The beach was empty, which made everything easier. No crowds to work around, just sand, lava rock and driftwood, and room for everyone to spread out and play.

I shot this one on my Pentax 645, a medium format film camera. It’s quick to use and handles a moving family well, and the film gives the skin tones and the water that soft, warm look I love.

The best moments were the quiet ones in between, like the hugs, the little ones being carried and grandpa getting kisses.

Then down to the water for the big group photo, with the waves rolling in around everyone’s feet.

Thank you, Tania, and your whole family. It was a great way to close out the year. Mahalo!

Thinking about film for your own family session? See plans.

Previous: Katie & David: A Small Wedding at Anna Ranch, Waimea

The post Tania’s Family at Beach 69, Shot on Pentax 645 first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

I shot most of the day on my Mamiya RZ67, a medium format film camera. It’s slow and a little heavy, but it makes everyone slow down too. The two of them were relaxed and easy to photograph.

The soft, cloudy light suited black and white film perfectly, and the leis and flower crowns got to be the stars.

Then the ceremony, out on the grass with the hills behind them.

And the kiss, which of course ended with a lift.

Congratulations, Katie and David. Thank you for letting me be part of your day. Mahalo!

Thinking about film for your own wedding or portrait session? See plans.

Previous: Planning a Big Island Family Photo Session

Next: Tania’s Family at Beach 69, Shot on Pentax 645

The post Katie & David: A Small Wedding at Anna Ranch, Waimea first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

I’m Sterling, a photographer based in Hilo. I photograph families on both sides of the island, digitally or on medium format film. My sessions are relaxed and unrushed, and every one is a little different, just like every family.

Hilo or Kona: Which Side Is Right for Your Family?

The short answer: shoot where you’re staying. It keeps the day easy, which matters most when you have kids.

Kona and the Kohala Coast (west side). I drive over to Kona regularly for sessions along the coast: Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, Waikoloa and the beaches in between. Favorite spots include the Four Seasons public beach, Beach 69, Hāpuna, Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea Resort. On the west side I work around golden-hour light on the beaches and across the lava fields. Kona sessions include a travel rate, so they cost a little more than Hilo sessions.

Hilo (east side). Hilo is home. Sessions here happen around Carlsmith Beach, Honoliʻi, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Wailoa River and King’s Landing, plus downtown and the black sand beaches, lava fields, waterfalls and rainforest nearby. My Hilo studio is another option. Because Hilo is my home base, sessions here start lower than in Kona.

Elsewhere on the island. I also photograph in Waimea, Volcano and Kaʻū. If you’re staying somewhere else, just ask.

Not sure yet? Tell me where you’re staying and what kind of backdrop you have in mind. I’ll suggest a location that fits your family. More on each side: Hilo photographer · Kona photographer.

What to Wear

The goal is for your family to look like yourselves, only a little more put together.

• Coordinate, don’t match. Two or three soft colors that go together usually look better than identical outfits.
• Pick comfortable fabrics. Light, breathable clothes let everyone move, sit in the sand and play without fuss.
• Skip big logos and busy patterns. They tend to pull attention away from faces.
• Plan for sand and water. Beach sessions often end up barefoot. Pick clothes you won’t mind getting a little sandy.
• Think about film. If you choose a film session, especially black and white, texture and contrast can matter more than color.

Photographing With Children

Kids don’t need to sit still for good family photos. I offer small suggestions along the way to keep things candid, then let the moments happen: walking, swinging, splashing, cuddling. A few things help:

• Plan around naps and meals. A rested, fed child changes everything.
• Bring a snack and a favorite toy. Mess-free snacks are best.
• Keep expectations relaxed. Some of the best frames come between the posed ones.

As one family wrote in a Google review: “He was very adaptable to working with our toddler.” — Joshua McDowell

Weather and Timing

Most sessions happen at golden hour, when the light is soft and warm and much easier on squinting eyes than midday sun. The Big Island’s weather can change from place to place and day to day. The east and west sides don’t always see the same conditions, so it’s worth staying flexible. If the forecast looks uncertain, we’ll talk it through and work out the best plan together.

A tip for visitors: think about scheduling your session early in your trip. That leaves room on your calendar if you need to move it.

Digital or Film?

• Digital sessions (from $395): easygoing and full of variety, with lots of poses, locations and candid moments. Your edited gallery arrives soon after.
• Film sessions (from $495): slower and more intentional, shot on a Mamiya RZ67 medium format camera in 2, 4 or 6 rolls. I develop black and white film myself. It’s as much an experience as a photo session.

Full details are on the pricing page.

How Booking Works

1. Pick the kind of session you’d like and send me a quick request.
2. I’ll get back to you within a day to talk through dates, locations and ideas.
3. We meet at golden hour and have fun. Your gallery arrives online soon after.

Check Availability for Your Trip

If you know your travel dates, send them over with where you’re staying. I’ll let you know what’s open and suggest a spot that suits your family. Check availability and book your session.

You can also browse more family photos first. If these photos speak to you, I’d love to hear from you.

The post Planning a Big Island Family Photo Session first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

The day before, they went to look at the spot and it wasn’t quite right. They asked if I knew somewhere else in Kona, and I suggested the Four Seasons public beach in Ka’ūpūlehu. It’s a soft-sand beach on the Kona side of the Big Island. It’s quiet, there’s room to spread out a blanket, and the sunset faces open water. There’s no reservation, and the drive from the resort is about twenty-five minutes. We kept the same time.

We met at 5:30. Sunset that evening was around 6:10, so we started with family photos while the light was still golden. Mom and dad held their daughter close, she looked at the camera with her serious one-year-old face, and then she got a ride up in the air with the sky going pink behind her.

The cake came out afterward, a little blue-and-green adventure cake, and she met it the way a one-year-old does.

Birthday photos can feel like they need a perfect setup. This one didn’t. A blanket, a cake, some sand, and the last light was enough, and moving to the beach made it better.

If you’re planning a first birthday in Kona

• Start about 45 minutes before sunset, so the family photos happen in golden light and the cake comes second.
• Bring a blanket and whatever you want in the photos. Simple props keep things easy.
• Keep a backup location in mind. Wind, crowds and shade change from day to day, and a quiet beach is a good fallback.

If you’re planning a first birthday or family session in Kona or Hilo, you can see more of my work on the family photographer page or get in touch.

The post A First Birthday on a Quiet Kona Beach first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

Why natural light alone falls short at sunset

As the sun drops behind the ocean, the sky stays bright while the people in front of it fall into shadow. Without flash, you have to choose: expose for the sky and your family turns into silhouettes, or expose for faces and the sunset disappears into white. Flash solves that by adding light exactly where it’s needed.

Without flash: a beautiful sky, but everyone turns into a silhouette.

How I use flash at sunset

• Expose for the sky first. I set the camera to keep the sunset deep and saturated, usually a little darker than it looks to the eye.
• Light the people with flash. The flash brings your faces back to a natural brightness, so everyone looks bright and clear against a dramatic sky.
• Keep it soft and off to the side. Using the flash off-camera and at an angle gives shape and depth, instead of the flat look of an on-camera flash.
• Balance, don’t overpower. The goal is to look like beautiful golden light, not like a flash went off.

Energy, movement, and fun

Flash also freezes motion, so it’s perfect for the fun, high-energy moments: kids being tossed in the air, families cheering, or a couple spinning on the sand. The sky stays rich and the action stays sharp.

When to plan a sunset flash session

The best time is the last 30 to 45 minutes before sunset through about 15 minutes after, when the sky has the most color. In Kona, that’s roughly 5:15 to 6:15 pm in winter and 6:30 to 7:20 pm in summer. If you’d like this look, we can start with natural-light photos in the golden hour and add flash as the sky lights up.

Flash works at any of my favorite Kona spots. See my guide to the best places for family photos in Kona, or learn more on my Kona photographer page.

Want sunset photos that stand out?

Flash at sunset is an option, not a requirement. If you’d like bold, colorful sunset portraits instead of the usual silhouettes, let me know when you book and we’ll plan the timing and spot around the sunset.

The post Using Flash for Dynamic Sunset Portraits in Kona, Hawaii first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

1. Mauʻumae Beach

A quiet, tucked-away white-sand beach on the Kohala Coast with trees along the shoreline and lava rock at each end. It’s a short, flat 8-minute walk from parking, which keeps it easy for kids and grandparents, and it feels private, which helps everyone relax in front of the camera.

Best for: maternity sessions, couples, and small families who want a secluded feel.

2. Four Seasons Hualālai public beach

My most requested Kona location. You get soft sand, black lava rock, palm trees, and a clear view of the sunset, all within a short walk. Tell the security gate you’re heading to the public beach, and I’ll meet you at the shoreline.

Best for: families of any size, three-generation groups, and proposals.

3. Beach 69 (Waialea Bay)

Shady trees right up to the sand and usually calm water. The shade makes it comfortable for little ones and grandparents while we wait for the golden light.

Best for: families with toddlers and relaxed, laid-back sessions.

4. Hāpuna Beach

A long, wide white-sand beach with some of the prettiest sunsets on the island. There’s lots of room to spread out, so it’s great for big groups and kids who want to run around.

Best for: large families and playful, candid photos.

5. Old Kona Airport

Just minutes from Kailua-Kona town, with a long lava-rock coastline, tide pools, and big open sky. It’s easy to reach if you’re staying in town.

Best for: families staying near Kailua-Kona and anyone who loves a rugged, natural look.

When to schedule your Kona family photos

The best light is the last hour before sunset. Sunset in Kona runs from about 5:50 pm in winter to about 7:05 pm in summer, so most of my family sessions start 45 to 60 minutes before that. If you have young kids, we can start a little earlier and keep things moving.

What to wear on the beach

Solid colors look best against the ocean and lava rock. All-white linen is a classic, or try soft blues, yellows, and corals. Skip busy patterns and big logos, and bring sandals you can walk in on sand.

Ready to plan your session?

Tell me where you’re staying and how many people are coming, and I’ll suggest the best spot and time for your family. See more on my Kona photographer page, or go straight to booking.

The post Best Places for Family Photos in Kona, Hawaii first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

Incredible image quality

The 6×7 negatives capture stunning detail, and the lenses are excellent. I love how close I can get to a subject and fill the frame — it makes a portrait feel intimate. Rotating the back between portrait and landscape adds a lot of versatility on a shoot.

The feel and the viewfinder

The camera feels great in hand, and looking through the viewfinder is like looking through a window that perfectly frames the shot. Composing with it is a calm, deliberate part of the process, not something rushed.

The one downside: no autofocus

It doesn’t have autofocus, which can be tricky in fast-moving situations. I’ve gotten used to it, and for slower, deliberate shooting — portraits, fine art — it’s ideal. With only 10 shots per roll, every frame counts.

Final thoughts

For anything that calls for a bit more time and care, the Mamiya RZ67 is unmatched. If you’d like your own portraits or wedding shot this way, I offer medium format film sessions — see pricing and book a session.

Here are some black and white images shot on the Mamiya RZ 67:

The post Why the Mamiya RZ67 Is My Favorite Film Camera first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

The Perfect Location: Kalapana Cliff at Sunset

Why I Chose Film for This Shoot

Highlights of the Shoot

1. The Cliffside
   • With the sun setting behind them, Jessica and Rainer shared a quiet moment on the edge of the cliff. The golden light made everything feel so warm and intimate, and the natural setting added to the magic of the moment.
2. The Power of the Ocean
   • One of my favorite moments was when a big wave crashed in the background, adding drama to the scene. Jessica and Rainer stood calmly, their connection shining through, even with the waves making their presence known.
3. Timeless Black and White
   • I always try to include some black and white shots in every session. There’s something about black and white that draws attention to the emotion of the moment. The image of Jessica and Rainer standing arm in arm, gazing at the ocean, felt even more powerful in black and white.
4. Jessica’s Solo Portrait
   • Jessica looked absolutely stunning sitting on the rocks, with her white dress contrasting against the dark volcanic stones. The soft light of the sunset made this shot one of my favorites from the entire session.

Why I Love Shooting in Film

Final Thoughts

The post Jessica & Rainer’s Sunset Photoshoot at Kalapana Cliff first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.