I've always been a creative and adventurous person, and have wanted to pursue the arts ever since I can remember. I majored in fine art at the University of California, Santa Cruz, but it wasn't until I met my now-husband, Sean, and he introduced me to the DSLR, that I really found my calling. We enjoyed photographing our adventures together - travels to Europe, biking, camping, and exploring. Photography was a favorite hobby until a friend got married and asked me to photograph her wedding. I instantly fell in love with the unique intersection of creativity and meaning that is wedding photography, and have been shooting weddings ever since. I am passionate about immortalizing the precious minutes of life in a way that is both beautiful and true. Sean and I live and work (and play!) in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. [San Jose Wedding Photographer]

I’m a moment junkie. I studied Journalism in college and I once was a journalist based in Seoul, including for The Associated Press. I strongly believe that the absolute best way to re-live the most special day is by looking at your photos of real moments and emotions. Both my academic and professional backgrounds have influenced my documentary and photojournalistic wedding and elopement photos. And these timeless and priceless photos define who we are and nothing makes me more thrilled than documenting our lives as they are. Life is a series of moments, and those moments are fleeing away from us instantly; that is why photography is incredibly powerful and important to our lives, and I feel extremely honored to be part of every moment. I do what I do, coming from my heart, passion, and love. I love listening to all kinds of music nonstop. I love eating/cooking food - especially noodle soups. I lived in Panama for about 6 years when I was a kid. But my Spanish is really embarrassing. I visited the most secluded country North Korea twice when I was a reporter. I love wandering around and reading books about why we are the way we are. [Los Angeles Wedding Photographer]

Stephanie received her Master's degree in photojournalism from top-ranked, Ohio University. She was invited to attend the prestigious Eddie Adams Workshop, a national forum for top photojournalists. She has also received awards in one of photojournalism's oldest, largest and most highly respected contest, the Annual Pictures of the Year competition of the National Press Photographers Association, among other organizations. [Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer]

I would describe my style of wedding photography as photojournalistic. While capturing formal portraits are important, I also believe that catching the ambiance of your day and the life-force of your invited guests is of equal priority. With a gentle eye, I will steer your formal photographs to best reflect your personalities, while simultaneously documenting those subtle yet profound candid moments that make up such an important day. I keep a keen watch as the day naturally unfolds so you have a document long after the day has passed you by. High school introduced me to photography and there I spent my waking hours deep within the dark room. Upon graduating, I set off to art school to study Fine Art Photography (2001-2005), where I was introduced to art theory and artist's studio practices. After college, I flexed my logistical side and worked with art fair companies (2004-2012) to share contemporary art to communities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and New York. Soon I transitioned into a small business owner and realized my goal of becoming a full-time photographer. So if you will, find comfort in knowing that art and photography are a part of my physiological make-up and the path I've taken shows this. Photography is more than a passion for me, it is the frame in which I have chosen to live my life. My camera and I stay vigilant throughout your day, which no doubt will have many moving parts, while maintaining an unobtrusive and honest presence. Stay in the moment and I will do the rest. KIVA LOAN PLEDGE — I pledge to make a Kiva loan for every wedding that I book. This is something that has been important for me to integrate into my wedding photography business model early on. It hasn't escaped me how becoming a small business owner has changed my life for the better and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see my goals through. I believe when you are given a chance to work hard towards a goal that leads to a better quality of life, a life that you deliberately design for yourself, it can be transformative and ripple positively outwards. The empowerment that results is truly priceless and I believe that all people have the right to choose what they want for themselves and see their goals come to fruition. Struggle is real, I've been through my share, and I feel it's time to do my part to help fellow builders and dreamers. [Los Angeles Wedding Photographer]