We are so lucky to have Sean Murphy Studio located here locally in Fort Walton Beach! Sean Murphy is a well-known and gifted photographer. There is nothing like this multi-functional work/play space outside of Los Angeles. I had the opportunity to chat with Sean Murphy a few weeks back about his incredible, complicated story… where he started, where he has been, and where his life is progressing and evolving.
Recently turning 54, he emphasized to me that everything he does counts - all has a purpose. “Sobriety is my primary purpose,” Sean said. He hosts weekly AA meetings at his house. “I am a master at my craft and a master of not doing drugs,” Sean added. Amen to that! Mentoring individuals who want to make it in the highly competitive world of photography is what this master gives back to the world.
Growing up in Fort Walton Beach and graduating from Choctawhatchee High School at 18, Sean headed to Hawaii to surf for a while. While there, he took in the natural beauty around him. After a great deal of surfing, he got a little serious and went to school in Orlando.
He took one photography class and was told his talent was a step above most. So, he moved north and graduated Valedictorian from the New England School Of Photography in 1993. After graduation, it was off to Hawaii to shoot the beauty he knew.
Sean then moved to San Francisco, where he auditioned for MTV’s “The Real World". Not getting that gig was a blessing. Sean started shooting celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Rolling Stones, Weezer, Kid Rock, Adam Sandler, Devo, Engelbert Humperdinck, Queens Of The Stoneage, Tony Hawk, Offspring, Peter Murphy, My Chemical Romance, Tenacious D, Blink 182, Tommy Lee, Korn, PJ Harvey, Andy Dick, Bad Religion, John Taylor, Limp Biskit, Misfits, Rage Against The Machine, Sugar Ray, Rob Zombie, AFI, A Perfect Circle, Nina Hagen, and others! Moving to Los Angeles, his career skyrocketed from 1996-2019. He continued to shoot “everything”. The music industry used him for more album covers. The celebrities were using his work for Rolling Stone, US Weekly, and other big magazines. Life was good, exciting, and extremely fast-paced. A great deal had been accomplished in a short period of time.
Sean decided to come back to the Emerald Coast in 2019. After being based in L.A. for much of his career, he’s bringing thirty-plus years of global shooting experience back to his home, Fort Walton Beach. Being based between coasts gives him easy access to nationwide locations. With both New Orleans and Atlanta within driving distance, the Fort Walton Beach location is ideal.
Traveling all over the world, gathering ad campaign content for BOTE is his primary work focus. Sean’s collaboration with BOTE, the world’s largest-selling stand up paddleboard company with a warehouse right here in Ft. Walton Beach, has presented him with the opportunity to move into video production. This has helped him create the identity and voice of a cutting-edge brand through fully-documented epic travels. Anything that you see to advertise and market BOTE boards and accessories comes to you via Sean Murphy and a partner videographer.
BOTE is everywhere you look around the Emerald Coast. Many folks take their BOTE supplies to Crab Island for the day. In addition to BOTE, he is collaborating with I Like You - a subsidiary of Universal Music owned by Ahmet Zappa (the late Frank Zappa’s son) - to license old music and celebrity images of the late 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s.
A new addition to Sean Murphy Photography is a print shop, which gives Sean the capability to sell high-end prints of musicians and celebrities. On the weekends, you may find Sean out shooting local projects. The Murphy Photo Production team delivers full-service video and stills production for multi-platform campaigns, including advertising, editorial, social media, and video.
Getting personal, I asked Sean about Jessica Hite, a very accomplished violinist, who captured Sean’s heart. The couple met several years ago at a photoshoot. They re-met at another photo shoot a year ago and have been together ever since. Obviously, the couple have an extremely busy lifestyle, but do carve out quality together time. Sean has three children - one lives here locally and the other two are in L.A.
The Emerald Coast has many treasures. Look around. We have so much to be grateful for and cherish right here in our amazing area. Finding Sean Murphy Photography gives you the inside view to treasures from our “Redneck Riviera". Sean does have a passion for gritty Americana—along with seeing treasures from around the world. What an amazing experience it has been to visit with this local world treasure! By the way, we are so incredibly fortunate to have Sean Murphy shoot for City Lifestyles Magazine! Thank You, Sean Murphy!
“I am a master at my craft and a master of not doing drugs."