Sheree and Russell Nielsen
Underwater Photographers
Sheree’s love of the ocean, art and photography began when she was very young. Yearly trips to the Keys with her family helped her fall in love with the ocean. She enjoyed drawing and painting as a small child, and became interested in photography in her formative years.
Russell’s love of the water started as a child. He spent many of his teenage years as a lifeguard. He became interested in scuba diving due to Sheree’s passion for the sport. His navigational skills are exceptional. Russell has an adventurous streak, as you will see with the photo of the 10 foot long, pregnant black tip reef shark. His ‘no fear’ attitude allowed him to get very close for the photo op.
Sheree and Russell prefer the abundant coral and macro life, as well as large animal encounters the warm waters of the Caribbean provide for picture taking and excitement. They have been so lucky as to have dolphin, stingray, shark and turtle encounters as well as spotting the many different colored seahorses, which they have heard only 25 per cent of divers encounter. They love the tropics, and return to a different Caribbean island year after year.
Sheree has her Open Water and Advanced Diving Certifications, and has been diving since 1993. Russell has his Open Water, Advanced, Rescue and Nitrox Certifications and has been diving since 1996.
They use both 35 mm and digital cameras for photographing underwater and on land.
Photo Honors
Russell and Sheree
One of eight artists selected to be on the postcard ad mailing as well as the booklet handed out to represent the Mosaic Festival in St. Charles Missouri September 14-16, 2007, a festival in which they exhibited. Sheree’s photo of ‘Anemone’ is the photo featured.
Sheree
Finalist in the Caribbean Travel and Life Photo Contest in 2006 with ‘Island Flower’ and ‘Anemone’.
Finalist in the 2005 Caribbean Travel and Life Photo Contest with ‘Donkey Sanctuary’
Two pieces selected for two juried shows at the Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, Missouri – ‘Gibbs Cay’ and 'Flamingo Tongue Snail on a Lavender Sea Fan'.
St. Louis Post Dispatch April 30, 2006 Lifestyles Section feature article ‘Bedtime for Bowser’ highlighted a photo Sheree shot of her husband Russell, and their Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Maggie.
Two photos in the ‘Chain of Rocks Bridge’ series were displayed in the Old St. Ferdinand School House Exhibition in Florissant Missouri in 2006.
Three juried shows in Community College.
Russell
‘Black Tip Reef Shark and Bar Jacks’ was an Honorable Mention Winner in the 2006 Caribbean Travel and Life Photo Contest. His photo was published in the October 2006 issue with the other winners.
Finalist in the Caribbean Travel and Life Photo Contest in 2006 with 'Barracuda' ….a very intimidating close up shot.
“We love photographing nature, sunsets and landscapes. We recently shot a destination wedding in Negril, Jamaica. If there is a specific photo you are looking for, or one that you would like to see on the website, please give us a call.”
Russell and Sheree Nielsen
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Ocean Spirit Photography
Wentzville, Missouri
314 954 3845
© 2006 www.oceanspiritphoto.com
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