:: Mark Stephan Photography ::

Shai Model & Engla Designs

2009-03-22T17:16:00.001-07:00

I had a chance to shoot in my Studio - Tiny Studio. Shai is the Model and Engla is the Designer.
Enjoy.

2009-01-11T22:36:00.000-08:00

I had another opportunity to Photograph Nika's designs that are on Etsy. Her label is Little Red Sparrow. In this set Lauren is modeling her designs. Great designs, lovely model. Enjoy.

NIKA's Designs

2008-12-17T23:57:00.000-08:00

I was able to work with a very talented Clothing designer. She has quite a range of Dresses. I captured a few below. You can visit her clothing designs here at Nika Tang Design

Volvo Crusin my Hood

2008-07-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

The volvo Ad is out they filmed this in the Oakland Waterfront Warehouse District - my studio sits in the middle of this district. Check out the new SUV taking laps around my hood.

2008-07-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Lush & Green in the Japanese Gardens

2008-06-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Great lighting, great energy, great karma. The Japanese gardens in Golden Gate Park lush and relaxing.

A few more Goa

2008-05-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

A few more from Goa at the Beach ...

More Goa

2008-05-15T08:52:00.001-07:00

Enjoy - life is good :-)

Goa Sunsets

2008-05-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

Had the opportunity to visit Goa in India - the sunsets were stunning at the beach. There is a small river that runs into the ocean in the morning and as the tide comes in at night the river reverses direction.

Brides of March in May

2008-05-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have been traveling and shooting so I have not posted in a while, but here is the best of the annual Brides of March an event that truly fits the city by the bay. This is not your mothers wedding party.

The brides start at the Tunnel Top Bar and wander through the high end stores in Union square marching down Maiden lane.

SF Engage - the Movie

2008-04-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy creating slide shows they are now part of my offerings. This format also plays well on ipods. Fun times in SF Embarcadero.

Engagement in SF

2008-04-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

I had a great session with Tricia and Antonio in the Embarcedero in San Francisco. It was such great weather too. Bright sunshine and warm - just a perfect day in the city on the bay.

Mislah Toronto Fashion

2008-04-05T23:47:00.000-07:00

I have been busy busy. Had a great shoot with Mislah a model in Toronto while I was up there for a week. A great city lots and lots of energy. I guess its necessary with all the cold weather. It got pretty cold when I was up there snowed one night, quite beautiful for a day. Reminded me of days and nights long ago in Boston.

Have a Great Valentines Day

2008-02-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

All you need is love
Lennon and McCartney

Bridal Fashion Show

2008-01-30T21:52:00.000-08:00

A few shots from the Regency Center in San Francisco. One of the oldest buildings in San Francisco. Very elegant.

Carl & Stephanie

2008-01-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

Cool Fun Real - this wedding was a perfect fit. The couple family and friends were out to have fun and really celebrate. You can see it in images, when couples have a strong bond and relax then you can get creative cool images with high impact !

2008-01-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

These are my favorite images from the past year. It all went by so quickly. What a great year looking forward to another one that is even better.

Happy Holidays !

2007-12-24T19:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays all !

Time to remember all the wonderful things and people that made '07 another great year.
Image from Union Square SF.

Embarcedero Engagement

2007-12-16T21:48:00.000-08:00

A video of the stills from the Embarcadero Engagement Session with Leen and Gian.
A nice day.

San Francisco Cable Cars

2007-12-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Had a rockin engagement session with Leen and Gian. We wandered through the Embarcadero, market street cable cars. It was great fun. Its always nice for me to get out and see more of the city. Turned out to be a nice warm day sunny day in the city - just a great day to shoot.

MUD & Skulls

2007-12-09T22:22:00.001-08:00

The Skull T will get you noticed too

Shai Models M.U.D

2007-12-09T22:16:00.000-08:00

Shai modeled my urban t-shirt designs. I can't guarantee you will look as good as Shai in my designs but they will help you to stand out from the crowd and be noticed. Email me in you want a T ;-)

M.U.D Designs

2007-11-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

I love all urban. Not sure why but I am attracted to hoods with razor wire, bricks, pipes, factories. I think its the big windows, the big doors, the tall ceilings. The design for utility and strength. Being slightly "off center" a bit away from the fat of the bell curve.

It just resonates with me. I really love my new neighborhood and loft. So I created Mark's Urban Designs M.U.D. - a series of silk screen t-shirts. With the images I see in my hood in Jack London Square. Strong vibant images that are a little bit off center.

Volvo Ad Shoot

2007-11-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

There was some excitement today when I got up this morning two cars were circling my loft. One was a new Volvo Wagon another was a truck with two cameras mounted on them. Holy Hollywood Batman.

So I got out the point and shoot to document the event. The guys in the camera started pointing at me. I got questioned by OPD - "You live around here." "Yes I do live around here." OPD "Well Volvo security needs to talk to you." "OK."

Volvo security "You are in a closed set. So you I will need to see your pictures. You need to erase them." So I did erase the images in clear violation of my First Amendment Rights so much for the Constitution. The pics below were a few blurry ones that passed Volvo Security Level 1.

The "closed set" was the sidewalk and public street surrounding my loft. Interesting. So here are the Volvo Security APPROVED/CENSORED images. Actually I was not impressed by the secret new Volvo - the camera car photographing the Volvo was cool though had two cameras. Pretty interesting.

The Portrait

2007-10-17T21:58:00.001-07:00

Up close and personal - with the "Shoulder Lean"

Cool Pose

2007-10-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

This pose of the groomsmen is right out of Esquire. I really like the fun energy in the pose. The groom is relaxed, happy and cool.

Grooms men up the Tree

2007-10-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what a group of guys will do at a wedding. IN this case they all headed for the big tree on the beach and they did what guys will do they climbed the tree because it was there. It was all in good fun with the pictures to prove it.

Down the Aisle

2007-10-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Capturing the couple walking down the aisle is really enjoyable. There is a huge rush of emotion and energy right after the ceremony. Electricity is in the air and its amazing to be part of the moment.

Details Details

2007-10-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

I love the details I see when photographing Weddings there is so much to shoot at all the venues, the flowers, the way the light plays on the candles, the wine, the guest cards, the programs.

The View from Lands End

2007-09-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is the view from the very tip of the SF peninsula. It's an very cool view had not been up on this hill before. There are a couple ship wrecks still in the waters below. During low tide you can see some of the parts still in the water.

Karl & Stephanie

2007-09-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

Had a really fun and creative engagement shoot with Stephanie & Karl. From what I have seen no body beats my engagement shoots for variety, creativity and energy. Of course it helps that I live in a Urban setting close to the bay and parks - the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the photographs.

The movie look

2007-09-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting a bit with processing images. I like the look of this one. Its got a great grainy earthy feel to the image.

What a beautiful Day !

2007-09-11T20:24:00.001-07:00

What a great day for a wedding and it was all in Oakland. Getting ready in Marriott in City Center. Ceremony in the hills. Reception in the Lake Merritt Hotel. What a great atmosphere. Just too many great images to post but below are a few.

Happy Happy Bride

2007-08-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

Along with a happy happy groom is a happy happy bride. The event moved from the Sofitel in Redwood City to the Church to the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Mateo. It was a great event.

Very Very Happy groom

2007-08-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with a very very happy groom. It was great to work with people who just were having so much fun. The images were at the Sofitel - I really like the lobby in that hotel. Nice modern furniture so many places to arrange groups with clean interesting backgrounds. It was just like shooting for a men's fashion magazine. Well it was cool.

Ferry Ride from Oakland to SF

2007-08-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

I was experimenting with an "art lens" and some new processing in photoshop. I really liked some of the images. They were all taken on my ferry ride from Oakland to SF and a stroll down Market St.

Kissing Pigs

2007-08-18T12:22:00.001-07:00

I have a entire collection of toys plastic, rubber, little things, pigs, spiders, snakes, frogs, mice, skulls, sonic hedgehog, Cartman, Thing 1, Thing 2. Its great to keep these toys around - it's a great way to keep your imagination fresh and to keep your thinking open and flexible. I think its too easy to get set in the same ruts and thought tracks, these distractions help you keep from traveling the same old ruts with your thoughts.

So here they are the kissing pigs.

New Hair Style

2007-08-18T11:36:00.001-07:00

A local hair dresser wanted me to capture her newest hair style. She used to have bone straight hair - the new look is all curls.

Grooms men at the Beach

2007-08-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy working with the groom and grooms men to see what we can come up with for poses and lighting. Working under a tight deadline 30 minutes or less gets my adrenaline flowing. I liked this images at the beach - fun group of guys - very cooperative.

Raspberries......mmmmmm

2007-08-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

The Farmer's market had amazing raspberries this weekend - they don't last long have to eat them fast. Reminds me of when I was a kid we used to pick them in the woods next to the blueberries.

Can't beat Cali produce.

Kissing & Cars

2007-08-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

Kissing in the back seat ... Don't tell Mom

Old Caddies....how cool is that?

2007-08-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

This wedding had a fantastic Caddy from 1940's raaaag top. What a great car. The car designs of the 40's and 60's were just fantastic. The good old days..well the cars were certainly very cool!

Another View

2007-08-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

Dancing against the lights - the ceiling was low energy so I decided to add a bit of blue punch !

Lots & Lots 0'lights

2007-08-14T18:27:00.001-07:00

Great fun couple dancing under the lights - I liked them so much I added a few more

Cherries...mmmmm

2007-07-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love the local Farmers Market in Jack London on Sundays. Bing Cherries are in season. Sweeet! I also found out Cherries have a low glycemic index - life is good!

More of Baker Beach...

2007-07-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Fog + cool weather you know its July in San Francisco :-)

Engagement Fun at Baker Beach

2007-07-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Great fun at Baker's - of course everyone wants to go there to get the views of the Golden Gate. But other parts have some great details too.

Keeping Green with a little help

2007-05-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

One of the many many expenses in photography that most people do not even think about is the cost of batteries. I use about 30 to 40 an event and I get all new AA batteries for each and every event. Its critical to my shots. Fortunately IKEA is close by and they recycle batteries. So I can keep my clients happy and keep it green.

Walk in the City

2007-05-19T23:26:00.001-07:00

New Views of an old street the walk up market St.

Marketing Session with Salon Panache

2007-04-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

I had a fun marketing photo session with a local Salon in Oakland called Salon Panache.
Got images of the owners and clients and the salon. Cool place with a great atmosphere in downtown Oakland.

Artistic Play

2007-04-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

Experiments in the use of textures with images

Fashion show in SF

2007-03-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

At the club shooting urban fashion

Cool shoes & Stockings

2007-03-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

Down the Stairs

2007-03-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

A walk down Maiden Lane

2007-03-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Brides of March

2007-03-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

I was a photographer at the brides of March in San Francisco. Lots of whacky SF fun. An event that would be out of place in any other city.

Bride at Night

2007-02-24T22:33:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite shots of Chantelle on the roof of my loft.

Bridal Show Roses

2007-02-12T21:30:00.000-08:00

More Bridal Show views

2007-02-12T21:23:00.000-08:00

More views from the Bridal show. Nice roses, and a over the top Hawaiian band.
I was really attracted to the Bird of Paradise. Very bright, very orange.

Wedding Fair Fashion show

2007-02-12T21:22:00.000-08:00

I walked over and grabbed a shot of the Fashion show. Nice and stylish.

Brocade Wedding Photo Booth

2007-02-12T21:11:00.001-08:00

Bridal Fair Booth

This was my booth at the Wedding Fair - great turn out and fun. There was so much energy and interest in my work. It was gratifying to see that people were interested in a more creative, fashion inspired photography.

I really enjoyed meeting people at the fair and explaining the types of albums and options for packages.

Bridal Shoot

2007-02-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure to work with Chantelle a Modern Bride model at my studio and on my roof. Put in some tunes and arranged a couple strobes and got into the energy of shooting. Here are a few favs.

Rose

2007-01-25T23:26:00.000-08:00

Pale orange rose closeup - I like the mood of the shot.

(RED) Help fight AIDs in Africa by buying stuff you want

2007-01-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

its a good idea, help fight AIDS in Africa by buying products that have registered with the global AIDS fund. The specific products are listed on their site - Join (RED). It's a good way to raise awareness and to do something postive with little effort.

Dress on a Hanger

2007-01-24T19:56:00.000-08:00

The final in my blue series

See my stuff at the Feb 11th Bridal Show

2007-01-24T19:12:00.000-08:00

I decided to participate in the Brocade Wedding Show.

When???? February 11, 2007 (11am-4pm)
Where ???? Alameda Co. Fairgrounds, Pleasanton

It should be a great show with lots of vendors, a bridal fashion show
and me with sample albums and images.

Check it out.

Blue Dress and Chair

2007-01-22T21:09:00.000-08:00

I like the basic clean look of the chair and the clean no frills design of the dress
another shot in the studio.

Roses

2007-01-21T21:03:00.000-08:00

This is a close up of the roses quite a variety of colors.

Bridal Dress and Roses

2007-01-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

I got inspired today after buying some roses at the flower market. Desicided to fire up the strobes to see what I could get. I like this one. Enjoy.

Cool Shoes

2007-01-20T22:01:00.000-08:00

This is from a current album spread of 2 pages - like the shoes. From a wedding in Burlingame.

My Hand My Heart

2007-01-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

A new take on old vows. Candle light and red wall.

Taste of the Old West in Livermore

2007-01-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

For this wedding in Livermore CA the grooms father and friend were the real deal. Both
were really gentleman cowboys who were alot of fun.

Rockin out in Martinez

2007-01-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

The flower girl changed clothes and had some dancing fun. Roking out on a hot summer's night.

My addiction

2007-01-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

I must admit I love the tase of coke classic. I just can't eat a pizza with the stuff just not right. Don't give me the diet stuff. It also has to be in a real glass bottle or a can - plastic bottles should be banned one of the worst examples of "progress". You really can't beat the taste from a glass bottle especially those thick green returnable bottles. It's hard to find but there is a coffee shop in Emeryville that has the real bottles, imports them from Mexico. I grab one as a reward once in a while. At some groceries you can get the thinner glass bottle like shown here, its good, but man there is nothing like the weight and feel of the real green bottles.

Wedding at the Lafayette Hotel

2007-01-18T20:39:00.000-08:00

Shot this wedding on a blistering hot day this summer near Walnut Creek CA. I could not stop sweating.
But the Bride was all smiles. So I had a great time and some great fun.

Albums of Interest

2007-01-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

With every wedding package I offer Molly West hand made albums. An Oprah two thumbs up. You will look cool strutting down the street. Check out the attitude.

Ceremony at St. Anne's Catholic Church San Francisco

2007-01-17T18:08:00.000-08:00

The ceremony was at St. Anne's Catholic Church in San Francisco near UCSF. It's a very large open church with a large dome and stained glass windows. I wanted to convery the open space.

Wedding at Embassy Suites in Burlingame

2007-01-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

This was a really fun wedding that had the reception at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame CA. There is a bright lush atrium in the lobby very nice light.

Wedding at San Francisco City Club

2007-01-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

San Francisco city club is very elegant Art Deco building
next to the Pacific Stock Exchange.
I saw the brass doors I mimed the pose and the bride followed instructions and provided the energy and vibe.

Happy New Year to All - my new years card photo

2007-01-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

This is my new years photo card from the Holiday Yaght parade in Jack London Square right in front of Scott's Restaurant.
It's a pretty interesting parade the lights off the dark water make for a surrealistic look.

Tied House in Mountain View

2007-01-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

Gathering at the Tied House with friends after the ceremony

Westin St. Francis - Alexandra's

2007-01-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

An image from a event at the Westin St. Francis.

Wente Wedding Ceremony

2006-08-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Wedding Ceremony, originally uploaded by markStephan.

The setting for the ceremony was bright and green with lots and lots of fresh rose petals.

Bride and Father

2006-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

TriLog0147Web.jpg
Originally uploaded by markStephan.

The Bride and her father walk down the lawn at the Wente Vineyards. The light was so nice, highlighting the elegance of the moment.

Wente Experience in Livermore California

2006-08-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

I just got done editing a really fun wedding at the Wente Vineyards. I was a second shooter for the well established 1000 words studio operated by Tom and Lee Burke. They are great people and amazingly talented.

The wedding was fun, the guests had lots of energy were fun to photograph and were dressed to the nines. It was a great time, best of all the event took place later in the day so the light was oh so nice.