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Italian Restaurant in Scotch Plains

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

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.

by Joan Marie PhotographyPosted in branding, City Lifestyle Magazine, Food Photography, scotch plains, nj

Oakley | Baby Photography |Scotch Plains, NJ

“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

by Joan Marie PhotographyPosted in Newborn

Milestone Mini Sessions

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
by Joan Marie PhotographyPosted in Milestones, Sitter Session

Jaime and Fred | Headshot Photos

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!

by Joan Marie PhotographyPosted in headshots

Sabine & Greg | Wedding | Westfield, NJ

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. 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 ⟶
by Joan Marie PhotographyPosted in Wedding
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joan marie

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908.312.1788 | info@joanmariephotography.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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