Joe Sanfilippo Photography NY Wedding and portrait photographer » Capturing memories to cherish for a lifetime

So as most of you know, we held a contest this year for the best love story! We had so many responses to this contest with a total of 45 entries! It was so hard to pick the best because in all honesty, they were all very good!

The story we chose comes from Jessica and Mike, a gorgeous couple from Florida. They are having their wedding this fall at the Stetson Mansion located in Deland, FL. Sounds like it is going to be a great wedding at a gorgeous venue!

On with the story -

Mike and Jessica have been together since High School, a total of 14 years! That means they have been legally married for almost 8 years in like…45 states? They are just now deciding to tie the knot. Jessica Labeled her story as true “serendipity” with the theme “True love waits.” And boy did it ever. I love how she included of a photo of themselves from 14 years ago!

How they met: Firstly, Mike and I met in 1996 at Haines City High School in Haines City Florida. We have been dating off and on ever since. The weird thing is, my mother and Mike’s aunt were great friends in High School, and we found out 5 years into our relationship. In 2000 I went off to College at USF in Tampa. I also cheered for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 6 years. During my rein, Mike was my number 1 fan in the stands!  During my cheer career, Mike supported my FHM Magazine spread of “The top 10 Sexiest Cheerleaders” and the nominations of “Pro Bowl Cheerleader 2007.” What a great guy huh?

The Propsal: My amazing fiancé, asked me to be his wife thanksgiving 2009. I walked into our home, completely surrounded by 200 candles, rose pedals, dark chocolate kisses, and our songplaying the back ground. I turned around to Mike kneeling, holding the most breathe taking vintage platinum ring. The cutest thing was, he was shaking and teary eyed the entire time, just like when he asked me to Homecoming in 1996.  So precious.

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Mike and I would love to have our dream wedding, but our budget is very tight. Neither families can help with the funding, so Mike and I have to do it all ourselves. We could really use some help on our special day….a day that we have waiting for, for almost 14 years. Please help!!!

What did they win?

Jessica and Mike won a full featured wedding photography package valued at $3300 and includes the following:

• 8 hours of wedding coverage
• 1 Hour Engagement session
• DVD of all files
• Online proofing gallery
• $500 Album Credit

Congratulations Jessica and Mike! I am so happy that I am going to be a part of this day that you both have been waiting for!! Its going to be a great wedding and I cant wait to photograph it!!

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photo courtesy of  Hersan Escorcia Photography

I cannot believe that my wife and I have been married for 4 years already! Time goes by so quickly!

We had an awesome wedding at the fox hollow in Woodbury, NY – This was the best day of my life, then my son was born.. So he took first place in the best day of my life!

Every post is a littl ebetter with a picture – so I included a photo from our wedding day, cannot believe this picture was taken 4 years ago! I have to laugh when I see some of these pictures, if you look close enough you can see my face all hacked up form shaving, and I also sliced my finger on my razor while shaving,  you can see the band -aid on my finger on this picture, probably could have edited out but it just makes me remember those little things form the day.

This picture was taken by Denise Chastain

Today I had the opportunity to meet with Laura at Lacole Salon and Spa in Seaford, NY. Laura is running a first class operation here and I was extremely impressed with the services she provides. Now, I am not the type of guy to go out and get a manicure or anything like that, but I feel like I could truly relax in this environment. Very open and bright, nice airy feel – Personally, i’ll pass on the pedi, Maybe a massage???

What made me want to go to lacole spa was the bridal services she offered. It was great to find out that she had a whole room in the back of the shop dedicated to Spa parties, bridesmaids, brides, or anyone you are bringing along can sit back and relax with complimentary breakfast while getting pampered at LaCole. I thought this was a super nice touch and know my wife would have been all over this at the time of our wedding.

I wanted to include some of her bridal services, so I scanned her bridal card- if you click on the image below you will be brought directly to the LaCole website where you can see images of her location, and all of the services she has to offer. You wont be disappointed!

Lacole Salon is located at
3962 Merrick Road
Seaford, NY 11735
(516) 809-7171

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I was looking through some old photos this morning while watching the U.S. Open and came across my honeymoon pictures. My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Italy. We took trains all over the country and had an awesome time.. Looking through these pictures brings back so many memories.. It’s really amazing how looking at a photograph can strike so many senses.. Looking through these photos, I can smell the fragrance of the air again, hear the people speaking in foreign languages, and i can remember framing the scenes through my camera viewfinder. I also makes me remember how much I love spending time with my wife. We had such an awesome time in Italy, and an awesome time just about everywhere we go. We were truly made for each other and I am very lucky to be married to such a wonderful person!

Heres a little peak at some of the pictures from our honeymoon!

Sunset in Rome, this was from the rooftop of our hotel – I wish I was there right now.

This was a little canal in venice – Ive been to frame this for a long time- just haven’t gotten around to it..

While walking through the roman forum across from the coliseum, I remember coming across this cool building with the little goldfish pond, I thought it was a little random considering everything around me was ruins..

THis was taken at Piazza Navona – I remember sipping an iced Latte while taking this – This kid was so happy to be playing with pigeons……

The Amalfi coast was absolutely gorgeous. I wish could have stayed longer than a few hours..

i couldn’t write a post about Italy without having at least one picture of a church. This is the cathedral of amalfi- we didnt get to go inside, since we were limited on time, but i managed to get some shots of the outside..

One of these days I have to go back to Italy. Awesome place to visit! If any brides out there are looking for a great place to honeymoon definitely put Italy on your list!!

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! I’ll be shooting a beach wedding on saturday, and I’m afraid I’ll be packing some umbrellas… Forecast doesn’t look good but stay tuned for the photos!! Sunday I plan on taking a “me” day for father’s day and go play a round of golf, then hang out with the little guy..

So today is my birthday! Woke up this morning to a wonderful gift from my wife – She scheduled a nice weekend away this summer at a golf resort! Very excited about it!

In honor of my birthday I am going to offer a special discount for this weekend: $50 Off portrait sessions! If anyone is interested in booking a portrait session, shoot me an email!

Hope to hear from you soon!

What a party! Henry is super lucky to have katie as a wife- she put together an AWESOME party! She was planning it for months and did an awesome Job hiding it from him.

He seemed completely shocked when he walked through the door- He totally did not expect this!

This party was the first time he saw his saw his father so you can imaging how they both must have felt.

Katie had an awesome Super Mario cake made – awesome Job!!

Here are a few more of my favorites form the night!

the kids got pooped out by the end of the night – But they had a ball!! Every on did -

Katie outdid her self on this party!! Happy birthday Henry!

I recently shot a communion party in howard beach. This was a huge party at a great venue overlooking a canal in howard beach called Roma View. I haven’t been to howard beach in so long, last time i was in the area I was in the area I had to be 10 years old. I cant believe how much it has been built up!! All the places I remember as a kid are gone!! Anyway back to the party, This had to be one of the most impressive communion parties I have ever been to, and everyone had a ball.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the party!

I have been soooooo bust these past few weeks. I have ben painting my new place for a few weeks now, and my father in law talked me into replacing all the floors.. alot of work but its all worth it.. On top of that I have been trying to get my editing done and staying on top of the blog but its been hectic. I have ALOT of shoots coming up over the next few weeks so the blog will be more active again..

So this sunday is the day! finally moving! Very excited to move in, not excited to unpack. Ill post some pictures next week once I get organized.

If anyone needs to contact me this weekend, I will have my blackberry on so email is the best way to contact me. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend!

I haven’t had much time to post lately, between packing and getting ready to move into a new apartment things have just been hectic.

over the next few weeks, I will be posting some pictures from the past few weddings I shot on. I had the opportunity to work with an awesome photographer this past weekend, she’s actually the photographer who photographed my wedding a few years ago. I absolutely love her work and was thrilled to get to work with her!!

Stay tuned for some updates and more photos!! Hopefully I will be done packing soon and this move will be over!!

I haven’t done a session with my son in a while, he’s at the I cant sit still for 5 minutes stage, so its a little tough to get pictures of him when we are alone. Really could have used mom here, but no big deal, we make do..

Heres are some of my favorites!!

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