Category Archives: Family Portraits

Mar 2025

Photographer in Kona, Hawaii, and Hilo: My Pentax 645 Review

As a film photographer based in Hawaii, finding the right gear is crucial. Recently, I’ve been shooting with the Pentax 645Nii, and it’s been a game-changer. Here’s why: Comfort & Build: It feels like using a DSLR, similar to the Canon 5D Mark IV, but with the charm of film. It’s comfortable to hold and offers a variety of lenses. Image Quality: The 75mm 2.8 lens and 80-150mm 4.5 lens deliver stunning results. Plus, the 15 shots per roll mean more opportunities to capture the perfect moment. Versatility: With multiple backs, switching mid-wedding is seamless. It’s perfect for fast-action shots […]

Aug 2024

Family Portrait Session in Hawaii

Family Portrait Session in Hawaii In this beautiful family portrait session, we captured some wonderful memories on the stunning beaches of Hawaii. The entire session was shot on my Mamiya RZ67 using Kodak Gold film, which was later developed at one of my favorite labs, The Nice Lab. The natural Hawaiian scenery provided the perfect backdrop for these joyful moments, filled with laughter, love, and the serene beauty of the islands. Capturing the Moments Fun on the Beach The family enjoyed a playful moment on the beach, showcasing their fun personalities against the soft waves and sandy shores. Together on […]

Big families bigger adventures photographed by family photographer in Big Island Hawaii

Family Portraits

Jul 2024

Family Portraits at Kona Beach

Family Portraits at Kona Beach: Capturing Beautiful Moments In June of 2024, I had the pleasure of photographing the Pendroy family on the stunning beaches of Kona, Hawaii. This session was a perfect example of how Hawaii’s natural beauty enhances family portraits, creating unforgettable memories. The Setting Kona’s beaches provided the ideal backdrop with their golden sands, blue waters, and beautiful golden sunsets. The natural light was perfect, adding a warm glow to every shot and making the family’s white outfits pop against the serene beach setting. The Experience Working with the Pendroy family was a joy. They were relaxed […]

Allison Pendroy family portrait by Sterling Batson, photographer in Kona, Hawaii

Family Portraits

Jul 2024

Tips for Shooting at Kona Beach on film with out a light meter

Tips for Shooting at Kona Beach on film with out a light meter Hey there, friends! I recently had a fantastic photo shoot at the gorgeous Kona side beach around 6 PM. As a Hawaii photographer, I love capturing those perfect beach moments, but this shoot came with its own set of challenges and rewards. First off, the sun was still pretty high when we started, which wasn’t ideal. I didn’t want to backlight my clients too much, and having them squinting into the sun just wasn’t an option. To top it off, I realized I’d left my trusty light […]

Family portrait on Kona beach at sunset by a photographer in Hawaii, featuring soft golden hour light and a beach backdrop.

Family Portraits

Jul 2024

Tips for a Great Family Photoshoot in Kona, Hawaii

Tips for a Great Family Photoshoot in Kona, Hawaii As a photographer in Hawaii, I’ve shot many family portraits in Kona. With its stunning beaches and beautiful golden sunsets, Kona is the perfect backdrop for capturing those special family moments. Here are some tips I’ve gathered to help you make the most of your family photoshoot in Kona and ensure it’s a fun and memorable experience. Have a Shot List: Plan ahead and create a shot list to ensure you capture all the important groupings. For example, grandkids with grandma, siblings together, and the entire family. This helps keep things […]

Family Portraits