Cup of Joe Photo

Dogs Life

I'll be in Russia until June 12th. These are images from Memorial Day Weekend:)

Two dogs at a wedding makes for cool photos.

Details

I'll be posting my favorites from Memorial Day Weekends' Weddings while I'm away for the next 12 days. Enjoy!

Long Weekend:)

So this past weekend "unofficially" kicked off summer. I hope that yours was awesome. Mine was full. My wife and I had over 30 kids at our home on Friday for Mikayla's 13th Birthday / pool / disco Party. That was a lot of full! Saturday, I was at the Ritz in Pasadena for a wedding and Sunday I was shooting a wedding at the Hyatt in Huntington Beach. Monday was editing, then barbeque, then an engagement session. Now I have a couple of days to get all this online before I leave to shoot orphanages in Russia for 12 days on Thursday. I have so much to show you from this past weekend that I'll be stretching out the images while I'm gone in Russia. Then, when I get back I'll be showing everyone Russia images. It's going to be the life changing trip. I'm really looking forward to it!

OK, having said all that, I want to also share a few thoughts I had this weekend.

First, There are so many good people in the world I have yet to meet. The media would often have us believe otherwise, but there are tons of good people all around us. I look forward to meeting new ones daily. I'm blessed to have had the priveledge of meeting many already. Do yourself a huge favor and let go of stereotypes. Mine continue to break down and shatter, and I've learned that they often get in the way of new relationships. I want to build up rather than tear down.

And Second, I am really embracing the positive effect that my words (through my blog) are having on a wide range of readers. Though I sometimes struggle with posting daily, keeping it fresh and interesting, investing time, and sometimes being discouraged, I am often blessed to know that this energy is blessing others and teaching me important lessons at the same time.

So, I want to let you know that I'm grateful to be a small catalyst for change in your lives. Truly, it is my desire that God be glorified! I am small, but he is BIG. May grace and peace flow freely from these posts so that you can Live inspired to pursue your passions.

Those Now Gone

Those Now Gone
(Memorial Day)
©2002 Roger W Hancock (www.PoetPatriot.com)

Fallen Servicemen,
for country fought;
liberty, freedom,
the primary reason.

They gave themselves,
that we be free

Fathers, mothers,
sisters, and brothers;
our dearly departed,
life for country given.

Families broken,
for liberty.

Veterans who served,
and lived to tell;
the horrors, and risks,
now sleep in peace.

Served their country,
for our security.

Unknown Soldier, MIA
remembrance our way;
to honor you as well,
victims of a warriors hell.

Served, now lost that,
our lives be free.

Sleep now sleep tight
rest now, duty done,
price paid in life or death.
The vigilance now be ours

Falling Trees

Don't let stress get you down. I can tell you that the busyness of life has really got me thinking. Is this what we were meant for? Running around at such a fast pace, being stressed and angry. Unconnected. Now, I think, more than ever (in my life anyway) it's so important to have a perspective on the really important matters of our lives. This story stuck with me, and I'd like to share it with you.

Falling Trees by: Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten

In the Solomon Islands in the south Pacific some villagers practice a unique form of logging. If a tree is too large to be felled with an ax, the natives cut it down by yelling at it. (Can't lay my hands on the article, but I swear I read it.) Woodsmen with special powers creep up on a tree just at dawn and suddenly scream at it at the top of their lungs. They continue this for thirty days. The tree dies and falls over. The theory is that the hollering kills the spirit of the tree. According to the villagers, it always works.

Ah, those poor naive innocents. Such quaintly charming habits of the jungle. Screaming at trees, indeed. How primitive. Too bad thay don't have the advantages of modern technology and the scientific mind.

Me? I yell at my wife. And yell at the telephone and the lawn mower. And yell at the TV and the newspaper and my children. I've been known to shake my fist and yell at the sky at times.

Man next door yells at his car a lot. And this summer I heard him yell at a stepladder for most of an afternoon. We modern, urban, educated folks yell at traffic and umpires and bills and banks and machines--especially machines. Machines and relatives get most of the yelling.

Don't know what good it does. Machines and things just sit there. Even kicking doesn't always help. As for people, well, the Solomon Islanders may have a point. Yelling at living things does tend to kill the spirit in them. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts....

Beaumont Newhall

It seems that retouching has been controversial for a long time. I had no idea.

Retouching had become controversial ever since Franz Hanfstaengl of Munich showed at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris a retouched negative with a print made from it before and after retouching. It was, Nadar recollected, the beginning of a new era in photography. -Beaumont Newhall, "History of Photography " by Newhall, Beaumont Newhall, ISBN: 0870703811

Beaumont Newhall was born in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1908 and studied art history at Harvard University. One of the most prominent historians of photography as well as an artist in his own right, Newhall made significant contributions to the field. The founding director of the photography department at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, he also served as the curator and director of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Rochester, New York during the formative years of that institution. The author of a great many books, exhibition catalogues, and articles on photography, Newhall also published several editions of the classic text The History of Photography. Newhall was honored by institutions such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Royal Photographic Society, and the John S. Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. He died in 1993.

Sloppy Borders

Have you ever bought something and then waited a long, long time to use it? I've had Kevin Kubota's Sloppy Border Program vol One for a long time. Last week I was cleaning my office and found them (and loaded them). It was so much fun to play with. It brought me back to the joy of the darkroom, without the odor. Kevin has really made them easy to use too. If your interested in this old school look for your digital images, you can get yours at Kubota Imagetools.

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Did you know...

The saying, "Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” is a popular rhyme that has been used since Victorian times. The "something old" represents the bond to the bride's family and her old life; "something new" represents the couple's new life together and their future hope for happiness, prosperity and success; "something borrowed" from a happily married woman is meant to impart similar happiness to the bride; and "something blue" represents fidelity and constancy.

Lejo dj

Some days you just need to smile:) Today may be that day. I found this last night on You Tube. I love that just about anybody can publish on the web. Enjoy!

Gillen / Jordan Wedding

I have such awesome clients! What a pleasure it was to shoot this wedding. Great fun and great photos. Thanks Jill and Ryan, for allowing me to create extraordinary memories of your day.

The 10 Qualities Of Charismatic People

I finished this book last week and I've realized that what I like about books are the ideas that make a strong impression. Often, these are simple things. In this book, the idea that really jumped out at me was that confident people stand up straight and keep their chins slightly raised. As I said, simple things. But these ideas, when you're ready to receive them make a big difference. I hope that you pick up one little idea from each book you read. Make a habit of reading, your life will be changed.

I found this brief summary online:)

Ideas from The 10 Qualities of Charismatic People Secrets of Personal Magnetism by Dr. Tony Alessandra ́ Patricia Morgan © 2004 Look at the words and phrases below that Alessandra discovered in his research and describes in his book about charismatic people, those to whom we are attracted. Are you interested in becoming charismatic? If so here are some concepts to develop. 1. Emotional Self is attended to: take responsibility for your emotions. 2. Psychological Self: you become what you think about. Choose your thoughts wisely. 3. Intellectual Self: • Confidence: while being honest and sincere “fake it until you make it.” Take some risks. • Healthy skepticism: “if something is too good to be true, it is.“ Watch for others to prove their integrity. • Risk-taking: become comfortable with learning from mistakes. • Resourcefulness: requires being flexible, creative and sometimes doing something unusual. 4. Heightened Awareness: • Be aware of your environment and other’s behaviours. • Be aware of your gut feelings and intuitive knowing. • Have a vision and mission. 5. Winning Image—create a positive impression. Avoid annoying habits. Be fit. 6. Actively listen: 60% of poor communication is due to poor listening. Seek first to understand. 7. Persuade through others’ goals and involvement. 8. Flexible Personality: • Confident • Tolerant • Empathetic • Positive • Respectful 9. Spiritual Self: • Understanding: Does not include judgment. • Aspiration: Worthy aspirations are based on giving and sharing. • Intention: It may not matter as much what you do as why you do it. 10. Happiness: It just might mean wanting what you get. Patricia Morgan is a certified counsellor, speaker and author of Love Her As She Is and She Said: A Tapestry of Women’s Quotes She can be reached at 403-242-7796 or patricia@lightheartedconcepts.com or www.lightheartedconcepts.com

Worth Pondering

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown.

He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up a head of steam he went on. "That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

"Please, mister, please. I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do," pleaded the youngster.

"I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."

Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car.

"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child said to him.

The man then watched the little boy push his brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long walk back to his jaguar.. a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention.

"God whispers in your soul and speaks to your heart. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your choice: Listen to the whisper - or wait for the brick."

(Throwing a brick at a car is dangerous and extreme, and not endorsed in anyway by Joe Photo or www.cupofJoePhoto.com) Have a blessed day:)

Dale Carnegie

Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto. Dale Carnegie

I embrace these words and I am blessed to live life passionately. Have you found your passion? What is your very favorite activity in life? One that causes you to lose all sense of time. Focus on that and be blessed.

The Alternative Landscape Gallery GRAND OPENING

This is soooo worth seeing! John Mireles is redefining Landscape photography. His images blow my mind. I went through each slideshow on his website with wonder and amazement. If you live in So Cal, consider spending the day in Julian. Make it a photo field trip. Photographers United. Come out and play:) I hope to see you out there!

"The Alternative Landscape"
Photography Gallery

Sunday, May 20 2007
11:00 am - 6:00 pm

4470 Hwy. 78, Julian
next to the Orfila tasting room
GRAND OPENING!!

View the world through the eyes of San Diego photographer John Mireles at this exclusive opening of his new Alternative Landscape gallery located in Julian, California. Non-traditional landscapes and travel images from his collection of personal work will be on exhibit.

There's no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than a scenic drive to Julian to view some art, taste some wine and grab some apple pie along the way!

The gallery is located at 4470 Hwy 78 just before downtown Julian and next door to the Orfila Winery tasting room. You'll find it situated about five minutes east of Julian's main street on Highway 78.

Sunday, May 20th | 11:00am - 6:00pm
Wine tastings provided by Orfila Winery.
The Alternative Landscape Gallery may be reached
Weekends at 760-765-0877 and M-F at 619-287-3700

The Alternative Landscape Gallery is open
11am to 6pm Saturdays & Sundays

www.alternativelandscape.com

The Alternative Landscape | 4470 Hwy 78 | Julian | CA | 92036

David LaChapelle

My work is about making candy for the eyes. It’s about grabbing your attention. Even though my work is appearing in magazines I am trying to make a large picture. I want my photographs to read like a poster. -David LaChapelle

I admire the fact that David's images are both unique and consistent. You know when you see one of his images. Check out his work here.

Napa 2

This is the 2nd round of images from Saturday in Napa. These were all shot as we were driving around. I love just driving and looking for good light. All of these images were done in one and a half hours in 8 locations. I can get a lot done with that much time:) Enjoy!

Warren / Berry Wedding

Napa was a total blast! These are some of my favorites form Auberge du Soleil where the wedding was held. Tomorrow I'll post wedding images from a couple of other vineyards we shot at. Enjoy!

Green Eggs and Ham

Today, I thought I'd share a different approach for the "book of the week".

I got back yesterday from a wedding in Napa, full of excitement - like a kid in a candy store. It was such a wonderful weekend:) I had lunch in Oakland on Friday with my favorite photographer there, Michelle Walker. (It's Michelle's B Day tomorrow if you want to send her an email) She showed me her amazing collection of travel photography and we ate some great food. The wedding on Saturday was awesome! Perfect weather and a fabulous couple. You'll see images tomorrow. I had such a blast shooting for these clients. They were so grateful for me to be a part of their Big Day. The images totally rock! I also got to spend some time after the wedding with my favorite photographer in Napa, Meg Smith. I showed her images from the wedding and we drank some of my favorite wine from a local vineyard, Franciscan. It was a joyful weekend spent in childlike wonder.

So, I am recommending that you consider the joy and wonder that many children experience, and the lessons that can be learned from the great Dr. Seuss. What are your Green Eggs and Ham, and what can be learned from Sam-I-Am?

I'd love to hear that you all reread the book with fresh insight and childlike enthusiasm. Enjoy, and apply salt to taste.

Amazon.com
This timeless Dr. Seuss classic was first published in 1960, and has been delighting readers ever since. Sam-I-am is as persistent as a telemarketer, changing as many variables as possible in the hopes of convincing the nameless skeptic that green eggs and ham are a delicacy to be savored. He tries every manner of presentation with this "nouveau cuisine"--in a house, with a mouse, in a box, with a fox, with a goat, on a boat--to no avail. Then finally, finally the doubter caves under the tremendous pressure exerted by the tireless Sam-I-am. And guess what? Well, you probably know what happens, but even after reading Green Eggs and Ham the thousandth time, the climactic realization that green eggs and ham are "so good, so good, you see" is still a rush. As usual, kids will love Dr. Seuss's wacky rhymes and whimsical illustrations--and this time, they might even be so moved as to finally take a taste of their broccoli. (Ages 4 to 8)

Take a break and call your Mother

Whoa, sometimes the insane pace of life is exhausting. I can easily get caught up in so many different projects, that I forget what is really valuable in this life. As I'm typing this, I have so many other things on my mind as I head off to Napa for a wedding. The reality is, without my mother, I would not exist. I would never have experienced the wonderful joys of discovery in childhood, the beauty of art and nature and the enormous satisfaction of a loving embrace. Today, take the time to thank your mom for your life. You can never be sure how long you have left to say it.

Thank you Mom, for giving me life....and so much more. Joe:)

Greg Gorman

For me a photograph is most successful when it doesn't answer all the questions and it leaves something to be desired. I like each picture that I take to be a testament to the individual character of my subject. -Greg Gorman

Check out Greg's website here.

Amita and Harshith Engagement

Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of hanging out with Amita and Harshith after we shot engagement images in Laguna Beach. I had a great time getting to know them better before they're Big Day. I highly recommend shooting engagement sessions with all my clients. There is value in bonding. Enjoy!

Preston Bailey

I know what you're thinking, Preston and I look like brothers. I've heard it before, and this photo (taken by the fabulous Hedley of Cherie Steinberg Cote studios) confirms it. Mom always liked him better. After all he's tall, dark and handsome. Darn it. That's why I'm behind the camera. However, we do like to unbutton our shirts. (We get that from dad....:)

Bride and Bloom Friends

This is my new favorite way to celebrate all the fabulous friends that I hang out with at a party. I do need more work on composing the shot when I shoot them with me in the picture. Anyway, here's many of my peeps from the party:) Enjoy.

Wedding plannerMelody Walker

Peter Papadopoulos from Vive Entertainment spun the music

Carolyn Chen from The Special Day this shot really should be in focus...

Awesome photographer Aaron Delesie and Youngsong Martin from Wildflower Linens

Marisa Holmes photographer

Brooke from Details Details and Jaime Snyder from the Montage

Ritz Carlton - Laguna Niguel in da house

Jeannie Savage of Details Details

Kelly Meyer of Kelly Michelle Weddings, Vivian from Paper Girl and Harmony Walton from The Bridal Bar

Paige and the Birthday Boy Alex from Square Root

Lauren Hillary and Jon Barber

The Preston Bailey and me:)

Lauren Hillary, JD, and Jasmine Star

Miriam from Luna Gardens and Sheryal Rozzelle of Unique Elegance

Kaileen Wang of FluidNRG

The Editor in Cheif of The Bride and Bloom, Carol Poon

The Bride and Bloom Party

What a great night for a party. The Bride and Bloom magazine had their First Anniversary party in LA last night. Carol Poon, the magazines Editor in Cheif had set out to create a totally different kind of Bridal magazine. As I told her last night, I was skeptical at first, but she has really developed an amazingly high-quality resource for brides looking for new and creative ideas. Preston Bailey was the guest of honor for the evening. It was a pleasure to finally meet him. Jeannie Savage from Details, Details was hugely instrumental in organizing the event for the enjoyment of the guests. Carolyn Chen of The Special Day was also responsible for directing the evenings festivities. Many thanks to Rita Hermes for submitting the beautiful wedding of Hemali and Steven to be featured in the current issue of The Bride and Bloom on behalf of Sheryal Rozzelle and myself. I did snap a few shots too. Enjoy.

I'll post my favorite people shots from the party on Wednesday. I'm going to bed now:)

Secrets of a Passionate Marriage

As you know, I often recommend business minded books. It just so happens that I've been listening to so many of them recently. I never went to business school or took business classes in college (i just did my art), so my current education is with audio books from contemporary gurus. This book is not a business book, though it may be able to help you "get busy" with your spouse in more fulfilling ways.
The liberating concept behind Dr. Schnarch's approach is that he gives insight into improving intimacy, in the most intimate act. If you're looking for a deeper, emotional connection with your spouse, give this book a listen and then share it with your lover. Your marriage can be more passionate! Enjoy.

Book Description With the pioneering classic Passionate Marriage (over 500,000 copies sold) and his current bestseller Resurrecting Sex, Dr. David Schnarch has helped thousands take their relationships to new and lasting heights of love and intimacy — in many cases when divorce seemed the only option. From his unique perspective, sexual difficulty and other common problems are not a sign of weakness, but rather the hallmark of the crucial work of all emotionally committed relationships. Dr. Schnarch’s first major release on audio, Secrets of a Passionate Marriage moves beyond traditional sex therapy approaches that work "a little," and provides the groundwork for a way of relating to oneself and one’s partner that ensures real improvement over a lifetime. Combining humor with his decades of expertise, Dr. Schnarch offers listeners insights into: emotional gridlock — why this critical phase is necessary for the healthy evolution of all relationships, how to "self-soothe" your anxieties to open to the full range of human eroticism, the three psychological dimensions of sex — how to make an ally out of what you’re really thinking during sex, and much more. Designed to give listeners the courage to confront themselves and their partners with integrity and compassion, Secrets of a Passionate Marriage is sure to bring what Dr. Schnarch calls "electric sex" along with renewed commitment to the relationships of all who hear it.

Meeting God

May this story bless your day with Peace and Grace.

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted ! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Thanks 2nd Shooters

I've looked at all your websites and blogs. Thank you all for your interest and sharing the heart and soul of your work with me. You've got so much talent. I have specific dates for a few of you to consider and I'll be sending out those emails on Monday. Have a beautiful weekend, and as always - Pursue your Passion.

Just a few more...

Ok so if nobody minds... I think I'll post a few more of my Best of 2006 images. Enjoy:)

Best of 2006

I've finally selected my "Best of 2006" gallery images. I'm months behind selecting these 300 images, but since I've been blogging.... the gallery has taken a back seat. (I usually post my "Best of" galleries in January). I still have to retouch many of them, so I'm hoping to post them in a week or so. I'll give you a little taste today to set you in a creative mood for the weekend. Make it a great one!

Mikayla's 13th Birthday

Today is my daughter's 13th birthday. Whoa, time really flies. When she was born, a friend recommended that I shoot pictures of her every year on her birthday at the front door of the house we live in. That way I could track how tall she gets as well as the homes we lived in through her lifetime. We've kept up that tradition, and shot photos this morning before school. Children are such a blessing. Happy Birthday Mikayla! Love, Mom and Dad:)

Job Openings

For the first time in a long time, I'm looking for a few talented 2nd shooters to assist me with upcoming weddings this year. Past 2nd's have gone on to become very successful on their own. Specifically, I'm looking for digital shooters that live in So Cal. If you're interested, please send me an email (joe@joephoto.com) with your qualifications and samples of your work. I look forward to hearing from you:)

In other news, we launched our first monthly newsletter yesterday to all who signed up to become Caffienated Addicts. You jolted folks now have access to my "behind the scenes" blog where I'm now displaying all future Before and After images as well as video tutorials (coming soon). I invite you all to sign up now - while it's free:)

Dream NY

Last week while I was in NYC, my clients reserved a hotel for me. Check this out. How cool is Dream NY. Each floor had super cool blue back-lit canvas's as you got off the elevator.These are a few of my fav's. The rooms also carried the motif with blue lights under the bed and in the glass desk. This was a great "theme" hotel at the corner of 55th and Broadway. A "must stay" for travelers with big dreams.