Koren & Adam's Wedding, August 24, 2007

Well, as I blog about Koren and Adam's wedding they are enjoying themselves on their holiday in beautiful Italy! They wanted me to go with them to continue with documenting the beginning of their lives together, but I had to decline because I have a wedding this coming Friday that I simply couldn't miss! Next time then... ;-) Wow, it was HOT this past Friday for Koren and Adam's wedding! But everyone were absolute troopers and never complained once about the conditions while we were photographing. Actually, since it was so hot, I kept them indoors for a number of photographs that I created of them at the Airport Holiday Inn, where Koren and Adam prepared and then chose to see each other prior to the ceremony. Koren expressed to me that time for photographs was a priority for her - she had reserved and booked my services two years ago; that's how much she loves my work! - and that the decision for her an Adam to meet and be photographed prior to the ceremony "wasn't really a big deal" because "I see him every day any way." I thought that was a very good point to make as most couples typically live together prior to getting married these days, so the superstitions of the past really don't apply any longer. And they are just that; superstitions and not based on fact. Good thinking Koren, and something others may want to consider if photography is important to you. Think about it, a past superstition was replaced with a new tradition...and it is a really great gift for yourselves: adequate time for the creation of beautiful and memorable images of one of the most important days of your life! I sure hope this catches on! So, after we spent time photographing at the Airport Holiday Inn, we went up the street to Robert Morris University to the gardens where we completed the romantic and wedding party portrait sessions. The gardens there are one of my favorite places to create the romantic photos of my couples! I didn't torture them or the wedding party too long - did I mention that it was just unbelievably hot? So afterwards, we proceeded to the Fez for the ceremony and reception which was so meaningful for everyone that attended. It really was a beautiful day and I had a WONDERFUL time with everyone. Thank you so much, for choosing me as your photographer, for loving my work so much that you made it a priority for your day, and for having me document your precious memories! Here is a slide show of some of the beautiful images I created of and for Koren and Adam. ENJOY!!

Nikki & Chris' Engagement Experience!

Once again, I'm absolutely INSPIRED by the love I get to witness, capture and create from between the couples I have the great fortune to work with, and Nikki and Chris were no exception! I'll be photographing their wedding this coming Friday, August 31, 2007 and they wanted to be photographed together prior to their big day. It was a lot of fun to photograph the Engagement Experience for Nikki and Chris as they were playful, imaginative and adventurous throughout the shoot! They needed very little direction because their love for one another lead them to be naturally demonstrative towards each other - it was GREAT!! And, what was that word I used today Chris..."diache!"...meaning "wow!"? Yes...WOW! You both were beautiful subjects and simply a delight to spend the morning with and to photograph! Thanks for a wonderful morning shoot - I'll see you on Friday and I'm looking forward to creating beautiful images of you on your wedding! Best, Joanne ...oh, yes...enjoy the show...!

Shara & Karl's Wedding, August 11, 2007

Shara & Karl had a gorgeous day for their wedding! Both the ceremony and reception were held at the beautiful Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside where the wonderful Joy Sato did her usual fabulous job helping to make the day run smoothly for Shara & Karl - you can see at least one of the many images I captured of Joy in action in the slide show! The outdoor ceremony was stunning and Shara & Karl couldn't have looked happier surrounded by family and friends. It really was a special day for them and I was so happy to be a part of it! Thanks for having me with you; it truly was my pleasure. I captured some tender moments between Shara & Karl with their family and friends, and created some beautiful portraits of Shara & Karl as well. I know everyone is anxious to see a sampling of the hundreds of images I created, so without further adieu...enjoy the slide show! My best, Joanne

Roof-top Shoot!!

Most of you know I'm a fairly busy person, well, this month has been exceptionally busy and it's only August 8th! I coordinated a Roof-top Shoot this month with a few of my most excellent fellow photographers here in Pittsburgh who are members of the Pictage PUG group that I lead on a monthly basis and we had a BLAST! Maria & Brandon are two of my clients - I won't say "former" because once you become my clients, you stay my clients - I want to witness your hair turn gray! As you can see, they are GORGEOUS; typical for my client base, of course...! ;-) Maria has modeled for the Element of Love seminars that Heather Lahtinen and myself offer and we'll be having her back with us on a regular basis. A HUGE 'thank you' and BIG hugs and kisses go out to Maria and Brandon for helping us out. They just celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary and we are giving them a beautiful gift of a book from this shoot when all the images come in! Without them, we'd have a whole lot of landscape photos! You are the BEST, Maria & Brandon! Any way, here are some of the images from the shoot; ENJOY! We started on the roof-top of a parking garage... ...we moved to the street next... ...then we found a great alley... ...a really dark, steamy hot alley... I wasn't kidding when I said it was HOT!! LOL Best, Joanne

International Fine Art Competition Winner!

I am proud to say that one of my Fine Art images won 3rd place HM in an International Fine Art competition through WIPI, Women In Photography International AGAIN! I am thrilled, to say the least! This is the second time I've won in an Art Competition through WIPI so I thought I'd share my winning images with you...they are the top two images in the series of seven images directly below. All the images were photographed at the same location: the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. They are part of a series of abstract architectural images I photographed and titled "Circle Game," and I'm sure you can see why I titled them as such. Let me tell you a bit about this process and these images... One of my first loves of photographing was abstract imagery. I enjoy it so much because it is a quiet, one-on-one experience (just me and my subject) and it challenges me to think and look at my subjects ("things" instead of people) with creative difference. DC is one of my favorite places in this country and it's not because of the politics or that it is our Nation's "hub." It's because the whole place is like a living museum! Everywhere you go around DC proper is interesting, has history and honor attached to it, and is pleasing to the eye. I like it because it is filled with culture, Cultures and a sea of people of many Nationalities, Nations, Races and Colors! It is one of the places I love to go to refuel my art and heart. So, shortly after the NMAI opened, I had to go see it and let me tell you, the experience of seeing the architecture, both outside and inside was a breathtaking experience for me! It replicates and honors all the important aspects of our wonderful Native American Culture and the beauty and peace of the Canyons and their early way of living, and so much more! I instantly fell visually under its spell! My proverbial "hat" goes off to the designers, architects and builders and to all involved in creating such a beautiful space! This series was meant to honor the "Spirit" of this most wonderfully spiritual and beautiful place and of the Native Americans. I do hope you enjoy the series and I'd enjoy your commenting on it as well. My best, as always! Joanne These images are Copyrighted and thus protected by the Federal Copyright Laws. They are not not to be copied or used in any manner or form without my expressed, written permission. To copy or use one/all of these images without my permission is a direct violation of the Copyright Laws for which I will seek legal recourse.