Category Archives: Uncategorized

Scotch Plains | Portrait Studio | My Journey

I was contacted by Evelyn Wiseman with Subkit at the end of June asking if she could interview me about my Go Solo Story. I was recommended by another photographer that I had begun a friendship with via Facebook, Kristen Matta with Blush Baby Photography. What a complete honor!

Photography is one of those industries where you can either choose to be a competitor or a colleague/collaborator. I’ve learned this over the years. There is so much you can gain by forging friendships with others in your industry. So much more than choosing to see everyone as your competitor <3

Thank you Kristen for recommending me, for our virtual brainstorming sessions, for your help and most of all for treating me as a friend and colleague <3. It means so much! And thank you, Evelyn, for sharing our Go Solo Stories with others who are business men and women or thinking about embarking on this journey <3!

You can read my interview here. If you are local to Boston, I highly recommend reaching out to Blush Baby Photography for your photography needs. You can read Kristen’s article here.

Are you someone who has a go solo story to tell? Do you know someone who is killing it and you admire for going solo? You can fill out your own interview story here or send the link to someone who has a story to share with others.

Scotch Plains | Newborn | Vada

When I ran a model call I was only going to book 1 model, but oops! I wound up booking 2! LOL, no seriously though. I love newborn photography so much that I decided what the heck!? Let’s do 2! Vada was a tiny little adorable peanut. And as luck would have it, she wasn’t thrilled about modeling either. LOL. But that doesn’t bother me. I know that I will always win HAHA!

As a newborn photographer and an ARTIST, I want to capture and create beautiful art with your babies just as much as you want that! This is part of why newborn sessions are scheduled with a 3 hour timeframe. Babies are gonna “baby”! They get hungry, they need diaper changes. And sometimes they just need a little TLC. I plan for these things!

I’ve been doing newborn photography for 10+ years and I still am head over heels for it! And you know what else I’m head over heels for? Little girls in BLUE! I mean, just look at this little SQUISH! Thank you so much Jen and Vada for volunteering your time to help me perfect my craft even further. You ROCK!

Scotch Plains | Newborn | Freya

This little beauty was kind enough to help me out with a Newborn model call I was doing to brush up on some poses and test out some new backdrops. Although she wasn’t feeling it until about 2 hours in (maybe more LOL), she finally let me get some of the shots I wanted and I am absolutely in LOVE with how these turned out! This backdrop is actually the underside of a pattern and I am not mad about it! In fact it may be my new favorite! What do you think?

She had the most beautiful blonde hair! It was practically white! <3. So happy to have been able to meet you, Freya! And your mommy and daddy too!

Winner of NJ Monthly and Unique Photo’s Cover Search

I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t made the time to update my blog posts! So here I go again LOL. I do this every few months. I put it off and then I put out a flurry of activity. Oh well, I will blame it on my ADHD.

Last year, one of my BIGGEST fans and supporters sent me a link to an article by NJ Monthly Magazine with a call for entries for their 2021 Cover Search. He encouraged me to submit one of my photos to the contest because he was sure I would win. 🙂 Dads, am I right? But he believes in me. He knows I’m passionate about what I do. And he knows that I am good at what I do. The best? Well, I mean there are TONS of amazing photographers in our Garden State. But I’ve been putting myself out there more and more. Because I believe in myself and I also believe in the power of vulnerability.

In 2020 I got a drone and my remote pilot license and found a whole new love for a new photography medium. Aerial Photography! I love it! And one day I took my boys to the beach right before a storm was coming. I put my drone up in the air and I captured some AMAZING shots of the ocean and the waves and the white caps breaking on the beach. It was awesome! And I thought that one of them was good enough to submit to the contest.

I didn’t expect to win. But one day I got a call from someone at NJ Monthly about my entry. And he told me that I was a finalist in the Drone category. I was stoked! He said there were thousands of entries and they had narrowed it down to the final few. And one of them was me! DANNGGGG!!! I was thrilled. They invited the finalists to Unique Photo for a reception where the winner(s) would be announced. CRAZY! I was invited!

So on a November evening, my sons and I drove up to Unique. My friend Jody, another huge supporter of mine and one of my best friends, met us there. So excited for me <3. And there it was. My photo displayed on the wall with a bunch of other amazing finalists. Next to it? 1st place in the Drone Category! OMG! Shocked and excited and nervous and surprised and PROUD!

Interesting fact…this is not the EXACT photo that was submitted to the contest. What’s the difference? If you look REALLY closely…you can see my 2 sons swimming in the surf. Yes, if you take 2 boys to the beach and expect them to just sit and watch you fly your drone and NOT go full out swimming in their clothes, they you’re crazy. LOL! Can you see them?

If you want to grow, put yourself out there. Believe in yourself. Just KEEP GOING! You might just win first place in a contest and get a 2nd Drone 😉 Oh, and they have started their call for submissions for NJ Monthly Cover Search 2022! Take a leap and submit something!

NJ Family Photographer | Chatham, NJ

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing this wonderful extended family in Chatham. This was a referral from one of my Clients who I not only have been able to photograph in the past, but also someone who I have called “friend” for close to 30 years! I know, I can’t believe I’m that old either LOL! And I have to take a minute to say that I am so grateful for these friends and for their referrals. Most of my clients find me from referrals and I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. And many of these referrals become my friends. Thank you Kim for introducing me to your friend and her beautiful family.

Nichole is momma to 3 beautiful girls. And when we started planning our shoot she mentioned how she wanted to have the session in her backyard and we were hopeful that the flowers would be in bloom and the grass would be green. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! We had to reschedule at least once due to rain, but the sun showed up for her session. And oh boy did it show up! Her backyard was magical and so was her family!

Here are some of my favorite images from our outdoor family session.

joan marie

1728 E 2nd St
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Grid

Unknown Grid Type Exported

UA-145196688-1