Hawaii Family Lifestyle Photography | On to New Adventures

Leaving Hawaii

After three years of sun and surf, they were leaving Hawaii the very next morning. It was not a welcome change. Tears were shed over the tropical life they had carefully cultivated over the years and were now forced to leave behind. Two children were born in the Hawaiian sunshine and knew nothing of the cold that lay ahead.

I first met Tia shortly after they arrived to the island. A very pregnant Tia frantically requested a last minute photo session for her family before the baby came. She was due within the week. After the chaos of their move to Oahu had subsided, she realized that everything was about to change and she wanted photos of just their family of five. We made it happen.

A Visit to Aweoweo Beach Park

Over the years we made many attempts at a follow up session; after baby Roo was born and again after Eleanor. But with a family of seven, someone is always sick or broken, or sick and broken. Finally, they received their moving orders. It was now or never. And that is how I met them at their favorite beach on their very last day. Aweoweo beach is a fairly narrow, unassuming strip of beach but it’s usually a good spot to swim with sea turtles.

When planning her session I asked what they usually to do at the beach and she said “Head counts. Constant head counts.” That kind of highlights the massive difference between a beach day with two children as opposed to five. She wanted to capture all the mundanely beautiful details and chaos of a typical beach day from sun screen application (they used an entire bottle) to showers to shave ice. Memories of a real day at the beach to take with them. My time with them was a real treat. The family is so dynamic. Something adorable or ridiculous is always happening organically. I spun in circles trying to take it all in.

Ending the Day with Shave Ice

The perfect end to any beach visit is a stop for shave ice so we made a visit to the Old Wailua Sugar Mill. Their natural shave ice flavors are exceptionally good and the kids slurped them enthusiastically. We shopped for kitchy souvenirs in the adjacent store and lounged as long as possible. But there was packing to do and a flight to catch. Best of luck on your new adventures. Oahu will miss you.

When you have small children time is an odd beast. It can feel painfully slow when you’re in the grind; in the middle of sippy cups, sticky cheerios and car seats. But when you take a break and raise your head from the trenches, it feels fast and fleeting. Photos are a way to stop time and hold onto the everyday moments that matter most.

Let me follow your family on a favorite island adventure so I can document your beautiful, love-soaked family memories. Not sure where to go? Let’s talk and I can suggest some great places your family will love. Find out more about my family photography sessions here.