Cup of Joe Photo

The Ice Cream Prayer

Early this morning I left California to visit my fabulous friend Parker J for the grand opening of his photo studio in Asheville, North Carolina. We are both like little kids in a candy shop, full of excitement. I'm so proud of his (adult-like) accomplishment. In his honor, I leave you with a story. Life is sweet, when you chose to see it that way! Enjoy.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" my son asked.

"Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

Rayhanabad / Moradkhani Wedding

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of experiencing the culture and traditions of an Assyrian wedding celebration. The festivities began at the brides parents' home with food, music and dancing. The groom arrived and the whole party moved to the Crystal Cathedral for the ceremony. After the ceremony, we travelled to the Hyatt in Long Beach where 500 guests celebrated and danced to traditional music until very late. They sure loved to danced!! Enjoy.

The Millionaire Mind

This book is the follow up to Dr Stanley's best seller The Millionaire Next Door. Both books shatter the illusion of the perceived spending habits of the affluent. Both books give great insight into the habits of the wealthy. Many of these patterns surprised me at first. The author gives his readers a solid foundation upon which to build and retain their wealth and increase their net worth. Is this a path you plan to travel? Do you exhibit the habits of the Millionaire Mind? Be equipped for the journey and enjoy the ride!

In his first best-seller, Dr. Thomas J. Stanley shattered one of contemporary America's most firmly held myths: That wealthy individuals belong to an elite group of the highly educated and exceedingly lucky who often inherit their money and spend it on lavish purchases and pampered lifestyles. In fact, a significant number of America's wealthy are far more likely to work hard, save diligently, and live well below their means. As the title of Stanley's 1996 best-selling book stated, they are The Millionaire Next Door. Now, Dr. Stanley takes us even further with a new, ground-breaking study of America's wealthy. In THE MILLIONAIRE MIND he targets a different segment of the population and those who have accumulated substantial wealth and live in ways that openly demonstrate their affluence. Exploring the ideas, beliefs and behaviors that enabled these millionaires to build and maintain their fortunes, Dr. Stanley provides a fascinating look at who America's financial elite are and how they got there. What were their school days like? How did they respond to negative criticism? What are the characteristics of the millionaire's spouse? Is religion an important part of their lives? The author uncovers the surprising answers to these and similar questions, showing readers through concrete examples just what it is that makes the wealthy prosper when others would turn away dejected or beaten. The Millionaire Mind promises to be as transformational as Dr. Stanley's previous best- seller. This book answers universal questions with solid statistical evidence in an approachable, and anecdotal style.

The Paradox of our Age

Life is short. We only have a limited amount of time to love our families and friends. Make the time to do what is most important to you.

A Columbine High School student wrote:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but less solutions; more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals.

We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.

Ceremony Bridesmaids

Last fall I did a shoot for Ceremony Magazine for Bridesmaids dresses. The spread appeared in San Diego, Los Angeles and the OC. The theme was playful and innocent. I used my Dynalites to balance the hard sunlight. I'm pretty stoked on the results. Enjoy!!

Mackenzie's Birthday

Time really flies. A month ago Ingrid and I took Mackenzie to Old Sacramento for her 11th Birthday. You know what they say about the shoemakers kids. The same is true of Joe Photos kids. My parents are always asking me for photos and I always tell them I'll get to it. Soooo, because some of my family hasn't seen pictures from Mackenzie's weekend, I'm posting them now. Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

Lesson 5

Good morning friends. Last night, my sister Brigitte sent me the link for her latest short film. You can be one of the first to check out Lesson 5 here. Creativity runs in the family. Brigitte has the starring role and her husband Daniel was the Directer of Photography. Enjoy!

Over the course of three dinners, Michelle, a suburbanite straining to be more worldly, attempts to woo a mysterious Latin lover by the name of Oscar. But as the days progress, Michelle's sanity is brought into question, as she tries harder and harder to impress her dinner guest. Study hard because this is Lesson 5.

Fat Tuesday

Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras, the festival New Orleans, Louisiana, is famous for. "Gras" is French for fat and "Mardi" is French for Tuesday.

The annual festivities start on January 6, the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings are supposed to have visited the Christ Child, and build to a climax on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday. The parties and parades will continue until Lent begins at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday.

Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans. It is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter. Since the actual date Easter occurs on changes yearly, Mardi Gras can happen on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9.

For two centuries it has been an annual event in New Orleans, except during the two World Wars.

Last year Parker and I experienced the 3 days in New Orleans leading up to Mardi Gras. It was an emotional, exciting, unforgettable trip. I highly recommend getting together with another photographer and doing a road trip. It's good for the soul. I've already posted many of the images I created there. Here's a few more. Cheers.

I'm not sure what I'm looking at here... obviously, the bartender didn't count to 3.

Jessica & Joel Engagement

Last week I shot engagement photos in my "hood". My studio is less than two miles from an incredibly gorgeous Mission in the historic city of San Juan Capistrano. The Mission grounds provided a varied array of backdrops to photograph my clients. It is also, another great alternative to the beach. Enjoy!

As A Man Thinketh

This book was a gift to me from Greg Winston. Greg is a professional speaker and sales training consultant whom I've had the pleasure of photographing during one of his key note speeches to a large audience. He told me that this was the book that Tony Robbins highly recommends. It's a little book of only 70 pages, but if you read and apply it, your life will be changed. Check it out. What do you have to lose? Enjoy!

Your thoughts and your dreams determine what you are and what you will be. This little book is meant to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that they themselves are makers of themselves, by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage.

Gratitude

As you rest today, consider how your words impact your world. Practice an attitude of gratitude and watch how your gracious words change the behaviors of those around you. Consider the following:

Arnold Bennett, the British novelist, had a publisher who boasted about the extraordinary efficiency of his secretary. One day while visiting the publisher's office, Bennett asked her: "Your boss claims you're extremely efficient. What's your secret?"

"It's not my secret," said the secretary, "it's his."

Each time she did something for her boss, no matter how insignificant, he never failed to acknowledge and appreciate it. Because of this, she took infinite pains with her work.

Hard Work

Photography to the amateur is recreation, to the professional it is work. It's hard work too, no matter how pleasurable it may be. -Edward Weston

EDWARD WESTON

Even after the most mentally and physically challenging wedding, professional photography certainly beats digging ditches. I am blessed to work hard in a profession that is also so pleasurable. I laugh when people who think I only work on Saturdays ask me what I do during the week. (I go to Disneyland, of course...)

Hospitality

Yesterday, several photographers were invited to spend some time with Mike Colon at his home. Martin Gisborne from Apple was walking us through all the features of Apeture 1.5. A little while into Martin's presentation, Mike quietly got up and made popcorn for us all and brought out chips and snacks. He made a cup of Hot Chocolate for Becker when Becker jokingly asked for one. [b] kindly gave it to Jessica to enjoy. It was a warm and lovely time in his his new home. Julie (mike's wife) patiently waited with their children upstairs keeping them quiet and entertained. Their actions spoke volumes about hospitality.

In our home, my wife Ingrid is the Queen of Hospitality. It's really a gift she possesses. We often have people over, and she makes them feel relaxed, as if they were on vacation or at a resort. I admire that trait in her so much. It's a selfless gift that carries with it warmth and love.

I found this story to illustrate the impact and value of hospitality. Enjoy!

One day a king and his minister went out for a walk incognito. The king said to the minister, "I want to give a reward to anyone who is hospitable to us during our walk."

The king and the minister went up to one man and said, "We are travelers. This is a fine town and we would like to spend the night here. Could we stay at your house as guests?"

The man insulted them, saying, "How do I know you're not criminals?"

Then the king and the minister went up and knocked on somebody else's door. When the man opened the door they asked, "Can we can spend the night here? We are travelers and it's getting dark."

The man said, "First tell me how many of you there are. Then I'll decide."

The king said, "You see that we are only two. We don't have much money, but if you allow us to stay with you, before we leave tomorrow morning we'll pay you what we can."

Then the king said, "It is still somewhat light out, and your country is very beautiful. We'll walk around and come back in an hour or so."

So the king and minister continued walking. They approached another house and knocked on the door. The king said, "We're travelers. It's getting dark. Could we spend the night at your house?"

The man said, "Certainly! just tell me how many of you there are."

The king said, "You can see we are only two." The king told that person also that they would come back in a while. Then they went back to the palace.

The minister had taken down the address of each person to whom they had spoken, and the following day the king summoned all three to the palace. To the one who had insulted him the king said, "I don't need you in my kingdom. When travelers come from a different kingdom, we must offer them shelter. You could see we were respectable. It was obvious we weren't thieves." And the king threw the man out of his kingdom.

To the second man the king gave a large sum of money.

To the third one, who immediately offered shelter and only afterwards asked how many were in their party, the king gave his crown.

He told the man, "In this kingdom we need the kind of people who offer everything without hesitation and only then seek to determine how much is necessary. When we approached you, you didn't ask how many were in our party. You just said, 'Come, come!' The other man first asked how many we had. If we had more people, he might not have agreed to shelter us. We need more people like you."

So the third man received the crown from the king and took it home as his most treasured possession.

WOW

Jon Barber, Marcus Bell, (me) and Joe Buissink

I spent the entire day yesterday in LA with about a 100 photographers absorbing the information, ideas, and creativity of two of the best photographers in the industry. I had intended to post last night so that everyone could have their fresh "cup of joe" this morning, but my mind was literally blown out with ideas and excitement and I had to decompress. In fact, I'm still processing all that was shared yesterday. What's unbelievably awesome to me is that for a mere $200 you can walk away from a program like this equipped and inspired to make tens of thousands of dollars more than you're making. Thank you Marcus and Joe for opening my mind to greater possibilities.

I owe a huge THANK YOU to Jon as well! In fact, Jon was one of the few photographers that selflessly shared with me sooo much when I knew sooo little. Thanks to Jon, I enjoy a great deal of success today. I look up to him as the big brother I never had. Thanks a million Jon!

One final thought - I have a t shirt that reads "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance". Ladies and Gentleman, go to seminars and get information. Then apply it and share it! Blessings to you all as you elevate our industry!

Valentines Day

Valentines day is a beautiful day to honor your soul mate. But for those of you who either (a.) haven't found your soul mate or (b.) choose to remain without one, I found a site for you. Either way, enjoy your day!

Buissink & Bell in LA for Valentines Day

Attention Photographers in So. Cal! I know it's late notice but if you can make it tomorrow, Joe and Marcus will be doing the last of their 11 city tour in LA from 9 am to 6 pm. Click here for all the details. This event should not be missed. Afterward, you can enjoy a lovely, romantic dinner with your sweetheart. Or bring them with you (the more love the better). Cheers!

Shamaley / Petersen Wedding

Last weekend was another fabulous wedding at The Montage Resort and Spa, in Laguna Beach. Sharon Gall and her team from Once Upon a Time did the event coordination and Square Root did the the floral design. The bride and groom had an outdoor ceremony and the rain held off until the evening, when everyone was already inside. After dinner and dancing in the main Ballroom, a lounge area had been created with pool tables, another dance floor with a dj and fooseball in the smaller Ballroom. The guests enjoyed the party into the morning hours.

The Art of Happiness

Recently, I've begun to read a broader spectrum of authors as I try to gain perspective on the power of our thinking. I found this book to be grounded in basic truths that can be applied to anyone's life seeking deeper meaning. I really loved his perspective on seeking a more peaceful existence free from material distractions. Enjoy!

Publisher's Summary
The Dalai Lama is probably one of the only people who, if you ask him if he's happy, even though he's suffered the loss of his country, will give you an unconditional "yes." What's more, he'll tell you that happiness is the purpose of life, and the "the very motion of our life is toward happiness." How to get there has always been the question. He's tried to answer it before, but he's never had the help of a psychiatrist to get the message across in a context we can easily understand.

Through meditation, stories, and the meeting of Buddhism and psychology, the Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day-to-day depression, anxiety, anger, jealousy, or just an ordinary bad mood. He discusses relationships, health, family, work, and spirituality to show us how to ride through life's obstacles on a deep, abiding source of inner peace. Based on 2,500 years of Buddhist meditations and with a healthy dose of common sense, The Art of Happiness is a program that crosses the boundaries of all traditions to help listeners with the difficulties common to all human beings.

Walk the Walk

What is the message of your life? When you pass from this world, how would you like to be remembered? Take a few minutes to think about your death. At your funeral what would your friends and family say about your purpose and your passion? Were your actions in accordance with your priorities? If so, you're very fortunate. Continue down that road of peace. If not, perhaps it's time to realign your actions with those things you value most. Our lives may be taken from us at any moment. Make yours count.

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching. -St. Francis of Assisi

Beat of a different drummer

This is such a killer video! I was playing my drums yesterday morning, and thought "I should do a video of me playing the drums". A little later in the day, I found this video on the blog of Dallas based videographer Chris Watson. He explained that he found it on YouTube and that it was the perfect example of everything being "fixed in post production". Enjoy!

Below are photos of me and my drums taking over my parents garage in 1986. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Clarification

Good Morning! I apologize to those of you in Canada who were unable to order the DVD through my shopping cart. YES, I will ship to Canada (or anywhere worldwide). Please send me your name and mailing address in an email to joe@joephoto.com. Do not email me your credit card info! Please leave a message at the studio with that information. 949-493-4830. Visa or Mastercard # with expiration and 3 digit security code on the back of the card. We'll send one right out to you. The shipping charge will be $10.

ALSO, thank you to all who have posted comments. I will no longer allow a viewer to leave a post as anonymous. It's my blog, I get to make the rules. Attach a name to your comment and own it!

Blessings to you all! Have a glorious weekend!

Lacey Dogg

A couple of years ago, we had a dog and a new video camera, so I did what I always do. I revert back to my creative child and I think up ways to have fun. I recommend this procedure to anyone bogged down with the responsibilities of adult life. You only have one life to live so start enjoying it today! Have a great weekend!

SHOW & TELL DVD Trailer

A few years ago, I had the idea that the the only way to be really effective in training photographers to shoot killer wedding images, was to let them "inside my head". Photographers needed to SEE what I saw AND HEAR my thoughts while I was shooting. Of course, this was a huge undertaking. It's one thing to SHOW (right brain) photographers what I do, but it's equally important to TELL (left brain) them why I do it. I named the dvd "Show and Tell" for that reason, and I believe that this balanced approach to teaching is what separates my instructional DVD from all the rest. See it for yourself. Order yours today.

Make 2007 a year to SHOW your clients extraordinary images and have them TELL all their friends about YOU!

BONUS - In celebration of 31 days of blogging, the first 31 people to order SHOW AND TELL can score it for $100 (plus tax and shipping). THAT'S 66% off! CLICK HERE to order now.

One Month Update

I can hardly believe that it's been one month since I launched my blog on January 8th, 2007. The time has flown by. I've been so blessed and overjoyed by the comments and emails that I've received in response to my images, thoughts, and inspirational stories. In this past month there have been over 15,000 page views! That makes me so happy! Check back often, there's lots more to come.

We photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing, and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth can make them come back again. We cannot develop and print a memory. -Henri Cartier-Bresson

Cherish each moment, for they pass by so quickly.

Disneyland adventure with Uncle Photo

Last weekend was full of activity with my nieces and nephew. In addition to everything we did on Sunday including the Rodeo, going to the park and swimming. On Saturday I took my daughter Mikayla and her friend Ivey to Disneyland to help me with the little ones. Disneyland is truly a magical place for kids of all ages!

Mikayla with her cousins

The whole gang having to look into the sun for another photo..

Waiting for the Dancing with Princesses Show

Aaaaggghhh, the Tea Cups...

Uncle Photo's Rodeo

Last weekend I was blessed to spend time with my nieces and nephew. I do the regular "Uncle" stuff with them when their parents are out of town. Their parents were out of town:) I'm thinking about opening an "Uncle Photo's Preschool" when I retire from photography in 10 years. Of course, helmets would be required...

Blink

I finally just listened to this awesome book from Malcolm Gladwell, and I'm excited to recommend it. I understand it as trusting my intuition, and I've found that it usually happens very quickly. This book gave it words. Enjoy!

Publisher's Summary In his landmark best seller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant, in the blink of an eye, that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work, in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?

In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing", filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables.

Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology and displaying all of the brilliance that made The Tipping Point a classic, Blink changes the way you understand every decision you make. Never again will you think about thinking the same way.

Listen to Malcom Gladwell who answers the question What is "Blink" about?

It's a book about rapid cognition, about the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye. When you meet someone for the first time, or walk into a house you are thinking of buying, or read the first few sentences of a book, your mind takes about two seconds to jump to a series of conclusions. Well, "Blink" is a book about those two seconds, because I think those instant conclusions that we reach are really powerful and really important and, occasionally, really good.

You could also say that it's a book about intuition, except that I don't like that word. In fact it never appears in "Blink." Intuition strikes me as a concept we use to describe emotional reactions, gut feelings--thoughts and impressions that don't seem entirely rational. But I think that what goes on in that first two seconds is perfectly rational. It's thinking--its just thinking that moves a little faster and operates a little more mysteriously than the kind of deliberate, conscious decision-making that we usually associate with "thinking." In "Blink" I'm trying to understand those two seconds. What is going on inside our heads when we engage in rapid cognition? When are snap judgments good and when are they not? What kinds of things can we do to make our powers of rapid cognition better?

Twenty Bucks

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by ...WHO WE ARE.

You are special - don't ever forget it."

I'd like to extend thanks to all of you who have sent me emails or spoke kind words to me over the past week. I feel the love, and I'm eternally grateful.

Excellent News

Yesterday was the best Grounghog day I've ever had. Spring is on it's way AND I've teamed up with an extremely talented "Empire builder". I took the next step for my business, and I'm looking forward to an extraordinary year. Now, I'll be prepared to do all the things I've wanted to do in the photo industry too. I'm really excited, and I'll be posting more about it soon. Yeah!

Desire Campaign 5

Here's the latest two Desire Ads. I'll be creating more over the next few months and I'll keep you posted. I'd like to hear your thoughts on your (all time) favorite Ad from the last 5 weeks of the Desire Campaign. Come on people, throw in your two cents. Exercise your right to vote. Be patriotic. Thanks!

DEC 2006

JAN 2007

The Power of the Few

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting some of the best photographers in Southern Cal (and Atlanta) for a lunch to discuss marketing and networking trends for photographers. Dane Sanders organized the event for a few Simple Photo Minute programs. The purpose was to spark interest in motivating photographers around the world to get together and SHARE INFORMATION with one another. When we all come together, we elevate the entire industry. Let's work together. Check out the photos on Jules Bianchi's blog. Peace out!

Significant People 2

This story illustrates an important life lesson for me to remember. I hope you like it too.

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely, this was some kind of joke.

I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'." "I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Jill & Ryan Engagement

Last week I photographed Jill and Ryan around downtown San Juan Capistrano for their engagement session. There's so many cool places to do images in my "hood". Once again, no beach photos. I'm on a roll. Enjoy!