The Beginning

WHAT IS JUST JOE IMAGE?

Just Joe Image is a place of hope. Just Joe Image is a way to give to others the inspiration that I did not get in the early stages of my injury. Just Joe Image is ...

WHERE HOPE MEETS INSPIRATION

Just Joe Image was created in November 2003 during my rehab time from a second head injury. No it was not as serious as the first injury which I suffered in August 1999 but as a result of a pre-existing brain injury I was slow to recover fully.

Let’s step back a bit to July of 2002 when I first moved to Vancouver after completing my rehab from my initial injury. Since I was all alone in Vancouver I bought myself a camera and started taking pictures of many different things. I decided to frame some of my shots and hang them in my home. When people would come over they would comment on how nice these pictures were and where did I get them? I told them they were just some pictures I took. They would tell me I had a good eye for photography like a professional to which I would respond “thanks, but I’m Just Joe having some fun." So now let’s fast forward to November 2003. As I’m rehabbing the second time, I was surfing the web and I came across this site on how to build your own website. At about the same time I had someone tell me I should be selling my pictures. Also, my rehab was going a lot smoother this time as I had a better idea of what to expect. Then BAM it hit me. Why not build a website where anyone who has suffered a life altering injury with an emphasis on brain injury can go. This site would be a place where someone can go to find hope about the future even though it might look different. A place where someone can go to find information from other survivors and professionals, to be inspired. And finally to inspire by showing how my life has changed thanks to photography, it made me realize to stop and smell (or shoot, as in take pictures) the roses. To show art can come from just an average guy, Just Joe!

ABOUT THE JUST JOE LOGO

The logo represents an anchor which is the international symbol for hope. As you look at the logo there are two "j's" back to back with an "i" in the middle for Just Joe Image. And finally, there is a person with their arms open, welcoming anyone to be part of Just Joe and help share Hope and Inspiration.