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About Dustin
Dustin Steller, owner and creative director for Five Loaves Creative and Steller Photography, is passionate about life and strives to capture the beauty of life's most important moments in an enduring way. He is a seasoned photographer, professional designer, and creative jack-of-all-trades. Dustin's fun, friendly, energetic, humorous, flexible and approachable personality makes him a favorite of clients. Dustin and his wife, Carrie, have two vibrant red-headed daughters and a puppy.
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Five Loaves Creative
Dustin owns/operates this small, creative design firm specializing in print and web design for high-end clients.
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Steller Photography
An artistic photography boutique for weddings, portraits and stock.
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Baldology
A partnership with another bald guy producing custom web design for photographers. New site coming soon!
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Cool stuff for the pro photographers, like presets, actions and apparel. New site coming soon!
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January 6, 2009

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This blog is the source for the latest info about Steller Photography based in Kansas City, MO, primarily shooting artistic weddings and senior portraits.

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Distractions

Category: Engagements

Jan
24
Filed Under:
Engagements

Blake+Jennifer Engagement

Kissing Couple

Wow. Sorry for the long break, my ever-so-faithful followers! Have you missed me? …I am dreading the continuance of cold weather, as it puts a damper on shooting outdoors, so I don’t have as much to blog, but I have had the occasion to shoot a couple of times and I look forward to sharing with you.

On another really awesome note…there are some major surprises in store for my fellow photographers and my clients…it’s coming soon! Can you guess what it is? Stay tuned!

I am so excited for you to meet this couple! We shot down on the Plaza when it was a heat wave (something like 45 degree F). Blake and Jennifer are getting married this September 27 at Renee Kelly’s at Caenen Castle! How cool is that? They were fun to spend a few hours with, just getting to know one another, and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding!

Jennifer, keep hanging on! The wedding is not too far away!

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They are so wrapped up in each other. It’s cute.

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Awwww….pretty couple.

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Together…forever.

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I loved the texture from their jeans and coats. Jennifer has the coolest coats.

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Hot, hot, hot!

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Window shopping anyone?

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At least it was warm inside…They got to thaw out a bit, while I froze my fingers.

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His sweater is pretty cool…Classic, but cool. My little sister, whom I will post some photos of this week, bought me a sweater like that for Christmas.

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Parking garages are fun. I didn’t have any other external lights with me, so I just used the darned fluorescents on the ceiling.

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Shoe shopping never was much fun for guys…unless you are with the one you love…and you are really NOT looking at shoes. Then it might be fun!

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She is going to be a gorgeous bride. Mark my words!

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Sultry! Look at the painting in the window. It looks like they are on the beach!

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Shot through two windows at the corner of a building. Kinda cool, huh?

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Whoa! Blue eyes!

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Smoking!

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We finally warmed things up at Starbucks with good conversation and hot coffee.

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Toggle comments (9 Comments so far. Add your comment!)

  1. marianofriginal

    beautiful stuff!!!!

  2. Dennis

    Good stuff as usual. I really like the textures you used on a few of thos adn the images through glass are a great concept.

  3. Rachel Gardner

    Hey,
    I love the shots of blake and jennifer. totally amazing. I really like the textures. Very cool.

  4. boone

    wow, those are seriously great! i especially like the reflection of them kissing shot and the shot three images below. so great. you’ve got a great eye.

  5. Shannnon Sewell

    Yay! Dustin is back :) I was wondering what you’ve been up to! Brilliant as always…

    ~S

  6. mari

    Dude, these are freaking hawt. LOVE them. Fabulous work yo! ;)

  7. Ryan

    It’s about time for a Steller update! Great work as usual, my friend.

  8. ashley parsons

    dustin, you rocked this shoot - I loved how you took a very over-shot area of town and make it look new - great work here!

  9. ashley parsons

    it was great to meet you - thank you, thank you, thank you for your kindness and outpouring of compliments - you truly rock!!!

Add Your Own Comment. Don't Be Shy.






Nov
8
Filed Under:
Engagements Photography

Decisions, Decisions: Caycee

I still can’t believe Caycee braved climbing into that clunker of a truck, but the photo came out pretty cool, I think, but I need your help. Which do you like better?

Number One?

Caycee Number One

OR

Number Two?

Caycee Number Two

Toggle comments (31 Comments so far. Add your comment!)

  1. DavidM

    Number 1, definitely number 1. Very cool processing on both.

  2. Michelle Moore

    I like #2 because the color image really shows off the texture of the truck & her hair & sweater. It is a very cool image indeed, and both have great processing.

    I just realized it was an engagement session and I get how cool the framing & angle are, I just wish the DOF was less shallow so that I can tell who the guy in the window is.

    Great work on the rest of the site. I love checking in on what you’re up to!!

    Best,

    Michelle

  3. marianofriginal

    both… heheheh ;)

  4. Dustin

    Thanks David.

    Michelle, thank you. I think I like the texture on #2 as well for the photo. It was dusk when i shot it and I was shooting natural light, so i had to crank it pretty wide open (I think f/2). If I reshoot something like that, i am going to use my strobes for some fun. :-)

    Mariano…. :-P :D

  5. heather morrow

    decisions…decisions…if i have to pick i’ll go with color, but both are fantastic!

  6. Jan

    Color and texture for me. It gives the truck that extra gritty look to emphasize that it wasn’t a new truck off the lot…LOVE IT!

  7. Katrina

    Hello,

    I am a big fan of black & white but in this case, number 2 is without doubt stand out more from number 1. So number 2 from me!

  8. Dale Hogan

    Number one. They are both fantastic but I think number one keeps the attention more focused on the model.

  9. Ken Klassy

    Dustin, I like #2 because his face is not just blurred, what ever you did to it is unusual (or maybe I have just not seen it before).

    Great job!

  10. Mark S

    Both are great, but I’m diggin’ number 2! I like the warm colors and the gritty-ness. In number, two my eye is instantly drawn to her face. Great stuff man!

  11. Jason Domingues

    #1 D. My eyes go right to her in that image. When I looked at the 2nd one (which is still amazing) I go right to the lower left hand corner. (red and textured wall of the truck)!

    JD

  12. Luke

    oh gosh… I love both, but I think I would have to choose #1.

  13. Neal

    Number One because her eyes just pop off the image. That mystery is lost in the tone of Number Two. It’s a great image, just not the same emotion.

  14. Kate Mefford

    Numero Uno. I love both, but I am especially drawn to her in #1. GREAT STUFF! By the way, I got my designer to fix that Holla Back button on my blog. Thanks for pointing it out. Miss ya!

  15. bryan

    I like both actually! Love the texture in #2, but over all my choice is…

    #1.

    look at those eyes!

  16. Matthew D.

    Both…

    But if I had to pick, the color one.

  17. Caycee

    So glad I got in that truck even though you two didn’t want me to because I LOVE this shot. What you’ve done to it just makes it look amazing…and thanks to everyone who has said such nice things about our pictures!

  18. Erin

    Number one! And that’s coming from a person who LOVES color!

  19. Rachel

    Both are fantastic, but I can’t get over how amazing those colors are in #2. Truly amazing. It almost looks like a painting! :)

  20. jenniferL

    i like #2. love the grainy feel and texture.

  21. Kerry M.

    They’re both amazing — but I agree with Jason and Kate, it’s numero uno! Her eyes pop and you’re really drawn into her face on that one. Beautiful!

  22. Dewayne Christensen

    I’m with Jason on this one. The side of the truck in the color shot pulls the attention from her face, while in the first, it’s all about the eyes, baby!

  23. Dustin

    This has been fun seeing what you all think! So far, it’s pretty even and I am surprised, as I figured it would sway one way or the other!!

    I think I will do this again. ;-)

  24. Marta Potoczek

    These look stunning. I love the textured one!

  25. kristy

    I am leaning towards #2.

  26. Daniel

    They both are fantastic, but I have to side with #1. My eyes are drawn right in to Caycee’s eyes which is the focal point. The second picture I’m looking more at the lower left of the of the frame at the truck. I love the contrast in #1 and the fabric of the seat looks sharper. Great work all around!!!

  27. Rachel T

    Numero Uno! It draws more attention to her.. .Which is what I believe you’re trying to achieve.

  28. Cheryl

    I have looked at these gorgeous pictures for several days now and have finally decided I like #1 the best of the two. This is coming from someone who is ALL about color. I have to agree it brings Caycee out more in the black and white one, whereas I keep looking at the truck seat in #2.

  29. KellyT

    I know that vivid color and texture are both very in right now, but I love the first version of this photo. Her eyes are just amazing in it and I love the mood set by the b&w. Great job, D. :)

  30. Josh

    Both pictures are amazing, but I think the color shot wins out in the end. I like the reds and tans - they bring the setting to life.

    Good luck choosing!

  31. Ryan

    # 1… Like that one the best hands down.

Add Your Own Comment. Don't Be Shy.






Nov
8
Filed Under:
Engagements Photography

Jon+Caycee Engagement

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What can I say about Jon and Caycee? Vibrant, energetic and hot! They love life and have a very evident affection to each other. Their companionship and commitment to each other is visible in nearly every little action. They laughed together the whole time!

Caycee is the consummate shoe shopper…but then again, what lady isn’t?! Seriously, they have a fun and awesome wardrobe. Jon and Caycee rocked out their engagement session in style. We slammed down to the bottoms by Kemper Arena and shot amidst the haunted house crowds the weekend before Halloween. There were a few different folks around, but that didn’t stop us from getting trains to blare their airhorns at us.

Caycee… Jon… I had an awesome time with you guys and I am totally looking forward to your wedding day. We are going to have a blast!

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Hopping over some mud proved difficult for Miss Shoes, so Mr. Stud just carried her! 0070_jon_caycee.jpg

H O T ! !
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The lime green door at 229 and a half. …and No, that wasn’t our bottle. :-)

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The lime green door…she bought the shoes to match the door. Jon and I both wish we were kidding….we’re not. :D

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This bridge was rad.
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Smoking Passion!

Kissing

Sunset.

Sunset

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I liked the brown sweater…Wish I had one like that. We were both wearing the same jeans, though! I think that is okay if you are a dude and wear the same clothes, but if Caycee and I had the same top on, she might have hurt me.

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Jon…you did a great job picking out that gorgeous ring! Wow!

Caycee

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July 5, baby!
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Yeah, they were nuts.
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Toggle comments (7 Comments so far. Add your comment!)

  1. Michelle Moore

    Great session, I love #2, #6, & #10 the best, especially the processing on 6 & 10!!

    Amazing light in #5 as well.

    -Michelle

  2. marianofriginal

    #4 — OUCH!!! — you always got a good mix man… another fine job by D-Steller.

  3. heather morrow

    wow! i need a minute to scrape my jaw from the floor. this is killer work, dustin! every one of them is just brilliant!

  4. Jan

    What a HOT couple and you rocked them! My fave has got to be the 229.5 shot. The scene, the posing and the PP…sweet!

  5. Matthew D.

    Awesome… Seriously amazing shoot!! Loving it all the way.

  6. Caycee

    Dustin,
    You did an AMAZING job! I have looked at the pictures a zillion times already. We had a complete blast that day and couldn’t have dreamed of ever having a photographer as fun, energetic and talented as you. Thank you for making the day so enjoyable and taking such HOT pictures!!! You never stop impressing me.

  7. mari

    They are all great but that Kiss photo is just stunning. Love it!

Add Your Own Comment. Don't Be Shy.