Author Archives: Joan Marie Photography

ANNIE & PETE | Wedding | Maskers Barn, Watchung, NJ

January 17, 2024

ANNIE & PETER

Venue: Maskers Barn | Watchung, NJ

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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.

Baby Boy | NJ Newborn Photographer | Mountainside, NJ

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!

Online Dating Photos | Lisa | NJ

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.

Dating Photos | Union County, NJ

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!!

Military Portraits | Luz and Carlos

January 5, 2024

Military Portrait | Carlos and Luz

I had the absolute honor of doing Luz and her husband Carlos’s couple’s military portraits this December, right before Christmas. It is such a heart warming story on so many levels that I just have to share!

A woman in town contacted me via Instagram looking for a photographer to do couples portraits for her sister and her husband, an army veteran. He served in the military for 25 years and they never had a formal military portrait taken of the 2 of them with him in his uniform. She got my name from a really AWESOME man that also lives in town and is an amazing photographer himself! Honestly, as I am writing this, I am realizing that I really don’t know if his name is Herb or Scott. LOL!!! If you read this you’re going to have to clear that up for me HERB-SCOTT! But he felt that portraiture is more my thing and recommended ME! How nice is that??

It’s for the birds!!!

He loves bird photography and is REALLY great at it. Check out some of his bird photography on his instagram here! I really love looking at other people’s work and really appreciate what Herb-Scott does because I also love to take pictures of birds! You can see some of my bird photography here. I’m also realizing that it has been a long time since I have taken any bird photos or even uploaded any! I will have to get on that right away! The sudden urge to photograph the beautiful and curious little creatures that are right there in our own yard. That reminds me, I also have some bird seed to put out! Tell me, is this a creative thing, an ADHD thing or a Gemini thing? Oh, lucky me that I have all of those things going on! LOL

Follow your heart…

I chatted with Rosa, her sister, on “the gram” for a bit about pricing and package options and what would work best for them to get their military portraits. They were coming to visit from Maryland and needed to book a weekend date. I don’t normally shoot on weekends because I try to reserve them for time with my sons. But I was really so touched by this on so many levels that I was able to make an exception. That’s one of the really GREAT THINGS about owning your own business and making your own schedule. When your heart moves you, you can follow it <3

When they arrived at my studio, they were a sight to see! Carlos looked so regal and handsome and Luz looked absolutely STUNNING! They told me a bit about their lives and how they had lived in Germany for awhile and how they never got portraits of the two of them before. Do you know how honored I feel to be able to do this for them?!

ROSA!!

And ROSA! Luz’s sister is an absolute SWEETHEART! I swear, I love this job so much. It gives me so many opportunities to meet amazing people who have so much love and kindness and gratitude and it just absolutely fills up my heart! I feel like Rosa is my friend now. And she was so thoughtful and happy for her sister to be doing this and getting military portraits done. She helped her with her hair and makeup and really was just all too much for my little heart to handle.

Carlos I appreciate and thank you for your service and I wish you and Luz a wonderful retirement and future together. I hope you love and cherish these military portraits forever and that they can be passed on to your family for generations to come. I can’t wait to get you your prints!