what’s my style?
Recently, a few clients have sent me over a questionnaire that I could tell was prepared by AI, to see if I'm the right photographer for them. One of the questions asks if all of my photos have the same mood, tone and fluidity. If each photo in the final gallery delivered has the same appearance. This has always been something that kind of plagued me. I remember several years ago when I participated in social media, I would post my photos on Instagram and they were not at all exactly the same but instead eclectic. Which is actually how I see myself as a human. I love such a wide variety of things. I take things I love from every religion, philosophy, ethnicity, place, etc. and I apply those things to my life. I’m a free spirit. I never want to be doing what everyone else is doing. I jumped on the preset and filter train very briefly before I jumped off, and I never looked back. I run a business with zero interaction on social media. I don’t even use YouTube anymore. It’s just not for me.
So my reply to the questioning clients was that there is no way that all of my photos in the gallery will look the same. If that’s what they are in search of they should continue searching. A couple of them did and I was okay with that. I’d rather them get exactly what they want and not be disappointed. I am an old school photographer. I love timeless photos which by my definition means that they are sharp, framed correctly and the subjects are the main focus. I like capturing people and places in their most natural form. Things that are the most important to me are exposure, framing, catch light in eyes, posing, etc. the environment around us is the bonus. I like to accentuate my subjects with lighting. I am a lighting nerd! I get very excited about it. I use off camera flash, grids, Magmods, Neo lights, reflectors, etc. I’ve taken lighting workshops with some of the world’s best photographers. I’ve shot weddings alongside some of Oahu’s greatest. I lightly edit my photos because I use technique and skill to get them as perfect as possible in camera. I want my photos on your walls to look amazing in 25+ years when all of the trends die off. Here are some examples of a typical gallery of mine.
Below: Off camera flash to my right. Notice the catchlight in their eyes.
Natural Lighting. No flash.
Off camera flash to my right.
On camera flash. Catchlight in her eyes.
Richards Family Vacation Photos Ko'olina
The Richards family came from Texas for a very special visit. Their sweet teenager Ace, was chosen by the Make a Wish Foundation. Out of all of the places he could’ve chose to visit, his wish was to come to Oahu. During his visit, he caught a giant Mahi Mahi and was super proud of it. He was the only one on the boat to catch a fish that day and deemed himself the “fish slayer.” The sunrise was beautiful and bright after days of rain. He even got to see a jellyfish up close and personal thanks to his Dad picking it up off of the shoreline! Ace and his family were so fun to work with.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a special organization that grants heartfelt wishes to children facing serious illnesses, bringing joy, hope, and unforgettable experiences to families during difficult times. I have been fortunate to work with this organization and the children/families it blesses many times. I love when a child chooses Hawaii as their wish. Knowing that this amazing place, that I am so fortunate to call my home is someone’s greatest wish to see. I also love that I get to be a part of their Hawai’i experience. I hope the mana of the island and aloha helped in aiding their wellness.
The Pros and Cons of AI for Photographers
In my opinion, AI has been very helpful in terms of editing. It helps photographers by automating time consuming tasks such as culling hundreds of images, applying consistent color grading, and removing background objects with the touch of a button. In the past two years alone, Lightroom editing has made major improvements. It’s capable of accomplishing in seconds, what once required transferring the image into Photoshop and spending endless amounts of time editing.
I vividly remember an occasion where a couple wanted to be married on a beach in Waikiki, around sunset, and all I could think about was how long it would take me to edit all of the background people out of their images. My young kids would be running wild and taking full advantage of me glued to my computer. I would have to manually edit every single unwanted thing out of a photo back then. On a beach, in Waikiki, that meant hundreds! It would literally take days to edit a gallery because of this. Lightroom now offers this with a single touch. It also offers amazing noise reduction to salvage challenging shots. No more losing beautiful images because your flash didn’t fire. So many amazing, time saving offerings and the images just look top notch. So I’m able to deliver higher-quality work faster than ever.
But what about the cons of AI for photographers? The main issue I’m having is that it tends to produce style averaged and trendy imagery. Which leads to homogenized visual aesthetics across brands that diminish the value of the photographer’s unique vision and personal styles. This I find is happening to me a lot more now. In my opinion, it all began around 2018, with the use of presets on social media. Photographers from every skill level could slap a preset on their gallery, upload it to social media, giving the impression of perfect consistency. Photography is NOT consistent. Every single photo is slightly different for a host of reasons: lighting, movement, framing, etc.
These impacts are really reshaping the photography industry. Clients are increasingly requesting unrealistic images. Everything is becoming overly dreamy and perfect—photos so heavily embellished they often look downright ridiculous. I think in terms of the future and the images you will be left with once the filters and trends die. Will you be happy with consistently, overly contrasted, softened images, often prioritizing the background over than the subject? Because I personally, would absolutely not want that. I would want images that are tact sharp, perfectly exposed, the subjects are lightly retouched and the main focus of the images.
The perception that a machine can replace artistic judgment is demoralizing, yet when it comes down to it, a skilled photographer still offers insight, emotion, and human intuition qualities that AI cannot fully replicate. Things like client interaction, on-location problem solving, lighting control, direction of subjects, and bespoke styling.
A few ways photographers can protect their craft and business are by:
Asserting copyright: watermark your images so AI is not able to use them.
Differentiate through storytelling, consistent branding, and specialized niches where human presence matters (e.g., family, maternity, editorial).
Educate clients about the value of original photography versus AI imagery to maintain pricing and expectations.
Children’s Photography
If you are a family with babies, toddlers and children under 10 years old, be sure to choose your photographer wisely. Ask them how much experience they’ve had working with children. It’s important to find someone who knows how to work with toddlers and younger children because finding a photographer with those skills is crucial for capturing genuine moments and creating lasting memories.
Young children often have limited attention spans and can feel uneasy in unfamiliar settings, which makes patience and adaptability essential qualities in a photographer. A professional experienced with kids knows how to engage them, making the session enjoyable rather than stressful.
Moreover, photographers familiar with children understand how to capture natural expressions instead of forced smiles or awkward poses. They use techniques that allow kids to be themselves, resulting in authentic emotions and candid shots. This expertise also means they can work efficiently to get the best photos before a child’s energy or mood changes.
Choosing a photographer who is good with toddlers and children ensures a smoother experience and ultimately leads to images that families will treasure for years to come. It’s not just about technical skill but also about creating a comfortable environment where children feel safe and free to express their unique personalities.
I genuinely feel that having my own children gave me a lot of the skills needed to work with other younger children. I love making the experience fun vs a chore that they’re forced to do. I’ve had several families come back to vacation on Oahu and hire me again for their family photos. It makes me feel so great when the kids remember me and are actually excited to take photos again.
Pistalu Family Vacation Photos
Family vacation photos capture moments of togetherness, joy, and exploration that become treasured memories for years to come. Whether at the beach, in the mountains, or exploring a new city, these images tell the story of shared experiences and highlight the unique personalities within your family. My photography style includes natural lighting, along with off camera flash. I love a mixture of posed and candid shots, while offering a variety of settings. Group portraits, action shots, and quiet moment help create a well-rounded collection. These photos serve as both a keepsake and a reminder of the special time spent together away from everyday routines.
The Miller Family Sunset Session
Makua Beach is one of my all time favorites for photo sessions. The majestic, lush green mountains, the electric blue water, rainbows, the most amazing sunsets…it really has it all. Not to mention the organizer of this session, spent 6 hours hand making lei po’o for herself and daughters, and her husband’s lei! Despite rain being dumped on us and getting a latter start than intended, we pulled it off and laughed a lot.
How precious are these sister shots?!
