Stephanie Thi

Hello there! I’m Stephanie, a professional photographer specializing in nightscapes, with a particular love for tracked exposures, blue hour foregrounds, and composite images.

My journey with photography began 16 years ago as a crime scene investigator, where photography was an essential part of my work. Later, when I moved into a supervisory role and photography was no longer one of my main responsibilities, I found myself looking for a way to reconnect with that creative outlet.

In 2020, I attended the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival and took my first photograph of the night sky. That experience sparked a passion for nightscape photography that has continued to grow ever since. Over the past few years, I’ve become especially familiar with the American Southwest, particularly Death Valley National Park, which I’ve visited more than ten times.

What inspires me most is creating images that combine technical skill with a strong sense of place. Rather than focusing only on the sky, I love using foreground elements to tell the story of a location and show the relationship between people and the landscapes we explore.

Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours experimenting in the field and refining my workflow. My editing style tends toward brighter exposures, softer colors, and a natural but vibrant sense of light.

I bring a calm, patient approach to teaching and enjoy supporting photographers with different learning styles. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing someone gain confidence, understand the reasoning behind a technique, and discover what works best for their own creative process.

Outside of photography, I’m a fan of true crime documentaries and podcasts. I’m also an avid reader and audiobook listener. At home, I share my life with a miniature dachshund and two cats, who keep things entertaining.