Tag Archives: scotch plains dog photographer

October 8, 2025

Studio Dog Portrait Session with Sue and Her Rescue Pup, Harry

I recently had the joy of photographing Sue, the talented owner of The White Violet, a New Jersey-based business known for its high-quality silk flower arrangements. Sue’s artistry and creative touch shine through in everything she does — and her photo session was no exception!

Sue won her pet photography session through a silent auction benefiting The Raptor Trust. They are a remarkable wild bird rehabilitation center in Millington, NJ, nestled within the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Raptor Trust provides care for injured and orphaned wild birds, and it was so rewarding to see Sue supporting this incredible local organization. In fact, when my children were little, we would visit the Raptor Trust regularly and look at all of the birds which include, my favorite, OWLS!

Meet Harry — The Adorable Rescue Schnauzer

The star of the session was Harry, Sue’s rescue white Schnauzer. With his sweet face and spunky personality, Harry was a natural in front of the camera! We captured a beautiful mix of black-and-white portraits, candid expressions, and cozy family moments that perfectly show off his charm.

To make the session even more special, Sue’s daughter joined in, creating heartwarming portraits that celebrate the love between a mother, daughter, and their beloved pup. These are the kinds of photos that become family treasures.

From Pet Portraits to Professional Headshots

Sue loved her pet session so much that she later returned to the studio for a professional headshot session. Her new portraits reflect her confidence, creativity, and the refined style behind The White Violet’s brand. It was such a pleasure helping her create updated imagery for her website and marketing materials. Because strong, authentic photos help every business stand out.

Supporting Local Animal Causes

As someone who loves working with both pets and their people, I’m always thrilled to support organizations that care for animals. I’m currently participating in a pet photo contest for the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, NJ. The winner of the contest will receive a complimentary pet photography session with me! And their photo will appear on the cover of the shelter’s 2026 calendar!

It’s a wonderful way to give back and celebrate the pets who bring so much joy into our lives.

ENTER HERE

Book Your Own Pet Photography Session

You don’t have to win a photoshoot to have a pet portrait session with me! If you’ve been thinking about professional photos of your furry best friend, now’s the perfect time! My pet photography sessions are available in Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Westfield, Summit, Millington, East Hanover, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Whether you prefer a studio portrait, an outdoor lifestyle session, or a family session that includes your pets, each experience is designed to capture your pet’s personality and the special connection you share.

Ready to book your pet session?
Let’s create beautiful, timeless portraits of your four-legged family member.
👉 Contact me today to schedule your pet photography session in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Find out more about my Pet Portraits and view my Galleries here.

February 14, 2025

Paws, Hearts, and Balloons: Our Sold-Out Valentine’s Dog Mini Sessions

toy pug posing at her valentine's day photoshoot with nj pet photographer joan marie in scotch plains

Move over, Cupid! There was a new kind of love in the studio this February.

I recently hosted a series of Valentine’s Day dog sessions at my Scotch Plains, NJ studio, and let me tell you—my heart is officially full. We had a steady stream of four-legged cuties join us for some festive fun, and the energy was absolutely infectious.

The Setup: Red, Pink, and All the Treats

To set the stage for these lovers, we used a bold red backdrop paired with a custom pink, red, and white balloon garland. It was the perfect pop of color to highlight every coat color, from golden retrievers to charcoal doodles.

As a dog photographer in Scotch Plains, I know that the secret to a great pet portrait is a mix of high-quality treats, a lot of patience, and a little bit of “dog whisperer” magic. We captured some truly beautiful portraits of these pups, ranging from soulful stares to hilarious “tongue-out” bloopers!

Custom Pet Portraits vs. Mini Sessions

If you missed out on the Valentine’s fun, don’t worry! I offer two ways to get professional portraits of your best friend:

Custom Pet Portrait Sessions: You can book a full, custom session anytime. This is perfect if you want a specific theme, multiple outfit changes, or more time to let a shy dog get comfortable.
Pet Mini Sessions: Occasionally, I host themed “Mini Days” (like this Valentine’s event!). These are fast-paced, high-energy sessions that are perfect for a quick, updated portrait. Note: Mini sessions are digital-only packages.

Why Professional Pet Photography Matters

Our dogs are members of the family, plain and simple. They are “souls having a canine experience,” and they deserve to have their essence captured just as much as we do. Whether it’s their first puppy year or their “senior” golden years, these images become treasures.

Thank you to all the amazing dog parents who brought their fur-babies by the studio! I had a blast meeting every single one of them.

Check out some of the Valentine’s Day “Heart-Throbs” below:

August 26, 2023

Pet Portrait Special

In honor of National Dog Day, and the 1 year anniversary of my pup’s “gotcha day”, I will be offering a Pet Portraits Promotion for the month of September!

$99 Pet Portrait Sessions!

These will be 15 minute professional portrait sessions of your pup. Includes 1 8×10 and matching digital file. Gallery reveal and image selection will take place immediately after with the option to purchase additional products. That’s over $300 in savings! Check out some of my pet portraits HERE!

BOOK NOW!