Oahu Family Photography Location Guide - Aya S. Tomikawa Photography

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ALOHA

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Oʻahu has so many beautiful locations for family photos, from sandy beaches and lush greenery to iconic island views.

Here are some of my favorite photography locations across Oʻahu to help you find the perfect setting for your session. To give you a better sense of each location and its surroundings, I’ve included more wide-angle images throughout this guide.

Please keep in mind that the scenery, lighting, ocean conditions, and overall feel of each location may vary depending on the season, weather, tides, and time of day.

I’m also happy to consider locations that aren’t listed here.

Please let me know which location feels like the best fit for your family and your style.

Waialae Beach Park

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About a 15–20 minute drive from the Waikiki area

A spacious beach with beautiful ocean views, palm trees, and lush tropical greenery. This location offers a lovely variety of beach and green backdrops in one area.

Great for both morning and sunset sessions.

Waialae Beach Park: Morning Session

A family walks along a scenic beach shoreline with mountains visible in the distance.

People enjoying a sunny day at a tropical beach with mountains and sparkling water in the background.

Family of four walking hand-in-hand along a sunny Hawaiian beach with calm ocean waters and Diamond Head in the background.

Happy family of four walking on a sunny Hawaii beach with palm trees and blue ocean in the background.

A happy family on a sunny beach, parents lifting their baby in the air near the ocean shoreline.

Family with baby sitting on sandy beach near tropical water, parents smiling at infant in pink outfit.

Three friends joyfully running and jumping on a tropical Hawaiian beach with palm trees and calm ocean waters.

Family of four in white outfits walking hand-in-hand on a sunny tropical beach with turquoise water.

Young Asian family poses on a sandy beach, parents smiling while holding their infant baby with ocean and mountains behind.

A happy family of three walks along a sunny Hawaiian beach, with a child sitting on dad's shoulders.

A series of wedding photos showing romantic moments between a couple against a bright blue sky background.

A family in white outfits runs and plays together along a sunny beach shoreline during sunset.

Romantic couple poses for photos surrounded by swaying palm trees on a tropical beach in Hawaii.

A family stands together on a wooden bridge surrounded by tropical palm trees.

Waialae Beach Park: SUNSET Sessison

A family walks hand in hand along a serene beach at sunset with palm trees in the distance.

Family of three enjoying a sunny day at a tropical park with tall palm trees in Hawaii.

Family enjoying a sunset walk together on a tropical lawn with swaying palm trees in Hawaii.

Family enjoying a playful moment running and jumping together on a tropical beach at sunset.

Three people walk along a peaceful beach shoreline during golden hour.

Family walking together on a tropical beach at sunset while holding hands and enjoying the ocean view.

Family members sit together laughing and enjoying a sunny day at the beach.

Paiko Beach

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About a 20–25 minute drive from the Waikiki area

A peaceful, spacious beach with beautiful ocean views and palm trees. This location has a quiet, natural feel and offers a beautiful tropical Hawaii backdrop.

Great for both morning and sunset sessions, depending on the tide. The amount of beach space can vary with the tide.

Paiko beach: morning session

Happy Asian family of three sitting together on a tropical sandy beach, wearing white outfits.

Family of three holding hands on a tropical beach with palm trees, calm blue water, and a mountain in the background.

Family of three enjoying a sunny beach day under palm trees, parents smiling at young girl in white dress.

Family of three standing on stepping stones on a tropical beach with palm trees and clear blue sky.

Family of three holding hands walking along a tropical beach with palm trees and mountain views.

Family in white outfits walking along a tropical beach shoreline with palm trees and mountain views.

paiko beach:Sunset session

A group walks along a scenic Hawaiian beach with Diamond Head mountain in the background at sunset.

Family of four posing on a sandy beach with a mountain and ocean backdrop on a cloudy day.

Family sitting on sandy beach at golden sunset, parents holding baby in white outfits near calm water.

Family of three posing on a sandy beach, parents helping toddler stand, with ocean and green hills in background.

Family walking along a tropical beach at sunset holding hands and enjoying a peaceful moment together.

A group of people walking along a tropical beach at sunset with palm trees and golden light.

A group of people walking together on a tropical beach with palm trees and ocean views at sunset.

A group of people sitting together on a sandy beach with palm trees in the background during sunset.

A group of people pose with arms raised on a tropical beach at sunset with palm trees and ocean in the background.

Palm trees line a pristine tropical beach with white sand and turquoise waters stretching to the horizon.

Two children stand on logs at a tropical beach during sunset with arms outstretched.

People strolling beneath swaying palm trees along a scenic tropical beach path.

Three people in colorful dresses walk along a sunny beach with mountains in the background.

Three people jumping playfully between concrete posts on a tropical beach at sunset.

Family sharing a tender moment on a beach during golden hour with palm fronds overhead.

Group in white outfits posing together on a sunny beach with palm trees.

Playful interaction between people on a tropical beach with palm trees framing the scene.

Ala Moana Beach Park

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About a 10–15 minute drive from the Waikiki area

A spacious beach with beautiful ocean views, Diamond Head in the background, and a large banyan tree. This location offers a great variety of backdrops all within one area.

Great for both morning and sunset sessions.

Ala Moana Beach park: Morning Session

Family of four walking hand-in-hand on a sunny Hawaiian beach with city skyline and calm ocean in background.

Family of five posing under palm trees on a tropical beach with calm blue ocean water in the background.

Happy Asian family of four posing on a tropical beach with palm trees and ocean views on a sunny day.

Family portrait session under a majestic banyan tree with multiple groups wearing white clothing in a natural setting.

Family of four enjoying a sunny beach day in Hawaii, sitting on golden sand with Diamond Head crater in the background.

Family of seven posing together on a sandy beach in Hawaii with ocean and Diamond Head crater in the background.

Family in white and blue outfits walks together on a scenic Hawaiian beach with ocean and mountains in background.

Large family group posing together on a sandy beach with ocean and Diamond Head in the background.

Four silhouettes walk hand in hand along a pristine turquoise beach.

People sit together under a massive banyan tree with hanging aerial roots in a tropical setting.

Family of seven smiling together on a tropical beach with palm trees and ocean views in Hawaii.

Ala Moana Beach park :Sunset Session

A family holds hands and walks together along a sandy beach at sunset with palm trees in the background.

Family of six smiling and hugging outdoors near a large banyan tree in a tropical setting.

Family of four holding hands and walking along a sunny tropical beach with turquoise water.

Family explores under a majestic banyan tree with hanging aerial roots in a tropical garden setting.

Family of four walking along a sunny tropical beach at golden hour with palm trees and calm waters.

A family walks together along a tropical beach shoreline at sunset with waves lapping at their feet.

Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park

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About a 20–25 minute drive from the Waikiki area

A quiet and peaceful beach with beautiful ocean views, lush greenery, and mountain backdrops. This location has a more secluded, local feel and offers a lovely mix of beach and tropical scenery.

Great for both morning and sunset sessions, depending on the tide. The amount of beach space can vary with the tide.

Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park: Morning Session

People walking hand in hand along a sandy beach with ocean waves and mountains in the background.

Family with baby enjoying a beach day, parents helping toddler stand on sandy shore with mountain and ocean backdrop.

Family of three walking on a sandy beach in white outfits with ocean and green mountain backdrop.

Family of five sitting together on a sandy beach with a mountain backdrop in Hawaii.

A family sits together on a sandy tropical beach during a sunny day with palm trees and mountains in the background.

Couple walking hand in hand on grassy lawn with ocean view.

Couple relaxing on sandy beach with mountain view in background.

People walking together on empty white sand beach under bright blue sky.

Romantic couple embracing on beach with calm ocean waters in background.

Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park: sunset Session

A golden retriever dog runs and plays joyfully along a scenic beach at sunset with mountains in the background.

Family on sandy beach lifting baby in the air with ocean and mountains in the background on a sunny day.

Large family holding hands in a long chain on a sandy beach with ocean and hills in the background.

Large family group joyfully jumping and posing on a sandy beach at sunset with calm ocean waters in the background.

Five people walking in a line on a sandy beach with dramatic backlighting and long shadows cast on the sand.

Parents joyfully lifting baby girl in pink on sunny beach, creating a heartwarming family moment by the ocean shore.

A romantic beach photoshoot at sunset captures a couple in white attire walking along the sandy shore.

Group of friends walking on a reflective wet beach at sunset with hills and clouds in the background.

Couple standing on hillside during golden hour sunset with ocean view.

Kapiolani Park

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About a 10–15 minute drive from the Waikiki area

A beautiful, spacious park with wide-open green spaces, large banyan trees, and an iconic Diamond Head backdrop. A great option for families who prefer a natural, green setting rather than a beach.

Great for both morning and sunset sessions.

People walking together across a sunlit grassy field with mountains in the background.

A person in orange robes sits under a large green tree with mountains in the background on a sunny day.

Someone in a flowing white dress relaxes against a large tree trunk in a peaceful garden setting.

People stand beneath massive banyan tree branches with aerial roots in a tropical garden setting.

People enjoying outdoor activities and yoga poses in a scenic green park on a sunny day.

A group relaxes together on a grassy hill under the shade of large trees in a peaceful park setting.

Family walking beneath majestic banyan trees with hanging aerial roots on a path in a tropical garden.

Family of three poses under a massive banyan tree, with parents and young daughter sharing a tender moment outdoors.

Family of three sitting on grass with Diamond Head crater and palm trees in Hawaii background.

Family enjoying a peaceful moment under a large tree overlooking a lake and mountains in Hawaii.

People relaxing on a wooden bench in a scenic mountain park during golden hour.

People explore under a massive banyan tree with hanging aerial roots in a tropical setting.

A group relaxes on a bench under green trees with mountain views in the background.

A group stands together in a grassy field with Diamond Head crater visible in the background.

NUUANU VAlley Park

Nuuanu Valley Park

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About 20-25 minutes drive from Waikiki area

With its wide grassy lawn, shady trees

Group of friends sitting together on large tree branches in a lush green garden setting.

People explore a lush green forest path surrounded by tall trees and dense tropical vegetation.

A couple and their golden retriever dog pose together in a lush green outdoor setting during a photo session.

Two people walking hand in hand on a lush forest path beneath towering banyan trees and tropical foliage.

A lush tropical garden pathway leads through towering banyan trees and dense foliage in Hawaii.

Fort Derussy Park

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Conveniently located in the Waikiki area and within walking distance from many Waikiki hotels.

A beautiful mix of tropical greenery, palm trees, and beach scenery, offering a variety of backdrops in one convenient location.

Morning sessions only. This location tends to become much busier later in the day and around sunset, so morning sessions are recommended for a more peaceful and relaxed experience.

Family walking on Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head crater in the background on a sunny day in Hawaii.

A mother in a white dress kneels on a sandy beach with two young children near the ocean shore on a sunny day.

Large multigenerational Asian family posing together outdoors in white outfits under a large tree in a lush green park.

Family in white outfits on a beach, adults lifting children overhead against a blue sky and calm ocean backdrop.

Family of four smiling on a sunny beach in Hawaii, dressed in white, with Diamond Head crater in the background.

Family in white outfits holding hands on a sandy Hawaiian beach with Diamond Head crater and blue ocean in background.

Ko'olina area:

Tracks Beach Park

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About a 45–50 minute drive from the Waikiki area

About a 10–15 minute drive from the Ko Olina area

A beautiful, spacious beach with wide-open ocean views and rustic old railroad tracks, offering a unique mix of natural beach scenery and a little vintage character. Best for sunset sessions.

*Please note that there is $75 travel fee for this area

A group plays together on a sandy beach during a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

Four friends walk hand-in-hand through a sunny field with lush green trees, wearing casual summer outfits.

Family of four walking along a sandy beach near the ocean, dressed in white and pink outfits on a bright day.

Family of three walking hand-in-hand along a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.

Family of four enjoying a serene sunset beach walk, with parents carrying young children along the shoreline.

Four friends smiling together on a sandy beach at sunset, dressed in casual summer outfits with ocean waves behind them.

Family group of seven walking together on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.

Family of three walking on a sandy beach, parents in white attire with child, ocean waves in background.

A family wearing white outfits poses together on a sandy beach at sunset.

Pregnant woman in orange dress walks on sandy beach at sunset with husband and toddler child holding hands.

A group poses together near a large fallen tree branch in a golden field at sunset.

Family of three enjoying a golden sunset beach moment, parents lovingly gazing at their baby on sandy shore.

A toddler in white outfit runs joyfully on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.

People playing and splashing together at the beach during sunset with ocean waves.

Silhouettes of people walking along a beach path under a leaning tree.

A family walks together leaving footprints in the sand along a scenic Hawaiian beach at sunset.

A family sits together in casual clothing against a natural outdoor backdrop with dry grass and trees.

Multiple families stroll together on a Hawaiian beach during sunset, leaving trails of footprints in the sand.

People walking along a scenic beach at sunset with waves crashing on the shore and warm golden light in the sky.

People walking along a scenic beach at sunset with mountains in the distance and soft sand in the foreground.

Extended group gathers on a scenic beach with ocean waves and blue sky in the background.

Silhouettes of people walking on beach at sunset with golden light reflecting on ocean.

A group of people in light summer clothing dance and play in a sunlit meadow during golden hour.

Silhouetted family group holding hands while walking on a sunny beach at sunset with ocean waves in background.

A group walks along the beach at sunset with golden light reflecting off the ocean.

Family holding hands while walking along a sandy beach at sunset.

East Side

Kualoa Regional park

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About a 50–60 minute drive from the Waikiki area

Beautiful beach, lush greenery, and the dramatic Koʻolau Mountain backdrop. This location offers a beautiful mix of tropical scenery and one of the most iconic mountain views on Oʻahu.

Please note that reaching the beach requires about a 10-minute walk through a wooded trail, so I recommend the Family Tree (60–75 minute) session to allow enough time to enjoy the different backdrops without feeling rushed.

*Please note that there is a $75 travel fee for this location.

Kualoa: Morning Session

Family laughing and playing outdoors with lush green mountains and palm trees in Hawaii.

Happy family of four sitting on green grass by a scenic ocean bay with mountains and blue sky.

Family of four sitting on driftwood log on Hawaiian beach with turquoise water and mountain backdrop.

Happy family of four laughing outdoors with tropical palm trees and misty mountains in Hawaii.

Family of four holding hands and swinging children in a lush Hawaiian park with palm trees and misty mountains.

Family of four enjoying a scenic Hawaiian landscape with lush green mountains and a tranquil pond.

Family of four posing on a sandy Hawaiian beach with lush green mountains and palm trees in the background.

Family of four smiling on a sandy Hawaii beach with Mokoli'i Island in the background on a sunny day.

Kualoa: Sunset Session

Family strolls across a grassy field with majestic Ko'olau mountains in the background.

Group of women in pastel dresses posing with a couple and child against lush green mountains in Hawaii.

Family of four walking hand-in-hand on a tropical beach with lush green mountains and calm waters in Hawaii.

Group standing together in a grassy field with the dramatic Ko'olau Mountains of Hawaii in the background.Oahu Family Photographer

Family enjoying sunset together on a tropical beach with mountains in the distance. Oahu Family Photographer

Family holding hands walking in a lush green field with dramatic mountain backdrop in Hawaii.

Family walking under large canopy trees in a lush Hawaiian park setting.Oahu Family Photographer

A group walks along a scenic Hawaiian beach with misty mountains in the background.

A family enjoys a casual walk along a scenic mountain beach.

A family walking along a palm-lined beach with mountains in the background at sunset.

A woman in flowing dress poses on a beach with mountains and sunrise in the background.

NorthSHore:

Kawela bay Beach Park

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About a 5–10 minute drive from the Turtle Bay area

About a 75–90 minute drive from the Waikiki area

A peaceful and secluded beach surrounded by lush tropical greenery, beautiful banyan trees, and a calm bay. A great location for families looking for a more natural, tropical Hawaii feel with a variety of beautiful backdrops.

*Please note that there is a $100 travel fee for this location.

Family enjoying a sunny beach day, parents lifting their child in the air near ocean waves on a sandy shore.

Large multigenerational family smiling together outdoors on a dirt path surrounded by lush green trees.

Family of four walking hand-in-hand along a tropical beach shore with lush green trees and calm ocean waters.

Couple in white outfits holding hands walking on a sunny tropical beach with palm trees and calm ocean waters.

Family enjoying a sunny beach walk at golden hour, with waves and lush trees in the background.

Parents playing with child on sandy beach at sunset. Oahu Family Photographer

Family of four smiling on a sandy beach, parents holding two young children with lush greenery and ocean in background.

Group walking along a scenic beach shoreline at sunset in tropical attire. Oahu Family Photographer

Family of three enjoying a golden sunset stroll on a tropical sandy beach surrounded by lush green trees.

Family playing together on a sun-drenched beach at golden hour. Oahu Family Photographer

Happy family moment captured on tropical beach with palm trees. Oahu Family Photographer

Joyful moment captured in a lush green forest setting.

Extended family gathering outdoors on a green wooded path wearing coordinated casual attire. Oahu Family Photographer

Family shares joyful moment together on wooded nature trail. Oahu Family Photographer

Intimate family portrait on beach under leafy canopy at sunset. Oahu Family Photographer

Northshore:

Ke iki Beach

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About a 15-20 minute drive from the Turtle Bay area

About a 90-minute drive from the Waikiki area

Beautiful white sandy beach, wide-open shoreline, and lush tropical greenery. A spacious and peaceful setting with plenty of room to explore and capture a variety of beautiful backdrops.

*Please note that there is a $100 travel fee for this location.