Lifestyle Photography
KOHALAFOTO is all about heart and connection. You are not simply choosing a highly experienced photographer; you are also gaining a caring friend, who will photograph your kiddos as they grow up. Chris goes above and beyond for her clients and does not take it lightly that she is entrusted with your family's special memories.
Beach Family Photos
My style; natural yet bold & dramatic, living art.
Over the past 15 years, I have had the joy of photographing hundreds of families, in Hawaii and Florida, and I am fortunate to call the white sandy beaches my “Office”. But the true joy is connecting with all the amazing little souls and playfulness children bring.
I grew up with a camera in my hand before I could talk :-), always enjoying documenting memories of … well …. just EVERYTHING !!!!! My passion in photography led me to enjoy a career in the Hollywood Motion Picture Industry for years. But let’s face it, you can’t beat raw emotions and people over rehearsed acting and long days in a studio hanger :-) It was an easy transition to create my own photography business first in Hawaii and now Florida, mostly working on the beach, and enjoying the day with cute wedding couples, or building sandcastle with my families :-)
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ABOUT YOUR BEACH SESSION
My approach is focused on keeping your session experience simple, relaxed, and fun not awkward. I love collaborating with clients and hearing what you are looking for so that we can bring your vision to life! If you don’t have a specific vision in mind and simply want some great photos of your family, I will provide recommendations for the timing and location of your session, and guide you through poses and prompts that will result in bringing you a full gallery filled with variety, candid moments and movement, emotion and memories all in the framework of keeping it natural, just the way you are !
Below are outfit tips and ideas
As much as I love those traditional, wear all white and khakis and look at the camera and smile photos - I prefer to elevate your Images and turn your photos into living poetry and art :-)
I want to capture those beautiful moments where you're holding your baby like its the end of the world, wind blowing through your hair, in a dramatic flowy dress that is soaked at the bottom from the sea. Well...I can't help it - my background is CINEMA after all...but truly, It’s about holding hands as a family, splashing and dancing in the ocean having a blast. In my sessions, we are going to play, we are going to snuggle, and we are going to capture those precious little hands around your neck before they are too big to do so anymore, yes we all heard it, you blink your eyes and there are no more diapers, strollers and crips replaced with college books and boyfriends lol. Of course we will smile and look at the camera as well, I am all about giving you the rainbow, but mostly let's have a fun time together at the beach and create memories for you!
WHAT TO WEAR AT YOUR BEACH SESSION
You just booked your session with the BEST family beach photographer on Palm Island Florida!! Congratulations!! OK Just kidding . . . but you did make a great choice with me, I am a professional and a decent human being, who's priority is to make your session fun!
Now it’s time for the toughest part of having a family beach photo session done – figuring out what you should wear!! I try to make this part of the session as easy and stress free for you as possible.
This brief Style Guide will help to give you an idea of what to wear (if this isn’t your first Rodeo…you know what to do already :-). Of course it is completely up to you what to wear at the end these are your memories you’re making. But for those of you who would like the advice of the photographer than keep on reading :-)
Here are colors that I recommend ( because they work best with the way I create photographs. My style is natural, candid, many earth tones) it is also all about textures and layering.
Earth-tones, neutrals and dusty pastels are going to photograph the best on the white sand beaches of Florida. I always say to avoid a cool white and do creams instead and definitely avoid putting the entire family in all blue! It’s just way too much blue with the sky and water combined. I am not completely against it, just think of combinations…one or two people in blue works and you can dress the others in warmer colors to compliment the blues of the background.
Above are some images and inspiration from past family beach photo sessions done on Palm Island, Boca Grande Florida and Hawaii (yes, I still travel to hawaii for shoots, it is my second home). As you can see I love mustards – they just photograph beautifully - very natural and timeless. I also loooove long gowns and dresses as they allow for lots of movement which again photographs beautifully!! Hats, flowers crowns, textures layers over dresses also will photograph beautifully and add interest as well as depth. I also recommend introducing one or two prints instead of putting everyone in just solids! And the end of the day, please just wear what is comfortable to you and your family, it is all about your connection with each other and not so much of what you wear :-)
If you need further inspiration, here is a list of shops that fit the “natural look” style
Now enjoy some Inspo images shot by KOHALAFOTO
yours truly,
Chris Brandt
KOHALAFOTO PHOTOGRAPHY - family beach photographer on Palm Island in Florida
BEACH SESSION PRICING
A beach photo session includes (depending which package you choose) a 1/2 hour mini to 1-2 hours session, on location (typically the beach), of your choice near Boca Grande or Palm Island Florida, and adjoining areas.
You will receive 25 to 50+ High resolution, professionally edited images, with a copyright release. The session will typically start during the golden hour before Sunset for the most gorgeous lighting. (Morning sessions are also available if you prefer the blues over the golden tones. Typically a session begins shortly after sunrise…so if you are a morning person - than that’s for you !)
I will get your images edited and back to you within 2-3 weeks (or quicker if you ask nicely and I am not in High Season :-).
Your images will be delivered to you through a downloadable link. Each family member will have their own VIP access, allowing them to download their images straight to their computer, IPad, or smartphone. You will also receive 1 year of cloud storage for your images so that you can download, and show them off no matter where you go! Prints and canvases are also available for purchase through this same link / gallery, making it easy and stress-free for everyone involved!
SESSION:
$550 UP TO 5 PEOPLE
30 Mins / 25 Images
Includes HQ digital negatives
includes Print Release
+$25 per additional person
$750 UP TO 8 PEOPLE
60 Mins / 50+ Images
Includes HQ digital negatives
includes Print Release
+$25 per additional person
$950 UP TO 15 PEOPLE
60-90 Mins / 100+ Images
Includes HQ digital negatives
includes Print Release
+$25 per additional person