Best Oahu Locations for Photo Shoots
Best Oahu Locations for Photo Shoots
17 gorgeous locations for your perfect photo session on Oahu
Here is a guide to help navigate all of my most frequented gorgeous location options for photo sessions. All are located on the island of Oahu. Each of these locations can be perfect for either a Family Photography Session, Engagement Session, Maternity and Elopement. I have included maps to each location so you can best choice option for you! Keep in mind traffic, drive time and if you need to rent a car. It is best to give yourself plenty of time so you are not rushed. I prefer shooting at golden hour, that is sunrise to 90 mins or 90min prior to sunset. Some locations offer better qualities of light than others. I do refrain from shooting during high noon. First off, it is hot, it hurts your eyes and it doesn’t do your skin justice. I included 15 locations across Oahu, these are amazing locations each offering something just a bit different from each other.
 A Tip for our session: Always bring a towel and a change of clothes in the car. Often times, we do end up getting a bit wet and sandy and it is great to have a spare set of clothes to change into after your photo shoot.
1. Kualoa Regional Park
This is my locations for photoshoots. I love Kualoa Regional Park because if its soft afternoon light. Because of the Koolau Mountains, the sun is blocked in the late afternoon creating a gorgeous soft light. I can start shooting int he late afternoon until sunset and get very beautiful colors that allow for the best light on your skin. It really creates a golden hour effect a lot longer at this location.
Best Times of Day: Afternoon to Evening
Kualoa offers: Mountains, Turquoise Waters, Greenery, Rocks, Palms Trees, Grass, Plants
Want to see more of Kualoa? Check out Amy’s Family Kualoa Regional Park Gallery
2. Lanikai Beach
Lanikai has been named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic and after visiting, you will understand why. The sand feels like powdered sugar and the water is less like the ocean and more like a bathtub. It is where I take my kids to learn how to swim. It is just gorgeous. These first two are unique couple’s perspective from above taken with the Drone. I prefer to shoot here at sunrise since the beach can get very busy throughout the day.
Best Time of Day: Morning or Evening
Lanikai offers: Gorgeous Sunrises, Baby Powder Sand, Turquoise Water, Palm Trees, Island Views
3. Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo Beach is Oahu’s best-kept secret. It is almost away empty and just plain gorgeous. It is a classic Hawaii Beach look.
Best Times of Day: Morning or Evening.
Waimanalo offers: a long stretch of perfect sand, turquoise waters, greenery, palm trees, evergreen forest, purple flowers
 4. Lanai Lookout
Lanai Lookout is a unique location on Oahu. To get down to the rocks, you must be active and agile. It is very steep, I do not recommend this location for maternity sessions or for small children
Best Time of Day: Morning or Evening
Lanai Lookout offers: Rocks, Ocean Views, Amazing Scenic
5. Halona Blowhole
Halona Blowhole is a gorgeous place to take photos. I highly recommend sunrise. This beach gets very busy later in the day. You need to be athletic to go on this shoot. It is a steep walk down. I would not recommend this shoot for your grandparents. For people with small children, if you are comfortable carrying them down the hill then you can go for it. There is very limited Parking so make sure you arrive early for your session just in case you have to wait for a parking space. I do not recommend this location for maternity sessions since the walk is steep and I do not want you to fall.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise!
Halona Blowhole offers: an amazing sunrise location, rocks, Sand, Water, Mountains to climb on!, cave
6. Makapu’u Lookout & Makapu’u Beach
Makapu’u Lookout and Makapu’u Beach are two separate locations that you should drive in-between. The drive is less than a min away but since the road is very windy and steep with no good place to walk. Makapu’u lookout is a great place to propose and get an epic view of the Eastside of Oahu.
Best Time: Morning or Evening
Makapu’u offers: Sandy Beach, Gorgeous Scenic, Lava Rocks, Mountains, Palm Trees
Want More Makapu’u? Check out Giselle’s Makapu’u Elopement
7. Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is a great and convenient option. It offers a metropolis beach feel. Do not expect to get a beach shot where the beach looks empty. It most likely will not work at this location.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise. Sunset can be very busy
Waikiki offers accessibility, gorgeous cityscape, sandy beaches, palm trees galore.
8. Hale Koa Hotel & Beach
The Hale Koa Hotel located in Waikiki is a great location for a shoot in Waikiki. It offers a less busy part of Waikiki Beach and has a lovely tropical garden inside the Hale Koa Hotel grounds. I highly suggest sunrise for this location.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise
9. Hilton Hawaiian Village
The Hilton is located on the far side of Waikiki shore and offers a little gem at the corner of the beach. At the end of the beach, there are canoes so there isn’t too many beachgoers and a perfect spot to take photos. There is a great rock wall getty that is great for taking photos and we can even squeeze diamond Head behind you.
PS. The Hilton offers fireworks every Friday Night at 7:45pm. Want to do a sunset and Firework shoot?
Best Time of Day: Sunrise
The Hilton Offers: accessibility, gorgeous cityscape, sandy beaches, palm trees galore.
10. Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens
Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens is a botanical gardens located in Kaneohe and is unlike any other botanical gardens. It is huge and awe-inspiring and you could literally spend the whole day exploring the gardens, checking out the koi and unusual ducks and seeing all the vibrant foliage this gardens has to offer.
Best Time of Day: Morning and Afternoon (closes at 4pm)
Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens offers: Iconic Landscape, Lush Tropical Forest, Fresh Water Lake, Mountains, it is a great location for an afternoon photo session since there is great shade in the forest
Want to read more about Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens? Check out this Blog and Gallery Here!
11. Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay is a gorgeous location along the North Shore of Oahu. This shoot below was a sunrise session which is a great option since it is the least busy time of day where most of the beaches are empty
Best Time of Day: Sunrise or Sunset (can be busy)
Turtle Bay Offers: conventionally located if you are staying at Turtle Bay Resort, Sand, Trees, Rocks, Tide pools
12. North Shore-Kawela Bay
Kawela Bay is a great beach for little kids during the North Shore winter’s months with the massive waves. I love this location on the North Shore because it is a beach that is off the beaten track. It offers a gorgeous bay with a forest. It also offers very unique trees. Finding this beach can be a bit tricky, but if you follow my directions, it is right across the street from the Kahuku fruit stand. If you follow the dirt path it is less than a 5 min walk from the road.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise or Sunset
Kawela Bay Offers: Calm Water-No waves, Forest, Trees, Sand, Off the Beaten Path
13. Waialae Beach
Located in the heart of the ritzy town of Kahala, this is one of my favorite options for people that want to stay close to Waikiki without the crowds. There is a palm tree island right off the beach. Many times, from the shore, I can sea turtles. One of the best features of Waialae beach is the “Palm Tree Chair,” many people love to either sit or stand on the palm tree to create a very unique picture.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise or Sunset
Waialae Beach Offers: Sand, Water, Palm Trees, Island, Greenery, Palm Tree Chair
14. Paradise Cove
If you are staying in Ko’olina, Paradise Cove is the most covenant location for taking photos. While they offer a vey small parking lot, you can most definitely walk from your hotel. I prefer shooting here at sunrise since it is way less busy but I can also shoot at sunset.
Best Time of Day: Morning or Evening (If evening I like right before sunset)
Paradise Cove offers: Sandy Beach, Palm Trees, Rocks, Gorgeous Tree
15. Sandy’s Beach
Sandy’s beach is not the best location for kids since there are waves that break close to shore, but Sandy’s beach offers sand, mountains and lava rocks. Sandy’s beach does have ample parking, bathroom, and showers.
16. Honolulu Museum of Art
If you are looking for something with a different look. Check out Honolulu Museum of Art. It offers a bit of Italian feel and Japanese feel just a few steps away. Perfect for an artistic and metropolitan feel to your shoot.
Best Time of Day: first opening or near closing time. weekdays are best.
The Honolulu Museum of Art Offers: Spanish tile, Italian Architecture, Japanese Architecture, statues, staircase, Bougainville
17. Kakaako Waterfront
If you want a Honolulu city life feel head over to Kakaako Waterfront. This location does not offer a sandy beach, but an urban style filled with cafes, graffiti, colorful murals, rocks, a tall grassy hill, and some stray cats. Great if you are looking for more an editorial vibe or want some vibrant colorful new Instagram photographs.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise or Sunset
Kakaako Waterfront offers: colorful, art, murals, cafes, rocks, large hill, waterfront
Do you have another location on your mind? Let me know. I love discovering new locations.
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