Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Portrait: Ruthy

PORTRAITURE

The world is so small.  This past summer I visited Peru as part of a missions trip with Adventures In Missions.  While in Peru I met Ruthy Pena.  She was part of the team of about 40 people, all from different parts of the US. 

While in conversation we realized we had mutual friends back in the New York/New Jersey area.  Ruthy is from New Jersey but we won't hold that against her...lol.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago, Ruthy and I began talking about the new album her and her brother Ricardo are working on.  They needed professional photographs and so we began building a concept for the shoot.

Well two weekends ago we shot it.  We did some exterior shots followed by some studio photos.  (Note: Ruthy and Ricardo are the first ones to be photographed in the new JDP Studio space)

I am editing their selections now.  Below is one of the photos from the shoot.

Go ahead Ruthy with your bad self!


Portrait

Monday, November 28, 2011

New Series: "The Bronx: Painted in Black and White"

PHOTO WALK

I decided to do a Photo Walk in the Fordham area of the Bronx this past Saturday.  It is a high traffic area especially on the weekend and I thought I might catch some interesting photographs.  My basic guideline was to photograph whatever struck me as desiring of a photograph.  I also decided I would shoot everything in Black and White.

From the bus ride at Castle Hill I began photographing with my Canon 5D MkII fitted with a 35mm f2 lens.  Although I took street shots through the bus glass I wasn't too fond of how they looked. 

Twenty-five minutes later I arrived in Fordham by the Concourse.  I began my walk westward and snapped away.








When I reached Aqueduct Walk I decided to make a turn.  I had never seen this block before and so I continued on the adventure.










After the Aqueduct I began making my way back eastward.  The people I saw were rather interesting.








Feel free to check out the entire gallery and purchase any images.


The Bronx: Painted in Black and White

I will add more images to this series throughout the rest of this year and in 2012.  :)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Portrait: Miss Tina

PORTRAITURE

Even in the Bronx you can find a boardwalk near the water. That is if you know where to look.

The wind was blowing really hard that afternoon so Tina's hair had some movement. I really love how she looks with the water in the background. The simplicity of this portrait allows us to focus in on Tina's face and gaze.

- J

Portrait

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Wedding Portrait: Alicia and Luis

WEDDING

Last month I had the privilege to photograph Alicia and Luis in New Jersey at the lovely Perona Farms. Having previously photographed there, I already had images in my mind which I would photograph for the wedding day.

There were so many gorgeous photos of the ceremony and reception. Today I want to highlight this magnificent portrait of Alicia and Luis which was taken during the Formal Portraits.

I love their embrace here. I love the sky lit up in the distance. I love how the path near them is illuminated. I love the house and its reflection off the water in the background. Basically I think this photo is HOT!

Let us give a huge congrats to this wonderful couple!

- J

Portrait

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Journey of A Photographer

THE JOURNEY

As some of you know I picked up photography as a hobby 3 1/2 years ago. By the end of that first year of photography as a hobby, I was let go at my full time job.

With no 9 to 5 job, I suddenly began doing photography as a profession. That first year of professional photography was really interesting. I had so much to learn and so little time to do it.

It took me about six months to get a firm foundation on the technical side of photography. As far as the business side, it has been two and a half years and I am still learning.

In all honesty I have no clear direction where I am going with my photography. I didn't go to school for it. I didn't grow up with it as a passion. Yet here I am today photographing portraits, weddings, sweet sixteens, and other events for my clients.

It is both humbling and creatively fulfilling. What an honor it has been and still is to serve my clients during special, memorable days in their life journeys.

Starting today I now have my own photography studio in the Bronx. Previously I was sharing space with other photographers. Now I have my very own studio. That is so crazy to me.

The walls haven't been painted yet. All that is there are my lights and my two backdrops: one white and one pink.

I would love to share with you the plans I have for the four rooms of the studio space but that will be for another time. All I can say is it will be a place where art and photography meet. Holla!

I share all this because there may be some people reading this who are doing the thing they feel led to do for the moment, but don't have a clue about the destination.

I DO NOT KNOW THE DESTINATION FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPHY THING I AM DOING.

All I know is I am working with what is in front of me. You see I am the kind of person that likes to know the destination so I can get there in an efficient manner. As a person of faith I believe God is keeping that destination from me so I can trust Him along the journey. So I can look to Him for direction. I also believe this forces me to enjoy the experience of the journey and not be consumed with the destination, which is very easy for me to do.

If you are still reading this then perhaps you understand what I am saying. Maybe you have felt the same way.

Let us hold fast our faith and continue to press onward. It may be a roller coaster ride, but it will be one we have never been on before. Let us enjoy it while we are here.

Keeping the faith,
J