Ko’olina is one of the most beautiful locations on Oahu for extended family photos. The calm lagoons, the soft sand, and the palm trees make it a naturally stunning backdrop. Add a Hawaii sunrise and coordinated outfits with leis, and the results are truly special. Here’s a look at one of my favorite extended family sessions at Ko’olina in the morning — and everything you need to know if you’re planning one of your own.

Why Ko’olina is perfect for extended family sessions

Extended family sessions come with a unique set of logistics. You’re coordinating multiple households, multiple ages, and multiple personalities — all at once. Ko’olina makes that easier in a few important ways if you’re staying right there in Ko’olina.

First, it’s convenient. If your family is staying at Aulani, the Four Seasons, the Marriott Ko’olina, or a nearby vacation rental, you don’t need to travel far. The cove that we are able to legally use for commercial use is next to the Four Seasons at Koolina. That alone reduces stress significantly, especially when you’re wrangling young kids and grandparents early in the morning.

Second, the weather is reliably good. Ko’olina sits on the dry, leeward side of Oahu. It’s one of the sunniest and driest spots on the island, which means a much lower chance of rain AND wind compared to locations closer to the mountains. For large family groups flying in from out of town, that reliability matters.

The magic of wearing leis for family photos in Hawaii

One of my favorite things about this session was the leis. There is something so beautiful and meaningful about incorporating Hawaiian lei into family photos. They add color, texture, (holds your hair back from wind if there is any) and a sense of Hawaiian culture that makes the photos feel distinctly done during your trip to Hawaii.

Maile lei and lei po’o (head lei) are especially stunning in photos. If you’re planning an extended family session and want to incorporate leis, I recommend ordering from a local florist that I recommend and will share with you in your Session Prep PDF Guide, or at a lei stand at the airport before your session. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in the final images.

Tips for coordinating outfits for a large family group

Outfit coordination is one of the biggest stressors for extended family sessions. Here are a few tips that make it much easier:

• Choose a color palette, not matching outfits. Pick 2–3 colors and let each family unit choose their own outfits within that palette. It looks intentional without being too matchy.
• Soft, light tones photograph best at Ko’olina. Whites, creams, blush, sage, and soft blues all look beautiful against the sand and water.
• Avoid busy patterns. Solid colors and simple textures photograph much more cleanly in a large group.
• Think about layers. Flowy dresses, linen shirts, and soft fabrics all move beautifully in the breeze.
• Don’t forget the kids. Little ones in coordinating outfits add so much to the overall look — and a little girl in a flowy dress jumping on the beach is pure magic.
• For more tips on outfits check out this blog post

How extended family sessions are structured

For larger groups, I recommend the NIU package — a 60-minute session that gives us enough time to capture the whole group together, smaller family units, and individual moments too. Sixty minutes goes faster than you think when you’re working with a large group, so I use the time intentionally.

Here’s how a typical extended family session flows:

• Start with the full group while everyone has the most energy
• Move into smaller family unit groupings – youngest families go first
• Capture grandparents with grandchildren, end with couples and other groupings such as all girls, all boys, etc.
• Sometimes I will also end with candid moments playing near the ocean or kids running

Why sunrise is the right choice for large groups at Ko’olina

For a large extended family, sunrise is almost always the better option. The beach is peaceful and uncrowded. You have more space to spread out. And practically speaking, it’s much easier to get a large group together before the day gets going than to round everyone up again at the end of a full vacation day. Also, you won’t have to fight for a spot at Koolina when everyone else is trying to get family photos as well on a very small piece of beach.

The best part? Ko’olina faces west, which means you don’t have to drive anywhere. We can shoot right next to the location — no traffic or meltdowns from being in a car for too long. Give the kids something to eat before your photo session, even if its something small and that will help them through the session.

Ready to book your Ko’olina extended family session?

If you’re visiting O’ahu and looking for a photographer to capture your family, I’d love to help! I specialize in stress-free, candid beach sessions at sunrise across the island — from Waikiki and Ko’olina to Turtle Bay, Lanikai, and beyond. To check availability for your trip dates and learn more about packages, visit the Investment page or reach out through the contact form. I typically respond within 24 hours and can’t wait to hear about your trip! 🌺

Marissa HB Photography | Ko’olina Family Photographer | Oahu Beach Photographer for Families Serving Waikiki, Ko’olina, Turtle Bay, Lanikai, Kahala & beyond for 9+ years