Steve Zmak Photography

Steve Zmak’s style of portraiture seeks to portray people at their best, letting their personalities spill out of them in a positive way. Portraiture is a collaboration between photographer and model. The model will have a vision for their self image, and Zmak will bring out their inner light so they can share it with others, and document who they are at that stage in their life. “It’s not just about capturing physical beauty. It’s about capturing the whole person, a reflection of the soul. Who they are. What makes them laugh. What they feel deeply. What they are called to do. The vision of their potential, and who they will be after they’ve achieved their dream. Larger than life”. Zmak’s friendly personality and sense of humor make photo shoots fun. Models will become relaxed and confident, and it shows in the imagery. Clients can choose a favorite location throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties such as Carmel and Carmel Valley, Salinas and Salinas Valley, Big Sur, Santa Lucia Highlands, Seaside, Marina, Aptos, Capitola, and Moss Landing.

Product photography is a blend between portraiture and still life. Steve Zmak presents subjects at their best. He makes them stand out and grab the attention of their target audiences. He brings an energy, elegance, and sense of humor to his product stylings. How can Zmak make your products outshine their competition. Contact him today to discuss your next product launch. “I like to show off products off in a larger-than-life way, as if they are super heroes taking the stage.”

Steve Zmak has done a number of assignments for California wineries and wine organizations including conceptual photo illustrations for magazine covers, location and studio bottle shots, event coverage, advertising photos, portraits, label and website design, and of course the grapes, vines and vineyard landscape. His photographic imagery goes beyond the literal presentation of a subject to releasing its energy and exposing its inner light in new and unique ways, including his award-winning Lens Painting technique for a painterly effect. Steve Zmak is a longtime member of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association (MCVGA), and many of his photos are used on their website and print publications. Zmak also shoots for the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans and River Road Wine Trail Association, and is a part of the permanent collection of the Monterey County Agricultural Museum. His photography clients include Hahn Family Wines, Scheid Vineyards, De Tierra Vineyards, Joullian Vineyards, Miramont Estate Vineyards, Pessagno Winery, Morgan Winery, Sarah’s Vineyard, Austin Harlow Winery, and Chateau Margene. His photos have appeared on the cover of Wine & Travel magazine 6 times.

“I love everything about food, from its genetic design to its deliciousness, and I celebrate it through my photography.” Steve Zmak captures the essence of California and the West through its agricultural beauty. His studio sits on the edge of strawberry and artichoke fields with the famous Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and Salinas Valley just down the road—Zmak’s playground. Zmak strives to capture orchards, farms and vineyards, and their produce in their most luscious states while maintaining the integrity of documentary work. He celebrates all things that grow and nourish us, and the people making it happen. His perspective covers the full spectrum from aerial to near microscopic. Zmak has documented a year of operations for Smith Family Wines and a year in the vineyard for Scheid Vineyards, taken aerials from Ray Franscioni’s helicopter, taught vineyard photography workshops at Hahn Family Wines and Pessagno Winery, and published a book about the Santa Lucia Highlands. He has probably photographed you if you’ve been to the River Road Valentine’s Passport or SLH Gala in the last few years.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a university library or a spider’s web. Both are reflections of the mathematics of the natural world. Both celebrate the symmetry of asymmetry, and the perfection of imperfection.” Steve Zmak approaches his architectural photography much as he does his landscape and close-up macro photography of the natural world. He seeks out the fractals in the engineering and designs of humans, and exposes the details of the architect’s artistry.

Steve Zmak covers events by combining a documentary approach with a conceptual advertising style. He doesn’t just document events, he illustrates the energy and spirit of the events. Zmak’s open and friendly personality invites attendees to let their enthusiasm explode before his lens, and his stealthiness allows him to blend in and not interfere with the flow of activities. He gets in close, inside the inner circle so you feel like you were there.