I'm on a new mission. I've been sitting on this idea for a long time, and I finally feel comfortable pulling the trigger.


There's a concept amongst professional photographers that basically says, "Always make time to do personal projects. It will allow you to grow and keep you from going crazy."


Well, I've brainstormed so many ideas and the thing that kept yelling out to me was "Environmental Portraits." I'm not exactly sure if that's the "official term" for this type of photography, but that's what I'm calling it. I'm building a portfolio in which I photograph interesting people in interesting environments. These environments must have meaning to the subject and invoke some kind of emotion of pride, happiness, or passion.


For my first subject, I collaborated with my good friends, Wells Mason and Jessica Mason of Ironwood Industries. Wells is in a business development role for Builders FirstSource, but he's also a designer and sculptor who works out of a studio in Coupland, Tx. I've worked with him in the past and knew he would be a great subject.


Our first image took place in the finish area of Wells' studio. He spends so much time in this area. It's where his visions reach the final stages. He wanted to incorporate the elements of his projects, so we put a pile of salvaged metal and wood right in the middle.

Wells Mason of Iron Wood Industries photographed by Sean Carranza

Jessica Mason is the second half of Ironwood Industries. She's a licensed interior designer who specializes in hardware. She's also Wells' wife & best friend, always supporting his visions. We wanted to capture something that really speaks to this notion. He told me how he'll be working on a project and she's always in the background working on the business side.

Wells Mason & Jessica Mason of Ironwood Industries photographed by Sean Carranza

For the next image, we wanted to focus on something that brings out Jessica's passion. We decided to move over to their showroom in Taylor, TX.


She wasn't sure how to express what she does in a "cool" image. I noticed there were so many boards to show off her hardware. She's basically an encyclopedia of knobs, pulls, racks, etc. So I came up with something to immense her in all of it.

Jessica Mason, Interior Designer, of Ironwood Industries photographed by Sean Carranza of San Antonio, TX

I wanted to get another image that would be a little more "fun"...

Jessica Mason, Interior Designer, of Ironwood Industries photographed by Sean Carranza of San Antonio.

Finally, we wanted to shoot something of them together - showing off their new showroom. There were still working on it, so we didn't have many scenic options. But they did have this huge, white gallery wall that was perfect. It did pose a few problems for me as the photographer, but I love a challenge. This was actually a composite of three different photos, all put together in Photoshop.

Wells Mason & Jessica Mason of Ironwood Industries photographed by Sean Carranza of San Antonio, TX.

This project was so much fun. I'm so appreciative of Wells & Jessica for inviting me to their studio and letting me be adventurous with my work. Wells shared one of the photos with Home Design & Decor Magazine and my photo will be published in the April/May Issue!