Oahu Couple’s Photographer | Photo Session Advice

Real advice, from a real couple’s photographer here on Oahu – when to book, who to book with, and why.

Photographer explosion 

With the rapid growth of TikTok and Instagram trends, there has been a surge of photographers here in Hawaii. During the height of COVID, many people sought side incomes, creative outlets, ways to express themselves through social media trends, etc., thus saturating the Oahu couple’s photographer market. Oftentimes, it leaves some photographers or potential clients wondering… “are ‘aesthetic’ photos (and photographers, for that matter) just a passing phase that is filling the void of social media?”

Never

The truth is photography has been around for roughly 200 years, so photos aren’t going anywhere. In recent years with the popularity of social media, capturing moments in time has become more popular than ever and I don’t foresee that changing any time soon.

Why book a session?

Some potential clients often wonder, “why would I pay X amount for just photos? I could set up my tripod and capture the same thing for free.“

Well, you’re right, kinda. You could set up your tripod and maybe capture a few cute photos within 5 minutes, and that works for some couples and families. Will it be the same thing as booking a session? Definitely not. 

First of all, I would never force or recommend any potential client who is not in a financial situation to put out or put themselves in a tough spot to get photos done. For those who are in the position to afford this luxury, I would say your choice to capture this season you are currently in – emotions, appearances, and memories all, is a good one, and if you choose the right photographer – you will never regret the investment.

Let’s be honest, you will never get this moment in time right here and right now ever again. Every moment you share with your loved ones is unique in time, and may never come again. To have a photo that captures the quirks of your relationship, the giddiness of your love, and the craziness of your beautiful family is p r i c e l e s s. It is worth every penny.

Choosing a photographer

As someone who likes to regularly book photos with other Oahu couple’s photographers, and as someone who has gone through the daunting search of finding the right photographer – it can be soooo overwhelming finding the right person to capture you.

Some things to consider when you are on the search:

1. Do you LOVE their work (editing style, visual impact, mission)? Or do you just like that they are within your “price range”?
   • I love a good bargain. I mean, most of my closet is made of up second-hand thrift finds, so yes, I literally live out the term ballin’ on a budget. But there are certain areas in life that shouldn’t be bargained for, and quality photos are one of those things.
2. Don’t book a photographer based solely on their pricing.
   • Affordability doesn’t always mean quality, or that the photographer’s style aligns with your vision for the session
3. Choose a photographer you TRUST!
   • If you choose them, you need to TRUST them. Trust their creative eye, their prompt direction, and trust that they will capture you in the most authentic way possible.

Sometimes it takes a few tries before you find the right one. Consider these questions during your search:

• Do you connect with each other? How do you feel after chatting with your potential photographer?
• What is a session typically like with them? What is the experience? Have them walk you through a typical day together.
• How long is their response time? Obviously give grace here as most of us are the sole admin, financial, and social media workers for our companies lol.
• Are they intentional? Do they ask about the details?

When should I book a session?

Let me let you in on a little secret: any time you want 😉 You don’t need a special occasion to take photos – this moment right here right now is something special and worth capturing!

You, right now, flaws and ALL are in this unique season for a reason and you may not be in this position again. Don’t wait for the “perfect body”, makeup, or hair to book your session – love yourself here and now, and I promise, years from now you’ll look back and be proud of where you’re at and where you are going.

Booking with me

A session with me is full of movement – no stiff posing here. We explore your love and relationship through prompting and natural activities that will cultivate a safe space for us to have fun and get creative.

My goal is to make the connection with you prior to us meeting so that the flow of our session is relaxed and intentional. I don’t ever want this to feel like just another business transaction. This is an experience that I have the honor of creating for you and the ones you love. 

With that in mind, preparing for our session together is a two-way street. I can’t create a genuine experience if clients don’t show up ready to connect with each other and with me. 

I’m the photographer for you if:

• You value the quality of experience over the quantity of photos
  • I am someone who doesn’t like to put a cap on the number of photos we capture together. Sessions and galleries are curated specifically for my clients and our experience together.
• You want to genuinely connect with and develop a relationship with your photographer
  • As much as I love fluff stuff, we get nitty gritty up in here lol. I love sharing my heart and connecting on a deeper level with my clients, and most clients become friends after our session together because we are vulnerable with each other. I am here to champion and love on you well after our session together 🙂
• You want to experience authentic adventures that produce STUNNING photos
  • Obviously, we prioritize experience over anything here, but who doesn’t want a gorgeous SHOT?! I mean, that is what you paid for and you will get it! We’ll scale the mountains, roll around in the sand, or swim around together and I will capture every moment.

As a couple’s photographer here on Oahu, it is my mission to provide the best experience to all of my clients. If you and yours are looking to book your photo session on Oahu, connect with me here to begin planning!