Stephen Dillon Photography

Photographing people is my favorite thing to do, so it never feels like work. I think this is an important element I bring to any set, especially for clients who may be inexperienced in front of the camera. I'm a leader without being bossy and a seasoned professional without sacrificing fun. I'll guide you through the process, start to finish, to make sure you're prepared and confident for your photoshoot.

You can expect me to be on time and ready to adapt to any scenario, be it inclement weather, tricky lighting situations, time crunches, or even disgruntled guests who may need an attitude adjustment. I'm efficient on set, making sure to get a ton of variety without overshooting, and I love to problem solve should any unforeseen challenges arise. My sessions run smoothly and leave clients with melted anxiety and a huge ego boost.

• Headshot and portrait sessions start at $450/hr and include 25 edits per hour hired.
• Event coverage starts at $350 per hour and includes at least 50 images per hour hired (specifics vary depending on the event, travel radius, duration, and turnaround).
• Wedding packages start at $4000 and are always completely customized depending on your needs.
• I send digital previews via secure Dropbox link within ONE week of your session or event, and you can expect final edits delivered within TWO weeks of your selections. I offer expedited delivery within 48 hours for a $500 rush fee, and additional edits for every shoot at $15 per photo.
• Every session starts with a contract, outlining the photoshoot details and expectations to protect both parties. I want YOU taken care of just as much as myself, and I strive to deliver the best photoshoot experience possible, both on the creative side, and when it comes to business.

I was born and raised in Northern Michigan, and originally found my love of creative expression through home movies, stage plays, stand up comedy, musicals, dance, and choir. I love a good audience and took to performing immediately. Through my theater work, I started to be involved more in the set design and lighting aspects of the stage, dabbling in photography as a young man's hustle during the birth of modern social media. I was also blessed with a built-in client base, as my fellow performers always needed headshots and portfolio updates for audition season. During my sophomore year of high school I was hired at a local photo studio and realized that being a professional photographer was an enduring path to stay involved in all things artistic. The job offered limitless creativity, international travel, a chance to direct fascinating collaborators, and that precious sense of performance I craved, albeit in a much more intimate setting. The hunger for visual storytelling and that deep, immediate connection with my subjects hasn't waned a bit. I feel eternally grateful that my career has allowed me to build a network of fellow creatives from coast to coast, and I legitimately look forward to every photoshoot.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to gear, but that doesn't stop me from being prepared for every possible scenario on set. After 17 years of professional lighting experience, I STILL run into the classic situation of bringing every piece of equipment I own, only to shoot with natural light and a single reflector, depending on the project.

All this to say, I come to every shoot with a compact, yet fully capable mobile studio: strobes, modifiers, stands, and everything else I might need to make your session run smoothly. I'm set up to shoot with or without power, but a heads up on the location's offerings never hurts.