My style of photography is preferably romantic & moody. I choose dark and moody images because they lend themselves to a more emotional vibe - with deep shadows, higher contrast, and richer colors. Additionally dark and moody photographs conveys deep emotions: passion mystery intrigue mystique Other styles I can shoot are light & airy. As the name suggests these are images that tend to have a bit of over-exposed look and some details are often lost or unseen as the brightness increases in the lighter areas of the image. In other words, light and airy photos use low contrast and flat lighting to soften and minimize shadows. When selecting your photographer for your photoshoot, please establish the type of photos you like as photographers generally lean towards one over the other.

Please click here for details on my philosophy.

Too many to list, but few notable equipment/gear are: 2x Canon 5D Mark VI Canon 6D 24-70mm lens f/2.8 16-35mm lens f/2.8 70-200mm lens f/2.8 100mm lens f/2.8 to name a few...

Every industry has its benchmark. Photography has the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation. It is the official credential for photographers that want to set themselves apart within the photography industry. The CPP program assures potential clients of a photographer's knowledge, experience, and ability to develop new skills and techniques i.e. a declaration of my professional competence and ability.

When commissioning a photographer you're commissioning a creative artist's work. Current copyright laws states photographers retain copyright because simply it's our creative work. An analogy for copyright is: A copyright is like the title to a car. You can't use someone else's car without their permission. Nor can you use someone else's copyright or recording without their permission.

Commercial photography and portrait photography are two different types. Commercial photography involves the taking of photographs for commercial uses (e.g. headshots, product shots, property shots). These images are often used for promotional marketing of a business, services, or goods. Promotional marketing includes website placement, product previews, and business card/marketing material images. Shoots that results from this typically requires a commercial agreement with commercial usage license with a demand for higher compensation from the client. Portrait photography are images used for personal use by a private individual. Typically photographers places more restrictions on these types of photos compared to commercial work as there are more creativity produced by the photographer. Shoots that results from this typically requires a portrait agreement and print license.

Bridal portrait session is a portrait session focusing solely on the bride usually 1-2 months prior to the wedding date. She's photographed in her wedding dress and may have her hair and makeup artist during to test try different make up and hair. The resulting bridal photos are kept secret from attendees and even the fiancé. This is so when I generate a large print to be displayed at your wedding reception!

The photographer owns the rights to the work, paid or not.

Depends. As a Copyright Owner I have "moral right to attribution" as Generally, the right of attribution is intended to allow an artist to control whether and the manner in which his or her name is associated with his own work of art and the right of integrity is intended to allow an artist to prevent his or her work from being altered, distorted, or mutilated. In other words, I may include a requirement for photo credit in our licensing agreement. Failing to conduct these requirements may result in possible copyright infringement (i.e. someone using your work without permission).

Yes. Sales to tax-exempt customers are generally subject to GET. Since the GET is imposed on businesses, like me, and not customers, sales to tax-exempt organizations are subject to GET.

Hawaii does not have a sales tax; rather there is General Excise Tax (GET). GET is a tax on businesses.

Dubsado is the platform I use to centralize agreements, correspondences, and payment between client and I.

My refund policy can be viewed here.

A model release is a signed document that someone who takes a photograph of another person needs to have the subject sign. For example, if I took your picture, I would need your permission to use it in different places. The model release helps make sure both of us know what is expected when I use your picture. If you are under 18 years old, then the model release needs to be signed by a parent or guardian. This way your parents can make sure they know how their child's picture will be used. Typically, model release allows photographers to use the photographs of the subject for portfolio, marketing, and advertising, and other commercial uses. Summary: photographers must have written permission from the subject of photographic images to connect their image with their photography business – as an affiliation, in commercial advertising or promotion.

Merriam-Webster's definition of copyright is the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (such as a literary, musical, or artistic work) Copyright is vastly different than purchasing copies of photographs from the original artist. In other words, clients can purchase copies of the images (e.g. digital prints, canvas, metal prints).

In photography it is simply an agreement between the photographer, namely me, and the property owner, of where I conduct my photoshoot. Sometimes a client may opt to have the photoshoot located at a private property. I will then need to consult with the property owner or representative of the property (preferably months prior to photoshoot): Property Owner provides written permission for photographer right to shoot Property description Property Owner acknowledging no hidden or dangerous defects to property Property Owner allowing entry to land Photographer retains ownership of images Release of liability, to name a few. It's akin to you having your own property like a house or condo. You wouldn't want folks to conduct a photoshoot inside your living room unless both you and the parties involved in the shoot consented on a document and spell out the terms and conditions?

Yes, I have a General Liability Insurance through Lockton Affinity. Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) will be provided upon request from a private venue, State, City & County, and Federal venues.

A print license is typically used for client's personal use of the images from a photoshoot. It however does not: authorize the client to use the images from the photoshoot commercially, authorize to give clients the right to make copies or derivative works from the photographs, unless specified somewhere in the contract, have a limited time for use (i.e. perpetual) A usage license, generally used in commercial photography, specifies: how an image can be used, where an image can be used, and for how long that image can be used. Usage license can range from a standard 1-2 year agreement up to a 5-7 year agreement. The duration of a usage license is really dependent on the needs of the client.

Most photography packages require a retainer fee with each booking to ensure that we, both I and the Client, value each other's time.

Unfortunately no. Retainer fees are used to reserve your date. Once we've reserved your date, we do not accept new clients for your date.

Generally no, but this is taken on a case by case basis. The reason for canceling and our availability is taken into account. Also, if rates change from your original date to your new date, the new rates will apply.

Contracts are, in fact, all about building healthy relationships between clients and photographers. Contracts set the stage for better relationships, and clearer expectations. In other words, a contract is an agreement. And agreements are based on trust. As a business I do not conduct photoshoots with Clients unless they sign my contract.

Generally, all my wedding packages include an engagement session, and modeling course. You don't have to redeem the engagement session, but the prices cannot be adjusted. Besides, an engagement portrait session gives couples a chance to perfect posing before the wedding, and to be comfortable with their chosen photographer especially for the wedding!

If that happens then none of my services will be provided.

I accept cash and PayPal.

Let's schedule a call first to see if we're compatible first. Afterwards, I would love to learn more about your photography needs and vision for your project. Complete the form on my Contact page and we'll iron out the details.

Generally if we're talking about wedding photography, then I recommend booking my service 8-12 months prior to the event. Otherwise if it is a portrait shoot then at the minimum I require three weeks in advance. However, due to some unexpected circumstance or cancellation, I might be available for last minute reservations. Feel free to inquire on my Contact page if I am available on certain days within short notice.

Yes. All credit card transaction and PayPal may carry a percentage charge by their respective company.

All dates are reserved once I receive your signed contract and retainer.

Totally! If agreeable by both parties that we can offer a payment plan that allows you to break down your expenses for each periodic deadline into two, three, or four monthly installments, rather than a lump sum payment. If you enroll in a payment plan, payments will need to be manually paid by the deadline specified in the contract.

Yes definitely. You can mention this during our discussion and a contract will be drafted. Payment plan varies (ex. 2 month, 3 month, 12 month).

Standard rates apply for overtime. Overtime is billed at a rate of $400/hour per Photographer.

Once a client chooses their favorite images from the proofs, the photographer retouches and artistically edits the final images. Retouching is where the true magic happens.

On my website, I upload majority of the photos for Clients to view on their respective albums. These are photos that are often straight from the camera and have not been retouched/edited, aka 'photo proofs'. These photos uploaded to the albums are at a low-resolution size and overlaid with watermarks; these are not the final creative product. With your help in the proofing stage, please select your favorite images from the proofs and I'll use your selection to add my signature/branded retouch/edits: Sign into your gallery using the gallery password indicated above. You'll arrive at the Cover gallery. Click 'View Photos' to enter and view other images. Click the Avatar icon, and login/create an account using either your Google Account, Facebook, or Email. 'Heart' any number of photos into a list and give a name of your list (i.e. For Retouch). You can find your selection under the Heart icon. Generally if you'd like a friend or colleague to help choose Favorites, they can sign into the gallery with your assigned password but they'll need to enter their own email to create a Favorites list. I will reference your Favorites list and edit/retouch those images for you within 2-3 weeks generally. If enabled, you may then click on the images and purchase from the Print Shop (e.g. Gallery Wraps, Prints, Framed Prints, Digital Image Licenses).

Generally it will take 4-6 weeks for the order to be shipped to your location.

If you live at Honolulu County, it'll take less than two weeks for me to receive the package and to arrange a meet up with the client. Otherwise if you live neighbor islands, it will probably take me less than two weeks. If you live in US mainland, conservatively I estimate less than a month.

These are lightly edited images uploaded to a gallery at a low-resolution size. They are not the final creative product, and therefore are often overlaid with watermarks. Photo proofs simply provide clients a good sense of what the images look like before final retouching. These are typically uploaded and delivered to the client shortly after a shoot.

As of June 17, 2021 clients may purchase their prints, canvases, metal and more from the third-party company (US Mainland based) from their respective albums. As of July 1, 2022 I have partnered with local professional printing laboratories to provide even more to our awesome communities. Clients may opt to acquire prints, canvas, metal prints, albums from me. Depending on the packages Clients purchases, there is at least one (1) printed media provide to Clients.

Based on the client contract, I deliver the initial electronic images on my website generally within two-four weeks after the photoshoot. These images are straight from the camera and have not been edited. This process is known as 'image proofing' or 'photo proofing.' Image proofing is a collaborative way for photographers and clients to work together on the final images. This process allows photographers to help clients choose the best photos from the shoot without overwhelming them. Before I deliver a proof gallery, I always discard any unnecessary or missed shots. What's left is a collection of the absolute best images, with plenty of options to choose from.

Depending on the genre and photography packages, images will vary.

Generally each of our packages comes with full-resolution image download. The RAW (unprocessed), unedited files, are not provided because I believe in delivering a finished product.