Archive for January, 2009

A Philadelphia Wedding Photographer’s favorites from 2008

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

OK, so this Philadelphia Wedding Photographer is a little behind. I know year-end wrap ups typically take place at the end of that year, or the early part of January, but I’ve been a little busy between Philadelphia work, and trips to Phoenix and Washington D.C. for a convention and the Inauguration!

But I must say thanks to all of my amazing couples. 2008 was a successful year, and propel us into a strong 2009, even in this economy. JPG Photography is going to make it, and it says something about our character and customer satisfaction that we’re growing!

Leave some comments and wish me luck in upcoming photojournalism contests!

So here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order:

A few more…

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Inauguration of Barack Obama, Jan. 20, 2009

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

As a writer, I’m not often without words. But standing about 150 feet away from Barack Obama when he took the oath is a moment so difficult to describe, that I’m going to need more than 48 hours after Washington D.C. to digest it and arrange my thoughts.

I left Saturday to cover the Camden High School Marching Band for my newspaper, the Courier-Post. The band had a series of competitions as part of the Heritage Festivals, which organized events around D.C. for Inauguration weekend.

I’ll just say this, it lived up to the hype, the aura and the cliches. It was built up as a moment in American history without an equal for 45 years. It didn’t disappoint. I still have chills. I still have goosebumps. I still am dazzled. And I’m still VERY TIRED. It was FRICKIN COLD! But it was amazing to see this man and his family occupy the White House.

I saw the sun rise and fall on the U.S. Capitol. My day started around 6:30 a.m., took the metro, and it didn’t end until 10 p.m. The only food I had was a hot dog at 5:45 p.m. That’s all I ate in that 11-hour time period. But you didn’t need it. You were on a natural high. You were entranced all day. Well, OK, the extra long wait for the parade to start wasn’t fun. But the rest of the day was a whirlwind. I stayed with some former clients, Jule and Lee, (thanks guys) who live in the Adams Morgan section of the city.

It’s honestly difficult to photograph a day like this because you know where the history is. Everyone is looking at it. But everywhere you look is more history. Everyone there was history. Everyone’s faces, their smiles, even the frigid temperatures, were all monumental. Even Joe Biden was history! :) But here are some of my favorites from the day are just looking down the National Mall. Enjoy! Let me know if you were there and what your thoughts are, too.  JOE G

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These made my week!

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

These made my week, and reminded why we do what we do!

From our awesome Nov. 15 bride, Kristin Smith Hollrah:

“Joe & Rebecca –
I LOVE YOU! I am still at work and trying so hard to contain myself so I can look at all of them with Brian and re-live everything. I just looked at the first page of them and I am so excited I can’t stand it.
Both Brian and I and all of our guests loved you all. Everyone commented on how wonderful you guys were and have been eagerly awaiting the photos – I know I was impressed but to have so many guests rave about the photographers is astonishing and you should all be really proud…
Okay gotta go home and play bride and groom again! I’m sure you’ll hear from me tomorrow… I wish you could see me smiling right now!
Thanks for everything!
Love,
Kristin“
And from the mother of one of our grooms from September:
Dear Joe,

Hi, Barb Kelly here. How are you Joe?  I have taken much too long to write and tell you how much all the pictures have meant to us. They are AMAZING!!!  We have loved looking at them and  living the experience all over again. You have  such a gift  of capturing the moment and  portraying the action and feeling of the day.  How lucky we are to have you.
Thank you so very much  Joe  for  sharing your gift and we hope to see you sometime again soon. Barb Kelly

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Sassy Photojournalistic Bridal Portraits in the Desert

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

I had a few minutes, about 5, to shoot some great photographers in the Arizona desert on Wednesday. A great UK photographer, David Pearce, set up the shoot with Lancaster, PA Photographer, and good friend Kris McElligott of KM Photography. You can see why she was a former model!

I mostly helped David with his lighting, but I stole a few frames, and I’m proud to say, Kris wants the wide on Canvas! Had a blast. But I’m such a dork because I’m more impressed I hand-held this first shot at 1/10 of a second, no tripod. That might me legendary…OK, maybe not. But it got some wow’s from my fellow photogs. Thanks guys!

But just wait until you see David’s. They’re fantastic! This Philadelphia Wedding Photographer is loving Phoenix! The weather certainly beats Philly this time of year!

Best,

Joe G

And one fun outtake…

And some friends…

Send your comments!

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Where is Philadelphia Wedding Photographer JPG?

Monday, January 12th, 2009

I feel bad, and then again, I don’t. While many of my friends and family are adding clothing layer upon clothing layer, especially my darling wife, Rebecca, I am eating dinner outside and enjoying my evening. No, this Philadelphia Wedding Photographer is outside Phoenix, Arizona, at a wonderful resort in Carefree, aptly named the Carefree Resort & Spa.

The weather here today is a terrible 69, and it’s expected to be the same the next three days while I’m here for an annual Digital Wedding Forum convention. I’m taking time to recharge my juices and focus the needs of JPG Photography. We’re growing again this year, our fifth year in operation, and I expect it to be our best, even in this economy.

I am checking e-mail, but please note that it may take some time before I get back to you. After this trip, I’m in Philadelphia for one day. I’ll be covering several events for my newspaper, the Courier-Post, and then I’m off to cover Barack Obama’s Inauguration! So, I’m not really back until Wed. Jan. 21. Wish me luck and send me your prayers. Show me some love, too, in the comments!

Best,

Joe

As usual, all of these images were shot with Canon, by my 1D Mark III. I love Canon USA!

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Best Philadelphia Engagement Story Contest

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

ENTER:    JPG Photography’s “Otherwise Engaged” Contest!

IT’S YOUR STORY?
We could tell you about our own STORY — how Joe interrupted an entire church service to propose to Rebecca — but we’d rather hear yours! So this month, we’re making a request for the BEST ENGAGEMENT STORY!

If you think your engagement moment is unique, meaningful, funny, or off-the-wall, then send your entry of less than 250 words to jpg@jpgphotography.com. Include a subject heading of “My Otherwise Engaged Entry.”  We Philadelphia Wedding Photographers are accepting submissions until the end of January.

On February 1st, we will select the best stories from among our submissions and post them on our blog, allowing our fans to vote. The winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day!

Prizes will be awarded:
1st place: $100 gift certificate to Franco’s Trattoria (Joe and Rebecca’s favorite romantic restaurant) and a 1 hour engagement shoot at the location of your choice
($275 value)
2nd place: $100 off any JPG Photography engagement shoot package
($100 value)
3rd place: Two free 8×10 enlargements with any JPG Photography package
($50 value)

PLEASE forward this information to any engaged friends or family.  The more entries we get, the more finalists we can choose from! The only rule is that you must be engaged, but not yet married.

We can’t wait to hear from you!  To check out one of our recent engagement shoots, scroll through our blog.


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Philadelphia Water Works Engagement Photos with Nia and Bruce

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

About an hour before I’m scheduled to start shooting an engagement with Nia and Bruce at the Philadelphia Water Works, I get a call from the groom-to-be. He has some hesitation to shoot because it is an overcast day in Philadelphia. This Philadelphia Wedding Photographer practically jumped through the phone! “Are you kidding?!? Overcast is awesome.” He took some convincing, but we had some laughs in the process. Overcast at dusk is great. Just compose great and use a killer looking tree or landscape with character.

Rebecca and I usually do shoots for about two hours, but on Sunday, did nearly four! This is what happens when you give a creative photojournalist a beautiful couple who loves having fun, colorful drinks and no deadlines. I think we may have been shooting until Midnight around the city, except for the fact that Rebecca and I didn’t get a chance to eat anything since breakfast because we were meeting dozens of new couples at the very fun Great Bridal Expo at the Sheraton in Center City Philadelphia.

So, Nia and Bruce and us started shooting using the Schuykill River and Boat House Row around the Water Works Restaurant. Just gorgeous! Then we went on to this great restaurant I’ve been dying to try, Swanky Bubbles on Front Street. Wow, the manager, Andria, was so nice, she let us shoot and just take advantage of the entire restaurant. The place has killer drinks and sushi, and Nia and Bruce are big fans. Bruce joked that he has good and bad memories there because he got shot down and accepted, and I think it was all at the same table in the back corner.

Then we headed to the Bellevue Hotel for some staircase salivation and GQ moments. We ended up, of course, at the Art Museum for the classic skyline of this amazing City of Brotherly Love.

We had so much fun. Nia and Bruce, you’re awesome. We had a blast! Congrats, and good luck on your plans. We’re crossing our fingers for an awesome Bermuda wedding for you in June!

Best,

Joe G & (Bec)

Register now online at Pictage: www.pictage.com/605970

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A National Cathedral and Carnegie Institute Wedding for Kristin and Brian

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

I’ll be candid. Kristin and Brian had one of those weddings that make photographers jump. They just needed to tell me how high. These two brilliant lovebirds snagged the National Cathedral and Carnegie Institute for their ceremony and reception, respectively, in Washington D.C.

Getting ready and preparation shots began at the Swann House just off Dupont Circle, and what looked like it could have been a rainy and miserable weather day became a beautiful sequence of photojournalistic wedding moments that this Philadelphia Photographer is incredibly proud to have been a part of.

The hardest part (when I say hardest, I mean easiest) was getting Kristin to smile. Seriously, all Brian has to do for the rest of his life is make her smile. His life is set on her smile. It always lights up the room. It was contagious. She was one of the happiest brides I’ve ever had a honor of sharing the day with. And this girl knows sassy. She made the day a pleasure, and we used her character and curves in a few shots on the National Mall in front of the Jefferson Memorial. Brian, too, nailed Blue Steel for a series of difficult, and time-consuming images.

It was a great way to spend a November fall afternoon in D.C. These shots are going in our portfolio. What a great day you two. We’re honored, and we know you two will last!

Best Wishes!

Joe G

And one perfect ending by Bec

To view their event, check out Pictage: www.pictage.com/540254

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Great Bridal Expo at Philadelphia Sheraton

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

Are you or someone you know getting married? Then check out the Great Bridal Expo at the Philadelphia Sheraton in downtown Center City Philadelphia, this Sunday, Jan. 4 starting at noon. The hotel is at 17th and Race streets.

This is a great opportunity to meet JPG Photography and dozens of other Philadelphia vendors.

THE BEST PART, is that JPG Photography customers get in for FREE! This saves $9 off the charge at the door. Just use promo code: JPGPFT

Please come on out and say hi. Joe, Rebecca and Michelle will be there!

Best,

Joe G

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