About

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My name is Scooter Roth, founder of the NJ Portrait Places directory website.

I am a Professional Photographer with a focus on Events and Portraits. I started out mostly as an Event Photographer for teen parties (Mitzvah’s, Sweet 16’s) and the occassional Wedding. Over the years I was asked by Mitzvah families about doing portraits of their son/daughter at a public park or location, as printed photos of such are then used for decor around the room. Thus I became a Portrait Photographer always looking for new locations.

2020 changed the Event industry almost to a complete halt, roughly around the time my son started to want to venture and explore….he was 2 then, now 3. This led me finding places he can run freely that looked BIG to him….like Castles. This led me to finding places that were great for him AND …..could be great for portrait photos. Overtime my @scooterroth in Instagram became more and more focused on cool NJ Spots locations that “could work realy well for Portraits”…..so I renamed my handle to @njportraitplaces and eventually started a Facebook Group and now a directory.

I am a firm believer that portrait photographers can really bring about change to a community …..a perfect example is Asbury Park. It use to be people went to go see live music at Stone Pony and that brought people to the neighborhood and boardwalk. That was the 70’s and 80’s. Live music isn’t bringing people to bars like that anymore (I use to work with the Nerds who would pack Tradewinds and Jenkinsons)

NOW its social media posts. I think it was photographers taking bridal portraits in front of the abandoned casino structure and those photos showing up on Myspace and Google Search that made couples go “I want my wedding there” that really helped re-vamp and motivate investors to rebuild there.

Together we can motivate the need for change in other places too. I love that more and more towns are putting up murals, selfie spots and more to bring about social engagement out in the world. NJ Portrait Places is about bringing a love of history into a modern world via Portrait Photography and raising awareness for Historic buildings, villages, unique art and more.