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!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today marks a huge milestone for my dad. He is officially......old. I still believe what he taught me long ago though, that you're only as old as you feel. May you feel as young as you want to be, dad. I love you.

Moohr / Kinney Wedding

Last Saturday marked a new opportunity for some cool outdoor portraits on a hot day. I never shoot midday portraits in the bright sun, as I always find shade to shoot the family images. This wedding was the first time I brought out big strobes to light the portraits. The final images look fantastic. It's a lot to pack and you definitely need an assistant to set up and tear down, but a certainly adds a new dimension of possibilities. Kelley and Aaron were married at St Edward's Catholic Church and their reception was at the beautiful Montage Resort and Spa. Kelly Meyer of Kelly Michelle Weddings and her team coordinated the event and the fabulous Square Root handled the floral design. That amazing cake was created by the talented Linda Goldsheft at the Cake Studio.

"I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell!" Aaron really rocked it too!

Long Day in the Desert

What was supposed to be a half day shooting early on Monday, turned into ALL day and I got home to late to tweak my favs from Saturdays' wedding. I'm tired and a bit sun-burned, so stay tuned. All week I'll be showing the killer stuff I've been shooting. Here's just one shot I lit in the desert with the help of the famous John Mireles. I'm going to bed. Enjoy:)

Peaceful Warrior - Movie

Ingrid and I watched this movie last week, and many, many, of the lessons kept coming back to me these last few days to apply and consider. This is the type of movie that challenges our perceptions. Based on the best selling book by Dan Millman (The Way of the Peaceful Warrior) the movie challenges the viewer to consider the deeper meaning of life and our relationship to one another. I hope you'll enjoy the challenge.

Arrogant, talented Dan Millman seems to have the perfect college life: a stunning gymnast's body of incredible strength, handsome looks, good grades, plenty of money and a shot at the Olympic qualifiers in men's gymnastics. Still, Dan wakes up almost nightly from terrifying nightmares and odd visions he can't explain or dismiss. One night, awakened by yet another nightmare, Dan goes for a run through his foggy neighborhood and comes upon a well-lit service station. Behind the counter, an old man seemingly moves without regard for space or time. One moment, Dan is paying for his snacks, the next the old man is on the roof of the station. Stunned by the impossibility, Dan begs the old man, whom he instinctually names Socrates, to share the secret of his abilities in order to achieve his goal of Olympic Gold. The old man puts him through a regimen that changes his diet, training, and lifestyle. Before long, his life is ruined, and he loses his friends, his girls, and is almost thrown off his Gymnastics squad. Thus begins a journey of discovery for Dan that will shatter every preconceived notion he has about academics, athletics, and achievement, Guided by Socrates, Dan will consider a whole new ideology--one that values consciousness over intelligence, strength in spirit over strength in body. But in order to succeed, Dan must somehow let go of all of his expectations--and simply live in the now.

Give Love Wings

Consider the following love story. Have a restful day:)

Letting Go
by: Dee Edgett, Source Unknown

There was once a lonely girl who longed desperately for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving song birds. She took them home and put them in a small glided cage. She nurtured them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a marvellous song. The girl felt great love for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.

One day the girl left the door to the cage open. The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl watched anxiously as he circled high above her. She was so frightened that he would fly away and she would never see him again that as he flew close, she grasped at him wildly. She caught him in her fist. She clutched him tightly within her hand. Her heart gladened at her sucess in capturing him. Suddenly she felt the bird go limp. She opened her hand stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate clutching love had killed him.

She noticed the other bird teteering on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom. His need to soar into the clear, blue sky. She lifted him from the cage and tossed him softly into the air. The bird circled once, twice, three times.

The girl watched delighted at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss. She wanted the bird to be happy. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest melody, she had ever heard.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight, the best way to keep love is to give it -- WINGS!

Two Thousand Words...

These two speak for themselves. Photography is awesome:) Enjoy!

Cowabunga

This morning I'm surfing. Everyone have a great weekend:)

Behind the drama

Because you asked, this is how I got from start to finish.
Original Image

Step 2 add a blue solid color layer to make the water more blue. Then choose soft light for the layer mode.Then flatten.

Step 3 duplicate the layer. I made an adjustment for the top layer for more contrast and added a layer mask. I painted with black over the bride on the mask so that she would show through on the bottom layer. (For this illustration I exaggerated the brush strokes so you could see the concept). Then I brightened the bottom layer so that the bride would be lighter.

Step 4 I flattened the image and added a vignette and a rough/gritty texture in overlay mode.

Lastly, I bumped the midtones as a curves adjustment, and viola! The final image.

I'm not going to lie to you, this took a while to do. Perhaps 10 minutes. When I get into my zone though, I have fun and time flies. The more you practice, the easier it gets:) Have fun!

Add some Drama

My final images are sometimes very different from what they were captured as. I often see the dreamy image in my mind's eye when I capture it. Then, it's off to play in Photoshop to transform it to the dramatic. This treatment emphasizes the stormy water. Which do you prefer? I'd love to know. Either way, have fun with your brides and grooms:) You'll be happy that you did.

These shoes were made for walkin'

As many of you know, I love shoes:) I regularly go shoe shopping for new styles. I also like shooting images of the shoes that each bride chooses to reflect her style on the wedding day. I was reflecting on shoes that really made a statement, and I think these are some of the most dramatic I've shot. These are definitely outside-the-box. Right on! Enjoy:)

Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye

Happy Monday! I usually recommend a book on Monday, but today I'd like to recommend a wonderful film on an American Master Photographer. It is helpful to understand our roots as photographers and those who have paved the way to make photography an accepted art form. This film is all about the exceptional effort put forth by Alfred Stieglitz to get America exposed to the art of photography and validating it as contemporary art. Enjoy.

Stieglitz, who is revered as one of the most innovative photographers of the 20th century, played a primary role in fostering new talent. Through his three galleries in New York City, he mentored emerging artists such as Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley, Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter and Georgia O'Keeffe; and introduced avant-garde Europeans such as Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Auguste Rodin and Pablo Picasso. American Masters examines the achievements and legacy of this influential artist with Alfred Stieglitz - The Eloquent Eye. This revealing look at "The Father of Modern Photography" features a rare interview with Georgia O'Keeffe, Stieglitz's wife and muse, as well as archival footage of other artistic giants he inspired, including Edward Steichen and John Marin. Additionally, the film presents countless images from the Stieglitz archives, ranging from early European peasant life to later views of New York's urban landscape.

Step into truth

“We tell lies when we are afraid, ... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.” Tad Williams

This is something significant to consider.

Matthew Brady

A spirit in my feet said 'go', and I went. -Matthew Brady, on why he photographed the Civil War.

Sometimes, making a decision to photograph a person or event can be this simple. Even when it's an incredibly complex and dangerous event such as war. Are we not all indebted to Mathew that he followed his impulse. How are you cheating yourself (and the world) when you refuse to follow your impulse to photograph? Practice following your impulses. Start today and make it a habit.

More textures

I'm pretty stoked on this image. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Live on the edge, and shoot something out-of-the-box!
Enjoy.

Old School, baby

Here's 4 Photoshop techniques I used to make this image look vintage. Selective focus, grain, brown tone, and edge darkening. Pretty cool huh? I've had so much fun playing with images lately. Who votes for the old school version, raise your hand.

Show and Tell 2 Website is Officially Launched

After a lot of work, and I mean a lot of work, the Joe Photo Show and Tell 2 website was officially unveiled yesterday! Hopefully, many of you got the press release and have already seen it, but if you haven't yet - I hope you'll check it out. Especially check out the featured weddings section - each one has it's own video, yeah! We filled it with content to support the release of The Show and Tell 2 DVD. I'm so grateful to everyone associated with the success of this project. You all make me look really good! I'm super stoked about it's completion and really happy to be sharing inspiration and education with photographers from around the world who are already enjoying it. Thank you:)

Ray Friesz 2

I finally finished the Ray Friesz Retrospective video - "The Art in Me" late Saturday night. Whew, video is a huge job. I'm so happy that I'm a still photographer. I did tweak a few more images this weekend and wanted to share them with you. Ray's memorial service will be this Friday night at 6:30 at Capo Beach Calvary.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

This is a great little book you can read in an evening. (Or you can rent the movie if you only have two hours)
It's funny how some of the books we read really stick with us. This is one that has stuck with me. It challenged my perspective on life and the afterlife. I now consider much more carefully how my words and actions will either help or hurt people. We have great power by what we say and do. This book offers insight for the journey.
Enjoy.

#1 New York Times bestseller by Mitch Albom

From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie comes this long-awaited follow-up, an enchanting, beautifully crafted novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold.

Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. As the park has changed over the years -- from the Loop-the-Loop to the Pipeline Plunge -- so, too, has Eddie changed, from optimistic youth to embittered old age. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.

Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. With his final breath, he feels two small hands in his -- and then nothing. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever.

One by one, Eddie's five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself.

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom gives us an astoundingly original story that will change everything you've ever thought about the afterlife -- and the meaning of our lives here on earth. With a timeless tale, appealing to all, this is a book that readers of fine fiction, and those who loved Tuesdays with Morrie, will treasure.

Humor

I believe that laughter is one of the most important keys to a successful marriage. My wife and I laugh all the time together. I'd like to share part of an excerpt on some of the other benefits of humor. May your week be filled with laughter and lightness.

The Positive Power of Humor
by: Jerry Aragon

HUMOR is my passion because:

- Humor is the best medicine to stay happy and healthy, but we all knew that already.

- Humor can help to reduce stress, and can aid in the healing process.

- Humor can help all of us to cope in the most depressing of situations and darkest of days.

- Research has shown that the punch line, can increase the bottom line.

- Humor can help to create a positive work place, which can be excellent for creativity and idea development. Humor and creativity just seem to go together.

- The ability to laugh at ourselves, at all the crazy and silly things we all say and do, is healthy for our well-being.

- Humor can help bring people together, and that is important in the work place, because teamwork is a top priority.

- Humor can help us all to cope with the aging process.

So, my advice to everyone out there is to take plenty of vitamin H on a daily basis.

Humor helps to make us all feel good, and can help to lift our spirits...just for the health of it!

Joe Photo Topless

Well, sometimes I find I just have to give in to peer pressure. For example, my friend Becker has a way with getting people to take their clothes off for portraits. ....(I've heard:). We were in Julian on Monday, and John Mireles was shooting portraits of us and Becker kept asking me to take my shirt off...."the light was great" he said. It may have been the beers or the sugar from the apple pie and ice cream, but I gave in and agreed to remove the shirt. So what, I thought later. I need to step out of my comfort zone more often. Thanks Beck! You rock....and the light was good:) Check out the video on his blog. Have a great day!

Dang, I look so hairy here. Time to shave.

More Tweaked from Julian

The life of a photographer is good. We see the world in a special way. I can think of no greater expression of art for me. Here's just a few more from the photo field trip on Monday. Enjoy.

More Infrared

It was such a good time shooting infrared these past few days. I love the look, it's dreamy. Having a camera dedicated to shooting it makes it sooooo easy. These are more from Julian, CA. What's your favorite?

{Think Green} and Red

I have two things to say today. First is green. I'm pretty stoked with this infrared shot from Monday's trip to Julian. Charlie and I hung out with Becker and John Mireles for a photo field trip day. I'll be posting more images later. Until then, enjoy this.

Second, and equally important to the nature issue, is the long awaited release of my favorite movie from last year, 300. If I were making movies, I'd be making them like this. It became available yesterday, see go out and get it. (Parental discretion is advised:)