Author Archives: Joan Marie Photography

February 14, 2024

Latest Headshots at The Studio

It has been an active month of headshot photos at my Scotch Plains NJ portrait studio! I’ve had a number of Clients come in for updated corporate headshots. And I have even traveled to a couple of offices to capture some professional photos!

When I take headshots my goal is to get your classic corporate photos, but with a twist. I want my headshot photos to really capture my Client’s personality and give a little bit of edge and artistic flair to them. And I think I’m pretty good at that 😉

Both Jaime and Fred chose me because they liked my style. They wanted something a little different than the boring ol’ oh hey here is my camera and I’m going to just take a quick snap, badda bing, badda boom, you’re done. Borrrrrrinnnnnggggg…

Upon booking, I send my Clients a headshot guide to help them with outfit and color selection. And Pinterest…Pinterest is the best! I have a million pinterest boards (slight exaggeration). I have my own Pinterest board for headshots. But I also I always have my Clients create a pinterest board that we can share and reference when planning outfits and even refer to during the shoot! With my new setup I am able to tether my camera to my laptop. This gives us the ability to look at a large tv screen while we shoot. It gives real time results and make adjustments as we go!

Both Fred and Jaime chose my 3 file Collection. I am so glad they did because we had so many great shots! Here are the headshot photos that Fred and Jaime picked from their sessions. I love them!

Jaime’s Final Images

Fred’s Final Images

Learn more about my headshots here!

February 2, 2024

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

Sabine & Greg’s Town Hall Wedding in Westfield, NJ

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 ⟶

February 2, 2024

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.

January 26, 2024

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!!!

January 19, 2024

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!

January 17, 2024

LINDA & MIKE | Intimate Wedding | Watchung, 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.

January 17, 2024

ANNIE & PETER

Venue: Maskers Barn | Watchung, NJ

View Gallery

I’ve known “Petey” for well over 30 years. I know, seems impossible. But yes, it most certainly is true. And his Bride, Annie, was the absolute sweetest and trusted me to be their photographer on their wedding day.

Taking place at the very intimate Maskers Barn in the heart of the Watchung Reservation, the venue was the perfect setting for this wedding. It was rustic and intimate and truly captured the love these two share.

What else did she trust me with? Taking a very special photo for her and Pete announcing that they were expecting 😍🫶🏻✨

I’m from New Providence and so is Pete. It’s a small town. One of the best parts of this wedding was being around people I’ve known almost my whole life. It was really special.

I recently realized that I have spent years with this website and have been REALLY awful about blogging. I didn’t realize how important it was to do. OOPS! So here I am posting weddings from literally YEARS ago.

They said goodbye to their dog not long ago. When I was going through these pics it made me a little emotional to see the way they looked at their pup. How they incorporated him into their special day. How much they loved him <3. I’m happy they have these photos to remember him by.

January 16, 2024

And 3rd baby makes 5

Rory’s parents were the absolute sweetest and chillest <3 with their baby boy. This is their third baby. They already had a boy and a girl and I guess you could say this baby boy was the tie breaker! And omg, you guys! Their kids are the absolute CUTEST!

Rory was a total sweetheart and just an absolutely beautiful baby boy. The cheeks, the lips, his skin. Ugh, I know I say it all the time, but I am obsessed with what I do! I LOVE IT!!!

Baby Boy in the moon

Here are some of the pics that mom picked out from our session. And I have to say I think she picked some good ones! I even got to use my new moon crate! And I couldn’t help it, I had to add some stars to the one photo. It was BEGGING for it!

January 10, 2024

Dating Photos and Puppy Love

Lisa reached out to me when she stumbled upon my first dating blog post about ME! When she emailed me I happened to be sitting on my computer and I immediately saw the notification. She basically said she felt like she was reading about her own life. I LOVE THAT! I mean not that I am happy that anyone goes through a divorce and then ends up in this weird online dating internet world, but that she found me relatable. That she connected with what I shared.

We chatted for a little bit about our lives and similarities. Lisa has 2 dogs and cat (I have 1 dog and a cat) and how they get along (or don’t LOL) And ultimately what it’s like booking an online dating photo session with me. And she was in.

“Have fun storming the castle”

As per usual, I sent Lisa my online dating photos questionnaire. I really love these questionnaires because it gives me a little insight about the person I am meeting and I think it gets them into a good mindset about what THEY are looking for and what THEY like. Sometimes with online dating we tend to start thinking about what other people are looking for and how we can craft our profile to attract what THEY want. But listen, that is NOT how to do it. You need to attract what YOU want into your life! So flip that script! Here is a little bit from Lisa’s questionnaire:

What brings you joy?

My pets, PBS Masterpiece Theater programs, my home (I live on a lake!), and hiking in the woods.

What kind of music do you like? Do you have a favorite band or concert you’ve been to?

I like music of all kinds. lately, I have been listening a lot to Amos Lee.

What are the 3 most important things you’re looking for in a partner?

Confidence, strength, integrity, health-conscious, etc.

To thine own self be true

I’m pretty sure that Lisa has a good handle on who she is. She knows herself, she is successful and confident and she has a pretty awesome life. She’s just missing that one thing. And honestly, I don’t think she thinks that she is “missing” anything. She just is open to finding the person that adds to her life. Someone she can go hiking with, watch Philly sports teams with, watch sunsets on the lake with. She would like to meet that person that can grow old alongside her with. And I’m pretty sure they’d be pretty lucky to find her too! As I was editing her online dating photos I realized that she looks like a mixture of Nicole Kidman and Meg Ryan! What do you think?

Lisa I had so much fun with you. I can’t wait to hear how your story unfolds!

AS YOUUUUU WISSSSHHHHHHHH!!!

Here are some of Lisa’s online dating photos from our session.

January 8, 2024

Dating Photos with Karen!

Karen reached out to me online when she came across my information for dating photos. There was no hesitation in her booking me. She was sure from the get go and as soon as I sent her my booking information, she hopped right on it and booked! I love that! Not only did she know what she wanted, but she put her trust in me immediately. That really made me so happy!

We met at my new favorite spot, Hatch 44, where I have been meeting lots of my clients at lately. There is so much I love about it. The food and drinks are amazing, the staff is so friendly and accomodating, and the atmosphere is buzzing with good energy. And the ambiance aint too shabby either ;). We sat and sipped on some tea and coffee and put in our orders for empanadas (HIGHLY RECOMMEND)! As we enjoyed our food and drink we talked a little bit about our experiences with dating, our interests, and occupations. I really enjoyed meeting up with Karen and I had a great time roaming around Metuchen while we got some good quality dating photos for Karen’s dating profile.

Is Tinder a 4 letter word in the dating world?

I have this conversation probably with every dating profile client I work with. When I first got into the online dating scene I was dead set against using Tinder. I had my own preconceived notions of what Tinder was all about and who was using it. Not to mention WHAT they were using it for. Random hookups, no commitments, blah blah blah. No thanks!

But I am someone who really truly believes in not having limiting beliefs. For having a positive mindset. For thinking outside of the box. And what I was doing was creating a limiting belief system and it was downright negative! And while I may have had to “kiss” a few toads to find my prince, I found him…on tinder :). I tell this story to my clients so they can reflect on their own choices and approach to online dating. And I shared this with Karen. We can really use any of these apps however we choose to! And that’s how you make them work!

I loved the answers that Karen provided on her dating photo questionnaire (something I have all of my clients complete when they book). Here are a few of the ones that really stood out to me:

Favorite movie/movie quote?

“Yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it or learn from it.” -Rafiki from Lion King

What kind of music do you like? Do you have a favorite band or concert you’ve been to?

My favorite band is Ghost, which I am very passionate about. I listen to all music but my favorites are rock and metal. I am open to new band interests always.

If you could have any job, what would it be?

I am currently in graduate school for my Masters of Occupational Therapy. My dream job is to use this education creatively to teach children to grow up with security, self-confidence and self-regulation through OT and spirituality.

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

My Spotify app!

Karen – I could tell just from reading your answers to the questionnaire that you are a compassionate, kind and loving person. Your choice in profession is proof of that. I have a son with emotional regulation challenges. I don’t know if I mentioned that during our little brunch time. But people like you are SO IMPORTANT to parents like me. We need you. So thank you for choosing to work with kids like my son to give them the tools to grow up to be successful adults.

I wish you the absolute best and can’t wait for you to e-mail me to let me know that you’ve found your person!!