We were lucky to catch up with Sean Oblizalo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sean, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think purpose and dharma are easy to find when you work and do something you are passionate about. It’s easy to wake up at 3am and hike up a mountain with a couple on their wedding day when I do the same thing in my free time. The genuine essence of purpose in being an elopement photographer is by being able to approach each elopement from a place of pure service and passion, where I get to show up without any expectations of rewards or attachments to outcomes.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a self-professed Professional Elopement Ninja, deeply passionate and expert in what I do. You might have come across my photography featured in various places. I absolutely adore elopements, and I’m not just your guide through the Colorado mountains; I’m here to advise on everything from what to do to the best way to orchestrate your perfect elopement. My photography is unparalleled because I come from a landscape background; I excel at capturing not only the breathtaking scenery but also also the really fun and crazy moment like lighting up the joint, shotgunning the beer or hanging with the local mountain goats. I’m here to kick it with you on your big gay and make it epic.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
– practice routine – I have a very good and regimented practice routine of yoga and meditation that keeps me grounded and focused. This routine helps me stay away from burn out but also from falling into the spiral of the tricks the mind can play on your with comparing, complaining and criticizing others, especially during peak elopement season.
– People skills – You really can’t be an elopement photographer unless you love being around people. This is their biggest day so you really have to show up and be your authentic self and deliver. A lot of couples hire me for me before my photo skills, which is an honor, so I want to make sure I show up to each and every elopement as my best self.
– SEO – I took on SEO my first year of business and it has really been the driving force to my leads and success. I would suggest any person starting a business to jump into SEO right off the bat and get started since it is a long game.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Embracing meditation and mindfulness has truly transformed my life in profound ways! Through this practice, I’ve gained invaluable insights that have alleviated unnecessary chaos both in my personal life and business endeavors. Previously, I found myself ensnared in the relentless pursuit of society’s definition of success. Constantly chasing after more bookings, larger financial milestones, accumulating possessions, and bolstering my ego, I felt trapped in a ceaseless cycle of materialism. Each goal achieved failed to provide genuine satisfaction, leaving me feeling unfulfilled, resentful, and utterly drained. I once believed this to be the norm, as it seemed everyone around me was caught in the same frenetic race, especially in the wedding industry where goals and numbers are such a normalized thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vowsandpeaks.com/best-place-to-elope-colorado/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vows_and_peaks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vowsandpeaks
- Other: https://vowsandpeaks.com/colorado-elopement-package/
Image Credits
Sean Oblizalo / Vows and Peaks
