We have 2 basic packages for photos, and you can add time to either of them:

30-Minute Photo Shoot                           $250

• 30 minutes of Professional Photography at any Kauai location of your choice
• Digital Download of All Photos (or DVD available upon request) – high resolution, large size images which comes with copyright release, so that you can print your photos anytime you like
• Unlimited Number of Poses within the time frame
• Personalized Photo Webpage (free upon request)
• Pre-Shoot Consultation to help you choose the location, time, props and more that will best suit you and make your dream photo vision a reality

45 to 60-Minute Photo Shoot                  $300

• 45 to 60 minutes of Professional Photography at any Kauai location of your choice
• Digital Download of All Photos (or DVD available upon request) – high resolution, large size images which comes with copyright release, so that you can print your photos anytime you like
• Unlimited Number of Poses within the time frame
• 1-2 Clothing Changes
• Personalized Photo Webpage (free upon request)
• Pre-Shoot Consultation to help you choose the location, time, props and more that will best suit you and make your dream photo vision a reality

Extra Photo Time                                    $150 / Hour

Timory is very patient and truly values getting an exquisite shot of you and your loved ones that you can treasure for decades. She goes way above and beyond to do what it takes to make sure that happens. If you happen to have kids in your group, you’re really in luck, because it would be hard to find someone who will be more patient and skilled at working with your kids to get an amazing shot, even out of a tired and cranky child who is jet lagged and  missed their nap!

We are also a very flexible company. We’ll do everything we can to make sure your photos are what you want, even if it means rescheduling a photo shoot due to inclement weather.

We have put together the basic information we find people want to know in order to take advantage of the gorgeous environment we have here on Kauai. These are the sorts of questions people ask us:

·      What can I do to get the best Kauai family photos

·      When is the best time of day to do them?

·      Where are the best places to do an outdoor photo shoot?

·      How long do I need?

·      What if we have kids?

·      How do you do clothing changes?

·      What are the best clothes to wear?

·      What is the best way to wear my hair (for women)?

If you want to know the answer to any of these typical questions or more, please inquire with us and we'll help you opt-in to our emails, which contain free (and a minimal) amount of information to answer basic questions that many people have.

Timory would love to help you capture your magic as a family in paradise. Please let us know how we can help! For any questions please call 877-711-3003.

will depend on a couple of factors. A lot of people want to know when the best time of the day is to have a Kauai family photo shoot. We are happy to take your photos any time of the day, anywhere you want. However, there are better and worse places and time to take photos in terms of showing off the vivid tropical colors and, of course, you!

The following tips are taking adult schedules into consideration (not kids):

·      We recommend booking your photo shoot as early in your trip as possible. There is a reasonable chance that someone in your party may get burned while you are here, and you will look a lot better if you’re not as red as a lobster! Also, if it has to be postponed due to rain, you’ll have more time to reschedule.

·      If you are looking for sunset colors and overall good light, a good rule of thumb is to start about 90 minutes before sunset, assuming you are doing 30 to 60 minutes of photos. Start earlier if you are doing more than 60 minutes of photos.

·      Try to avoid booking a photo shoot in the middle of the day when the sun is high. Not only will it be hot and potentially sweaty, but also you may look anxious or uncomfortable rather than happy and relaxed. If the middle of the day is the only time you have, then we will always find shade and make it work … but it’s best to choose a cooler and less bright time in the evening.

·      Normally people are here visiting and want to optimize each precious day they are here, so often we get asked about doing it in the early morning so they can go about their day sightseeing. This is also a possibility, but not as great of an idea as sunset, because the sun comes up so quickly. Depending on which side of the island you are on, within minutes of it rising its angle can shine so strongly into one’s eyes that it can cause people to squint.

·      We are happy to do it if you like, but we do not recommend taking photos right at sunset for a full family photo shoot with the sun going down directly behind you (unless that is one of the main objectives of the photo shoot). We can certainly do it, but that shot passes quickly and runs the risk of taking the focus away from the family and putting it onto the sun. This is a however good idea for couple photo shoots that want a feeling of romance.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 877-711-3003.

Background

Sometimes people say they don’t care if there are people in the back of their photos or not (we especially here this for clients staying in Poipu where there are pretty much always people on every beach.) If this is truly the case, we are happy to take photos anywhere you want. However, Timory strongly feels that photos are of a much higher quality if there are not people showing in the background. This is why she so often recommends Lydgate Beach or other more private beaches/locations. Beaches that are nearly always filled with people and hard to get a clear shot at include Hanalei Bay and nearly all beaches in Poipu.

Lighting

It is preferable to have softer lighting, later in the evening or very early in the morning. That way people can relax their eyes and they don’t look uncomfortable or as if they have closed eyes. It also helps people look less shiny from sweat.  Sometimes this could be achieved more towards the middle of the day if it’s overcast or partially cloudy, but of course we won’t know the weather until very close to the photo shoot.

Here is a link to what we wrote about some of the most popular locations to have photos taken that we posted on our wedding site. You can just ignore the references to weddings, because the same things that make a place a good or bad spot for taking wedding photos also apply to any photo shoot:

http://www.alohaeverafter.com/kauai-wedding-locations/

depends mostly on 4 things:

1.    How many people are in the photo shoot;

2.    If there are young kids or not;

3.    How many types of photos you want from the photo shoot; and

4.    If there are any clothing changes/backgrounds during the shoot.

1. How many people are in the photo shoot?

Obviously, the more people you have in the shoot, the more time you need. If there are less than 4-5 people, and it’s a simple straightforward photo shoot with no multiple purposes for the photos nor clothing changes, then 30 minutes is often enough. If there are 5 or more people, we highly recommend considering the 45m+ option. A good rule of thumb is to count on it taking 3 minutes per pose, assuming there are no kids.

For example: let’s say you are a small group of 4 people (2 couples), and you want an individual shot of each person. This would mean 4 poses x 3 minutes which equals 12 minutes. Then let’s say you want at least 3 poses of the whole group. This would mean 3 poses x 3 minutes, which equals 9 minutes. Then a photo of the 2 couples would be 2 poses x 3 minutes which equals 6 minutes. All that means that we would need at least 27 minutes just for the bare minimum. The 30 min photo shoot would work just fine.

2. Are there young kids present?

Obviously, the younger the kids are, or the more kids there are, the more time you need. Kids do not do well being rushed! Kids will likely become cranky if they feel they have to perform under pressure – we know from personal experience! That is, unless you are lucky enough to have a photo loving little girl who just loves to smile for the camera every time! With mid size groups or just really young kids, we recommend the 45-60 minute shoot, but with larger groups of kids you may well need more than an hour.

3. How many types of photos do you want from the photo shoot?

People often say they only need a few photos, and that’s totally fine.  However, before you throw away a chance to get a lot of bang for just a little extra buck, consider this: the most expensive part of hiring a professional photographer is the first 30 min. After that it’s fairly inexpensive to add on more time (only $50 for the next 30 min!). Since most people do not have professional photo shoots very often, we recommend doing everything you can in just one session. The most important aim of the photo shoot is normally to get a few GREAT group shots. However, once that is achieved, in the same photo shoot for little or no additional cost Timory would also like to help you get:

• Individual shots
  
• Couple shots
• Quick headshots you can later use for business, facebook, websites, etc.
  
• The same group/individual/couple shots in a different shirt/outfit so you can use the photos in more places without it looking like the same photo over and over again
  
• The same group/individual/couple shots with a different background nearby so it looks like the photos aren’t all in the same place on the same day
  

4. Are there any clothing changes/backgrounds during the shoot?

This is partially covered in point #3 above. Depending on what you want to use your photos for, it may well be worth the extra $50 to just take more than one type of picture. If you simply walk a short distance to a different background or change a few shirts, you have more photos to give as gifts, use in different places or use together. People get tired of looking at the same people with the same background in the same clothes, but by simply changing 1-2 of those things, it seems like a totally different photo and they can be used side by side!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 877-711-3003.

What to Wear

If possible, dress similarly, as in the photo above, where the entire family is wearing similar but not exactly matching bluish shirts.

What I mean by sets is that each family unit or couple (out of a larger extended family) dress similarly, as seen above where each family nucleus are dressed in the same color shirts.

Regardless of if you all match or not, chose something simple and plain, with no busy prints if at all possible, and no words written large enough to read! If you are interested in buying matching aloha wear (such as can be found at Hilo Hattie’s in Lihue or Macy’s in Lihue) go for the most identical Hawaiian prints you can, with as few colors as possible. Too many contrasting colors and patterns distract the eye from looking at you.

Hair
Let’s keep this simple: pull some or all of medium/long hair back neatly before you come to the photo shoot. This applies to all people whose hair is not really short!

One of the most common things people forget is that they chose to have their photos taken at the beach, which is always windy, and then forget to do anything about pulling their hair back. Most people find hair down very attractive, myself included. However I have a LOT of experience with this, and I can assure you that medium/long hair down never looks good on a windy beach … and all beaches have the potential to be windy here on Kauai.

Although this picture above is of a recent wedding, wind does not discern between family photos and wedding photos! If it’s not at least partially back, it WILL blow in your face, and we will have to take up your photo time moving the group around in circles trying to find an angle where it’s manageable, or we will have to have someone in the group hold your hair down! For more info, see this article on how to wear your hair.

Makeup

Makeup (or no makeup) can be as simple or complicated as you feel comfortable with. If you are not used to wearing makeup, you don’t want to put gobs of makeup on, or you’ll feel fake and the photos won’t be an authentic representation of you.

Of course if you’re interested, we can arrange to have your hair or makeup done professionally for you so that you feel really great about how you look (see photo above) … but that’s not necessary. Most people chose to do their own, and that’s fine.  

Caitlin is here to help you book your photos, and she also happens to be a licensed cosmetologist. Here are a few simple tips she has to offer:

·       Put on a little more makeup than usual. Photography can wash makeup out and what can be your normal everyday makeup can quickly appear as no makeup on film. Don't be afraid to do a few extra layers of mascara, a little more blush and of course a nice lip color.

·       Always bring your lip color to retouch and some blotting paper to get rid of any oil or sweat.

The weather here is humid and damp from the salt spray, so keep that in mind when wanting to wear your hair down and curled. Unless you have a professional helping you get that look, you may end up with it down and frizzy. Something soft and up works well with the wind and humidity here if you are doing it by yourself.

If you’re interested in help looking fabulous for your photo shoot, please ask Caitlin! Being a cosmetologist here in Hawaii for over 6 years has given Caitlin the knowledge and experience to deal with the elements. The hair products and makeup she uses in her kit have passed the humidity, wind and sun test. Taking the stress off yourself to get ready for your gorgeous photos is something she would love to help you with!

Kids that feel happy and have some power are easier to photograph! With particularly challenging and tired kids she has a bag full of toys and tricks. Timory is always happy to offer (with the parents’ approval) a positive consequence to help bring out a truly happy and cooperative smile! She can also take shots of other family members while giving the child some space to play, or take candid as seen in the photo above … some of the best shots are what’s happening in between the posed smiley shots!

If you are picking out when to have your photos done with children, the #1 thing to consider is: when will the children in your group be most likely to be happiest? If the answer to that question in mid-late morning, you are not alone. Although in general we do not recommend midday photo shoots, a photo shoot with a happy, full bellied, well rested child is more important than most other factors.

Timory or Caitlin are happy to have a chat with you ahead of time and to help you pick out the best time for your particular circumstance as well as picking out a location with plenty of shade and without anything too likely to distract your kids. Lydgate Beach is a great option for all of those reasons, and also because after the photo shoot it happens to have a park with the top 2 jungle gyms on the island … a nice incentive for happy faces and cooperative behavior for toddlers!

Click here to see some of our family photos with kids.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us a 877-711-3003.

Kauai family photography is not just something fun to do with your family, partner, spouse or children, but it's actually a kind of investment. It's something whose value grows considerably with age. To some people, having their photos taken on a Kauai beach, or somewhere at an outdoors Kauai location, may not seem like a big deal at the time, but later on, when a space of 10 or 20 years has passed, those photos become priceless.

How do you put a price on memories? They are by their very definition priceless; intimate, emotional and personal.

You can use the family photos as a tool to bring back memories you have forgotten, or have become blurry about. One of our clients wrote to us:

"The photographs have turned out beautifully and will be a lasting keepsake of this wonderful time in our lives. The thing about photographs is that you don't appreciate them as much at the time as you do several years down the track. They are a wonderful emotional investment for yourself and future generations."

At the end of the day, it is relationships with the other people in our lives – especially the ones who are closest to us, whether they be parents, siblings, kids or spouses – that give our lives real meaning and stimulate so much challenge, growth, appreciation and love. Here at Kauai Family Photography, we are offering a great way to memorialize those relationships in print and digital format forever, so you can tap back into the experience of them any time you wish. Can you think of a cheaper yet more rewarding or fulfilling investment? We can't!

There are many great Kauai photo locations – too many to choose from, which is a great problem to have! We've narrowed it down to the best of the best. Read through them and get a feel for which you may like the most. Of course, when you choose us for your photos, we can do any spot on Kauai you like, even if it's not on this list.

Lydgate Beach (East Side)
Lydgate Beach is on the east side of Kauai, near the sacred Wailua river, close to the town of Kapaa/Wailua. Lydgate Beach is a hidden jewel and our personal favorite when it comes to Kauai photo locations. Since most visitors do not know about the private hidden area within the longer beach, it is rare to see many people here, although there are sometimes locals fishing or taking a walk.

Nukolii Beach (East Side)
Nukolii Beach is also on the east side of Kauai, right outside the Kauai Beach Resort hotel, in between Lihue and Kapaa/Wailua. Nukolii Beach is a beautiful and secluded little beach that rarely gets a lot of visitors. A hidden gem, this location has a tree to two for minimal shade (not too much) and parking nearby at the resort, although like all beaches in Hawaii it’s a public beach and open to anyone. Although it’s not the best swimming beach it is great for family, individual and couple photos!

Anini Beach (North Shore)
Anini Beach is a thin, long beach with a lot of trees. It has almost no waves (shallow reef) but a lot of pavilions, a camping area and a general beach area. It is often quite populated near the camping area, but since the beach is so long, it is easy to find secluded sections for a more private photo shoot, making it another great Kauai photo location.

Hanalei Bay (North Shore)
Hanalei Bay is a truly picturesque Kauai photo location. It boasts a variety of beautiful backdrops: the pier, the large mountains and the long, wide beach, curving around the bay. Hanalei bay is calm in the summer but has large waves in the winter. A wonderful Kauai photo location!

Shipwrecks Beach (South Shore)
Shipwrecks Beach (aka Keoniloa Bay), located in Poipu, is a long, lovely beach. However, because of its proximity to large resorts, it is quite populated every day so you will never be alone. It’s the most popular Kauai wedding location beach. There are normally many weddings happening at the same at Shipwrecks. Understandably this is not preferable to most people wanting family, individual or couple photos who would rather have more privacy. For this reason, we generally recommend Shipwrecks as a back-up photo location in case your first choice is rained out.

Mahaulepu (South Shore)
Mahaulepu is an uncommon Kauai photo location – but it's blessed with uncommon beauty too. Located in Poipu, past Shipwrecks beach, at the end of a long, bumpy dirt road, Mahauelpu is a protected wilderness area. It has a beautiful beach off the beaten path. There are plenty of pine trees for shade, and sometimes a monk seal may be seen resting on the sand at the end of the beach. The beach has cliffs and mountain views. Visitors are allowed only until 6pm.

Tropical Garden, Waterfall and River Locations
Remember, you can have your photos done anywhere you want it! Kauai photo locations are not just limited to beaches, resorts, hotels or vacation rentals. There are a variety of private grounds, gardens, waterfall locations or botanical gardens, all of which are stunningly beautiful and provide a wonderful setting and backdrop. Kauai is an extremely diverse island, with terrain ranging from flowing, pristine rivers to eucalyptus forests to pine woodlands to bamboo groves and more. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll suggest something!