A Session Full of Love: New Zealand Family Photography
Golden grass, a warm coastal breeze, and a family of five who couldn’t stop laughing. That’s what we walked into for this New Zealand family photography session at Mount Maunganui, and honestly, it set the tone for everything that followed.
Why This Session Stuck with Us
Mount Maunganui sits right where green hillside meets ocean, and from up on that slope, the whole town and coastline spread out below you. We shot wide to take it all in, then pulled in close for the moments that mattered most: a toddler giggling between his parents, a daughter leaning into her dad like he was the safest place on earth.
The light was doing that thing where it goes soft and gold right before it dips, and this family just moved through it naturally. No stiff poses, no forced smiles. They played, they wandered, they held each other. Our job was to keep up and stay out of the way.
Every family has its own rhythm. Some are loud. Some are quiet. This crew ran on pure joy, and we leaned into that energy completely. The kids set the pace, the parents followed, and we got frames that feel exactly like who they are together.
We also carved out a few minutes for just the two of them. Those couple-only frames on the rocky hilltop are some of our favorites from the gallery. The wind, the warm light, and a rare quiet moment between two people who are usually chasing little ones around. That contrast is something we live for in family photography.
If you’re considering New Zealand family photography and wondering what location could deliver that mix of dramatic landscape and easy, relaxed energy, Mount Maunganui is it. The hillside gives you depth, the ocean gives you color, and the golden hour light up there is something else entirely.
What makes Mount Maunganui a great spot for family photos?
The hillside above the beach gives you sweeping coastal views and soft golden light, especially in the hour before sunset. The tall grass and rocky outcrops add texture and variety without needing to change locations. It’s one of those places where the scenery does a lot of the work for you.
Does Twig & Olive photograph families outside of the United States?
We do. We’ve photographed families in New Zealand, Australia, and across the U.S. If you’re interested in a session wherever you are, reach out and tell us about it. We love working in new locations.
