lanikai Beach Shoots 

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