By Sterling Batson

The Ambient Light Comes First

The Digital Advantage

Blending Flash Without It Looking “Flashy”

Headshot Photography on the Big Island

Let’s Create Your Portrait

The post Why I Shoot Digital Headshots in Hilo (And How I Blend Flash with Natural Light) 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.