Rachel and Jason

Our thanks and congrats go out to Rachel and Jason who helped us kick off 2008, and wow, did they set the bar high. Amazing weather in D.C., fantastic locations (Kennedy Center and the National Mall), and party after party! Now, I will admit that getting married on my alma mater's campus, The George Washington University, might be swaying my bias meter, but truly, they had a blast and so did the entire guest list. Congrats to you both. You made the day yours, and told your story.

Bec & Joe

On the MallInside the Kennedy Center
Perfect angels prior
The Processional

1st Dance

Outside Western Pres
The night was very much like this!
AND LIKE THIS!
Back at Western Pres
A killer moment Bec shot
Perfect kids

SUCCESS!

Wow, what a month. JPG Photography is rolling!

We've had bridal shows in Delaware and Virginia. We've shot five weddings. And we're preparing for the always hectic summer rush. Oh yeah, and we moved!

The good news is that the transfer is complete. Bec & Joe have set up shop in Philadelphia, and by the end of May, we expect to have our first clients come into our studio and enjoy our work.

We're also getting back to customer service and checking in with the dozens of happy clients from the past. So we're offering our friends discounts on future work and unlimited gifts for referring friends who end up booking with us.

So, a few more weeks, and we'll be settled. Wish us Luck! And if you're a former client who's moved, send us your new address!

Best,
Joe

Moving...NO INTERNET...

This is just a service reminder, that JPG Photography, (the Bec & Joe portion) are moving to Philadelphia this weekend. I'm told I may not have internet service until the middle of next week at the earliest. So please be patient with me if I don't return your e-mail or phone calls immediately. Thanks, wish us luck, oh yeah...keep us in your prayers too. Lots going on!

Best,
Joe

BIG NEWS! Moving...and staying the same

Bec and I have some big news.

Some of you know that Rebecca and I have been married for a few years, but we haven't been able to live together. No, no, not like that! I mean, she has either been in graduate school in Virginia, or I have been in Maryland working at my newspaper as a reporter and photojournalist. Even after she earned her degree last May, she was hired as an Assistant Professor of English in Philadelphia at her alma mater, Eastern University in St. David's, PA. (It's near Villanova.)

Since then, I have been searching for journalism jobs which would get us closer together. I turned a few offers last fall because they weren't the right fit. But 10 days ago, I obtained a reporting and photojournalism position in New Jersey, at the Courier-Post, in Camden/Cherry Hill. The paper, about 80,000 circulation on Sunday, is the third largest in the Philadelphia Metro area by my calculation, only following the The Inquirer/Daily News and the Wilmington, Delaware News Journal. It's also three times the size of my current paper.

Being in Cherry Hill, the distance from my office to Bec's is 37 minutes! That's a tad closer than the 2 1/2 hours commute she had been making a few times each week.

Over the weekend, we found a place to call home ... and studio. It's in the East Falls section of Philly, right off Kelly Drive and next to Manyunk. It's a great 3 bedroom rowhome on Fisk Avenue, and we're going to be able to create a real home studio.

This is JPG Photography's 4th year of solo wedding business, and my 10th year of shooting, but this studio will be my first. We're going to make it cozy and workable. We want our clients to (eventually) come see us and meet our son, Gus, our favorite mini Shepard mix!

Below are some VERY QUICK photos of the house as we went through it today with family. We move in April 12. (PLEASE BE merciful on these photos. They are all literally, a single frame, boom, lets-move-on type shots.)

Since we just signed, we're still debating how to use it all, so if you have any ideas, let us know. Especially thoughts on our office, and how to make it homey for couples like yous.

****And, just so nobody is worried, this move for us does NOT mean a change for you. JPG Photography is staying the same. This has actually been part of my dream since I took on Dan as my partner back in late '05/'06. Both he and I travel up and down the Mid-Atlantic and call it home. Both of us have D.C. weddings, Baltimore and PA weddings. I'm still coming to Virginia Beach for couples. He'll see me in Philly. With our locations, however, we're trying to stay more to our own turf, and dedicate each other to a region. My location in Philadelphia will continue to be the hub, but both of us will meet couples in our homes, out for coffee or in the comfort of your home.

JPG Photography is still family. We do weddings because we love them. We sign up to participate because we still feel the joy and excitement that is inherent in the day. We don't tire of it. We relish it. We want couples who are going to have a blast and plan a party for the both the spirit (the ceremony) and body (the reception.) We know this will serve us and you better!

Best,
Bec & Joe

The soon-to-be office


The dining room (first angle)
The dining room (second angle) ** Notice the piano.
Kitchen
Back room between kitchen and yard (still debating how to best use this space.)
Yard for our Gus. Maybe an herb garden?
Master bedroom
One of the other two bedrooms
Do I really need to label this shot?
Basement (hopefully a game room.)

Building from a new Foundation

As Joe mentioned, JPG went all cowboy recently and turned our wagons to Texas for an intense learning experience alongside some of the best photographers the Wild West (or East, North and South) has to offer. The Foundation Workshop -- brainchild of the amazing Huy Nguyen -- truly was an amazing opportunity to pick the brains of those who have had uncanny success behind the lens and to sharpen our own minds when it comes to capturing your memories. I wish I'd learned so much in college!

I spent two days amongst a herd of alpacas (hairy cousins of the llama) at a small farm just outside Dallas. The workshop had its share of frustration and anxiety on my part, but that's what learning is all about, right? And bottom line: it made me a better photographer. Ever since getting back my mind won't stop swirling with ideas and excitement, and I can't wait to start this wedding season.

Here's a few shots from my time with the critters. To see the full slideshow, including music and a brief, slightly awkward voiceover from me, go to www.fworkshopblog.com.

Kat & Matt

I am honored to be a part of a relationship which blossomed in front of me in the newspaper world. I'm proud to say I helped things a long a little by helping Matt realize how much he loved Katherine even before he did!

I know Kat and Matt well from The Daily Times where Kat was my city reporter colleague in crime, and Matt the great photojournalist. Matt and I have even shot together a few times.

But Sunday was their day to be stars with an engagement party celebrating their love. And together, they're going to be an amazing couple. Congrats to you both! I'm so proud of you!

P.S. Thanks for loving the pix on the cake and wine bottle! Glad to be a part of your lives!

FW

WOW! What an experience, again. I always have a blast, and I come back more confident and ready to shoot! Here's my slideshow, courtesy of the wonderful and amazing HUY and his Foundation Workshop, www.fworkshop.com.

Thanks for another experience I won't forget!


www.fworkshop.com/joeg.mov

Theresa-Scott in NYC

OK, so reaping the benefits of my FW trip first are Theresa and Scott. Their wedding is this June in Delaware, but they live in NYC, next to the always hoppin Union Square. We had a blast!

And, so did they!...
"Joe, those pictures are beautiful!! We love them!!! You guys are amazing and if anyone ever asks for a photographer I am sending them straight to you! I cannot believe that you guys did that so quickly- we were just so happy with what a great job you! Anyway, thank you so so so much for everything, we cant wait for the wedding!!!
Theresa"

Family and friends can go onto Pictage, www.pictage.com, and see them all...