Jersey Girls Photo Adventures (JGPA) is a meetup group that helps to showcase the beauty all around us, right in here our own state of New Jersey. We research and organize small groups to join us on photo Adventures that are exceptional in beauty, interest, and history.

JGPA started in the beginning of 2018 by two “Jersey Girls,” Aleja and Beth, who shared a love of photography. They met at a local art exhibition where they had photography work hanging next to each other. They quickly became friends and started going to different places in New Jersey to photograph. They decided to start inviting others to join their Adventures.

Later in 2018, Beth and Aleja invited Jen to join in their Adventures with JGPA. Jen constantly brings everyone smiles and is a pleasure to be around. Each “Jersey Girl” was born and raised in different areas of good ol’ Jersey and love sharing all the beauty that New Jersey has to offer. Join us on a Photo Adventure.

Although Beth had to leave JGPA in mid-2019, she sometimes can be seen doing a cameo appearance at our Adventures.

In early 2021 JGPA welcomed Johanna onboard as Co-Leader making us a trio again. Johanna has been a dedicated supporter and follower of JGPA since the "early days" and we couldn't be happier she accepted our invitation to join us in our future endeavors.

We are called Jersey Girls Photo Adventures because it’s just us girls who run and organize the Adventures. All of our Adventures are for everyone at all levels of interest and NOT just for girls.

Meet the Jersey Girls:

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Aleja Estronza, Founder

Aleja has a background in both web and digital design. Her back story on how she discovered a passion for photography begins with a time where she had reconnected with her love of the outdoors and found herself being an avid hiker. In the winter of about 2016 she had a fall on ice and wasn't able to hike like she once did. During what felt like a lifetime of recovery, she was only able to do short walks and decided to pick up the camera. She found in doing that it gave her a purpose and so she started shooting anything and everything. It was through photography she started to take notice of all the beauty around her and fell in love with the sky. From there she started a private, local photography group, made some great friends and then later in 2018 photography brought her to the founding of JGPA with Beth.

Aleja is so excited to be a part of the Whitesbog Preservation Trust as a board member beginning in 2021. Whitesbog is her favorite local area to go for photography.

Aleja shoots mostly nature but also does portraits, family photos, events, and weddings. All of her nature photography can be purchased on her website.

You can follow Aleja and her photography on Facebook or Instagram. To see her photography services you can visit her website.

Always feel free to drop me a line by visiting the Contact page of our website.

Jennifer Knorr, Co-Leader

Jen has been a ray of sunshine and laughter to JGPA! She’s also an accomplished REALTOR® selling homes in Burlington, Ocean and Monmouth Counties with the Keller Williams Preferred Properties located in Manahawkin, NJ. Jen sits on the board at the Whitesbog Preservation Trust and the Women's Council of Realtors.

Jen enjoys photography but her passion is painting. She is a fabulous painter with top-notch composition skills. Being a photographer lends itself almost seamlessly to painting. In her own words, what she enjoys about being a part of JGPA is, "The Adventure and social portion. I like going to new places and meeting new people."

You can see more of Jen’s Art on Facebook or you can follow her on her personal Facebook or her Instagram, AND, if you or anyone you know is looking for an exceptional REALTOR®, reach out to Jen, she is your gal.

Always feel free to drop me a line by visiting the Contact page of our website.

Johanna Vasicek, Co-Leader

Johanna, originally from Michigan, became a "Jersey Girl" in 1997. Although her professional background is in Interior Design she has always enjoyed photography. Her true love for taking photos didn't really begin until 2010 when she found herself coming home from holiday visits to Michigan with photos to share with her friends from places she feels she took for granted when growing up. Not wanting to do the same thing in Jersey she decided to start taking solo Adventures exploring different areas in New Jersey with a pocket camera. Like Aleja, it gave her a purpose with the added bonus of being active.

Motivated by the support and encouragement from her friends in 2016 she purchased her first DSLR. It was from that moment that she really started to get serious about her hobby, and worked to improve any chance she got. While landscape photography is her forte she does dabble with wildlife and has done two small weddings for close friends.

You can follow her on Instagram and you can check out her website where she showcases her work and sells her work.

Always feel free to drop me a line by visiting the Contact page of our website.

Shiela Evans, Co-Leader

Shiela is the newest co-leader of Jersey Girls Photo Adventures. For Shiela, "photography is a therapeutic art. It’s an outlet and a way to help manage daily life.” She is super excited to share her passion for photography with you all and help you see the beauty around us.

You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram where she showcases her work.

Always feel free to drop me a line by visiting the Contact page of our website.

Collier Lun, Copywriter

Collier is a proposal manager and technical writer by day, but she is a creative, always. If she is not facilitating mindful writing meditations or supporting the writing needs of clients, you will find her submerged in pages of literature, penning poetry and prose of her own, or outside wrapping herself in nature. She loves capturing the world through lens and often pairs her photos with her words.

Always feel free to drop me a line by visiting the Contact page of our website.

Kim Sakevich, Social Media Assistant

Kim's passion for art began when she was a teenager. Through her teenage years and into college, she could be found with her art supplies creating drawings, paintings, jewelry, scupltures or collages. Kim completed her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design in 2004, and through the course of her education, discovered that her favorite media were photography and stained glass. After college, she worked for a short time as a portrait photographer. Outside of work, she continued to photograph a variety of subjects, sometimes translating her photos or drawings into stained glass. Unfortunately, a home invasion resulted in the loss of all of her camera equipment, and Kim had to take a short photography hiatus.

A series of life-changing decisions/events led Kim down her current career path in Loss Prevention and Security. Her recent hobbies include horseback riding, hiking, and ax throwing, but she has remained true to her creative roots carrying her iPhone everywhere and photographing everything and anything that captures her attention. Kim is excited to join the Jersey Girls in encouraging artists and enthusiasts at all levels to develop their talents and explore the wonderful art of photography.

You can follow her Instagram where she showcases her work.

Always feel free to drop me a line by visiting the Contact page of our website.