Mikki was just stunning.  Stunning.

The reception was held at The Corinthian in Sharon, PA.  After most of the events of the evening were finished Mikki and Justin took a little personal time. 

Mikki and Justin were not sure exactly what I had in mind for the day after shoot.  I was going to walk down to the creek for a little shoot with them, then Mikki text me and said there was a special place that she and Justin liked to visit.  I was up for anything, so I said no problem and off we went. She had the perfect place!

I wanted to post these after I took them back in late July but Mikki said Justin would peak and it would ruin the surprise. (Although, Mikki said that she is sure Justin went hunting for the dress as it was being stashed at her soon to be in-laws house)

The wedding was yesterday, September 3, 2011.  Almost five weeks I had to wait.

I am looking forward to blogging the wedding pics! I won’t have to wait for those!

One last shot.

Actually, here is the last shot.  I was not going to put this in as it is not the best exposure. ( I did not look at my histogram after the sun peaked back out. My bad) But I love this image even though the highlights are blown out on the left side of her dress.

I am not complaining mind you, I love the fact that I am busy with the finishing touches in my studio all the while tripping over myself during the senior sessions and maternity sessions.

I just wish things would return to “normal” for just a day.  Although I suppose “comfortable” might be the term I am searching for.  I will say I have been having a lot of fun the past 15 days or so.  Different requests from kids for their senior pictures and requests for images I had been working on over the winter.

I did get to go on location this week for session for a long time friend of mine.  I met the mother back in 1987 while on an overseas youth trip.  20 (something) years later I am photographing her daughter.  Talk about time flying!  This portrait was a nice diversion from the studio and local work I have been doing lately.

Now, back to the grindstone.

Enjoy!

Some time went by and I got a call from Sara.  Seems she had found Mr. Right and was getting married.  Awesome!  I was stoked!  You can see a few of the images here.

Well, coming almost full circle, I was lucky enough to photograph Eden Rose this afternoon!  Eden happens to be Sara’s darling little girl!

Once again, Sara just let me shoot.  What a treat!

I was going to mention to Sara and her husband Logan that the next step will take us full circle. (Their grandchild)  :-) But I thought better of the comment as I did not want to rush the years ahead of them as they tend to go by way to quickly.  I think it is better that they just hug and hold their little angel before she grows up and is to big to hold like this.

Ohh my…. do not forget the new, rebranded, cooler looking (dare I use the term ‘swanky’?) “joe shot me” t-shirts that will be included in your session!

That is my son.

(This is Trey in his first wrestling tournament at age 5. )

(and this is Trey after his first wrestling season age 5. )

Me? Ahhhh, I have other issues. I did not fair so well this year as a dad of a wrestler. It finally hit me this season that Trey is fighting his own battles.  He is going into competition and going it alone.  I have come to understand  this season that Trey is doing exactly what all fathers inspire their boys to be, what we want our boys to do.  They learn to become men.  Tough transition for me.  My job is to protect Trey from harm and help him fight through battles.  I have learned this year that he is fighting his own battles and learning from every win or loss.  I have learned (the hard way) that I cannot fight his battles for him like I used to when he was 4 and 5.   (There is a story about a certain play ground in Brookline, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, where I had to actually defend myself and Trey from an overly aggressive father of a 6 year old.  But that is a rather old story and one I would rather not bring up today) It is truly a bitter sweet moment.

(2010-2011 Sophomore year)

I hope that the next season is a little kinder to me than this season was.  I know Trey will do fine and will progress on the mat without my help.  He did a fine job this season without my help.  I am not worried about Trey coping with these issues.  I hope I can keep wandering the back walls of the gymnasium and not have my heart jump out of my chest as he is walking out onto the mat for battle.  I hope I get to the point where I can sit in the stands and just cheer for Trey (not have my heart in my throat) and enjoy each match and watch him grow into an even better man on and off the mat.