Award-winning photojournalist Stephen Hayford has been documenting community issues for nearly 20 years. In that time he has photographed several world leaders, important cultural events, devastating storms and historical meetings. Stephen has worked with The Palm Beach Post, Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, Rocky Mountain News and other newspapers and wire services in Colorado, Ohio, Missouri and Florida. He became well-versed in Southwest Florida issues covering the area for nine years with The News-Press.

He attained his education from the University of Missouri-Columbia where, aside from majoring in photojournalism, he also focused his study in psychology and sociology to better aid his journalistic work. These skills allow Stephen to better understand and connect with his subjects, capturing honest emotions in an understated way rarely seen.

His work is noted for his versatility with great attention to light, detail, decisive moments and compositional storytelling. He his now applying these skills, along with exceptional talents in conceptualization, to markets beyond journalism. Stephen is a versatile writer who works in public relations and product development as owner and president of Creative Generations. He also earns the attention of Star Wars fans as an official artist for Lucasfilm.

And after surviving a major heart surgery to correct a congenital defect, Stephen is a patient advocate. He encourages medical patients to be proactive and take more control of their health care through research and personal interviews with several doctors.

Operating his business without boundaries, Stephen is based in Southwest Florida with his wife and two children.