Erin & Cash

Martin Guitar photo expedition

I have been a music fan for as long as I can remember. I played a couple different instruments throughout my school years, however the guitar was not one of them. I always wanted to play acoustic guitar so a few years ago I made my attempt to learn how to play. Upon searching for what acoustic guitar I would acquire I quickly learned by ear that nothing sounds like a Martin guitar. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a Martin DM to get me off an running. After a few years of lessons and playing, my enjoyment for the instrument grew and my appreciation for fine instruments like Martin also grew. Wanting to learn more about the amazing history of C.F. Martin guitars, I received a book for Christmas on the history of the company and was quickly amazed at the long standing legacy of the company that is the oldest guitar manufacturer in the world. My DM was eventually replaced by  a Martin OM Marquis series, a guitar modeled after some of the best guitars that came out of the factory in the 1930′s.

Photography has been my profession for over 20 years now and for the last several years I have had some amazing experiences sharing my knowledge about photography through the wonderful and fun school of Dan’s Photo University. Back in February I was given an amazing opportunity to teach a class at the C.F. Martin guitar factory in Nazareth Pa. The class was designed to instruct students on how to photograph in a working factory and overcome challenges such as low light photography and mixed lighting that creates white balance issues. Since we are fortunate enough to have the oldest guitar manufacturer in the world located in our backyard of the Lehigh Valley, I also wanted to included journaling and composition into the class to help the students be able to tell a story of the craftsmanship behind these legendary instruments. The class included a 2 hour classroom lecture at Dan’s and then the students would have a couple days to practice techniques they learned before we were set to meet at CF Martin for a behind the scenes look at what makes them one of the finest acoustic guitar manufactures in the world for over 175 years.

The fine folks at Martin showed us a wonderful time. Since this was an instructional photography tour we were given extra time from the normal tour. I was there, along with another instructor to assist the students in taking advantage of their new techniques we discussed in the classroom just a few days ago. Below are a collection of images I photographed on our amazing expedition to C. F. Martin Guitar.

I love the fact the tour at the factory takes you through the actual working factory, standing over the shoulders of some of the most skilled craftsman in the industry. Besides the wonderful smell of rosewood, spruce & mahogany, there are so many beautiful pieces of wood that will make such fine instruments, but also make for great images of repeating shapes.

Any fine instrument can only be as good as the hands that create them. I wanted to show some of the quality craftsmanship and TLC that is put into these guitars by the staff at Martin. Years of hard work, pride and dedication shine through the moment you play or hear a Martin. The first image below is one of my favorites as it shows a craftsman hand fitting a dove tail neck joint, one of the most crucial stages in the process. As I understand, he has been doing this job for about 40 years.

When the tour and instructions were finished, Mr. Boak was so kind to help me set up a couple beautiful guitars for the students to take some close-up images.

After the fun experience everyone had, I am very excited about the possibility that we may do this again soon.

Jason

Winter wedding

I just wanted to share a few images with you from Meghan and Ron’s wedding on February 13th, 2010. The wedding took place at the beautiful Woodstone Country club in Danielsville PA. Meghan had said that she wanted some snow on the ground for the wedding and with all the snow the Lehigh Valley saw in February, that was not going to be a problem. It was a little windy, but we were able to venture out on the balcony for some photos of the winter sunset.

Erin

We finally got a nice sunny day to be able to take some shots of my daughter in her western outfit. She has made me so proud this year with taking part in Central PA youth rodeo and her hard work ethics of doing what she loves, riding and also her love and respect for the horses she rides.

Here are a couple of shots of her in action running barrels.

Lauren & Russ

I Just wanted to share a few images from Russ and Lauren’s wedding. One of the few sunny days we had this fall!

Jersey shore wedding

I had the wonderful opportunity to photography Meghan & Kyle’s wedding on the northern Jersey shore near the Monmouth Beach area. Every wedding I photograph is always a joy to shoot, but it is always a little extra special when I have the opportunity to travel to new areas to photograph. Meghan & Kyle were married in the Atlantic Highlands area and then we traveled towards the Monmouth Beach area to do some photography on the beach, followed by a stop at the beautiful Monmouth University. What a magnificent place to photograph. We could have spent all day there amongst the stunning architecture. Ihope you enjoy these photographs.

Best regards,

Jason

Lebanese Celebration……Jennifer & Maron’s wedding

Last weekend I had the opportunity to photograph a Lebanese wedding, what a fun celebration. This was not my first Lebanese wedding, I have done several in years past, so I was familiar with all the fun and excitement that was to come. I wanted to share some of the images of the celebration from Jennifer & Maron’s wedding. It is really neat to see some of the wonderful traditions at these weddings and the close family community.

Welcome……

Welcome to the new blog for JM Photography. I have been blessed with the opportunity to  photograph weddings for over 18 years now. Growing up in Whitehall, PA  I began my portrait and wedding photography career in 1988. After graduating from college with a degree in photography and art in 1990, my future of wedding photography was just beginning. Having the pleasure of capturing weddings from as far as New York to Virginia and all across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I truly enjoy the fact that every wedding is unique and exciting experience. Being able to capture the images from many different cultures and religious ceremonies has been a very rewarding experience. It has taught me that no two weddings are alike and each has their own story to tell. I look forward to sharing some of those stories with you.

Best Regards,

Jason