PhiladelphiaPhotojournalism.com is the NEW BLOG

I have very much appreciated Google's Blogger for my needs the past two years, but it's time to switch to a great blog to display the work of JPG Photography. As of today, the new site to keep up with JPG Photography is: www.philadelphiaphotojournalism.com

Over the next six weeks, you'll see lots of great visual changes for JPG Photography. I hope you'll check back weekly to see what we've been working on.

But as of Dec. 17, Blogger is NO LONGER being used. Please change appropriate bookmarks and links as necessary.

Here's to wishing you lots of love, luck and laughter in 2009!

Best,
Joe G
JPG Photography

Photojournalistic Family Portraits in Bucks County

OK, one of the best parts of being a photographer is documenting your friends and family grow up with you. Last month, I had this very opportunity with Sara Franco and her family. Sara and I were friends in high school, me at La Salle and her at Gwynedd-Mercy and I had the pleasure of her company during one of my dances. I think it was junior year, right Sara?

Anyway, as a very sweet gift, her, and her two great sisters, decided to give family portraits to her Mom. Despite some of the cold weather, we went out to Tyler State Park in Bucks County, PA, and just had an amazing time. We found wonderful light and candid moments with everyone.

When everyone has fun and is truly happy, (NOT cheesy), is the time when the best images are captured. And that’s photojournalism…

We had a great afternoon. Thanks Franco’s! Happy birthday to Mom!

Puppy photographs from Virginia

With the holidays coming near, no doubt a lot of people will be picking up new puppies, and that, of course, means a ton of puppy pictures will be clogging e-mail from coast to coast.

Count me among those people.

Meet Bear:


Kristen and I got him as an early Christmas gift from my parents over Thanksgiving. He's a chocolate lab. The name fits since he looked kind of bear-ish in the first photos we saw, and he has a bit of a ferocious streak when he's playing hard. Plus, it's a name he'll grow into, too; his father weighs 100 pounds. All in all, he's a good little fella.

One thing about him, though, is he's hard to photograph. Composing an image involving a critter that wiggles this much and this randomly really is challenging, and it's not like I haven't dealt with moving subjects before -- wedding dance floors can get pretty crazy! So, I'm challenging myself to capture the moments that describe Bear as he is in puppyhood. That way when he's nearly the size of a real bear we can look back at how goofy he was as a tot.

For those of you also wrangling with a little fur ball, don't be afraid to grab your camera and roll on the floor with him (or her). You'll be glad you did.

Here are some of the shots I've pulled off so far. Hopefully the images get better as I get up to his speed!


He still hasn't learned to walk down the stairs, but he's hop down a few with some encouragement from Kristen.


It's a love bite. ... Promise.


This is pretty much the only time he REALLY listens.


This is a new thing he's doing. He gnaws on the bowl hoping morsels will magically appear.


Nap time. ... And Kristen, by the way, is utterly smitten.


So admit it, he's freakin' adorable.


I'm sure we'll be busy over the holidays keeping up with Bear. We'll keep y'all posted in the coming months as he grows and (hopefully) matures.

Have a wonderful, safe holiday, and a prosperous New Year.

Warmest Regards,
Dan (& Kristen & Bear)

Penn's Landing Wedding in Philadelphia with Deanna and Wes

For all the good reasons, this wedding at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia looked and felt like a true October wedding. The leaves were great, the weather was brisk, and we had amazing colors all day to work with.

Deanna and Wes live in South Jersey (but we won't hold that against them) because they're true Philly fans at heart, especially the Phillies. They're such great fans that I got to go over their wedding schedule the week before the wedding while watching the Phillies win a playoff game in their beautiful Gloucester County home. Any couple cool enough to watch the game and talk weddings during commercials is AWESOME in my book.

That's why we HAD to shoot this at the wedding:

The day of, the two of them didn't let me down. Totally relaxed. Totally cool, calm and collected. Just a pleasure. I got started with the dress shot above, had some great getting ready moments and moved on to a beautiful portrait of Deanna before we left.


(One of Faye's)

This is at the Hyatt Regency -- Penn's Landing. A great hotel!


Then there was a beautiful ceremony at this beautiful historical church, St. George's UMC.


(One of Bec's)
(One of Faye's)
(One of Faye's)

We had some fun on Independence Mall after the ceremony!


And then on to the great party at the Hyatt Regency: This place is beautiful. It was classy and had plenty of space and bars for a great party!



(One of Faye's)
(One of Faye's)
(One of Bec's)
Congrats you two. We had a blast! you're love is amazing, and thanks for a classy day!

Union Station Engagement photos in Washington D.C. of Kate and Mike

When a couple advises you prior to shooting that they 'TRUST' you, and want to do some non-traditional types of photos, you know it's a good day!

This Philadelphia photographer and photojournalist was pretty thrilled that Kate and Mike called me, explaining that they wanted to start at Union Station, but take time to focus on the trains because Kate has family who worked on the rails. Of course, we took time on the National Mall...but we didn't overdo it. Then we followed it up with ice skating at the Sculpture Garden which is part of the National Gallery of Art.

Honestly, if anyone wants to make me happy and get extra time shooting for free, I'm a sucker for ice skating. I love it. My mom instilled it in me when I was younger, and I used to know as many figure skaters as I did the starting lineup for the Philadelphia Phillies.

So Kate and Mike rocked, did everything I asked, and just had so much fun. It was frickin cold, but hey, we got out of the wind pretty fast, took time to get warm, and of course, enjoyed some hot chocolate. My assistant, Jason, also got some good shots, and we all had a great afternoon in our nation's capital.

Thanks guys. Congratulations!

Enjoy their images on Pictage: www.pictage.com/598750

Philadelphia engagement shots in Love Park

Aanchal and Nitin are quite a couple. Besides being completely in love in the frigid Philadelphia temperatures, they're up for many of my wacky ideas! Boy were they in trouble. Don't trust everything this Philadelphia Photographer says!

Just kidding. These two were great. I only tempted fate for a second and had a pre-teen skateboarder jump over their head a Love Park. Killer shot!

This long distance couple is madly in love, and I'm proud to part of their story. He works in Philly. Her in North Carolina. Have to respect their love over that distance. Bec and I, as many of you know, have been long distance most of our relationship. So gave them some tips and wish them the best!

We also went to the Art Museum, and took advantage of SEPTA at Surburban Station. And of course, City Hall.

Great job guys. We're thrilled. Can't beat this Philly Skyline either!

Enjoy their images on Pictage: www.pictage.com/594683





Great job you two! We had a blast!

Backyard wedding photography with a pig roast in Maryland

Classy indoor weddings with the artwork, candles and mood lighting are great. You all know I love them. But I experienced one of the ultimate American traditions in October with Karen & Rick ... the backyard wedding.

I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical at how nice the day would be. On outdoor wedding in October carries some risk. But I couldn't have been more pleased, and I had the honor of being involved with an amazing family who enjoyed rural living, beautiful skies and nature at its best. This Philadelphia Photographer is thrilled with the results.

Karen and Rick had the wedding at a family member's house in Hampstead, MD and the scenery was fantastic. The weather was perfect, and I don't know if the sky could get more blue.

One of the best parts of the day, for all of us, was the extra time set aside for pictures on these old Minneapolis Moline tractors. They're rusted over, but so hott in pictures. And of course, much credit must go to the wedding party for being so open with sitting on dirt, rust and logs.

They even had a pig roast and beer truck, which were perfect accompaniments for everyone. The guests were pleased. The food was amazing. It was a blast. Congrats you two. We're thrilled!

TO VIEW ALL OF THE IMAGES WHEN RELEASED, sign up at Pictage. Click here: www.pictage.com/540250

Possibly my best dress shot...ever
Hard to beat this sunset.


They look smokin' good



The pig blesses the rings...



My job is so easy when working with families like this...
Karen enjoyed this a bit too much...


Best Wishes!

Joe G (& Bec)
www.jpgphotography.com

15 minutes of photojournalistic family portraits with the Townley's

It was not an hour I'm not used to shooting at, but by 8 a.m., I was snapping away, watching the newest Townley take to her parents, my wife and their hardwood floor. These are my kind of family pictures and photojournalistic family portraits. Just relaxed and come as you are...it's purity!

Rebecca and I had a wedding in D.C., so we decided to catch up with Danielle & Rob the night before. This couple, now a family living in Maryland, was one of my first clients back in 2005, and we've become great friends since. We're so proud to see how their family has grown with their first child, Anna. We hope to be there for the first steps, school and her future!

This beauty is going to steal the show, just like her parents. She already has a smile which lights up the room. The family dog, Scout, isn't too bad either. He's just like our GusMAN, so we naturally love him like our own, too.

Thanks so much for a great night Townley's!

Best,
Bec & Joe

P.S. Still can't believe the Gidjuni lost so quickly at Monopoly...haha!

A few with Anna on Rebecca's lap...

Scout and Gus are the same size...too cute!

Gotta love the toes.
Look at that smile!
Watching the "Bride Falls in Pool" video from my Blog site. We still crack up over this one.



A nice one of the kids.



Check out these, and a few more images on Pictage: www.pictage.com/590062

Wedding Photography in Hampton Roads with Marissa & Brock

When planning a wedding, please remember to think of the seasons. I was nervous when Marissa and Brock decided to have an outdoor wedding around Hampton Roads in Cape Charles, Virginia...in October. But, the weather the two of them had was nothing short of spectacular. It was warm, sunny with just a touch of wind. It was if God touched these two with a killer wedding present, perfect weather.

Then they had to go and spoil the day by having one of best ceremonies and reception parties I've been to. Just unbelievable guests on the dance floor...and by the bar. Everything took place at the Bay Creek Resort, and both Dan and I were impressed with the accommodations and smoothly things ran. They have it all there.

Now what is so difficult about these two are how photogenic they are. These are only my shots. Dan shot with me, and he has his own faves. Just too much going on! We were honored to be there Marissa and Brock. The love you share is amazing, and we were so happy to be there!


Marissa looking truly elegant...
Before...
After...

This was NOT staged. Ask Brock. He just did it. Yeah baby! Loving it.
GQ all the way
Hard to beat this sunset on your wedding day!

The two of them took a trip on a boat after the reception. The boat is named for Brock's grandmother, and Marissa got to meet two of the uncles and later had a dance.

Great Baltimore Wedding Photographs...even under the weather

Some people fall in adversity. Others crumble. But not Elizabeth and Scott. These two didn't allow anything to get in the way of their great Baltimore wedding plans!

On Sept. 27, I faced the third hardest rain storm in my 10 years of photography. It rained, and poured and rained some more. But the two of them didn't allow it to interfere with their day. They kept positive, vibrant, and in Elizabeth's case, radiant! All day, she looked amazing. Scott wasn't too shabby either, but you have to give credit to the joy Elizabeth shared with everyone all day! The two of them are great.

It was an honor for me to be a part of this wedding because Scott and I went to high school together at La Salle College High School. Yes, it was all boys. Don't remind me...haha. But it was a great experience, and it was great to catch up with so many La Salle gentlemen. It became a mini-reunion, with of course, the guests of honor stealing the show.

They chose a great hotel, the Intercontintal Harbor Court in Baltimore, to get ready, allowing us to get fantastic shots like this of Elizabeth below, and the guys outside:




As you can see, the rain was sizeable...
But then we got inside the St. Ursula Catholic Church, and everything panned out beautifully!













What a great party. So proud of you both. Congrats!

Best,
Joe G