Family Photography | Including our furry friends!

Animals are part of the family, too! It’s been a popular trend to include our furry friends in our family portrait sessions. This can be a hard task, but the results can be rewarding. Whether it’s photos for a Holiday Card or including a pet in your Wedding photos, here are some tips to consider:

• Pick a pet friendly location. In Laguna Beach, all beaches are dog-friendly within certain months of the year. Beach photography is perfect for animals because you can find your own perfect corner to yourself. It’s important to check beforehand if the location you have in mind allows your pets to join.

• Props! Clothes aren’t just for humans! Feel free to dress up your furry friends for the occasion. At Montage Laguna Beach, proposals and pet photography go hand in hand. One idea is to have your dog dressed up with the ring around their neck!
• Walk them beforehand. We all know that dogs get excited easily, and when they know they are getting out of the house, they can get a little crazy. If you take them for a walk beforehand, it relieves some of their energy, making them slightly more calm for the photos.

• Bring treats! Dogs can become easily distracted, especially in an unfamiliar area with new people and smells. Bringing treats can help them focus on where the camera for a beach photo session.

• Have an extra friend/family member come along to help. Although you definitely want to have your dog in the photos, sometimes you need a little break. Having an extra set of hands will take some stress off your shoulders. It can also help by having the extra person handle the treats so the photographer can focus on capturing the perfect moment.

Written by Savannah S. (Pacific Dream Photography at the Montage Laguna Beach)

6 Things Every Photographer Needs to Know || Photographer Tips

A picture is worth a thousand words. So what is the difference between a great picture and a great photographer? A great photographer is consistent. We have all taken that one perfect photo. Everything fell into place and you managed to capture that picture perfect image, but the trick to consistency is being able to create picture perfect photos time and time again. Here are six things that every photographer needs to know to stay consistent and produce picture perfect photos.

1. Get to Know Your Camera

It is important to understand the settings and features of your camera. Not knowing the technical side of the camera can truly hold you back as a photographer. Learn how to control your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.  Every feature in your camera works together. The more you learn about these features, the easier it is to get the results you want. It is also important to learn about camera modes, focusing, and white balance. Always keep in mind that even a great camera cannot produce a great photograph unless it’s in the hands of a passionate photographer.

2. Light

Light is one of the primary ingredients in photography. Without light, we photographers cannot do our work. It is important to understand how to work with light. Lighting can be tricky, as it is always changing. There are all kinds of lighting conditions such as, sunrise, sunset, midday sun, and twilight. One quick tip to gain a better understanding of light is to observe it in your everyday life. Educate yourself and aim to recognize the different types of light. We have a whole post about lighting on our blog here.

3. Perspective

Perspective is the way our eye relates to special separation. Sometimes photographers fall into the habit of shooting from eye level. If you want to stay consistent, and make an impact, change your perspective. Changing your perspective can be done in many different ways. For example, get on ground level. Getting low can give your viewer a unique perspective, rather than their everyday eye level view. Other examples include, shooting upward, wide, far away, or even behind something. Next time before you snap away, take a moment to think about how you want your viewer to perceive your subject.

4. Every Photographer is Different

Each photographer brings their own unique style to their artwork. It is important to use your creativity at each and every photo shoot. By utilizing your creativity, your photography will stand out from the others. 

5. Composition

Composition plays a big role in photography. It is the key aspect to a great photo. Composition is the placement of relative objects in a photograph such as, lines, textures, shapes, and reflections. The Rule of Thirds is a great guideline to help you tell a story. The Rule of Thirds suggests that by placing your subject somewhere rather than the center of the photo, you can grab your viewer’s attention.

6. Connect With Your Subject

We cannot forget the most important part of a photograph, the subject. The recipe for a good photo entails much more than just your gear; it starts with the photographer making a connection with the subject. Before your shoot, put the camera down and get to know your subject. Laugh, joke, and have fun. This will create a fun comfortable atmosphere.

As a photographer, you will make mistakes. The key is to learn from your mistakes and better yourself as a photographer. Great photography comes from consistency and photos that tell a story. With each snap of the shutter, you will only get better. So grab your camera, get out there, and produce those award winning shots.

For more great tips on how to have a successful family portrait session, check out these tips from a past post.

Written by Julia Poole (Pacific Dream Photography at the Grand Hyatt Kauai)

Keys to a Successful Photo Session || Lighting

Wow, It’s already summer break! The kids are out of school, time for relaxation and quality time with family and friends on a tropical beach somewhere. After all, what better way is there to spend your summer vacation than on a beach in Hawaii? Even more importantly, what better way to remember your summer vacation than a Hawaii family photo session? Here at Pacific Dream Photography, it is our pleasure to be able to capture your families’ long awaited vacation. 

To ensure beautiful lighting during your beach photography session, we recommend scheduling in the early morning or late afternoon. Your lighting plays a bigger role than how bright or dark a photo is, but rather it is the key to color, mood, and the overall feeling of your collection. Take a peek at these shoots from our St. Regis location in Princeville. Although all of the shoots are in the same location, they all look completely different due to being captured at different times of the day.

So what is the best time of day? Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset shoots are most popular, however, what some people don’t realize is that sunrise sessions result in beautiful dreamy images as well! But wait, it’s summer and summer is for sleeping in late. Isn’t that what summer is all about? Not exactly, waking up to the golden sun rising among the gentle blue ocean is one of the best ways to start your day and why not capture it on camera. During your 45-minute Hawaii photo session, we are able to take stunning images of your family among a variety of rich colors melting together.

As professional photographers, we refer to the best lighting of the day as the “golden hour ." The “golden hour” is a critical key element to the perfect photo session. During this time the sun produces a soft light, which is much more flattering than the harsh mid-day sun. This is one of our “secret ingredients” to capturing beautiful photographs.

Taking advantage of this lighting at the beginning of the day comes with many added benefits. To name one, there are generally fewer people outside at sunrise. This results in a peaceful, intimate portrait session. If you are having trouble convincing your significant others to wake up early, just take a look at some of our previous sunrise sessions. From there, it shouldn’t take much more convincing. Of course, whatever time you decide will result in captivating photos to cherish forever, but if you’re up for that morning glow you won’t regret it.

Written By Julia P. (Pacific Dream Photography at the Grand Hyatt Kauai)

Family Photography || 5 Reasons Why We Love Our Dads

1. Dads know how to have fun! 

2. They will pick you up, throw you up, and even turn you upside down! 

3. They give the best hugs!! 

4. Moms love them! 

5.  They love you no matter what! 

This Father’s day, let’s celebrate with favorite photos of dad! Will you be using a throwback or using this as an excuse to take new family photos? 

Happy Father’s Day from The Pacific Dream Photography Ohana! 

-written By Marie J. (Pacific Dream Photography at the Fairmont Kea Lani)

8 Must-Know Tips About Photographing Kids || Hawaii Family Portrait Photography

Photographing children is something that many photographers avoid. While it can be a challenge, here at Pacific Dream Photography, we have a blast! We are going to share a few pointers on how to take the stress out of photographing children. These simple tips will help you achieve natural effortless photos. 

1. Be Prepared. Preparing for a session makes all the difference in the world. If an infant or toddler is joining the session, it's important to bring a few toys to keep them engaged. Bubbles are a great way to keep kids occupied during the shoot and will result in giggles and smiles all around. The right lens also plays a huge role when photographing kids. Having the right equipment and settings will result in better photos.

2. Have Patience. Photographing children requires patience and time. Some kids love having their pictures taken, while others may be camera-shy. Just roll with their behavior and don't force anything. Kids will have a great time if you simply hang out with them. Engaging with the child and building their trust will allow them to warm up to the camera! Ask questions, tell jokes, and find out what they are interested in. Be ready to snap pictures at any time. You never know when they might do something unexpected resulting in a fabulous photo!

3. Smiling Is Not What's Most Important. The goal is to allow kids to feel like they are right at home. When kids are comfortable they will share their personality with the camera. Kids possess an array of emotions, quirks, and funny faces. Sometimes asking kids to smile will result in the typical forced "picture day face." Here at Pacific Dream Photography, we like to capture authentic timeless moments. After all, real life moments are the most memorable ones.

4. Get On Equal Ground. This tip might require getting a little dirty (or sandy!), but thats okay! Remember you are working with kids! Standing over them will make them look even smaller, so It's okay to get down on your knees or even on your stomach! Getting down on their level will make you instantly more approachable. Photographing the world from a child's perspective can create stunning images with different angles. 

5. Give Them a Sneak Peak! Children love to interact and see whats going on behind the camera. Sharing the images that you are taking can be very beneficial. It allows the child to be a part of the shoot rather than just the subject. Building a bond with the child will help you achieve more ideal results.  

6. Get Close. Don't be afraid to get close to your subject. It is important to fill the frame with the child. Capturing their facial expressions will result in extreme cuteness! Choose the right backgrounds, making sure there are no distractions around the subject. Ideally, the background should look blurry and soft. 

7. Get The Parents Involved. It's all about the family! During a session, parents are the key to a great shoot. Include the parents in the pictures. This will allow the child to relax and feel comfortable. Not only does this create beautiful images of the child, it creates memories for the whole family. 

8. Be Funny. It's okay to be silly during a session. Don't be afraid to make funny faces, dance, make silly noises, and have a great time. Don't worry about getting the perfect image, candid shots are a better option when photographing kids. Most importantly, have a great time! When the photographer is having fun, the child will have a wonderful time.

- Written by Julia P. (Pacific Dream Photography at  Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa)

Cherish Your Memories || Family Photo Session in Oahu

We had the pleasure of shooting a beautiful family photo session the other day at the Kahala Resort. With photographing kids, it gets a little difficult to capture that "perfect" picture family photo. However, we'd like to tell you why the perfect picture isn't always so "perfect." 

Since they had never had family photos taken, the family was fine with going with the flow and having us capture the kids in their natural element. Their Hawaiian family session turned out to be so much fun for all! The kids played and laughed while their personalities shone bright through our lens. We loved all the silly expressions that Roman made for the camera and although Riley was camera shy, she loved looking at the pictures after their session. 

Often times we welcome returning families back to the islands as a place for escape from the busy schedules of every day life.  And if we've learned anything, these precious moments as kids fly by. As professional photographers in Hawaii, we take heart in knowing that these are the pictures that you will look back at to remember who your kids were at this beautiful time.

-written by Julia J. (Pacific Dream Photography at The Kahala Resort)

Candid Photography || Being Present in the Moment

"Candid" in the photography sense, describes an informal photo, taken without the subject’s knowledge. "Candid", however can also be used more generally to describe something that is both truthful and straightforward. It’s use in photography is often understated and draws on both definitions. 

A recent portrait session at the beautiful Montage, Laguna Beach in Southern California, perfectly captured the essence of great candid photography. Candids require a keen attention to detail and the ability to always be present in the moment.  A family holding hands, a loved one running on the beach and even sand covered feet, were all brief moments captured during the family's sunset experience session. 

Originally the family was planning on a more traditional, portrait family photo session. What they didn't realize was that their photographer was actually capturing both styles of photography. She was clicking away at the family poses, but in between, she was also capturing those brief moments when the family was relaxed and simply enjoying their time together.

Ultimately the photographer was utilizing her mastery of candid photography alongside her planned portraiture. We were able to surprise the client with both beautiful and detailed moments from their family vacation at the Montage, Laguna Beach. 

- Pacific Dream Photography at the Montage, Laguna Beach

Family Photo Session in Kauai || 10-Year Anniversary

They say that time flies when you are having fun, and sometimes you wonder “where did the time go?” We can agree that all anniversaries should be celebrated. However, a 10-year mark definitely deserves a special remembrance, and what better way than a family photo session in Hawaii.

Exactly a decade ago, Ola and Stephen tied the knot at the Kamani Cove, at which is now the beautiful St. Regis Princeville. For this major milestone, Ola and Stephen decided to take their three beautiful daughters on vacation to Kauai where it all happened and to share with them their love for the special island. 

The flower decor headbands that Martin Roberts Design put together added such beauty to these family photographs! The photographer had a wonderful time taking the portraits of this amazing family and captured wonderful memories that will last them a lifetime.

There are certain places that will always hold a special place in your heart, and Kauai has always been that place for Ola and Stephen. We are so glad to have been able to work with this lovely family.

-written by Kristin (Pacific Dream Photography at the St. Regis Princeville)

Family Photos at the Andaz Maui at Wailea

Documenting A New Chapter with the help of a Family Photographer

In a family, when the kids grow up and are about to move on to college, there is a shifting that takes place.  This family chose Hawaii to celebrate graduations and moving on to the new chapter in everyone's life.  

Mrs. Ramirez, with her two sons, did not miss a beat!  Every morning, afternoon and night, she had something planned for them to all go and do together.  Her goal was to create lasting memories while here, so a photo session with Pacific Dream Photography at the Andaz Maui at Wailea made perfect sense.

Earlier that year, her father had passed away, and with her being daddy's girl, it hit her hard.  This all made it even more important to capture the memories with her boys while here. After all, tomorrow is not guaranteed.  During their family photo experience session, she asked their photographer for a private moment and threw a rock into the ocean in honor of her dad. 

The day after their session, she and one of her sons came down for the viewing and they laughed and laughed at all the photos taken during the session creating even more memories.  When we got to the photo of her throwing the rock, she had to clear out her eyes from her tears from laughing to see that the shape of the rock that she threw was in the shape of a heart.  It touched her so much, she teared up, couldn't believe it, and immediately wanted that photo printed on metal for her wall.  

As she left, she kept thanking us for the session as it has given her so much closure in regards to her father as well as GREAT times documented with her two sons just having a goofy time here in Hawaii.  On to the new chapter.

-written by Beth (Pacific Dream Photography at the Andaz Maui)

Visit our Facebook page to see even more photos of family sessions!

Children Photography: When The Kids Aren't Having It

Family Photos taken at Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii by Pacific Dream Photography

Many parents are apprehensive about how their kids will perform during their family photo shoot in Hawaii. There’s no doubt that as photographers, we see our fair share of tears. However, there are steps that you can take to prevent this from happening. The photos in this post were taken by our Maui photographers at the Montage Kapalua Bay. It serves as a great example of when kids are just not in the mood to participate in a beach photo session.

First, make sure that your child is well rested! Just like going to work after only sleeping a few hours is no fun, same with photo shoots. Traveling to Hawaii from the mainland can be tricky with the time difference, but a few naps throughout the day helps curb the change. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to not schedule your Hawaii family photo session the very first day of your vacation.

If you have any fun props or toys that your child loves, feel free to bring them! It’s great when you bring a child’s favorite toy on the shoot, as the photographer can use it to grab the child’s attention whenever necessary.

Finally, if your child does start to cry, don’t panic. Our photographers have all dealt with this before and are very patient with children. We completely understand that some children are camera shy and we will do whatever it takes to get some nice photos of your baby.

-written by James (Pacific Dream Photography at Montage Kapalua Bay)

Family Photos taken at Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii by Pacific Dream Photography