In July 2024, I had the privilege of photographing Punam and Hemant’s beautiful wedding in Ninole, Hawaii. The event was a vibrant celebration of love and tradition, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Hawaiian landscape.

1. The Ceremonial Traditions

The day began with a series of traditional rituals, each representing the rich cultural heritage of the couple. The ceremony took place at around 7 a.m., allowing us to capture the soft morning light that enhanced the intricate details of Punam’s attire and the vivid colors of the ritual offerings. Shooting with my Mamiya RZ67, I was able to document these serene and meaningful moments with precision and clarity.

2. The Hand Ceremony

The traditional hand ceremony was a highlight, featuring beautiful henna designs and floral garlands. This intimate moment showcased the deep connection between the couple, and the natural light beautifully highlighted the intricate details and emotions.

3. A Moment of Togetherness

4. A Joyful Stroll

As Punam and Hemant took a stroll through the garden, the beauty of the moment was perfectly captured on Kodak Professional Ektar 100. This film’s fine grain and excellent color saturation made the lush greenery and vibrant colors of their attire pop, creating a stunning contrast that emphasized their love and happiness.

Conclusion

Punam and Hemant’s wedding in Ninole, Hawaii, was a beautiful blend of tradition, culture, and love. Capturing their special day at 7 a.m. in such a serene setting allowed me to create timeless images of their celebration.

If you’re planning a wedding in Hawaii and want to capture your special day with timeless and unique photos, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help you preserve your memories in a way that’s as special as your love story.

More Photos for This wedding

The post Punam & Hemant’s Wedding in Hawaii first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

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 and natural, which made capturing genuine moments easy. From the girls walking along the shore to the entire family posing together, every shot was filled with warmth and love.

The Photos Here are some of my favorite images from the session:

1. Sisters by the Sea: The girls walking together, their dresses flowing in the breeze, with the sun setting behind them, created a magical silhouette.
2. Family Togetherness: The entire family standing together on the beach, smiles all around, showcasing their love and connection.
   
3. Close-Up Love: A close-up shot of the family, capturing their expressions and the joy of being together in such a beautiful place.
   
4. Rainbow Magic: To top it all off, a beautiful rainbow appeared, adding an extra touch of magic to the family’s portraits.
   

Book Your Session If you’re looking for a photographer in Kona, Hawaii, for your family portraits, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to help you capture your family’s special moments in this beautiful paradise.

Check out more of my work and get in touch to book your session today!

The post Family Portraits at Kona Beach first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

In May of 2024, I had the pleasure of shooting a wedding in Kona, Hawaii, using my beloved Mamiya RZ67 camera. As a Kona photographer, this medium format camera is one of my favorites, and using it for a wedding was an absolute joy.

The Mamiya RZ67 isn’t the fastest camera out there, and it only takes 10 shots per roll. This meant I had to be very precise with the shots I wanted to capture and anticipate each moment carefully. The need for precision and anticipation made the experience even more rewarding.

I love this camera for many reasons. Its handling is fantastic, and the viewfinder provides a clear, immersive experience. The image quality it produces is unparalleled, with rich, detailed shots that truly stand out. Plus, the slower pace it demands helps me really feel and connect with each shot.

For faster action shots, I use a 35mm camera with autofocus, but for any slower-paced moments, the RZ67 was perfect. Despite its limitations in speed, I enjoyed shooting this wedding immensely. As a Kona photographer, the Mamiya RZ67 allowed me to capture the essence of the day in a unique and beautiful way.

Check out some of the images from this beautiful Kona wedding to see the magic of the Mamiya RZ67 in action. I look forward to shooting many more weddings as a Kona photographer with this incredible camera.

The post Shooting a Kona Wedding with My Mamiya RZ67 first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

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 meter at home. Panic mode, right? Not really. Years of shooting in Hawaii have taught me to adapt on the fly.

So, I relied on my experience and the good old sunny 16 rule. For those who aren’t familiar, in full sunlight (not sunset), I’d shoot at f/16 with the shutter speed matching the ISO speed. If the light’s partially blocked by a cloud, I’d adjust to around f/8 or f/11. And if there’s shade from a tree or something similar, I’d take it down another stop to f/5.6.

When it comes to matching the ISO speed with the shutter speed, I start at ISO 100, which would be equivalent to a shutter speed of 1/60. ISO 200 would correspond to 1/125, and ISO 400 would go up to 1/500. For this shoot, I had my settings at 1/125 at f/5.6 in the shade with ISO 200 and f/11 in direct sun.

Given the high sun, I scouted the beach for a shady spot to set up. Finding the right place made all the difference. The shade provided a softer light, making my clients look fantastic without them needing to squint or suffer from harsh lighting.

So, next time you’re at the beach and the light isn’t perfect, don’t sweat it. Trust your instincts, embrace the challenge, and you might just capture something amazing. That’s the beauty of being a photographer, especially in Hawaii!

The post Tips for Shooting at Kona Beach on film with out a light meter first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & 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 organized and makes sure you don’t miss any must-have photos.
• Coordinate Outfits: Encourage everyone to wear complementary colors without being too matchy-matchy. This creates a cohesive look without making everyone look identical.
• Use Different Groupings: Mix and match people in different combinations to capture a variety of interactions and relationships. For instance, parents with kids, cousins together, and each individual family unit.
• Scout and Familiarize Yourself with the Location: Visit the location beforehand to understand the best spots for photos and to anticipate any challenges. Knowing the layout and how the light looks will help a lot and ensure the shoot goes smoothly.
• Check Sunrise and Sunset Times: Look up the sunrise or sunset times and plan to start shooting at least 30 minutes before. This ensures you capture the beautiful golden hour light, which is perfect for photos. While golden hour is the easiest for stunning images, great shots can be taken throughout the day.
• Engage with Clients: Don’t spend too much time looking at the screen of your camera. Stay engaged with your clients to make them feel comfortable and to capture more natural moments.
• Have a Mood Board: Sometimes it helps to show clients a visual reference for the poses or mood you are aiming for. A mood board can guide them and keep the shoot on track. Pay attention to clients’ energy and style; some images from the mood board may be out of their comfort zone and make them feel awkward. Disregard those and move on, but always stay engaged with them and make them feel comfortable.
• Stay Relaxed and Have Fun: Large group shoots can be hectic, but keeping the mood light and fun helps everyone relax and enjoy the session.
• Assign a Helper: Having someone assist with organizing people and keeping track of the shot list can make the process smoother and more efficient.

Including these tips in your planning will help ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and successful family photoshoot in Kona, Hawaii, especially for large groups.

Check out my family portrait album. Family Portrait Album

The post Tips for a Great Family Photoshoot in Kona, Hawaii first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.

To adapt, I bought a Pentax 645D, which is a fantastic digital camera with so many features. However, my true passion lies in shooting with the Mamiya RZ 67. Definitely my favorite camera because of how beautifully it handles and the quality of images it produces.

My luck changed when a friend informed me about a darkroom in Hilo. I was ecstatic and couldn’t believe it.

This was the first time I got to develop and print my negatives, and it was truly a learning experience. Thanks to Mike Cupoto for helping me learn this process.

I eventually learned how to process my color film too. Color film is more challenging, and it was extremely time-consuming to get the color mood just right. I develop and print my black and white photos, but I send my color photos to TheFindLab.com or TheDarkroom.com.

Using a local darkroom saved me money and let me enjoy film photography even more. Now, my clientele has increased, and I primarily shoot on film. I love taking photos of beautiful landscapes, people, and events in Hilo and Kona, Hawaii. My favorite thing to do is.

The post What’s it Like for a Photographer Shooting on Film on Hawaii’s Big Island? first appeared on Sterling Batson | Photographer in Hilo & Kona Hawaii.