Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations visited during the summer months. Unsurprisingly, not only is Hawaii one of the most visited locations globally, it is also one of the most highly photographed destinations across the globe. 

Having visited this location myself, I can vouch for Hawaii’s reputation of hidden depths and its photogenic beauty, but one question remains. Is it possible to capture original pictures at this destination? I would always argue that no matter the popularity of a destination, new and exciting forms of imagery can always be found. Whether you stumble across hidden views or new angels, just thinking outside of the box can make your image unique. 

Every image captured has its own twang and viewpoint of the landscape captured. So, no matter whether you’re shooting from a spot as well known as the Empire State Building in NYC or you’re shooting off the beaten path on Hawaiian sands, your images will always have the potential to stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression in their own right. 

Besides, no place on the planet has so many memorizing beaches as Hawaii. Oahu specifically is home to 112 miles of coastline, which offers a variety of beaches to shoot. So, within this article I am going to share my recommended locations for capturing aerial photographs in Hawaii, alongside sharing some of my favorite Oahu wall art prints with you. 

Click here to view the artwork featured above: Aloha Monday – Oahu, Hawaii.

Waikiki Beach - Nestled on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii, Waikiki Beach is just one of many coastal landmarks in the area. Waikiki actually consists of several beaches including; Fort DeRussy Beach, Kuhio Beach, and Queen Surf Beach. 

Waikiki Beach however is one of the most famous beaches in the world, boasting more than 4 million visitors every year. Waikiki Beach offers its visitors many perks, whether you’re visiting to capture a glimpse at the all-famous Diamond Head volcanic cone, or you’re looking for an ideal destination to; snorkel, swim, surf or simply just to sunbathe, this location is where the buzz of local life can be found. It is for this very reason that I found myself pulled to this location. 

Landscapes filled with life make for intriguing captures. Whenever I’m passing through an area, I will look for a location that suits the needs and purpose of my shoot first and foremost, but the heartbeat of a location is what makes my decision final. As a general pattern, I often lean towards the places that are full, bursting with life in all forms. Whether it’s human life or wildlife, a destination flowing with energy has a magnitude of photographic possibilities. 

Waikiki Beach is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of Hawaiian life. The beach itself fronts the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, alongside being surrounded by a number of luxury resorts and 5-star restaurants and hotels. So, if you’re heading to this destination with the intention to shoot versatile aerial photographs, I would recommend paying a visit to Waikiki Beach to expand your collection of Oahu wall art. 

Click here to view one of my favorite images taken at Waikiki - Man + Sea - Waikiki, Hawaii. 

Click here to view the artwork featured above: Aloha Tuesday – Oahu, Hawaii.

 Oahu Lanikai Beach - Located in the small beach town of Kailua on the Windward side on Oahu, Lanikai Beach is one of the most famous beaches in all of Hawaii. There is an offshore reef that keeps the water calm, which means that Lanikai Beach is ideal for safe swimming. Lanikai Beach is one of the most beautifully picturesque and not to mention popular beaches on Oahu. 

Lined with coconut palms and sparkling clear water, Lanikai Beach is one mile long in length, making for incredibly aesthetic aerial photographs. In fact, this location is a very popular destination of choice for photographers who wish to take overhead shots of the foreseeable island landscape. It is very likely that the aerial images seen online, on social media, or in holiday brochures have in fact taken at this location. Alas, Lanikai Beach is the perfect location to capture Oahu wall art. 

It should however be noted that the Koolau Mountains block a portion of the sunlight hitting the ground during the afternoon, so if you’re hoping for evenly sunny shots, I would recommend hitting this location early in the morning for the best possible aerial photographs. 

Photographers who are looking to shoot a little wildlife on their trip can visit two nearby small islands that feature bird sanctuaries, but the beach alone offers itself as hub for water sport enthusiasts. Some of the most popular water sports in this location include; windsurfing, sailing, and snorkeling. 

Click here to view the artwork featured above: Aloha Sunday – Oahu, Hawaii.

Waimea Bay - Last but not least, Waimea Bay is famous for its huge waves which can be seen every year through the months October - April. Many professionals skilled in water sports such as surfing and boogie boarding come to this location to catch a chance of riding the 25-foot-high waves that crash against the shore. 

In fact, the water’s temperament is so ideal for extreme water sports that the ‘Vans Triple Crown’ surfing competition is held at Waimea Bay every single year. So, if you’re hoping to capture some shots of mass surf enthusiasts epically riding the waves, check in with worldsurfleague.com to uncover the planned schedule of this event on a year-by-year basis. 

During my trip to Waimea Bay, my trip was flooded with opportunities to seize candid captures of surfers and boogie boarders gathering in large numbers, representing love for their sport of choice. One of my favorite shots captured in this location is Kali - Waimea Bay, Hawaii, for its sheer authenticity and representation of individuals that the bay attracts all year round. 

If you’re planning on making a trip to Waimea Bay to expand your collection of aerial photographs, I’d suggest taking inspiration from the images Aloha Monday, Aloha Tuesday and Aloha Sunday linked above. In this selection of images, the stillness of contentment was captured. 

The subject, confident, skilled and at ease in each frame oozes individuality. From each image, I can depict a unique connection between the human and the water. What makes it interesting is their differing walks of life. No matter their descent, or location of choice, these people share the world’s landscape and in doing this, the water has become part of their soul. 

You’ll discover Waimea Bay on the windy North Shore of Oahu. It is the prefect destination to spend the day shooting with your camera, if you do you research and pick the right time of the year to visit, you’ll catch more than a glimpse of vibrant local life. During the summer months specifically, you can expect to find perfect conditions for swimmers and scuba divers heading straight into the waves too alongside surfers and boogie boarders. 

It should be noted that if you are indeed hoping to capture a shot or two of those swimming in Oahu’s waters, it would be best to avoid traveling here in the winter months. At this time of the year, only surfers will be seen in the waters captured below. 

So, that concludes my guide to capturing Oahu wall art. I hope that you have found this article both intriguing and useful from a photography standpoint.   

If you are an art curator, looking to expand the collection of aerial photographs in your home, you can view the artworks featured within this article using the links provided.  

If you’d like to keep up to date, feel free to visit my Instagram page @lukasgriffin for further examples of my photography work.

PHOTO CREDITS

All photos used within this article are courtesy of Lukas Griffin.

All images are available to purchase as prints, view all collections.