Hangin in there!

Hi all! It has been quite a while since my last post, and I apologize for taking so long. The expression "When it rains, it pours" is so true! We've had a transmission go out on the photo van, power steering probs with the other car, I've been submerged with Apple's new Aperture program totally chewin up the info on how to use it, shooting, shooting, and shooting, and of course watching my wonderful son during the day! Switching platforms from PC to MAC is great! But because I'm such a perfectionalist it's taking me a long time. Oh yeah, for those who do not know already, I have taken the plunge and committed 100% to my photography by stepping away from the restaurant management position (although it was only 3 days a week). What a blessing! I will be able to focus ALL of my energies on what I truly love to do, my passion of photography. Of course, there is a transition period, and what a blast it's been! FAITH - Forsaking All, I Trust Him...
I've finished the Park's wedding, and I can't wait to post some more photos for you to see! They are truly a great couple with some fun energy! Here's a preview...

I leave tomorrow morning early for WPPI's convention in Las Vegas. I am so looking forward to meeting new friends, catching up with old ones, and seeing what's new...not to mention maybe pickin up a couple seminars. The only lul in my plans is that I am gonna miss my wife and son for a week! Thanks for hangin out, and I'll post more often...

MARCH ALREADY?

I can't believe it's March already! You always hear that time just flys by faster when you have a kid, but man is that so true! Running a business, enjoying life with family and friends, making new friends from clients and more, teaching your 10 month old the meaning of "No"...before you know it, another year has flown by, and then another. I am challenging myself this month (baby steps)to "just do it". I can thank Nike, I guess. Whatever is genuinely on your heart, just do it and step out in faith. Of course, hopefully your heart is in the right place. :0) My to do list just keeps getting longer and longer, and I am constantly tempted to become overwhelmed by life's little things. However, it is so nice sometimes to just sit with my wife in my arms, watching my son chew on something he's not supposed to, and smile. Thank God i have the sanity to stop and really take it in. Go ahead...STOP with the busyness of your day, take a deep breathe, loosen the reigns a little, and begin to really LIVE. You'll like it, I promise.

Mike Colon Intensive

Finally! I am posting a little on the Mike Colon 4 day Intensive down in So-Cal that I went to Feb. 19-22nd. Let me begin by saying that it was just an awesome experience! I've been reading Mike's blog and such for some time now, and the person that he comes across as online is just a glimpse into how cool he really is. For those of you who don't know, Mike Colon is one of the wedding photography industry's leaders, and is well respected in his leadership & business sense...not to mention his great photographic skills! God has truly blessed him with a terrific business and an authenticity that I can only hope to exhibit. And even being surrounded by so much materialism, he is genuinely humble, which probably was the most impactful thing to me. As a believer in Jesus, he is a great encouragement to me as he shares his faith in all he does. Thanks Mike!

I really wanted to share with you each night as it progressed, but, even being the night owl that I am, I found myself pooped out each night crashing as soon as I got back to the hotel. So, this cliff note version will have to suffice! Above, a shot of all of us who attended- what a great group pf photographers! L-R: Michael Norwood, Craig Davis and Andy Peterson, Priscilla O'Sullivan, Corey McNabb, Jose Gonzalez, Tiffany Aicklen, Danielle Reedy, Yours truly, Tomas flint, Kristin Renee, David Burke, Bob Stender, Mike Colon of course, Melissa Rich, and finally our incredible model Brittany Gebler. A lot of talent, and some great new friends. What a life! More pictures coming...stay tuned!

A special Thanks to David Burke for taking this shot of me at the Mike Colon workshop in Newport Beach. Finally, a decent picture that I didn't take of myself! Haha. I'm totally gonna use it for my profile pic.!
This is David Burke...an awesome photographer in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. A man of faith, and an all around nice guy. Check out his blog here. Thanks Dave A lot more to come!

The Name Game

I've only a few posts on this blog, so I think it okay to still be trying to come up with a title name for it. Have any creative ideas?

A Deep Breath

So, I haven't forgotten to post, just been really busy. I am editing through the Park's wedding, the pictures I took at Mike Colon's Intensive (which is an upcoming blog entry, if not mulltiple entries, by itself), recalibrating my monitors, sending out overdue emails, watching my almost 10 month old zip across the floor now that he has perfected his crawling technique, meeting potential clients, redesigning our client reception lounge, making new slideshows, adapting to the world of Macintosh(as wonderful as it is), preparing in advance for WPPI, paying bills, and so on with all of the things that make up LIFE. Ahhh... It's always good to sometimes just stop and take in a nice deep breath, smell the diapers, and recompose. :) Don't laugh, you all know what I'm talking about! Here's a shot from the intensive to wet your tastebuds...more to come!So this morning I woke up with a completely blank mind. Of the things I wanted to accomplish tday, nothing was there! I went to bed last night with so many things racing through my mind on what I need to do, want to do, and wish to do, but didn't write it all down. I usually make a list to empty out the "memory bank", which helps me to basically "download" all the stuff running behind the scenes. (Can you tell I'm on a computer high right now?) The flipside of it is that I have a hefty to-do list already compiled, of which I am stoked to accomplish 3 things a day off of it! I did get some things done, but it took a long time to get back on track. Also, I played Mr. Mom today, and had a blast with my son! That is what it's all about...

I have to work the restaurant tomorrow daytime...a bit different from the usual. I was asked tonight by a client if I only do photography part time, and I realized that I don't - I work the restaurant part time, but am a full time photographer with all of the responsibilites of owning my own business. Pretty cool. BTW- What an awesome privelage to be able to own your own business, and to be doing what you love to do. I am Blessed!! Goodnight.

A little behind

I am running a bit behind in my postings, but plan to catch up very soon. I've been establishing a new workflow to be more efficient with my time. This is all based on my new mac, so my learning curve doesn't exist...It's now a vertical line! How does that saying go about eating an elephant? Oh yeah, you eat an elephant ONE BITE AT A TIME! So, my elephant is pretty big, but I like to eat!

What a Week!

Well, it seems that once you get going, you could very well never stop! It's like a snowball, but a good snowball :). I'm trying to post more on this blog, but time is so precious. This last week I got invited by the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) to come to their "Breakfast with the Pros" and do some photography for them. A few golf professionals (Craig Kanada, D.J. Brigman, & Michael Boyd) shared their testimonies, and what it means to be an athlete in this competitive world. A great influence on the teenagers and adults alike! It was held at the Monterey Marriot during the annual PGA Tour held at Pebble Beach (golf, for those that don't know).



I also did a headshot sitting with a gentleman for his job on Thursday, and finally ended the week with a wonderful Sweet 16 Party at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Seaside, CA. One of the sweetest 16 year olds out there, indeed. :)

Next week I have the Parks' wedding on Saturday. Should be great! It'll be at the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley - A wonderful setting.

Too Caught Up

One of the best quotes that I've heard and that summarizes my philosophy is by Joe Buissink. (I got it off of Mike Colon's blog). He said, "There is no such thing as a perfect image, only a perfect moment".

It's always been my mindset that I don't want to be so caught up in trying to get the pictures that I miss the moment. Having an 8 1/2 month old definately solidifies that! My son is so great! If I was so focused in trying to get the "perfect image", I'd miss out on so many wonderful moments. Here are a few of the thousands of shots of my son! :) Gettin mama's feet!

Judah and Adria (otherwise known as "tousins").

I had to include this one! Haha. He is so cool!

A New Mac!

Ladies & Gents, I have finally crossed over. (Well, not completely!) I just received my brand new 17" Macbook Pro, and don't know what to do! :) This is my first mac, and so I have a lot to learn all at once. I've been using windows and several editing programs, but now am trying to do a crash course in Apple's Aperature. I'll let you know how it turns out...
I also need to get a few more apps to install and stuff, but I am excited for this new adventure! Finally, I can begin to understand what my colleagues are talking about, I hope. ha.

Hope your weekend is great!

Congratulations again to Joe and Maggie. May God richly bless your marriage!

I've been finding new wedding photographer sites across the country over the last few months, and I am amazed at how many photographers love the Lord! It's kind of neat to look at the industry from an objective (as much as possible) point of view. I have been blessed by reading about each one's bio, philosophy, and so forth, and continue to learn from others as much as I can. I wish sometimes that I could take what I know with my experiences as a photographer and just compound the knowledge by spending a few days with each one out there. More than networking, but actually learning from each other. Thank God for Open Source Forum by David Jay, and others like it. D.J. and Mike Colon are but a couple, what I like to call, "shadow mentors" to me. They dont know me (yet) :), but I model after them in their philosophy and personalities. The world teaches you to be the bigger dog, and eat all that you can, sharing nothing with anyone else. I have to confess that I have had that mindset, and it is a natural thing to want to be successful; but to give any potential of success back to the Lord for his namesake and glory is truly an honor, and I thank God that I can now be a part of that. Photography is not my source. God is. I just want to be faithful with the gifts that he has given me, and so should you. You don't want to bury the treasure he has given you - go out and use it! Step out of your comfort zone and live in faith. Food for thought, really. Oh yeah, I need to post those pics! In the morning...

My first wedding of the year 2007...Congratulations Maggie and Joe! More pictures to follow as I get used to the blogging setup. Enjoy!

My First Entry

Hello everyone! After months of watching, reading, and wishing, I'm officially starting my own blog. Consider this an attempt in catching up with the trends! :) I hope this journal will be a little glimpse into my life, who I am, and what I do. I look forward to what the future holds with my business, and hope to bless others as I have been blessed. Be sure to check out my websites if you haven't aready - www.mikesteelman.com and www.scripics.com .

I look forward to all the friendships that I will make. God Bless!