I’m so happy to announce that the FREE TO CREATE workshop is a go. This is going to be a relaxed, hands-on workshop where the main focus is on pushing our art past our boundaries and trying something new. Let’s face it; we tend to revert to our comfort zone and natural tendencies when things are in a pinch. But what if you had a day, a bride, a camera with no requirements, no need to create a product, and no pressure? What would that look like? What if you had an opportunity to think out of the box? What if you were completely and entirely Free to Create

I will be starting the workshop off with a seminar on off camera lighting and creating your own light when natural light fails. In the year we have transitioned to using strobes and our Octobox, our images have not only gotten better, but our editing time has decreased drastically.

The phenomenal RJ Kern  and Ross Bothwell will also be joining us with a special presentation. It’s going to be worth it!

We will meet at 2:00pm at Hot Java Coffee House in Sterling, Colorado. 118 N 2nd Street, Sterling Colorado. We will leave for the Sugar Beet Factory at 2:15 and we will shoot till 10:00 pm.

Session 1: Create Light – Off Camera Lighting for anyone

• Let’s face it, we all love natural light. It’s beautiful, flattering, and above all else, free! But what if the bride’s photos fall at noon with no shade and an ugly church? What if there are no natural reflectors nearby? What if? We hate what if’s.   This segment will be a great intro to photographers who hesitate to use off camera flash to those experts who want to try a few new ideas.  It will cover basic equipment, balancing ambient light with strobes, overpowering the sun, and making your own light when all else fails.  Scott Stebner, Stebner Studio, will be sharing what he has learned over the last 6 months that he has switched to using Strobes, how it has benefited him and his workflow, and some basic getting started tips. Even advanced photographers will enjoy the challenges of trying something completely new with off camera lighting.

Session 2: It’s Ok to be a Poser – Unique Posing

• Many times weddings are busy, seniors run out of time, and we stick with the same posing we are comfortable with….the same posing we have always done. This section of the workshop will challenge us to think outside the box while still adhering to what makes our clients look good. This will be a round table discussion of what we find works well and how we communicate with brides or models to pose how we want and break down those comfort and awkward barriers for every bride. Every Bride can feel like they are on America’s Next Top Model if we direct them appropriately.

Session 3: Free to Be – A time of uninterrupted, unhindered creativity

•  What if you had 5 minutes….just five minutes to do something completely different. Yes, it might fail miserably in terms of creating a photograph, but you will excel overwhelmingly in trying something new.  In This mini-session, RJ Kern, Kern-Photo, will be sharing about the creative process and just how important it is as artists (forget businessmen) to continually try to branch out and create something new, fresh, and you.

Session 4: Night Portraits

Contact us as scott@stebnerphotography.com or 408-440-6281 for more information if you would like to attend.

We love sitting down with brides and helping them plan their wedding schedule to help ease any stress of the day and make sure we get them a rockin’ set of images that they will love in the time allowed. Even if you’ve hired an event planner for the day or your venue has a timeline, we still like sitting down with brides and educating them about the photographic process of their big day. We like helping…it’s kinda our thing. And you’re probably reading this because you’re a trendsetter. You like doing new things…an out with the old and in with the new type right?

The reality is, no matter how much planning goes into the day, it does get a little stressful. We do our best to take away that stress, but some amount will still remain. You will look beautiful.  We’ll be relaxed, you’ll be relaxed. You’ll walk down the aisle, say your vows, kiss, and be announced, and start your story. You will love your photos. You will have the best day of your life!

While the guests are off at the reception, you’re taking your family photos, wedding party, and most importantly, photos of you and your new husband. Trust us, they’ll be awesome. You’ll look awesome. They’ll go quickly.  They’ll be fun. But is there a different way? One that might be a little less stressful, more intimate, and gets you to the party quickly all while getting great images that you will treasure for your entire life?  Many call it the “First Look”

What on earth is a First Look?

Simply, it’s a time set up BEFORE the ceremony for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time in an intimate, private setting without guests, wedding parties, relatives, or anyone else. It’s just you and the love of your life on your wedding day.  . Wait one second….Isn’t that bad luck? Nope. Unless you’re the type that avoids black cats like the plague and under no circumstance walk under latters. As photographers we stand back and don’t interfere, but take some photos along the way to really document the intimate moments. Usually they are some of the bride and groom’s most precious photographs. They are definitely some of ours!

Intimate

So why even consider a first look instead of stick to tradition? We touched a little on the first one, but the intimacy factor is nothing short of special. I’ll be honest. Alyssa and I chose the traditional route. I remember when Alyssa walked down the aisle. I was mesmerized at her beauty. But I couldn’t shout it from the roof tops, give her the biggest of hugs, a gentle kiss, or embrace her because we had a crowd of a hundred people watching.  I am not saying what we experienced was anything short of amazing, but if I could do it over again, I would have chosen an intimate and private setting to see the love of my life and have a moment to truly soak it in without the feeling of being rushed. To cry a little, to laugh, to love.  I would have chosen the first look.

Less Stress

We also notice a difference in the stress of the wedding day. We usually recommend the first look to happen an hour to an hour and a half prior to the wedding. After you see your groom, honestly, all the stress from the day is going to be melted away. The reality that you are getting married will be all that matters, and you’ll find your stress diminishing leading up to the giving of your vows. Afterwards, you won’t be worrying about getting back to your guests while taking pictures…THEY’LL ALREADY BE DONE! Party time!!!

Partay!!!

And lastly, it gives a non-rushed atmosphere to truly enjoy your photographs and work with us in a non-stressful, open time frame that will maximize the number of intimate, creative, and awesome images of a beautiful bride and groom. Hey, that’s you!

We highly recommend the first look, but it’s not a requirement. We just want you to enjoy your day and absolutely fall in love with your images from the day. If you choose not to, that’s cool, we’ll get amazing images and you’ll be beautiful.

The images below just burst with intimacy. Haley and Daniel opted for a first look for their North Eastern Colorado Wedding and the results were no less than amazing! We chose an old abandoned creek bed near where Haley was getting married for the intimate encounter. No one was around, it was awesome! But just as important as awesome images, they were relaxed and deeply enjoyed the intimate moments they were able to share and how quickly they got to their reception. You can view their fashionable wedding HERE

Contact Us! 408-440-6281

Scott and Alyssa are Denver Wedding photographers based out of Sterling, Colorado. We offer high energy fashionable wedding photography to brides throughout Colorado and the U.S.

These two are seriously a couple after my own heart. After inviting me to their rehearsal dinner, they gave Alyssa and me a bottle of nice Riesling wine (which we are enjoying at the moment). Crystal and Andy had a beautiful wedding in the small country town of Sterling, Colorado surrounded by a beautiful church, family, and great friends.

Congrats to the two of you, and enjoy your East Coast Honeymoon!

Yup, we braved the Polka Line….several times….

Get in Touch With Us: 408-440-6281

Scott Stebner and Alyssa Stebner are Denver Wedding Photographers based out of Sterling, Colorado.

A Beautiful Venue, skies, and couple made this a perfect summer wedding in the mountains of Colorado. Congratulations Jen and Keith on your beautiful Arrowhead Golf Club Wedding

We’ve known Miriam for a little over two years now and have truly appreciated her positive, upbeat attitude. Alyssa and Miriam worked together at Starbucks, and I would have the privilege of listening to their stories occasionally.  I immediately knew that if she ever got engaged, I wanted to photograph their wedding.

Fast forward a few years and Miriam and Chris shared their vows at the Stonebrook Manner in Denver, Colorado. I loved the meaning and symbolism behind their wedding and their commitment to one another.

Chris and Miriam, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day.

Those little moments between family are what makes life special.

Miriam’s father finished what was probably the best effort at YMCA I’ve ever seen. Good job.

Dress: David’s Bridal

Venue, Catering, and Cake: Stonebrook Manor

DJ: DJ GUYS

Photography: Stebner Photography

Scott Stebner is a Denver Wedding Photographer based out of Sterling, Colorado.  Stebner Photography is available throughout Colorado, California, and available for destination weddings as well. You can view his portfolio HERE

I’m a busy body…no doubt about it. I love working. Give me a project, and I’m in heaven. I guess I’ve always been that way, but with that comes the incredible need to consciously slow down at times, and that is something I’m definitely no good at.

On our recent trip to California, we joined my family at the famous Farmers Market in Solvang, California to buy some produce and relax in small town coastal living. Beautiful fruits, vegetables, flowers, and goods were all over the street, but something about this man’s collection of berries intrigued me.

Enjoy the simple.

Whew, we have 3 weddings in the next 3 weeks, so I’ve really been making an effort to blog some more of our personal stuff before we get super busy again. It’s also been a huge goal of mine this year to blog a little bit about us, our lives, and our adventures – not in a narcissistic way, but just for casual fun.

Alyssa and I had such an amazing time hanging out with great friends in San Diego’s Gas Lamp District, viewing incredible art galleries, and having some awesome, authentic Mexican food! YUM! But one thing I really, really wanted to do was go to the county fair. So we braved the lines, the ticket booths, and the carnies (that might have been the scariest part) and had a blast. We stopped at the swing carousel and looked up into the steadily darkening sky. The kids swinging around were loving it – some were terrified and screaming for their moms – but for the most part, the kids were loving it. This image just reminded me of those moments of youth and that it is still OK to be a child again.

Then we did something I never thought I’d do again….visit a California Mission. You see, when I was in first grade, my mother (an elementary school teacher) decided it would be a great educational experience to spend our summer visiting every historic mission from San Diego up to the Oregon border….now that may seem fascinating to many, but to my first grade emotions and limited attention span, this was perhaps the most boring and terrifying experience ever. My enthusiasm for these visits grew so much that I would just see a sign for a mission and would ready my best 5 year old tantrum I could muster….to no avail.

Well I braved the missions again. But this time, there was something different that would have made my trip so much better as a 5 year old…GHOSTS!!! Well, kinda. The Travel Channel’s Paranormal Challenge was filming at the mission the day we arrived.  We did notice some pretty interesting behavior….or it could have been my mom tapping her foot on the table…either one.

Sadly, we had to leave San Diego and our vacation, but we really wanted to make it a point not to rush our trip and just enjoy the sites along the way. We stopped by Calico Ghost town on a blistering hot day.

I was so happy we were able to fit a shoot in while we were vacationing on the Central Coast of California.

Clemente has been a long time friend of mine that I have known for years. Thank you for being such an incredible family to work with. Your daughter is precious.

The streets were starting to fill with water and traffic soon came to a halt on the highway. We had no choice but to pull our car to the side of the road and find shelter underneath an aging barn, battered by the elements but still gracious in its offer of shelter and refuge to my family. As we huddled together underneath the eaves watching the hail pound down all around us, the sky erupted into a magnificent display of light and energy throwing booms in all directions across the gently rolling landscape. That was it. That stormy afternoon in New Mexico made me fall in love with lightening and thunder. The problem was, I lived in California and rarely got lightening….let alone rain….or clouds….

But since moving to Colorado lightning is a regular occurrence and I’ve decided to not let these opportunities go to waste. Camera by my side, my American Eskimo in the passenger seat, we headed out to chase the tail end of the storms that make the normally mundane plains a beautiful place to live.

I’m proud to announce that we will be selling a limited amount of these images. Please inquire at scott@stebnerphotography.com for more information.

Scott and Alyssa Stebner are Denver Wedding Photographers and Sterling Wedding Photographers available for weddings, senior portraits, and family portraits. To view their portfolio, click HERE

Alyssa was able to make me do something I haven’t done in years…..VACATION!!! We headed out to the Central Coast Wine Country of Santa Ynez, CA. Since Alyssa is a Kansas girl and had never been to a vineyard before (my favorite), we decided to go wine tasting at some of the local wineries.

A quick stop by “Gum Alley” in San Luis Obispo.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch….which we didn’t know our anniversary is the anniversary of his death….still don’t know what to think about that.

And a shout out to the best coffee we had on vacation at Santa Barbara’s French Press. Great work guys.