2ND Annual PGH PUG Cookout / J+M Marantz Visit

We had our second-annual Pittsburgh PUG Cookout last night and Justin & Mary Marantz came down from CT to join us and share their love! Thanks for coming - it was wonderful to have you with us and great to hear about all the marketing pieces you've got in place that have helped you grow your business.

It was a great time with a great group of people who gathered together to eat, drink, be merry and listen to some great ideas for building relationships with clients and other photographers. It was held at Kelly Crawford's home in a beautiful country setting - a BIG THANKS goes out to Kelly, his wife Nancy and their family for opening their home to all of us...it was a late night...

Here's a couple of images from the night...



We're planning another picnic in the Fall, so Justin and Mary or any other PUG leader or member is more than welcome to join us!!!
Best, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

INSPIRED Influences...

Here are two quotes I do my best to be aware of and "live" by whether I am photographing for my clients or for myself...

Henri Cartier-Bresson:
"To take a photograph means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second– both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis."

If you are not familiar with H. Cartier-Bresson, you really ought to learn about him. His work is renowned and he is the one photographer most other photographers would probably say they admire the most for many reasons - I know I do! Really, take time to know of him and see his work; it is more lyrical than can be imagined!

Arnold Newman:
"We do not take pictures with our cameras; we take them with our hearts and minds."

I have loved A. Newman's portrait work forever! He is probably the one photographer who has influenced my work more than anyone else! His imagery always constantly exists in the back of my mind when I "see." No matter if I am working or just being present. His work is strong and real and artful.

Both are so INSPIRING to me because they used their hearts and their minds when photographing. They had the necessary technical knowledge and command over their cameras that allowed them to align their creative abilities with their emotions so perfectly when they instinctively created incredible images in an instant! These are qualities I hope every photographer would strive for; at least I know I do.

I often times hesitate to write about these photographic and philosophic topics because I think, 'people don't know me well enough to believe that I'm not saying these things for some self-serving reason.' But then I counter that thought with, 'the people that do know me know that I always speak from my heart." The statements of H. Cartier-Bresson and A. Newman perfectly describe the magic of photography for ME! Of how it is for me when that perfect moment aligns and I just know what I've created is really, really good! It really is like magic and keeps me so INSPIRED to create better and better imagery for my clients and for myself!

To create with intensity like this, with your heart, soul, mind and camera, involves a simultaneous "self" and "other" awareness. Without this awareness anyone could call themselves a "photographer." All it would take to earn the title would be to click the shutter hundreds of times with the hopes of getting one good shot instead of creating with decisive and deliberate intention.

So, if you aspire to be a photographer, or consider yourself having earned the title already, keep examining your work closely to make sure that you are keeping your camera off of "P" (it really doesn't stand for "professional" anyway) and push yourself continually to produce better and better imagery and be the best you can be.

BIG love, Joanne Bartone, Photographer

Celebrating Photographers I Admire...

The month of March has been designated to celebrate women's history, so I thought I would encourage the knowledge and celebration of a few of my favorite pioneering and contemporary women photographers, not listed in any particular order.

Please take a moment to explore each of the links below that will take you to Google Images to see their work. If you are INSPIRED by any one of these wonderful photographers, perhaps you might look a little deeper into how each of them came to envision and create their art. Then, take some time to see how they might influence the work you do, whether your specialty is weddings, art or editorial work...enjoy!

Mary Ellen Mark
Sylvia Plachy
Sally Mann
Berenice Abbot
Imogen Cunningham
Tina Modotti
Joyce Tennyson
Ruth Bernhard
Annie Liebowitz
Dorthea Lange
Lola Alvarez-Bravo
Esther Bubley
Diane Arbus

Thanks for stopping by my INSPIRED by light blog!
All my best, Joanne Bartone Photographer