Recommend photographer for July family beach portrait pls

[St. John Lover]

I know this question has been asked before but I couldn't find any specific suggestions after 2009 or so and I've been to St. John enough to know how quickly things can change.

So all you experienced experts and locals out there, what are the top 2 photographers you would recommend to your best friend who wanted a great multi-generational family portrait taken on a St. John beach?

I hope it's not too late to call someone for this July (after Carnival)...

[Bonny in CA]

Last year for our 25th anniversary we used Sage from Crown Photography. We were really happy with our pictures. Sage was very pleasant to work with, and our disk of photos was home before we were!

Here's a link to our photos, on Sage's website,

http://www.usviphotographer.com/p902372056

Most of her photos are weddings, but she does do family portraits, graduation photos, etc.

[Iluvstjohn]

we used Bob Sleschinger (sp?) and we were very pleased~I think some of my shots are still on his website !

[byado18]

Steve Simonsen
http://simonsen.photoshelter.com/

[St. John Lover]

StJohnNewbie: LOVE your pics; thanks for sharing. I love all the various poses and backgrounds and especially the action shots! Awesome way to end it with the 2 of you walking off into the sunset.

Ilovestjohn: is Bob Schlesinger also known as Tropical Focus? I’m trying to look him up—if you have a link, that would be great.

Byado18: I have LOVED Steve Simonsen’s work forever but 1)dk if he actually does family pics or only fine art photography and 2) if he does do family portrait pics, I’m kind of thinking we couldn’t really afford him…;

Did you by any chance have personal experience with him photographing your wedding or family?

For all those who have done this—especially family pictures, knowing how the little ones wiggle and get quickly bored—how long does it generally take?

[byado18]

We took a class with him. Others have praised his work for family pix and someone on island suggested that he wasn't that expensive. His wife does all his bookings and is a delight to work with. I am sure she would answer all your questions and then you could decide!

[Xislandgirl]

Here is Steve's portrait gallery
http://simonsen.photoshelter.com/galler ... E5sBY45cg/

[St. John Lover]

Thank you all so much. I'll check them out later today, let you know who I end up going with, and then after our trip this summer, I'll give detailed feedback regarding how the process went and how happy we were with the results. Hopefully this will help others as well.

Thank you again!

[Bonny in CA]

I forgot to say that our photo shoot took one hour. And it was $400.

I love Steve Simonsen's work, but likewise, just assumed we could never afford him!