There’s something timeless about Ocean Grove—its iconic architecture, its gardens in bloom, its wraparound porches where stories stretch across generations. And if you’ve spent any time in this cozy corner of the Jersey Shore, chances are you’ve felt it too: that quiet magic that makes Ocean Grove more than just a place on the map.
Few people know that better—or document it more beautifully—than Pegi Costantino, the creative force behind a new photographic portrait series celebrating life in and around this historic community.
One of the first images in the series? A sun-drenched snapshot of Pegi herself, standing on her farm in neighboring Neptune Township, smiling beside one of her favorite chickens. It’s the kind of portrait that says everything without needing a single caption: grounded, joyful, full of purpose—and just a little whimsical.
📸 A Portrait Series Rooted in Place
Pegi’s new photo series is more than just a collection of images. It’s a love letter to Ocean Grove, the people who call it home, and the spirit that runs through its tree-lined streets and historic buildings.
Shot on location around Ocean Grove, Neptune Township, and nearby farms and gardens, the portraits feature residents in their natural element—whether that’s tending to tomatoes, arranging flowers, spinning yarn, or yes, wrangling a chicken or two.
“These aren’t just pictures,” Pegi says. “They’re portraits of place, memory, and the things that grow when you’re deeply connected to your community.”
Each image is intimate and personal—capturing not just faces, but lives: weathered hands, knowing eyes, half-laughed stories mid-sentence. Together, they create a mosaic of what makes this stretch of the Jersey Shore so unique.
👒 Ocean Grove’s Community Maven
Pegi isn’t just photographing the story of Ocean Grove—she’s been living it for decades.
As the longtime President of the Ocean Grove Woman’s Club, she’s spent years hosting meetings in one of the Grove’s most storied Victorian homes, keeping traditions alive while welcoming fresh ideas. It’s that perfect blend of past and present that defines so much of her work—and her worldview.
But that’s not where her résumé ends. Garden lovers across the region might remember Pegi’s warm voice from her time as a radio host on all things gardening, where she shared hard-earned wisdom about compost, color theory, and cultivating joy from the soil up.
“You can tell a lot about a person by how they care for their garden,” she’s been known to say. “Or their chickens.”
🐓 A Chicken, a Camera, and Carlos Gardel
Back to that photo—the one where she’s standing with her chicken. It’s not just charming; it’s a perfect encapsulation of the world Pegi creates: rooted in the land, richly textured, and full of life.
To complement the portrait, someone shared a clip of Carlos Gardel singing in Spanish—his voice smooth and soulful, echoing through time. No translation necessary. The performance is for Pegi, and you get the feeling she’d understand it completely even without the words. Because some things, like good music and great art, speak the same language no matter what.
🖼️ Where to See the Work
Pegi’s photographic series is slowly being released in collaboration with local galleries and community partners, with an exhibition in the works for later this year. There are also plans to feature the portraits online—paired with short interviews, handwritten notes, and perhaps even a garden tip or two.
In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled as the series rolls out across Explore New Jersey and local social feeds. Whether you’re a Grove native or a weekend wanderer, these portraits are a must-see window into the quiet brilliance of Jersey’s creative scene.
💬 Your Turn
Have a story from Ocean Grove that deserves to be captured in this series? Know a neighbor who embodies the spirit of the community? We’d love to hear about them—and maybe, just maybe, they’ll be the next subject in Pegi’s lens.
Because in Ocean Grove, beauty grows in more ways than one.
