Category Archives: Newborn Photography

September 5, 2025

A Newborn and Family Photo Session with Newborn Photographer Joan Marie based out of Union County NJ

There’s something magical about watching families grow—and this newborn session with baby Colin was one of those heartwarming full-circle moments that make my job as a Scotch Plains luxury newborn photographer so meaningful.

Just over three years ago, I had the joy of photographing Liam’s newborn session. Now, he’s a proud big brother—and it was a gift to welcome this beautiful family of four (Amy, Matthias, Liam, and Colin) back into the studio to celebrate their newest arrival.

A Calm, Cozy Newborn Session in Scotch Plains NJ

For Colin’s session, we kept things clean, cozy, and natural. He was peacefully wrapped in soft neutral tones, resting in the gentle arms of his family—perfectly content and oh-so-loved.

The neutral background and soft fabrics allowed the focus to stay entirely on Colin’s perfect little features and that new baby glow. Every image captured the calm and intimacy of those early days that pass all too quickly.

Big Brother Liam Steals the Show

Of course, we had to include big brother Liam! He was a little in his feels with the adjustment of a new baby, but we were still able to get some great shots of him too! Liam radiated big sibling energy in the best way.

It was incredible to see how much he’s grown since his own newborn session. Sessions like these are a true reminder of how quickly time moves—and why documenting these seasons is so important.

Here are a couple of my favorites from Big Brother’s Newborn Shoot…

A Beautiful Family of Four

Amy and Matthias beamed with love during this session. The connection between them and their two boys was effortless, and that ease translated into stunning family portraits full of quiet emotion and togetherness.

As with all of my sessions, I aim to create images that feel natural, connected, and timeless—portraits that will live on your walls and in your hearts for generations.

Why Returning Clients Mean So Much

Getting to photograph both Liam and Colin as newborns is a privilege I don’t take lightly. As a photographer, I deeply value the trust families place in me to preserve their most important milestones.

Every time a family returns to my studio, it’s an opportunity to create new memories while building on their legacy. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, your story matters—and it’s worth telling beautifully.

Looking for a Newborn Photographer in NJ?

If you’re searching for a newborn photographer in NJ or want a luxury, relaxed studio experience that celebrates your growing family, I’d love to work with you.

My studio in Scotch Plains, NJ is designed for comfort and creativity—with every detail tailored to help you feel at home while I document the magic of your baby’s earliest days.

📍 Serving Scotch Plains, Westfield, Cranford, Plainfield, and surrounding Union County areas.
💛 LGBTQ+ Friendly | Inclusive | Relaxed Studio Vibes | Heirloom Artwork Available

👉 Let’s preserve your family’s story with beauty and intention.
Contact me here to book your newborn session →

September 4, 2025

Newborn Photographer in NJ | Baby Leo’s Luxury Newborn Session with his Two Moms

There’s something incredibly powerful about telling a family’s story through images—and baby Leo’s newborn photography session in Scotch Plains, NJ was the perfect example of how meaningful, emotional, and beautiful these moments can be.

As a luxury newborn photographer in NJ, I have the privilege of documenting the earliest days of life. I do it in a way that’s both artistic and deeply personal. Leo’s session was nothing short of that. Surrounded by love from his two amazing moms, this baby’s photo session was filled with heart, legacy, and quiet joy.

A Celebration of New Life and Legacy

From the very first moment, Leo’s session felt special. We chose a soft, organic palette to highlight his perfect newborn features, incorporating textures and tones that evoke warmth and serenity.

I always provide a pre-session questionnaire for my parents. It helps plan out the session colors, props and set-ups. When I saw a picture of this perfect little boy, I knew I wanted to shoot him on this green backdrop. It turns out that his nursery is also a green palette. One of his moms wasn’t totally sold on the green, so I worked my magic and provided them with another option through the power of editing and years of editing experience 😉

What made this shoot especially unique were the heartfelt personal touches. Props that tied Leo’s story to those who came before him.

To honor one of his moms’ beloved dog who passed earlier this year, we included a stuffed Lamb Chop toy. It was his favorite stuffed animal toy.

And to celebrate the legacy of Leo’s late grandfather, Albert “Steel” Mills—a Golden Gloves champion and professional boxer from Plainfield, NJ —we created space in the session to honor his strength and influence. Subtle details and loving conversations during the shoot kept his presence close. It was a reminder that Leo enters this world surrounded by generations of resilience and love. We honored him with this custom set-up using boxing gloves with his Grandfather’s name represented on each glove.

His Grandfather began as an amateur at the Second Street Youth Center (now called Prescott Place) and had a professional boxing career before becoming a mentor to youth through boxing and a security officer for Plainfield Public Schools. A street in Plainfield was dedicated to him in June 2025 to honor his legacy.

LGBTQ+ Families

Photographing Leo and his two incredible moms was a true privilege. As a photographer who proudly supports and welcomes LGBTQ+ families, I believe that every family deserves to be celebrated and represented with care and intention.

This session radiated joy, strength, and connection—and every frame told a story of deep love. Families like this are the heartbeat of my work, and it’s always an honor to be part of their milestones. It is in these sessions that the magic is palpable and allows me to create some of my best and most favorite work 💫✨

Leo’s moms chose my Signature Collection which includes professionally matted prints in a beautifully handcrafted signature box. They chose a gorgeous vegan leather cover with his name engraved on the cover 💕

Looking for a Newborn Photographer in NJ?

If you’re looking for a Scotch Plains newborn photography or want a luxury, personalized newborn experience in New Jersey, I’d love to help you preserve these first, fleeting days with your baby.

From heirlooms and legacy touches to cozy, creative posing, my sessions are tailored to reflect your family’s love story.

📍 Serving families in Scotch Plains, Plainfield, Westfield, Cranford, and throughout Union County, NJ.

💛 Inclusive. Heartfelt. Luxury Photography.

Ready to book your newborn photography in NJ session?
👉 Click here to contact me

Let’s create something unforgettable together.

August 8, 2024

Capturing Baby Lexi’s First Moments

When it comes to newborn photography, there’s nothing quite like the magic of capturing those first few days of a baby’s life. Recently, I had the absolute joy of photographing a beautiful baby girl named Lexi in my Scotch Plains, New Jersey Studio.

A Gift of Memories (and a Few Giggles)

Lexi’s newborn session was a gift from her mom’s baby shower—a present that promised to freeze time and capture those adorable baby moments. I have to admit, it’s a pretty genius gift. After all, what better way to celebrate a new arrival than with a photoshoot that includes a side of sleep-deprived giggles and priceless memories?

The Final Touches

After the session, it was time for the editing magic. And let me tell you, Lexi’s photos turned out beautifully. I even captured some ADORABLE baby yawns <3

A Lasting Gift (That May Include a Few Funny Faces)

As Lexi grows and changes, these photos will be a wonderful reminder of just how tiny and perfect she was. For her parents, these images will be a keepsake of Lexi’s first days. I say it all the time…photos are one thing that will ALWAYS gain value over time.

Thank you to Lexi’s family for letting me be a part of this special time. It was a joy to capture these moments, and I look forward to seeing Lexi’s adventures as she grows. If you’re interested in a newborn session that’s filled with laughs, love, and some perfectly imperfect moments, feel free to reach out via the contact button below. After all, capturing these memories should be as fun as it is meaningful!

To learn more about my newborn photography in Scotch Plains, head over to my Newborn page.

contact me

July 28, 2024

Newborn Shoot in Scotch Plains with Logan <3

Newborn Photoshoot in Scotch Plains with a newborn baby on a backdrop of stars and moon

There’s nothing quite like the joy a newborn brings to a family. I had the incredible honor of capturing that magic during a recent photoshoot with baby Logan. Logan is the adorable new addition to a lovely family in Fanwood, NJ. As this little boy’s first newborn photoshoot, it was a heartwarming experience filled with love, laughter, and precious moments.

A Warm Newborn Welcome

On the day of the newborn photoshoot, I welcomed Logan’s family into my new studio, designed for comfort and creativity. The moment Logan’s parents walked in, you could see the excitement in their eyes—it was clear how over the moon they were to finally meet their little boy.

A Perfect Little Baby Model

Logan was just a few days old, and like any newborn, he had his sleepiest moments mixed with tiny stretches and yawns. It took Logan a little while to settle into the poses, but we still captured magic! And with the help of his parents, we used a variety of setups and adorable little outfits.

A Family’s Love

As we moved through different poses and setups, it was heartwarming to witness the love and affection Logan’s parents have for him.

Editing and Final Touches

After the newborn shoot in Scotch Plains, I carefully curated the images and brought out the vibrant colors and soft textures. From dreamy, sleepy poses to tender prop set-ups, it was a joy to edit these images, knowing they would soon fill the walls of their home and their hearts forever. I even added an American Flag to one of the images for the 4th of July! Which do you like better?

Newborn Photoshoot in Scotch Plains with a sweet newborn sleeping in wooden bowl crate with american flag

Conclusion

As I completed the final edits and prepared the gallery for Logan’s family, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this joyous moment in their lives. Newborn shoots are a beautiful reminder of how fleeting these early days are. And I strive to freeze those moments in time for families to cherish for years to come.

So to Logan’s family, thank you for trusting me to capture the first memories of your precious baby boy at his newborn shoot in Scotch Plains. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness for your beautiful family!

Finally, if you’re looking to capture the magic of a newborn in your life, I would love to help you. Let’s create some unforgettable memories together!

Let’s Chat!

To keep up to date with my most recent work, come follow me on Instagram!

May 1, 2024

Child Portrait Photographer

portrait of a young boy taken by joan marie photography

PORTRAITS OF CHILDHOOD

As a child portrait photographer, you gotta love kids! AND I LOVE ‘EM! Sometimes I think I love them more than adults LOL! Is that bad? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a huge fan of the melt downs or the booger covered faces. But there is so much I DO love about them! The toothy (and toothless) grins, the dimpley cheeks, the freckles, the lack of filter! HAHA! The REMINDER that the world still has so much magic in it seems to always be there when I am around kids. It has a way of grounding me and letting me be playful and feel like a kid myself again. It’s an amazing thing actually and they should figure out a way to bottle that up! I don’t know who “they” is, but you get my point.

Milestone, me kids!!

I love capturing all the stages of children. Obviously as a Newborn Photographer I love newborn shoots, but there are so many stages that I love. 6 months when they are starting to sit up, 9 months, a YEAR! Because, damn, how did we make it through that! HA! So I guess you’d call me a Child Portrait Photographer too!

Then you have when they lose their first tooth, when they start to find their sass, when they graduate elementary school! Then we can get into 8th grade and high school! There are really so many significant stages in our children’s lives and ultimately they are our’s too.

March 12, 2024

PERSONALITY PORTRAITS IN NJ

Personality portraits – for me, nothing beats a classic black and white photo. They’re timeless and free of distractions. It leaves the focus on your child, their personality, and those adorable little expressions that they make that truly show who they are. From 1 – 108, a black and white portrait will stand the test of time and will capture them through all of those phases that in the end we all know go way to fast. Yes, even those really DIFFICULT ones <3.

My personality portraits are offered as pop-up events at local businesses or as a custom personality portrait session in my Scotch Plains, NJ portrait studio. If you would like to set-up a pop-up event with these adorable, timeless black and white photos, reach out to me! I love collaborating with other local businesses! You can fill out my balck and white personality portraits form here!

Wall Art is AWESOME!

HANG THOSE BABIES UP!….NO, REALLY! You got the black and white photos now HANG THEM UP!

Something as simple as hanging family portraits around your home can increase your child’s confidence! It gives children a sense of belonging, acceptance, and love that can help their confidence soar. I know from my own personal experience, that in the hum drum of everyday life, with stress and work and ALL of the things, simply looking at my big canvas of my kids hanging on the wall gives me a moment of calm. It centers me. It reminds me of how lucky I am and how grateful I should be. And It reminds your children that you love them. And that they are important to you and that this is their home.

March 4, 2024

“Physics elevated to an artform”

That is the slogan for the Oakley brand. Just found that out. Kind of love it! Kind of like “Baby Photography elevated to an artform”. Did I just come up with my own tagline? I think I may have!

Sweet baby Oakley came to The Studio for a baby photography model call I was doing. I wanted to work on an all wrapped flow and put a model call out so I could work on this workflow.

I think one of the reasons I love baby photography so much (and there are MANY REASONS), is that there is ALWAYS things to learn, to improve upon, and ways to grow. I’ve been taking pictures since I was a little girl. I started to shoot newborns around 2010. And I STILL find myself learning and growing! And I LOVE that!

Baby Oakley came to the Scotch Plains studio and the boy was PASSED OUT! He let me do anything I wanted and didn’t make a single peep! We captured some really great images for his mom and dad and I love how he looked on the tannish-brown fabrics I used!

Here are some of his momma’s favorites from our session <3

To see more of my Newborn work, you can check out my Gallery here.

January 16, 2024

Newborn Session with Mountainside Family

And 3rd baby makes 5

As a Studio Newborn Photographer in Scotch Plains, families trust me with their babies. And what a fun Newborn Session I had with Mountainside Family! Rory’s parents were the absolute sweetest and chillest <3 with their baby boy. This is their third baby. They already had a boy and a girl and I guess you could say this baby boy was the tie breaker! And omg, you guys! Their kids are the absolute CUTEST!

Rory was a total sweetheart and just an absolutely beautiful baby boy. The cheeks, the lips, his skin. Ugh, I know I say it all the time, but I am obsessed with what I do! I LOVE IT!!!

Family Photos

As a Newborn Photographer in Scotch Plains, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take some family photos as well! What a beautiful and fun family to get to know! The kids were just so sweet! And we were able to capture some really cute family photos!

Baby Boy in the moon

Here are some of the pics that mom picked out from our session. And I have to say I think she picked some good ones! I even got to use my new moon crate! And I couldn’t help it, I had to add some stars to the one photo. It was BEGGING for it!

Have you thought about booking a session with a Studio Newborn Photographer in Scotch Plains? Don’t wait! Reach out today by filling out my contact form and we can start planning your very special session!

November 23, 2023

So many options!

One of my most favorite prop companies, Hello Little Props (HLP), is always coming up with amazing and unique ideas and designs to provide the Newborn Photography Community. A while back they came up with something called “bucket huggers” which are basically beautifully designed magnets with a variety of designs to put on their “everlasting bucket”. This is a game changer for us Newborn Photographers because it really is the answer to a lot of our “problems”. Especially the space saving problem.

Their newest design is an everlasting CRATE which also has this magnetic ability giving us even more variety when it comes to our prop options! Incase you don’t know, Newborn Photographers in general, are a very special breed. I keep saying that we need our own episode of “my strange addiction” 😂 . We are obsessed with fabrics, headbands, furry and textured layers, and probably the strangest thing we are obsessed with is looking at things and wondering if we can put a baby in it. LOL! I mean, if you were an outsider to this underground world of newborn photography, you would likely think we are absolutely nuts the way we carry on about these things! But, and this is a BIG BUT, our addiction is YOUR benefit! Because when you find one of us crazy prop addicted photographers, chances are we are going to go above and beyond to capture the most beautiful Newborn Photos of your little ones. Again, it’s all part of our addiction!

But what about that CRATE??

So back to the crate! I recently received mine and to say I’m obsessed is an understatement! It will take me some time to build up my collection of “huggers” for it, but it doesn’t matter. The crate itself is absolutely gorgeous and looks like an antique crate. Do I already own 2 or 3 crates? Maybe…but they aren’t magnetic and fit these freakin’ gorgeous magnet designs! So far I’ve gotten these huggers for it:

What about the BUCKET?

Well, I have A LOT of these already. But I recently got some more 😜. I’m not even sure if I have pictures of them. 2 new ones I got that I’m really excited about are a Football one and a Basketball one! OMG they are so cute. I don’t have a photo of the basketball one yet, but hopefully that will be coming soon! But here’s the football hugger:

Buckets in Use

I thought it might be cool for people to see a little bit of the huggers in use by me, so here are some samples:

Want to see more?

Check out my full collection of huggers here!

November 22, 2023

NJ Monthly | Award of Excellence

In 2021 my Dad sent me a link to a call for entries to the NJ Monthly and Unique Photo cover contest. He encouraged me to enter. The prizes were substantial and I love both the magazine and the camera store so if nothing else, my submission would be supporting both. So I did it. I entered one of my favorite drone shots. And low and behold I placed first in the aerial category! I won a DRONE! It was awesome and exciting and scary and all the things, but I did it. I put myself out there. I think that when you put yourself out there, you open up the Universe to new opportunities for growth and connection. And you may even give someone else the courage to do the same.

I also think it sends a really imortant message to my sons. It shows them bravery and courage and that their mom is a badass photographer who is making things happen not only for herself, but for them! It gives them a sense of pride and admiration. So do it, put your work out there! Here is the post from that awesome and exciting win for me.

Feelin’ the funk

I didn’t submit anything for 2022. Not sure why exactly, I guess I just didn’t feel compelled to. Maybe it’s because I have felt like I’ve been in a funk for like a year straight. Thinking back, 2022 was a REALLY difficult year for me and my family. My son was having a really hard time in the public school system which translates to me, his momma, ALSO having a very difficult time. It’s been heavy on our shoulders and in our hearts for YEARS. But this year we finally received an out of district placement and it has legitimately been life saving, life giving, for all of us. A completely different experience. He is seen and even APPRECIATED for the wonderful person that he is. Intelligent, kind, compassionate, full of RANDOM FACTS, artistic and not stigmatized, shamed and punished for the areas he lacks.

Getting our lives back…

I feel like I am getting my life back. And so I submitted one of my favorite images from November of last year to NJ Monthly Cover Photo Contest. Baby Ari being held up by her dad. This session was so special for Ari’s family but also for me. Because it showed me COMMUNITY. Something I have been missing. And that actually is very much in part to my son’s challenges. Am I being too vague? My son has ADHD, Anxiety and something called DMDD (Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder). I, myself, have Anxiety. Quite honestly I do believe I have been living with undiagnosed ADHD my entire life.

We have been ostrasized by our community because he is different. Imagine that? Labeling a child at the age of 6 as “bad” and making life even more challenging and lonely for us. Having that label follow him around all through elementary school. A child who has a hard enough time regulating his emotions. In school he was seen as the “bully” and yet children would purposely antagonize him and try to get him to a state of dysregualtion. Even the adults didn’t understand him or give him grace or compassion.

I’m clearly getting off topic, but it’s been a struggle. If someone you know has a child with these disorders, please reach out to them. Ask them if they are okay. See if you can be their community <3

So back to this session 😂

Raise them UP

Crystal and Lamar (Ari’s Parents) wanted to include their COMMUNITY in their photoshoot. Check out their shoot here. My heart exploded into a million pieces during their session. It was incredible how their community SHOWED UP last minute to be a part of this.

But this picture…Lamar wanted to do something like the Statue of Liberty and the Lion King (Ari means Lion). And as soon as he said it I was all in and it was this. It’s amazing. I love it. And I love it for all the reasons.

A man holding up his baby girl – this means so much to me. My dad was a huge supporter of me. He gave me the confidence to follow my dreams. He encouraged me to follow my heart and always believed in me. He was the first man in my life and was an amazing example of how I deserved to be loved and treated. The composition of this image I feel is extremely powerful as is the symbolism. You don’t need to see Lamar’s face in this. We know it is him. But we also know that it could be MANY men who are there, supporting their babies, raising them UP!

And my son(s) thankfully have men like this in their lives. Men who raise them up, lifting them high overhead, giving them the praise and confidence and SUPPORT that they need and that they deserve.

NJ Monthly Cover Search winners

Anyway, I know that this post kind of went off topic (thanks ADHD). But it’s my heart. And I am thankful, grateful and honored to have this image that we made TOGETHER be recognized by the judges, NJ Monthly and Unique Photo. I may not have received the placement on the Cover of this month’s magazine, but what I did receive is priceless. To see the winners and read more about it, hop on over to the NJ Monthly article here.