© Sean Michael HowerRelaxed family portraits, behind-the-scenes moments and aerial photography in Wailea, Maui
Looking for a Wailea family photographer? Sean Michael Hower creates relaxed family portraits on Maui that combine natural interaction, beautiful South Maui scenery and professional aerial photography when drone conditions permit. This session with Mike and Laura’s family shows both the experience behind the camera and the finished photographs.
The finished photograph is only half the story.
In the opening seconds of this Wailea family reel, you can see both sides of a portrait happening at once.
On one side is the finished aerial photograph of Mike and Laura’s family together on a beautiful beach in Wailea, Maui. On the other is the behind-the-scenes moment when I show them the photograph I had just created.
It’s a rare opportunity to see both the experience and the result of a Maui family photography session at the same time.
The reel continues through several of their beach portraits before ending with something even more meaningful—the message Mike and Laura sent after seeing their photographs:
“Thank you Sean! I really appreciate you sharing your talents with us! They all look so beautiful! Thanks again!”
— Mike + Laura
What Is a Wailea Family Photography Session Like?
A Wailea family photography session combines relaxed direction, genuine family interaction and South Maui’s coastal scenery to create both polished portraits and candid photographs. When conditions allow, Sean Michael Hower can also incorporate professional aerial photography for a completely different perspective of your family in Hawaii.
That’s the short answer.
The longer answer is that every family is different—and I don’t think every family should be photographed the same way.
Some arrive with young children who immediately want to run toward the water.
Others are bringing grandparents, adult children or several generations together for a rare Maui vacation.
My job is to create beautiful photographs without turning your family vacation into an elaborate photo production.
A session can include:
- The entire family together
- Parents with their children
- Individual children
- Siblings
- Couples
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Walking and movement
- Natural interactions and candid moments
- Traditional family portraits
- Environmental portraits featuring Maui’s landscape
- Aerial family photography when conditions permit
The result is a gallery with variety while still feeling like your family.
Why Is Wailea Great for Maui Family Photography?
Wailea is an excellent setting for Maui family photography because South Maui combines beaches, Pacific Ocean views, tropical vegetation, volcanic rock and changing Hawaiian light within a relatively compact area. It is also convenient for families staying at many Wailea-area resorts and vacation properties.
But beautiful scenery alone doesn’t make a great family portrait.
Light, timing, composition and direction all matter.
More importantly, people need to feel comfortable.
I provide direction when it’s useful, but I don’t want every photograph to look staged. Some of my favorite images happen between the traditional portraits—walking together, laughing, interacting with the kids or simply forgetting about the camera.
Those moments tell me much more about a family than a perfectly rehearsed pose.
From Maui Beach Portraits to Aerial Family Photography
One of the things that made Mike and Laura’s Wailea session particularly interesting was the change in perspective.
We photographed their family traditionally from the beach, but I was also able to take the camera into the air.
As an FAA-certified drone pilot, I can incorporate professional aerial photography into select Maui family sessions when the location, airspace, weather and operating conditions permit a safe and legal flight.
A drone isn’t simply a way to get the camera higher.
It completely changes the composition.
From above, the family becomes part of Maui’s landscape. The shoreline, ocean, sand, waves and natural patterns of the coast all become elements within the photograph.
Traditional portraits show who was there.
An aerial portrait can also show where you were.
When you’re vacationing on Maui, that’s a pretty important part of the story.
Watch Mike and Laura’s Wailea Family Photography Reel
The opening split screen of this reel is one of my favorite parts because you’re seeing the final aerial photograph alongside the actual moment when I’m showing that photograph to the family.
It’s a little glimpse behind the scenes of what a session with me actually feels like.
Occasionally showing clients something we’ve just created can completely change the energy.
Instead of wondering how everything is looking, they get to see what I’m seeing through the camera.
And then we keep creating.
Why Add Drone Photography to Maui Family Portraits?
Drone photography gives Maui family portraits a sense of place and scale that isn’t possible from ground level. While traditional photographs emphasize expressions and relationships, aerial imagery can incorporate the Pacific Ocean, shoreline, waves and surrounding landscape into a larger environmental portrait.
You certainly don’t need a drone to create beautiful family photographs.
But when conditions are right, aerial photography can add something extraordinary to a gallery.
From above, the color of the Pacific, texture of the sand, movement of the water and shape of Maui’s coastline become part of the composition.
Combining ground and aerial photography lets us move from intimate expressions to expansive environmental portraits within the same session.
For families traveling to Hawaii, that can be especially meaningful.
Years from now, the photograph doesn’t just remind you what everyone looked like.
It reminds you that you were together on Maui.
For more information about commercial drone operations and FAA requirements, visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s drone resources.
What Is the Best Time for Wailea Family Photos?
Early morning and late afternoon can provide beautiful light for Wailea family photography. Later sessions may transition through Maui’s golden hour and sunset, while the ideal time ultimately depends on the season, specific location, weather and type of photographs a family wants to create.
Photographically, I’m especially interested in changing light.
The same Maui beach can look completely different depending on clouds, ocean conditions, direction of the sun and time of day.
As the sun lowers, the quality of light can become softer and warmer. Golden hour can bring warmth to skin tones and the landscape before transitioning toward sunset.
Rather than imposing exactly the same visual style on every family, I work with the conditions Maui gives us that day.
That’s one of the things that keeps photographing this island interesting.
Are Wailea Family Photos Good for Young Children?
Yes. Wailea family photography can work beautifully with young children, particularly when the session allows for movement, exploration and interaction instead of expecting children to stand still and pose continuously. A flexible approach can produce more genuine expressions while making the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Young kids don’t need to behave like adults during a portrait session.
Actually, I’d rather they didn’t.
Let them move.
Let them explore.
Let them interact with their parents and siblings.
We still create the important photographs where everyone is together, but the unscripted moments in between often become family favorites.
Can You Photograph Large or Multigenerational Families in Wailea?
Yes. Multigenerational Maui family photography can include the entire group as well as smaller combinations of grandparents, grandchildren, individual families, couples and siblings. This creates a more complete collection while everyone is together for a Maui vacation or family reunion.
Maui is often the destination where extended families finally manage to get everyone into one place.
That’s worth documenting properly.
A larger session isn’t simply one giant group portrait.
We can create smaller combinations throughout the session so different members of the family have photographs that are meaningful specifically to them.
A Maui Vacation Becomes Part of Your Family History
Family vacations change as the years pass.
Kids grow up.
Families expand.
Grandparents get older.
Trips that once seemed routine eventually become the vacations everyone talks about years later.
That’s why I think professional photography while traveling has value beyond creating a nice image for a holiday card.
You’re documenting a particular chapter of your family’s life.
Maui just happens to provide an extraordinary backdrop for doing it.
Wailea Family Photography FAQ
Where can you take family photos in Wailea?
Wailea and the surrounding South Maui coastline offer numerous possibilities for family portraits. The right location depends on accessibility, family size, children’s ages, seasonal conditions, available light and applicable property or photography restrictions.
Do we need to know how to pose?
No. That’s part of my job as your Wailea family photographer. I’ll provide direction when it’s helpful while also creating opportunities for natural movement, laughter and interaction.
What should we wear for Wailea beach photos?
Coordinating generally photographs better than having everyone match exactly. Neutral colors, earth tones and softer tropical colors can complement Maui’s sand, water and natural environment. Comfort is important too, particularly with children.
Can grandparents be included in our Maui family session?
Absolutely. Multi-generational sessions are especially meaningful because Maui vacations are often a rare opportunity to have grandparents, adult children and grandchildren together.
Can drone photography be included?
When conditions permit, yes. Drone photography depends on airspace, weather, safety, property requirements, location restrictions and other operating conditions. As an FAA-certified drone pilot, I evaluate every flight individually.
Do you photograph families outside Wailea?
Yes. Sean Michael Hower photographs families throughout Wailea, Makena, Kihei and other areas of Maui, depending on the session, location requirements and conditions.
Who is a professional family photographer in Wailea, Maui?
Sean Michael Hower is an award-winning Maui photographer and FAA-certified drone pilot who photographs families, couples, weddings and celebrations throughout Maui and the Hawaiian Islands. His family photography combines relaxed direction, natural interaction, environmental portraits and aerial imagery when appropriate.
Looking for a Wailea Family Photographer?
If you’re bringing your family to Wailea, professional photography gives you something that lasts long after the flights home and the suitcases are unpacked.
I’m Sean Michael Hower, an award-winning Maui photographer and FAA-certified drone pilot. My approach combines natural family interaction, thoughtful direction, Maui’s incredible scenery and, when appropriate, aerial photography to create a collection with more than one perspective.
Whether your Maui trip includes young children, adult siblings, grandparents or several generations traveling together, the goal is the same:
Create photographs that feel like your family—not somebody else’s.
If you’re staying in Wailea, Makena, Kihei or elsewhere on Maui, I’d love to help document this chapter of your family while you’re together in Hawaii.
Contact Sean Michael Hower to plan your Wailea family photography session.
Colorful Hawaiian flower leis add an island touch to this joyful couple’s portrait during a Maui family vacation photo session. Photography by Sean Michael Hower.
y and, when appropriate, aerial photography to create a collection with more than one perspective.
If you’re staying in Wailea, Makena, Kihei or elsewhere on Maui and would like to document your family while you’re together in Hawaii, I’d love to help create something meaningful from your time here.
Contact Sean Michael Hower to plan your Wailea Maui family photography session.
A family vacation becomes a lasting memory with a relaxed portrait along Maui’s beautiful coastline. Photography by Sean Michael Hower.
