photography workshops and creative business courses

I often wonder where I learn new things. When I’m taking new chances with a photograph, where do those bursts of inspiration come from? Are they from direct instruction through classes or photography workshops I’ve personally taken? Are they latent images in my mind of photos I’ve once seen? Or are they new thoughts and amalgamations from other experiences altogether?

Seeing is growing as a visual artist. I am all about doing research and looking anywhere and everywhere for ideas and inspiration. I am even comfortable with stumbling through online tutorials…to a point. Step-by-step posts and videos can be super helpful, but they don’t take into account the variables that may arise. Once you’re “in it”, there’s little to no room in trying something new with certainty.

Nothing compares to the practice of in-person guidance and hands-on training. EVERY single time I get in the room with someone who is equally passionate about our trade, I see a massive change in what I am able to achieve. I’ve been fortunate to find mentors and leaders in this field to help me in this process. Through workshops and tutorials, I have been able to take new concepts and applications to properly execute my intended vision.

Let KJAD teach you

Basically, hands-on learning is where it’s at. We are excited to announce our very first workshop series “[ISO] in search of…“. These three workshops (2 photography workshops + 1 branding course) are designed to cater to a wide variety of creatives.

The first two workshops are for photographers with varying levels of knowledge of the medium. “[ISO] BASICS” is a photography workshop for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and beginner photographers. Photographers who want more control over the images they capture and a better understanding of their cameras and flash. “[ISO] LIGHT” is a photography workshop for working photography professionals. Those taking LIGHT want to grow their understanding of off-camera lighting and other lighting techniques. The last of this workshop series is “[ISO] BRAND”. This course is for creative entrepreneurs looking to start and structure a business more effectively. Additionally, we will be focusing on the visual brand of each persons’ business – meaning all of the front facing elements like logo, website, color, social presence, etc.

Why host a workshop?

Being a photographer for 20 plus years has given me the experience and confidence to face any lighting or composition challenge with enthusiasm and excitement. And while that is vastly important to my creative and consistent photography career, it’s seems unfortunate to not share those techniques and knowledge with others.

Additionally, I have taught at Wilkes University in the Digital Design and Media Art program for over a decade. As an artist, I fondly reflect on my interactions in college with professors and peers, and think of everything that brought me to where I am now. As an instructor, I regularly strive to build those same meaningful connections with my students to help them advance their creative careers.

By starting this workshop series, I now have the opportunity to merge these two aspects of my life into one. Education at the KJAD Studio has been a goal of mine since the day I opened my doors in 2015… and now it’s time.

Event Details

in search of BASICS • June 4, 2023 • 9:30am-7:30pm

in search of BRAND • June 8, 2023 • 5pm-9pm

in search of LIGHT • June 25, 2023 • 9am-9pm

KNOT JUST ANY DAY, Wilkes-Barre, PA

As I wrap on another year of being a photographer and small business owner, I am overwhelmed by the support, love, trust, and kind words you have all had for me and my incredible crew. You’ve welcomed me and the KJAD crew into your lives and families not only in 2022, but over these past 20 years, and there isn’t a day that passes by where I don’t think about how lucky I am for it all.

Being a wedding photographer, and furthermore having the opportunity to photograph senior portraits, family photos, holiday photos, headshots, community events, or events for local universities, truly is the best career… especially for me. I love what I do, strive to better myself each day, and take what I do with the incredibly seriously so that I can better serve my couples, their friends and family.

Thank you for all of the likes, shares, referrals and continued support to me and Knot Just Any Day. I believe that being kind, helpful, and caring is integral to what we do… and being our best, always, is all we can offer in return. I hope to keep doing it for decades to come.

Capturing your lives is an honor and a privilege. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Let’s keep making memories together.

-Steve

Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton, PA

Wedding Photography & Cinematic Wedding Film

“Do you remember when we were strangers…?”

Rebecca and Phil celebrated their beautiful traditional wedding at The Radisson in Scranton, PA in December of 2022. Their ceremony, where Rebecca posed the question above, took place in the Radisson’s Lobby in front of a floral-clad Hexagon. This was also the design theme of their wedding, in homage to Phil’s love of Organic Chemistry. Phil noted in his vows the importance of the hexagonal molecule Benzene for its stability, “as its component parts come together in a favorable way…in the right orientation, in the right space, and with the right energy” and how it represents his loving relationship with Rebecca. 

As the evening turned to night, loving moments, heartfelt speeches, and support from their friends and family set the tone for the reception.   

We won’t reveal too much more, but we’ll leave you with the second part of Rebecca’s question. 

“…but I’m also asking you to remember so much more; the complete montage of our relationship.” 

-Rebecca

Then scroll through for a montage of their Wedding Day, from Wedding Photos to their Wedding Film (grab the tissues before you hit play), both of which we are so honored to have had the opportunity to capture. 

Cinematic Wedding Film

KJAD CREW

Photographers: Steve & Nick
Videographers: Stephen & Stay

VENDORS

Venue: Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton, PA
Dress Shop: Ever After Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Custom Tux: Tom James Company
Band: The Nerds
Rings: Brilliant Earth Company & Hitched Philadelphia
HMUA: The Bridal Above
Flowers, Decor, & Lighting: MCR Design
Wedding Cake: Minooka Pastry
Entertainment: Soundbar Entertainment

WEDDING SONG

Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre, PA

We’re so excited to share our favorite photos from Scott & John’s Westmoreland Club Wedding!! Steve & Nick spent the day with them from Groom Prep at their home through their reception. They captured quiet moments of them in their home, photos with their beloved Saint Bernard, their marriage certificate signing, a quick classy photo shoot in the Westmoreland Club’s Terrace Room turned Speakeasy with a pair of cocktails, and lots, lots more.

Their wedding day was truly remarkable, from the people around them to how they planned the day and the aesthetic. You could feel the love and care the families and guests have for them, and the camaraderie that tethered the grooms to their groomsmen (and vice versa) was tangible. The day was also filled with fun and lightheartedness. Officiant, Dave, kept things both touching and gleeful. Not to mention, Scott and his mom, Ruthie, broke it down to “The Twist,” and smiles and good times filled the Westmoreland Club during their reception.

Some of our favorite photos came from our time with them in the Terrace Room at the Westmoreland Club, where they took the classic Georgian look of the venue and turned it into a contemporary speakeasy.

On a joyful day filled with love, kindness, support, and fun, we can’t thank these two enough for having us create, capture, and archive such an important day in their lives.

Check out more KJAD Westmoreland Club Wedding Photography in our blog section!

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Steve & Nick

VENDORS:

Ceremony & Reception: Westmoreland Club

Entertainment: 570 Events

Tuxes: Haberdashery Custom Tuxedo, Forty Fort, PA

Tuxes: Mr. Shop, Syracuse, NY

Accessories: Tag Heuer Formula Chronograph

Florist: Back Mountain Floral

Florist: Floral Designs

Transportation: Westmoreland Club Shuttle

Check out their First Dance Song!

2022 Summer Engagement Session Series

Cape May, New Jersey

After a little break in the action, we’re back and adding to our 2022 Summer Engagement Session Series! This time we took the trip down to Cape May to capture Engagement Photos. So, we’re doing a little beach bloggin’. Well, blogging about engagement photos on the beach, not blogging from the beach. Although, we might be on to something with that idea. Just like Alyssa and Bill were on to something with the idea of a Destination Engagement Session for their Engagement Photos.

After some not-so-cooperating weather got in the way of the original Washington D.C. plans, Steve and Nick hopped in the car to meet Alyssa and Bill on their vacation in Cape May, New Jersey to capture their engagement photos. They made it down at the perfect time for an evening walk around the town of Cape May, ice cream, and a quick stop at Congress Hall before catching the sunset on the beach.

We were honored enough to have the opportunity to capture photos and video at Kiki and Dave’s Wedding at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ, last spring. So, we know all the possibilities and stunning backdrops the town and beach have to offer, and it was great to use that experience to create something special for Alyssa and Bill. Because to us, that’s what it is all about. Capturing great memories and creating great art for great people.

We’ll be celebrating with these two at Stroudsmoor in the Poconos in what is already just a few short weeks from now! So there will be much more to share!

2022 Summer Engagement Session Series

Mary Stegmaier Mansion, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Summer is here and we are out and about doing what we love like it’s our job! (Wait a minute…) One of the best parts about our job is meeting with future KJAD Couples, getting to know them, and being given the opportunity to create for them during their engagement session. So, while we spend the weekends capturing the weddings of our 2022 Couples; during the week, we’re in full portrait session mode, including spending time photographing engagement photos!

Earlier this year, we wrote a blog on the “How To’s” when it comes to Winter Engagement Sessions (psst..click here if you’re planning ahead), and now that the sun is out and the warm weather is here to stay, its time to give spring and summer sessions the same love! Only this time…it’s a series. Starting with Kendra + Matt at the Mary Stegmaier Mansion in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Here is how Matt proposed in Kendra’s words:

“Matt and I met during our time together on Luzerne County Council. One day, he told me we were going to the courthouse to support his dad for an award he was receiving..there was no award, but Matt proposed in the place where it all started! Our families were waiting close by to celebrate!” 

And that all led to us meeting at the Mary Stegmaier Mansion in May to capture these early summertime engagement photos. We are so, so excited to celebrate with them in 2023!

2022 Summer Engagement Session Series

Huntsville Golf Club, Dallas, PA

It’s the second installment of our Summer Engagement Session Series! Now, this was technically a Spring session just as the trees were coming back into bloom, but with the beautiful blue skies, sunshine, and lush greens of the Huntsville Golf Club, how could we not include Marlee & Tim’s photos!?!

This session with Marlee & Tim kicked off our Spring/Summer engagement photo season, and what better way to take in the sun than with these two on a golf course? When the days are getting warmer, the sun is shining, and the greens are greenin’, golf courses/clubs are a great place for engagement photos during mid-spring to early summer. So, if you and/or your partner are members of Huntsville Golf Club, Fox Hill Country Club, Glen Oak Country Club, Glenmaura National Gold Course, or one of the other local clubs, these are beautiful locations to keep in mind for really any portrait photography session. 

As for Marlee & Tim, we can’t wait to celebrate with them in 2023 !! 

KNOT JUST ANY DAY, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Steve is now featured on Shotkit! Shotkit is a great resource for photographers in any field at any skill level to get an in-depth look at the gear photographers around the world are using everyday! Photographers can get advice, read reviews, view tutorials, and much more and we’re so happy to be a part of this community! To see Steve’s Shotkit, click here.