Elyse and Bo - engagement

we met elyse and bo early in the morning on a friends ranch, just outside santa maria, ca for their engagement shoot.


now, mind you elyse had said they are planning a wedding that celebrates their love of everything "cowboy". so their engagement shoot was to be no exception...it was helping their good friends with over 300 heads of cattle. everything from branding to immunizing...i mean everything! right out of the gate karen and i were on a ride like nothing else this side of los angeles.


i've been all over and back again and still never cease to be amazed of the color of our nation right in our own back yard. how much fun did we have.?! boy, what a ride. i was sooooo impressed with elyse and bo's riding skills. they made it look so effortless.


however; judging by their boots...they have done this a time or two. one of my favorite images that came out of our day with elyse and bo was an image that embodied beauty, strength and security...all in the arms of the man she loves. congratulations ya'll.

Hufford Family Portrait

my mother once told me that "do what makes you happy and others will see you as you are and want to surround themselves with your spirit." case and point with the hufford family.


karen and i photographed the families niece/cousin's wedding a few weeks back and so they contacted us to photograph their family. honored, not only a compliment but knowing that the family has not had a "family portrait" since the youngest was an infant. the youngest is now a senior in high school!


it is because of all the things that occupy our lives that we sometimes can't stop the locomotive to catch ones breath, let alone slow it down a bit to take a moment to capture our family on canvas.


for this very reason, the choice to simply not take pictures and call ourselves photographers but to capture the essence of ones heart...this is what makes our photography and philosophy so poignant.

Quote of the Month

"You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. ."

-Walt Disney

Marry Christmas and Happy New Year

our family moved this past summer and rediscovered some long lost memories. karen and i were packing up all our things for the BIG move and we came across her wedding gown. curious to see if she could "still fit in it" she tried it on. wow! she looked great. so, i happened to mention that she should wear her gown in our christmas card this year. out of sure "yeah, what the hell. why not?" the idea was born. we packed up the kids, made a picnic and headed out to the beach. now i have to tell you...taking a christmas card of your own family is a bit challenging, to say the least. so after a few attempts and some impromptu remote camera set-ups... we landed our portrait. the whole event was captured in matter of minutes before katie and joejoe decided that they had enough. now, it was time to PLAY in the ocean. not even 3 minutes after this shot was taken both of them were playing in the water like it was 110 degrees out, bright as day and the water was...well, warm. on the contrary. it was about 47 degrees outside, 15 minutes past sunset and the water was as cold as the antarctic! but, kids being kids, they showed me how to let it all in , enjoy life and the journey we are on... together. so, the individual photos of katie and joe joe are them playing in the ocean...freezing but loving being with their mommie and poppie.

marry christmas is a tribute to family, children and our brides that inspire us throughout the year.

may you and yours truly embrace this time of year and celebrate those closest to you each and every day.

Amigos Calendars Now on Sale for the Holidays!

hot off the presses, 2008 wall calendar features kids photos, you'll want to get your hands on this year's most unique holiday gift! share the spirit of the holidays by giving the 2008 casa pacifica amigos calendar to friends, family, colleagues and corporate partners!

this stunning, full-color wall calendar features photos taken by children who have been participating in the drawing with light program. the children in the program, which is taught by amigo joey carman of joey carman photography, have been transformed by this opportunity to express themselves through the art of photography. these powerful photos are complimented by the poems written by other children from casa pacifica who also found their voices through art.

the amigos calendar also features important dates throughout the year, including: amigos events with the children, amigos poker nights, angels wine & food festival and many more! you'll never miss an event with the amigos calendar!

these beautiful, limited edition calendars are only $22 each! 100% of the proceeds will go to support the amigos in their efforts to bring out the potential of all of the children at casa pacifica! don't forget to send this post to others who might also be interested in the amigos calendar!

Click Here to order your calendars today!

Piconi Family Portrait

Quote of the Month

“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it।”

-Julia Childs

Sunset in Sedona, AZ

a spur of the moment trip to sedona, az was so needed. took the family on a road trip to spend time with some dear, dear friends of ours for thanksgiving. looking around on the way in and while there, was soooooooooo awesome. i have to say that the images of sedona far exceed any decription i could ever begin to express. you are immediately amongst something far greater than oneself.

a few years ago i took a photograph of, what i thought was a very cool (prettified looking) tree that after developing it discovered a spiritual VORTEX spiraling throughout the branches of the tree. i am not one to proclaim...but i am the first to respect traditions, customs, faiths and spiritual beliefs other than my own. i guess...to honor ones beliefs is to embrace those around you. plus, how cool is it to be apart of more than just my little BIG bad self!


i was told by some locals that people come from all over the world to be "enlightened" by the energy of the land that makes up the beautiful skyline of sedona. so, i woke up one morning and headed out to capture the sunrise and ended up with soooo much more.

took 4 frames and this image was # 3.

Aingworth Children Portrait

the moment that i showed up at our portrait shoot together the aingworth children were poised ready to go.

what nice kids. the big brother was a great help and as you can see looked out for his two younger sisters.

nice to get out and photograph in the park not to mention having the pleasure of spending some time with fun children. aren't children cool?!

Wii Thank You!

1,776,658 is how many images you have viewed on our site. there has been over 3,000 new visitors viewing 627,671 pages spending an average of 15min. hanging out before 91% of you bookmark our site visiting us just under 3x a year.

if this doesn't put a smile on your face, let me be the first one to shake you a bit! :)

joey carman photography has become a love affair with all of you and we are truly grateful. grateful because you have been the catalyst of who we are and who we've become. it is the time that you take to tell karen or i just what moves you, and what doesn't. this is why your comments, good or bad, shape us to be better than yesterday and more passionate about tomorrow because you care today.

you have moved me so deeply with your support and i can not thank you enough from the bottom of my heart. making the decision to step back and take inventory was the best thing i could have ever done. by you embracing our photography is proof that you agree too.

i am humbled by all that you have given to karen and i during and after our time together. the memories and the many "artful moments' make me a rich man. thank you.

in the true spirit of thanksgiving i want to give you thanks and say..."the time we have with you is like spending time with family. you have me from hello." :) i always want you to know that it is my honor to share with you, and your family, moments that we capture together that last forever. moments that bring back vivid memories because we were there with you...bright eyed and full of wonder.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our family to yours.

-joey