I think that the bio of a photographer can be read in his images. His history, education, life experiences and passions are all evident within the images he creates. So my words here, although brief, will tell you something about who I am and what has formulated my approach to life and photography. On the other hand, my images may speak to you in different, more meaningful, unspoken words. I picked up my first camera at the age of 5. My father gave me the gift of a German 120mm roll film camera and a small black and white enlarger. With his tutoring, direction and assistance, within a year I was beginning to shoot and print simple photos of my surroundings, friends and family. Interest continued to emerge in photography and art throughout my youth. Through a circuitous route of living, studies and travel in Missouri, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, China and Tibet, I have made my home in Livingston, Montana; still constantly in search of "beauty... as it occurs naturally". Photography studies: Art Center School of Design, Pasadena, CA. Engineering studies: University of Missouri I am honored to be a national award winning member of the prestigious WPJA, and recently recognized as a Featured Vendor 'Best of the West 2017' by Montana Bride magazine. [Livingston Wedding Photographer]

I’ve worked as a professional photographer for more than a decade. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in photojournalism and started out in the newspaper industry. During that time, I shot everything from criminal court trials to Detroit Pistons games (I’m originally from Michigan); structure fires to beauty pageants; congressional debates to high school football games on Friday nights. Every day was a new challenge; every assignment a new learning opportunity. My time as a photojournalist taught me to be resourceful and to think on my feet, which has proven invaluable for wedding photography. In the summer of 2008, I started shooting weddings on the side and absolutely loved it. I was able to visit new places, meet new people, and was granted a very important and personal role in what was arguably the most joyful day of their lives. Plus, I started getting a ton of compliments on my work and how it was different from typical wedding photography. People would tell me that they could spot one of my photos from a mile away without having to be told who the photographer was – that I was beginning to cultivate a very specific style. So when my wife, Moira, and I moved to Colorado that fall, I decided to make wedding photography my full-time career; we started J. La Plante Photo and never looked back. When I’m not behind the lens, you can probably find me on the slopes. Skiing is one of the main reasons I moved west. I’m also obsessed with the music scene out here. Red Rocks is by far the coolest venue I’ve ever been to. I’m a craft beer nerd, a movie buff, an amateur screenwriter and an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction alike. And I love to travel. I’ve been to 18 foreign countries and all 50 United States. I drove all over the American West before deciding to settle in Colorado, where I immediately fell in love with the state’s blend of urban and outdoor lifestyles. The proximity of Denver to the mountains felt too good to be true and now, eight years later, it still feels that way. I can’t imagine a more perfect setting for a wedding photographer. [Boulder Wedding Photographer]