Wailea Maui Family Photoshoot

Did you know that about 85% of the clients I have had here in Hawaii have never had a photoshoot prior to working with me - YEPPP you read that right…never..and guess what that is TOTALLY okay ! When it comes to scheduling a photoshoot it can be a bit daunting and stressful to think about when mentally prepping for it. Having a camera “ in your face” is not the most ideal situation on most people’s life to do list. With that in mind whether you are apart of the mass of not having taken part in a photoshoot before or you do several a year I still like to approach each session in the same manner - fun is everything. Read that again for the folks in the back - A PHOTOSHOOT SHOULD BE FUN. * As I chuckle to myself that the photos I have placed around this statement little man had yet to warm up to me which shows but I still love it ! * spoiler get ready for some cute happy shots as you scroll down.

It is far too easy to go into an almost doomsday spiral search on Pinterest or Instagram of how to prep for a photoshoot. I’m here to say stop.that.right.now. 95% of the photos you see of a family doing a pose claiming it was an in the moment capture I’m here to let you know it most likely was not. You can show up to a session with a board saved of poses you want but that doesn’t mean they are going to turn out just like the inspiration shots. You want to know how to really get those kind of captures ? Choose a photographer you can trust at least a bit leading up to the day and allow them to help guide you. Let’s sing this next part to the tune of “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfeild together ——- RELEASE YOUR PRE-PLANNED EXPECTATIONS ! Go into the shoot ready to receive an experience that will help those captures you would like to unfold naturally.

Now if there is a pose you absolutely want please do not take the above as saying you cannot ask for a few of those type of shots but to take away the stress for you/your loved ones allow the session to flow in a natural manner. Those of us who have been in the photography game for years know exactly what to do to get photos that spark the same dang joy as the Pinterest images you found. We got this !

So with all of this said let me step off of my stool and let you take a peek at this adorable family’s first photoshoot. The lovely parents had visited Maui before but this was the first time visiting as a family hence they pulled the trigger to have a beautiful family photoshoot on a stunning beach in Wailea. It’s always amazing to me as the photographer to hear about how this is a first time photoshoot and watch my clients shine as they relax in front of the camera during our time together. With this one we totally captured some posed requested shots with the help of given prompts but also took time to play with local doggos on the beach, in the sand, and get our feet in the water while being on sea turtle watch. Overall making for a very painless ripping off the band-aid for tackling a photoshoot for the first time.