I HAVE A NEW BLOG!!

Here's the link: joannebartoneblog.com

I'm so excited about the new look of my new blog that I'm sure to be INSPIRED to blog in this beautiful new space more frequently - I promise to do my best! You can hold me to that, Heather!

You will always be able to get to this (my old) blog via the link back to it in the new blog's "links" section. And you can find posts easily on the new blog via the "categories" and "archives" links in the blue navigation bar. I may even transfer this (old) blog to my new blog - I'm thinking about it... The Galleries will be completed by next week so everything will be looking fabulously seamless in the end. Did I mention how excited I am about it?

How do you like the look? I created the background image and the header images to coordinate with my website. I think it looks beautiful and I really am pleased with it and with myself [pat on back] especially since I'm not a web wizard, but I do like a challenge! The new blog is "powered" by PhotoIdentities, a company who makes custom blogs and websites for photographers. I couldn't be happier with their service - they've been great in helping me get things set up and have not flinched at the numerous questions or requests for assistance I've asked for. Just a couple more things to work out and viola, it'll be perfect!

Please feel free to leave comments on how you like it, or any suggestions you may have for it, and by all means, enjoy my first wedding post: Katie and Tripp's Wedding - a lovely way to christen the new blog!

Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to subscribe to the NEW blog as that is where I'll be posting from this point forward - ENJOY!

BIG love, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

something NEW is coming...!!!!

Keep posted...it'll be coming real soon! BIG love, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

I'll tell you a little secret...

...about me... I want you to know that before every wedding I say this little "prayer" that I've created specifically regarding my photographing... I pray that the talent I've been given will shine through for the couple whose wedding I am photographing each time and that I am able to create memorable and beautiful images for them to cherish throughout their lives together. And I'll tell you, every week I am given the gift of having my prayers answered! Life, love, the work we do; it's all such a beautiful gift! I have gratitude in ABUNDANCE! And I thank the powers that be, the heavens above, the couples I serve and I look forward to making every one of you happy through the talents I've been given. BIG LOVE, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Katie & Tripp's Wedding: Epiphany & The Pennsylvanian!

WOW! ...another amazingly beautiful couple AND wedding! How lucky can one person get?!!! I probably should title this post "Everyone's Mad About Katie!" And who wouldn't be - what a doll she is! And Tripp? An absolute sweetheart! I know Tripp will probably take some heat by my saying that he is a "sweetheart," but he is! What can I say?!! Sensitive is "in;" Macho is NOT! The couple was beautiful, the day was beautiful - even though it rained all day (lol!) - the ceremony and reception were beautiful...EVERYTHING, everyone and every minute was simply spectacular! It was a fun day! And that first dance set at the reception really set the mood for the night. I even had the joy of unexpectedly running into colleagues and good friends of mine, Robin and Brenda of Belissima photographing the previous ceremony at the church, and another one of my couples that I photographed five years ago, Sherri & Bob who were guests at Katie and Tripp's reception; it was a really, really great day! Epiphany Church is one of my favorite churches to shoot at - John (the church-guy) is so helpful and nice to work with and the church is so beautiful inside and out with such great lighting that it is always just a joy to shoot there! And The Pennsylvanian; it was glorious and "dressed to the nines," per usual! Simply two excellent choices for a wedding. I believe the name of the band playing at the reception was the Grand Concourse Band, featuring the extraordinarily talented Pittsburgh Jazz vocalist, Maureen Budway - man that woman can sing! Google her; her accolades are numerous! I have so many fabulous images from the day that I don't know where to begin to choose which images to post in a slide show or individually, but I'll do my best. I believe at least two images from the day are going to be award-winning photos too!! I do hope you'll enjoy my art! BIG LOVE, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Sherri & Dave's Wedding: Butler PA!

Sherri & Dave's wedding was a melding of cultures and families; a sweet compilation of, as their wedding program stated, "true love!" It was a hot day, but perfect, nonetheless... Never mind that the church was blazing hot and that the words "wilting" and "dewy" described everyone in attendance - and it was a packed church! Never mind that the antique trolley wasn't air conditioned and that everyone's hair was tossed into near knots! Who cared?! Well, no one, frankly! Everyone smiled and laughed and basked in Sherri and Dave's love! I love the way Dave smiled broadly when he first saw Sherri come down the aisle at the start of the ceremony. And it was magic when Sherri's eyes met Dave's as she approached him! Every weekend; every wedding; every couple...how fortunate am I that I get to witness, capture AND create from these beautiful love stories? I'll tell you - VERY fortunate! What a gift; what a huge blessing it is to be a part of so much love all the time! It is incredible! So, on to the slide show...it's what you really came here for any way! ;-)

I have two of the same slide shows created with two versions of my favorite song: one created with the English version and the other the Spanish Version. The song is "You Are My Home" / "Refugio De Amor" performed by Vanessa Williams & Chayanne. Although the Spanish version is a quicker tempo, I just had to include it because it is beautiful and significant to Dave and his family. English Version Spanish Version Gracia por todo! It was an absolute pleasure to share your day with you! I'll add a few more images that are my favorites in a couple of days, but for now enjoy the slide shows!

All my best, as always, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Chelsea & Jeremy's Wedding: Charleston WV!

Chelsea and Jeremy were married in Charleston WV in a beautiful out-door ceremony at Berry Hills Country Club! It was a picturesque event from start to finish... The day was perfectly beautiful with great weather and plenty of sunshine. And Chelsea was simply lovely in her gown. I really don't think either Chelsea or Jeremy stopped smiling all day long! Thanks guys for having me with you for the day - it was a delight! I've chosen a few of my favorite images for Chelsea and Jeremy's slide show - Enjoy!

Best, as always, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Movie: Sex and the City

So, have you seen it yet?! Oh, my goodness...I've just come from seeing the movie Sex and the City - what a wonderful movie! Those shoes (oh, my goodness; those shoes)! The fashions! But more than anything, the enduringly beautiful friendship between Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte!

Unless you've been living under a rock, the series and now the movie have followed four friends who met in their twenties and are now in their forties (and dare I say even 50 [Samantha]!) through all the trials and tribulations of life and love while living in New York City.

The series was never really about sex, although it did have a lot of sexual innuendo in it. Okay, okay, it was about sex too... And it certainly made a statement about The City, but it was ALWAYS about love; my favorite subject! The love between the four women as friends and the love between the four women and the men in their lives.

The whole series was a delight to watch as was the movie - I won't give anything away, just be sure to go see it. I will say though, that Carrie's analysis in the end was about labels and how we can be so busy labeling everyone that we forget to look beyond the label to the true person beneath. That spoke volumes and is a profound statement I think might behoove all of us to consider...just a suggestion...

Love those women! I'll miss them...

xo, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

It is high-time for inclusion...

Although I try to keep my personal opinions separate from my business, with this one issue I simply cannot. One reason is because it's an important issue regarding discrimination, which is wrong, and another reason is because it overlaps with my business... In celebration with Gay Pride month, it is with tremendous love in my heart that I will take the risk and take a stand to fully voice my support for the G+L community as a whole, and many friends and "family" with regards to their desire to have their love recognized and supported with civil unions, commitment ceremonies or same sex marriages. What ever you want to call it, it's all about LOVE! I never have, nor will I ever discriminate against any people or their love for one another. In fact, I believe that if we had more tolerant and loving attitudes towards one another and would support one another under the "umbrella" of understanding, compassion, love and everyone being a citizen of the UNITED States of America, perhaps more G+L relationships might endure and the world would probably be a better place. It is 2008, after all and really, isn't it time people? Isn't it long past time to call for an end to discrimination? I think so. So I "raise my glass" to the G+L community and all their supporters who have made great progress here in the US in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, and abroad in Spain, Netherlands and Belgium. May the strides for inclusion and acceptance continue world-wide and may your lives be joined in love and your love live on forever! In love and support, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Michele & Jeff, Ellicottville New York

My season started off quite busy with three destination weddings in a row after my first wedding of the season and Michele and Jeff's wedding was one of them... The wedding and reception took place at the ski Chateaus of Holiday Valley in the quaint and beautiful ski country of Ellicottville, NY. The location couldn't have been a more majestic backdrop for a beautiful couple who now reside in Colorado. Never mind that it rained all day; it didn't matter at all, least of all, to Michele and Jeff who were wrapped up in the excitement of their beautiful ceremony and their love for one another. I take great pride in being able to create beautiful imagery for my couples no matter what the challenges of weather or locations and I think you'll see in the slide show that the rain didn't stop me a bit. Some of my favorite images of the day were of Michele's red shoes...those shoes...WOW!! I am a shoe-maniac so was crazy for those beautiful red pumps! She wore them well! I had a WONDERFUL time with everyone and was so happy, as I always am, that I could create beautiful images and capture precious memories for you both. Without further adieu, enjoy the show!

All my best, as always: Joanne Bartone, Photographer

INSPIRED Influences...

Here are two quotes I do my best to be aware of and "live" by whether I am photographing for my clients or for myself... Henri Cartier-Bresson: "To take a photograph means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second– both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis." If you are not familiar with H. Cartier-Bresson, you really ought to learn about him. His work is renowned and he is the one photographer most other photographers would probably say they admire the most for many reasons - I know I do! Really, take time to know of him and see his work; it is more lyrical than can be imagined! Arnold Newman: "We do not take pictures with our cameras; we take them with our hearts and minds." I have loved A. Newman's portrait work forever! He is probably the one photographer who has influenced my work more than anyone else! His imagery always constantly exists in the back of my mind when I "see." No matter if I am working or just being present. His work is strong and real and artful. Both are so INSPIRING to me because they used their hearts and their minds when photographing. They had the necessary technical knowledge and command over their cameras that allowed them to align their creative abilities with their emotions so perfectly when they instinctively created incredible images in an instant! These are qualities I hope every photographer would strive for; at least I know I do. I often times hesitate to write about these photographic and philosophic topics because I think, 'people don't know me well enough to believe that I'm not saying these things for some self-serving reason.' But then I counter that thought with, 'the people that do know me know that I always speak from my heart." The statements of H. Cartier-Bresson and A. Newman perfectly describe the magic of photography for ME! Of how it is for me when that perfect moment aligns and I just know what I've created is really, really good! It really is like magic and keeps me so INSPIRED to create better and better imagery for my clients and for myself! To create with intensity like this, with your heart, soul, mind and camera, involves a simultaneous "self" and "other" awareness. Without this awareness anyone could call themselves a "photographer." All it would take to earn the title would be to click the shutter hundreds of times with the hopes of getting one good shot instead of creating with decisive and deliberate intention. So, if you are a couple getting married, try to look hard at the work of your photographer-to-be when considering them for one of the most important moments in your life. And if you aspire to be a photographer, or consider yourself having earned the title already, keep examining your work closely to make sure that you are keeping your camera off of "P" (it really doesn't stand for "professional" anyway) and pushing yourself to be the best you can be for your clients at all times. BIG love, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Kicking off my 2008 season: Laura + Chris!

Laura and Chris' wedding was my first wedding of 2008, and it was SPECTACULAR! WOW! ...is all I have to say! What a wedding! Everything took place in Oakland: the ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh and the reception was held at the Carnegie Music Hall, which I don't think I've ever seen "dressed" so beautifully to the nines before! The whole day was a spectacular affair replete with a gorgeous bride, a dashing groom, family and friends to celebrate with long into the night, food to die for and two spectacular settings at the Carnegie: The Music Hall for the celebration, and an After Party in the Art Museum Cafe that was transformed into and rivaled a NYC nightclub! I knew it would be an incredible affair, so I asked a couple of local photographers to come along and help me capture the splendor of the ceremony and celebration. You may have heard of them before... Heather Lahtinen and David Burke - we had a blast! First of all, we get along so well on and off the work circuit, and when we do have the good fortune to work together I know I can rely on their styles of shooting to complement my own! If I must say so myself, we are a phenomenal team of shooters and I was so happy to have them with me to photo Laura and Chris throughout the day. Thanks my peeps; you are the best! Here is a teaser slide show from the hundreds of beautiful images I captured throughout the day. I chose to focus on Laura and Chris throughout the slide show since this was their special day. And below, I have two additional links for more imagery from Heather and David that will continue to delight you! Enjoy!

Click Here to see Heather Lahtinen's Images on her blog. Click Here David Burke's Images in a slide show. Additional Vendors that did a spectacular job with the wedding - great job everyone! Wedding Coordinator: Mary Jo Romano Video: Gordon Schu Video Productions Flowers: James Floral & Gift Shoppe Photo Booth: Ryan Pitaro

Celebrating Photographers I Admire...

The month of March has been designated to celebrate women's history, so I thought I would encourage the knowledge and celebration of a few of my favorite pioneering and contemporary women photographers, not listed in any particular order. Please take a moment to explore each of the links below that will take you to Google Images to see their work. If you are INSPIRED by any one of these wonderful photographers, perhaps you might look a little deeper into how each of them came to envision and create their art. Then, take some time to see how they might influence the work you do, whether your specialty is weddings, art or editorial work...enjoy!

Mary Ellen Mark Sylvia Plachy Sally Mann Berenice Abbot Imogen Cunningham Tina Modotti Joyce Tennyson Ruth Bernhard Annie Liebowitz Dorthea Lange Lola Alvarez-Bravo Esther Bubley Diane Arbus

Thanks for stopping by my INSPIRED by light blog! All my best, Joanne Bartone Photographer

my 2007 wall of fame!

I had a WONDERFUL time with all of my clients during my 2007 season. There was such care and detail put in to each wedding, and the joy was simply beautiful to witness and capture! I want to thank all of my 2007 clients, from the bottom of my heart, for a special and successful year - I enjoyed meeting all of you and look forward to building on our relationships together in the future! Here is a look at my 2007 Clients whom I had the honor of working with: And, here is to my 2008 clients! I'm anxiously awaiting the opportunity to create some beautiful imagery for you! All my best, Joanne Bartone Photographer

long time no blog...!

LOL! My good friend Heather would probably have my head on a platter for not blogging for so long! It is a good thing she's still on pregnancy leave or I'd really be getting some crazy big grief!!! I have been sooooooooooooooo busy since my last post...there really is so much to update you on... - From early November through mid December I pushed hard to get a lot of work wrapped up for my 2007 clients. Many wedding story designs were completed, with a number of the wedding story books arriving and being delivered just before Christmas! I made a LOT of my clients happy, which always makes me happy in return! There is still a few more of you that need to get your "homework" done, but we are progressing nicely and I'll be cracking the whip again on those of you that need to get selections in to me soon! - My holidays were wonderful! I spent quality time with my family and friends and still have a few friends I've yet to see but will be making it a point to see them before my 2008 season starts. - I know of at least three, no make that four new babies that were born from October through December! Wow; busy Spring for some of you!! ;-) LOL! The circle of life is a beautiful gift that never ever ceases to amaze me. It is profoundly beautiful and I got to photograph at least two of those little gifts! Too sweet... - I'm in the throes of organizing my work space for my up-coming 2008 season, something I really wasn't able to do in 2007 having moved into my current residence late November 2006, then having hurt my back badly on January 1 (2007). I was down for the count the whole month of January in '07, but no one really knew about it except for my close colleagues. I never missed a beat throughout my 2007 season and didn't say anything to my dear clients because I didn't want anyone to have to worry that perhaps I might not be able to fulfill my obligations to all of you. And no, it had nothing to do with drinking! It was actually one of my cat 's fault; one of those unforeseen at home accidents that you never think will happen to you. Fortunately for me that it happened in my off season so I had time to rehabilitate via physical therapy, chiropractic, massage and LOTS of rest before the start of my 2007 season and throughout, which really helped. It is just recently that I finished my physical therapy but am doing great now, so look out 2008! - I'm also in the throes of planning; planning for some new and exciting changes and offerings - stay tuned! So...2008...it's going to be another wonderful year! Subject of one of my up-coming journal entries...until then! xo, Joanne Bartone, Photographer