Elisa + Chris

I met Elisa and Chris at beautiful wedding I shot a while ago where Elisa happened to be one of the stunning bridesmaids!  Well Elisa and Chris have been dating since forever, probably holding hands in diapers for all I know… I however was lucky enough to get the couple and take advantage of great engagement pictures.

The location, Captiva, FL – in other words: Paradise!  This area of Florida is gorgeous, a place I never knew existed, it almost feels like “the Cape Cod on the Gulf of Mexico!” (I made this up, so if Captiva starts using it as their motto, they owe me money!)  It all starts with a drive (for me) southwest from Orlando past a ton of orange groves and into the Ft. Myers area… its just a bit further!  Cross over the causeway into Sanibel, which is a beautiful place that calls your name seductively like the Sirens in Homer’s Odyssey… but being the warrior (photographer) that I am, I pressed on and crossed that bridge into… paradise!  The minute my eyes hit Captiva I was, well captivated (corny I know).  I spent time with Elisa, Chris, and Mike (Chris’ brother) at the beach getting my face burned off in the hot Florida sun (I think I am still peeling weeks later, gross? Yes), where I got know them a bit better and spent some quality time relaxing!

Later, I met with Chris’ family, all of whom are intimidating with their beach bodies (even his dad could have shown the cast from “Jersey Shore” a thing or two in the gym), and their healthy eating habits that made me feel a little… ummm unhealthy… I think I was offered fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 6 or 7 times!  While waiting for a setting sun (happy to see it leaving after getting accosted by the full day sun!) I had the pleasure to experience some fine Italian cooking thanks to Chris’ father – grouper sandwich – I am salivating just thinking about how good it was…

Ok ok, back on track… Sunset came, and so did the amazing pictures… these two have great chemistry, and it really shows in the following pictures.  Enjoy!

Ok, I know this is NOT an engagement picture, it is however a picture of my first Starbucks (I have a drink there maybe twice a year, so I am kind of ashamed for this “endorsement” – they are way to expensive!)  in a 5 star area!  I was “forced” to sit and sip on my iced mocha for about 30 minutes while I waited for the crew to get beach ready and then ready to accept visitors… Probably the most relaxing 30 minutes I have had in the past year or two… Very exciting!

On to the engagement pictures!

Do you want FREE pictures? Do you know someone who does?

Here is the deal… I am somewhat new to Orlando, FL and as such  I do not know all the idiosyncrasies of the area.  What do I mean? Well as a photographer I want new and fresh places to shoot some amazing photos, be it for engagements or just portraits.   This is where you come in, if you know of an area close by that is super sweet in a different array of ways let me know… Send me a link where I can look at the place in question, or just send a snap shot to me at “contest@seanwellsphoto.com”.

Remember, you are helping me out, and as such I will go with you to these spots and take up to TEN portrait shots of you for FREE!

What am I looking for?  Here are some examples:

Abandoned buildings

Rustic buildings (no residences… they may get a little aggitated.)

Beautiful open fields (if there is a rusted out truck in that field then you just got yourself a whole photospread!!

Buildings or businesses with bold beautiful colors – I love bright colors set against antique doors – or the doors themselves being brilliant

I think you get the idea, so here is the deal – You may not be interested in head shots or portraits, but maybe you know someone who is, so submit your ideas, and give the free photo session as a present!  I will set a limit of 5 different “winners”  for now as it is wedding season and I do not have a ton of free time, but I will be sure to open this “contest” up again if it works out well!  Send your emails or just post here on the blog, I check throughout my day!

Thank you ahead of time for your participation, and even more thanks for sharing your knowledge of central FL with me!

Sorry, this does not apply to more then one participant… I need new shooting locations, and I am also building a modeling/portrait portfolio… I am already overwhelmed with engagement sessions.  I may be able to work out a reduced rate however, I do not want to discourage my engaged couples!

Love you all!

Sean

Sarah & Kyle Dawes

To say I had a great time with Sarah and Kyle this weekend would be an understatement.  I loved getting back into the swing of the wedding season, for me, I relate it to the opening day of baseball (which for me is tomorrow when the Braves win their first of the season)… it feels that good.  Sarah was stunning and Kyle was looking pretty dapper as well.  To add to the great day, everyone there was extremely friendly and just good people, the type that gravitate towards this couple.  I wish them the best in their future together!

I will be putting up pictures in the next few days via Facebook as I get them done (If you are on Facebook, you can become a “fan” of Sean Wells Photography by clicking HERE, and well… I would be happy to see you as a new fan!)

Self Portrait… I was bored

What can I say… I must have been mad this day… hey, at least I am not taking these pictures with my camera phone… with my shirt off… in the bathroom…

ALTAMODA Salon

ALTAMODA Salon is located downtown Orlando, FL and is where you want to go if you want a great look for yourself!  I had a great evening shooting this crew, fun and full of energy, not to mention beautiful!  Here are some of the pictures from the night.

A Mediocre Time with Tom and Dan

Mediocre Meet-Up in honor of 52 podcasts – Held at 903 Mills Market

A hilarious duo who have a strong following here in the Orlando area, as well as around the country and across the pond.  From the start of the podcast till you reach the end, you will be laughing pretty hard.  I had a great time out with the guys and the other fans that met up at 903 Mills Market, the people that listen to Tom and Dan are some fun people.  Music was provided by Skart of the Supervillains, which was a good time for ears everywhere.  I cannot wait for the 104th podcast!  (well if the equipment doesn’t end up in the St. John’s)

Mallory at 1 year!

Well, what can I say?  The Ballou family is very near to my heart, and when little Mallory Grace came into the picture I was very excited… and all too happy to be Mallory’s personal photographer.  Looking back through the older blog posts it is amazing to see how she has grown so far… in just over a year!  Enjoy the pictures!

Mane Top Stables

Kristen and Cody have a special place in my heart.  From the very start of their business I have been proud to say that I am a friend of these two girls.  As a matter of fact, Kristen is the crazy girl who did the “trash the dress” session that you can see on my site seanwellsphoto.com … since then I have been trying to talk brides into doing a session of trashing a dress, but no cigar… Are you that bride?  Anyways, I love these girls, and their success is AMAZING!  They are true business owners and know what they are doing, and if you are in the Lynchburg area, you NEED to go visit Mane Top Stables.

Leigh Ann and Ricky

Leigh Ann and Ricky’s wedding is coming up soon and like all the others I cannot wait.  I usually take my engagement sessions outdoors and make the most of nature and the natural light, but Leigh Ann had a different idea… You see, Ricky is a culinary student and learning and mastering everything oriented towards a kitchen… so when Leigh Ann asked to do a photoshoot in a kitchen I was on-board!  I love new and different and I am usually the one who has the new ideas, but I am by NO MEANS opposed to client ideas, I usually Love them!  Well, here they are!

The picture below is my absolute favorite… when going into a photoshoot with a myriad of ideas in your head, you hope that they all come out as good as they are in your fantastical brain.  Especially when as far as you know it is an original!

Sarah and Kyle

I am EXCITED for the weddings to commence, and as I am posting this late, I am actually having Sarah and Kyle’s wedding TOMORROW! so excited.  Keep an eye out for the wedding pictures to follow soon!  I have had the pleasure of not only snapping some great shots of this couple previous to their wedding, but have been fortunate enough to even “hang out” with this great couple and celebrate Kyle’s birthday!  Let me tell you, as the night progressed, I saw a comfy, cute, in love couple just being together… anyone there that night could have witnessed what I did, and I am sure many did… I know that they will last long and be happy for many years!