scotch plains Archives - Joan Marie Photography

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Westfield, NJ

September 8, 2023

“Jersey Girl for LIFE!”

Time is once again getting away from me and I am realizing that I haven’t blogged about some of the best shoots I’ve had this Summer! The dating profile session I did with Ali was nothing short of AWESOME!

When Ali first reached out to me she was on the fence about doing a dating profile session. I get it. Believe me I do! Would we be able to get enough variety, could we capture her personality, could we REALLY get enough material in the one hour session to yield 5 unique images that are included in the package? My answer is always a resounding YES!

Questionnaires

I think part of this can be credited to the questionnaire that my Clients fill out. I don’t know what it is, but I really find it helps me connect with the individual and almost know them personally before we even meet. The questions I ask aren’t only for MY benefit, but I think they help get my dating peeps in the right mindset and remembering who THEY are and not so much who they want to meet. I think that’s really important! We all have something to offer and we need to remember that. But it also helps us to come up with outfit ideas and “props” for the shoot. These are simple things that can really create a completely different look and feel!

When Ali and I first spoke she mentioned wanting to give 80’s vibes in her dating profile. I loved it and I had the best idea! Let’s turn one of the images into a polaroid with some cool prism like colors overlaid on it! I knew right away we were on the same page! And that was confirmed once again when I read her answers to the questionnaire. She is a really freakin’ cool girl!

Ali and I originally planned on meeting at Van Gogh’s Ear in Union only to find out the day of that it was CLOSED! But, we go with the flow and we pivot! PIVOT!!! (Friends reference ;)) And I really believe that these things do happen for a reason and when you go with the flow, it all works out in the end! We ended up at a cute little spot in Westfield called Reeve’s Smoothie Cafe. We got the Berry Betsy and it was delicious!!

So let’s get right into it! Here is a little bit more about Ali <3

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy gardening, playing chess, dancing, running, checking out new restaurants/going cruising in the car.

What are the 3 most important things you’re looking for in a partner?

(Ali listed five LOL!)

Fun
Kind
Good conversationalist.
Loves/ed his mother.
Sense of Humor

Favorite book? (this was a good one…she listed some of my own personal favorites.)

I have a couple books I enjoyed reading. The Alchemist, The old man and the sea, The Four agreements.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Coffee and hugs!

So yeah, now you can see why I think Ali is so cool! One of my favorite answers she gave was whether or not she has any strange or unique talents. She made me promise that I wouldn’t include her answer here…so if you want to know what it is, I guess you’ll just have to meet Alide for yourself! HAHA!

Ali – I had so much fun gettting to know you! I know that you will meet someone who is worthy of you because you are true to yourself! Best of luck!! XOXO

View More Dating Profile Sessions

Block Party Scotch Plains NJ | Joan Marie

September 4, 2023

I’m still Joni from the Block – BLOCK PARTY, that is!

If my sons read that or knew that I used that in a blog post they would tell me how cringe I am. LOL, oh well! I will wear it proudly!

This Saturday is the first East 2nd Street Block Party in Scotch Plains! I’m super excited to be participating in it along with a bunch of other local businesses! There is even going to be a car show! I never had that official tape cutting Grand Opening for The Studio so while it has been so exciting getting that space, it was also pretty anti climatic! HAHA! So I feel like this Saturday will be a great opportunity for me to meet people and the other business owners that I haven’t had a chance to meet yet. I’m a Fanwood resident so not only is this where my business is, but it’s my COMMUNITY.

I know that some of the businesses will be offering things from their establishments, but I am a Portrait Studio so it’s a little bit different. I AM thinking about doing a fun selfie station (think pink), having photographic prints available for purchase, maybe even do a raffle? But I am excited to show my face and also talk about the services and products that I offer which make me different than other photographers.

To read more about The East 2nd Street Block Party and the participants, click HERE!

High School Senior Portraits | Model Call | Scotch Plains, NJ

September 3, 2023

Where my Seniors at??

So I don’t know about you, but I’m just going to come right out and say it. High School Seniors today are WAY cooler than when I was a Senior! From the makeup to their taste in style. They seem so much more grown up looking than I did in the goofy picture that I have to remember my Senior year.

Maybe that is part of the problem? Photography has evolved so much since I was 17! Like there was only one way of doing Senior portraits. Put on an outfit that is SO NOT who you are as a person, go lean up against a tree in a weird way that you would never do in real life, and smile akwardly at some random dude you’ve never met or talked to in your whole life as if this is all natural. Ugh! NOPE! Hard PASS!

And when I THINK back to my Senior year, I have GREAT memories! Memories of my friends, my favorite band, the sports I played, my family <3. THAT’S what we should have captured in my Senior Portraits! Me wearing my favorite pair of jeans and my favorite hippie band shirt! That’s who I was! THAT’S the person that I remember, and it surely is NOT the person I see in those Senior Portrait photos I took and that my parents paid ALOT of money for!

What makes my Senior Portraits stand out?

What I do for my High School Seniors is much different. It’s not just about taking pictures. It is about TRULY connecting with them. Listening to them. I want to learn about the UNIQUE person that they are and I want to capture the REAL them! It is an EXPERIENCE. Not only do we have a great time during our shoot, but we all leave on cloud nine, feeling confident, seen, heard, loved and valued. I swear, I am not exaggerating! It is a major feeling of empowerment! I think EVERYONE should experience this!

I invite Families to come and join in for a family portrait, encourage my Senior to bring a bestie along for the experience and a portrait of the 2 of them. Because THESE are the things that matter.

So why invest in a High School Senior portrait session? Because it only happens once. And it is a HUGE milestone for our babies! They are about to set off onto the next phase of their lives, whatever and WHEREVER that may be! It is exciting and new and these images help us encapsulate the NOW.

Model Call Opportunity!

I am currently looking for 12th graders to do a model call for an upcoming promotional shoot. The dates are TBD, but I am looking to schedule 1 or 2 dates in September. Each child will have about 10 minutes in front of the camera and will receive 4 files that they can share on social media. But that’s not all! The models that we select will also receive $100 off of a full Senior Session!

Do you want to apply for our model call? Do you know a High School Senior who would be interested in this opportunity? Please share and click the link below to apply:

CLICK HERE

Pet Portraits | Scotch Plains, NJ!

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!

NJ Dating Profile Photography | Summit, NJ | Rahul

June 20, 2023

“Another one rides the bus”

If you know where those lyrics are from, then you are probably a fan of Weird Al Yankovik. Which means you’d probably have a great time hanging out with Rahul who has seen Weird Al multiple times! I thought that was an interesting bit to find out about him.

I always ask my clients if they could live anywhere, where would it be? Rahul’s answer? Toronto! And if he could choose between the city or the country he would pick the city. While he enjoys the beauty of the country, he is really drawn to the culture you find in the city.

When I asked Rahul what it is that makes him happy, he responded as I would imagine a psychiatrist would:

I mostly find joy in helping others feel better.

Imagine that!? A man who finds joy in helping others feel better. Rahul is generous and is looking for the same in his partner(s). He is smart, interesting, skeptical, and enjoys connecting on a deeper level. He even enjoys yoga and has experience with salsa dancing!

We had a beautiful day for our dating shoot and we even got to experience the 11AM Pack Walk with Wonder Dog Studio! Imagine turning a corner to see a sea of Golden Retrievers coming towards you!? It was so awesome and impressive!

Thank you Rahul for trusting me to capture YOU last week and I can’t wait to hear how things work out for you!