Steve van der Werff, Neighbor

Steve van der Werff is a native of Glendale, California. He co-founded with his wife Dayle, Dunedin Through The Lens on Facebook; a photography group that promotes a positive photo community.

He is a retired Navy chief petty officer, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Schools of Photography aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and Syracuse University’s Military Motion Media Studies Program.

He is a published author of numerous magazine and news articles, and his photos and videos have been seen and published across the globe.

He retired in early 2020 as the Public Affairs Officer of the Navy Medicine Research and Development Enterprise after more than 10 years of civilian federal service.

At sea, he served as a flight deck photographer aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and as deputy public affairs officer aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), deploying throughout the Western Pacific, Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

While assigned to Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific he deployed throughout Southeast Asia in support of numerous exercises, and operations. As the Navy’s official photo and video journalist during a highly publicized scientific expedition to the North Pole, he deployed aboard the nuclear powered fast attack submarine USS Pogy (SSN-647) and became only the third, and last Photographer’s Mate to earn their “Dolphins.”

Shore assignments include back seat aerial photographer for the Navy’s Blue Angels, public affairs manager for Naval Special Warfare Command, and creative services manager for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command.

He was recognized by the secretary of defense for setting up a temporary Joint Combat Camera Center (JCCC) immediately following the September 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. At the end of his tour he was selected Secretary of Defense Public Affairs Enlisted Member of the Year.

During his 21-year career he earned numerous Navy media awards, and commendations. Afterwards he began his civil service career as a public affairs specialist with the Navy, aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola where his Navy photography journey began. He currently resides on Honeymoon Island, Florida.