How to Get Beautiful Sunset Beach Family Photos in Wailea

Sunset beach family photos are a fun way to celebrate your family, whether for a special occasion or for no reason in particular (you don’t need one)! Wailea, located on picturesque Maui, is known for its breathtaking beaches and stunning sunsets. It’s an incredible backdrop for a family photoshoot—and a visit to this location opens up a great opportunity to create everlasting memories.

Keep reading to get the inside scoop on how you can make the most of your beautiful family photo session during golden hour in Wailea. When you follow these tips, you can be confident you’ll be returning home with cherished keepsakes to last a lifetime.

Top Tips for Great Beach Family Photos 

We’ve had the pleasure of photographing hundreds of families—so we think it’s fair to say we’ve picked up a tip or two on how to have a successful beach shoot. There are some particular factors you’ll want to consider as you prepare, especially if you’re new to being in front of the camera or getting ready for a sunset shoot!

These are our tips on getting sunset family pictures you’ll enjoy (and enjoy sharing), and have fun doing it too.

Choose The Right Outfits

The outfits you choose for your family photoshoot will have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of your family photos. Our best suggestion is to opt for outfits that complement each other without being overly matchy-matchy (read: you don’t all need to wear the same thing). 

We’re big fans of color palettes that harmonize with the beach setting. Think pastels, neutrals, or vibrant tropical hues. You’ll also want to be comfortable and fit the outdoor, airy atmosphere. Great choices include anything linen, flowy dresses, and breathable shirts. All of these lend to creating a relaxed and beachy vibe that fits in seamlessly in Wailea.

Lastly, build in an outfit change! This will give your photos more dimension and variety. If this appeals to you, we recommend keeping it quick and simple for kids – swimwear, or another comfy outfit they enjoy wearing.

Relax and Enjoy the Moment

There’s definitely a time and place for posing, and a great photographer will know exactly how and when to direct you. That said, one of the secrets to capturing beautiful family photos is to encourage natural and candid moments. 

Don’t be afraid to let your family members interact and enjoy themselves organically. Being perfectly and uniquely who you are as a family allows your photographer to capture genuine laughter, hugs, and sweet moments. If you can enjoy the moment and be present, your images will reflect the authentic love and joy within your family, which makes for truly memorable images.

Choose the Right Location

Call us biased, but we think Maui makes one incredible backdrop for a photoshoot, especially for families. Wailea, in particular, offers several stunning beach options for your family photoshoot.

Each location has its unique appeal. We also choose based on your session length, ages of kids and adults in your group, swel land wind conditions to ensure you have the best fit for your family. When you hire photographers who are familiar with the area (like us) we’ll whisk you away to the perfect spot. Your photographer should also be able to navigate crowds and work around other beachgoers so you can get uninterrupted beach time for your family photoshoot. We’ll also edit out any distractions so that sunset Tommy Bahama lineup doesn’t interfere with your family’s portraits.

Remember Timing is Key

Timing is crucial when it comes to capturing beautiful sunset beach photos. If you have a longer session, we will time it properly with a location that allows for more diversity in your backdrops, such as greenery offset from the beach. Make sure you leave plenty of time, take snacks and set up picnic while you wait (just make sure there’s a change of clothes handy just in case!) It’s better to arrive too early than too late and risk feeling rushed or forgo the best light.

If you want to set yourself up for success, plan to arrive at least a little early so you can get comfortable and make sure you’re in the right spot. 

Work With Photographers Who Feel Like a Great Fit

When perusing professionals to hire for your beach family session, there are a few things you’ll want to look out for. First, be intentional about finding a photographer (or photographers) who specialize in family beach photography. The beach is a unique environment for a shoot, so it helps to hire people who have been there and done that so they can navigate the shoot as your trusted experts.

Personality is also an underrated but important factor to consider when choosing a photographer. Browsing the photographer’s website should give you a better idea of their vibe. It also never hurts to connect over email and ask any questions you have to get a feel about whether or not they’ll jive with you.

It’s also important to choose photographers who shoot and edit in a style that resonates with you. If you love beautiful pastel tones, playing with natural light, and loose direction for poses mixed with candid shots, we’d probably be a great fit for you. 

Get Gorgeous Golden Hour Family Photos

Is it time for you to pencil in sunset beach family photos? We hope you do! If you follow the tips shared here, you’re bound to have a great experience. So what are you waiting for? Gather your loved ones, bask in the beauty of Wailea’s sunsets, and capture those priceless moments that will forever warm your heart.

Want to chat about securing your spot for a sunset photoshoot with us? Book your Maui family photoshoot with Love and Water!