Pennsylvania Wedding & Portrait Photographer - Joe Maher's Blog

NEW BLOG HOME

Here it is!  http://jmimages.com/blog/

New Blog Home

I will be moving to a new blog in the very near future. I think a change is wanted and a newer look is needed.  I HOPE to be able to move all my content from here to the new blog.  I am told it is not an issue, but then again... you just never know.  So, I may still keep posting her until the switch is made, or I may risk it and make the switch on the word of others.  (I say trust the guys and gals that know and understand how all of this works.  After all they are tech people) 

A virus in our business

For the record I love when new people come into the business of portrait and wedding photography.  I think it opens new doors and new relationships.  I never look at someone as the "enemy" in the business.  We all have different styles and looks to our work.  Some I love, some I find boring. But my work does not relate to everyone either so I am in the mix as well. 

I say this because of a blog post I read a few days ago. The post , And you call yourself a professional, was written by one of the many blogs I read from time to time. (I am a secret blog stalker) Everything Scott mentions is right on the mark.  His post has nothing to do with some shooters being afraid of competition, but rather major undercutting and what that does to the industry and what "photography" is worth.

Now back to stalking......

And the winner is...

Nancy Krinks from the Linesville area. She (and her family) were nominated by June Dunn of Grove City.  It was a very well written, thoughtful email and it touched the very reason why I wanted to be a part of this great giveaway! The other emails I received were also very thoughtful and this was a very difficult decision.  There was also a nomination from a person that wanted to donate their possible winning gift to another family.  Talk about giving!

All in all it was a great first effort on all the people that participated.  I hope to have more entries next year and I look forward to posting a few images when we get the chance to take the portraits!  Keep looking!

Also, June Dunn is also a winner for more than one reason.  Not only did she care enough to nominate someone for this giveaway, but she is also the winner of a $350.00 print credit that belongs to her!

Again, thanks to everyone that made this a great great Christmas!

2010

Along with happy new year wishes and the best to all of you I want to thank all of the high school seniors, brides and families that have allowed me to be a part of your lives in 2009.  Thank you for inviting me to become a little part of your family's history.  It truly means the world to me.  

A ton of great things happened to me and to JM Images in 2009.  Business growth was huge and I cannot say enough good things about the Grove City area from this past year.   I have been welcomed with open arms and I intend to bring more photo goodness to the area with more ideas and cooler photo events and a few more ways to give back to the community.  Keep looking here for a new program I am working on for the kids of the area.  I hope it will get off of the ground and take flight in 2010.  A new website design will be launched this week and I am looking forward to showing it to you!  It has been a long time coming and I am very excited to launch!  Stay tuned for more on that as well.

The 2010 beach trip to the Isle of Palms, SC is coming along and is looking great!  The trip is beginning to fill and is going to be a great opportunity for the 2011 Senior Class!  WIth only 20 spots available it is now time to call me, email me, get your group together, tell your friends and send in the deposit to hold your spot.  (I am also looking for Senior Ambassadors for Mercer, Slippery Rock and Grove City High Schools.  Lakeview has been filled.) So please make sure you get your name to me if you are interested.  It is sooo worth it!

The response for nominations for custom photography did pretty well this year.  The emails have been rolling in and the winner will be announced on Sunday January , 2010.  Yes, I was going to announce the winner last evening but I had a few emails come in under the wire and wanted to give them the same consideration I gave the other entries.  So, look back here Sunday for the final decision.

Finally,  In this new year I hope you all take the time to give back a little to our/your community.  It is easy to do from November to January.  But try to take the time to give back the rest of the year.  In the months to come try not to get caught up in the daily grind so much that we forget about the less fortunate.  Food pantries, homeless shelters, animal shelters, your local school boosters (and many many more organizations) need our help.  I have been guilty of not doing as much as I could be.  I am working hard on doing more in the community and I hope to see you there!

God bless

Nominations

Just a quick update on the nominations for the free photo session/package being given away this New Years!  The nominations are rolling in and it is great to see so many people taking advantage and sending in requests/stories of people they know who are deserving. It is also making it difficult to choose the family most deserving. 

Again, please email your nomination to info@wjmaher.com

Merry Christmas to you and may you have love and peace in your hearts and homes!

Warmly,

Joe Maher

An Afternoon at Sweet Peas Flowers

Such a cool place and such sweet and beautiful kids!

Passing along the love and continuing the movement

(This information was borrowed from www.givingisawesome.com and I am continuing the movement here in the Grove City area.

The words were written just right so I have used them, with permission, with a few tweaks here and there.)

You know someone, someone who has experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You (we) all know someone…

I am asking you to tell me who they are and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $750 worth, to be exact. Albums, wall portraits, portraits for the Grandparents or a slide show to view time and time again. It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this giving season.

AND, the second best reason to do this? The person who nominates the winner receives a $375 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?  Sooooo, how about it?  Let’s show a little love!

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a third home along the beach does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside within a 75 mile radius of Grove City, PA. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me (JM Images) the full story : info@wjmaher.com

The winner will be announced on New Year’s Eve on my photography blog.  (http://joemaher.typepad.com/my_weblog/ ) SO -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Warmly,

Joe

©= www.givingisawesome.com

Hope

No photography today.  Just a thought.

New music.  We hear new bands, singers, groups, sampling everyday.  It seems to me that the majority of the new music out there is cookie cutter, watered down boring music.  With all the technology available to have singers sound great in the studio and to aid them in hitting the right notes during a live concert we are still being introduced to and forced to accept average music.  It could be a little bit of my age showing or maybe my attitude for today, not sure exactly what it is. 

My son listens to a little hip hop, a bit of rap, a taste of rock and a nibble of classic rock.  You just can't force your child to love the same style of music you love or grew up with I guess. (there is still time, he is only 14)

Anyway, I was blog stalking and found this organization, Playing for change, and I was blown away!  I guess I was just looking in the wrong places for true music and for true performers.  Take a look and see what you have been missing!

There is hope!

Loni and Ryan

Really really cool couple here.  This is actually the first part of their E-session.  The second part of the session is going to take place inside and in front of The Guthrie Theatre.  It is a perfectly cool movie theatre in town.  It has the look and feel of an older theater because it is an older, nostalgic movie theatre.  The family has done a great job of updating the building with out taking away from the feel of your hometown movie theatre.  I cannot wait for part two next week!  But, part one was great!