When Ana first contacted me about photographing her new line of swimsuits using models, I was a bit hesitant. I have very rarely worked with models and the business product photography I’d done previously had been on small items that didn’t move on their own - or involve scantily clad women. However, I was very confident about my ability to shoot on the beach so when she accepted my quote, I was looking forward to a new experience.
The one portrait request I'm the most excited to get is the surprise proposal! Plotting with the happy/nervous guy about the just the right place, the secret code word we’ll use and then getting to watch their happy moment unfold as I photograph it is just so, well...romantic!
In Hawaii, a keiki’s (Hawaiian for child) first birthday is a milestone event to be celebrated. First birthday celebrations have been common for centuries in many cultures around the world as many children didn’t live to the age of one due to the lack of the medical advancements that we enjoy today.
Posing for couples portraits is like sex - there are really only so many ways two human bodies can fit together. So HOW (emotionally, not mechanically) you fit together is really the important part. The trick to natural looking romantic couples photos is to choose any basic pose you like and then make it your own by injecting emotion.
Many of my portrait clients don't realize that I also do fine art landscape photography of the beautiful nature of Hawaii! If you've ever thought it would be nice to have a little bit of that Hawaii magic warming up your home or office, I might just have a few images you'll like!
As an outdoor beach and sunset portrait photographer in Oahu, Hawaii, I continually face the challenge of dealing with bright, reflective sunshine and never enough flash power. It's a constant balancing act between having enough flash power to light up my clients but also trying to create a soft and pleasing light on them as well. Since I work alone without an assistant, any modifier I try to use ends up being a sail in the ever present Hawaii tradewinds and takes my flashes for a swim in the waves (four down and counting to date!). Eventually, I finally figured out a solution that gives me the best of both needs - lots of power for outdoor direct sun portraits and yet a relatively soft look for bare direct flash.
Photography is at it's best when it's conveying an emotion, an idea or a compelling drama. A powerful image tells a story that resonates with viewers. Silhouettes remove all the distractions of smiles, colors and details, leaving only two dimensional profiles that, conversely, make a for a stronger story.
When Heidi first contacted me for her wedding and engagement photos, she was very clear that she wanted something a bit different. "We drive over the Pali Highway everyday and we just really love those mountains. Can we possibly do our engagement session there?"
Today I found myself at loose ends with no photos to edit and no elopement or engagement photography session scheduled. And lately I’ve been noticing just how many people, men and women, who find the thought of a photo session about as exciting as a visit to the dentist! So this blog post is about how you can make the most of your couples surprise proposal, engagement or elopement photography session to get the most romantic photos - and actually have fun in the process. The good news is that there are really only a couple things you need to know to get stunning engagement portraits