Stephen A. Dantzig

I am a dreamer with a sound foundation. I love photography and I enjoy writing about it and teaching it. I am happiest when working behind a camera. My friends would describe me as a very caring person who is not afraid to get to the heart of a problem. I take risks when needed and have a drive to succeed. I have a physical disability--cerebral palsy, and I use two canes to get around. However, this has never held me back and my accomplishments have surprised many people. I have rolled around on snow covered slopes [I'm not really sure you would call it "skiing!"] and explored the seas with a scuba tank strapped on. I have dragged many pounds of camera gear down ridiculous cliffs and stairs just to get "the shot." I have written five books [one in psychology and four on photography]. I have a great deal of passion about the things that are important to me. My interests outside of photography and education involve a study of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. I was born and raised in New York, and while I love being a "New Yorker," Polynesia presents such a fascinating and beautiful contrast. I am truly relaxed watching a young lady tell her story through the hula.

Official Bio: Stephen Dantzig is a nationally renowned lighting expert and author of Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography for Film and Digital Photographers, Mastering Lighting Techniques for Outdoor and Location Digital Portrait Photography and Softbox Lighting Techniques for Professional Photographers (Amherst Media). His fourth book for Amherst Media, Portrait Lighting for Digital Photographers: The Basics and Beyond is set for a November 2009 release. He has written more than sixty articles and lessons on photographic lighting and ethics. He is a frequent contributor to RANGEFINDER Magazine and his lessons have appeared in Professional Photographer Magazine, PC Photo Magazine, Studio Photography and Design, ProPhoto West, ShootSmarter.com, ProPhotoResource.com, the Photoflex Web Photo School. His work has appeared on more than 22 magazine covers including local, regional and national markets. Some of his published works have appeared in the Amherst Media's Portrait Photographer's Handbook, Group Portrait Photography Handbook, The Best of Portraiture, The Best of Photographic Lighting (First and Second Editions), Lighting and Posing Techniques for Photographing Women, Professional Portrait Lighting Techniques and Images from Master Photographers, 500 Poses for Photographing Women, and Rangefinder's Professional Photography This Week Magazine (Hawaii), Pleasant Hawaii Magazine, Doll Reader, Metropolitan Home, Studio City Lifestyles Magazine, Santa Clarita Valley Living, and The Los Angeles Times. Stephen is a twenty-one time Award of Merit recipient from the Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County and has received two Awards of Merit from The Professional Photographers of Hawaii. His specialties include fashion, beauty and corporate photography. Commercial clients in Hawaii include: United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii; Mr. Brickwood Galuteria; Miss Raeceen Woolford (Miss Hawaii 2009), Mrs. Alicia Jones (Miss Hawaii USA 2003); several past and current Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii USA preliminary title holders and Miss Hawaii Teen/Miss Hawaii Teen USA preliminary title and title holders. Stephen also holds a Doctor of Psychology degree from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. He now works, teaches and resides in Honolulu, HI.