Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Behind the Scenes at Impressions Photography

Sout seas resort palm trees beach

Got a great question this morning from a bride:

"We are more traditional, do we have to to a first look?"

I get this question a lot. I also talk to a lot of couples who are unsure if they want to do a first look and see each other before the ceremony. There are pro's and con's to each, but I believe planned well either way can work out just fine for pictures. Ultimately it's a personal choice that each couple can make based on what fits them better.

If you opt not to see each other before the ceremony typically most pictures that include the bride and groom together are all done during the cocktail hour. This would be the couple photographs as well as all wedding party and family. Benefits of this are that it moves along quickly, all of the must have combinations of family groups and organized pictures are checked off the list one after another. It's also nice that it's typically later in the day at this point and the lighting is usually better than before the ceremony. Because the time is a little more limited, going to multiple locations for pictures usually isn't an option, however most venues can offer a vast variety of backdrops all in one general area.

Some photographers do require that you see each other before. The main reason is that it is a much more relaxed schedule. It does allow for taking breaks, have a seat, grab a snack. Depending on how early you opt to see each other you do have the option to go to multiple locations for pictures too. The other benefit is that you have the option to join your own cocktail hour. I've found some couples, especially those with guests traveling from different places, don't want to miss any time with their friends and family.

I have photographed just as many weddings with first looks as without and have found either way can work well. As long as a good plan is in place before the wedding day and a realistic photo list is made either option can work well.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to talk in more detail about your wedding day plan. I'm always happy to help couples make a plan for their day that works well and includes plenty of time for all of the best pictures.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Fort Myers Family Portraits | SWFL Professional Photographer

fort myers beach family in the water


Any trip that brings you all the way from Indiana to sunny Southwest Florida deserves a family portrait! A stunning sunset and beautiful night on Fort Myers Beach was the backdrop and this beautiful family was the most fun subject any professional photographer could ask for! We met about an hour before sunset and got a variety of posed and candid pictures of them enjoying a beautiful night on Fort Myers Beach. I'm sure this Florida vacation was lot of fun for them (especially since we had some amazing beach weather during their trip!) and there are so many great photographs now to remember it by too!

kids playing on fort myers beach

portrait of kids sitting together

fort myers beach family



family in the water at the beach

professional family portrait on fort myers beach

professional family portrait on fort myers beach

professional family portrait on fort myers beach


professional family portrait on fort myers beach

professional family portrait on fort myers beach

family stading in the sand and looking at each other with sunset backdrop

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Behind the Scenes at Impressions Photography

Sunset palm trees


Greetings! And greeting cards. Yes, Impressions Photography offers those too. We have a small collection that we offer directly from us. We also have teamed up with Minted. After your photo shoot we can upload your highlight images to a Minted gallery and you can order from any of the thousands of card options that they offer. We've also selected a few favorites so you can see our suggested cards too.

Monday, November 11, 2019

7 Best Wedding Venues on Sanibel Island


If you're planning a wedding on Sanibel Island you'll want to check out this list! Sanibel Island has a variety of great wedding locations that range from super romantic to all fun. Even though each has it's own individual personality, one thing remains the same with all of them, they each have a remote tropical island feel that is the heart of Sanibel.

Where is the best place to get married on Sanibel Island? Here's my list of the top 7 best wedding venues on the island:

Casa Ybel Resort - This gem of a location is definitely the most romantic wedding venue. Old Florida Palms, sprawling lawns and possibly Sanibel Island's most historic building all make this spot ooze with charm. All of that sitting feet from one of Florida's most pristine beaches make this a wedding location that anyone can fall in love with. For wedding pictures I love that it has tons of hidden little corners and the most lush landscaping, even an adorable gazebo all just perfect for wedding day photographs.



Sundial Beach Resort - Just down the way from Casa Ybel sits this fun full service resort. Another large sprawling property with some amazing gulf views this one is another great option. Everyone loves the terrace that overlooks the pool and beach area. It's nice for a cocktail reception and is right off one of the banquet rooms. The Sundial has lots of landscaped areas and rustic boardwalks that work well for taking photographs too.

Sundial Beach Resort

The Dunes Country Club - This one is perfectly tropical, but no feet in the sand style beach weddings here. The Dunes offers a beautiful restaurant area as well as an outdoor pavilion that gives you the feel of a tent wedding under a permanent structure all on a golf course. Have your ceremony on the greens with lines of palm trees and maybe even an alligator in the background. You aren't far from the beach at this quaint Sanibel Island wedding venue, but unlike the other options it isn't on the beach. I've come away with some great pictures from this spot too. Palm trees for days and some really charming walkways give it a great all natural Sanibel feel.

The Dunes Wedding on Sanibel

Sanibel Harbour Marriott - Not exactly Sanibel, but as close as it gets so I'll include it. Sitting just before the Sanibel Causeway is this stunner. If you want the charm of Sanibel Island but not willing to forgo any luxuries, this is the place for you. With a full service spa, restaurants and live entertainment, this will keep your guests occupied for their entire stay. For your wedding day there is a secluded little beach area that has just enough sand to count as a beach wedding. They also offer other great water view ceremony locations on the pool deck. Of course picture opportunities are endless as well. A fabulous sunset view, nature trails outside and grand staircases in, this venue will give you all the stunning backdrops for your wedding pictures too.

Sanibel Harbour Marriott Wedding

Royal Shell Vacations - Sanibel Island is the best place for an intimate wedding and Royal Shell Vacations makes those extra special too. Royal Shell has a huge invintory of perfect rental homes. Let them help you select a place that fits your entire group with just the right set up for an intimate wedding too. Some homes have fabulous pool decks, some sit feet from the water, others have lush gardens. They are sure to have a home that is perfect for your vacation stay as well as your wedding day. 


Royal Shell Vacations Wedding

Sanibel Moorings - This charming ceremony location sits right on the beach in the heart of Sanibel. It is perfect for a small wedding group. They have the most helpful staff and you are sure to get that super hospitality that Southwest Florida is known for. It's also a beautiful spot for pictures. The beach is stunning and the hotel grounds are among the best. Pictures in the tropical gardens always turn out amazing.


Traditions on the beach sanibel wedding

Traditions on the Beach- This restaurant is located on the grounds of the Island Inn. It is one of the only beach front restaurants on Sanibel Island and is the perfect venue to host your wedding. Have your ceremony on the beach, stay at this rustic island hotel and plan your party for Traditions on the Beach. It's the perfect situation for the group that wants that 100% Sanibel experience. On the quietest part of the beach, it is great for those romantic beach wedding pictures where it seems like you are on a completely deserted beach.



If you have decided to get married on Sanibel or even if you are still considering the different Florida beach locations for your wedding there are definitely plenty of great options here on our shell covered beaches. Sanibel Island is that perfect tropical island with a quiet laid back vibe. I think it is truly the best romantic wedding destination you will find without leaving the country.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you are looking for more information or would like to hear about our personal experiences at each resort. I have had the opportunity to photograph weddings and special events at all of these properties many times and would be happy to share our experiences and talk to you about what we can do at each venue to create the most unique and special wedding pictures for your day too!

Next up! The best wedding venues on Captiva Island. Check back for my thoughts on those extra special venues too!

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Behind the Scenes at Impressions Photography

South Seas Resort Palm Trees

It's another beautiful Southwest Florida afternoon and we are working away on print orders today. A little something that Impressions Photography does is offer digital files and printing rights with many of our wedding and portrait packages. I personally love that our clients have the ability to make their own prints. I think this is a great option for making smaller size pictures, however when it comes to canvas prints and gallery walls, the extra care and quality printing offed by our professional printing lab is worth the investment. The big online canvas stores offer enticing sales, however I have heard more than one story of prints fading and becoming discolored, some in just a few months. When you are looking to add an heirloom to your home and have a print from your wedding day that you will keep forever or a photo of your children that someday the next generation will come to your home and admire, it's important to have quality printing that will last.

Monday, September 2, 2019

Behind the Scenes at Impressions Photography

mexico wedding day


Stuck at my desk, but destination wedding dreaming today. Impressions Photography is no stranger to destination weddings. Most of the couples that we work with in Southwest Florida are actually coming from other parts of the country (even the world) to get married on our sunshine filled beaches. This year Indiana and Illinois couples seem to be calling for information a lot, but I get calls from everywhere. And then there are some weddings where not only the bride and groom are traveling, but I am too! This event was in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Literally one of my favorite spots on the planet. I absolutely loved the wedding I photographed in this sweet little corner of the world. Most of my travel weddings have me in the Caribbean though. Next up I'm heading back to the island of Nevis for a very special tropical wedding celebration. I'm hoping to fill my calendar with a few more flights this year yet. If you are planning for Barbados or the Bahamas or any beach loving location, I'm happy to photograph there too. There can never be too much Caribbean on the calendar!

Monday, July 22, 2019

Casa Ybel Family Photographs | Sanibel Photographer

baby crying sitting on the beach


I am feeling an entire Impressions Photography marketing campaign could be focused on this image. I've met so many grooms that I am sure can relate to this poor girl. I know pictures aren't always fun for everyone, but I definitely try to make the experience as fun and easy as possible. If it's a wedding party that is more interested in getting to cocktail hour or a baby that is fighting nap time, I definitely know that pictures can be a drag for some, so keeping things moving along and making the experience entertaining is so important. 

Luckily for us this was the last picture of the evening at this Casa Ybel family portrait. We were able to get some stunning Sanibel sunset pictures and great candid moments of the entire family on the beach before the inevitable happened. Most of my family portraits last between 45 minutes and an hour and with small children that time frame is usually just perfect. We always begin with more posed pictures and then transition to relaxed and casual candid style beach pictures. Sometimes that even includes a few tears! It was the ending to a fabulous Sanibel photo shoot... and with so many wonderful moments leading up to it, I think that is the perfect ending!


family poses for sanibel island professional family pictures 

family in the water on sanibel
family walking in the water on sanibel
family picking shells on sanibel
sanibel island professional photograph girl on the beach
black and white photograph of a girlblack and white beach pictures of child
boy and girl look at a shell on the beach
sanibel island professional family photograph
sanibel island professional family photograph
sanibel island family beach pictures in coral in blue
sanibel island family beach pictures in coral in blue
sanibel island family beach pictures in coral in blue

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