Hawaii Family Adventure Session | A Perfect Evening in Laie

A Final Photo Session

It would be my last family photo session, although I didn’t know it at the time. It was early March and news of the coronavirus was escalating quickly. Campaigns on handwashing and “shakas not handshakes” had just begun to circulate and visions of our own upcoming travels still danced in our heads.

It turns out Melissa had great timing. Her family of 7 was at the tail end of a whirlwind, multi-island vacation. They had been hiking and snorkeling, ziplining and boating. She wanted to finish their epic trip with one of my adventure photo sessions. She said they were up for anything including playing in the water. The older kids had taken a surf lesson in Waikiki the other day and were excited about waves. Since they were staying on the north shore, I had the perfect place – Laie Beach Park.

Hawaii Family Adventure Session for a Perfect Afternoon

The parking lot was buzzing with activity when I arrived. As usual, the warm, clear afternoon had attracted crowds of beach-lovers. Fortunately, a favorite little spot of mine tucked under a canopy of trees was vacant. We made our way to the shade and started with some games as a warm-up. I noticed the kids looking longingly at the rope swing and perfect climbing trees nearby. “Can we climb?” they asked. “Of course!” Seconds later the tree was filled with the entire family, nimbly making their way from limb to limb and exiting via rope swing. They were fearless and competitive but kind, looking out for one another, making space, and offering words of encouragement.

The thing about large families is there is always something interesting to photograph. Every direction I turned was a photo opp – kids in trees, building forts, jousting, and giving spontaneous hugs. I spun about trying to keep up and capture it all.

As the crowds began to dwindle, we moved down the beach, ready for our turn in the cool blue water. The oldest kids had been eyeing the bodyboards I brought and were eagerly waiting for this moment. Into the waves they charged, unafraid of their size and intensity. Each large foamy wave crested and crashed around the bodyboarders shooting them to the shore. We continued like this long after the sun had set and the beach had emptied. It was a memorable way to end their trip and a perfect last photo session.

Do You Have an Energetic, Fun Family?

Bring the fun for a morning adventure! Find out more about my fun family photography sessions here.