Dan Stewart Photography » My everyday life

The Best of Mike Murphy & Dan Stewart

Dan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:29:29 +0000

It’s hard to believe that yet another season of weddings has officially passed. Though this pass season was filled with many great moments shared with wonderful couples, there is a member of my team that I will miss greatly, Mr. Michael Murphy IV. Let me give you a little background on Mike. Last year at Paul & Nikki’s wedding, Mike approached Matt and I, and started to talk to us about wedding photography. I told him that I offer an internship every year that if he were interested, he should apply for it. Then I told him to scram because I had work to do. Several months later, Mike contacted me expressing his interest in the internship, he applied and by golly he got it!

Though out the season Mike always had a eagerness to learn. He was constantly asking questions and trying new things. I would always have tasks for him to do and he would always do them without hesitation. The prefect example was the time I told him to dance with Mother of the Bride because the groom went missing. Ok that didn’t really happen, but if it did, Mike wouldn’t hesitate, he did whatever it took because he was a team player.

It’s amazing to see how much Mike has grown as a photographer through out the season. I’m going to miss having him around, but he is off to bigger and better things. Though I’m losing Mike as a photographer, I’ve gained him as a friend. Go get em’ Mikey!

Below are some photos from this passed season that Mike and I would take of each other. Most of the time I would ask Mike to stand somewhere to test my lighting, I wouldn’t ask him to make goofy faces, that’s just Mike for ya. You will also see some photos of Liz, my Motion Booth operator.

Vacation to Los Cabos & California

Dan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:20:38 +0000

About a month ago, Liz and I took a much needed vacation to California and Los Cabos, Mexico. I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun we had, so I am hoping the photos give it justice.

First we flew into California to see our family. During our stay we went to see my younger brothers, Harrison and Taylor play football (they both won their games), we went to the Long Beach Aquarium and downtown San Diego. The trip was short but it was great seeing everyone again.

Next stop, Los Cabos Mexico. We’ve been to Mexico before and it was fun, but this time was especially great because of all the excursions we went on. We swam with the dolphins, when on a dune bugie tour through the mountains of Mexico and we went Charter Fishing and caught 4 Mahi Mahi, which our resort cooked and prepared for us. It was great to relax by the pool and stare out into the ocean. We’ll definitely be going back, who wants to come with us!

***A little tech note, all these photos were taken with my iPhone 4S and edited in Instagram.

Los Cabos, Mexico

Vacation

Dan — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:36:06 +0000

I’m taking Liz on a well deserved vacation. This is what I plan on doing the entire time. Feel free to follow our trip on Twitter.

Isaiah “Destry” Korson – I have a nephew!

Dan — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:42:34 +0000

Around 7:30AM, Liz and I were getting ready to head down to Bay City for Alex & Becca’s wedding when we got the call. “TAFFY IS HAVING THE BABY!”, is all I heard as I was about to get into the shower. I ran down to the bedroom where Liz was talking to her mom and receiving the news. All day we were so excited to be able to come home to a new addition to our family.

Driving down I-75, Doris delivered the good news that Liz and I had a nephew, Isaiah “Destry” Korson. Some of you might remember the little scare we had with Inga Jane so we were happy to hear that Destry and Taffy were doing well.

Baby details: Born May 14, 2011 at 8:19AM in Traverse City, MI. Weights 7 lbs 8oz and he is 20 inches long. Tabitha was in the hospital for 20 before she had the baby. Mom and baby are healthy and went home the next day.

FREE Mentor Session!

Dan — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:00:30 +0000

I know this is kind of a late notice to be putting this on the blog, but I have been running a competition for about a week now and the prize is a FREE mentor session with me. All you have to do is submit your best camera phone photo. To see more of the rules and enter your photo, check out the link below.

http://bit.ly/fgZp1J

Here are some of my favorite photos from my iPhone:

Las Vegas – WPPI Conference

Dan — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:11:04 +0000

Last week I flew into Las Vegas to attend a photography conference. It was an awesome experience and I met some great people. I’ll explain more details in the captions of the photos so be sure to scroll down. *Photos were captured by Canon 5D Mark II and iPhone 4

Rolling into Vegas. iPhone 4

View on the way to the Hoover Dam. Canon 5D Mark II TS-E 45mm f/2.8

Statue at the Hoover Dam. Canon 5D Mark II TS-E 45mm f/2.8

Red Rock Canyon. After this kid spotted me taking a photo of him, he gave me the bird then said “In your faces!” Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

Hoover Dam. Kind of scary looking down, felt a little sick. Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

Red Rock Canyon. Quite the view! Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

Derek and Kristin on the left at the Hoover Dam. Bryan and Mae on the right in the desert during sunrise. Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

Riding the bus on our way to church. iPhone 4

After church, on our way to Buffalo Exchange for some shopping. iPhone 4

PARIS! iPhone 4

On the streets of Vegas to see bobbi+mike. iPhone 4

Lights in the bathroom. iPhone 4

Airplanes and Blazers party at the Rio. iPhone 4

“We Bring the Sun” Party. Basically we got on a bus, not knowing where we were going, ended up in the desert to watch the sunrise and listing to some music. Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

Jesh de Rox playing a set. Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

The buses that brought us to the desert. The drivers probably thought we were crazy! Canon 5D Mark II 35mm f/1.4

On the phone. Canon 5D Mark II TS-E 24mm f/3.5L

View of Vegas from the Junebug party suite at the MGM. iPhone 4

MGM. iPhone 4

What I had to look forward to when I got home. iPhone 4

A pit stop in Nashville

Dan — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:24:12 +0000

On my way to Las Vegas for the WPPI conference, I volunteer my seat not once, but twice and ended up having a ten hour layover in Nashville. I know, it sounds pretty ridiculous to give up my seat and have to wait ten hours for the next flight to Vegas. However I received two plane vouchers for $300 each and Southwest refunded my original plane tickets. SCORE! Plus I had the opportunity to hang out in Tootsies bar and listen to some live music and then hang out with Adam Percy for a few hours, it is was AWESOME! Probably the best layover ever!

My Amazing Wife

Dan — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:24:57 +0000

On this day we celebrate love I think about all the great times Liz and I shared this past year. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing best friend and love this girl more and more each day.

Traverse City, MI Music Video – Jetty Rae “Forget me not”

Dan — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:12:47 +0000

Way back in November a music video was created for Jetty Rae, now I would like to present to you the results. Please enjoy this video in 1080p, the experience is that much greater…

Check out Jetty Rae on iTunes or Amazon.com

Merry Christmas!

Dan — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:21:23 +0000

“And she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21. May all of you have a wonderful Christmas. God bless!