Tag Archives: chatham nj

March 24, 2025

close up of family connection at maternity session in-home in scotch plains with joan marie photography

In-Home Maternity Sessions

I am a premium maternity photographer based in Scotch Plains, NJ. I have the pleasure of working with many incredible families. But there’s something particularly special about a cozy in-home customized maternity session. They capture the true essence of a moment in time that will be cherished for years to come and provide a comfortable and intimate setting for families.

Recently, I had the honor of photographing a beautiful family at their in-home maternity session in Scotch Plains. This family included mom, dad, their toddler daughter, and even their beloved dog. What stood out about this session was how personal and meaningful the location was. It was about capturing memories in the place where their family feels most comfortable and where their story truly unfolds.

Why In-Home Maternity Photography is a Timeless Choice

Cozy in-home maternity sessions hold a special place in my heart. It allows families to relax and be themselves, but it also adds a layer of sentimentality that cannot be replicated in a studio. The familiarity of home creates a warm atmosphere. This makes it easier for families to connect and feel at ease in front of the camera. For this particular family, their home was filled with meaningful details.

But what really made this session unforgettable was the inclusion of their dog. When I first met Max at the consultation, he was a little anxious and barked at me for quite awhile at our consultation. But by the time I was leaving, he had his head on my lap, giving me kisses and snuggles. We had built a level comfort and trust that really helped us on the day of the shoot. It’s another reason I love in-home sessions: they allow for pets to be included, making the photos even more personal and meaningful. And our pets are just as much a part of our family as our kids.

The Importance of High-Quality Prints and Products

One thing I always emphasize to my clients is the value of professional-grade prints and products. When you invest in an in-home maternity session with me, you don’t just get a few digital files. You’re investing in heirloom-quality products that will stand the test of time.

I offer my clients the option to purchase stunning wall art, albums, and prints. Each product is crafted with the highest standards. I provide professional products that are archival-quality and will last for generations. They are not like consumer-grade prints that can fade, deteriorate, or become damaged over time. These materials preserve the vibrancy of your images and ensure that they remain as beautiful as the day they were captured.

In fact, I include a printed copy of every image that clients purchase. So you can hold these precious memories in your hands. There’s something truly special about having your photographs printed and displayed in your home. You can relive those moments every day. Whether it’s a large piece of wall art showcasing a beautiful maternity portrait or a carefully curated album that tells your family’s story, these products are meant to last and be passed down through generations.

Serving Clients in Scotch Plains and Beyond

As a luxury maternity photographer in Scotch Plains, NJ, my clients are looking for more than just an average photography session. They’re looking for a photographer who can capture their most cherished moments with artistry and care. My goal is to provide an exceptional experience from the initial consultation to the final delivery of your beautiful prints and products.

fine art portrait double exposure of pregnant mother and flowers at her in-home maternity session with Joan Marie Photography in Scotch Plains

I would love to work with you if you’re seeking a cozy in-home maternity session and a maternity photographer, who can create timeless images that reflect your family’s personality and style. I can help you preserve your most treasured memories in a way that’s authentic, beautiful, and lasting. Whether you live right here in Scotch Plains or 20 miles away, let’s collab!

Book Your In-Home Maternity Session Today

Let’s tell your story! If you’re ready to book your maternity session, contact me today. We can create stunning, meaningful portraits that will be cherished for generations. I specialize in working with high-end clients who value photography as an art form and want nothing but the best for their families.

I also have First Year packages that yield a beautiful handcrafted album to hold the images we created over the course of that first year. It is truly a story book that you will cherish for years and years! Don’t have a baby? That’s okay! We can do the storybook for YOUR family too! So much can happen over one year. Let’s capture it all!

Together, we can create beautiful images that will serve as a reminder of this exciting time in your life—forever.

Featured Posts

October 14, 2023

One month of sweetness <3

Sometimes mommas contact me after baby has been born to schedule their Newborn shoot. And while we (speaking for Newborn Photographers across the world) always recommend booking in advance, we understand that is not always what happens. Why? Well, because, LIFE! Life in general can be crazy and busy and overwhelming. Now throw in growing a baby in your belly and all the planning that takes place just to be prepared for the baby!

What’s the best age for a newborn shoot?

All Newborn Photographers have different thoughts on the “ideal” time to photograph a newborn. And the windows can vary greatly. Some don’t take on Newborns after they reach a certain age, like oh, I don’t know, over 2 weeks. And while that may sound crazy calling a 2 week old baby “too old”, the reality is that the photographer doesn’t believe they will be able to deliver the images that they would be happy with. So thank them for being honest with you and themself about it! It CAN get more difficult to do a newborn shoot as the baby gets older because they are awake more often and can be more difficult to pose.

Then there are also some photographers who legit don’t have any availability for a newborn session because they have a full calendar of shoots that were booked 6 months before baby was born.

But the good news is…there are a lot of us! Especially here in NJ! With various price ranges and packages and experience and props and equipment and training. There is no shortage of Newborn Photographers in NJ to choose from. 🙂

And I am so happy that I had availability on my calendar when this momma called me. I actually only take a number of Newborn Sessions a month so that I am able to accommodate parents who didn’t have a chance to book months in advance. He was just super adorable and so were his big sis and bro!

So Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you, this adorably handsome little boy Mateyko…

June 8, 2021

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing this wonderful extended family in Chatham. This was a referral from one of my Clients who I not only have been able to photograph in the past, but also someone who I have called “friend” for close to 30 years! I know, I can’t believe I’m that old either LOL! And I have to take a minute to say that I am so grateful for these friends and for their referrals. Most of my clients find me from referrals and I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. And many of these referrals become my friends. Thank you Kim for introducing me to your friend and her beautiful family.

Nichole is momma to 3 beautiful girls. And when we started planning our shoot she mentioned how she wanted to have the session in her backyard and we were hopeful that the flowers would be in bloom and the grass would be green. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! We had to reschedule at least once due to rain, but the sun showed up for her session. And oh boy did it show up! Her backyard was magical and so was her family!

Here are some of my favorite images from our outdoor family session.

October 29, 2020

What a gift it is to be able to watch families grow over time. To be trusted to document them. I feel so privileged when a family chooses me, my photography, in an area so heavily saturated with photographers! Some families have their portraits taken year after year. And when they come back to me, I don’t take it for granted. I know that this is a very special thing.

This is one of those families. And I truly love them for it. I don’t ALWAYS shoot into the sun. It’s actually quite challenging, especially when it comes to the editing. And most of this session was shot that way; into direct sunlight. But I love the magical quality it has created in these images.

As a mom of 2 boys myself, I have a strong familiarity to the boy energy. After we had to reschedule our original session date due to weather, we almost had to reschedule again because the night before the youngest found himself in the ER! Lets just say he had a run-in with a trampoline and the trampoline won this one. But he was a TOTAL TROOPER! He got stitches and rallied for our photo session. He was smiling and laughing and man, was I impressed!

I love seeing the bond between brothers. Again, maybe because I love seeing it between my own boys…but I’ve realized that it’s more than that. I love connections between people…the bonds they have with their pets, with the places they love…and it is my calling to capture these connections.

So it comes down to this.

I don’t want to “take pictures”.

I don’t want to be “a photographer”.

I want to capture connections. I want to be an artist. I may not be able to take the love that I see between people, places and things and stuff it into a bottle for us to hold onto forever, but I can do the closest thing I can think of. I can capture these connections and feelings the only way I know how; through imagery – ART.

And if you’re on the search for a connection capturing artist, hit me up 😉