Hello and welcome to Stiv Photography.

I have been a hobbyist photographer for many years living in Central PA. After my biggest fan and supporter, my wife, passed away in December of 2021, I decided to start traveling the country and focusing on my craft. 

I grew up in Wilmington, DE, so naturally I spent a good deal of time at the Delaware seashore. It will always be home to me. Sometimes it is difficult to truly appreciate the beauty of a familiar place until you move away from it! I am a little biased toward the Lewes, Cape Henlopen, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey areas. Although if you look through the galleries, you will also see the beauty of the Indian River Inlet.

I try to find some uniqueness in my compositions although some subjects are far too iconic and beautiful to pass up (Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse anyone?). I like to keep my compositions close to “what the eye can see”, meaning I do not like to over process the image. I try to keep it at a minimum.

I have found I am drawn to birds in my photography as well. I really think the seagull (I use the seagull term as generic for all terns and gulls!) is my spirit animal if there is such a thing! Maybe it is my Delaware roots again. I find all birds fun to photograph, especially when you get that one amazing shot!

I am also traveling and expanding the areas for pictures and will be adding them to my site as I get them. Recent travels with camera include St. Pete, FL, Outer Banks, NC, San Diego, CA and hope to revisit all soon. I want to travel to the Great Northwest, San Francisco, and Bar Harbor, ME just to name a few!

Finally, THANK YOU for checking this out and reading to the end! I have learned life is too short to not enjoy the natural beauty around us.

Steve Bartkowski