A PHOTOGRAPHER IN KAUAI WHO tells stories IN IMAGES

As your professional photographer in Kauai with a TV and feature film background, stories run through my veins, so telling a special story in a single picture thrills me the way I first picked up a film camera. This image (above) could easily be a wedding first look. It's not. As the sun set, we figured it might be fun to remember that first look moment; after all, on this anniversary day she was in a flowing white dress.  As one of the leading   photographers in Kauai, it would be my honor to craft photographic stories like this with you. 

Kauai photographers must have an eye for light and know their way around a camera.  My film background taught me how to work professionally off camera, with actors—yes even they sometimes need coaching and sometimes they even find themselves "lost" in front of the camera.  "Lost" meaning it just doesn't feel right, not flowing, not organic. So we muster up something called "business." Business gives subtle dimension to the character. Think Denzel Washington's character in "The Equalizer" — alway adjusting the placement of a napkin or a book. Now think of you on a photoshoot. Dangling arms is fine. Sort of. But can I get you to feel the beat of the music, as if you've got on headphones?  Can I get you to  tap your feet, sway your hips,  rock your fists in a circle?  Can I get you to hide behind your family and then claw your way back into the photo, "Hey I want to be in the photo, too! " Not all photographers in Kauai tick the way I do.  For me? It's about honest photography because in real life we're all wild and funny and we do wacky things, and getting all stiff and serious for the family pose, well, we'll shoot some that way, and then we'll do the Charlie Chaplin.