I’ve photographed hundreds of families on Maui. But I still don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera, myself.
After 14 years as a photographer—and many of those spent working as a fashion stylist—I feel completely at home behind the lens.
As a Maui maternity photographer, I’ve worked with families across the island in every kind of light and landscape, but this Honolua Bay maternity session was different, because I was the one in front of the lens.
That difference, from directing to being seen, still doesn’t come naturally to me.
Now, I treasure the images I’ve created for my own family: newborn photos of my babies, quiet moments for my grandfather’s funeral, maternity sessions for friends, family photos, my sister’s vow renewal.
And still, being the subject instead of the observer feels different every time. Here’s what I learned from being in front of the lens…
The Story Behind This Maui Maternity Session At Honolua Bay
Over time, I’ve trained my own little team at home.
My husband and daughter now step in as my “second shooters” for personal family photo sessions like this. And even then, I found myself doing what I always do: scouting, styling, composing, quietly guiding from just outside the frame.
At the time of this session, I was 38 weeks pregnant. Very pregnant.
This baby ended up being 9 lbs 3 oz, and for most of the pregnancy people assumed I was carrying twins. I felt the weight of it physically, but interestingly, this was also the time when I felt my best.
Grounded. Present. Ready.
And I knew I wanted to remember that feeling.
Why I Chose Honolua Bay for This Maternity Session
As much as I love Maui’s beaches, I didn’t want that for this session. (If you’re curious about Maui maternity photos somewhere other than the beach, you can see more of my favorite inland spots here).
For this Honolua Bay maternity session on Maui, I wanted something vibrant, luscious, and alive.
I’ve always been drawn to plants and growing things. I keep a garden filled with fragrant, rare, and flowering plants. During pregnancy, being in nature felt even more important.
So I chose the rainforest.
At Honolua, everything feels layered and alive. Massive banyan trees with roots stretching across the earth. Vines climbing upward toward the light. Soft, filtered sunlight moving through the canopy.
From there, we went to ʻĪao Valley. Another luscious and living environment. Here, fragrant ginger lined the path. We crossed shallow streams. Found a tucked-away waterfall. And then the riverbed.
I remember standing there for these ʻĪao Valley maternity photos, water moving over my ankles, so cold it’s often used as a natural cold plunge. And for a moment everything slowed.
I could feel the baby move, the weight of her, the quiet awareness that this season was almost over.
That was the moment I wanted to hold onto.
More than anything, these places felt symbolic.
They are full of life, growth, and movement. Exactly what pregnancy is.
Styling This Jungle Maternity Session: Simple, Natural, Intentional
This pregnancy had been so fussy, I knew immediately that I wanted simplicity for this maternity session.
Not a flowing dress.
Not something overly styled.
I wanted something that felt natural and easy on my body.
So I chose a soft cream bodysuit—clean and minimal—and layered it with a golden silk satin robe.
The robe added movement and softness. It gave shape without feeling restrictive. And it allowed me to feel more comfortable in my body, and not highlight those areas I didn’t want to show.
I knew I wanted a hāpai (pregnancy) lei that mirrored the landscape, so I chose a ti leaf maile style twist hāpai lei with tuberose.
Tuberose is one of my favorite scents!
I also loved the idea that this lei would become something meaningful for my baby later. My plan was to use it in her baby and childhood photos whenever she would be gifted a lei.
What It Felt Like to Be in Front of the Camera
Even though I was still quietly guiding the session, something changed once we started. At first, I was thinking, adjusting, noticing, analyzing. And then I started to relax.
The rainforest has a kind of hum to it. A stillness that isn’t actually still. And in that environment without crowds, without pressure, I could breathe.
Privacy mattered more than I expected.
Not feeling watched allowed me to settle into the moment.
To focus less on how I looked, and more on what this season meant.
What I Learned (And Why It Matters for Your Session)
This experience reminded me of something I already knew, but felt more properly being on the other side of the lens:
Location is everything.
Not just how your photos look, but how they feel.
Yes, lighting matters.
Composition matters.
Styling matters.
But the right location allows you to relax. To feel present instead of self-conscious.
Maui is busy, but it’s also filled with quiet, extraordinary places. Whether it’s the deep greens of a rainforest or the riverbeds found during ʻĪao Valley maternity photos, knowing where to go, at the right time, in the right light, is what creates the experience.
Planning Your Own Maui Babymoon Photos
If you’re planning Maui babymoon photos and considering a maternity session with a Maui maternity photographer, my goal is simple:
To help you create something that feels natural, beautiful, and true to you.
That includes:
- Choosing a location that fits your vision and comfort
- Guiding styling so you feel confident and at ease
- Creating a calm, intentional experience from beginning to end
Because years from now, you won’t remember how you posed.
You’ll remember how it felt to be there.
If you’d like help planning your own session, you can
view my recent work or inquire about Maui maternity photography here.
I hope to see you on Maui soon!
More Resources For Your Maui Babymoon:
Some in-depth blog posts you might be interested in for your Maui babymoon are…
