Special Moments Photography is a family owned business, established in 1993 and is located in Frederick Maryland. John Stein, the owner and photographer, is one of only a handfull of photographers in Maryland that is a Certified Professional Photographer. John is also a dgreed photographic Craftsman and one of only 150 photographers worldwide to become a Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Approved Photographic instuctor.

John has recieved numerous, state, regional and national awards for his photography. In 2004 he recieved the pet Portrait of the year from the Maryland Professional Photographers Asociation (MDPPA) he has received the best black and white photograph in both 2006 and 2007 from the MDPPA.

Memberhsip in Professional Associations include The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Maryland Professional Photographers Association (MDPPA), Pennsylvania Professional Photographers Association (PPA of PA), the Certfied profesional Photographers Commisssion of PA, and the American Society of Photographers (ASP) ( this is a very small group of international photographers that membership is open by invitation only, less than 900 members)