Archive for November, 2008

Backyard wedding photography with a pig roast in Maryland

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

Classy indoor weddings with the artwork, candles and mood lighting are great. You all know I love them. But I experienced one of the ultimate American traditions in October with Karen & Rick … the backyard wedding.

I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical at how nice the day would be. On outdoor wedding in October carries some risk. But I couldn’t have been more pleased, and I had the honor of being involved with an amazing family who enjoyed rural living, beautiful skies and nature at its best. This Philadelphia Photographer is thrilled with the results.

Karen and Rick had the wedding at a family member’s house in Hampstead, MD and the scenery was fantastic. The weather was perfect, and I don’t know if the sky could get more blue.

One of the best parts of the day, for all of us, was the extra time set aside for pictures on these old Minneapolis Moline tractors. They’re rusted over, but so hott in pictures. And of course, much credit must go to the wedding party for being so open with sitting on dirt, rust and logs.

They even had a pig roast and beer truck, which were perfect accompaniments for everyone. The guests were pleased. The food was amazing. It was a blast. Congrats you two. We’re thrilled!

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Possibly my best dress shot…ever
Philadelphia wedding PhotographerHard to beat this sunset.
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Philadelphia wedding Photographer
Philadelphia wedding PhotographerThey look smokin’ good
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Philadelphia wedding PhotographerThe pig blesses the rings…

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Philadelphia wedding PhotographerMy job is so easy when working with families like this…
Philadelphia wedding PhotographerKaren enjoyed this a bit too much…
Philadelphia wedding Photographer
Philadelphia wedding Photographer
Philadelphia wedding PhotographerBest Wishes!

Joe G (& Bec)
www.jpgphotography.com

15 minutes of photojournalistic family portraits with the Townley’s

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Wedding Photography in Hampton Roads with Marissa & Brock

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Great Baltimore Wedding Photographs…even under the weather

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Some people fall in adversity. Others crumble. But not Elizabeth and Scott. These two didn’t allow anything to get in the way of their great Baltimore wedding plans!

On Sept. 27, I faced the third hardest rain storm in my 10 years of photography. It rained, and poured and rained some more. But the two of them didn’t allow it to interfere with their day. They kept positive, vibrant, and in Elizabeth’s case, radiant! All day, she looked amazing. Scott wasn’t too shabby either, but you have to give credit to the joy Elizabeth shared with everyone all day! The two of them are great.

It was an honor for me to be a part of this wedding because Scott and I went to high school together at La Salle College High School. Yes, it was all boys. Don’t remind me…haha. But it was a great experience, and it was great to catch up with so many La Salle gentlemen. It became a mini-reunion, with of course, the guests of honor stealing the show.

They chose a great hotel, the Intercontintal Harbor Court in Baltimore, to get ready, allowing us to get fantastic shots like this of Elizabeth below, and the guys outside:
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBaltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
As you can see, the rain was sizeable…
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBut then we got inside the St. Ursula Catholic Church, and everything panned out beautifully!
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBaltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding PhotographWhat a great party. So proud of you both. Congrats!

Best,
Joe G

Great Baltimore Wedding Photographs…even under the weather

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Some people fall in adversity. Others crumble. But not Elizabeth and Scott. These two didn’t allow anything to get in the way of their great Baltimore wedding plans!

On Sept. 27, I faced the third hardest rain storm in my 10 years of photography. It rained, and poured and rained some more. But the two of them didn’t allow it to interfere with their day. They kept positive, vibrant, and in Elizabeth’s case, radiant! All day, she looked amazing. Scott wasn’t too shabby either, but you have to give credit to the joy Elizabeth shared with everyone all day! The two of them are great.

It was an honor for me to be a part of this wedding because Scott and I went to high school together at La Salle College High School. Yes, it was all boys. Don’t remind me…haha. But it was a great experience, and it was great to catch up with so many La Salle gentlemen. It became a mini-reunion, with of course, the guests of honor stealing the show.

They chose a great hotel, the Intercontintal Harbor Court in Baltimore, to get ready, allowing us to get fantastic shots like this of Elizabeth below, and the guys outside:
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBaltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
As you can see, the rain was sizeable…
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBut then we got inside the St. Ursula Catholic Church, and everything panned out beautifully!
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBaltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding Photograph

Baltimore Wedding Photograph
Baltimore Wedding PhotographBaltimore Wedding Photograph

What a great party. So proud of you both. Congrats!

Best,
Joe G

Spiritual wedding day with Mollie & Jon

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Mollie and Jon held a wonderful spiritual ceremony at Grace Church in Lititz, PA. And even in Lancaster area, they chose a Philadelphia Photographer to capture the moments!

Why? Well, I always tell my couples that the ceremony is so important. It’s your announcement to God and the community, including your friends and family, that you’re committed to one person. You’re vows are a thank you, and respect to God, for putting this perfect compliment for you on this Earth. ((Love you REBECCA!))

Mollie & Jon shared a moving ceremony for themselves and family.

Then, of course…we started to PARTY!

They chose a beautiful new location, the Leola Village Inn & Suites, and the lighting, backdrop and dance floor was just killer. We got great moments all night, and then had a great sparkler exit.

We even met a great videographer who we recommend. We worked side-by-side without any problems, so this is really a compliment! His name is Derek Dienner, and he’s with High Medium Productions.

It was a perfect night! We’re honored you two! Thanks so much!

Best Wishes!
Joe & (Bec)
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And these last two great shots are by Bec!
Philadelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer

Spiritual wedding day with Mollie & Jon

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Mollie and Jon held a wonderful spiritual ceremony at Grace Church in Lititz, PA. And even in Lancaster area, they chose a Philadelphia Photographer to capture the moments!

Why? Well, I always tell my couples that the ceremony is so important. It’s your announcement to God and the community, including your friends and family, that you’re committed to one person. You’re vows are a thank you, and respect to God, for putting this perfect compliment for you on this Earth. ((Love you REBECCA!))

Mollie & Jon shared a moving ceremony for themselves and family.

Then, of course…we started to PARTY!

They chose a beautiful new location, the Leola Village Inn & Suites, and the lighting, backdrop and dance floor was just killer. We got great moments all night, and then had a great sparkler exit.

We even met a great videographer who we recommend. We worked side-by-side without any problems, so this is really a compliment! His name is Derek Dienner, and he’s with High Medium Productions.

It was a perfect night! We’re honored you two! Thanks so much!

Best Wishes!
Joe & (Bec)
Philadelphia PhotographerPhiladelphia Photographer
Philadelphia PhotographerPhiladelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer

Philadelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer

Philadelphia PhotographerPhiladelphia Photographer

And these last two great shots are by Bec!
Philadelphia Photographer
Philadelphia Photographer

Chadds Ford wedding photography with Julie and Chris

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Last month we shot great casual and classy wedding photographs with Julie and Chris! Both of them are so polite and nice.

What they did well to keep costs down, is getting ready at home. Now typically, this is a logistical nightmare for us, as the photographers. See, Bec and I only take one car, and we need to be near it with all of our gear, backups, lights, ladder, etc. But they both got ready only a few miles from each other! Problem solved. Rebecca dropped me off at Julie’s and then drove to Chris’ place. After 45 minutes, an hour, she came back to get me at Julie’s, just in time to head to the ceremony.

They held it at The Gables of Chadds Ford, an absolutely beautiful and classy location for everything. Food was great. Service was great. We highly recommend this place, and we’re so grateful to Julie and Chris for choosing such a wonderful spot. All of their guests had a killer time, and so did we. We’re so honored to have been a part of their day. These two really are some of the nicest people we’ve ever met. Thanks so much!

Love this shot of her dad! Yes, a wedding IS this tiring…
Chadds Ford wedding photograph
Great dress!
Chadds Ford wedding photograph

One by Bec beforehand…
Chadds Ford wedding photographI love her smile before her dad gives her away.
Chadds Ford wedding photographPerfect positioning from one of our new photographers, Jason, who came with Bec & I.
Chadds Ford wedding photographerGreat lighting!
Chadds Ford wedding photographHis grandma is so cute.
Chadds Ford wedding photographHis dad plays a wicked accordian! The whole room stopped what they were doing and piled around him for this moment. It was one of the best moments of the whole day!
Chadds Ford wedding photographOn the dance floor!
Chadds Ford wedding photographThey’re nutz for getting married!
Chadds Ford wedding photographHis niece is adorable! One of about 20 pictures we got of her.
Chadds Ford wedding photographGotta have one with the guys…
Chadds Ford wedding photographBest,
Joe & (Bec)

If you attended, we use Pictage, for viewing. Please register at www.pictage.com/540246 for a free $5 print credit.

Chadds Ford wedding photography with Julie and Chris

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Last month we shot great casual and classy wedding photographs with Julie and Chris! Both of them are so polite and nice.

What they did well to keep costs down, is getting ready at home. Now typically, this is a logistical nightmare for us, as the photographers. See, Bec and I only take one car, and we need to be near it with all of our gear, backups, lights, ladder, etc. But they both got ready only a few miles from each other! Problem solved. Rebecca dropped me off at Julie’s and then drove to Chris’ place. After 45 minutes, an hour, she came back to get me at Julie’s, just in time to head to the ceremony.

They held it at The Gables of Chadds Ford, an absolutely beautiful and classy location for everything. Food was great. Service was great. We highly recommend this place, and we’re so grateful to Julie and Chris for choosing such a wonderful spot. All of their guests had a killer time, and so did we. We’re so honored to have been a part of their day. These two really are some of the nicest people we’ve ever met. Thanks so much!

Love this shot of her dad! Yes, a wedding IS this tiring…
Chadds Ford wedding photograph
Great dress!
Chadds Ford wedding photograph

One by Bec beforehand…
Chadds Ford wedding photographI love her smile before her dad gives her away.
Chadds Ford wedding photographPerfect positioning from one of our new photographers, Jason, who came with Bec & I.
Chadds Ford wedding photographerGreat lighting!
Chadds Ford wedding photographHis grandma is so cute.
Chadds Ford wedding photographHis dad plays a wicked accordian! The whole room stopped what they were doing and piled around him for this moment. It was one of the best moments of the whole day!
Chadds Ford wedding photographOn the dance floor!
Chadds Ford wedding photographThey’re nutz for getting married!
Chadds Ford wedding photographHis niece is adorable! One of about 20 pictures we got of her.
Chadds Ford wedding photographGotta have one with the guys…
Chadds Ford wedding photographBest,
Joe & (Bec)

If you attended, we use Pictage, for viewing. Please register at www.pictage.com/540246 for a free $5 print credit.

Barack Obama wins!

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

All Hail to the Chief! The Chief-to-be, that is…

As a newspaper photojournalist and reporter for the Courier-Post, election night is always work. Getting quotes from this candidate. Interviewing voters about their thoughts. Finding the non-cliche photo. Now, being at a local paper, we don’t exactly have access to the big names. There is no reporter covering the presidential race. Instead, I had the 1st Congressional District of New Jersey between Rob Andrews and Dale Glading.

But, for this year’s presidential election, as soon as our newsroom realized there was no doubt that Barack Obama would become this nation’s first African-American President, and take over the White House, it became clear we needed to find an Obama Party before the news media would make the call.

I found students huddling around big-screen TVs at Rutgers University-Camden, a school with a large Black population. So I just waited…but I didn’t have to long. When CNN called the race, the crowd erupted. None of this was posed. Obama didn’t win. They had. The energy was brilliant and overwhelming and beautiful, regardless of which candidate you supported.

Barack Obama winsBarack Obama wins
Barack Obama wins

Barack Obama wins
Barack Obama wins
What I’m proud of is that I’ll always go down in the history books for working on this historic day. On the front page of my paper, there are only two pictures, one of Obama, and one of my shots from above. I also grabbed some quotes, but I’m really pleased with the last-minute photos. I’m proud to be an American, again…

Joe G

P.S. My contributions are meager, so I recommend a few other links, one from the New York Times: Damon Winter Photo Essay

And another from Getty