family wearing of one sea swimsuits during a photo shoot on the north shore of oahu

North Shore Family Photo Session | Towering Trees and Baby Waves

February 19, 2019

Follow Your Curiosity

As you drive around the island, you will come across clusters of cars awkwardly parked along the shoulder. There will be 20, 30, or more cars in a remote area, but no people in sight. It makes me unbearably curious. What am I missing out on? It feels like some secret beach or hike or park is just out of sight. So I started to investigate. I parked my car in line with the others and looked for signs of life or a trail to follow.

One time, my curiosity led me to a nude beach along a quiet strip of land on the North Shore. Ah, that’s what everyone is doing here. Most times, it’s led to something fantastic like Kawela Bay.

The small, crescent-shaped bay is abutted by dense forest. Banyan trees dominate the canopy sending prop roots to the forest floor where they create a natural playground. These sprawling trees are a climbing gym, fort, cave, and swing all in one. A kid paradise. And when you tire of the trees, the beach beckons beyond the branches.

About this North Shore Family Photo Session

Michelle and her family make an annual trip to Oahu to visit family and each time they do, I get to plan a new adventure for them. They are beach-lovers so a mellow swimming beach was a must. The forest was something new.

The kids were hesitant at first. It was a windy day and rubbing tree branches groaned suspiciously like hidden monsters. Slowly, they got used to the strange forest noises and began to explore. They tried to walk a fallen limb like a balance beam, test a dangling tree root for swing-ability, and peer into tree caves for trolls.

North Shore Family Photo Session in a hawaiian rainforest

mom fixing daughters hair during a photo shoot in the forest

portrait of dad and sons in a hawaii rain forest on the north shore of oahu

couples portrait in the rain forest on the north shore of oahu

mom spinning daughter under giant banyan tree roots in hawaii

kids playing in the banyan trees in hawaii

mom and daughter share a silly kiss in a hawaiian rainforest

siblings sitting on a log during a family photo shoot in hawaii

dad and sons walking through tropical forest in hawaii

family photo session in the rainforest in hawaii

mom and sons exploring the forest in hawaii

dad helping son during a jungle photo shoot in hawaii

siblings trying to share a kiss during a family photo shoot in hawaii

When the mosquitoes became unbearable and we were itching to get in the water (pun intended), we were greeted with this scene.

kids heading out to play in the water at kawela bay oahu

dad holding son at the beach on the north shore of oahu

fun family photo session on the north shore of oahu

little boy playing in the water on the north shore of oahu

sandy feet walking on a log at a beach in hawaii

dad chasing son along the beach at kawela bay oahu

mom comforting son during a family photo session in oahu

dad holding son at the beach during a family photo session

kids running on the beach at sunset in hawaii

girl drawing in the sand at a beach in hawaii

family playing at the beach at kawela bay oahu during a photoshoot

dad and kids plyaing at the beach on the north shore oahu at sunset

What Does Your Family Adventure Look Like?

Let’s head out on your own little adventure. I’ll help you plan a fun day so you can enjoy yourselves and I can capture all the personality and love in your family. You can find out more about my personalized family photography sessions here.