My favorite beaches to shoot at

I get this question a lot:

Which is your favorite beach to shoot at? Where should I do my wedding ceremony?

So many beautiful beaches here that I love, many beaches more beautiful than others.  I have several so I’ll list them for you.

Makapuu Beach – for your wedding ceremony, this beach is on the East side of the island.  Islands in the background, blue green ocean, mountains on the opposite.  The sun doesn’t set there though, so expect it to get dark a little before the sunset time.  It gets a little windy at times.  It can sometimes look good in photos, if it’s blowing your hair right.

Waimanalo Bay Beach – Definately a great beach for your wedding ceremony.  Another beach on the East side of the island, a little further down from Makapuu Beach.  White sand beach, quiet, and lots of trees.

North Shore – Any beach there.  If you’re renting a beach house on the North Shore, you can’t really go wrong stepping out into your backyard and saying your vows there.  Most of the time it’s pretty quiet also.

Nimitz Cove – Quiet beach on the west side of the island.  Reef, white sand, trees, and SUNSET!  I love the sunset there.

Secret Beach in Ko Olina – this beach is nice.  The sun sets directly behind.  It has been recently popular so I’ve seen a lot of wedding ceremonies there.

Ali’i Beach – love this beach!  Formerly where they filmed Baywatch.  Sometimes you can find honus (turtles) resting on the sand.  Remember though, you can only view and not touch.

Diamond Head Beach – I shot here once, my couple brought me here and I love it!  The sun light, the trees, etc.  I haven’t shot a wedding ceremony but I don’t see why you can’t.

Do you have somewhere you don’t recommend?

Yes.  For portraits, if you have a choice I wouldn’t choose Waikiki Beach.  It’s so crowded with tourists and they will end up in your photos.  I found there’s no time in the day where there isn’t anyone lying on the beach.  Unless you want that lifestyle look and don’t mind having people in the background.  I have done couples photos on Waikiki Beach, it’s challenging but I had to get creative and couldn’t get a big wide angle photo.  I had this couple up on the rocks during sunset, luckily we had the ocean behind them….but everyone on the side of and behind me watching and taking photos also.  A little awkward I would say for the couple.  They probably ended up in some vacationers photo album.

But here’s a shot of walking through Waikiki with everyone there

I’m guessing you can do your wedding ceremony anywhere you want, you just need to get the proper permits.

I may be missing one that I can’t think of now….tell me where is your favorite beach?

 

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