Black Sand Beach Maternity Session | Punalu’u Beach | Big Island Hawaii

Punalu’u Beach Location

One of my favorite locations for Big Island maternity photos is Punalu’u Beach, a black sand beach located in the Ka’u district.
Punalu’u Beach is located about 1.5 hour from Kona and 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hilo. Although it’s rural, it is one of the most spectacular places to visit on the Big Island. This is a popular place for turtles and monk seals to rest, as well as a local fishing spot. During the day, it gets busy with tour buses stopping before the Volcano National Park.

Best Time of Day for Photos at Punalu’u

If you don’t mind rising with the sun, sunrise is by far my favorite time of day at Punalu’u. We will have the beach to ourselves, and catch glow coming from the east. It’s quite an early wake up in the summer time, but worth it for the gorgeous lighting and privacy!

What to Wear for Maternity Photos

Depending on which collection you choose, we will have time for 1-3 outfits. Switching to a swimsuit at the end is always beautiful too, and the water is feels incredible due to the fresh water springs. You can also wear a lei, and I’m happy to recommend my favorite lei makers on the island. I wouldn’t recommend brown or black at this location, as it will blend into your surroundings. When hāpai, or pregnant, any open lei is custom. Need more inspiration? Check out this blog post I was featured in with inspo for your beach maternity outfits.

How to Book Your Maternity Shoot on the Big Island

Whether you live on the island or visiting from afar, please get in touch as soon as you can to reserve your date. If you’re visiting from the continent, 6am in Hawaii will be mid-morning for you, so it’s easier to get up early in the morning with the time change for your shoot! For others, sunset will be better. I’m happy to help you decide! Some people prefer to book a vacation rental in the area to explore Ka’ū, and others may make the trek to Punalu’u from Kona or Hilo, and enjoy visiting Volcano National Park afterwards. You can always make a day out the experience, pack snacks and enjoy the beach and scenery!

I’m excited to celebrate this beautiful and transformational time of your life with stunning imagery. As a mom of two, pregnancy is such a wild and fleeting time that deserves to be honored. It’s a joy to create photographs you’ll cherish and look back on forever. Get in touch here, and I look forward to making art and spending time together soon.