David Hakamaki featured in Rangefinder Magazine

David Hakamaki was recently featured in Rangefinder Magazine on Senior & Sports Lighting. David has been an innovator in light weight lighting for High School Senior Portraits and Individual/Team Sports photography. Being a singe person photographer, David needs to maintain a lightweight lighting setup that produces stunning senior and sports portraits. Without the help of assistants, and usually under time constraints, David has developed some inexpensive, lightweight and highly mobile lighting setups that has made his work more efficient and productive. Check out the article for more details on how David uses lighting to set himself apart in the photography industry and maintain his status as one of the top speakers, innovators, and industry leaders. #seniors #seniorportraits #sportsportraits

https://www.rangefinderonline.com/wedding-portrait/high-school-seniors-sports/senior-portraits-sports-lighting-kits/

David Hakamaki to Speak at The Photography Show in the UK

David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog., owner of Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, Michigan, will be a featured speaker at The Photography Show at the NEC Convention Center in Birmingham, UK in March 2019. The Photography Show is the UK’s largest photography convention and has world class speakers and photographers from around the globe.

David’s topic is “Chasing the Unicorn: Being Successful in Photography” and will discuss ways photographers can make their photography business more successful.

David is an internationally recognized speaker at Photography Conventions on a variety of topics, including HS Senior Portraits, Lighting, Business, In Person Sales, Social Media, and Lighting. Follow David on social media on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/davehakamaki  or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davehakamaki.

Photo by David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog. @ Cutting Edge Photography

Marketing to HS Seniors – Photography Marketing Masters, Episode 12 with David Hakamaki from Cutting Edge Photography

Photo by David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog. @ Cutting Edge Photography

David Hakamaki was featured on the Marketing Masters Series on Prime Focus Lab site in an interview on Marketing to High School Seniors. David’s studio, Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, Michigan, is a hotspot for High School Senior Portraits. His work is nationally recognized for his unique lighting, posing and location selection.

Listen to the interview at the following link –> https://primefocuslab.com/pmm-012-marketing-high-school-seniors/

Photo by David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog. @ Cutting Edge Photography

David Hakamaki featured by New York Institute of Photography (NYIP)

Photo by David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog. @ Cutting Edge Photography

David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog., owner of Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, Michigan, was recently featured by the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) as one of their Photographer Success stories. The story was a question/answer based interview on how David started out in his Photographic career and what he has learned along the way in a successful 17 year career. The interview also provides insights for future photographers on how the NYIP prepared David for success, as well as advice for budding photography entrepreneurs.

David runs a highly successful Home-Based Photography Studio in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Iron Mountain is a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and his business has become nationally recognized for his work with High School Seniors, Destination & Elegant Weddings, Youth Sports, Commercial & Professionals, Families and Photo Restoration. David is also an International Speaker, having been a featured speaker at Photography Conventions across the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada. He is also an Ambassador for several of the Photography Industry’s largest companies and has taught Business & Economics at numerous colleges.

Here is the link to the article from the New York Institute of Photography on David –> https://www.nyip.edu/photo-articles/student-success/david-hakamaki

David Hakamaki Speaking at WPPI 2018 on High School Senior Portraits

Register for WPPI 2019 and see David Hakamaki from Cutting Edge Photography conduct a Photowalk on HS Senior Portraits.

Register for a Photowalk with David Hakamaki from Cutting Edge Photography on HS Senior Portraits.

David Hakamaki, owner of Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, will be speaking at the Wedding & Portrait Professionals International WPPI 2019 Convention in 2019.  David will be featured in a PhotoWalk on High School Senior Portraits.  David is a nationally known senior photorapher and his attendees will gain a look inside his success as his area’s top senior photographer.  Attendees will get to work with a model, as well as understand proper lighting, posing and location selection. Limited spots are available, so register early.

Register at https://www.wppiexpo.com or on David’s PhotoWalk page at WPPI PhotoWalk on HS Senior Portraits with David Hakamaki.

SWPP London Review with David Hakamaki featured

The Society of Photographers SWPP Convention in London in January 2018 was the highlight of my speaking career.  In fact, being able to do three programs to UK photographers was an honor.  However, not everyone was able to make it to my programs.

It was interesting to find my name listed as one of the reasons Kam Assi wanted to attend, but was unable to make it to my Business lecture, “20 Things Businesses Do that PI$$ People Off”.  Here is that link –> https://www.kamassiphotographer.co.uk/swpp-convention-trade-show-2018-quick-visit-review/.  Well, Kam, it was a packed room, filled with tons of great insights on what we do good (and bad).  It was lighthearted and (much to the amazement of several in attendance) filled with laughter.  Maybe next time, Kam.  I promise I will entertain and delight you.

So, London, it was fun.  It was memorable.  And, I hope to see you soon.  The word is out that I will be speaking at The Photography Show in Birmingham, Uk in March 2019, so watch for that schedule.

Interfit S1 Moonlight with HSS Review by David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog.

I recently received several AC/DC powered S1 strobes from Interfit Photographic. This is a studio strobe that looks and acts very similar to the pro photo B1. Although the pro photo be ones are stellar strobes, they can put a significant dent into your bank account. The Interfit S one costs about 1/2 to 1/3 of the pro photo equivalent and specs out relatively the same.

The Interfit S1 is a TTL strobe with high-speed sync. It provides 10 stops of power range, with three of those stops at the upper end available for high-speed sync. High-speed sync operates in manual Mode and can accommodate shutter speeds up to 1/8000 of a second. Adjustments are made in 1/10 stop increments, allowing for an amazing array of adjustments.

Looking at the Interfit S1, it looks very similar to the Profoto B1. The S1 provides 500 Watt/Seconds of power and uses removable and exchangeable lithium ion battery that is flush with the body, offering around 350 full power flashes. There is an integrated wireless system, using a corresponding Interfit remote, that provides TTL flash exposure compensation and manual power control for Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras.

Construction is very durable aluminum with a Bowens S-type mount for a large array of rings and modifiers, such as soft boxes, reflectors, and other attachments. The S one weighs 6.3 pounds and operates on either AC or DC mode. Battery recharge time is approximately three hours and is charge separately, so the strobe can be used in AC mode while the battery is charging. There is an AC only model called the S1a, which is virtually identical to the S1.

A review in the field will be published shortly, which will show off the Interfit S1 in action.  Photos of behind-the-scenes, as well as final captures will be included to assist with understanding what the S1 can do on location.  A final review will go in depth on the high speed sync (HSS) features of the S1 and new opportunities for amazing photography.  Stay tuned for these upcoming reviews.

Overall, this unit is simply powerful and filled with conveniences.  The S1 unit retails for around $749 on Interfit’s and other major retailer websites.  However, you can save an additional 10% by purchasing directly from the Interfit Photographic website (www.interfitphotographic.com) and enter code Hakamaki10.  Happy shooting!

Savage Universal Product Pro LED Light Table demo with David Hakamaki

Savage Universal Corporation has released their new Product Pro LED Light Table.  This product is intended for photographing macro or small item products.  In the video below, David Hakamaki, Cr.Photog. from Cutting Edge Photography, goes over the major features and uses of this product and how it will assist photographers with photographing smaller items.  The Product Pro LED Light Table comes in two sizes 15″x15″ -or- 22″x22″ and is available from all major photography retailers.  Our friends at Hunt’s Photo & Video have a special price on this item, so follow this link to save a few bucks.

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From Savage Universal’s website:

The Savage Product Pro LED Light Table is every commercial photographer’s solution to capturing attractive, professional quality product photography without the hassle of compiling an array of complicated lighting and background gear for small subjects. Simply flip a switch and the powerful LED light strips under the table brightly illuminate evenly across the table, creating an instant high-key background. Each rechargeable overhead LED light contains 36 LED chips with a CRI of 91, and are mounted on heavy-duty flexible arms to provide high-quality backlight, highlights and under lighting where desired.

Kit includes:

(1) LED light table
(1) Accessory tray
(4) Rechargeable 36 bulb LED lights
(4) AC Power cords for charging lights
(4) Diffuser socks
(4) 20” Flexible arms
(1) Nylon protective sleeve for transport and storage

David Hakamaki to be featured Speaker at WPPI 2017 Convention

David Hakamaki, owner of Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, will be speaking at the Wedding & Portrait Professionals International WPPI 2017 photography convention in Las Vegas.
David Hakamaki, owner of Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, will be speaking at the Wedding & Portrait Professionals International WPPI 2017 photography convention in Las Vegas.

David Hakamaki, owner of Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain, Michigan, has been invited to be a featured speaker at the Wedding & Portrait Professionals International (WPPI) 2017 photography convention in Las Vegas on February 8, 2017.  David will be presenting “Different Light for Different Looks“, which will be an advanced Master Class on lighting.  His program is sponsored by Simply Color Lab and Savage Universal.

David’s work has become known for his unconventional use of different lighting to create unique looks.  He has incorporated LED continuous lighting, strobes, speed lights, and natural light into his senior portraits, weddings, models, youth sports teams, professional portraits and commercial photography.  His expertise has also extended to reviews of products, including a recent article he authored on two new continuous lighting products by Savage Universal – their 2000 watt Location Kit and Cobra LED Interview Kit.

David is also a national speaker on business, marketing, and motivational topics and information on these items can be found at his website at www.theglobalspeaker.com.