| The Hawaiian Islands have some of the most | | | | if you offer to buy a plant (yes, they can package |
| beautiful scenery in the world. Oahu alone has | | | | orchids for air travel) and explain that the photos are |
| amazing beaches, swaying palm trees, lush | | | | for your personal use and not for commercial |
| rainforests, cascading waterfalls and the towering | | | | purposes. If you like a very colorful background, |
| Ko'olau mountains. The Big Island of Hawaii has an | | | | orchid and flower farms are good locations for your |
| active volcano, a snow-capped mountain with a | | | | senior pictures. |
| world-class observatory and cattle ranches. Each of | | | | Your hotel grounds |
| the other Hawaiian Islands - Maui, Kauai, Lanai and | | | | Most of the higher-end hotels have beautifully |
| Molokai - also have their unique natural beauty. So, | | | | landscaped areas that are great locations for |
| why is it that most high school students who | | | | photography. Unfortunately, some of these hotels |
| vacation in Hawaii don't think about having their senior | | | | charge a ridiculously high photo fee even if the |
| pictures taken here? Probably because all their | | | | guest's pictures are for their personal use. Your best |
| classmates have their senior pictures taken with the | | | | bet is to call the hotel's guest services director and |
| school photographer back home. | | | | ask him or her to waive the fee. Insist on using the |
| The few students who break the mould are richly | | | | photographer of your choice and not the expensive |
| rewarded with unique senior portraits that can only | | | | hotel photographer who takes boring pictures. If they |
| be taken in Hawaii. Below are some great outdoor | | | | refuse, say that you will stay at another hotel that is |
| locations for student photos in Hawaii. | | | | more accommodating. Chances are, they will waive |
| The Beach | | | | the fee because hotels need to fill up their rooms. |
| It would be remiss not to mention the most popular | | | | Horse Ranch |
| location for portrait photography in Hawaii. There are | | | | If you love riding, consider taking your senior photos |
| golden sand beaches, black sand beaches (Big Island | | | | at a horse ranch or riding school. This will also require |
| of Hawaii), beaches with lava rocks around - the list | | | | obtaining permission ahead of time. |
| is endless. | | | | Chinatown or some other bustling street in Honolulu |
| Botanical Garden | | | | If you want to throw in some culture into your |
| If you're a plant lover or would like a lush green | | | | shoot, take a stroll down Honolulu's Chinatown area |
| background in your photos, consider a visit to a | | | | on a Sunday morning. Bustling markets selling fresh |
| botanical garden. | | | | fruits and vegetables amidst the historical buildings of |
| Rainforest and Waterfall | | | | Oahu's downtown makes for a funky backdrop to |
| Photos in a rainforest usually involves taking a hike. | | | | your senior pictures. |
| Several rainforest hikes do have waterfalls at the | | | | Some senior portrait photographers, including myself, |
| end of the trail but it may not be practical to take | | | | will allow pictures with family members, siblings or |
| several outfits and hike through the mud. However, | | | | friends with some of the extended packages. Photo |
| most local photographers will know of areas that | | | | books, slide shows and canvas prints are also offered |
| have a rainforest feel sans the hike. There are also | | | | as add-ons with your outdoor senior portrait |
| manmade waterfalls that can be easily accessed. | | | | packages. These are all well worth considering as |
| Orchid or Tropical Flower Farm | | | | they will be a wonderful souvenir of your trip to |
| You will need to get permission to shoot at an orchid | | | | Hawaii. |
| or flower farm, but most places will grant permission | | | | |