Oahu North Shore Family Lifestyle Beach Session | Family of Five

I absolutely adore photographing growing families. Usually I get an inquiry about a growing family and they wait until mom is bif enough for a maternity session. And I get it, multiple family photos in a year can feel like a LOT. But hear me out. Lets do better at celerbating all the stages. I’m guilty of putting things off until ‘x,y,z’ but the present is perfect. We did a little nod to this sweet soul that’s hiding so peacefully for now but taking the time to play on a beach in a new home and capture your children as they are before the world changes again is SO worth it.

Beach sessions with young kids are always so great because they can play. I’ve learned through the years with capturing my own family that my favorite photos of my boys and my husband are ones where they’re enjoying the moment. If I know I’ve got a family with multiple children, I always try to lean to locations with SPACE. Open beaches provide that with still including that beautiful Hawaiin backdrop.

Amongst all the running and playing through, eventually all the energetic kids slow down, even if its just a tad…and even if it might be a result of some prompting. Exploring eventually ensues but at a slower pace. I take the opportunity to sneak in snuggle photos and sweet moments…and usually can convince the parents to take some time to relish in this life they’re created together, even if it means the kiddos are still running around in th ebackground.

If you ask a family photographer, they’ll likely agree that dads can make or break a session. Honestly, the stereotype that dads hate photos and that its something only moms care about…annoys me. BUT, kids feed off energy and I constantly see rough housing and tossing being asked of dads. Its an easy thing to push off and say no too…but when we lean into the yes and lead with the kids, I swear magic happens. If I had a bag of gold starts handy, this dad would get one. Despite the barrage of ‘again’ and ‘me next’ he kept on it and the complete unrestrained joy on these kiddos faces was everything.

I always want families to know that I am not a traditional portrait photographer. I won’t invest a ton of time convincing your kids to stay put and smile, I honestly am not that concerned about the hair in your face on a windy beach or making sure everyone is a perfectly positioned statuesque model. I want your photos to tell a story that’s true.

Together photos are important though and we always weave those in. Its a question I get asked sometimes during sessions ‘can we get some of us all looking at the camera?’ and the answer is usually yes…as long as I have willing participants. Because ultimately the photos of love are what I value, and photos of children being admired and appreciated, the photos of spouses being in the moment together. If the kids are frustrated and irritated because of all the additional demands being put on them, then its truly just not worth putting that stress on them.

I had SO much fun adventuring with this family and I’m so thrilled with the story in photos we got this evening.

So the secret to great family photos? Have fun, relax, let kids be kids and just love each other!