Hey, I’m Stephen! The dude behind Dude Man Bro Studio.

My wife and I met in Hawaii while doing our undergrads (cue soft ukulele music). After college, we moved to Utah, where I’m originally from, so I could wrap up grad school. And now? We’ve landed in Oregon, close to her family, building a slower, more intentional life with our dogs, cameras, and a whole lot of snacks.

I grew up in rural South Central Utah… yup, the desert. Red rock, dirt roads, and more stars than people. It’s a bit different than the lush green vibes of Oregon, but it shaped how I see light, space, and the beauty in the everyday.

By day, I work for a nonprofit based out of Boston that does incredible work. But photography? That’s my creative release. It’s personal, it’s therapeutic, and it’s kind of the family thing.

My roots trace back to the Central Volcano Highlands of Mexico, where my family’s been for generations. My grandfather, Manuel Perez, got his hands on a Leica camera in the 1950s and fell in love with photographing the land, the people, and everyday family life. He documented everything from weddings, fields, fiestas, quiet breakfasts. He loved the way a photo could make you feel something long after the moment had passed.

My mom inherited that same love for the lens and made sure my siblings and I grew up with a camera nearby. My younger brother, Alvin, is now a full-time photographer in Salt Lake City. And now it’s my turn to carry that passion forward, in my own way.

I shoot on Fujifilm because the colors hit different. Their film simulations are warm, cinematic, and rooted in the real, just like the kind of images I aim to deliver. I don’t use presets, and I hand-edit every image with intention and care. No filters. No fluff. Just honest, human photos.

I take on a few sessions a month, no more, because I want to keep the work personal, intentional, and affordable. I believe everyone deserves quality photos that feel like them, not just folks with big budgets or perfectly staged lives.

So if you're into real moments, chill vibes, warm colors, and maybe a few laughs along the way, let’s make it happen.