Hawaii is such an incredible place to capture this exciting chapter of your relationship. As one of the most romantic locations on earth, Hawaii offers so many breathtaking spots for an engagement photo session. 

If you’re considering booking an engagement session here, you’ve come to the right spot! Check out my guide on some of the best Big Island Hawaii engagement photoshoot ideas.

1. See Sea Turtles on a Black Sand Beach!

Punalu’u Beach is one of the Big Island’s most gorgeous black sand beaches. With its jet-black sands contrasting beautifully against the turquoise waters, this beach is the perfect spot to capture intimate, dramatic Hawaii engagement photos.

The palm trees that surround this beach offer an authentic Hawaii vibe. As an added bonus, you can sometimes spot green sea turtles at this beach. The sunrises at Punalu’u beach offer lower crowds and spectacular colors. Win-win!

2. Explore Waterfalls in Hilo 

If you love the idea of exploring waterfalls in Hawaii during your engagement session, then Hilo is for you. The area is famous for its picturesque waterfalls and rainforests. Hilo is perfect for couples who want romantic, nature-inspired engagement photos in Hawaii. Looking for iconic Hawaii rainbows to make an appearance too? You can’t predict them in the sky, but they appear regularly at the aptly named Rainbow Falls.

Hilo offers so much to see and do — and so much potential for great Big Island engagement photos. You can wander through the rainforest, explore cascading waterfalls, and jump into town for their excellent food scene. Hilo is one of the most fun spots Big Island has to offer!

3. Underwater Adventure at Kealakekua Bay

If you’ve ever dreamt of doing a Hawaii underwater photoshoot, then look no further! Kealakekua Bay is a marine sanctuary! Between its abundance of marine life and its vibrant coral reefs, the bay offers some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island.

We can capture stunning underwater photos of you and your fiancé/fiancée swimming with the tropical fish or floating above the colorful reef! This may be one of the most gorgeous and unique Big Island Hawaii photoshoot ideas!

4. Take a Sunset Sail Along the Kona Coast

I think sailboat engagement photos can make for some of the best photos, but I might be a little biased. My husband and I did our engagement photos on a sailboat! It was so epic and everything we wanted.

If you’re dreaming of a sailboat Hawaii engagement shoot, then the Kona Coast is perfect! You can book a private sunset sail along the coast and enjoy a romantic evening on the ocean. As the sun sets, the sky will be painted with breathtaking colors with the vast ocean as your backdrop.

The boat ride offers a dynamic setting perfect for showcasing both the adventure and romance of your relationship. For even more fun, you can even jump off the boat into Hawaii’s gorgeous ocean for a sunset swim! It’s one of the most unique and exciting ways to experience a Hawaiian sunset. 

5. Witness Misty Mornings in Waimea

Interested in an untraditional Hawaii engagement photoshoot? If so, then Waimea might be the perfect spot for you! Known for its rolling green pastures, misty mornings, and cooler climate, this area of the Big Island offers a different vibe than the rest of the island’s tropical coastlines. It’s so different from the traditional “Hawaii” vibe you see online. The mornings in Waimea offer soft, romantic light and ethereal mist. It’s the perfect place for couples who want a more rustic feel to capture dreamy, romantic Big Island engagement photos. 

6. Experience Volcanic Majesty at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Featuring diverse terrain, ranging from lava fields and craters to vibrant rainforests, this park offers numerous possibilities for breathtaking Hawaii engagement photos! Imagine capturing your love with steaming vents or glowing lava flows in the background! Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provides an unforgettable engagement photo backdrop for an adventurous couple. You can even walk into the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) within the national park. This 600-foot long lava cave offers natural tunnels with rugged textures and natural light streaming through openings. Could an adventure through a lava tube fit the bill for the daring engagement photos you’ve been dreaming of?!

7. Capture Gorgeous Skies at Mauna Kea 

Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is the highest point in the entire Pacific Basin, is perfect for adventurous couples. Mauna Kea means “white mountain” due to the snow that caps the mountain at certain times of the year. This can be one of the most gorgeous spots to take Big Island Hawaii engagement photos!

Sunrise at Mauna Kea is perfect for adventurous couples who love a bit of early morning romance. That early morning glow and peaceful mornings make for dreamy photos. Sunset Mauna Kea engagement photos can also be stunning! Imagine cotton candy skies as a backdrop to celebrate the start of your journey to forever!

The Big Island is also known for its clear skies and minimal light pollution, which makes it an epic place for stargazing! Capture the magic of your love story under a blanket of stars, with the Milky Way providing a stunning celestial backdrop for your Hawaii engagement photos!

Tip: As a Big Island Hawaii engagement photographer, I will tell you that no matter what time of day you go, keep in mind that Mauna Kea can get cold, so be sure to dress warm! 

8. Explore a Hidden Gem at Makalawena Beach 

With its distinct white sands, turquoise waters, and relatively secluded location, Makalawena Beach is an ideal spot for an intimate Big Island engagement session. It’s perfect for couples who want to document their love story without the crowds. This beach isn’t accessible through a road. The short hike through a lava field makes for an adventurous experience! 

9. Sunset Stroll on Hapuna Beach

With its long stretches of white sand and clear, turquoise waters, Hapuna Beach is one of the best beaches on the Big Island for a Hawaii engagement photoshoot! A sunset stroll along the shore with the waves lapping at your feet can be the perfect way to document this special time of your lives. 

10. Vibrant Vista Adventure at Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley offers diverse landscapes, with its towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, and lush taro fields. The panoramic views from the lookout point are breathtaking. Locations that overlook the cliffs can be a great place to capture some epic vistas in your Big Island Hawaii engagement photos!

Ready to Book Me As Your Hawaii Engagement Photographer? 

I’m so excited and grateful that you’re considering booking me as your Big Island engagement photographer! No matter what type of Big Island engagement session you have in mind, I’ve got you covered. From Hawaii’s iconic palm trees to its lava tubes, there are so many unique and beautiful ways to document your love story!

Whether you’re ready to book me for your Hawaii engagement photos or you have more questions about planning your engagement session, please don’t hesitate to contact me!