It’s More Than Just the Gear

Digital photography technology has made gigantic leaps in the past few decades. For most of the history of photography, taking pictures involved planning. You needed to pack for a camera and remember the film. Now it’s an afterthought. These days, the phone in your pocket can take pictures with higher resolutions than the most expensive digital cameras just twenty years ago.  If you’ve seen Apple’s new “shot on iPhone 6” ads, you’ll know that your phone can create some truly stunning images. And it’s not just phone cameras. High quality consumer DSLR cameras are more affordable than ever, allowing the average person to take beautiful, high-quality pictures.

So with all of these resources available, you might wonder if there’s even a point of professional photography anymore. What can we do that you can’t? The answer does have something to do with equipment. As good as “prosumer” cameras have gotten, more expensive professional cameras can still capture a deeper, more dynamic range; in other words, they can pick up darker darks and lighter lights in the same frame. Additionally, some of the most beautiful photography is taken in very low light situations, and this requires super fast and (unfortunately) super sensitive lenses.

But most of our value as professional photographers has nothing to do with our gear. These are just our tools. What really makes the difference is our skills and knowledge that we’ve gained over years

of experience. The kinds of things that technology can never “cheat.” First, there’s composition. The way things are composed in the frame can create a sense of balance or tension or excitement. What angle should the camera be? How much should I include? What can I leave out? Which lens? These decisions affect the way we perceive the image, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.

Then there’s the lighting. It’s all an image really is: reflections of light off of surfaces. There are many different types of light and types of surfaces, and they all interact with each other in unique ways. It can be textured and beautiful, or it can be flat and ugly. A good photographer doesn’t fight what the sun gives him; he works with it and shapes it into what he needs.

At the end of the process, you have more than just a recording of reality. You have an impression—a subjective, emotional statement that tells a story. At Trade Winds Photography, I bring my passion for visual storytelling to every assignment. Whether you’re looking for Maui family portraits , wedding photographers in Maui, landscape art or any other photography job, I’m honored to bring my experience to help express the story you need to tell.

Maui Portraits: A Family Tradition

I have been dying to go back to Hawaii after my first trip…over fifteen years ago. Okay, I was 12 and it was, come to think of it the last, family vacation we took before my parents split up. My oldest sister had just graduated high school and we took off to Maui with one of her friend’s family for 10 glorious days on a tropical island. Before the days of Air BnB or VRBO, my dad, the penny pincher that he is, decided to rent an apartment on the island for the weeks we would be there instead of booking a hotel.

It was a great plan! We got to experience living on the island more authentically, staying away from many of the tourist attractions – a true vacation. I remember a lot of snorkeling, home cooked meals with fresh produce from the local market, a lot of fruity drinks and a LOT of weddings. It seemed everywhere we went, the beach, a luau, a restaurant, there was a gorgeous island bride with the landscape art of Maui behind her. And behind every Maui bride, there was a Maui wedding photographer right there. It always truly looked like a tropical fairytale.

Since Maui is so beautiful and our family was all together, my mom decided what better place to take a family portrait! My mom, as ballsy as she is, just walked right up to a photographer (pre-Wedding Crashers days) at a wedding and asked for their business card. The next day, we were taking our Maui family portraits. Those portraits are still on display at both of my parents’ respectful homes.

Now it was time for me to plan my return to Hawaii with my own family and I definitely wanted to take our own Maui family portraits while there. I know there are so many Maui family photographers all over the island today, but I’ve decided to book with Trade Winds Photography, and boy am I glad that I did. After taking a look through the portfolio on the website, I fell in love with the way that the photographer captures the Maui sunset so colorfully. I just knew Trade Winds Photography would do a beautiful job taking our family portraits in Maui and I was correct! Our portraits ended up being so beautiful that this year we are foregoing Christmas themed photos and using our Maui portraits on our holiday cards.

People, Places, Things: I Photograph Them All

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When you hear Maui photographer I’m sure the first thing you think about is weddings. If you think Maui wedding photographers must be a dime a dozen you’re not entirely correct. Photography on Maui is just like anywhere else, there are a lot of people throwing their hat in the ring but you still have to do the research to find the best photographer for your photoshoot needs. While I would be thrilled to shoot your wedding, family portraits, engagement shots or senior portraits, I am much more than just a one trick pony. 

Looking for a landscape photographer in Maui? I’m your guy. Need a professional to shoot your Hawaiian real estate? I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I’m definitely the photographer for the job! I love shooting people. There’s nothing like capturing a beautiful love story or the pure joy of a fun family vacation on camera. But taking inanimate objects and creating a beautiful scene to intrigue and entice buyers presents a fun challenge that I thoroughly enjoy taking on. 

If you take a look around the real estate photo examples on my website you’ll see that I have a pretty good handle on how to photograph spaces for ultimate curb appeal. Photography for real estate listings is tricky. It took a lot of trial and error before I was comfortable offering this service. I fully understand that when it comes to real estate, a picture can seriously make or break a potential sale. What buyer wants to go look at a home that seems cramped or run-down in the photos? I understand the importance of presenting a home in the best possible light and I have the experience to deliver top notch photos that buyers and sellers alike will love. 

 

When it comes to real estate photography there are a few standard guidelines to follow but only an experienced professional will know how to apply these basic guidelines in a dynamic and creative manner to create the best possible shots for your listing. Lighting is a key factor in any shoot but it is especially important to a real estate photoshoot. There is no guarantee that the natural lighting will be right whether you’re shooting the exterior or the interior of a home, so having different lighting options ready to go is important. The staging of the home is a very important factor and I have done this enough times to make simple yet effective staging suggestions on the day of the shoot. You’d be surprised at how much rearranging a table setting can do for a kitchen photo. I could go on, but you get the picture; I have years of experience as a real estate photographer and I would love to share my expertise with you.

So whether you’re looking to get Maui family portraits taken or you’re trying to attract the attention of as many potential home buyers as possible, I can help. Give me a call today to discuss all your photography needs.

It's not always about weddings in Maui.

It's not always about weddings in Maui. Who would of thought I would say that?  I mean I make a great deal of my living from photographing weddings in Maui so why would I say it's not always about weddings. Well, what I think it's about is romance and fun. There are a variety of things revolving around relationships that bring our clients to Maui.

How many couples do you think come to Maui and Hawaii just to relax ,have fun and vacation? How many of those couples fall in love,get engaged and marry some where else?  It's not always about weddings....is it?  How many people come here and fall in love while visiting? I'll raise my hand.  The first time I came to Maui I fell in love twice!  Once with the Island, the people and the way of life and on the same trip with a beautiful young lady.  Things didn't work out the way I thought but years later I moved to Maui because she kept calling to my heart. 

 

Every couple has their unique story and that's the point I'm making. It doesn't matter how it happened ,how or why your here, it just matters that your here,    having fun, falling more in love and enjoying all Maui and Hawaii has to offer.

Paul and Christine came to Maui to vacation with friends.  While they were here they contacted me and wanted to do a portrait session.  We spoke with them and came up with a great idea for their location. 

We shot the session at some ruins located in the middle of a cane field.  Perfect for what they wanted.  We had so much fun they contacted me the two days later for another session, on the beach at sunset.  I know they had a great time and I had a great time and hopefully it shows in the photos. 

That's what its all about.... having fun, falling in love and enjoying every opportunity Maui presents to enjoy life.  Remember it's not always about the Wedding, but if it is, I can help.


Aloha and have fun!


Tracy L Tegarden
Tradewinds Photography

Trade Winds Photography at the Wailea Marriott, Maui, Hawaii

On a beautiful saturday afternoon Annie and Humberto exchanged vows on the beachfront of the Wailea Marriott.  Photographed by Tracy Tegarden of Trade Winds Photography and officiated by Laki Ka'ahumanu the couple experienced the surroundings of a Wailea resort wedding.

 

Beach Weddings in Kapalua Bay, Maui, Hawaii

Cinco de Mayo in Maui. That's right, on May 5,  2011 Andrew and Jacqueline choose this well celebrated day to exchange their wedding vows. On one of the most beautiful beaches in all the world,  Kapalua Bay Beach, Andrew and Jacqueline were married by Rev Laki Ka'ahumanu. This time of year the beach should have been crowded, but luck must be with our couple because a rain shower cleared the beach not more that 20 minutes before they were to wed. They practically had the beach all to themselves. For anyone wanting a simple and fun service this is the way to go!  Catherine of Destination Hawaii Weddings arranged everything and because photography is so very important, the wedding couple trusted Trade Winds Photography to photograph this special event. They skies parted, and another magical and romantic wedding in Maui took place. Remenber to ask for Tracy at Trade Winds Photography.

Remember to request Tracy at Trade Winds Photography

808-875-7587