Finding a Professional Photographer on Oahu
Our first official family trip was a moment in time that we wanted to capture and look back on for years to come. It would take more than a friendly passerby or willing family member to get the perfect shots. This is when the search for a professional photographer catering to the Honolulu area of Oahu began.
Non-Professional vs. Professional Photographer
Exposure - Having a good professional photographer behind the camera will ensure that your photos never look too dark or too bright.
Depth of Field - Modern smart phones usually have a “portrait” mode which creates a similar look you would get with an SLR camera set to a shallow depth of field. This is when you have that nice soft background with a small area of focus. Unfortunately, there is very little control over this setting and often times when you zoom in, the edges can look distorted. Even if you did have a camera with a proper lens to achieve this look, most non-professionals don’t know how to focus and you end up with blurry photos in the end.
Composition - As an artist myself, a lack of composition is probably my biggest pet peeve. Good composition is also the first thing I look for when viewing a potential photographer’s portfolio. There are so many elements to creating a good composition and can take years to master in practice.
Perspective - Holding the camera from too high or too low can create distortion in your proportions which is great when you are going for a more creative shot, but it is not ideal for everyday photos.
Burst Shots - A professional photographer will be able to capture shots using a higher shutter speed. This allows for capturing things in motion such as babies or small children that tend to move A LOT. If you are unable to work with a professional, teaching your would-be stand in how to take burst shots will increase your chance of getting a photo that is in focus.
Finding a Photographer on Oahu
There were quite a few photographers available for work in Honolulu. Prices ranged from $100-$400 or more per person. For a project that has a very limited window of opportunity, such as with a toddler, skimping on quality was out of the question. A photographer that could do photo sessions on location as opposed to going into a studio was ideal. The latter could be done closer to home after all.
After scouring all of the major travel and review sites, we found Henry Li. His prices are reasonable and he has a beautiful portfolio. Other reviewers stated that he works really well with children, which was a bonus. He responded very quickly to my initial e-mail and we were so excited for our family photo session.
Working with a Professional Photographer
The photoshoot was fun and only a bit chaotic with an angry toddler who was lacking sleep. Henry did his best to soothe Sylphrena’s temper, but as soon as anyone tried to pry her off of me, her temper flared once more. Even with this little hitch, he was able to capture some fantastic photos and memories of our experience.
We look forward to our next family photo session when we visit the island again in the future, and we highly recommend working with Henry if you are looking for a professional photographer on Oahu. You can find his photography portfolio and pricing information on his website: https://www.iamhenryli.com/
