Photography in Maui
 

We are taking our 3 adult children to Maui in September. My daughter in law will be 6 month pregnant and I want to do a maternity photo shoot on the beach. Do you have any suggestions for beaches that would be best for the shoot. Shold I bring film with me or should I buy it when I arrive. I am worried about the new xray machines at the airport, and should I get film developed on the island? I am also going to do some TMAX bw film and I want to use a professional lab if there is one on the island. Any info?

Lani Kai and Kailua beaches are very pretty - the mokus (small islands) off shore make for great backdrops.

Anyhow - regarding film - buy it in Oahu. Undeveloped film should NEVER be put in checked luggage. Even with carry-on luggage because of increased screening, etc. it is probably better to just buy and develop the film on Ohau (since these are important photos for you). Otherwise, consider using a lead lined film bag in your carry-on luggage for your unexposed film.

I'd recommend you bring your own rolls of film. I remember EVERYTHING being expensive in Maui when we were there.
I'm an avid (amateur) photographer. You should NEVER put your film in your checked luggage, but you can absolutely put your film in your carry-on. If you're really concerned about it, you can buy a special bag to put them in. I've never done that. I always have my rolls in my carry-on. My pictures from Maui and St. John (my 2 most recent trips) were absolutely GORGEOUS.
Good luck.

Don't bring or take film undeveloped home. It does make a big difference. Use Ritz camera if they still have one in Wailea or the shop in the bottom floor of Whalers Village. There is also another good shop in Lahaina. I think Wailea area would be very pretty with black rock, green plants and dark blue ocean. Wrap her in a sarong.

I just found out that you can actually request a handcheck of your film if you don't want to put it through x-ray.
check out the tsa website:
http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=56
my suggestion is that if you go for that option, you should print a copy of the tsa page and take along with you, as some screeners might tell you your rolls have to go through x-ray no matter what.

I will do that. Thanks for the great idea.