Tips to Help you Select the Best Photo Location 🌅🌴

🏖️ Best Times of Day by Location (for my style)

Here are some tips to help you select the best location based on where you are staying and what I usually recommend:

• Ko’olina – Best at sunrise to avoid crowds & I personally love morning photos there! Any photos in my portfolio taken at Koolina were done in the morning.

  • Why not sunset at Ko’olina?? The cove there is small- you have beachgoers, people getting married, other types of photo sessions, etc. & it is not uncommon to hear “wait your turn” if 3+ groups are there all at once taking photos, which gets stressful because the sun is still setting so we are losing valuable shooting time. With that being said, sunset is possible depending on the date if we plan in advance and it does include an additional “sunset” fee for this spot in specific.

• Waikiki – Sunrise ONLY. Crowds arrive quickly here, and by 8 a.m. the beach is already bustling. The direction of the light at SUNSET is not my favorite for my style, so I do not do sunset photo sessions in Waikiki!

• Kahala Beach – Best at sunrise. This beach is small, and at sunset it becomes more crowded. However, I do love the indirect light at Kahala at sunset…it is pretty. It can be the most convenient option if you’re staying in Waikiki. I do not recommend this spot if you’re staying in Ko’olina as it is going to be 1+ hrs with traffic due to Honolulu traffic hour.

• Turtle Bay at the Ritz / Laie Beach Park – Best at sunrise. Sunsets here can draw larger crowds, while mornings are peaceful and calm.

• Kailua at Kalama Beach – Beautiful at sunrise OR sunset. If you’re staying at Ko Olina, and you’re looking for a sunset spot other than Koolina, this is a good option because you will not have to fight traffic in the afternoon. Traffic going this direction in the morning is very difficult, so I do not recommend it unless your session is on a weekend morning!

  • the photos on this blog post were taken at the same beach at sunset on a clear day and on a cloudy day to give you an idea

• Kualoa Beach Park – Best at sunset. If you want dramatic photos with the Koʻolau mountain range, this is the spot.

• Kaʻaʻawa – Best at sunrise. This beach recently changed (some of the iconic trees are no longer there), but it still offers a quiet, natural backdrop when visited early – we will need to retouch the area of trees that they knocked down.

🌦️ What About the Weather?

The one thing none of us can control is the weather. It might be sunnier at sunrise than it would be at sunset on the very same day. Hawaii’s conditions are unpredictable, but that’s part of the island’s magic.

• Some of my favorite images have been taken on cloudy days (not overcast — truly overcast skies are actually quite rare in Hawaii).

• Cloud coverage often creates soft, even light that flatters everyone.

• Every session is unique because of the way the weather interacts with the ocean, the clouds, and the landscape.

While no one can promise a glowing sun dipping behind the horizon, I can promise that your photos will feel natural, light-filled, and true to my style.

🌺 Final Thoughts

When planning your photo session in Hawaii, remember that the time of day and location matter just as much as the weather. While we can’t predict exactly what the skies will do, you can trust that I’ll guide you to the best choice for your family or couple’s session.

Whether it’s the calm beauty of sunrise or the golden glow of sunset, your photos will reflect the style you see throughout my portfolio — timeless, natural, and uniquely yours.

📸 Ready to plan your Hawaii sunrise or sunset session? Click here to inquire.

About Marissa HB Photography

Marissa HB is an award-winning Hawaii family photographer who specializes in light-filled, natural imagery for families, couples, maternity, and newborn sessions. She photographs clients every week across Oʻahu — from Ko Olina and Waikiki to Kailua and the North Shore — helping families capture the beauty of Hawaii in timeless photographs.