More Than a Photographer: A Lifestyle Family Session in Northern NJ

What a gift it is to watch families grow over time. In an area so heavily saturated with photographers, I feel incredibly privileged when a family chooses me to document their journey year after year. I never take that trust for granted; I know exactly how special these memories are.

Chasing the Light: Shooting Into the Sun

During this particular session, I did something I don’t always do: I shot almost entirely into the direct sunlight. As a lifestyle family photographer in NJ, I can tell you that “shooting into the sun” is quite a challenge, especially when it comes to the editing process.

However, the extra work is worth it. The magical, ethereal quality the sunlight created in these images is undeniable. It adds a layer of warmth that perfectly matches the energy of this family.

Resilience and “Boy Energy”

As a mom of two boys myself, I am very familiar with “boy energy.” We actually had to reschedule our original date due to weather, and we almost had to reschedule a second time because the youngest had a run-in with a trampoline the night before!

Despite a trip to the ER and getting stitches, he was a total trooper. He showed up to our Union County photo session smiling, laughing, and ready to play. I was so impressed by his resilience!

The Bond Between Brothers

There is something so specific about the bond between brothers. Maybe I love it because I see it in my own home, but I think it’s deeper than that. I am drawn to connections—the bonds people have with each other, their pets, and the places they love.

I’ve realized that my “calling” isn’t just to document a day; it’s to capture these invisible strings that pull us together.

Capturing Connections vs. Taking Pictures

I’ve reached a point in my career where my goals have shifted:

• I don’t just want to “take pictures.”
• I don’t want to be “just a photographer.”
• I want to be a connection-capturing artist.

I may not be able to bottle up the love between people and keep it forever, but I can do the next best thing. I capture those feelings through imagery and art. If you are looking for a lifestyle family photographer in NJ who prioritizes soul and connection over stiff posing, I would love to tell your story.

Take a look at the magic and connection from this golden hour session:

Homeschooling Creativity: A Photography Collaboration with My Boys

I honestly don’t even know what to say. This whole situation has me feeling so many things at once. To quote my man, the Fresh Prince, our “lives got flipped, turned upside down” literally overnight.

Everything changed in a heartbeat. I’ve been quarantining with my kids since school closed indefinitely over a week ago (has it really only been a week?!). While I’ll have much more to say on the “big stuff” later, I wanted to share how we are staying sane by getting back to what I love: the art of the image.

Turning Social Distancing into a Photography Lesson

In an effort to get outside with the kids while keeping things both fun and educational, I decided to lend each of my sons one of my professional cameras. The three of us set out to explore, absorb our surroundings, and take our minds off the world for a little while.

We started our journey by learning about aperture. For our first two days out, we kept the cameras in Aperture Priority mode set to $f/3.5$. This allowed the boys to focus on composition while the camera handled the rest of the settings.

Aperture Priority vs. Manual Mode

Seeing the boys work really reinforced why it is so important to eventually learn how to shoot in Manual Mode. While cameras do an okay job on “Auto” or “Priority” settings, they don’t actually know what you are trying to accomplish artistically.

Using photography for kids activities like this is a great way to show them that while the tool is smart, the artist is the one in charge of the vision!

The Results: A Creative Collaboration

Below are some of my favorite shots from Cole’s (age 7) very first day with a “big” camera. It was a true collaboration—he took the shots, and I handled the editing.

I especially adore the black and white portraits of him; I took those using his camera settings. We even managed a group shot of the three of us by setting the camera on the kitchen counter and using the timer!

What’s Next for Our Mini-Photographers?

The best part about this? My kids had a TON of fun. It wasn’t just a “school lesson”; it was a way for us to connect. Eventually, I plan to show them the editing process to see where their creative minds take them. I’d love to have us all shoot the same subject and then compare our edits to see how differently we each see the world.

If you’re looking for photography for kids activities to try with your own family during this time, I highly recommend starting with a single setting like aperture and just letting them explore!

Check out Cole’s first gallery below:

Generations of Love: Reconnecting with the Hart Girls for a Special Birthday Surprise

I created beautiful images at a Multi-Generational Family Photography Session. Capturing the beautiful love and connection between multiple generations a week ago, and it was nothing short of magical. There is something so profound about documenting a family tree in real-time.

This extended family session was extra special because I got to reconnect with Lori and Amy, who both went to my high school! Witnessing the love they share for their mom, Mimi, and their children was a full-circle moment for me.

Reconnecting and Growing Up: The “Boy Energy”

Amy has two gorgeous sons who are around the same ages as mine. If you don’t have two boys (or more!), you might not fully understand that specific brand of high-energy joy—but I certainly do!

It turns out our sons actually went to preschool together, a fact neither of us realized until well into the school year. I hadn’t seen them in about four years, and I was blown away by their personalities and their ability to “hang out” and converse with me. Seeing how much they’ve grown was pure joy.

From Newborn Peanuts to Beautiful Girls

Lori was in my graduating class (I’ll keep the year a secret!), and the last time I saw her was for her daughter Olivia’s newborn session. Olivia was the tiniest little peanut back then, and now she’s grown into a beautiful little girl.

I also finally got to meet the newest addition, Zoe! Poor little Zoe was less than thrilled that I was interrupting her nap time, but she was a total trooper. We persevered and managed to get some absolutely adorable shots of her, too.

A Birthday Gift That Makes the Heart “Split Open and Melt”

The most touching part of this session was the “why.” Lori and Amy gifted this multi-generational family session to their mom, Mimi, as a birthday present. They wanted to document the bond between Mimi and her grandchildren.

As a fan of the band Phish, I have to say this is the kind of thing that makes my heart “Split Open and Melt.” In all seriousness, this is what gives me life. Witnessing the love between all of them was beautiful, heartbreaking, amazing, and inspiring all at once. My purpose as a storytelling photographer in NJ is to bottle up those feelings into images that last forever.

A Visit from Great Grandma

At the end of our session, a beautiful butterfly appeared. All the kids knew exactly what it meant—it was their Great Grandma letting us know that she was a part of our special morning, too.

This is my purpose, and I am so grateful for the families who choose me to do this work. Thank you, Hart girls! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, Hart Girls! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Contact me today to schedule your multi-generational family photography session!

A Golden Fall Family Session with an Expecting Momma in Watchung

It was such a pleasure working with the Jackson family again at their fall family photography session in Watchung NJ! There is something so rewarding about seeing a family grow year after year. I’m already looking forward to next year when their newest addition will be almost a year old!

The Best Time for Watchung Family Portraits

Fall in New Jersey is easily one of the most requested times for portraits, and for good reason. As a Watchung family photographer, I love utilizing the natural golden light and the changing leaves to create a warm, timeless backdrop.

This session was extra special because Mom is expecting! We were able to capture this beautiful “in-between” stage—celebrating the family they are now while eagerly anticipating the little one on the way.

Investing in Your Family’s Legacy

It truly means the world to me when clients return for their yearly pictures. Choosing to document your family as it evolves is such a special investment. These aren’t just photos; they are the legacy you leave for your children to look back on.

Take a look at some of my favorites from this stunning fall family photography session in Watchung NJ!