David Hakamaki from Cutting Edge Photography in Iron Mountain has expertise in posing, lighting and location, along with an ability to educate other photographers. David has achieved the highest levels in the photographic industry and continues to educate photographers around the world. A few of his awards and accolades include:
Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) - Professional Photographers America (PPA)
Awarded by the largest professional photography organization for excellence in photography and photography education. Awardees must meet merit criteria in photographic submissions, speaking and service to photographic organizations.
Door County Travel Magazine "Featured Wedding Photographer" - 3 out of 4 Years
David Hakamaki has been the featured wedding photographer in Door County Travel Magazine 3 out of 4 years. Door County is a destination location and has been listed as one of the top destinations in the US by Fortune Magazine. His wedding images were published to promote weddings in Door County Travel Magazine.
International Speaker & Educator
David Hakamaki has been a featured speaker at many of the top photography conventions around the world. He has been a routine speaker at the Wedding & Portrait Professionals International (WPPI) convention, presenting to sold out audiences for the past 10 years. David has been invited to speak Internationally at the CanAm Photo Expo, the prestigious Society of Photographers UK Convention in London (2018, 2022 & 2023), and The Photography Show in Birmingham, UK (2019, 2021, & 2024), where his unique brand of photography and business knowledge thrilled his Canadian and British audiences. Mr. Hakamaki has also been a speaker at numerous state, regional and local conferences throughout the county, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Photography Industry Ambassador & Leader
David Hakamaki is an industry leader and actively involved with many of the Photography Industry's leading companies. Being an Ambassador and Leader is an honor that shows his leadership as a educator and product tester/evaluator. Some of David's major accolades include:
Speaking Team - Miller's Professional Imaging
Senior Dream Team - Simply Color Lab Speaking Team
Photographic Storyteller - Fundy Designer
Lighting Master Affiliate - Flashpoint Lighting
Interfit Creative Pro - Interfit Photographic
Photographic "Champion" - Kubota Image Tools
Creative Ambassador - Savage Universal Corporation
Photography Ambassador - QT Albums
Other Accolades
David Hakamaki has been featured in numerous professional articles, webinars and training programs. Other accolades include:
Professional Imagemaker - Multiple Articles
Rangefinder Magazine - Senior & Sports Portraiture Lighting
Photographers Ignite - Featured Presenter
Faces of PPA - Featured Photographer
PPA Today - Featured Article on David Hakamaki
Photographer Success Stories: David Hakamaki - New York Institute of Photography (NYIP)
Speakers Corner - The Societies of Photographers UK
Kubota CLICK online Photography Magazine - Feature Article on David Hakamaki
Adjunct Professor - Micro & Macroeconomics - Bay College
Instructor of Photography - Bay College & Michigan Technical Education Center
Cover and page images - UP Travel Guide (multiple years)
Cover and page images - Door County Travel Magazine
Memberships
Professional Photographers Association (PPA)
Wedding & Portrait Professionals International (WPPI)
Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers (SWPP)
Society of International School and Event Photographers (SISEP)