We're here to help you, our client, plan your photo sessions with us. Please scroll or click the link below to choose your next session type.

Maternity Session

Newborn Session

Babies & Children Sessions

Sessions with Multiple Children

Family Sessions

A note regarding all our sessions -

If you have something particular in mind for your session we always ask that you let us know - if not beforehand, during the session. We want your session to be about your and/or your family and children and we want it to reflect your choices, your needs and desires. If you are unsure about anything and would like additional advice, always know that we are available to help you - contact us at 808-625-1050 or here.

Maternity Session

Overview:

These portraits are all about capturing the beauty of pregnancy and the miracle of life. I strive to bring out your inner beauty, peace, and confidence. Don’t worry about any stretch marks or blemishes as all portraits will be retouched so that they are minimized or eliminated.

My goal is to capture the essence of YOUR experience, the joy, emotion and intimate feelings of love you already feel for your precious little one. This is YOUR session. Everyone has different ideas, wants and needs. Maternity portraits are a very personal matter and should reflect you and how you want to best remember this most special time in your and your baby's life.

So, give some thought about the type of portraits that you would like. This will drive what you bring with you and how you and I approach the session. If you are unsure or would like some ideas, be sure to chat with me beforehand because I can help you plan and set you at ease. Feel free to bring along any images that you have seen on the web or in magazines if you have something particular in mind. I usually do a variety of poses and am happy to help you create whatever portraits that you have in mind. Maternity sessions are always 'closed door' so that we can have the privacy we need to create whatever portraits you would like.

Timing:

You should plan your session for the time when your tummy is round and full, but you are still able to move freely and without discomfort. We strongly suggest somewhere between 34- 36 weeks. Also, schedule your photo session on a day that you, your partner and your children (if you have other children and they will be included) will be relaxed and well rested.

Preparation – a few tips for you:

• Make-up should be light and natural looking. A light foundation, blush etc. to even out skin tones is perfect. Too much eyeliner or eye shadow can look very dark or unnatural.
• Eyeglasses should be worn if you or your partner or anyone else participating wears them on a daily basis. I am pretty good at avoiding or fixing glass glare.
• Hair should be fixed so you are comfortable with it. It should be natural and not something that you need to fuss with continuously throughout the session.
• A few days before your session, consider treating yourself to a manicure as many shots of your belly will also include your hands (and a pedicure, just for fun).
• On the day of the session, make sure you bring makeup supplies, hair supplies (hairspray, brush, etc.). If you are planning to bare your tummy, try not to wear anything restricting for about two hours before your session to avoid indentations in your skin.

What to wear and bring - here are some ideas that almost always work well:

Tops

• Strapless bra (natural and/or black)
• Sports bra or other exercise top
• Tank top
• Tube top or bandeau
• Pajamas
• Button down white and/or black shirt (material that drapes softly, if possible) that can be buttoned over breasts and unbuttoned over belly if you like
• Swimsuit
• Sarong

Bottoms

• Panel free pants or jeans that sit below the belly
• Pre-pregnant jeans that fit but can’t be buttoned
• Panel free shorts that sit below the belly
• Black yoga pants

Other things

• Long pretty silk scarf or fabric
• Form fitting dress
• Ivory or black Satin Robe (something that flows well, avoid heavy cotton robes)
• Robe (something that flows well, avoid heavy cotton robes)
• Any maternity outfit that you love
• Baby booties or a stuffed animal
• Special jewelry is a nice accessory to a portrait, though too much jewelry can be distracting. If you have any questions, just bring it along. Watches (for everyone) are the only pieces of jewelry discouraged.
• A number of wraps or drapes are available if this is a look that you especially like, not to worry - I'll take care of it.

If you are being photographed with your significant other, please have him bring or wear dark pants and a solid dark shirt and solid white shirt. Long sleeved is preferable but short sleeved will work, too. Also have your partner consider no shirt in portraits where you will wear no top or a small top or wrap – this always makes a great portrait but I understand it’s a personal choice and is not for everyone!

During your session- relax and enjoy. It won’t be long now until your new baby becomes the center of your attention! Take this special time to bond even deeper with your baby as you create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Newborn Session

The goal with a newborn portrait is to capture the newness, smallness and innocence of your little miracle. I also want to capture the absolute beauty of the love between you at this most special time.

Timing:

The newborn stage lasts such a short time!

I offer newborn sessions up to 6 weeks of age but I strongly recommend that I photograph newborns 3 weeks of age or younger. The younger they are, the more pliable they are and the more likely they are to fall asleep at least part of the time so I can get a great variety of images.

Who can participate: Mom, Dad and other siblings (if there are any) are welcome to join in the session. See below for advice regarding clothing choices & preparation for everyone.

Preparation

For Baby:

There is nothing more beautiful than the skin of a newborn baby, so I generally photograph newborns either completely naked or with a diaper cover (which we provide). I also frequently use a special blanket or wrap (again, I have a lot of them but feel free to bring something if it is special to you). If you do have clothing that you want baby to wear in portraits, make sure it fits well (not too big or too small). Also feel free to bring with you any special toys, hats, stuffed animals, or other items that are dear to you. Don't worry about baby acne or other little marks on baby's skin. Expert retouching is provided to minimize or eliminate any imperfections.

For Parents and Siblings participating in the session:

• For everyone, I recommend the classic clothing choice of jeans or khakis with black tops. Tops should be solid. For adults, tops should be long sleeved.
• For children also bring along an outfit with a pastel top and a matching color choice for baby. In addition to photos of the entire family, we also try for pictures of just the children together and pastels all around (solids if possible, if not clothing with little prints) look great.
• Hair should be fixed so you are comfortable with it. It should be natural and not something that you need to fuss with continuously throughout the session.
• Haircuts - give haircuts a chance to breathe before a session. If possible, cut hair no earlier than a week before.
• Eyeglasses should be worn if anyone participating wears them on a daily basis. I am pretty good at avoiding or fixing glass glare.

For all the adults:

• Black, long-sleeved tops
• Watches are the only pieces of jewelry we discourage. We just ask that you put them in your pocket or off to the side during the session.
• Pay attention to your nails - we'll be photographing your hands a lot and you'll want to make sure that they're in good shape.
• Special jewelry is a nice accessory to a portrait, though too much jewelry can be distracting. If you have any questions, just bring it along.

Especially for Mom:

• Make-up should be light and natural looking. A light foundation, blush etc. to even out skin tones is perfect. Too much eyeliner or eye shadow can look very dark or unnatural.
• See tips above under Adults regarding your nails, jewelry, hair, haircuts and eyeglasses.
• OK, this is a sensitive topic but it's usually in the forefront of most of our moms' minds - baby weight gain that is still there. A double chin where you never had one before. Skin problems that are still there as a result of your pregnancy. Here's what I'm going to tell you - don't worry about it! I'm not kidding. Relax and let me take care of it - there are things I can do in regards to how I pose you, what I use for backgrounds (why do you think I ask you to wear black, hmmm?) and what I can do in post-processing to minimize any and all flaws. You are going to love how you look!

Especially for Dad:

• If you have a heavy beard and your session is late in the day, consider shaving before the session. Five o'clock shadow is difficult to fix after the fact.
• See tips above under Adults regarding your nails, jewelry, hair, haircuts and eyeglasses.

Babies and Children

If you are fortunate enough to join Little Wiggles and Giggles, I will provide you with detailed instruction guide for each of the critical milestones through baby's first year to help you best plan for your sessions. In general, though -

For all babies and children

Always make sure that clothing fits well (not too big or too small, please!) and, for the most part, don't worry about shoes and socks (except for formal portraits) as bare feet are almost always preferable, plus this is Hawaii. Bring along any props that will personalize the session - favorite toy(s), stuffed animal(s), blankie, sports items or outfits, etc. that you want included in any portraits. For girls, hair bows and hats are always cute (though it's tough to keep a hat on once they pass the 7 month mark!).

For babies not yet sitting up (3-5 months)

Avoid overalls (they bunch up under baby's chin) and be careful to choose tops with collars that don't bunch up. You can check this by dressing baby in the outfit and laying him or her down and observing whether the top falls well. If it bunches up avoid it.

For babies 3-6 months

A good portion of my photo sessions with young babies are done with a naked baby or diaper cover, so keep outfits to a minimum. For baby girls who are sitting but not yet standing, be sure to select dresses or skirts that are full enough that they cover the diaper completely when she sits.

For babies 9 months and older

Bring a few outfits (2-3 is a good amount) as I don't do as many naked baby pictures past 7 months. Overalls are a great choice for babies who are standing (with or without a top).

Christening gowns

If baby will be christened soon, do bring along the christening outfit but please let us know in advance that you'll be doing so.

For twins and other multiples

You can either dress them identically or dress them in clothes whose colors are either the same or go well together. Call us if you need additional advice on this one!

Multiple Children

Always (or almost always)

• Select a time that is best for everyone and if that’s not possible select the best time for the youngest children. As with almost everything timing is EVERYTHING!
• Match clothing - white tops with khaki pants always look timeless (very Gap-like!) or substitute another pastel color for the white.
• Make sure everything throughout the outfit(s) ties together and make sure that clothes fit (again, not too big or too small).
• You usually don't need to worry about shoes and socks - bare feet are almost always preferable.

Formal Portraits

• Select a color scheme that will thread throughout everyone’s clothing. As with all portraiture, match colors. Call if you need assistance with this!
• Darker clothing will also work
• You’ll want to select more formal clothing choices
• Shoes are fine (but you can also have bare feet). If you do provide shoes and socks make sure that the shoes are polished and clean (including the bottoms, just in case).

Family Sessions

The goal is to create a portrait of your family (whatever the number) that is timeless, focuses on the faces in the portrait and that is a great picture of everyone. To that end, I will provide head-swapping (post production!), if necessary, to ensure that I have a great image of everyone included and I’ll also provide you with advice that will ensure that you have a portrait you will treasure for a lifetime.

Other than getting everyone together on the same date and time (your task!) the most important thing for you to do is to select the overall type of portrait that you would like (formal or informal) and that you select a color combination to use throughout the portrait. You’ll want to select a color scheme that you like and that goes well in the room where you will hang your portrait. Here's some additional advice:

Tips for Everyone

• Keep your outfits in the same tonal range.  In other words, you all want to be in the same, rather than contrasting, colors.
• Coordinating solid color tops with jeans or khakis works well.
• White with khakis looks clean and neat. Black with jeans looks great, too.
• Darker clothing tends to minimize body size; light tones tend to emphasize body size.
• Choose either formal or casual attire, but keep it consistent - don’t mix the two.
• Avoid short sleeve clothing and short pants. Exposed arms and legs tend to detract from the primary focus of the portrait – the face.
• Hair should be fixed so you are comfortable with it. It should be natural and not something that you need to fuss with continuously throughout the session. Bring along any hair care products you may need for minor adjustments before and during the session.
• And, speaking of hair - avoid haircuts just before a session, give a haircut a week or so to grow in.
• If you always wear glasses, you should wear them to your session so you'll look like you!
• Special jewelry is a nice accessory to a portrait, though too much jewelry can be distracting. If you have any questions, just bring it along.
• Watches are the only pieces of jewelry I discourage. I just ask that you put them in your pocket or off to the side during the session.
• Pay attention to your nails - depending on the type of session they may be visible so you'll want to make sure that they're in good shape.

For the Adults

• Choose long sleeves and solid colors.
• Pants and skirts should be darker than the tops.
• Avoid turtlenecks if possible.

Especially for the Ladies

• A V-neckline top is always attractive and elongates your neck.
• Please come with your makeup done. Make-up should be light and natural looking. A light foundation, blush etc. to even out skin tones is perfect. Too much eyeliner or eye shadow can look very dark or unnatural.

Especially for the Men

• If you have a heavy beard, shave prior to the session, especially if it’s scheduled at the end of the day.  Five o’clock shadows are difficult to remove, post production.