Tag Archives: chatham nj

Newborn Photography NJ | Chatham

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…

NJ Family Photographer | Chatham, NJ

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.

NJ Family Photographer | The Engelsons

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 😉

joan marie

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908.312.1788 | info@joanmariephotography.com

379968614