Natalie Maya | Westfield, NJ Newborn Photography

March 11, 2023

I do not have any idea how I somehow missed blogging about these sessions! They produced some of my favorite images! And they are from Summer of 2022!

Momma contacted me a few months before her due date which is what we always encourage. This gives us time to plan and prepare for baby’s arrival. At the time that I am writing this, I offer Maternity Sessions as an add-on to my Newborn Session. And that is what we did for this one. We had a beautiful sunset session for the Maternity and the sun showed up with her golden dripped sunlight. It was a little bit HOT, but Mom and Dad took it like champs and we created beautiful Maternity images that I am so proud of. We even pulled out the Drone for some amazing aerial images!

Then their beautiful princess arrived and it was Newborn shoot time! What I love most about my Clients is that they TRUST me. This is an investment! And it is super important that you TRUST your photographer. That you see their work and love it and TRUST us to create unique images of you and your baby while also appreciating the creative process and artistic styling. I always have my Clients fill out a questionnaire which leads me in selecting what colors, fabrics and props to use. But at the end of the day, as George Michael said, “Ya gotta have faith”!

Kathryn gave me that. And we created some of my favorite Maternity and Newborn images. This little girl is going to be one in a couple of months and I can’t wait to see her again! Hopefully at her cakesmash!

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Montclair, NJ

February 22, 2023

“I’d like to buy the world a coke”

Aidan and I met in Montclair a couple of days after Christmas. It was chilly, but the air was crisp and exhilarating! We decided on a great little coffee shop to start out, grab a cup and ease into our shoot. Only one slight problem…the actual coffee shop side was under construction. Doh!

Luckily for me, and for the beauty of random street closures in our beautiful State of NJ, I just so happened to drive by a cute little section that I had never been to before. However, it had some major potential! And coffee…don’t forget the coffee! I looked at Aidan and asked if he was down to do some exploring and thankfully he was! That’s the thing, these sessions are very go with the flow. And the more “go with the flow” you are, the better the images will be! We hopped in our cars and drove over towards the Red Eye Cafe to warm up with some coffee.

After we grabbed some delicious caffeinated beverages we made our way to the streets to start our dating profile shoot. Why do I love these so much? Because people’s hearts are in this, because I met my partner online dating 6 years ago, because I simply love LOVE! And exploring and photography and meeting and connecting with new people. It’s literally all of the things <3

Learning a little bit about my Clients

All of my dating profile clients have to fill out a questionnaire when they book with me. Dont’ worry, it’s short and sweet and it allows me to have a little window into what you’re like. I think it also helps my Clients focus on what they are about, what’s important to them and what they’d like to find in a partner. It’s kind of an ice breaker in a way because it gives us some things to talk about too.

Aidan is active and into health and fitness, but not at the expense of having a good sense of humor and wanting to connect with someone who he can do fun active things with and then head home grab some takeout and wine and cuddle up on the couch to watch a good movie. And trust me, I know he’s cool because his favorite movie is Good Fellas. “What am I here to amuse you”? He listed his hero as Steph Curry. The reason why? Because he seems to have figured out career, family and happiness. MY HEART!!! Yes, these things are so IMPORTANT!

The one thing you can’t live without…

What is the one thing that Aidan cannot live without? Is it his favorite hat? His cell phone? Camera? No. It is his Coca-Cola 🙂 And since the last thing he wished for was Peace, it made me think of the old commercial:

“I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company
That’s the real thing”

Thank you, Aidan, for trusting me take your photos and I hope that just like Steph Curry, you too can figure out career, family and happiness!

“Joan Marie Photography was an awesome experience. Joan’s creative approach is not only incredibly effective, it’s also fun! 5/5 would recommend to anyone looking for high quality photography.”
Aidan

Newborn | Juliana | Scotch Plains, NJ

February 9, 2023

Meet Juliana!

I have been busy with Newborns lately and just sent out this little girl’s gallery. What a beautiful little girl she was!

Her grandmother actually contacted me wanting to GIFT a newborn session to her daughter. I can’t think of a more amazing gift! Can you? Man, I wish someone gifted that to me when I had my babies…I definitely was not the photographer then that I am now LOL.

These sessions are not lost on me. I love sitting and talking with the parents about their birth, their adoption, their story. I feel like I always get something out of these talks. Sometimes I even find out a connection we have with one another such as mutual friends, life experiences, etc. It’s another part of the “job” that I really love. Human connection. And the magical first weeks with the new life that has entered this world. What a blessing!

So grateful for this!

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Westfield, NJ

January 6, 2023

Who you Gonna Call…to up that Dating Game?!?

How serious are you about meeting “The One”?

In my original post (from a couple of years ago now) I shared that there is a need for dating profile picture help! I know this from my first hand experience surfing the dating app scene. I was in it. And I saw the photos people CHOSE to represent themselves when they have a very unique opportunity to make a conscious choice of the first impression others make of them! And boy, it was very interesting.

Now don’t get me wrong, if you’re online dating for random hookups, it probably doesn’t matter all that much what image you choose to define you. Or maybe it does, and perhaps you want to contact me to setup a Boudoir Shoot. That’s cool too LOL! But if you are looking for lasting love, then that’s when you need to make yourself standout. And there is really so much you can do in this online dating world.

Tom reached out to me awhile ago. He inquired about my Dating Profile Sessions and investment details. But he didn’t book during our initial conversation. Quite honestly, I understand people’s hesitation! It is an investment! Not everyone is ready to invest in a dating profile session. I get it! But, a few months later he got back in touch with me. He was ready to schedule his session and get serious about meeting that special someone.

Online Dating is a Process!

I think of the dating process as exactly that; a process. And all the people in the world can give you advice about what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s normal. And it all comes from a good place. Because I think genuinely everyone wants happiness and love for others. But what I can tell you with absolute certainty is that a dating profile session is so much more than hiring a person to take some shots of you. I find it to be empowering, fun, exciting, and so much more than a photoshoot. When you book a dating profile session, you are not just investing in dating profile pictures. You are investing in YOURSELF, in your FUTURE, in your CHANCES at finding and keeping lifelong love (if that’s what you want of course).

I found love online. I opened myself up to step outside of my comfort zone. I even eventually let go of my preconceived ideas about Tinder and created my own Tinder profile. I reworked my profile to include things that I am interested in, and removed anything that catered to what I thought OTHERS would want to see. I TRANSFORMED the experience to be about ME! And that is exactly what my dating profile shoots are all about. It’s all about YOU and capturing the absolute BEST but also REAL version of you so you can attract the person who matches YOU! Am I making sense? HAHAHA!! Well anyways, I had a great time with Tom during our session and I know that he is destined to meet someone who will game with him and watch Ghost Busters with him and even appreciate his taste in Metal! 😉

I asked Tom some questions, I do this with all of dating clients. He had some really great answers 👏 😊

Do you have any hobbies?I play guitar. I like to travel. Play video games. Go to concerts.

What kind of music do you like? Do you have a favorite band or concert you’ve been to?Metal. Love Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden to name a few.

If you could have any job, what would it be?Hospital Patient Care Work Coach. As a health care worker, I am very passionate about how to care for patients. I would like to be able to teach and guide others, in order to set a better standard when it comes to care for those in need.

What was the last thing you wished for? For my family to be happy

What is your ideal date? Go to a nice quiet bar, have some drinks, and get lost in conversation.

Do you have any turnoffs? Texting and looking at your phone during conversation. Every so often is fine, but when it’s constant? Nope. Not happening.

Favorite book? Salems Lot

Any pets? A cat

What is the one thing you can’t live without? 2 things: Music and Hibachi. You take those away, then what’s left to live for??

“Joan is awesome! When doing the shoot I felt a little nervous, but Joan made the experience very pleasant and fun. She pays attention to the little details and genuinely cares about getting you the photos you need. Thanks Joan!”
Thomas

Newborn | Ari | 128 Days

December 22, 2022

When Ari’s mom contacted me to inquire about a Newborn shoot for her daughter, her baby was already about 4 months old. Now if you are new to the Newborn Photography World you wouldn’t know that we typically schedule these sessions when baby is about 2 weeks old. “Why?” you may ask? Well, there are a number of reasons for this. First of all, when babies are first born they are easily posable. They literally just came from an environment where they were folded over and squished up and so it makes it easier for us to pose them in those sweet little squishy poses. Also, it’s when they are sleepiest! As time goes on babies become more alert, dare I even say “nosy”? HAHA! But seriously, alert babies can be very difficult to pose! Another reason? The older they get, the more they eat. Cluster feeding and growth spurts are REAL and they can make newborn shoots very long and difficult.

Why won’t photographers shoot “older” newborns?

Believe it or not, many newborn photographers will quite literally put a hard stop on newborn sessions after a certain age. I honestly don’t blame them for doing it. It’s their business and if they only do newborns up to a certain age, it’s really just being honest with the family that they do not believe they will be able to get the newborn poses that they are hoping to get. It’s actually commendable in a way.

Hey, Joan…do you have an age limit for newborns?

I don’t have a limit on age for my newborns. Of course I prefer to shoot at around 15 days. I encourage expectant mommas to book their newborn sessions 3 months in advance. But I am a mom myself. I know that life happens, that this isn’t on everyone’s radar, that sometimes families have complications or other life things happening that prevent them from booking ahead of time. And so I will never turn a baby away for being “too old”. However, I will be upfront and honest and real that the session may be more difficult, baby may not let me pose them certain ways, etc. But I know that I will always be able to walk away with something…I make it my mission lol! I guess that’s just the artist in me.

Momma had a difficult pregnancy. She spent the last bit of it bed ridden before ending up in the hospital. Baby Ari was born early. I think she was 2 months early? And she had to stay in the NICU for an extended period of time after she was born. Ari is a rainbow baby. Incase you don’t know, a rainbow baby is a baby that is born after a loss. And she is a warrior!

Collaboration is my jam…

Mom and Dad had some amazing ideas for the shoot. And collaboration is where my heart is. They had envisioned certain shots and I was there for it! This might be my most favorite session I have ever done. Why? Certainly because of the meaning behind it. Mom and Dad wanted to include their COMMUNITY in this session. They wanted to include the people who supported them, who helped them, who were there for them. And these people SHOWED UP! I mean they showed up for this mom and dad when they needed them, but they ALSO showed up with about a days notice to the shoot the day before Thanksgiving. My Heart <3.

I could go on about this session and this family forever, so I’m just going to end it here and let the images do the rest of the talking…

Thank you Crystal and Lamar for trusting me with your Little Lion, Ari <3 And thank you for giving me the artistic freedom to help execute your vision XOXO