Kona Weddings - Hawaii Sunset Wedding Package in Waikoloa plus FAQ

     A few things every couple should know about weddings in Hawaii. Many couples want some nice photographs to show their family and friends. Selecting a photographer can be tricky because most people know very little about wedding photography. I see photographers using equipment that would never be used in mainland America. The trouble is that wedding vendors 3,000 miles away can get away with nearly anything with an attractive price. Ask lots of questions. Most photographers who make most everyone happy will join Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (http://www.gohawaii.com) - check it out. Membership is only a small amount per year.

Things to be aware of when hiring a photographer

• Photographers using all auto settings - very common
many so called professional photographers don't know a thing about their flash guide number etc.. They just snap photo's on an automatic setting. I always use 2 cameras with film / digital and flash ready. You really have to be careful selecting a photographer long distance. Digital Photographers must know all the tricks of the film photographer plus skills us Digital Video guys have done for years - like manual White Balence and computer skills. I am finding Digital Photography very easy because I have all the expensive software like Adobe PhotoShop CS. I have been doing digital video editing for years so still images are a breeze. Having everything on CD is the wave of the future. Actually the future is here already. By the way, I was a still wedding photographer who added video to the studio in 1990. Digital video has been really great compared to the old analog cameras.

• Not using expensive professional film We buy professional film in large quantities and have it federal expressed to the studio. I still use Pro Film at every wedding - especially sunset. Digital is an added benefit and allows for unlimited coverage in any lighting situation. Actually the sensors on my newest Digital Camera do an amazing job at sunset.


• For Hawaii wedding video ask more questions. I see some web sites who, on the face of it, look like they have video equipment. Some sites even put photo's of equipment they don't have. Everything I offer is provided with equipment I own. One reason others charge way more than I do is everything is commissioned. Also most companies do far fewer weddings than I do.


• Making custom video at every wedding. As a hotel photographer for several years I shared the feedback forms with the video company. The big complaint about their video product was that no "matched lighting" pre wedding footage was ever done. This is very common. I have to come early to every wedding to make the custom intro footage so that the lighting matches for the 2 minutes or so before we see the couple appear in the video. For other companies it's just too easy to reuse pre existing footage for the intro. The lighting will never match unless you do custom video for the intro at each wedding.
  Everyday in Hawaii has different lighting. Very often some slick footage can make the wedding look 2nd or worse than the intro footage. On feedback forms the biggest complaint was the first part of the video - using the same exact footage for every wedding. I am not lazy and do it for every wedding. This puts me on location at least 30 minutes early for every wedding.
  Another thing is the importance of using a tripod and expensive microphone. With todays DV cameras it's easy enough to capture a nice sharp video picture, sound is also important. It took me 2 years to learn to tweak the mic's perfectly for weddings at the beach. I carry nearly $1000.00 in wireless mic's to each wedding. It's fun when you have the right equipment and the ceremony is usually finished in about 14 to 17 minutes. I love the sunset locations in Waikoloa. Most weddings have the sun sinking into the ocean nearly full frame near the end of their video. This is very impressive and also fun to shoot.
  
• Wedding Experience in Hawaii Many many come and go. I have photographed more weddings in Hawaii than almost anyone. Very few companies have the equipment and experience that I have. Aloha for now. Call or email your questions at anytime.