A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH MY EYES

Creating Memories From The Heart For The Heart

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means that which gives your life meaning or purpose. It’s not always the “big” things that are most important.

Latest Oahu photography news, tips, & more

MY PHOTOGRAPHIC VISION IN FLUX…

My photographic vision has changed immensely over the past eight years! Flashback to 2016, or thereabouts, when I did everything in my power to exclude any people from my seascape images! If someone walked into my scene, I’d remove them with…
First sunrise in Honolulu 2024.

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IN KAIMUKI

My first entry into the New Year 2024. On the day after Christmas & after three years of dodging the “Covid” bullet, I tested positive…DAMN! What timing! Christmas & New Year is a time to be spent with family! Like everyone else,…
Fitness body-building photo session on the east side of Honolulu just before sunrise.

FITNESS WITH NIKKI & ZAK

I had the pleasure of working with Nicole & Zack on a fitness photo shoot on the east side of Oahu at my favorite sunrise spot! I’ve worked with Nikki three times over the last two years, and she first caught my eye when I saw her wielding…
Intimate surprise proposal at sunrise on Oahu.

WHAT’S MY WORTH AS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER?

What’s my worth as your photographer? Defined from Oxford Languages: “Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specific way.” Value is what something is worth. As a Honolulu based photographer, photographing…
First kiss at sunrise, couples photo shoot behind the Kahala Regency.

NATURAL LIGHT VS. FLASH?

The best time to schedule a photo shoot on Oahu is sunrise or sunset... The soft and warm light during sunrise and sunset can create stunning and dramatic images, making them an ideal time for portrait photographers. Here in Honolulu,…
Suprise proposal at sunrise on Oahu.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT

The art of photography is so much more than just taking a picture of someone or something! As a portrait photographer on a wedding or elopement, it's not only seeing that special moment unfold in front of me. It’s also the lighting &…
Sherwood Forest in Waimanalo, early moring elopement with Aubrey & Becca.

Aubry and Becca’s elopement at Sherwood Beach on Oahu.

Aubry and Becca’s elopement Imagine a sunny, beautiful day on the picturesque shores of Oahu. The gentle waves crashing against the sandy beach create a serene backdrop for an intimate elopement ceremony. This is the setting where Aubry…
Model portfolio update photo shoot ojn the east side of Honolulu.

Like a New Day!

When I picked up my Leica Q2, I stepped into a time machine. For the past year, my bread-and-butter camera of choice has been my Sony A7IV, mainly for its articulating screen and 33-megapixel file size. Being a portrait and seascape photographer…
Sunrise bikini swimware photo shoot at Makapuu Beach on Oahu.

Environmental Fashion & Glamour

Until now, I’ve never been remotely interested in environmental fashion photography, and learning about this genre of photography has been a slow transition. I understand fashion photography is all about clothing rather than the subject,…
Maternity sunrise photo shoot with Edric & Jenn.

BEST TIME FOR A PHOTO SHOOT

 What is the best time to take a family, couple, engagement, or senior portrait photo shoot? From my personal experience as a sunrise seascape photographer, sunrise or sunset are the best times, in my opinion. From a professional portrait…
Portfolio update with model Nicole during a sunrise photo shoot in Honolulu.

It’s the journey, not the destination.

It’s the journey, not the destination. I’ve said that before & it still holds true today. I genuinely believe that everything happens for a reason & it’s fair to say that I’m scared shitless & ecstatic all at the same time!…
Individual photo shoot at sunrise on the east side of Honolulu.© Ryan Sakamoto

Manual Focusing

  To autofocus or manually focus, that is the question??? Being an old photographer but young at heart, I heavily depend on my cameras to autofocus & nail the focal point on the subject's eye, better known in the industry as eye…
Couples photo session in the back of The Kahala resort on Oahu.

The Right Lens For The Right Job

This was a learning process, I reached out to a few friends for lens recommendations for natural light environmental portraiture. They gave me all different combinations of lenses. I didn't think any of them would have the exact same lens setup…

Sunrise couples photo shoot with Emily & Koa

  It was an amazing experience to capture Emily and Koa's Kahala Beach sunrise photo shoot in Honolulu! The beautiful scenery of Oahu and the warm Hawaiian sun made for a perfect backdrop for the couples photo shoot on this special…
First time parents to be Jenn & Edric on a maternity photo shoot at Kahala Beach Park

FLASHLESS…ALMOST

Sony A7IV | Sony 135mm f/1.8 | Shot at f/1.8 | Shutter 1/250 | ISO 100…Early pre-sunrise shot with 1 flash & a MagMod Magsphere. For 15 of the 19 years of my photographic career, I’ve ALWAYS been a flash person. I just never believed…

THE RIGHT BAG FOR THE RIGHT JOB.

Rain, rain, go away!

I love the cold cool winter early morning air but the rain that comes with this time of the year totally sucks!!! I’ve had to reschedule 3 sunrise photo shoots in the last week. Fortunately, everyone was available to reschedule their Oahu…

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