Best places for family photoshoot near me | Oahu’s stunning beaches

How to select the best location for your family photoshoot?

As a family photographer, the most popular question I’m asked is, “What are the best places for a family photoshoot near me”? Although Oahu has the best and most varied beaches in Hawaii (sorry other islands!), they all have something different to offer and the best beach depends on your family’s specific needs. Do you value solitude? Convenience? Fun waves? Tide pools? Oahu has them all!

Little Bird’s sessions are tailored just for you and considers whether you’re morning or evening people, what types of activities you love (forest, tide pools, mellow beach, waves), and what support you need (easy access from where you’re staying, convenience, parking, breastfeeding spots). Once we talk, I’ll put together a custom list of options that I think will work best for your family but you can see some overall favorites below.

A note on weather during your family photo session

Visitors are typically in Oahu for a week so there’s understandably some concern about rainy weather on your scheduled date for family photos. Winter is Hawaii’s rainy season running from November to March. However, don’t let that scare you off. Some of the best weather days happen during that window. Plus, you can catch big wave surfing and whales in the winter and escape the cold elsewhere.

Personally, I’ve found ways to deal with fluctuating weather for family photos. I photograph dozens of local families and vacationers each year. My approach is to check the weather forecast 2-3 days before our session. If rain comes up – we have multiple options! First, Hawaii is full of microclimates, which means that rain is often local – we can drive to a different spot on the island without the rain. Bonus: distant clouds can add beauty and visual interest even more than straight sunshine. Alternatively, we can reschedule for the next day – we tend to plan sessions toward the beginning of your trip to give us that buffer if needed. I have never been unable to get great images for someone because of the weather. I will watch the forecast for you and present a game plan if need be. If you want to check the weather forecast yourself I recommend checking specific weather stations at this site.

Waikiki Beaches

Honestly, I try to avoid Waikiki because of the crowds and limited access for commercial photography. However, there are some great locations on the outskirts of Waikiki that take advantage of the sunny weather, beautiful sunsets and convenience for those staying nearby.

Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park

• Highlights. Magic Island is a large grassy peninsula that juts off the end Ala Moana Beach Park. It offers iconic views of Waikiki and Diamond Head, gorgeous oversized monkeypod trees, a shallow beach with water calm enough for babies, and the convenience of bathrooms and showers.
• See more. View a gallery of family photos taken at Magic Island here or peek into a session from this beach here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it with a rainforest hike at Manoa Falls.

Waialae Beach Park (Kahala Beach)

• Highlights. A short drive from the heart of Waikiki you’ll find Waialae Beach Park. It borders the upscale Kahala neighborhood. Here, the narrow beach is punctuated with palm trees and a barrier reef creates calm water that is great for little kids to play in. It’s a fun spot for standup paddling or just floating around. It can get crowded, especially in the evening, but typically has sunny weather and lovely sunsets. There is a small, grassy lawn overflowing with palm trees and the convenience of bathrooms, showers and easy access.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Waialae Beach Park here or peek a sample session from this beach here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by hiking to the summit of Koko Head.

Koolina Beaches

Koolina is the second main tourist hub on Oahu after Waikiki. Hotels were built here to take advantage of its consistently beautiful weather. Here you can typically find low wind days full of sunshine – even when it’s raining over the rest of the island.

Paradise Cove Beach

• Highlights. A small, but incredible little beach. It has a little bit of everything from mountain views, sandy shore, rocky intertidal area to explore, and swaying palm trees. The best part is the water though. This natural cove is protected from the surf creating a mellow playground frequented by fish and sea turtles. There’s no excuse not to jump in here!
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Paradise Cove here or peek a sample session from this beach here, here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by driving up the coast to wild Makua Beach.

Secret Beach

• Highlights. Palm trees and rocks combine for the quintessential tropical vibe at this little cove tucked next to the Four Seasons in Koolina. At low tide, a small intertidal area is fun to explore.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Secret Beach here or peek a sample session from this beach here.
• Nearby activities. If you’re an experienced snorkeler, drive to nearby Electric Beach.

Kailua Beaches

Kailua Beaches have that classic Hawaii look with soft white sand, brilliant blue ocean and palm trees that dance in the wind. Entry is gradual and waves are gentle making it a perfect family beach.

Lanikai Beach

• Highlights. This is a quintessential Hawaiian beach with powder soft sand, palm trees, and the iconic Mokulua Islands in the distance. It’s ideal for a jump in the water to swim, snorkel or paddle. I have a water housing for my camera so I’ll join you! Read more about Lanikai Beach here.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Waialae Beach Park here or peek a sample session from this beach here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by hiking up the Lanikai Pillbox Trail for a bird’s eye view of the beach below.

Kalama Beach Park

• Highlights. This beach park is a wonderful combination of greenery with tropical flowers and beautiful, sandy beach. The park makes a great refuge on very windy or sunny days. It’s one of the rare locations with easy access, a bathroom, and showers. There is usually fun shorebreak making it a popular body-boarding spot for kids.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Kalama Beach Park here or peek a sample session from this beach here, here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it with a picnic at nearby Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens

Waimanalo Beaches

Waimanalo beach takes the trophy for longest stretch of beach on Oahu. It starts on the north end with deep sand and ends dramatically with lava rock at the southern end.

Sherwood Beach (Waimanalo Bay Beach Park)

• Highlights. Sherwoods sits at the northern end of Waimanalo Beach where it collides with Bellows Beach. It has sweeping mountain views, a vast expanse of sand, coastal forest to explore and fun shorebreak. Lots of space makes it a great option for large families, groups, or very active children who love to run and play.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Sherwood Beach here or peek a sample session from this beach here, here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by with a hike along the Maunawili Trail.

Makapuu

• Highlights. Dramatic lava rock coastline, great views of ocean, islets, lighthouse, and cliffs, small tide pools to splash in. There are several different beaches here within a very small area so you can choose tidepooling, you can choose sandy beach, or you can choose both.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Makapuu Beach here or peek a sample session from this beach here, here, and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by searching for whales (Dec-April) on the Makapuu Lighthouse trail.

Kaneohe + Windward Area Beaches

As you make your way up the windward coast to Kaneohe and beyond, you find yourself in the country. These windward beaches are more isolated from visitors and typically receive more rainfall. The result is a lush green landscape that you may often have all to yourself.

Kualoa Beach Park

• Highlights. Big, grassy park with stunning mountain views, bay views and a calm beach. Diverse background within one park. Easy access with bathrooms and showers. Great spot for floating, paddleboarding and playing in the sand.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Kualoa Beach Park here, read more about Kualoa here or peek a sample session from this beach here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by walking further to “Secret Island” or make a stop at the nearby Macadamia Nut Farm.

North Shore

North shore beaches are typically empty and bright at sunrise and offer stunning sunsets over the water in the evening. There is a great variety of beach types to choose from ranging from wide open space at Ke iki Beach to the lush, private feel of Kawela Bay.

Laie Beach

• Highlights. Located in northeast Oahu, this beach is is one of my favorite locations. There are beautiful views of the windward coast, a large beach, a cliff, cool trees, and often rope swings. You can (usually) make a short climb up to the cliffs above the beach for more stunning views.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Laie Beach Park here or peek a sample session from this beach here, here and here.
• Nearby activities. For an off-the-beaten-path, bold adventure, make your way to Goat Island or explore adjacent Kokololiio Beach at low tide.

Turtle Bay

• Highlights. Coastal forest with a hiking trail that parallels the beach. Lots of space and shade with tidepools to explore and pockets of sandy beach.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Turtle Bay Beach here or peek a sample session from this beach here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by following the coastline to adjacent Kawela Bay.

Kawela Bay

• Highlights. A quiet, protected bay with a lush forest hosting an enormous banyan tree and dense jungle vegetation. The beach is a crescent shaped strip of sand and it tends to be fairly calm. There is a fruit stand across the street if you want to stop for a coconut.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Kawela Bay Beach Park here or peek a sample session from this beach here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it with a visit to adjacent Turtle Bay. The hotel was just upgraded and bought by Ritz Carlton so who knows what to expect in the future, but it’s an amazing place for a sunset cocktail.

Ke iki Beach

• Highlights. Mountain views, big expanse of sand, field of lava rocks, tidal shelf and often small pools of water to play in during low tide.
• See more. See a gallery of family photos taken at Ke iki Beach here or read more about it here or peek a sample session from this beach here and here.
• Nearby activities. Make a day of it by visiting Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Waimea Bay.

What next after reading tips for the best places for family photoshoot?

We would be happy to plan a fun photo session for your family so you can make happy memories and take home beautiful images. Find out more about our sessions here or reach out with questions. Not sure what you’re looking for when searching for your family photographer? Check out this post with tips to find someone you trust and connect with.