Author Archives: Joan Marie Photography

Sabine & Greg | Wedding | Westfield, NJ

bride and groom kiss while family celebrates by holding their arms in the air

Sabine & Greg

Venue: Westfield Town Hall, Westfield, NJ + Ferraro’s, Westfield, NJ

Love Blossoms: Capturing the Westfield, NJ Town Hall Wedding of Family Friends

In the heart of Westfield, New Jersey, I had the privilege of photographing a truly special wedding ceremony at Town Hall. Join me as I recount the heartwarming moments from the wedding of my parents’ friends, who, after life’s twists and turns, found each other decided to embark on a new journey together.

We started at Sabine’s home, a place where her children grew up, that exudes a sense of love and warmth. Knowing they would soon be listing the property, it held even more meaning to take some photos here in the family home.

Long Time Friends

Having known the couple for years, witnessing their wedding was a unique and emotional experience for me. Their love story, filled with life’s ups and downs, was a powerful reminder that love can bloom again, sometimes even more beautifully, after the storms have passed. The air was filled with joy and anticipation as family and friends gathered to celebrate the couple’s commitment to each other.

The simplicity of the Town Hall ceremony added a special touch to the day. It was a ceremony full of authenticity, where every glance and smile spoke volumes about the depth of their connection.

As a photographer, my goal was to capture the genuine moments of love and happiness that unfolded throughout the day. The candid shots of laughter, tears of joy, and the tender moments shared between the couple and their loved ones became timeless snapshots of a day filled with genuine emotion.

Cheers to the Couple

The reception that followed was an intimate gathering, filled with heartfelt toasts and wishes for the couple’s future. The atmosphere was one of love, support, and the shared understanding that life’s journey is unpredictable but can still lead to beautiful destinations.

In the quaint town of Westfield, New Jersey, I had the privilege of witnessing and documenting a love story that defied time and circumstances. The wedding of my parent’s friends was not just an event; it was a celebration of resilience, second chances, and the enduring power of love. As I reflect on the joyous moments captured through my lens, I am reminded that love, when given a second chance, can create a beautiful tapestry of shared memories and new beginnings.


BACK TO GALLERIES ⟶


Meghan & Mike | Wedding | Kenilworth, NJ

nj wedding photographer

Meghan & Mike

Venue: Church of St. Theresa, Kenilworth, NJ

NJ Church Wedding

Here I am now almost 2 years after this intimate church wedding, playing catch up on the blog posts that I never posted because I still don’t understand SEO! LOL

Step into the sacred realm of love and the divine sacrament as we unfold the tale of a beautiful NJ church wedding. Our latest blog post captures the essence of a divine celebration, which showcases the spiritual significance and timeless elegance that characterize weddings held within the hallowed walls of a church. Join us on this heartfelt journey as we delve into the artistry of church wedding photography, highlighting the reverence, grace, and pure joy that emanated from every corner of this sacred space.

As a New Jersey wedding photographer, while every wedding is special, some hold a unique place in the heart. In 2022, I had the incredible honor of photographing the wedding of one of my high school classmates. The journey from classmates to capturing one of the most significant days of their lives with this divine sacrament was an honor to say the least.

It all began when Meghan reached out to me about photographing their wedding. The excitement of reconnecting with a high school friend was indeed as equally as exciting as being entrusted with such a significant role in their big day. It was particularly heartwarming.

On the wedding day, certainly emotions ran high as I documented the laughter, tears, and all the moments in between. Being both a witness and a participant in this celebration was an experience I will cherish forever. All the little details all came together to tell a story of love and connection.

As a photographer, there’s a unique perspective that comes with knowing the couple personally. Capturing their personalities, the stolen glances, and the candid moments is one of the best parts of my job.

To Meghan and Mike, thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. May your journey together be filled with love and laughter.

First Birthday Family Shoot | Scotch Plains, NJ

cake smash, first birthday

I love you Paisley…oh yes I dooooo…

What a very special shoot this was for me! It was 3 generations of strong, beautiful, smart and awesome ladies who wanted to do a First Birthday Family shoot! We talked about so many things. Paisley’s grandma raised her daughter on her own. She made sacrifices that single mothers do to make sure that her daughter would have all the opportunities that she could. And well, she did a great job! Her daughter is so smart and has an amazing career and now she is blessed with this beautiful daughter. And now they all get to dote on her and continue the tradition of raising brave, smart and strong women!

I am so grateful I was able to capture these images of the 3 of them for Paisley’s first birthday. And I am forever thankful to have had this experience with and met all of you!

There are so many options when it comes to the type of shoot you can book for your little one’s first birthday! I always include family posing and child posing when I do cake smashes too! You can learn more about those sessions here!

Paisley, you are one ADORABLE little girl! Those CHEEKS!!!

Virginie | Headshots | Berkeley Heights, NJ

Don’t worry, I’m weird!

Virginie contacted me about headshots at the end of 2023. She was looking for some updated professional headshots and came across my website where she saw some of my headshot work. We had a phone call about what she was looking for and she mentioned that she feels a little awkward and shy about having her photos taken. I promised her that it would be fun and she wouldn’t feel weird because I am a total weirdo! HAHA! I told her that we would have a ton of fun and fun we had!

Are you like Virginie? Are you afraid to invest money in headshots because you don’t know if you’ll like your photos? I promise you will! Let’s do this! Check out Virginie’s headshots below. I absolutely LOVE how they came out and she even got some extras! You can see more of my headshots here!

Intimate Wedding NJ

LINDA & MIKE | Intimate Wedding | Watchung, NJ

Intimate Wedding NJ

LINDA & MIKE

Venue: Maskers Barn

View Gallery

Sometimes things happen in life that you don’t expect. But they lead to other things and opportunities and friendships. That’s what happened here. I was invited to photograph at this intimate NJ wedding location for a couple I have never met. And I swear…the moment I met them I felt like we knew each other.

joan marie

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908.312.1788 | info@joanmariephotography.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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