I should know by now that when I say or even think, “I’ll never do ……” it always comes back to slap me in the face. The small list of things “I will never…” include: marry a Southern guy, let my kids go out with a dirty face/unmatched clothes, drive a mini van, you get the picture.
Now, the latest of “I’ll never shoot a wedding” came back to bite me in the nether regions. I will have to say that I am so glad I met this awesome couple. The bride reminds me of myself when I got married, in her approach to the whole wedding planning and such. It was like I was destined to meet her and her now husband. I am glad that when I received her initial email to be their wedding photographer I did not just forward her request to a colleague. And, not only did I survive the day– I had fun. This does not mean that I will be shooting weddings from here on out, but I am happy that I was a part of their special day. Here is the proof… 
Much Peace, Love and Happiness to this awesome ccouple!
“Don’t Tell” was accepted into the juried art show “That Which I Love”, organized by Cary Chamber Arts! And if you want to buy it, proceeds will benefit Global Hope India. I’ll keep ya posted for where you can see it in real life.
This photo was taken of a friend who lost a family member to suicide. The photo session was part of the healing process for her. Please remember, do tell when someone is hurting. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK
Thank you to all who share themselves through photos and art!
If you have a bad school photo, then send me a picture of it. The person with the most hideous photo wins a 10 minute session and a FREE JPEG digital file for a new MOJO “school photo”. Please submit by May 19th via email (see link just above this blog post that says “Email Jo”. Voting will be open until May 24. You can still play if you are not local…you can donate your win to a deserving local family.
I really try to stay neutral on all things controversial on my blog. I do have a obligation to be “professional”. But I also have a need to do what I feel is right for those who are treated unfairly. Those of us in North Carolina had a big and controversial day yesterday. So for matters of “professionalism” I will just say that I am offering FREE photo sessions and a complimentary JPEG for any families in a domestic partnership. I don’t care if you are a man or a woman or both or neither. As long as you consider yourself and the photo session participants a family living under one roof, please stop by for a few photos. I encourage you to express yourself in any way to desire.
Sessions will take place on June 6th between 10:00 and 3:00 at Duke Gardens. I am sorry I don’t have greater flexibility on time but the kiddos are out of school for summer vacation. Sessions will be 15 minutes and you must send me an email to schedule a time. If you are under 18, you will need parental permission.
Photo taken from http://www.facebook.com/jo.garvin#!/georgehtakei
Did you know that on occasion I will make custom invitations or cards. Here is one I made for my sweet girl. She has alot of personality packed into five years. 
Since I worked with my first cancer patient who was a mere two years old, I felt that being bald should be a choice, not a necessity. As a person who worked in pharmaseutical research, I always knew that cancer drugs dont discriminate on which cells they destroy (well now some do but not enough of them). The side effects are horrible; kidney or liver damage, brain and heart damage, not to mention destroying bone marrow, which produces the blood cells your body needs to fight infections are just to name a few. However, the side effect of cancer drugs that people are most familiar with is hair loss. Hair loss gets attention: its visible and everyone can relate to, or associate with hair. And boy, did people go bald to raise awareness for the need for pediatric cancer research funding last week at Napper Tandy’s for the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser. It was at this event that my friend chose to go bald so he could have the same hairstyle as his soon to be be two year old daughter, who is six months in to her own cancer therapy. He is also one of the coolest Dad’s I’ve worked with, not mention he raised over $1,500 for the cause.
Have you ever been to a St. Baldrick’s event? If not, join me in 2013. At these fundraisers, people recieve donations for shaving their heads to raise awareness for pediatric cancer. All donations support pediatric cancer research. Sounds cool, huh?
Well, it gets even better! My little friend Dan (who is five years old and in kindergarten) shaved his head for his sister Eve, who is four and a cancer survivor. In addition to just wanting to support his sister, he raised over $1,500. To follow Dan and his family as they deal with daily life and cancer, check out the best blog ever Eve VS Wilms
And don’t forget…join me next year. I am thinking of going bald!
Eve giving Dan a giant kiss for his support. Dan was more than excited to be with Eve today and also very proud to participate in the St. B shave event.
Remeber my posts about Beads of Courage? Not only is it a great organization, but you can now purchase your own beads. I purchased a cool alien bead made by Dizzy Bead. I was saving it to give to someone special. Then I realized that Dan is pretty special and was doing something pretty darn brave and he indeed, deserves his own Bead of Courage. Here he is with his bead, after he shaved his head.
It’s cool to be kind is a great theme and campaign for a local elementary school. The guidance counselor works with student council members to teach the virtues of kindness and how to find and practice kindness in their daily lives. A group of about 40 students brainstormed to find words that meant kindness to them.
When I became involved in the program, I photographed each word that the student wanted to use to represent kindness. While I did not have much time to spend with each child (I had 40 minutes to take photos of 38 students) I could tell that this was a great group of kids. I am thankful to be invited to work on this project. All of the photos will be used to create a slide show to be played throughout the school. We can all use reminders on what it means to be kind.
If parents wish to purchase a photo or digital file, the money will be put into a fund for donation to a charity. The student counsel members will brainstorm and research charities that practice kindness. Once a majority decides on a charity, we will make a donation in the school’s name. How cool is that? I love it.
Student council members with the school guidance counselor.
To see individual photos or make a purchase, please shoot me an email….there is a link on the upper left, just above this post to link to my email. Thank you.
I have learned everything I know about Art from my seven year old son. He has a self-taught encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. He knows biographies of famous artists, which museums hold which paintings, when and where they were painted, etc. Its amazing. The Impressionists, namely Vincent van Gogh, are his favorite. We visited the Museum of Modern Art in NYC to see Starry Night, the painting that was on the top of his bucket list to see. After a year or so of studying art, he asked me why all the artists are all dead. I reassured him that there are artists who are still alive but unfortunately, I could not name any. He just wanted to meet a living artist.
Fast forward to last week. I was talking with the *fantabulous* art teacher at my son’s school and we agreed to do an “Artists All Around Us” display in the school. The goal is to have all students realize they are living within a community of great artists. Each quarter, a different artist from the school community will have their art work featured–it may be a student, faculty member or parent.
I am so proud to have my son learn over time that he is indeed surrounded by some great artists. I also hope this will reassure to each student and adult in the school community that you do not have to be dead and have your work in a museum to be a great artist.
The first display features the work by a CCR teacher in the school. Here is her artist’s statement on the project: “Located on the outskirts of Apex, is a 75 acre farm which has been in my family for over a hundred years. My great-grandfather originally built these barns in the early 1900s. Recently, my dad remodeled the red barn after my brother, Jonathan, passed away. A couple of months ago, my dad and I watched a special on PBS about barn quilts in the western part of NC. We loved the idea and decided to make a “barn quilt” and hang it. This project has since evolved and has been a great way for our family to remember my brother. ” –Jennifer Long
A close up of her work can be seen in this post: http://josphotomojo.com/?p=1708
I went to New Orleans for the first time last week for the Imaging USA photography conference sponsored by The Professional Photographers of America. While I did not have much time to sight-see, I did indulge one night and one day. A night on Bourbon Street, which is one of the most amazing streets I have even walked and a day at Lafayette Cemetery. I have a thing for old cemeteries but those of you who know me know I am a tad quirky.
The one thing that left the biggest impression on my was the abundance of music. It was EVERYWHERE.
Instruments, a friend, a dog and a big can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Cool job.
I have a thing for all things occult. Did you know that I used to read tarot cards? New Orleans is full of the occult: card readers, palm readers, any sort of divination can be found quite easily.
And, Voo-doo. I find it to be a pretty cool religion. I know most people think its based on harming others but its more about channeling loved ones who have passed. While I did not find a ceremony, I love the dolls. They are just the coolest dolls. I visited The Jamie Hayes Art Gallery to look at at buy some of the coolest dolls over. Just beautiful!
Of course such dolls can be found every where, who cant use a voo-doo doll pencil? If I had one when I was in school, I would have totally be casting spells on my math teachers. Just kidding, really. Sort of….
And the cemertary, wow! It was just breathtaking very moving and peaceful.
And Bourbon Street…wow. The most alive street I have ever seen. I was on totally sensory overload, even after my 6th hurricane. Thanks to a dear friend and colleague for pulling me off the the piano bar stage. Did you know I always wanted to be a singer? Its my secret fantasy. All I can can say is Bourbon Street, I loved you…music, great food, divination, art galleries, quirky street performers and all sorts of other things not appropriate for a family blog.
Because a photograph cannot do the street justice, I leave you with hearts from my last night.
And of course, I spent 3 full days and some nights in classes learning about photography tips, sales, marketing and being inspired by some cool photographers. The only thing missing was my family.
