Wow!! I don’t even know where to start with this one! Well for starters, if we’re friends on facebook you might have noticed that 2 weeks ago I had a birthday. A big one! 30!! We knew that meant we must celebrate but when? Let me apologize to the 12 brides and grooms I politely told we were not available on October 22, 2011. Sorry! I had really no clue about this party other than the “when” and “who’s”. The “what” and the “where” was a big surprise.

Among many others who I’ll get to I must first and foremost thank my wife Kris Ann. She pulled off what will go into the books as simply an absolutely amazing night. Who would have thought you could rent out the observation deck of the Corning tower? We partied at the highest point in downtown Albany! It doesn’t get much better than that folks! Anyway, with a little help from our friend Christine Wheat and some great ideas Kris Ann and her were able to lock down one of the most locked down locations in this city! These girls outdid themselves. Obviously Kris Ann used our very own Jenny Dempsey Shea for all the invites and fun signage at the party. Jenny did an amazing job on everything. Big thanks to Mike Frodey of Clifton Park Rental for suppling all the lounge furniture, lighting, red carpet and stanchions! The place looked amazing. More thanks to Kris Ann’s staff at Fleurtacious Designs for setting up and making this event look amazing. I know Kris Ann summoned our friends too so thanks to you guys as well. I can’t begin to let everyone know how grateful I am you all came together to hook up this amazing event. I seriously wish I could turn 30 every month (I’m sure my friends do as well) because it was so fun!! To say we all had a blast would be the understatement of the century. I don’t know how many people came up and told me how amazing my wife is. I agree! Kris Ann, you’re the bomb. I love you. I love all my friends and family who made it out on 10/22/11 to celebrate with me! Last but not least I must thank Andrew Franciosa of Clark+Walker Studio for capturing these images for me. Andrew also runs a great website called Keep Albany Boring, I recommend you head over and check that out too.

Again, thank you all!!! I got nothing but love for ya!
Peace,

joe | jp | joey

The location 42 floors high in downtown Albany. The “joe | jp | joey” thing was funny and I loved it. It made sense because there were people from all parts of my 30 years who all call me those names!

I thought this was awesome! My good friend Dominick Purnomo came up with the “blog stalker” cocktail. If you’ve been to his restaurant dp An American Brasserie you know they’re known for some amazing food but also the best drink menu in the city. I just wonder will the “blog stalker” be part of one of their seasonal drink menus? You’ll have to go down and see!

A cupcake tower complete with a Rolex box cake top. Lisa from Gourmet Confections is the bomb! You should check her out for your weddings cakes/cupcakes.

Before you made it 42 flights up you had to stop on the red carpet and get paparazzi’d up!

I love her.

Not a bad place to celebrate huh? What a view!!

If I only was a State Police Officer(s) who actually monitored my party I can imagine how funny that was.

A must have DJ Playground on the 1’s n 2’s.. this is Albanys hottest hiphop DJ. Thanks so much for making the party so fun! Everyone kept telling me how great the DJ was!!

Thanks to drop it MODERN for sending this backdrop to Kris Ann for the party! It was perfect!! Also I love the official quote of Hayden Yund. You’re “DOIN IT!”

I love this one of me and my awesome and beautiful wife (fresh from Make Me Fabulous)

Ha!

Mr Andrew Franciosa (the photog for the night)

My other two ladies blog debuts. Sister Robin and Mom (Theresa)..

Even Christine Wheat let her hair down!! Love you C Dub!

Big Joe letting loose with our Elario Photography girls Jenny and Hayden.

Future Elario bride on the left? Congrats on your engagement Janelle (mega blog stalker)

Jenny !!

You might find this crew chowing down chicken wings on Sundays..

One last image of me and my awesome, incredible, talented, beautiful and caring wife. Love you!

No way! I can’t believe it was a year ago today when we tied the knot. We really had an incredible day! Thinking back, I can’t believe how quick this year went by. It really seems like we were just preparing and having final meetings. This first year of marriage truly has been wonderful. Not a day goes by that I take our life for granted. I’m looking forward to many more years of this and getting all old together. Marriage rocks! I highly recommend it people.

For you new blog stalkers here are some fun visuals from our big day.

2 days before our wedding I blogged a little “preview” blog. Sharing our vendors, why we chose them, etc… Good info here.

On March 10th Al Woodard posted the video that made “all of Albany cry”. Grab some tissues.

Later that month the fabulous Jessica Claire blogged out wedding. Wonderful images!

Then our other fabulous photographer Kamee June blogged her images as well. More wonderful images!

Lastly. I blogged about why I think you potential brides need video with yet another look at our recap. More goodness.

Peace,
JP

Just a favorite of mine from the big day. March 6, 2010..

Hey peeps! Sometimes I get thoughts and I just want to share them with you. This post is really directed to all the future brides and grooms out there. Whether we’re shooting your wedding or not I want to share this piece of advice to with you all. Today’s topic is video and why you need it…

So many time’s I sit in my office meeting with brides and grooms or even on the phone. I always ask them this question. “Are you having a videographer at your wedding?” The answer is usually 50/50. Some couples know its super important and are 100% dead set on it. Some couples say tell me they don’t think they’d watch it more than once. That answer is totally not true, you’ll watch it more than once. I just received my video back in late December and I think we’ve hit double digits in plays and its only the 3rd week in January. Then I have some couples who unfortunately video does not fit within their budget and I understand that, maybe when it get’s closer to your date you’ll have extra funds and if you’re lucky a really incredible videographer will be available.

My personal opinion is you will want your ceremony, vows, rings, readings etc covered. You’ll also want your cocktail hour footage, intros, first dance, toasts, parent dances and cake cutting. If you’re doing a first look you’ll want to capture that as well. After receiving my video I have to say for me it completes the day. Sure I have incredible photos to cherish from our day but now I can see it all in motion and hear it. It’s a whole new and different experience when you sit down to watch your wedding video for the first time. As a photographer I can only capture so much. I can make time stand still and you can paint a picture of the sound and feelings of whats happening but with video it really completes the story. For me it was watching Kris Ann’s father walk her down the aisle, hearing the readings and vows and ceremony music. So much happens at once it really is all a blur. Also I enjoyed hearing our toasts, watching my dance with my mother and just seeing peoples smiles and laughs throughout the video.

A couple quick examples..

I did a wedding this summer that had one of the funniest toasts I’ve ever seen only to find no videographer in the house to professionally capture it with not only a solid shot but solid audio. In my opinion a flip camera (even if its hd) ain’t cutting it. Another time back in 2008 we shot a great wedding with the most incredible first dance I ever saw. I mean this was dancing with the stars type stuff and not one video camera in the house. I know that couple regrets not having a video. One more, when I went to a brides page on facebook who’s wedding I shot this year for something I noticed this image below. This post on facebook was the inspiration of this whole blog post, I felt awful reading it and then was compelled to share my thoughts with you all.

Lastly this post isn’t about pushing my videographer friends or pals. It’s about educating you guys on something I feel gets overlooked and shouldn’t. If you read this post and want my recommendation on a videographer I’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Peace,
JP

Here is a video recap of our wedding that Al Woodard filmed..

I don’t even know where to start with this one gang. Well a little history for those who are new here. I love the Dave Matthews Band, I’ve been going to shows since 1999 and look forward to seeing them multiple times in a year. If my schedule permits and its close enough I’m there. I also love photography (duh). When I used to shoot Alive at Five’s and Tulip Festival concerts for the City of Albany I always wondered what it would be like to photograph a band of this caliber. When I shot for them I always left those gigs with a smile on my face because I loved photographing bands and whatnot. There was that one time on stage when I was like “man I wish this was the Dave Matthews Band”. I mean I know the band, not personally, but I know the things they do and who to shoot when and why. It’s sort of like photographing weddings because I know what to expect and when to expect it. So many concert experiences went by and I watched many photographers capture images that probably meant nothing to them but a photo credit in a local paper or whatever. For me, getting to shoot this band was truly something I only dreamed of doing. That being said the fairy godmother and a former bride of mine Sarah made my dream come true. Sarah works for the City of Albany and made a few call’s for me. To say I was ecstatic when she called me with the good news would be a complete understatement. So I have to thank Sarah big time for making me feel “so damn lucky”. So with that, lets get into this post!

Peace,
JP

ps.. Nothing is for sale so don’t ask. I am not allowed to sell prints. This is strictly for your viewing pleasure. If you repost anywhere do not crop my logo and link back to this post. Thanks!

No I wasn’t stalking Mr Matthews. I simply parked in the right spot at the right time and captured this. When I took it I looked at my wife and said  ”This is my opener for the blog post.”

Some details.. This is referred by Dave as “the tiny guitar” a crazy fan like myself knows there are only a handful of songs he plays on this. Don’t you love the picks?

This band has one of the most ridiculous horn sections out there.. I just love how these epic instruments wait to be played..

A few more details.. their lighting was insane at this show.

The moment where the place erupts in cheers. I imagine this has to make you feel good when taking the stage.. I had 2 songs to shoot which was just shy of 16 minutes.. this is what I captured…

A sip of tea (or perhaps something else?) and then its time..

For the fans he opened with Squirm.. for the photographers I shot all my images ISO 3200 1D MK4 5D MK2 and wide open on whatever lens I had on..

drum beats louder…

drum beats louder.. Carter is seriously a machine up there.

I love all this crazy lighting..

The sound that comes from this mans guitar is just nutty…

One of my favorites from the whole show..

classic Dave scream!

The infamous boots…

After a surprisingly short opener song it was onto “You might die trying”.. at this point I had 9 minutes to tear it up and shoot like a maniac.

Stefan Lessard is the man and the most accessible band member. Follow his twitter if you’re a fan.

Oh you know I brought the old fish eye.. I bought this lens years back strictly for concert shooting.

Classic Dave Matthews with eyebrow thing
]

I think this is making my wall..

Another eyebrow thing…

Oh hey Dave, I see you too.

Boyd Tinsley on the violin..

Another compilation..

Another fav.. I just love the fisheye look in b&w..

Love it..

Starting to get down..

Yes, it sounded that good!

The Dave Matthews Band.. 2010 style..

One more of Stefan..

I was totally dancing a little while shooting this stuff.

and I’ll end with this.. classic Dave. What an experience!