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Boy have I been extremely MIA from xanga.  I almost feel foreign to this place and I am sorry I haven’t been able to keep up with everyone lately.  I have been pretty busy with many external things in life.  Still got my 8-5 job of course and been making efforts on the business end of things to build my photography business and have just not been around much to post.  It’s definitely been great so far but still a struggle here and there.  I am very excited about this up and coming year and I’ll definitely be back rolling away at what I love and do best.  Wedding season is just about here and so is my first wedding for 2008 this March.  Senior portaits are this weekend and so forth.  I have been want more and more to expand my creativity with other venues of photography but just haven’t had the time.  I have some cool news too.  Opening a small studio/office in Davis so I am thrilled about that.  I will talk more about that later and Ill post photos some other time to show you how it looks before and after. =)  This is a very exciting time for me but at the same time I am very blessed to have been hooked up with a nice place at a excellent excellent price.  Anyways, I’ll be on 5th street =)  I am setting new goals for myself and making sure I blog is one of them.  Its probably one of the most enjoyable things I do but sadly I can’t always get around to working on one.  But I promise to be more consistent.  Thank for always supporting me everyone.  2008 is rockin, the weather is getting warmer and the daylight is hanging around longer.  My kind of days! =)  Pardon my composition for landscape photography haha.

So I spend the weekend at what I would call the ultimate house for a bride to get ready in before her wedding day.  I visited some family in Nevada City  a few weekends ago and to my amazment there were like 80 something odd windows in the house and seeing the light shine through them is truly amazing.  The real task would be cleaning these puppies.  To put the house into perspective, think of it as one of those doll houses kids used to play with from the 50s.  Where there are like 3 floors, thats right three floors and I slept on the third floor.  The most amazing thing about the house aside from the windows in the specially and structurally engineered staircase to the 2nd and 3rd floor.  Simply a unique and creative construction and to me challenges some house physics and dynamics since it seems like the stairs just float to the top of the house.  I had such a wonderful time with family and I am truly blessed by each of them.  If you follow my blog regularly you’ll know I always share a lot of about my family.  I love them so very much and its great to know I have so much support.  Extremely blessed to have you all in my life. 

WHO LOVES 80s MUSIC?  I DO =)

Thanks For Reading.

Cheers,
Steve

Currently listening to…

Hey Future Brides!!!!!!!

Hey 2008 & 2009 brides.  Looking for great travel packages to book your honeymoon with everything you want?  Hawaii, Fiji, Mexico…you name it, book it with hotel, flight plans whatever you need I got just the thing for you.  Awesome site to book your next travel plans and especially convenient for couples.  To find out more visit… www.tourtothemax.com  I’m booking my next travel plans here!  

Here is the honeymoon registry information.

Steps for Honeymoon Registry:
STEP 1: visit www.tourtothemax.com
STEP 2: click on the Extras tab
STEP 3: click on the Honeymoon Registries box
STEP 4: sign up at the bottom of the page and register to where your honeymoon location is
STEP 5: select what you would like to register for your honeymoon (spa treatment, dinner for two, tour, shows, etc)
STEP 6: print out the registry page for your invitations.
STEP 7: Sit, Back, Relax, and let tourtothemax take care of your honeymoon needs!!!

FOR SALE:
Canon 30D
Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5
PM me for price

Anyone have any experience with the Tamaron 14mm wide angle.  I am thinking about this lens for sometime now and just don’t think the Canon 14mm lens is worth 2k.  Let me know your thoughts

DKC Youth Group Winter Retreat 2008
Backwards & Forward

Meet the worship team better known as “Evergreen”
This group of artist all have an amazing talent but above all their gifts they do it all to glorify God and bless others. 

Music, laughter and good company are a few things at their very core that help us move forward through this journey we call life.  Through the motions of life we find many times our lives just seem to be going backwards and at moments we move forward.  May time when we feel like we are moving backwards we begin to dwell on our problems, failures and struggles.  It’s natural for a human being to do so and moving forward just doesn’t seem to be happening.  Most of us fear failure and often time once we experience that pain through failure we hardly want to face it.  There are some days where we feel like we just want to throw in the towel and call it quits.  However, I am here to encourage you today embrace your failures and move forward.  The greatest thing about the Christian faith is that we always have something to look forward to.  Our life doesn’t end here at earth.  I remember Gandof from Lord of the rings said that “death is merely a path one must take to the place greater than this place.”  (don’t quote me 100% on that one hehe). 

Most of the world views failure as always being negative.  And in some sense it really does seem that way at the moment and few of us rarely ask ourselves what is the purpose in all this.  For the first session at the retreat we took a look at Joseph’s life.  (Genesis 45:3-8).  The amazing thing about Joseph was he was able to see God’s divine plan beyond what his brothers had done to him in the past.  I found that to be the most profound thing about Joseph’s character.  I’d go into the story of Joseph here but this post would be longer than you probably want it to be haha.  To summarize…we learned 5 solid reasons God allows suffering.

1. Develop Character
2. Discipline for sin to produce a life of righteousness
3. Prepare us to comfort others who go through suffering
4. Provide opportunity to advance the gospel
5. To follow Christ’s example and to show others His glory. 

These are so inspiring and they help me move forward to the Lord’s greater purpose in life for us.  Be refined by your experiences, Trust in God and NOT what the world wagers.  When you fail…listen to God’s truth.  Set your eyes on the Cross and instead of focusing on your failure; focus on God’s Grace, Love and Mercy.  May your week be abundantly blessed. 

Thanks For Reading – Steve

Here is a quick slide show I put together for them.  Enjoy! 

MLK Weekend = Good Times

Joe & Caitleen
Pleasanton, CA

***photos for Junshien Wedding & Portraits***

Real quick update.  I’ve been pretty busy lately and I’ve only edited a handful here from this wedding I did with Junshien.  Man my schedule these days just don’t seem to slow down much but I’m not complaining.  MLK weekend was a hit, I’ll have photos from that.  Snow boarding is awesome and I can’t wait to go again with all that fresh powder we are getting.  Who is down?  Let me know, cuz I want to plan another snow boarding trip.  This past weekend was spent at Camp Alta for our annual youth group retreat.  It was an amazing time but most of all to see the passion many of these young kids have for God is truly inspiring.  I got to met the cool worship team who happens to be a band too.  They are called Evergreen and I hope to do a photo shoot for them sometime when the weather gets warmer.  Never the less God really moved in the hearts of the youth that weekend and I witnessed someone committing their life to Jesus.  Just awesome.  I will update on the retreat in detail later on.  I have a lot to share.  Just an amazing time.  Well, I’m keeping this one short.  I hope you are all having a blessed week.  Stay tuned for some tahoe and snow ball fight pics haha.  Sorry for such a small series of photos! 

Cheers,
Steve

Jack & Karen
***Images for Junshien Wedding & Portraits***

Wow its only my second post of 2008 0_0  I trust you all partied your hearts out to kick off 2008.  Sorry I about being MIA for so long.  I’ve been pretty busy juggling various things lately (work, photography of course, wedding album and portfolio designs) but I’m finally managing to load up a small handful from Jack & Karen’s wedding.  This was definitely a beautiful wedding and you know the best part about their day had to be the way their reception was laid out.  It had to be the most chillest and easy going reception with ample amounts of space to shuffle around without running into other guest.  Granted it was in a huge auditorium it was really nicely laid out and I especially enjoyed how they had drinks and appetizers for guest to eat while waiting for the wedding party to make their grand entry.  Never the less, the food was great, we partied hard and snapped some good memories of their day.  Blessing to you both Jack and Karen!

Food For Thought

***below is a summary/excerpt from Pastor Danny at church this past Sunday***

Aside from the powerful Words from God I love the title…”A Life of Simplicity”  – the way our lives should be =) 

References to Matthew 6:1-8 & 1 Peter

-Jesus’ answer to the complicated life I found out was…”come and follow me.” 
-Living a life of transformation is the essence of our Hope
-The beauty of following Jesus is we are always looking forward to what is ahead! (I like this one)

What is the answer to the simple life?  Well its quite simple but difficult at the same time.
(1) Come and follow Him
(2) Disciplines to become more Christ like – building a habit or routine to adopt a life that center Christ in our lives.  How? Discipline in Listening to God or in other words reading His word and Praying (talking to God). 

What is our problem?
-Well the problem for many of us often lies in our spiritual disciplines.  Our worship during the week doesn’t always reflect God.  We get out daily bread from just Sunday service, church youth group or something to remind us that God is there.  We have so much clutter in our lives that we can often block the author and perfecter of our faith. 

-It’s pretty apparent that our generation is about doing it “my way” or the highway but really how often is it Gods way?  In 1 Peter, it says “cast your burdens at the feet of Jesus and take up my (Jesus’) yolk for it is lighter” – We were never meant to carry our burdens.  MEN WERE DESIGNED TO BE DEPENDENT ON GOD.  But who lives that when you live in a nation thats always Pro individualism?  Struggle for me, most definitely because I like being independent.  I relearned, yes relearned.  I feel like a idiot so many time because I always forget God’s promises and the very truths I’ve known to be true.  Relinquishing our will and taking on God’s will is found in the very act/decision to take God’s yolk and give Him ours. 

The call to a simple life is simple but not easy.  Can that coexist? Sounds funny but if you’re anything like me, I have to rid so much clutter in my life.  I don’t know if you even got to this point to read my post but I appreciate it and I hope this sermon that blessed me will bless you this week too.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Steve

Keiko | Kihana | Kimiko

What can I say…but I am a proud uncle to these three girls! =)  Technically they are my cousins but they are so much younger than me so I tell them I am their uncle hahahaha.  Anyways, over the holidays my aunt wanted me to capture a few shots of the girls especially since their schedules are becoming more complicated for each girls its really hard to get photographs of them for memory purposes.  Anyways, we had tons of fun as usual.  I love doing photographs for kids because of their free spirit.  Children almost define the concept of experience photography for me simply because their expressions are for the most part priceless and more true.  Meanwhile I was able to capture a good portrait of my aunt!  =)  The last photo is Kihana and I’ll tell you that girl is a magnet to my camera.  She is simply irresistible.  She has a personality totally of her own.  Above all…props to my uncle for holding it down with four ladies haha.  Now I can only imagine what life will be like for him once these girl reach college age haha.  On that note, I think it would be interesting if I had three girls of my own haha.  Now before you laugh I actually think I could handle them but then again I doubt I know what I would be getting myself into haha.  Well leave that to when that time comes haha. 

I hope everyone here had a sweet action Christmas and a great time bringing in the new year.  Where did 2007 go?  2007 has been a landmark in my life time and quite frankly one of the best years of my life.  I’ve traveled to about 8 states this year and three countries.  Paris being the single most memorable event of 2007.  Paris people…we will reconnect one day again.  Scott…you rock man!  I’ve embarked on a life style I never knew could be so obtainable if you go after your dreams.  I’ve met some of the most incredible people from all over the world.  Learn so much about myself, life, people and have obtained a greater appreciation for every single blessing in my life.  I have some of the greatest friends and family in the world and through their support have found my passion and aspirations in life.  These people continue to influence me, challenge me, grow with me and most importantly share their lives with me.  Sharing life together is what I absolutely love and to the people who impact my life (you know who you are ) you have enriched my life beyond my dreams this year.  I know 2008 is going to kick some major booty and I can’t wait to be a part of it.  2008 is going to rock the socks off your feet ya’ll.  Don’t let another moment go by…Live While You Live.  Work hard, play hard, laugh endlessly, love unconditionally and don’t just live.  Live your dreams! 

Stay tuned for a couple winter weddings I did with the notorious Junshien. =) 

Current doings:  Working on wedding albums, portfolios books for clients

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,
Steve

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas this holiday season.  I hope your tree is full of presents, homes are filled with family and friends and most importantly to remember the reason why we celebrate this very season.  Jesus Christ…the greatest gift to mankind.  Many blessings to you all this holiday season.

Blessed,
Steve

pk |  photo shoot

So I had the pleasure of doing photographs for my sister’s friend PK.  He needed some photos that could give his portfolio a little more edge and I hope I did just that.  Might I add he does have good style and taste in fashion.  I really enjoy shoots where you don’t exactly know where to shoot and you sort of figure things out along the way haha.  Makes things more interesting I think just as long as your client is ok with that haha.   Well hope you enjoy the selected bunch and I hope you’re all ready for Christmas because I am.  Well, sort of I still have one more person on my list and I think I’ll be set. 

I still can’t believe Christmas is only a week away.  I felt like I just had Thanksgiving.  It’s one of those things where as you get older time just seems to go by a lot in a blink of an eye.  The cool part is we are finally getting some rain here in Cali which means SNOW!  Woohoo!  Who wants to go snow boarding?  =) 

Hope you all have a splendid week!

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Steve

Without Further Ado…

www.stephenanthonyphoto.com