Author Archives: Joan Marie Photography

April 30, 2024

Capturing Character: A Month in the Studio

Over the past month, my studio has been buzzing with creativity as I’ve had the pleasure of capturing the essence of numerous individuals through headshot photography. Each session has been a unique journey, a blend of artistry and storytelling, as I endeavor to encapsulate the personality and professionalism of my clients in a single frame.

The Art of Portraiture

In the world of photography, headshots hold a special place. They’re more than just a picture; they’re a visual handshake, a glimpse into the character and competence of the subject. As I prepare for each session, I approach it not just as a technical task but as an opportunity to create something meaningful. From adjusting lighting to directing poses, every aspect is meticulously curated to showcase the best version of my clients.

A Tapestry of Faces

What makes each session truly special is the diversity of faces and stories that grace my studio. From aspiring actors to seasoned professionals, each individual brings their own narrative, their own unique blend of dreams and aspirations.

Through conversation and collaboration, I strive to create an environment where my clients feel comfortable and confident. This allows their true selves to shine through. In these moments of authenticity, magic happens, resulting in headshots that not only capture a likeness but also a spirit.

But my role doesn’t end with the click of the shutter. In post-production, I meticulously fine-tune each image, ensuring that every detail is just right. From color correction to retouching, my goal is to deliver headshots that not only meet but exceed my clients’ expectations.

The Attitude of Gratitude

When I look back on the past month, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to do what I love. Each session has been a reminder of the power of photography to capture moments, memories, and milestones. As I prepare for the month ahead, I do so with renewed passion and purpose, eager to continue telling stories one headshot at a time.

And in the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to overlook the significance of a simple headshot. But behind every image lies a wealth of emotion, experience, and identity waiting to be discovered. As I continue on this journey, I’m reminded of the profound privilege it is to be a storyteller, one frame at a time.

April 29, 2024

Pop-up Event!

I’m excited to announce that I am collaborating with Willow Street Boutique for a Personality Portrait Pop-up Event this week! I will be at their Summit location on Thursday and in Morristown on Friday! The investment for the session is 199. Each Personality Portrait session will also include 1 digital file with a complimentary 8×10 (250 value).

Great Gifts!

These Personality Portraits are great gifts for Mother’s & Father’s Day not only for the parents but the grandparents too! Or maybe you need a new profile picture for your socials? Images will be shot on a white backdrop and converted to black and white. It is encouraged to come in a clean plain white or black shirt with clean faces. Especially for those little ones!

Want to know more about my Personality Portraits? Click here!

You must pre-register for the event and can do so at the links below. I hope to see you there!

Summit

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

Morristown

Friday, May 3rd, 2024

April 11, 2024

Local Clark NJ Builder creates custom home with indoor basketball court

BONOMO & SONS

JACK BONOMO

BONOMO & SONS

CLARK, NJ

Custom Home by Bonomo & Sons

I recently met with custom home builder Jack Bonomo of Bonomo & Sons, based out of Clark, NJ for Scotch Plains City Lifestyle. This home was a fully customized residence with no detail left unturned. From an indoor basketball court to home theater, why would you ever want to leave?!

The home itself was absolutely stunning and still in the building phase, but it was easy to imagine the final result, the holidays and family dinners, movie premiers and 1 on 1 matches. This custom home is going to be an absolutely gorgeous residence and the center of many family gatherings in the years to come.

To read the article written by Sue Baldani, click here.

SCOTCH PLAINS CITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER – LYNN HARRIS

Our publication is a community-focused magazine that aims to connect the residents to the people, places and things that make our city special. We are inspired by the unique atmosphere our city has, and we highlight the most positive aspects of living here. From locally owned businesses to inspirational residents, these pages will be your guide.

More City Lifestyle…

April 10, 2024

Grano Pizzeria and Italian Tavern

Antonino LoCascio

Grano Pizzeria and Italian Tavern

Scotch Plains, NJ

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Grano Pizzeria and Italian Tavern, an Italian Restaurant on Park Avenue in Scotch Plains, NJ for Scotch Plains City Lifestyle. We were happily greeted by Nino who is the owner and chef! In addition to getting shots of the interior, he made some dishes for us to photograph as well. And OMG…I even had the opportunity to try out the food he made and it was AMAZING! And I especially loved the pepperoni pizza that had the sweet honey drizzled on it. How have I never had that combination before??? Trust me, you HAVE to try it!

Besides the amazing menu they offer at Grano, they have a really gorgeous bar. It is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or share some appy’s with some friends. And although I have not attended yet, Nino occasionally hosts Sunday brunches which look like a blast with music and mimosas! Whoever is running their social media is really good about posting so be sure to follow Grano’s instagram and Chef Nino’s where you can catch him doing lives and sharing some delicious recipes!

So if you are looking for an amazing Italian restaurant in Scotch Plains, look no further! Grano has it all, and it is absolutely mouth watering delicioso!

To read the article, click here.

SCOTCH PLAINS CITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER – LYNN HARRIS

March 4, 2024

“Physics elevated to an artform”

That is the slogan for the Oakley brand. Just found that out. Kind of love it! Kind of like “Baby Photography elevated to an artform”. Did I just come up with my own tagline? I think I may have!

Sweet baby Oakley came to The Studio for a baby photography model call I was doing. I wanted to work on an all wrapped flow and put a model call out so I could work on this workflow.

I think one of the reasons I love baby photography so much (and there are MANY REASONS), is that there is ALWAYS things to learn, to improve upon, and ways to grow. I’ve been taking pictures since I was a little girl. I started to shoot newborns around 2010. And I STILL find myself learning and growing! And I LOVE that!

Baby Oakley came to the Scotch Plains studio and the boy was PASSED OUT! He let me do anything I wanted and didn’t make a single peep! We captured some really great images for his mom and dad and I love how he looked on the tannish-brown fabrics I used!

Here are some of his momma’s favorites from our session <3

To see more of my Newborn work, you can check out my Gallery here.

February 16, 2024

adorable six month old with ruffle sleeve cream onesie decorated with pink heards laying on pink backdrop

Six Month Old Baby Rosanna!

I had baby Rosanna in the studio for a sitter/milestone session! It’s hard to believe that the last time she was in The Studio was when she was a newborn! And here she is sitting up all on her own now!

One of the new things I am offering at The Studio this year is my Monday Milestone sessions! What are these Monday Milestone Mini Sessions you ask? Well, sometimes we want to document something, but don’t want to invest in a whole full size photoshoot. Sometimes we wish we could just capture or document an important life event or phase with a little better quality than a phone can do. For example, your child loses their first tooth, your baby GETS their first tooth and have that ridiculously adorable gummy smile! Maybe you are afraid to invest in a full session with a photographer or want your kids to get comfortable in front of the camera or with a new person BEFORE you make that investment. There are lots of things that you might want to have a professional capture for you.

Milestone Mini Sessions

Thats where these Milestone Mini Sessions come in! They are short and sweet, 20 minute sessions in my Scotch Plains, NJ Studio. They are offered on Mondays only. And they include 3 digital files. As with all my sessions you will also have the option to purchase additional prints and files.

Milestone Mini Sessions will be on a simple solid backdrop with lots of color options available. The focus is on your child, or maybe your new puppy?? Looking for something more elaborate or think you may need more time? A cake smash perhaps? You can find more information about my cake smashes here. Do you have a newborn and really want to do a newborn shoot, but can’t quite make that investment? I also have Wrapped Sessions which are up to 1 hour, baby only and they are wrapped for the entirety of the shoot! Ask me about those!

So what do you say? Do you have a special Milestone you want to capture? Does the short and sweet session sound perfect for what you need? Reach out to me! I would love to talk more about my milestone mini sessions and see what we can create together!

Here are some more images we captured of sweet baby Rosanna <3

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

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. Additionally, by 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 is filled with life’s ups and downs. It’s a powerful reminder that love can bloom again, sometimes even more beautifully, after the storms have passed. The air was filled with joy as family and friends gathered to celebrate the couple’s commitment to each other.

Consequently, 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.

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

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.

In the town of Westfield I had the privilege of 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. 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

An Intimate Wedding Ceremony in Kenilworth, NJ

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!!!