How to find the best Hawaii photographer for your family portraits?

Finding the best Hawaii photographer

I’ve been in your shoes. Browsing through the endless string of Google results as you search for the best Hawaii photographer for your family. Sure, it’s fun at first, thinking of all the great photos you’re going to have, but it quickly becomes frustrating. All photographers do things a little bit differently. You have to navigate websites, portfolios, and learn pricing structures. It’s hard to know exactly what you should be looking for. I feel your pain, so I put together a quick list to help you navigate the process and hopefully help you find the best Hawaii photographer for your family.

TRUST.

Hiring a photographer is an investment in both time and money. There’s extra pressure if you’re planning a family photo shoot while on vacation. Not only are you unfamiliar with the area, but you have a short window to make it happen successfully. But how do you know you can trust a photographer?

1. Start with the photographer’s website.
   A photographer’s website is usually their store front. A professional website that’s easy to navigate indicates a photographer that’s serious about their business. They didn’t just set up shop or take photos as a hobby. These photographers have carefully thought about what their clients need and how to best serve them. Better yet, their website will give you a clear sense of their specialty, style, and tell a little about themselves as well.
   
2. Peek their portfolio.
   To find the best Hawaii photographer, examine their portfolio. Are there motorcycles and real estate photos mixed in with family portraits? Does editing style vary dramatically? Are the photos taken on the mainland or of the same family? It should be consistent in style and have a clear focus so you know what to expect.
   
   If possible, request to look at the images from a full session to get a better idea of what you can expect for your family. Are there only a few good images? Do they have many iterations of the same shot? Or is the final gallery diverse and personal?
   
3. Get on the phone.
   If you like what you see, get on the phone. Being photographed is a personal, often vulnerable experience. Finding someone you connect with will make a huge difference in your overall comfort level. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn about a person from a 15-minute phone call.
   
4. Listen to your friends.
   Ever since fake reviews began to proliferate online, I became a little wary of reviews. Still, positive (or negative) reviews, along with professional accreditation can add to your overall impression. Better yet, ask your friends for recommendations for the best Hawaii photographer and see if their style matches your own.
   
5. Attention to detail.
   The photographer should be easy to communicate with, use portrait contracts and a secure form of payment. Ideally, they will learn about your family and match you to a location that is well-suited and safe for your needs. If you’re on island for a limited time, it’s important that they have a backup plan in place in case of rainy weather or illness.

New photographers flood the market every year and 80% fail before the year is up. An established photographer has already worked out the kinks on other families. You don’t want someone new to practice on yours.

STYLE.

Trust will help you find a good, reliable photographer, but style will lead you to the best Hawaii photographer.

One of the things I love about family photography is that each photographer has a unique point of view. You take their technical skill mixed with life experience and creativity and see what your family looks through that very specific lens. No two photographers will capture your family in the same way.

So, browse through their portfolio and website and pay attention to how the images make you feel. They should make you feel something and if those feelings match what you hope to capture for your family, you’ve found a potential match.

EXPERIENCE.

The biggest hesitation I hear from families seeking the best Hawaii photographer is that the kids won’t last. And I get that! Most families base that on prior photo experiences that involved bribing and cajoling uncooperative children in forced poses with fake smiles. If you’re looking for something more formal and posed, I recommend keeping it short.

However, if you’re looking for a little more life and personality in your photos, a longer session works in your favor. It removes the pressure and gives you time to shake out the initial awkwardness. Shy kids have the space to be themselves and energetic kids have time to wind down.

My approach is to make the entire experience fun and easy so it’s not just about the photos it’s about playing and connecting as a family. Kids usually have a great time and don’t want to leave. Parents, however … I’m not going to lie, parents may get a bit tired – especially those with young, energetic kids – but the resulting photos and memories make it all worthwhile

Book your best Hawaii photographer!

Now that you know what makes the best Hawaii photographer, it’s time to book!

If you’re looking for a fun photo experience where you can play and explore together, send me a note! I’d love it if we were a good fit and I can capture happy memories for you against the beautiful backdrop of Hawaii. Find out more about my family photo and film sessions here.