What a fun job!

I've gotten several thank-you cards, emails, and comments lately about how happy people are with my work. This is one of the most satisfying "jobs" I've ever had. Not that teaching doesn't have it's moments.



One thing that people comment a lot on is that they can tell I enjoy what I'm doing. Weddings are such a fun time, how can I not enjoy myself? Even when doing the posed formal shots of the wedding party, I'm having fun. I think that by having fun myself, it helps the subjects to relax.



Then there's the group I worked with yesterday from Colorado. At one point, I had to stop taking pictures because I was laughing too hard! They referenced a comedy bit I heard on the Bob and Tom radio show about dolphins...I can't say anything more about it but it's FUNNY!



I love the creative energy I get at weddings. Sometimes there's some little thing that will spark an idea and lead to a great photo. Yesterday's couple had two surfboards standing in the sand as a backdrop for their ceremony. While we were moving around setting up a group photo, the bride's shadow silhouetted on one of the boards for a split second and it led me to create this shot:

After the storm

A pretty decent thunderstorm passed by today and as it was winding down, I looked out a west window and saw the most amazing colors in the sky. I grabbed the camera and the kids and drove to the end of our street. These photos are the result. Only in-camera exposure adjustments were made, no Photoshopping. Click on a photo for a larger view.





It reminds me of something Pastor Andy said last week. Nobody ever looks at something like this and says "look at how the molecules in the sky and the light, and the clouds just HAPPENED to come together to make that." No, they say look what God created! That's what Ryan, Gina, and I said tonight- Look at what God created.

Senior portrait time!

The class of 2008 is out the door, it's time for the class of 2009! It's time to start thinking about your senior portraits. Sam Ellis Photography is now offering senior portraits and is looking for senior ambassadors from Indian River, Sussex Tech, Cape Henlopen, Stephen Decatur, Worcester Prep, and other area schools!

So what's a senior portrait session going to cost me? $200 for starters. That gets you a studio sitting for the formal photo and some candids, and an outdoor candid sitting (beach, athletic field, golf course, or wherever you like). That doesn't mean you get one photo each, we'll take lots of variety and let you change outfits a couple times. Each sitting is for about an hour (an hour in the studio and an hour outside). You also get 100 wallets, 2 5x7s, and 1 8x10 (up to three different images). Additional prints may be purchased a-la-carte, but editing charges do apply for each additional photo you would like retouched.

So what does an ambassador get? Each school can have one male and one female ambassador who gets 50% off their initial package (listed above). You also get 16 additional wallets OR a 5x7 for each referral that books with us.

Interested? Send me an email at sam@samellis.com.

Rehoboth Beach Country Club wedding

This was definitely one of my favorite weddings ever! The weather created the perfect backdrop to a beautiful setting and a beautiful couple. Here are a few pictures, there are more here.

Beautiful Salero weddings!

Brandon and I have been lucky to have two weddings in two weeks at Salero in Rehoboth. Salero is definitely one of my FAVORITE places to shoot a beach wedding. The beach is off the beaten path, so there's not a lot of "extra guests" to worry about. After the ceremony, it's just a short elevator ride to the reception- no traffic, no limo, no hassles. Just go upstairs. When you get upstairs, the view of the beach is unlike anything else in coastal Delaware. You can see all the way to Cape May.

Since Salero is on top of the Henlopen Hotel, everyone can stay right there. Many people make it a whole wedding weekend- rehearsal on Friday, wedding on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. I haven't had brunch there yet, so I can't rave about it. Hmmmm, I think they need some professional photos of their brunch buffet, then I could tell people how wonderful it is!

Speaking of food, that's the real reason I love Salero. David is an AMAZING chef. I'll admit that one of the biggest perks about being a wedding photographer is the great meals we get to eat, and we always look forward to Salero. It doesn't matter if it's a plated dinner or buffet, it's all awesome. The new chop salad- phenomenal. Steaks, seafood, pasta, or chicken, I'll take anything they're serving plus any extra I can take home in a doggy bag...uh, for my wife.

If you're looking for a location for a beach wedding, go with Salero, you won't be disappointed.

Check out these photos from a recent Salero wedding:



That's Laslo, he's quite the cut-up!

The Fountains

There is a great venue in Salisbury, MD that's been around for a while, but I finally got a chance to do a wedding in recently. The Fountains, right on Rt. 50 on the east side of town is just an amazing place.
First, the staff is outstanding, especially Kim Heath. They are really there for the bride and groom, but also make it easy for the vendors. They have their own sound system for the dj, he loved not having to haul his big equipment there, just his laptops and mixing board. The space is very well thought out with a HUGE bridal suite and comfortable groom's suite. Sometimes the bride and her girls get ready in church Sunday School rooms or nurseries, this was an elegant switch! It was a well thought out space and very comfortable for any size wedding party.
They even have a dress form for the wedding dress. I think that was my favorite thing about the place. It made it easy to get great photos of the dress without having to figure out where to hang it and how to hide the ugly plastic hanger. To me, that tells me that they really care about the entire experience for their guests.
I can't end without mentioning the food- awesome! As it turns out, I know one of the chefs. She's a former student at the high school I teach at and her mother is one of our secretaries. I'll admit that one of the great things about being a wedding photographer is the great meals I get to have :) This was one of the best.
If you're shopping around for just the right location for a reception, or even the wedding, check out The Fountains. You won't be disappointed.

RADIO SPOT!

I've got an ad playing on KISS 105.5 FM! Roxi is the afternoon DJ there and I'm shooting her wedding this weekend. We did a trade-of-services for some radio spots for part of her wedding package. I never would have thought about doing radio ads before, but I figured it was a good opportunity to try it out. The spot will play for three weeks, this week and for two more when she comes back from her honeymoon.

Not only is Roxi a popular dj, but her fiance is Phil Ritchie! He was on Rock Star Supernova a few years back, kinda cool. It should be an interesting wedding!

Click play below to listen to it. Let me know if hear the ad!