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!

Last week I caught up with this 2012 Elario bride and groom to be for a windy engagement session. Now, so you know we didn’t plan for the wind. It was one of those fall days where it just never stopped. Luckily downtown Albany has some spots I was able to tuck them into to avoid the wind! We set things off at The Brown Derby Restaurant, which is a great place to get your eat on. If you haven’t been you should try it. Anyway this is Emily and Mike’s spot. In fact they frequent there so much they made the coveted wall of fame with all the local famous peeps. I think Bobby Mallozzi should consider adding a JP Elario sketch, just saying. ;) After that we hit the mean streets of downtown Albany and did our thing. I will say I finally met a man more obsessed with his hair than I am. Mike, we’re a special breed! I really can’t wait to shoot their wedding in June of 2012. I know it will be a blast! So without further ado here is Emily and Mike’s photos…

Peace,
JP

Meet Emily and Mike (and The Brown Derby Restaurant)

My favorite thing about this restaurant is you don’t feel like you’re in Albany. Not that I’m knocking Albany, but you know what I’m saying!

I love this one..

I think the artist nailed it their sketches.. I want one!!

In Academy Park. (before all those tents showed up)

Fun.

I love these doors.

Let me just give massive props to the color coordinating here. Mike, I’m sure Emily picked your clothes out ;)

I love this one. The light, the color and of course the little exchange.

Mike “You want me to sit on the ground?” Me: “yeah!”

My facebook teaser.. Love this one too.

You’re beautiful Emily.

When I was taking this pic a random stranger walked by and said “I love your blog” If you’re reading this THANK YOU!

7 stories up.. I love this spot.

Ok so it was even more windy.. but we knew it would be! Mikes hair managed not to move too much.

This is one of my top 3 favorites from the whole session.

Nailing the Elario Configuration..

and my token “bling shot”

Lastly 3 wind blown peeps! I had a blast guys!

Congrats to Sarah and Ben! Welcome to the world little Henry!  When Sarah called me and said “its time for some newborn pictures” I found myself at their home two days later. I knew their little man would be super cute too. As I always say though, the ultimate compliment is being asked back to capture more awesome moments in my clients lives. I can’t thank you guys enough for all the love since back in 2008 when we first met. You’re both great people and deserve that little bundle of joy. Thanks again guys!!

Peace
JP

First comes love.. June 2009

then marriage… October 16, 2009

then comes little Henry, all smiles. October 2011..

Love his wrinkly little foot.

So peaceful

Mom n Dad solo shots..

Love it.

these too..

Oh hey little man..

As soon as they looked at each other I knew I had the shot…  I really love this one..

Nice chair player.

Cute as a pumpkin..  tis the season right?

I’ll end with this little series.. His feet were just perfect. Congrats again to Sarah and Ben!!

Today marks the beginning of my 6th year of blogging. Over the past 5 years I’ve blogged over 470 blog posts, received over 5000 comments and had just over 1.2 million viewers. I can’t believe it. My father always says “you’ve created a monster” and I guess I have. Shooting is fun and easy to me but the hardest thing I do is blog. Any photographer will tell you that. Blogging takes mad time and effort, so when I click “publish” and the comments come in it means a lot because it shows me that you all appreciate my hard work. I’m so grateful that so many of you follow my blog. Whether you’re a bride/groom to be, a parent, a past bride/groom or a photographer, I love you all and thank you for the years of support. I have no plans on stopping either. Also, I know I owe you all some video blogs too as it’s been way too long. Don’t worry we got something cooking. But again, thank you all for blog stalking!

Peace,
JP

Did you think I wouldn’t toss an image of my French Bulldog Lexie in? She sits in this window in my office while I blog. If you drive by and see her you better honk because when a horn honks she gets a treat, so it’s like you giving her a treat. ;)

Ok one more.. I call this “the yawn”