Cup of Joe Photo

Harmonica + Beatbox: Final Cut

It's the Friday before a long weekend. Let's celebrate creativity! Kids these days are creating some cool stuff. Enjoy.

Carla & John Redmond in Wedding Style

Grace Ormonde has one of the top Bridal magazines in the country - Wedding Style. The current issue features my clients John and Carla and their fabulous wedding at The Montage Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach. John and Carla took time out of their busy schedules last week to have dinner with Ingrid and I and the project team that made their wedding so spectacular. Special thanks to Jeannie Savage (for getting us all together) and her husband John, Christopher Aldama, Alex and Julie Hill and the fabulous Jaime Synder. When we do a great job for our clients, they become friends for life. Thank you John and Carla for the opportunity to be a part of your family of friends.

Check out the current issue for their feature and many great weddings.

I Just Proposed To Her
Laguna Beach, California
August, 2006

When you work in the gaming industry, it's refreshing to meet someone who says from the outset she's "not in the mood to just play games." That's what real estate broker Carla Massone told John Redmond, President and CEO of MGM Grand Resorts, during their first, dinner date in Las Vegas.

"We talked about everything they tell you you're not supposed to talk about," Carla recalls. Mutual friends had introduced the two more than a month prior in Laguna Beach. "I didn't know that they were setting us up," admits Carla.

John was instantly impressed by Carla's maturity and her "zest for life." It wasn't long before the widowed father of three considered making her his wife, but when he asked his children what they thought of him proposing during a family trip to Hawaii, his youngest son, 14-year-old Brian, said, "I don't know, Dad."

"I was surprised," John reflects, "so I didn't do anything then."

Meanwhile, Carla plotted to kidnap John for a weekend at the Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore in Santa Barbara. As they were seated at their table overlooking the water at La Marina, their waiter warned that there might be some commotion because the man at the next table intended to propose. Carla says she has no idea if that ever transpired.

John explains, "When we went out to dinner that night, I just proposed to her. I didn't have a ring or anything."

The couple was less spontaneous when it came to planning their non-traditional beach wedding. After considering Hawaii and Mexico, they opted to celebrate their union in Laguna Beach. "We never considered a Vegas wedding," says Carla, explaining, "we both love the beach we wanted a wedding that was fun, casual, romantic and comfortable."

Almost all of their 123 guests arrived Thursday to enjoy golf, spa treatments and the pool at the Montage Resort & Spa, as well as to join the couple for a welcome dinner at the nearby Ristorante Rumari.

John didn't see Carla again until 4 p.m. the next afternoon and as she walked down the aisle a video camera caught his audible reaction—"absolutely stunning." During the ceremony, they presented gifts to three special wedding party members. Brian and his siblings, Jonathan and Shannon, received watches engraved: "We Love You, Dad and Carla."

The party moved to another lawn for Calypso music, sushi and cocktails while the waterview lawn was transformed for the reception featuring a bountiful buffet and a seven-piece band that got everyone dancing. Carla still gets emotional when she talks about the surprise speech made by John's children. After praising their dad and expressing their joy at his happiness, they said, "Now, we have our new Mom."

Carla and John saw their guests off before departing Sunday for a five-night honeymoon—the longest time they'd spent alone together—at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Even though they're building a new home there, Carla and John spend as much time as possible leaving Las Vegas. "We try to do things as a family; we do a lot of traveling," says John. Brian, he reveals, is the "most attached to Carla" of all.

Monopoly and Crash

Man, the last couple of days have been a blur. I've been working on so many things lately and I'll soon be sharing with you all:) Last night though, I took the evening off and my friends Francesca and "The Actual Joey Himself" came over to take me on in Monopoly. (Becker has Poker, I have Monopoly). Anyway, after the game we watched one of my Favorite Movies - Crash. Man, I cry every time I see that movie. It's great to watch with friends and then discuss it. Good times, my friends, good times.....

We didn't get to discuss it much because it was late and I was a bit sleep deprived. If you haven't yet seen this movie, give it a try.

If Crash isn't your bag baby, Blades of Glory was just released yesterday and you have my permission to enjoy that one too.

2006 Gallery

Well, I'm way behind on getting my Best of 2006 Gallery online:) I have, in previous years, had my "best of" galleries online by February for all to see. This year however I've been blogging..... And that takes a lot of time. So, as the saying goes, better late than never.

Thank you to all of the magnificent clients who have allowed me to capture the biggest day of their lives. Cheers to all of you! Enjoy.

Ready For Anything

Are you ready? Ready for anything? David Allen expands on his "mind like water" life preparedness message, for those who want more of a good thing. I find it necessary to be reminded of great information. Now, to apply it..... This is a great reminder of how to live and manage the constant flow of things pulling for our attention. Relief is attainable:) Enjoy.

In READY FOR ANYTHING: 52 Productivity Principles of Work and Life, David now asks readers what is holding them back and provides them with the essential guide for anyone wanting to work and live at their very best. The book is based on David’s hugely successful online newsletter, Productivity Principles, with over 100,000 subscribers. He has fully expanded, edited and organized his principles into an organic whole—one that offers wit, inspiration, and know-how to keep readers’ heads clear and “ready for anything.”

In each of these succinct and motivational chapters, David focuses on a single essential principle for achieving relaxed control, ease and a lifestyle of stress-free productivity. You’ll learn how to master the martial art of work by following each lesson, grouped by these four major themes:

*clearing your head
*focusing your attention
*creating structures that succeed
*taking effective action

Discover David Allen’s 52 powerful Productivity Principles for working and living at your productive best.

Appearances

Be careful of making judgments based on appearances. There is a valuable lesson within these words.
Have a blessed day of peaceful living.

Ezra Taft Benson- “One day in the middle of an important examination in high school, the point of my lead pencil broke. In those days we used pocket knives to sharpen our pencils. I had forgotten my penknife and turned to ask a neighbor for his. The teacher saw this; he accused me of cheating. When I tried to explain, he gave me a tongue-lashing for lying; worse, he forbade me to play on the basketball team in the upcoming game. I could see that the more I protested the angrier he seemed to become. But again and again I stubbornly told what had happened. Even when the coach pleaded my cause, the teacher refused to budge. The disgrace was almost more than I could bear. Then, just minutes before the game, he had a change of heart and I was permitted to play. But there was no joy in it. We lost the game; and though that hurt, by far the deeper pain was being branded a cheat and a liar. Looking back. I know that lesson was God-sent. Character is shaped in just such crucibles. My parents believed me: they were understanding and encouraging. Supported by them and a clear conscience, I began to realize that when you are at peace with your Maker you can, if not ignore human criticism, at least rise above it. And I learned something else - the importance of avoiding even the appearance of evil. Though I was innocent, circumstance made me look guilty. Since this could so easily be true in many of life's situations, I made a resolution to keep even the appearance of my actions above question, as far as possible. And it struck me, too, that if this injustice happened to me, it could happen to others, and I must not judge their actions simply on appearances.”

Have you ever been wrongly accused? Boy, it hurts. How about this though, have you ever wrongly accused? Ouch, baby, very ouch.

Remember the pencil tip before making a judgement.

Rimrock 3

OK, it's Saturday and I thought I would tease you with the last of my favorites from Rimrock Ranch. Just when you thought they couldn't be any better.... Have a great weekend!!

Free is Closed for the day (it's 5 pm in the West)

Yeah to all of you who sent me an email. It made my day!! Thank you for all the kind words too. You all rock my world! Enjoy your texture tomorrow and keep checking back for free inspiration daily:) Peace out....

Rimrock Ranch 2

Check out this killer old train car. What a great background for a bride. I also shot some insane textures. If you are interested in a high-res texture image from this shoot, I will send one out to you FOR FREE if you send me an email TODAY. Send the email to joe@joephoto.com and put in the subject bar "Free on Friday". I'll send it out to you tonight. Only emails received today before 5 pm PST are eligible! Have a blessed weekend!

Rimrock Ranch 1

As promised, these are some of my favorites from a shoot that John Mireles and I did at this killer ranch outside of Palm Springs on monday. We had a total blast. Thank you Priscilla for allowing us to photograph you in your beautiful dress in the dust of the desert. You seriously rocked, and made it extremely fabulous!!