The Portrait Experience

See yourself the way the people who love you see you

Let your legacy inspire a vision curated for more than just a fleeting glimpse on social media. From 1-on-1 creative collaborations and lessons in posing technique, to a day of relaxation and creative exploration — immerse yourself in the enjoyable experience of creating a work of elevated art for your portraits with Monica Lau Photography.

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Watch the Portrait Experience Video

Imagine immersing yourself in the enjoyable experience of creating a work of elevated art with Monica Lau Photography. With Monica’s trove of high-profile expertise, skilled makeover team, and state-of-the-art studio that leads to a tropical garden oasis, there is no limit to how you can choose to express yourself.

The Creative Process

A collaborative experience from start to finish.

THE HAIR & MAKEUP

THE PORTRAIT SESSION

The Consultation

Set your legacy apart from the rest. Whether you have a clear picture of your wall portrait or just don’t know where to begin, Monica Lau’s consultation approach can help guide you.

Revel in a flow of creative conversation during the initial consultation. After discussing other works of art for inspiration, as well as Monica’s pricing guide, you need only sit back and enjoy creating your image wish list. Explore exciting plans for wardrobe styling, hair, and makeup that work together to create a work of art as unique as you.

The Story

As you and Monica plan what themes your portraits will embody, you’ll be able to collaborate on creative portraits that show your inner light and outer beauty. Monica's inviting artistic process coupled with her skill in the editorial Vanity Fair-style and bold Nike-look, will evoke sophistication however you choose to express yourself.

EXPECTANT MOTHER • OUTRIGGER PADDLER • SCUBA DIVER • BONAFIDE INFLUENCER • WAVE CRUSHER • RUNWAY MODEL • BADASS LEADER • INSPIRED ARTIST • BROADWAY STAR • BUSINESS EXECUTIVE • MARATHON RUNNER • UNSTOPPABLE SURVIVOR • PERSONAL TRAINER • POLO PLAYER • EXCEPTIONAL COACH • HULA DANCER • IRON MAN ATHLETE • MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL • SMALL BUSINESS OWNER • PASSIONATE ADVOCATE • BELOVED GRANDPARENT

The Studio

Step into a tranquil oasis brimming with inspiration. With an indoor and outdoor professional fine art photography studio right in Kailua, Hawaii, at your disposal, you will be able to plan on capturing multiple creative concepts without regard to weather, sun, or inconvenient locations.

HIGH-END PROFESSIONAL STUDIO EQUIPMENT AND SET

Quality lighting, cameras, hand-painted canvas backdrops, and other professional equipment will bring sophistication and versatility to your portraits.

TROPICAL GARDEN OASIS

Private access to beautifully-landscaped, lush tropical fauna bursting with colorful life ensures you can have a piece of home in your portraits.

EXPERT TEAM WAITING TO PAMPER YOU

On-site hair, beauty, and styling artist makes everything from getting ready to getting touch-ups easier.

The Wardrobe

Each Monica Lau portrait session includes multiple wardrobe changes that can range from what you wear every day to what you wear in your wildest dreams. With experience in fashion photography and styling, Monica will collaborate with you to coordinate looks that compliment your authentic self.

A PIECE OF HOME

From your most glamorous gown to business attire to haku leis or your best streetwear looks, there are no rules. Consider instruments, sports gear, or even sentimental items like your Mom’s jewelry, grandmother’s vintage dress, or even a memento from your best friend.

A NEW LOOK

You are also invited to wear the curated collection of gowns available at the Monica Lau Photography studio. There you will find gorgeous vintage-styled 1920s apparel, elegant Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses, and a touch of Hawaiiana in Noa Noa pareos.

The Hair & Makeup

Step into the Monica Lau Photography studio and allow yourself to be whisked away by the personal hair and makeup artist included with your session. Grooming is available upon request. Be as bold or natural as you want. Included enhancements can range from false eyelashes that heighten your beauty and allure to glistening artificial sweat that adds drama to your epic sport looks.

HAIR

Go for a softer look with loose beach waves
Get creative with an edgy updo
Master the elegance of a simple slick-back

MAKEUP

Opt for an elevated glow
Make a colorful statement
Heighten the drama with special effects

The Portrait Session

Embrace the joy of a private set for just you and Monica to explore both planned and spontaneous creative direction. Monica and her team will be there with you at every point to provide you with the glamor of a true magazine experience.

• Step-by-step posing guidance

• Multiple wardrobe changes

• Music of your choice

• Comfortable ambiance

• Surprise personal touches

The Reveal

After the fun of your photo shoot, you will be invited to rejoin Monica Lau at her studio for an exciting, large-screen reveal of your artistically enhanced images. All photographic artwork can be purchased at the time of your image reveal. Though it is common to love every single one of the images you had a hand in creating, what you order is entirely up to you.

The Unveiling

You will be invited once more to join Monica at the Monica Lau Photography studio for the final unveiling. Choose from museum-quality wall art, folio box collections, or both. The unparalleled artistry, detail, and premium quality of your new heirlooms will be yours to experience for generations to come.

Schedule session

PRICING

Session fees begin at $350

THE SESSION FEE INCLUDES:

• PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP

• IN-PERSON CONSULTATION

• GUIDED PORTRAIT SESSION

• MULTIPLE WARDROBE CHANGES

• RETOUCHING

Add on family and friends for an additional fee

Legacy Artwork

WALL ART

Beginning at $500

Create a memory you can look at every day with handcrafted, museum-quality matted artwork for your wall. The matching digital file is included with each purchased image.

PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTIONS

Beginning at $1,900

Add to your heirlooms 5, 15, or 25 illustrious matted prints, rated to last 100 years, held within an exquisite custom folio box handcrafted in Italy. The matching digital file is included with each purchased image.

Major credit cards accepted. Payment plans are available upon request.

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Q&A

We are here to guide you every step of the way.

What makes the Monica Lau Photography studio a sophisticated, unique experience?
Capture your piece of Hawaii in your portraits at our tropical oasis. A private escape landscaped specifically to enhance the ease of your portrait experience, the Monica Lau Photography studio garden will relieve you of the inconvenience that comes with common portrait session issues such as location and permit procurement as well as unexpected rain, wind, heat and sweat, glaring sun, and a trusted place to change. Whether you choose to have your session outside and inside, our comfortable air conditioned studio will ensure wardrobe changes plus hair and makeup are a seamless experience.
When should I book my session?
Creating your exceptional portraits takes planning. From scheduling your hair & makeup artist to gathering wardrobe and accessories to ordering leis. Post session time is taken to craft your images with retouching to ordering your artwork piece from Italy. We recommend having your session scheduled at least one to two months in advance to have your artwork in time for special occasions and holidays.
Do you require a deposit to book a session?
Yes. The total amount of your non-refundable session fee will be due at the time of booking in order to secure your date and professional hair & makeup artist. Your artwork will then be available for purchase separately at The Reveal.
When do sessions take place?
Sessions are held Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Do you take bookings on Saturdays?
Saturdays are reserved only for clients pre-purchasing our largest premium collection which includes both our Italian-made wall art and largest folio box collections, as well as a complimentary voucher for your next session.
I see beautiful dream destinations in your portfolio. Do you travel for sessions?
Monica Lau can be booked for private senior portrait sessions in other domestic and international destinations. Travel fees will be added on top of your session fee and pre-purchase of our largest premium artwork package.
Where will my session be?
Your session will take place at the Monica Lau Photography studio located within the heart of Kailua, Hawaii. There, you will be able to lavish in the splendors of having access to both a private indoor set and outdoor tropical garden.
How long do sessions take?
While sessions involving hair and makeup are typically 3-4 hours in length, we are devoted to creating the perfect artwork.
Can I share an entire session with a friend?
Detailed attention to your unique experience is paramount. To ensure you acquire the incredible artwork you deserve, we can only accommodate one session at a time.
Are parents or friends allowed to stay and watch at my session?
Having one-on-one time to explore a collaborative, on-set creative energy is what allows Monica Lau to create heirlooms the family will be glad to look back on. Parents and friends are welcome at the beginning of the session to help get settled and then again at the end of the session to share in some of the excitement and sneak peaks.
Can I have a pet in some of my pictures?
Pets are a welcome addition to your session. During your consultation with Monica Lau, you will have the opportunity to discuss options and the unique logistics involved.
Can I have friends or family members in some of my pictures?
Your portrait session is a time for you to express your creative vision however you see fit. It is suggested that additional guests join only towards the end of a session so that Monica may give you the time and attention you deserve during your session.
Can I repost or share my images on social media?
We encourage you to share images of your legacy artwork with your friends and family in any way you desire. Should you post to social media, we’d love for you to tag us @monicalauphotography on Instagram.

If you do not see your question answered here, you are welcome to contact the Monica Lau Photography team at 808-349-5148 or Monica@MonicaLauPhotography.com

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Kind words from our clients

“Monica was able to put me at ease and gave simple to follow posing direction.”

Monica is exactly what I would want in a professional photographer. Admittedly, I was a little anxious about being in front of the camera due to little experience of knowing how to pose and adding my one year old daughter in on the shoot. After a luxurious hair and makeup session, I was camera ready. Monica was able to put me at ease and gave simple to follow posing direction. I will cherish the photos she captured of my daughter and I forever.
—CELENA W.
(Portrait Session: Fine Art Mother and Child)
“Monica has the natural ability to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera and this put my husband at ease immediately.”

What an Artist! Monica did an outdoor session with my husband Alan and I. Monica has the natural ability to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera and this put my husband at ease immediately. Needless to say, the photos came out spectacular. We were hoping that we would get at least one good photo of us. We ended up with 5 beautifully framed portraits that we will cherish forever.
—MARILEE MATTSON
(Portrait Session: Couples Fine Art)
“Monica's gentle, reassuring guidance allowed me to feel comfortable”

Monica gives great direction during her shoots. Some people probably don’t need it, but for my personal branding session, I sure did. Her gentle, kind-humored, reassuring guidance allowed me to feel comfortable, and she was fun and positive the entire time. I never felt rushed. When each of my girls were seniors, they did senior portraits with Monica. She really captured their personalities with her photography. Quite honestly the most difficult thing about having Monica Lau as your photographer is trying to figure out which photos NOT to get. They are all too beautiful!!
—LEELA GOLDSTEIN
(Portrait Sessions: Children and Family Portraits for over 15 years, 2 – Senior Portrait Sessions, Personal Branding Session for Leela – Executive Director of Women’s Fund of Hawaii and Brian’s Business website and marketing images for NOA Botanicals
“I trusted her every direction and ended up with gorgeous photos I will cherish forever!”

I enjoyed working with Monica and her staff, she made my experience one-of-a kind. I would highly recommend Monica for your photos for any occasion. She is a real professional, I trusted her every direction and ended up with gorgeous photos I will cherish forever!”
—DR. CAMONIA GRAHAM-TUTT
(Portrait Session: Fine Art Portrait, Personal Branding)
“I felt like a star!”

We all know when we see someone exquisitely dressed and their coordinated outfit “pops”. Well, that’s how Monica’s photography captured my images! Everybody’s image can “pop”. The photographer must have that unique gift and Monica has it. Monica made me feel so relaxed. She captured my grace, in response to her delightful stories. You forget you are doing a photo shoot! I felt like a star! So, you wanna be a Star, call Monica!
—AVA BEAMON
(Portrait Session: Fine Art Portraits, Personal Branding)
“As a mature woman, I felt young and gorgeous!”

The best part about being photographed by Monica was how I felt. The words she used made me feel beautiful, honored. As a mature woman, I felt young and gorgeous with her encouragement to lean in and relax and enjoy the moment.
—JUNE DILLINGER
(Portrait Session: Fine Art Portrait / Personal Branding)
“Monica made me feel special and at ease”

At 55, I’m a woman ready to embark on the next stage of my life, focusing on my goals and dreams. It was exciting and nerve-wracking to get in front of the camera all made up with my fancy dress and hair done, but Monica made me feel special and at ease. I’m thrilled with my portrait and so glad I did it!
—LAURA TARTAR
(Portrait Sessions: Children, Sweet 16, Fine Art)