This image was created with a fish-eye and a telephoto lens. I envisioned combining two shots when I saw this beautiful cove lit with the mesmerizing colors of a Maui sunset. I took the first shot with a fisheye on a tripod with the shutter slowed down to a ½ second exposure. This technique created a dreamy atmosphere with the soft silky motion blur on the ocean waves. As I captured this image, I imagined the couple being out on the rocks having a gentle kiss. I then shot a silhouetted telephoto shot of the two of them kissing at sunset. Later at my studio, I digitally combined these two images to make an incredibly surreal image.

What would you say is your “signature style?”
Candid moments caught with an artistic eye

Who or what inspires your work?
There is that one split second that captures “the moment” that tells the story. Henri Bresson-Cartier, the father of photojournalism, called it “the decisive moment”. This Frenchman was a great inspiration for me to devote my life to capturing these precious moments. But my greatest inspiration is the love my couples have for each other. Bringing their story alive in pictures and recording it for eternity is the greatest pleasure in my life’s work.

Do you have a favorite place or time you like to shoot?
Makena Cove at sunset is paradise at its finest. Half of my portfolio has been captured there. I know practically every single angle after shooting over 1,000 weddings at this site.

What would you say has been the key to the success of your business?
I’m always trying to out-do myself — you’re only as good as your last shot. I put my clients’ needs first and always strive to over-deliver the goods, always keeping it fun for myself and the people I work with.

What lens do you use most and why do you love it?
I love the most basic lens, the 50mm with 1.4 aperture. It is razor sharp and the best in low light situations. This lens is perhaps the best for photojournalism, and at the same time creates artistic effects with its short depth of field and lovely bokeh (blurred backgrounds). I use all the lenses in my bag at every shoot — they each have their own purpose.

Something about you that will most likely never change:
My great passion to make people happy