Recipe for Success || Photographer Accessories

As a photographer of any genere, be it Weddings, portraits, events landscapes, it is essential to have the right gear. The contents in your camera bag are the tools of the trade. Keep in mind, as an aspiring photographer; it is not all about the equipment. If you have an eye for composition and you’re comfortable working with light, you can begin with the basic equipment and add to your collection as you go. But whether you are a professional, or an amateur, here are 4 must have accessories every photographer needs in their camera bag.

• Memory Cards! This is probably a no-brainer, but you can never have enough memory cards. The faster the writing speed, the better. It is important to have the right memory card that is compatible with your camera. Having plenty of memory cards will ensure that you never run out of space during that beach portrait session, or worse, a Wedding!

• The Right Lens. A good lens means everything. Lenses dictate what type of shots you can take such as close ups, landscape, and portrait shots. Did you know that lenses typically last longer than your camera body itself? Of course a good camera is vital, but in the end your lenses are some of the most important things in your camera bag. At Pacific Dream Photography, we use a wide variety of lenses to ensure that we get the shot.

• Lens Hood. A lens hood serves many different purposes. The main purpose is to block out light. It is always a good idea to have a lens hood in your camera bag. The hood will block out the flare from the light source, while protecting the reflected light. This is a great way to keep your family portraits from getting too much light over peoples faces and losing the detais in the photo. More than anything, the lens hood will protect the lens against the elements.

• External Flash. An off camera flash is one of the best steps you can take to better photography. Not only will an external flash enhance your photos, it will make a big difference when it comes too professional shooting. Say you are photographing a wedding couple with a sunset behind them, and you want to caputre the sunset and the couple. A flash helps to light up your couple so that you can see both them and the background.

Looking for more photography tips. Check out this blog here!

Written by Michael Wheeler (Pacific Dream Photography at the Grand Hyatt Kauai)

6 Things Every Photographer Needs to Know || Photographer Tips

A picture is worth a thousand words. So what is the difference between a great picture and a great photographer? A great photographer is consistent. We have all taken that one perfect photo. Everything fell into place and you managed to capture that picture perfect image, but the trick to consistency is being able to create picture perfect photos time and time again. Here are six things that every photographer needs to know to stay consistent and produce picture perfect photos.

1. Get to Know Your Camera

It is important to understand the settings and features of your camera. Not knowing the technical side of the camera can truly hold you back as a photographer. Learn how to control your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.  Every feature in your camera works together. The more you learn about these features, the easier it is to get the results you want. It is also important to learn about camera modes, focusing, and white balance. Always keep in mind that even a great camera cannot produce a great photograph unless it’s in the hands of a passionate photographer.

2. Light

Light is one of the primary ingredients in photography. Without light, we photographers cannot do our work. It is important to understand how to work with light. Lighting can be tricky, as it is always changing. There are all kinds of lighting conditions such as, sunrise, sunset, midday sun, and twilight. One quick tip to gain a better understanding of light is to observe it in your everyday life. Educate yourself and aim to recognize the different types of light. We have a whole post about lighting on our blog here.

3. Perspective

Perspective is the way our eye relates to special separation. Sometimes photographers fall into the habit of shooting from eye level. If you want to stay consistent, and make an impact, change your perspective. Changing your perspective can be done in many different ways. For example, get on ground level. Getting low can give your viewer a unique perspective, rather than their everyday eye level view. Other examples include, shooting upward, wide, far away, or even behind something. Next time before you snap away, take a moment to think about how you want your viewer to perceive your subject.

4. Every Photographer is Different

Each photographer brings their own unique style to their artwork. It is important to use your creativity at each and every photo shoot. By utilizing your creativity, your photography will stand out from the others. 

5. Composition

Composition plays a big role in photography. It is the key aspect to a great photo. Composition is the placement of relative objects in a photograph such as, lines, textures, shapes, and reflections. The Rule of Thirds is a great guideline to help you tell a story. The Rule of Thirds suggests that by placing your subject somewhere rather than the center of the photo, you can grab your viewer’s attention.

6. Connect With Your Subject

We cannot forget the most important part of a photograph, the subject. The recipe for a good photo entails much more than just your gear; it starts with the photographer making a connection with the subject. Before your shoot, put the camera down and get to know your subject. Laugh, joke, and have fun. This will create a fun comfortable atmosphere.

As a photographer, you will make mistakes. The key is to learn from your mistakes and better yourself as a photographer. Great photography comes from consistency and photos that tell a story. With each snap of the shutter, you will only get better. So grab your camera, get out there, and produce those award winning shots.

For more great tips on how to have a successful family portrait session, check out these tips from a past post.

Written by Julia Poole (Pacific Dream Photography at the Grand Hyatt Kauai)

5 Things to get the Most out of your Photography Session || Client Tips

1. Lighting - Sunrise & Sunset

Here at Pacific Dream Photography our team of photographers know light!  After all photography can be described as "The Art of Capturing Light." This is why we offer sunrise and sunset sessions in order to get the best possible light for your Experience Session.  Both times are what we call "Golden Hour," when the light is soft, the colors are warm, and the sun is still peeking right near the horizon.  This gives a much more flattering appearance as opposed to when the sun is higher in the sky creating harsh shadows beneath a subjects eyes, nose, chin, and so on.  Rest assured that our team understands how to capture you and your loved ones in the best possible light! For more information on lighting, check out our blog that focuses on just that.

2. Tell You Photographer Your Preferences 

Do you prefer close ups?  Full length shots?  Natural light or vibrant skies?  Our photographers will always capture a variety of shots including different styles of photography such as classic portraiture, artistic, fine art, and candid photographs. With different backdrops on the resort property and surrounding beach you can rest assure that you will have a great variety to choose from.  If you know you prefer beach shots let you photographer know!  Speaking openly with your photographer will help them highlight your individual beauty and personality in a way that you will absolutely love and help you feel confidant and comfortable as you are the star of the show!

3. Tropical Weather

From a photography standpoint it's often a good idea to head to the beach when others avoid it due to inclement weather.  Maui weather patterns change dramatically depending on where you are on the island due to a large number of microclimates and the weather can easily change within minutes in the same area.  Often the dramatic clouds will make for some of the most spectacular skies during sunset, with the sun lighting the sky on fire to get rich colors or deep pink and purple clouds.  Alternatively think of clouds like a large soft box over our light source; the soft light is very flattering and gives a dream-like feel to your photos.  Stick to your scheduled session time as many guest are very pleasantly surprised with the results on a day they thought the weather was not "ideal."

4. Props & Wardrobe 

Need wardrobe ideas for your shoot? Check out this link to our What to Wear Guide. The most important thing is to feel comfortable which will allow for more natural photos. Most resorts have mens and women's leis available in the lobby. Grab a couple before you shoot for the perfect Hawaiian accessory. 

5. Relax and have Fun!

This is probably the most important thing to remember and it will always show in your final images.

Written by Sarah S. (Pacific Dream Photography at the Andaz Maui at Wailea)