Sunrise Maternity Photos on the Big Island

What time of day is best for maternity photos on the Big Island?

The best time of day for maternity photos varies greatly depending on which location you will be photographing at. Some of my favorite beaches face east, which means the sun often rises out of the ocean. The sun will rise in different places whether its summer or winter, so certain beaches it will rise straight out of the water in winter but in summer, it is more towards the rocky area. Other beaches that face west are still beautiful at sunrise, it just means the sun will come up over the mountains from the opposite side of the island and then shine directly on the beach. Sunset is always glowy and beautiful for west-facing beaches as well. For other locations that are in more forested areas or botanical gardens, often afternoon is best.

Your photographer will know best, as they are most familiar with the different locations and the way the sun rises or sets.

Beautiful women at sunrise during their maternity shoot on a black sand beach on Big Island.

What are the best black sand beach locations for a maternity session?

All photographers in Hawaii are required to pull a permit for public beach locations through the DLNR. Your photographer will be able to share which locations are available and if they are insured and registered with the DLNR, they will take care of pulling the permit and paying the $20 fee to reserve.

I often get questions about black sand beaches and which are best for maternity photos on the Big Island. The volcanic rocks and sand are so special, it is no wonder that people are attracted to it. There are two main beaches that we are legally allowed to shoot at: Punalu’u and Kehena Beach. If you’re interested in learning more about the differences and which might be the best for your maternity session, inquire here!

Beautiful women during their maternity shoot on a black sand beach on Big Island.

What should I wear to my maternity session on the Big Island?

For sessions with dark sand, I recommend staying away from black and dark brown as it will blend in with the surroundings. Neutral tones always look pretty with the natural elements, or if you’d like to go for a bolder look then bright colors work well too. As we’re often at the beach during Big Island maternity sessions, I recommend bringing water, swimsuits, and a towel as well and embracing the elements.

Beautiful couple on the beach at sunrise for maternity photos.

Pregnant woman on black sand beach on Big Island at sunrise.

Jungle and black sand beach maternity photos.

How do I book my Hawaii maternity session?

I have been photographing pregnancy and maternity photo shoots in Hawaii for well over a decade. I absolutely love capturing this moment in life as parents move into this transformational next chapter. If you’d like to book a session, get in touch here. Although I’m based on Big Island, I love to travel to Maui, Kauai, and Oahu as well.