Sarasota Wedding Photography in 2010

Written by Sheila on March 22nd, 2010

sarasota wedding photographer

This year will be a great year for a wedding in Sarasota. Venues have been upgraded, including the Hyatt and the Ringling Museum, some prices have been reduced because of the economic impact of property valuations, and everybody is ready for a good party!  I will be opening a new photography studio in downtown Sarasota soon, and there will be some great surprises at our grand opening.  We have some brand new cameras and lighting equipment for wedding, engagement, and portrait photography, as well as some new options for albums and wedding websites.

For couples looking for a memorable, individual and moving wedding, Sarasota is a destination offering elegant estates and stunning natural surrounds. Sarasota is also home to world-class resorts able to expertly weave together your wedding celebrations. Check out my recommendation page for venues, and many other wedding services.

See you at the wedding!

Sarasota wedding photographer
 

Why I do weddings…

Written by Sheila on October 20th, 2009
Jumping for Love

Jumping for Love

For the last 10 years I have worked with families who value the art of photography and who have planned the creative and sophisticated wedding.
The photos that I strive to take are emotional. Each person is unique and the energy that he or she exudes is very distinct to that individual. A group takes on it’s own energy that is very unique and distinct to the people in it. It is my desire to express that energy in a photograph, so when someone looks at the photograph, they can feel it with their heart, not just see it with their eyes.
Living in Sarasota, Florida is a treat for the eyes. As a Sarasota wedding photographer, I know a lot of special places in Southwest Florida that can be used as stunning, unique and amazing back drops for engagement sessions, and bridal shoots as well.
I have had the privilege of working and creating art at these fine places: the Ritz-Carlton, Crosley Mansion, Hyatt, Ringling Museum, Siesta Key, Boca Grande, Saint
Petersburg, Longboat Key, Anna Maria, Lakewood Ranch, Montana, New England, Ireland, Barcelona.
I am passionate about each wedding I get the privilege of shooting!  Treating each and every wedding individually… I love to be creative, spontaneous, and adventuresome, making it my goal to try new things at each event, as it is those special images that are YOU, and no one else!

Photographing weddings is such a joy for me.  I have a passion for telling stories with my images. I will photograph your story using an attentive eye to anticipate and feel the moments that become the image. I use my camera as a tool to turn a heartfelt moment into a photograph.

For the last 10 years I have worked with families who value the art of photography and who have planned the creative and sophisticated wedding.

The photos that I strive to take are emotional. Each person is unique and the energy that he or she exudes is very distinct to that individual. A group takes on it’s own energy that is very unique and distinct to the people in it. It is my desire to express that energy in a photograph, so when someone looks at the photograph, they can feel it with their heart, not just see it with their eyes.

Living in Sarasota, Florida is a treat for the eyes. As a Sarasota wedding photographer, I know a lot of special places in Southwest Florida that can be used as stunning, unique and amazing back drops for engagement sessions, and bridal shoots as well.

I have had the privilege of working and creating art at these fine places: the Ritz-Carlton, Crosley Mansion, Hyatt, Ringling Museum, Siesta Key, Boca Grande, Saint Petersburg, Longboat Key, Anna Maria, Lakewood Ranch, Montana, New England, Ireland, Barcelona.

I am passionate about each wedding I get the privilege of shooting!  Treating each and every wedding individually… I love to be creative, spontaneous, and adventuresome, making it my goal to try new things at each event, as it is those special images that are YOU, and no one else!

 

At the Ringling Museum of Art

Written by admin on October 11th, 2009

Romance at the Ringling

Italian art isn’t the only thing happening at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. It is a great place to do romantic shots. The skylights and the large paintings create a beautiful light. Nicole and Steve’s wedding started at the Ritz-Carlton for family photographs and bridal portraits. The ceremony and reception took place in the courtyard of the Museum in March 2009 with about 75 guests in attendance. I gave the couple 250 edited pictures.

 

New Romantic Wedding Gallery

Written by admin on July 6th, 2010

I have created a new gallery of my favorite romantic wedding images.

http://sheilasimmington.com/sarasota-wedding-romantics.html

 

Lakewood Ranch Club

Written by admin on June 30th, 2010

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club has developed a reputation of being the areas premier wedding and event location. Set in the beautiful community of Lakewood Ranch, The Country Club has been exquisitely designed to accommodate everything from outdoor ceremonies, receptions, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, corporate meetings, holiday events, charity golf outings and much, much, more.

Sarasota Wedding Photographer

Several couples that I have recently photographed are planning to have their future wedding at the Club.  Check out Jessie and Matt and Michael and Jessica’s engagement photo’s in my ‘Your Story’ column on my blog home page. You can follow their progress and see photo’s of their upcoming wedding at Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota wedding photography

I highly recommend this gorgeous setting for a  ”Want IT All Wedding: From the beginning, the loveliest bridal room for the entire wedding party to get ready in to the elegant 4,200 square foot grand ballroom which is designed with tasteful chandeliers, richly colored carpet and a balcony that overlooks the golf course, nature preserve, and fountain-filled lake.  Scenic Fountains and lakes, decorative bridges and a great view of the Country Club from outside create a great back drops for amazing wedding photography. Contact the staff at Lakewood Ranch:  http://www.lakewoodranchgolf.com/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=PWB

Lakewood Ranch Photographer

Lakewood Ranch Photographer

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University Park Country Club Wedding

Written by Sheila on May 24th, 2010

Kevin and Jillian

University Park Wedding Photographer

forbloguniversity 4

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What to Wear for Maternity Portraits

Written by admin on April 21st, 2010

What to Wear for Maternity Portraits | eHow.com.

Posing for maternity portraits is a way for pregnant women to celebrate their pregnancies and have a photographic keepsake of their experiences. Portraits of pregnant mothers can range from artistic to traditional, with mothers donning sophisticated clothes that accentuate the pregnant belly or nothing at all. Regardless of what they wear, however, maternity photos give pregnant women the opportunity to boost their confidence during a time when they may not feel they look their best. If you’re planning to take maternity photos in the near future, read on to find out more about what to wear for maternity portraits.

Kara Maternity

    Considerations

  1. When considering clothing for maternity photo shoots, it is important for each woman to take into consideration her sense of style, level of comfort and types of maternity photos she wants to have. Nude photos tend to be more artistic photographic representations of pregnancies with a focus on the pregnant belly. More conservative photos tend to consist of a pregnant woman from the belly up or a full body shot. For these, the pregnant woman dons clothes that shows off her stomach.
  2. Types

  3. Clothing for maternity photo shoots should be tight-fitting around the belly. Loose and baggy shirts and pants will only hide the pregnant stomach. Stretch pants and pants that have low waistlines won’t bunch up as the woman is posing or sitting, and are a good idea to wear during a shoot. In addition, tight-fitting tank tops and maternity tops that have thin fabrics that cling to the body are also good choices for maternity portraits.For pregnant women who want to include their other children in their shoots, they may don a more playful style of clothing. White tank tops accentuate the stomach and have thin fabrics. Casual fitted khaki pants are a good wardrobe choice for these types of shoots.
  4. Time Frame

  5. A pregnant woman should consider taking maternity photos as far along in her pregnancy as possible. If she does this later in the pregnancy, she will be better able to show off her stomach in the clothing that she wears. The third trimester tends to be the best time to schedule a maternity photo shoot. The belly is extremely visible at this point, and the photographer can capture the fullness of the stomach.
  6. Warning

  7. Keep clothing selections for maternity portraits simple. Stripes and busy patterns can hide the stomach or detract attention away from it. Instead, stick with solid colors. In general, black and white clothing tends to work best. In fact, something as simple as a husband’s button down shirt works well,  Black and white lingerie can also be used for more artistic shoots.
 

Siesta Key Weddings

Written by admin on April 10th, 2010

Siesta Key has the worlds finest and whitest sand, or so they say – whether that is true or not, Siesta Key is an amazing backdrop for your ceremony, beach party, or photographs.

Siesta Key Wedding scene

Imagine a sunset wedding on the beach, with gentle breezes off the Gulf of Mexico. Or perhaps you want a traditional wedding in a little church, but on location in a tropical paradise. Siesta Key is the perfect place, full of picturesque spots for splendid wedding photographs, with all of the assistance a bride could need close at hand. So many people enjoy their wedding on this little piece of paradise.  Whether it’s just the two of you, or 200 of your closest friends and relatives, Siesta Key has everything you need to create the wedding of your dreams.
Your ideal ceremony could mean tropical clothes and standing barefoot on Siesta Beach, judged the world’s finest, whitest sand. Or gowns and tuxedos under a flowery arch. It might include a champagne toast overlooking the bay, a festive boat ride to your wedding location/reception, or a gourmet restaurant nestled in a tropical garden.  Sunsets are my wedding photography special!

 

A Sarasota Wedding Photographer goes to Colorado

Written by admin on April 5th, 2010

From swaying grasslands and red-cliff mesas to glorious Rocky Mountain alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, Colorado creates travel memories that last a lifetime. An average of 300 sunshine-filled days gives it signature blue skies and makes Colorado a great getaway that delivers exhilarating adventure or well-deserved relaxation – but always amid spectacular natural beauty. 10 national parks and monuments, 13 national forest and grasslands and 42 state parks provide abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, whether it’s hiking along vista-laden trails, mountain biking through evergreen forests, crystalline streams, rafting  tumbling rivers or photographing our native wildlife.

Colorado Weddings – I have yet to photograph a Colorado wedding, but it is on my list of places that I would like to regularly photograph weddings.  Call me to be the first.

Snow in Silverton

On the Mesa

Car Wars

 

Bok Tower Gardens Wedding

Written by Sheila on March 9th, 2010

Bok Tower Sanctuary (Lake Wales): This spectacular venue offers a variety of tranquil settings for intimate wedding ceremonies. It will surprise and delight you and your guests. Created to entice wildlife to take residence, the Reflection Pool gives visitors one of the most memorable experiences in the Gardens. Its location captures the reflection of the Singing Tower and offers the first image visitors have when entering the gardens.
The lush landscape is perfect  for a romantic wedding setting. The gardens provide a beautiful setting for a ceremony and wedding reception. The photography opportunities are endless.

sarasota wedding photographerweddings in sarasotaContact me for Bok Tower Wedding and Portrait Photography: Sheila Simmington Sarasota Wedding Photographer:

941.704.0639

 

A Sarasota wedding photographer goes to New Orleans

Written by admin on February 23rd, 2010
Power Supply

Power Supply

Fireplace

Fireplace

 

Selby Gardens Wedding

Written by Sheila on February 14th, 2010

With its beautiful tropical and subtropical plants, serene sunsets over Sarasota Bay, and its proximity to downtown Sarasota, Selby Gardens has become a favorite location for weddings. For brides and grooms, the most difficult decision is not whether to have their wedding at Selby Gardens, but rather where in the Gardens to have the wedding.

Summer Discounts: Hold your wedding and/or reception at the gardens during the months of June, July, August and September and receive 25% off the total rental.

Friday and Sunday Discounts: Hold your wedding and/or reception at the Gardens and receive a 20% discount off of the entire rental.

WEDDING SITE OPTIONS

Weddings may be held anywhere on the grounds. The most popular areas are the Schimmel Wedding Lawn and Pavilion and the Bayside Oak adjacent to the Mansion. Other areas include the Great Room by the Bay and the Mansion Museum.

Indoor receptions are generally held in the Great Room by the Bay and the Mansion. The Great Room by the Bay is a 3,600 square-foot room and it has 60-feet of glass windows facing west for spectacular bay and sunset views. It seats approximately 175 persons at round dinner tables or up to 250 people theater style. The Mansion will accommodate 45 guests for a sit down dinner or up to 75 for a cocktail reception.

selby weddings photgraphy

Duration of Events

The following time periods are provided as part of the contract the day of your event unless previously approved by a Selby Gardens Manager.

  • Set up time (Receptions; 3 hours, Wedding Ceremony; 1 hour)
  • Wedding Rehearsals, 1 hour maximum
  • Wedding Ceremony, guest arrival to departure, 2 hours
  • Receptions, Parties, Dinners, etc., as noted on your contract
  • Dressing Rooms (if available after 3:00 p.m.), 2 hours prior to ceremony until 1 hour following ceremony
  • Cleanup, removal of decorations, caterer clean up, etc., 1 hour
 

Hyatt Weddings

Written by Sheila on February 10th, 2010

Sarasota Hyatt Weddings

At Hyatt, they believe there’s nothing more important than bringing people together in an unforgettable fashion for your wedding or commitment ceremony. Their professional staff will take care of every detail imaginable – from flowers to music to everything in between – and make your day a dream come true. Whether it’s a small, intimate gathering or a lavish affair, you’ll feel more than welcome with stunning facilities and idyllic settings.  Nestled near downtown and on the bay, the Sarasota Hyatt is a wonderful location for amazing wedding photography.

Sarasota wedding photography hyatthyatt sarasota weddingfun wedding photographySarasota Dock side photography hyatthyatt wedding photography ArtZimages by Sheila Simmington