Why work with Sun SESSIONS HI
Choosing the right photographer is a crucial decision. Photographs are not just images; they are priceless mementos that elicit human emotion and connect us all. They can also be amazing tools to uplift a brand and communicate specific offerings to a wider audience. We believe in the enduring value of photographs and we are committed to capturing them with a vibrant style that reflects your unique brand or personality.
Our approach is authentic and relaxed, focusing on being the right fit for you and your needs. During your photography experience, we provide support, from selecting the perfect location to giving best practices before the shoot. We want to ensure that you feel comfortable and relaxed through the entire experience of working together. When you invest in a photography package with us, you're investing in the quality and skills we've honed over years to deliver high-quality photographs. We are deeply grateful for this support and opportunity.
Each photography package we offer is customizable to ensure it aligns perfectly with you and your needs. Below, we've listed some basic and popular options to begin with.
MOMENTS WITH LOVED ONES
FAMILY & COUPLES
FAMILIES
HONEYMOON
ENGAGEMENT
MATERNITY
PROPOSALS
Our most popular package includes:
- Consultation
- 1 location
- 30-45 minute photo session
- Online gallery with 50+ edited images
- State location permit
- Additional $25.00 per person over 6 people
10% return client or Kamaʻaina discount
STARTING AT $650+TAX
CAPTURE YOUR LOVE STORY
INTIMATE WEDDINGS
& ELOPEMENTS
COVERAGE OF CEREMONY
BRIDAL PORTRAITS
Reception
And More
Our most popular package includes:
• Consultation and custom timeline planning
• Vendor recommendations
• Photo coverage starting at 4 hrs
• Online gallery with edited photos
• Preview within 2 weeks
Additional shooter and drone photography available
Starting at $4000+TAX
HIGHLIGHT THE EXPERIENCE
EVENTS
CORPORATE
NON-PROFIT
LIVE PERFORMANCES
BIRTHDAYS
REUNIONS
AND MORE
Our most popular package includes:
• Photo coverage starting at 2 hrs
• Flash photography available
• Online gallery with 100+ edited images
Video packages and drone photography are also available
STARTING AT $1200+TAX
Testimonial
Cori of Sun Sessions HI. Was absolutely incredible! She worked tirelessly to capture shots of my active toddler and made the session feel so natural, like just a morning at the beach with my family. The pictures turned out BEYOND beautiful. I could not be happier with them. Thank you Cori!!! If you live on Oahu or are visiting please don’t hesitate to book a session with her.
Marina Fowler
Testimonial
Cori is such a JOY to work with! Our photo session lined up with our daughters first birthday and we felt Cori was so successful in getting our baby to playfully interact during the photoshoot. Every picture we received was beautiful - we will cherish these forever! Thank you again Cori for such a fun photoshoot 🙏
Jordan Schifino
Testimonial
I highly recommend Cori! We hired her to do our wedding photography and we were so impressed by her professionalism, composition, and direction on posing for the couples shoot after the ceremony. We sent her some Pinterest inspiration and she did an amazing job providing us with exactly what we had envisioned for the entire event!
Sukhi Harvey
Testimonial
Sun Sessions HI photography is amazing! We are in love with how our photos turned out! Cori has such a great eye for framing the shots. She is very professional, pays attention to all the details and it shows up in the amazing quality of her work! She is also the fastest photographer I’ve ever worked with to edit and share photos after the shoot! Very much appreciated. If you are living on Oahu or just here for vacation, you should definitely book a session with Cori! Highly recommend!
Kelsey Moore
Testimonial
I can’t recommend Sun Sessions enough! Cori and Tristan are professional, flexible, and so talented! The photos are truly epic and were fun to shoot on top of it all! Their calm demeanor and flexibility with stormy weather even put our infant at ease and she smiled through the shoot! The edits were turned around super fast and we had the photos taken right before the holidays. I’ll recommend this business to anyone—families, couples, maternity shots, all of it! You won’t regret it!
Anne Weber
Testimonial
Sun Sessions Photography was amazing. Cori is approachable, flexible, kind, thoughtful, and fun to work with. She helped us capture amazing moments in time. She was creative as to how to best help us connect with each other and with the nature around us to keep the photos authentic. We were impressed with her professionalism, her easy communication, and the speed with which she provided us amazing photos. We would recommend Cori and her team to anyone who wants quality documentation of their life, their family, or the nature around them. Thanks Cori, we'll see you next year!
Yvonne Featherer
Testimonial
Cori was thoughtful, patient, and invested in making sure we had great photos. We ended up with some lovely shots and really appreciated Cori's work.
Christina Cawdery
Testimonial
Cori is a true professional. Her attention to lighting and her ability to find the right angles resulted in the best photo session I've ever had. My family loves her pictures.
Brian Flood
Testimonial
Cori and Tristan shot our first baby photos and they came out fantastic. We are really happy with the quality and the process. Cori was very accommodating and patient with us considering we had a 2.5 month old! We all had fun with it. Some of my favorite shots are also the ones of us goofing off and all of us laughing. I highly recommend working with Sun Sessions. They’re amazing.
George Yarbrough
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book?
To secure your date/time, all you need is to sign our contract and put down a deposit. Fill out the form on the contact page and we'll send you all the necessary information. We look forward to hearing from you!
How can I pay for the service?
Upon contract signing, we will email you an invoice where you have the option to pay by credit card or bank transfer. You may also pay by cash or mail a check.
What happens if it rains?
If we see rain in the forecast before the shoot time, we can always choose another location on Oahu where it may be drier. If another location is chosen, there will be an additional fee for the location permit.
If the session gets rained out, we can reschedule at no extra charge.
What if I can't make it to the session?
We're happy to reschedule the session with you if you're unable to make it. There may be an additional fee to cover the location permit.
Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds on deposits.
Any tips for portrait shoots with children?
Morning sunrise sessions are typically best for famillies, especially if you have young children. It's helpful if you also bring some toys, a change of clothes, and snacks. If other family or friends are also available, feel free to have them come along to encourage the child to look into the camera.
Do you charge a travel fee?
Yes. Travel fees vary so please contact us for a custom quote.
When will we receive the edited photos?
Family/couples sessions will be delivered within 2-3 weeks.
Intimate weddings and elopements have a 6 week turnaround time. This package also includes a sneak peek preview delivered within 2 weeks.
What's the best time of day to shoot?
Golden hour (the hour after sunset or before sunrise) is typically the best time to shoot because of the soft, flattering light.
Sunrise is also advisable because it's when outdoor locations are the least crowded. When shooting at sunset, often times we have to deal with large crowds in the background of photos.
What should we wear for our portrait session?
Always wear clothes that make you feel your best that you don't mind getting wet. There is no need to wear matching prints, instead, we recommend wearing colors that complement each other.
Neutral colors (like beige and off-white) and lighter colors typically look best, especially against a beach backdrop. For women, we usually advise against short dresses or skirts just in case it becomes windy.
Do your best to avoid overpowering patterns, logos, and striped clothing if possible. We also advise against multiple people in one group wearing busy patterns.
Shooting locations (especially beaches) may become windy so always come prepared to wear your hair up if needed. You may also consider purchasing a beautiful haku lei (flower crown) to keep your hair in place.
Who will take the photos?
Cori Chong, the lead photographer of Sun Sessions HI, will be your photographer. She has been shooting for over 16 years.
Occasionally, we do employ the help of other photographers.
How do we access our photos?
When your photos are ready, we will email you with a private link to an online gallery. From there, you can download the photos and share the gallery link with your friends and family. There is also an option to order prints directly online.
Are you interested in video storytelling?
In addition to photography, Cori Chong, owner of Sun Sessions HI, also runs a video production company with her husband Tristan called Wakeful State.
At Wakeful State, we focus on cinematic documentary storytelling, working with forward-thinking businesses and non-profit organizations to create highly compelling, shareable video content that engages audiences and builds trust. Over the past 5 years, we've worked with companies such as CNN, CNBC, United Airlines, AT&T, and University of Hawaii, as well as non-profits such as Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Conservation International, and the Hawaii Island Humane Society.
In late 2023, we completed an incredibly rewarding project with musician Jack Johnson and his wife Kim Johnson. We filmed and edited a 20-minute short docu that celebrates the 20th anniversary of their environmental non-profit organization Kokua Hawaii Foundation.
We'd love for you to check out our full video portfolio at wakefulstate.com!
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested in creating some epic videos together!
