LOCATIONS
Maui is one of the most magnificent islands on earth! Many call it "Heavy on Earth". It is over 30 miles of beautiful beaches. Many beaches have lifeguards, picnic facilities, and restrooms. Below are popular beaches on west Maui, south Maui, and North Maui for professional photography.
What time of the day would you prefer? Sunrise, mid day, sunset, vs cloudy photo shoot:
Sunrise has softer light, not as vibrant color, even lighting, more bluest and sometimes beige color depending on the location. If you love soft lighting, not so vibrant, dreamy, moody etc. Sunrise is great!
Mid day has very bright and vibrant color. The sky is very blue and the water is crystal blue. However, the sun is quite intense which creates contrasty on the subject, meaning the highlight is bright and shadow dark. If you love vibrant blue sky and crystal blue water photos, this is a great time.
Sunset has golden lighting tone. Maui is known to have the best sunset. If you love flawless golden sunset tone. This is the best time.
Cloudy and overcast create soft lighting and less intense sunlight meaning it's less contrasty, a bit similar to sunrise. Cloudy with some sun light peaking through during sunrise or sunset has the best light.
Weather:
The weather in Maui is unpredictable. Each location has different weather conditions. It could be sunny at your location and raining at another location. We will work our best on what ever the nature gives us. Like mentioning above, you will get a full refund if raining or any natural disaster. Otherwise, we will continue to do our photo shoot or you could change the date if we have availability.
Wind:
Maui is one of the windiest island in Hawaii. Some beaches have less wind than others. We will recommend you the beaches that have less wind but it still depends on that day. Morning tends to be less windy than afternoon. If it's windy, we will pick certain angles to avoid wind flying over your face, we take many photos to get the best photos, and we will edit some hair if needed but not all hair can be edited.
West Maui - has beautiful beaches, palm trees, beautiful lava rocks, and cliffs. Note: DT Flemming, Ironwood, and Kapalua beaches are north west which have higher chance of overcast and raining compare to south side. Papalaua beach is a great alternative location if these 3 beaches get rainy. Please note, Kaanapali beach is not allowed for professional photo shoot.
D.T. Flemming Beach: Has golden sand, lava rocks, some palm trees on the park behind. It's a bit windy during sunset but calm during sunrise. Sunset is to the left side of the beach over lava rocks. Sunrise is on the other side of the beach. It has a big parking lot and restroom. The lighting is soft golden tone during sunset.
Con: It's somewhat windy. The beach is big.
Honolua bay - Jungle: is located on northwest Maui. It's a breathtaking journey through a vibrant fantasy rainforest leading to a stunning bay. Here, you can snorkel and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Embrace the beauty of nature and enjoy the adventure that awaits! Remember to bring bug's spray!
Ironwood Beach aka Oneloa Beach: Has whiter sand and beautiful cliffs but no palm trees. It’s quite windy during sunset. Sunset is on the side of the beach. Sunrise is on the other side of the beach. Parking lot is quite limited during sunset but available most of the time. If the lot is full, park on Dragon’s teeth parking lot. It's a bit of a walk, and no restroom. The lighting is soft golden tone during sunset.
Con: It's quite windy here at times and a little bit of a walk to the cliff area with a few stairs.
Maui Pineapple Chapel - Wedding: Maui's premier venue for weddings, social events, and corporate functions. Located in beautiful Kapalua in West Maui, this historic location has been updated with every modern amenity.
Kapalua Beach: Has golden sand, lava rocks, and palm trees behind the beach. It is least windy. Sunset is over ocean horizon. Sunrise is over the mountain. It has parking lot and restroom.
Con: The lighting is harsh if the sky is clear. The photos will be a bit contrasty (Meaning the shadow is deep black and highlight is bright).
Napili Beach: Is right on the south side of Kapalua beach and very similar. It has golden sand, lava rocks, and palm trees behind the beach. It is less windy. Sunset is over ocean horizon. Sunrise is over the mountain. Park on the street and no restroom. It's one of the best morning soft lighting if clear sky.
Con: The lighting is harsh if the sky is clear. The photos will be a bit contrasty (Meaning the shadow is deep black and highlight is bright).
Papalaua Beach (Lower Lahaina): Has golden sand, no lava rocks, no palm trees. This beach is as natural as you can get with no buildings on sight. Sunset is on the side of the beach. Sunrise is on the other side of the beach. Parking is on the street right next to the beach and no restroom. The lighting is the best here with soft golden sunset.
Con: No Lava rocks and palm trees. No Restrooms.
South Maui (Kihei or Wailea) - has beautiful beaches, palm trees, and lava rocks. It has beautiful golden sunset tone.
Charley Young Park Beach: Has golden sand and beautiful lava rock formations. Sunset is over the ocean. Sunrise is over the mountain. There is a parking lot and no restroom. It's closest to downtown Kihei.
Con: Sometimes, it gets more windy here than Wailea side.
Makena Cove aka Secret Cove: has golden sand, lava rocks, and palm trees. Sunset is over ocean horizon. Sunrise is over the mountain. Park on the street and no restroom. The beach is quite small here. Usually very little wind due to the cove. It's usually crowded during sunset. Not many people during sunrise.
Con: The beach is very popular and small. Many photographers take their clients here including elopements. It gets crowded but I always manage to take good photos and remove people using photoshop tools.
Po’olenalena Beach: has golden sand, lava rocks, and little palm trees. Sunset is over the ocean horizon. Sunrise is over the mountain. It has a parking lot and no restroom.
Con: No major issue here.
Wailea Beach: has golden sand, palm trees and lava rocks. It has a small cave with beautiful picture taking from the inside and a secluded beach. Sunset is over ocean horizon. Sunrise is over the mountain. It has a public parking lot with restroom.
Con: No major issue here.
Sugar Beach Event - Wedding: Is located north of Kihei, Maui. It's for celebrating special events at Maui's most luxurious oceanfront Venue, Bar & Catering company. Discover the magic of Sugar Beach Events.
North/North East Maui - has a few beautiful beaches, palm trees, some lava rocks, less touristy, less buildings, and jungle.
Baldwin Beach: has golden sand, trees, some lava rocks, and some palm trees at the parking lot. It's a huge beach with many sceneries to capture photos. Very little buildings. Sunset is on the side of the beach over the west mountain. It has a small woods area to take some greenery with dirt road trail to capture some romantic photos. Sunrise on the other side of the beach. It has a parking lot and restroom. It has the best sunrise to capture morning photos.
Con: Not at a tourist area. West Maui will take about 50-60 mins to get here. South Maui will take about 40-45 mins to get here.
Hookipa Beach: It's a stunning destination renowned for its breathtaking sights of turtles sun bathing on the shore with exhilarating surfing conditions. With its picturesque beach and exotic cliffs, it's the perfect backdrop for capturing unforgettable moments. Ideal for couples and those seeking high-flying dress photo shoots, the strong winds here add a unique flair to your photography. Come and experience the magic of Hookipa Beach!
Haiku Mill - Small Elopement, small groups, and portraits: Stepping on to Haiku Mill is like stepping into a secret garden – a botanical paradise that is private, intimate and breathtakingly beautiful. It costs $700 per session to book the place.
Con: It's for small group and portraits only. No big weddings or a big group allowed. A bit of a far drive from west or south Maui. It's 20 mins drive from Kahului.
Up Country
Kula Botanical Garden - Wedding & Portraits: Established in the early 70s by Helen and Warren McCord as a display garden for Warren’s landscape architecture business this garden has evolved into a tourist destination that draws thousands of visitors every year. The garden is located on the slopes of Haleakala at 3,600 feet an encompasses 8 acres.
Haleakala Summit - Elopement or Portraits: Towering over the island of Maui and visible from just about any point, Haleakalā Crater is a force of nature in every sense. At 10,023 feet above sea level, this dormant volcano is the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes—and skyscapes.
Morning before 7:00am requires reservations. After 7:00am doesn't require reservations. It's about 1.5 hours drive from Kahului.