<strong>JVS | Short Bio</strong> - Who is this dude with initials as a name?

<em>"Dream Weaver. For former photojournalist Joseph Victor Stefanchik (JVS), reality is the stuff of wedding magic. The result of JVS’ efforts is the full-bodied documentation of real moments. He captures what needs to be cpatured, without the need to repose a priceless moment. It’s true. It’s unadulterated. It’s well, photojournalistic.”</em>- <a href="http://www.ppmag.com/articles/33/The-dreamweaver-For-former-photojournalist-Joseph-Victor-Stefanchik-reality-is-the-stuff-of-wedding-magic.php">Professional Photographer Magazine</a>

For over two decades, <a href="http://www.jvspictures.com">JVS</a> has been capturing real-moments, in real-time and hasn’t been afraid to use his flash along the way.

<a href="http://www.jvspictures.com/index2.php">JVS</a> began his studies at the <a href="http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/">School of Visual Arts</a> in New York and furthered his education by attending the School of Journalism at <a href="http://wkupj.net/">Western Kentucky University</a>. He applies the same lighting techniques he would use for a <a href="http://offcameraflash.com/?p=159">portrait</a> or <a href="http://offcameraflash.com/?p=190">fashion</a> shoot to his wedding coverage. His unique and pioneering use of <a href="http://offcameraflash.com/?p=145">off-camera lighting</a> is what sets him apart and make his wedding images come alive.

<a href="http://www.jvspictures.com/iSite">JVS’ </a>career as a wedding photojournalist began in 1996 after being approached by a close friend. She asked, “can you photograph my wedding the way you capture stories for the Morning News?” At the time, he was a staff photographer at <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com"><em>The Dallas Morning News</em></a> and the majority of his assignments included visual story telling from around the globe. Angola, Africa to the Panama Canal, his goal remained the same, show people what they cannot see. He applies this same philosophy to his wedding photography.

Highlights in JVS’ photojournalism career include winning the <a href="http://rfkmemorial.mediathree.net/legacyinaction/1998/">Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award</a> for International Photojournalism as well as being named a <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/1998-Feature-Photography">Pulitzer Prize Finalist</a>. Countless photojournalism contest wins date back to 1992.

After leaving newspapers, JVS set his sights on becoming a leading photographer in the documentary wedding and portrait world. He has created a thriving business in Dallas, Texas, and photographs <a href="http://offcameraflash.com/?p=128">commercial</a>, wedding and portrait clients across the globe.

For over 20 years, JVS has been mastering the use of <a href="http://www.jvsworkshops.com">off-camera flash</a> and he won’t miss the moment because “the light isn’t right.”