How great to be back with the same families again? It’s always an honor when we are asked to shoot a wedding and it came from a direct result of a past wedding. Well thats how Missy & Tom’s wedding came about. Lets take it back to the summer of 2008 when I met Betsy (Missy’s cousin and MOH) at Frank Adams. Long story short, Betsy helped me find Kris Ann’s engagement ring and then we ended up shooting her an Brian’s wedding last summer. You remember that right? Anyway Missy was Betsy’s maid of honor and thats when we first met. Both girls got ready at Missy’s parents home in Johnstown and both girls got married at the same church. At both weddings we ended up heading back to Missy’s parents home after their ceremonies because the property was so nice for photos. Only this time after the photos we stayed on site for the festivities. This property was perfect to host an outdoor event. Aside from Missy’s fathers awesome landscaping and attention to detail the lower portion of the property was nice and flat, open and screaming for a tent with 225 plus people. Missy and Tom’s day was full of emotion too. Every time you turned around someone was wiping a tear or just ear to ear in smiles and laughter. It was great to see Missy’s family again and meet Tom’s as well. I will say and I speak for Big Joe too, we just love shooting in that church, it has some great color, detail and light! The party was fun too, I’m not sure the connection of the band and Missy but for some reason I think she mentioned a family relation? Anyhow they were totally fun and had people up on their feet all night long. Missy and Tom, we thank you MUCH for having us around for your big day. Like I said earlier, its an honor to work with the same family more than once and we appreciate your awesomeness. Keep smiling.

Peace,
JP

Last time I was at this home I took a ring shot that was just awesome (see betsys wedding link above) so the pressure was on.. I thought this was fun.

Also since Missy’s father put so much work into his beautiful yard it was only right I used that too..

meanwhile inside Missy was getting her finishing touches..

June 5, 2009 and July 30, 2010… two great maid of honors.

hey ladies!

must have been something I said?

watch out now.. Missy is stunning!

just incredible.

whats up fella’s?

Tom waiting to see his bride…

Here she is!

all I can think to write here is “ready?”

They let you shoot some stuff from the back of the church. Pretty cool.

Mr & Mrs..

The wedding site.

Classic goodness.

oh and that good good light!

the facebook teaser

All the color!

I love this little series.

party time!

Shout out to Betsy, not a dry eye in the house… great toast, great seeing you and Brian.

Today’s blog post features Elanie and Dale. These two are getting ready to wed in late October of 2010. Now the same goes for Elaine as did Libby on the last engagement session. Whats that? Well Elaine too is a super duper blog lover too. So this is the “Elaine” thats always leaving nice comments on my posts. Not to be confused with Alayne from Make Me Fabulous who happened to make Elaine fabulous for this engagement session. Great job Alayne. I think all ladies should consider getting their hair and makeup done before their engagement sessions.  Why not? A shoot like this is something you should cherish and show off. So why not do it up? One of my brides Mother’s from April of 2008 said to me “go big or go home” and I just loved that way of thinking and always remembered that saying. Anyway this shoot took place in Elaine and Dale’s neck of the woods in Kinderhook. This is what I call a “guerrilla style” engagement session. No they’re are no monkeys or ape’s and none were harmed in the making of this session either. What that means is we really had no plan. We knew we’d shoot here and there in fields etc but that was it. We drove around and hit up random properties some with permission, some with out. You know that saying “ask for forgiveness not permission” ? Well yeah that was pretty much the theme for this shoot. And no we didn’t have to once ask anyone for forgiveness either. I do think a couple times Dale was a little nervous about crashing some locations though ;) Whatever, we got it done and the images are sweet sauce! I’m looking forward to shooting your late fall wedding. We’re going to knock that one out of the park too!

Peace,
JP

Who’s that?

Oh Elaine and Dale.

I just loved this first little field. Also the hair flower is a great touch.

This is the kind of night you want for an engagement session… and it wasn’t hot either!

too cute.

On the way to another location I asked them if they knew of any good old barns. My timing could not have been better because we were like less then an 1/8 of a mile away from their friends home. Shout out to Krista (I’m told she’s a silent blog stalker) and her cute little dog Mutsu which is the name of an apple and Matsu’s parents happen to own an apple orchard down there. Got all that? So thanks Krista, here’s a photo of your little doggy.

Booya!

Dale brought along some apple crates. How fitting given the location?

I love this one.

A little light snuck thru at the right time.

Trespassing? Maybe…

love this one too.

Come on, does it get easier than this?

Do you think this shot is kinda “corny” haha get it? I’m such a dork sitting here typing this.

Anyway I do love me a nice corn field and some of that good good light.

Then the light got better… and this shot happened. I really do love this one too.

This was yet another non approved property.

I like these two side by side. When they kiss this crazy light appears though ;)

Finally another trespassing spot. How could I not use this? I don’t even know what to say about this damn photo.

or this one.. its just nutty!

but the flare and last seconds of light in this image take the cake.

finally at their home, Dale carved this into their maple tree.

gotta end it up with my one and only “bling shot”… check back in early November for a blog post from their Oct 30 2010 wedding!

A question I often get asked is “Do you take maternity/pregnancy photos?”. To answer simply, yes. This is something I’ve done quite a bit of but not often blogged. So former Elario All Star Jivon came in months ago to pick up her wedding books. We all remember Jivon’s engagement session and wedding right? On her way out she said to me something like “by the way, Anthony & I are expecting in September.” I told her, she should have her tummy photographed. She reluctantly said “maybe” while giving me that Jivon look with the eyebrows. Her friends and family know the look I’m talking about. Anyhow, I don’t think a week went by and Jivon emailed me saying she wanted to do some belly shots (haha). What a great moment in life to have documented. Also, Jivon’s a pretty easy subject to photograph. When she opened the door to her house (which is where we shot) I was like “you’re expecting?” From straight on she doesn’t even look pregnant. Anyway we shot this whole thing on the grounds of Jivon and Anthony’s gorgeous brand new home. They had all kind’s of fields and what not. They even have a barn with horse’s (none there that night) and baby goats also known as “kids”! I’m thrilled with these images and appreciate Jivon letting me put these on my blog. Come on though, she looks incredible! So congratulations to Jivon and Anthony, check back in early October to find out what they have.

Peace,
JP

Last time we saw Jivon.. and Anthony…

See what I mean? From the front she doesn’t look pregnant.

Stunning…

If you read my write up above the look on the right is what I was talking about.

Off to the barn area I just loved this fence.

You make my job too easy Jivon.

While she changed clothes I got to meet the baby goats. I love the chain my man on the right is rockin’ The noises these things make are so funny too.

Theres the belly…

Another great location on their property. I might just show up some day with some subjects and start shooting.

How perfect of a bump? My guess is a boy…. I got a 50/50 shot!

I just love this one…

and this one.

i like this one too.

all the lines are just great.

as I mentioned above, Jivon and Anthony do not know what they’re having. You’ll all have to check back in October when I blog it…..

just know they’re not having any baby goats ;)

Hello there people! Well I got a good one coming at you today. Thats right another hot NYC engagement session. This is becoming quite a trend with the JEP brides. Since most of our b&g’s live away from the area and a lot of those people happen to live either in NYC or the NYC area more people want that NY NY flavor. I love it. It’s great to shoot in new places too. What’s also great? Elizabeth & Adam. Yup, in just 19 days well be heading down to Westchester to shoot their wedding! Why so last minute on the e shoot? Well for starters nailing down a date thats worked for us all had taken quite some time. But a week ago today we finally got on the same page and knocked it out of the park. You might all recognize “Elizabeth” well her name at least. She’s what I call a Mona in the making. Relax Mona, you’re still Mona. What I mean by that is Elizabeth who will from this point on will be referred to as “Libby” comments on every blog I post. She’s a faithful blog lover which makes her awesome. Adam too, is a great guy and very fun. He was all smiles throughout this whole session, even while trying to dodge the psycho bicyclists on the Brooklyn Bridge. Seriously bicyclists, you take your commute too serious and nice helmets too by the way. Anyway Big Joe even ventured down to this session too and we had a blast photographing these soon to be newlyweds. We both look forward to August 21! Thanks for being awesome.

Peace,
JP

Oh hey there!

Just a gritty NY side street.

The great thing about shooting in the city is the way buildings turn into natural reflectors. It’s just awesome.

They know how to ham it up for sure.

Such a great spot outside NY’s City Hall..

How fun are they?

A couple b&w’s

How could we not use this spot?

Look at Libby working the legs.

love. the. light.

Oh yeah. One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Also one of the most difficult places I’ve ever shot. Seriously between all the people and the bikes its a tough spot to shoot.

Libby’s in the bike path. I’m surprised some biker didn’t highjack my shot.

I love these two side by side.

LIbby and Adam live on the edge. LOL. I was like “would you mind sitting up here?” to Libby she just hopped right up. I love people who are up for anything!

I think this might be my fav from the whole shoot.

This one’s pretty tight too though.

Come on! I love these damn images!

This is a must get kinda shot if you shoot on this bridge.

Libby is such a poser. She knows how to work the camera.

What a fun couple!

Nothing like a cobblestone side street…

Got flowers?

This is the last light of the day… That low warm July sun.

I loved these doors.

Libby’s blue just screams off that black backdrop.

what a happy couple..

holler at your “bling shot” see you guys in 19 days!