Life as an Oahu Photographer: Capturing Love, Adventure & Hawaii’s Stunning Beauty with Oahu Photographer Chris McChesney - Hawaii

Being a photographer on Oahu is truly a dream come true. Every day, I have the privilege of capturing love stories, special moments, and unforgettable experiences against some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. From golden beaches and towering cliffs to elegant cathedrals and lush tropical backdrops, Oahu offers endless opportunities for stunning photography.

Whether it’s a wedding, engagement, elopement, surprise proposal, family session, or an adventurous photoshoot, I love helping my clients turn their moments into timeless images they’ll cherish forever.

The Best Beaches for Photography on Oahu

Oahu’s beaches are as diverse as they are beautiful, each offering a unique atmosphere for photoshoots. Here are some of my favorite locations to shoot as an Oahu photographer:

🌊 Makapuʻu Beach Park

A stunning east-side beach with dramatic lava rock formations, towering sea cliffs, and teal-blue waters. It’s perfect for romantic wedding portraits, adventure sessions, and sunrise elopements.

🏝️ Waimanalo Beach

Known for its soft white sand and turquoise waters, Waimanalo Beach is a dream setting for engagements, elopements, and family photography. The surrounding ironwood trees add a touch of natural elegance.

🌅 Sunset Beach

True to its name, Sunset Beach offers breathtaking golden-hour photography, especially for couples, engagement sessions, and maternity shoots. The light here is warm, soft, and perfect for storytelling.

🏝️ Ko Olina & Secret Beach

For those looking for a more private, intimate setting, the Ko Olina lagoons and Secret Beach provide a luxurious, tranquil backdrop, ideal for surprise proposals and romantic couple shoots.

🌊 Kaaawa Beach & Kualoa Beach Park

With the majestic Ko‘olau Mountains in the background, these locations create a dramatic and cinematic setting for weddings, elopements, and adventure engagement sessions.

Elegant Cathedrals & Chapels for Weddings & Elopements

For couples looking for a classic and timeless wedding setting, Oahu is home to some beautiful churches and chapelsthat offer a sense of grandeur and romance. Some of my favorites include:

⛪ St. Catalina Seaside Chapel

With its oceanfront views and elegant architecture, this chapel is a gorgeous location for intimate weddings. After the ceremony, we can step outside to capture stunning portraits by the water.

⛪ St. Augustine by the Sea

Located in Waikiki, this historic church offers a blend of traditional elegance and island charm, making it perfect for classic wedding photography.

⛪ The Ko Olina Chapel Place of Joy

For couples wanting a luxury wedding experience, this chapel is a stunning venue with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean.

Photography Services I Offer

As an Oahu photographer, I specialize in a wide range of photography services, ensuring that I can capture any moment, big or small:

📸 Wedding Photography – Capturing the most important day of your life with stunning, heartfelt, and artistic imagery. Whether it’s an intimate elopement or a grand wedding celebration, I’ll ensure every moment is preserved beautifully.

💍 Engagement & Surprise Proposal Photography – Whether you’re popping the question on a secluded beach or celebrating your love before the big day, I specialize in capturing genuine, emotional moments.

🌺 Elopement Photography – Oahu is one of the best places in the world to elope, and I love creating a personalized, adventure-filled photography experience for couples looking to say “I do” in a stunning natural setting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Photography – Oahu is the perfect place for a family vacation photoshoot, capturing special moments with loved ones against Hawaii’s incredible landscapes.

🏄‍♂️ Adventure & Surf Photography – For those looking to document the thrill of the ocean, I also offer surf and action photography, creating dynamic, high-energy images.

🎶 Event & Concert Photography – From corporate events to live concerts, I love capturing the energy, passion, and excitement of every moment.

Why I Love Being a Photographer on Oahu

Every session I shoot is different, yet each one has a common theme: connection, beauty, and storytelling. Oahu’s landscapes provide an incredible backdrop, but what truly makes my job meaningful is the people I get to photograph—the couples celebrating their love, the families making lifelong memories, and the individuals embracing adventure.

If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your wedding, engagement, elopement, surprise proposal, or family session, let’s create something beautiful together!

📸 Book your Oahu Hawaii photoshoot today with Oahu Photographer Chris McChesney at Oahu Photography!