One on One with - Gene Higa

Prophotohub & Gene Higa....
Gene Higa
B-DAY March-29

1) PPH: Where is home ??
GH: Beautiful city of San Francisco2) PPH: How long have you been shooting ??
GH: I have been involved in wedding photography for 13 years now.

3) PPH: What camera gear do you use / and what's your favorite lens ??
GH: I am 100% canon guy. Have been since the beginning of my career. My favorite lens is my 50 mm 1.0. hard to find these days and it's my baby. Sharp and fast.

4) PPH: Do you have a memorable wedding photography moment ??
GH: I have memorable moments every weekend, but if I had to remember one. That one moment for actually hangs above my desk. It was the very first shat that I ever took at a wedding. The wedding was at pebble Beach. I asked the pro I was working for (now good friend) to give me a camera and let me shoot. I metered off the grass to get a middle gray reading, set my aperture and shutter speed. I took one shot. The one shot is of the bride walking down the stairs about the enter the ceremony, the guests all standing, the groom anticipating the moment against the cliffs of Pebble Beach. It's the moment we all wait for and the one moment that set the tone for the wedding day. For me, that one image is what set the wheels in motion and gave me the confidence to start a career as a wedding photographer. To this day it's my inspiration before i leave for any and all my weddings.

5) PPH: First car? Today's car? What do you want in the future ??
GH: Haha, it was a nissan truck. But, I back in the day I was into street racing so this nissan truck was really fast. Today, I have mellowed out a bit. So I drive a Mercedes benz. But, I got my eye on a black on black BMW 335 ie or the M3. So maybe, I am not that mellow. haha. Good question, I love cars just like any other guy out there.

6) PPH: Is there anyone else in the "biz" you enjoy shooting with? why? who would you like to shoot with ??
GH: Hands down, my studio partner Ann Hamilton (www.annhamilton.com). We share a studio space and do time trades. She has traveled to world with me doing destination weddings. We have a rhythm while shooting and it's very in sync. Funny, at times you can hear the shutters going off at the same exact time. But, the views and style are so different, yet very complimentary.

7) PPH: Where would you like to shoot that you haven't yet ??
GH: Funny you ask, I have been all over the world and have had the opportunity to shoot in Philippines, Peru, India, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Jamaica, Thailand, Barbados, Hawaii and across the U.S. Later this year we are in South Africa. That should be really interesting. But, there is this one small chapel in the Maldives. It's see through, has a glass floor and seats up to 20 people, that would be fun. one day, I'll get there.

8) PPH: Where would be your dream " desti " location ??
GH: Too be honest, I have shot everywhere I have wanted to shoot, so far. So, a over the top wedding on the banks Jerusalem or Dubai. Maybe, one in Cambodia, amongst the buddhist monks and the temple ruins. I think very big and willing to go to the extreme. For me it's the experience, that is the best destination.

9) PPH: What good tips can you give to a photographer starting off today ??
GH: Your presentation is everything. it's your clients first glimpse of what you do. If you take the time to showcase your images and business in best possible way, others will remember that. Next, work on your marketing and network with other like minded individuals. Surround yourself 24/7 with what you love, photography. Be passionate, Give back. Listen. Find your nitche market. Teach. Take some time for yourself. Stay true to yourself. Learn about money, don't forget that this is a business. How to invest it make it grow and how it can take care of you later.

10) PPH: What is the one approach / step that took your studio to where it is today ??
GH: in 2004 I was getting really burned out and I was looking to make my business really stand out. So I took a good look at my peers and others in the wedding industry. I noticed a trend of others saying they were willing to travel for weddings. Only some were really doing it, no one in my market. I they took a look at my client base. I had a bring coming to Carmel to get married from Washington D.C. I wondered how many other brides out there were going away for weddings. I shot that wedding, I started to spread the word that I was willing to travel for weddings. One of the bridesmaids lived in North Carolina nd was getting married. She later flew me out and it was my first taste of destination weddings. I was onto something. From that day I have always marketed my business around destinations weddings. In 2006 I hit 14 countries and now do 10 a year. the word of mouth has spread through our industry, my brides and my peers. Destination weddings are my niche market and have made my business stand out in a big way. I am excited about the types of calls we get and to be photographing in exotic locals is really exciting.

PPH: In your words any great projects / workshop / seminars / dvds / in the works ??
GH: Thanks for asking. i am putting together genehigaworkshops.com. I am going to be teaming up with 10 of the hottest photographers in the industry to give workshops around the country and abroad. In the near future, I am giving a workshop with my good friend Jason Groupp in NYC. October 22nd. We have two seats left. Then I speak in Wisconsin for a local PPA group. WPPI 2009 I have a platform room where I am speaking on, "Find your niche, make it your name and own it." It's my 3rd year speaking, I was a "Young Gun" last year. I love to help my fellow photographer in any way I can.