Justin & Amber

Okay, this is so cool! Amber and Justin actually got married last summer in what is called a "Proxy" Wedding. Justin is serving in the ARMY, and was stationed in the Middle East while the love of his life was here locally. They actually got married over the phone...how cool is that?! As long as you get your photos taken, of course. (You know how much we believe in that! :) For Christmas they got to come & visit family, and get some long overdue MSP signature wedding photos! So off to Lover's Point we went, and had the most awesome sunny day that you could pray for. Here are but a few photos... Check out the original Newspaper Article below as they explain the storybook wedding so much better than I!



















Amber and Justin are so sweet, and their family are so warm and welcoming. Thank you Justin for your service as well! They have something special, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness! God Bless you both! I can't wait to visit you in Hawaii and continue our photo session... :)

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you had the most fantastic Christmas day yesterday than you've ever had before! For the first time in many years, we stayed home and had the family visit us! It's so nice to have family around to share time with and slow down for a while. It's easy to take them for granted sometimes, ya know? I'd love to post some images of my little guy (now almost 20 months!Holy Cow!)opening his presents, but I actually forgot the little camera at the house. Instead how about a photo from the bay last summer? I might have posted it before, but it's so nice anyways.

Dawn & Nathan

I had the opportunity to photograph my good friends Nathan & Dawn for their Christmas Photos earlier this month. (This season has been such a blast, but has come and gone so fast...beyond the cliche!) We had a great time shooting down at the Fisherman's Wharf here in Monterey, and ended up with some beautiful shots of the two of them. Even the Pelicans wanted in on the happenings. Dawn and Nathan = genuine. How else can I describe them? :) Thanks guys, I enjoy our friendship tremendously!








If you haven't been to Monterey in a while, you really should take a break and come visit! The wharf is a great place to let the creamy clam chowder warm you up from the famous marine layer here on the bay. Of course, the area is so freekin beautiful, especially on a sunny day! Wow, do I have images coming up in the next few posts that'll get ya good. I love having my studio in the heart of downtown Old Monterey of nothing else but for the community and fabulous places to shoot...around every corner! From alley ways to parking garages to cobblestone walkways lined with trees, to the awesome beaches and rocks and marine sanctuaries, and down to Cannery Row! Of course, I can always drive just a few minutes to the incredible downtown Ocean Street of Carmel by the Sea to Carmel Highlands and more! What I've come to appreciate is the beauty in virtually every situation and location...you just need to see it. Sometimes we need to change our perspectives. :)

San Jose PUG Christmas Party

As many of you know, a few years ago I partnered with one of the best photo labs around, Pictage. Pictage is unique in that it offers so many more amenities that I can then pass on to my clients, such as online hosting and ordering of your images. ALL of my past clients have been thrilled by the service offered. Pictage is focused on the photographer so that we can be focused on our clients...and they host what they call a PUG (Pictage User Group) once a month. This is a great community based small group to bounce ideas off of each other, work together, and help each other grow in our businesses. The only draw back is that the closest one to me is an hour or so away, so I don't get to go all that often. However, we made it last month to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Then, last week, my wife and I went back up to the Bay Area for our PUG Christmas Party held at STRIKE Cupertino. Dude, this is such a cool place. Bowling mixed with upscale eats and drinks, an arcade, and a little lounge to socialize. The place has its charm, and is worth going back soon! Gina and I had a blast, as did our fellow photog friends! Check out these images for a glimpse... Thanks to my wife for bringing the point and shoot, as I don't think there were any other cameras! Haha. Thanks to Pictage and the fabulous photographer Jill Johnson for setting the party up and hosting!
Okay, seriously, what do you think about my dancing/modeling skills? Oh My! :)

Just for Fun!

For you brides and grooms getting married this year, why not try something fun and unique at your reception? :) I ran across several videos from wedding receptions, and had a blast watching these. This first couple was featured on The Today Show and Ellen because their video was so popular. It's a crack up! Apparently the bride choreographed it all. Thriller was the bride's request and no guests knew about the dance. What a surprise, and not half bad! Anyway, a fun moment indeed. Life's too short, so live a little! Hope you enjoy

Talent Show Link

For those still interested in the "Peninsula's Got Talent" charity fundraiser photos, follow this link to view all of the images online. Although the link has been taken off my main splash page, you can still access it here or go to www.pictage.com/398166. Thanks!

A little "Ham" with your Holidays?

So my son is turning out to be a little ham indeed! If there's a camera within 25 feet, he so naturally turns to it, shows his little teeth, and hams it up. But, you have to act quick because he knows it shouldn't take too long! :) I guess all the 15,000 modeling shots *haha* I've taken of him every time I get a new lens or whatever has conditioned him pretty well. He's definitely a keeper! How can one little being move me so much within my soul? WOW. Being a parent is such a blessing. These were taken about 2 weeks ago at home.

And then at Thanksgiving, JK woke up from his nap in my sister in law's room, and was able to reach her cabinet with her makeup in it. No wonder why he was so quiet for so long...he was trying the new shade of lipstick by Maybelline! He doesn't get it that it goes on the lips...of a girl! :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING PEOPLE!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! and more...

I am so extremely thankful to be doing something that I love. I am so thankful for my family, friends, and Jesus. I am thankful for life, simply put. More Thanksgiving stuff later...but I want to catch you up with last week. This will give you time to reflect on what you're thankful for... :)

I recently photographed the Monterey Peninsula's Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Charity Event called "Peninsula's Got Talent" hosted at the Monterey Hyatt. This was such a great event, and raised a great amount of money for a variety of charities. Some of the organizations involved were Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, SPCA, Rising International/The Action Council, Carmel Youth Center, American Cancer Society, and Meals on Wheels, just to name a few. Each organization was to "provide" their own talent performer for this Talent Show and the winner brought the booty to the charity organization.

There were some incredible raffle prizes from the Pebble Beach Company to Ventana Vineyards to Bernardus Lodge and more, with delicious wine to be savored, and great conversations to be enjoyed, in addition to some terrific talent showcased on the stage. The red carpet was rolled out, softboxes lit up, and young & old talent busting at the seams, with the limousines capping off the elegant edge of the show. The coolest part was the fact that it was all for charity. Cool beans.

Here are a few images from the night.




Behold the winners! In third place, the lovely Jessica Aubuchon. Second place was Ben Bang. And First place belongs to Mia Bernardino who has an incredible passion! All performers were great, and I'm stoked to have been a sponsor for this event. Definately a great time for a great cause. Congratulations to the winners!! On my home page (www.mikesteelman.com)you can find a temporary link to this event hosted online by my partnered photo lab Pictage. This link will only be there for another week, then you'll have to go to www.pictage.com/398166.

I'm off for the big Turkey Day, but will be back in the studio on Monday. I encourage you to take a few moments of reflection and think about what you are, or should be, thankful for. My list doesn't stop! From the minor little things like having a shower and hot water to having a dependable car, to the wife and kiddo to an awesome God...We have so much to be grateful for. A lot of it though, depends on our perspective. What's yours?

Have a wonderful day!

Catching up

Hi everyone! It definitely has been proven that I am a terrible blogger...ha! But, that just means that I've been busy busy shooting, editing, uploading, marketing, meeting new wonderful friends, and putting together some outrageously great packages and albums!

A lot has happened in the last month, so I won't try to "catch up" and cram it all in one post. But, to just name a few, here goes. Last month I went down to Pictage's Partner Conference in Los Angeles, and had a wonderful time expanding my knowledge in my photographic career. I got to meet up with old friends and make some new ones. To all those I met, it was a true honor! I got to learn from some phenomenal photographers while down there, including David Jay, Bob Davis, Robert T. Williams, the incredibly humble Dane Sanders, of course Mike Colon, The Holritz', Chris Humphreys, awesome Davide Greene, Jefferson Todd, the infamous Sara France, and more! I've been blessed with the opportunities to meet, hang, eat, and in some fashion or another share life with each of these photographers. What an incredible time to be in the industry indeed. I've never met such genuine people in any career that are as authentic as these. Keep it up y'all! You make me proud to be a photographer.

Of course, I would love to go on and on about how each person (over the last year specifically) has blessed me and helped make not only a better photographer, but also a better person, but that would take forever! Come on, I have a hard enough time blogging as it is! :) But seriously, thank you to everyone who has helped make this business of mine such a success. I only hope and pray that I can be a blessing to the next person to come my way! I love to continually be growing, and love to share that growth with others. The time of cut throat business mindedness is done...at least in my business. Thank God.

I photographed one of the most incredible couples ever, Ashley and Andy. They're getting married next June, and I am absolutely stoked for them! Two of the nicest people you'll ever meet, and what a blast to hang out with. I am so fortunate to be doing what I do, because I get to make new friends all the time! You can totally tell these two are in love...which just makes my job so cool! We began shooting right out in front of my studio, and down to the wharf and beach. What a day! Here are some of their engagement images. Wow!!!











The chamber of commerce here in Monterey is hosting a fantastic showcase next week, and I've been invited to share my work there, so I've been busy preparing for that. Can't wait to network more with the local wonderful Monterey people. Yesterday I shot a retirement/family session for the Martinellis. Trish retired from the Army, and has faithfully served with dedication and pride, and has my utmost respect. Thanks Trish!

The studio office is such a retreat! Oh my gosh. I love coming to work. I love pouring myself into what I do. I'm then able to shoot with passion and freedom, and have fun with you as my clients! Man, I dig it. :) The large canvases have all come in finally, and the finishing touches are always being made to make this place something else. Of course, it's been done for quite some time, but is always in refinement I think, sort of like me.

Well, there's a very brief synopsis of just a couple things that have been going on. With the holidays upon us, you can imagine how many people want to do family photos and the like. I have a few more openings available if you haven't yet booked a photographer, so give me a call and I'll be happy to hook you up!

I'm still alive!

Hi all... Although I haven't posted in the last month, I wanted you to know that I am still alive, and am working on some incredible things for MSP! I look forward to posting on a more continual basis, and sharing with you some fantastic images! Thank so so very much for your patience...I'll be back! :)