I am a professional photographer located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. I work as a full-time photographer for a Fortune 100 corporation. My full-time job includes product photography, executive portraiture, editorial work for internal publications, advertising images as well as the occasional event.
In addition to the photography involved with my primary job, I have a successful personal studio that specializes in commercial, corporate, editorial, advertising and what I like to call "special day" photography.
I am extremely lucky in that I get to do what I love everyday - although at times it can get, believe it or not, pretty stressful - I cannot imagine doing anything other than photography.
There used to be a stigma attached with photographing weddings and I am trying to do my part to alleviate the notion that it is a lower form of photography.
On the contrary, wedding photography has come a long way in recent years. It has become more creative, and rivals most commercial, editorial or advertising photography out there today.
There are several reasons why I shoot weddings; the most obvious is having the opportunity to share such a special day with people who are genuinely happy. Is there a better situation to work in?
Most importantly, weddings provide me with a way to exercise my brain. They are also an opportunity to prevent me from becoming complacent. Even after 20 years, I am constantly learning and trying to improve my techniques and skills. Weddings keep you on your toes, you need to be able to react in a moments notice, and be prepared. That skill has come in handy more often than not in my daytime job, especially when it comes to photographing executives, celebrities, and just plain old busy people.
About 3 years ago I could not find an option that I liked for my online sales, so I started efotolab.com, a company created by photographic professionals to serve the online hosting, sales and lab needs of professional photographers across the country. The key difference between efotolab.com and other services is that we are truly a professional lab and understand the need to provide high-quality prints and other products that best represent your work. Check it out - www.efotolab.com
In my spare time I enjoy working closely with seasoned as well as new photographers by sharing experiences, ideas on style, technique, best business practices and ways to increase business overall.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog - if you have suggestions or would like to hire me , I can be reached at joel@plotkinphotography.com
If you are interested in efotolab.com services and how they can best serve your professional needs, contact sales@efotolab.com, and I will get right back to you.
Cheers,
Joel
Another stellar couple to work with – Beth and Brian were incredibly relaxed and fun to work with. Both of them work in the Theater and it shows – they were all about a good time for themselves as well as their guests. In lieu of the traditional clinking of glasses to get the couple to kiss, the guests were told they had to stand up and sing a song with the word LOVE in it in order to get them to kiss.
It was an awesome time – I love weddings like this.
It is so cliche to say, but I love New York. I really love NYC. It truly is the epitome of America and all that it stands for. Millions of people, thousands of nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, religions, economic status, gay, straight, bi, TG, crazy, sane, all essentially living together on a small cramped island – for the most part coexisting happily. This melange of people makes great people watching too.
I went to the city to relax, eat and have a few drinks, walk around and just soak it all in. I miss NYC and having lived out of state for nearly 18 years, I’ve almost forgotten what it was like until I visited a couple of weeks ago. On this trip, I had no preconceived notions as to what I would photograph, if anything, in the city. It was starting out to be a nasty Saturday. Rainy, cloudy, not real walking around weather. My hotel was on Park Ave and when I looked out the window I realized it was closed to traffic and open to pedestrians and bicyclists. When the rain stopped I took a walk thinking there may be some good people watching. So I grabbed my camera and set-out for a stroll and some photos.
I walked about 4 blocks towards Grand Central Station and was quickly disappointed. Nothing to photograph, but buildings, and quite frankly, why do I need to do that? Well, it started raining plus, there were so many people, I decided to go back to my hotel and wait it out.
A couple of hours goes by and it clears so I grab my camera and head downtown – I start seeing people. People, living their lives, going about life and in their little worlds – instead of picking up my camera and risk intimidating people, or provoking a pose, I set my camera to f 4 at 1/100 of a second (cloudy day) and began literally shooting from the hip. The images are fleeting moments that I captured while walking around the city. If people appear as though they are looking at the camera, it is by chance, as I was not holding it up to compose the images.
Park Ave Buildings
This is where my day started – I was disappointed as it started to rain and there were 8 million tourists with cameras – went back to the hotel to wait it out.
Love on Park Avenue
Photograph #2 – This couple inspired the idea as I was walking down Park Ave. These two were making out like 15 year virgins on a first date. It truly was a beautiful site. They were standing in the street, off the curb, and I swear they were going to get hit by a cab. I was not ready with my camera and only captured the post make-out glee in their faces. From this point on I thought I would be ready for anything.
The Union Square Cryer
The Union Square Cryer – I’m walking slowly down Park Ave South along Union Square, and I hear a man crying like a blubbering little baby behind me. In his cell phone he was crying to someone, presumably a former lover, as I remember he was saying (while crying very loudly) “I don’t remember….I don’t remember” – WTF do you think he did wrong?
Prison Couture
I may not be up on the hip cultural style, so I never really understood this – shit all I wear are jeans, black t-shirts and Chucks. Apparently in prison you are not given a belt to reduce the risk of suicide or murder. So pants are always hanging off a person’s waist – this look has made it’s way to daily life. This gentleman was hanging out (literally) in front of a florist on Park Ave. South.
Neon Awning
I like this awning – shot from the hip.
Mannequins sporting the newest sexy lingerie.Best of Show
Doorway by Day - Studio Apartment by Night
La abuela se parece caliente - Grandma is looking hot
This was taken in Soho as I was on my way to find a place for dinner. Even though she looked so miserable and hot, she was still wearing her sexy outfit with pride. Check out the hat…I think it’s the best part of the ensemble.
So, I’m in San Francisco on business and the evening before I have to fly to Phoenix I decide to take a walk and see a little of the city. I grab a camera and walk out the door of my hotel on Union Square and step right into the middle of what looks like a wedding party. Something is a bit askew – the bride was a man, white dress, flowers, veil – unshaven and wearing a red clown nose. The rest of their crew (men and woman) were dressed like groomsmen – woman sporting painted on moustache and top hats. Not being too shy I started taking photos and soon was swept into the party as “The Photographer”.
Everyone was so nice, I even had a few swigs of Crown Royale from one of the groomsmens flasks. I decided to tag along for a couple of hours walking the streets of San Francisco recording the spectacle that I soon learned was a sort of bachelor party. We ended up at an art space where they were featuring a pseudo performance-art session featuring people telling stories based on the theme “Paying for it” – great stories, super cool people. I left after the “Escort” talked about her entree into “the business”.
So, thanks to Jared Hirsch and Justine Smith for letting me hang out with you and congratulations on your wedding. Jared and Justine are getting married on Saturday, July 18th in San Francisco, CA.
The Bridal Party?
Traditional Family Photos
Everybody wanted to kiss the lovely bride!
Justine
The real bride – Justine.
Macy's
We needed to check the bridal registry…
Product Testing
Everyone knows a strong foundation for successful marriage is a good mattress….
The happy couple.
A stranger
Even a stranger (in addition to me) got in on the act….
Mock wedding ceremony on the city bus.
A friend of the bride and groom.
Enjoying the show.
The couple taking a much needed break from the hysteria. Congratulations!!!!
On May 16th I had the pleasure of working with Kelly and Jeff. Since they live in Ohio, I never had the opportunity to meet with them prior to the wedding, so their wedding day was the first time we met in person. Finding the bride is always easy, she’s the one in white. The groom on the the other hand looks like everyone else in a tuxedo, especially when they are wearing the same color tie. Fortunately this was a small wedding and figuring which guy was the groom was easy. Here’s a few photos from their awesome wedding….I love weddings at the Greenville CC. I was married there almost 12 years ago, and always love going back. Linda Gunsales knows what she is doing and every wedding I’ve ever done there has been perfect – even on New Years when the power went out!
A couple of weeks ago I received a call from the Creative Director at Think Publishing in London. They needed a portrait of a local corporate attorney who was being featured in one of their publications, Legal Strategy Review. I was excited to be awarded the job, but as these types of shoots go, you are given limited time to complete the project. The entire shoot was completed in :40 minutes – Thanks to my awesome assistant/best friend/and great photographer Scott Ellis – Here are a couple of the #1 picks. Enjoy!
Jessica and Garrett will be married later this year at the Stone Barn in Kennett Sqaure, PA. Jess and Garrett took a little while to warm up to the camera….but after that, they were ready to go. We spent a few hours at Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, PA. I am so lucky to have this location practically right in my own backyard.
I can’t wait for their wedding….It’s going to be beautiful!
Jessica and Garrett in the sculpture garden.
Garrett goofing around. This entire area is made-up of incredible fountains. In the spring and summer Longwood puts on beautiful fountain shows to music.
Jessica and Garrett take a moment while walking around the conservatory.
In the Orchid room…..these flowers are like little pieces of artwork.
Walking around in the greenhouses.
In the rainforest.
Our last stop…the bell tower.
Got a call a few weeks ago from Kevin who was employed at a large company and was let go during a large layoff effort. He took something bad and is turning it into something good. He is now taking the time and is starting a whole new career! He needed some photos, so we spent a couple of hours together last week and came up with these! Good luck Kev.
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