What to wear for Oahu family photos
What to wear is the worst part of doing photos. But it matters and that’s why I’m gathering my favorite extended family photoshoot outfit ideas in one place – to help!
Whether your extended family is visiting from the mainland or you’re gathering relatives from across Hawaii, I’m going to walk you through everything about extended family photo sessions on Oahu.
Because here’s the truth: when everyone’s in one place at the same time (which, let’s be honest, is basically never), you need to capture it.
Table of Contents
Your Extended Family Photo Sessions Start with the Right Photographer
Not all photographers are created equal. I learned this the hard way.
The biggest mistake families make when booking extended family photo sessions on Oahu? They book the gorgeous wedding photographer who’s amazing with couples but has never wrangled five kids and their parents simultaneously. It’s like hiring a heart surgeon to do your taxes – they’re talented, just not the right person for the job.
What to Look For in Your Extended Family Photo Sessions Photographer
When you’re searching for someone to handle your extended family photo sessions, ask these specific questions:
- Have you worked with large groups before? (This matters way more than their Instagram aesthetic)
- Have you photographed families with kids these ages? (The most important question you’ll ask)
- Can you share a gallery of extended family photos? (See actual proof, not just promise)
- How many extended families have you photographed? (Experience counts)
- Do you come to us, or do we come to you? (Spoiler: You want someone who comes to you)
Hi! I’m Alison, your chaos coordinator, toddler briber, and parent commiserator. Oh! And Oahu family photographer!
As the ringleader of my own 4-boy circus, I know how hard getting family photos can be.
I run my photo session like a party. I give you something TO DO so you don’t feel awkward wondering, “Where do I put my HANDS?!”
Dad is playing with the kids, everyone forgets what’s ACTUALLY happening, and you look amazing bc you’re actually enjoying yourself. #whoknewphotoscouldbefun
Fast. Fun. Done.
Why Location Matters for Extended Family Photo Sessions
Here’s something nobody tells you: logistics matter. A lot.
When you’re herding 10+ people (or 28) on vacation (with kids, grandparents, maybe someone’s new boyfriend), the LAST thing you want is a complicated photo shoot. You don’t want to load everyone into cars and drive across the island to some photographer’s “favorite location.”
Within reason. Logistics matter, but you’ll be looking at these photos for DECADES.
The best extended family photo sessions happen where YOU are. At your rental home. At your beach cottage. At the hotel. At the beach near where you’re staying…. IF its pretty.
A good photographer who handles extended family photo sessions knows how to scout locations around your area and bring the magic to you. Less travel time = happier kids = better photos. It’s actually that simple.
I only accept two extended family photo sessions per week specifically for this reason. I do my best to come to you, we maximize your time, and everyone stays happy.
Timing is Everything for Extended Family Photo Sessions on Oahu
Extended family photo sessions on Oahu should happen early in your trip. Like, day two or three early.
Why? Because:
- Nobody has a sunburn yet (or someone definitely will by day five)
- Everyone’s not exhausted from vacation activities
- You have backup date options if weather doesn’t cooperate
- The kids haven’t completely melted down
Golden hour is gorgeous here year-round, but extended family photo sessions work best in the morning when everyone’s not grumpy and the light is that perfect warm glow that makes everyone look like they belong in a magazine.
Extended Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas: What to Wear Matters (Yes, Really)
I used to think extended family photo sessions were just about showing up. Then I realized what you wear literally changes the entire vibe.
When you have 10-20 people in one frame, coordinating outfits actually matters – but it doesn’t have to be matching Hawaiian shirts (please, no).
Color Strategy for Extended Family Photo Sessions
- Blues and whites are foolproof at the beach (like everyone’s in the ocean together)
- Pinks and corals photograph beautifully against Hawaii’s blue water
- Avoid busy patterns – they fight with the gorgeous background you paid vacation money to visit
- Textures matter – linen feels more natural than stiff cotton
- Everyone doesn’t have to match – coordination is your friend, matching is your enemy
Check out my complete extended family photo sessions outfit guide for all the details about undergarments, layering, and how to avoid the dreaded white-shirt-see-through situation.
Extended Family Photo Sessions: The Reality Check
Let me be honest about extended family photo sessions on Oahu.
They’re not going to be perfectly coordinated. Someone will be making a weird face. The toddler will have sand in their hair. Grandpa might be squinting. And that? That’s actually the best part.
The photos that matter are the ones where everyone’s actually having fun. Where you can see the real relationships. Where your kids aren’t robots standing in a line.
A photographer who specializes in extended family photo sessions knows how to catch those moments while also getting the “everyone’s looking at the camera” shot for your holiday card.
Pro Tips for Your Extended Family Photo Sessions
- Start with the big group shot. Get everyone together for the full family photo first (when everyone still has patience). Then break into smaller groups – grandparents with grandkids, siblings with their kids, parents alone. The variety gives you options.
- Bring snacks and water. Seriously. A hangry kid ruins extended family photo sessions every single time.
- Set realistic expectations with the kids. Tell them it’ll be 30-45 minutes, not two hours. When extended family photo sessions run shorter, everyone’s happier.
- Have a backup plan for weather. Welcome to Hawaii where it can rain for 10 minutes then be gorgeous again. A good photographer who handles extended family photo sessions always has a plan B.
- Make it fun, not stressful. Extended family photo sessions should feel like a celebration, not a chore. The photographer should set the tone.
Where to Do Extended Family Photo Sessions on Oahu
Oahu has endless options for extended family photo sessions. The key is choosing a location that’s convenient for where you’re staying – and honestly? Choosing a location that doesn’t look like every other tourist beach in America.
Why I Don’t Shoot Extended Family Photo Sessions in Waikiki
Here’s the unpopular opinion: Don’t do your extended family photo sessions in Waikiki.
I know, I know. It’s iconic. It’s where everyone goes. But let me tell you why Waikiki is literally the worst choice for extended family photo sessions:
It’s absolutely packed. Everyone who just got off a plane is also at Waikiki. Jet lag has everyone up at 6am, which means the beach is FULL by 7am. You’re fighting crowds for every single shot.
The background is rough. Waikiki is surrounded by buildings, resort towers, and condos. Where’s the natural Hawaii? Where’s the greenery? Where are the trees? You’re paying for a Hawaiian vacation and your background looks like downtown Honolulu. Not happening on my watch.
Your extended family photo sessions deserve better. When you’re coordinating 8+ people, the last thing you need is photobombers and zero natural landscape. You need space, greenery, and that actual Hawaii feeling.
So yeah, skip Waikiki for your extended family photo sessions. Trust me on this one.
My Favorite Locations for Extended Family Photo Sessions
I’ve shot hundreds of extended family photo sessions on Oahu, and I have favorites for a reason.
Lanikai Beach – This is honestly my top pick for extended family photo sessions. The turquoise water is unreal (like, almost too perfect), the sand is soft and white, and there’s actual greenery and trees in the background. Yes, parking is a pain and it gets crowded, but if you shoot early morning (which extended family photo sessions should anyway), you’ll have it mostly to yourself. The natural landscape makes extended family photo sessions here look like you’re vacationing somewhere exclusive. Because honestly? You kind of are.
Paradise Cove Beach – This is my SECRET weapon for extended family photo sessions. It’s on the west side, which means fewer crowds, stunning golden hour light, and this incredible mix of ocean, natural vegetation, and rocks that create depth in your photos. The water is calmer here too, which is perfect if you have little kids in your extended family photo sessions. Parking is easy, it feels private, and extended family photo sessions here have that “we discovered this magical place” energy. Because you kind of did.
Both locations have natural greenery, actual trees, and that real Hawaii vibe – not the tourist-trap version. When you’re investing in extended family photo sessions, you want the backdrop to match the investment.
Other Options for Extended Family Photo Sessions
- North Shore beaches – Turtle Bay
- East side beaches – Kailua Beach (wide and family-friendly)
- Your vacation rental – Honestly? Sometimes the best extended family photo sessions happen in your own backyard with a view
A photographer who specializes in extended family photo sessions will steer you toward the locations that actually work – the ones with natural beauty, manageable crowds, and that real Hawaii feeling that makes your extended family photo sessions worth the investment.
Why Book Extended Family Photo Sessions (Seriously)
You’re going to age. Your kids are going to grow up. One day your 13-year-old will be 23 and you’ll want to remember what he looked like when he was 13, standing next to his grandpa, at the beach in Hawaii, in that one trip where everyone was together.
Extended family photo sessions aren’t about perfection. They’re about preservation. They’re about having those moments documented so beautifully that you actually hang them on your wall and relive them.
I literally help families do this. I work with you on outfit choices, I come to your location, I keep it fast and fun, and I deliver images that are so gorgeous you can’t NOT share them.
Ready to Book Your Extended Family Photo Sessions?
If you’re bringing your crew to Oahu, extended family photo sessions should be on your list – right after “book flights” and before “pack snacks.”
Reach out to me about booking your extended family photo sessions. I only book two families per week, so availability fills up fast. Tell me your dates, your family size, and where you’re staying, and let’s make something beautiful happen.
Because your family deserves to be documented by someone who gets it. A mom who understands that chaos equals love, and that the best photos are the ones that actually make you smile when you see them.
See you on the beach. ☀️
Want more Oahu family travel tips? Check out my complete guide to visiting Oahu with kids, including where to eat, what to pack, and how to survive the beach with four boys who have never seen an ocean before.
More Extended Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas
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- Everything You Need To Know About Ko Olina, Oahu From Ko Olina Photographers and a MOM
- Lanikai Beach – Ultimate Run Down For the Best Experience
I'm a USMC spouse, South Carolina native, recovering homeschool mama of a 4 boy circus. They've taught me the most important facet of family photography: KEEP IT FUN!
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