Tag Archives: family

NJ Newborn Photographer | Cranford, NJ | Cole

June 8, 2023

Cole’s Newborn Shoot

Cole’s mom got in touch with me after Cole had been born to see if I had availability for a Newborn Session. That’s one of the reasons I only take a limited number of Newborn Sessions each month; so that I can accommodate parents like Cole’s. I’ve had families contact me after adoption, a difficult birth, a long stay in the hospital, health complications. I don’t ever want to have to say no to a new mom or dad who wants to get newborn pictures of their baby. So I told her yes! Of course!

Mom knew that there was a good chance that it would be difficult to get her 3 year old daughter to cooperate for pictures. That’s always a good thing when they know that it could go either way. And when she wasn’t quite feeling it, she didn’t push her. I really admired that. I know that lots of times we as parents want to get that really great amazing shot of the new siblings together. I know, I know, I know. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret…the little kids usually want nothing to do with it! So most of those adorable amazing pics of the sibling(s) with the new baby? Composites. HAHA! Seriously, they are mostly photoshopped to LOOK like they are posing there together all happy and angelic and whatnot. Yeah, sure, some are real. They’re few and far between. And the ones that are real are usually 1 good shot out of a series of 20. And probably were shot in a millisecond before one of the kids started screaming, crying or jumped up to get out of the photo!

Honoring our Children

Cole’s mom wanted the image to be authentic and real. And when big sis just wasn’t feeling it, she respected that. This was a beautiful example of boundaries at an early age. I loved watching that. She honored that little girl and didn’t forced her to do it or to take a fake shot to photoshop something together. It was beautiful.

It’s me…Hi…

Oh, another funny story, Cole’s dad basically had to break open my front door with a razor blade because it had sealed shut from some insulation foam I used in the door cracks. HAHA! They got to The Studio and I literally couldn’t open the door. It was a little embarrassing, but hey, we are being real and they witnessed first hand a little bit about how I do things. LOL! Thanks, Steve!

And so let’s get to the photos… <3

Natalie Maya | Westfield, NJ Newborn Photography

March 11, 2023

I do not have any idea how I somehow missed blogging about these sessions! They produced some of my favorite images! And they are from Summer of 2022!

Momma contacted me a few months before her due date which is what we always encourage. This gives us time to plan and prepare for baby’s arrival. At the time that I am writing this, I offer Maternity Sessions as an add-on to my Newborn Session. And that is what we did for this one. We had a beautiful sunset session for the Maternity and the sun showed up with her golden dripped sunlight. It was a little bit HOT, but Mom and Dad took it like champs and we created beautiful Maternity images that I am so proud of. We even pulled out the Drone for some amazing aerial images!

Then their beautiful princess arrived and it was Newborn shoot time! What I love most about my Clients is that they TRUST me. This is an investment! And it is super important that you TRUST your photographer. That you see their work and love it and TRUST us to create unique images of you and your baby while also appreciating the creative process and artistic styling. I always have my Clients fill out a questionnaire which leads me in selecting what colors, fabrics and props to use. But at the end of the day, as George Michael said, “Ya gotta have faith”!

Kathryn gave me that. And we created some of my favorite Maternity and Newborn images. This little girl is going to be one in a couple of months and I can’t wait to see her again! Hopefully at her cakesmash!

NJ Newborn| Cranford | Vada

June 1, 2022

When I ran a model call for a newborn photography sessionI was only going to book 1 model, but oops! I wound up booking 2! LOL, no seriously though. I love newborn photography so much that I decided what the heck!? Let’s do 2! Vada was a tiny little adorable peanut. And as luck would have it, she wasn’t thrilled about modeling either. LOL. But that doesn’t bother me. I know that I will always win HAHA!

As a newborn photographer and an ARTIST, I want to capture and create beautiful art with your babies just as much as you want that! This is part of why newborn sessions are scheduled with a 3 hour timeframe. Babies are gonna “baby”! They get hungry, they need diaper changes. And sometimes they just need a little TLC. I plan for these things!

I’ve been doing newborn photography for 10+ years and I still am head over heels for it! And you know what else I’m head over heels for? Little girls in BLUE! I mean, just look at this little SQUISH! Thank you so much Jen and Vada for volunteering your time to help me perfect my craft even further. You ROCK!

Scotch Plains | Newborn | Veronica

May 9, 2022

Well, I’ve done it again. LOL. I have waited excruciatingly long to blog. But just like the prodigal son, I return HAHAHA!! What?! Too mom jokey for ya? Have we even MET?

When Veronica’s mom contacted me, she had already been born. In fact, she was close to a month old! But hey, I am always up for a challenge. Did you know that most newborn photographers schedule their newborns for 7-10 days after birth? Did you know that some photographers will actually TURN AWAY a newborn that has missed this magical window? Yes, it is true. And while it is coming from a place of love, a place where we know that babies that age will be more sleepy and flexible, it can be heartbreaking for a new momma to be turned away. Imagine you JUST had a baby and are already being made to feel like you’re FAILING?!? That you might have missed out on something that you can never get back because…TIME?!?!

I’m a mom. I suck at scheduling. People will tell you that I will be late for my own funeral. I planned on having my kids around 2 years apart. Then my second STOLE my 2 year old’s Birthday. The GUILT! I actually lived in GUILT for too long to admit feeling like I did this to him. Moms don’t need anymore pressure, stress, guilt or shame. Believe me, we give ourselves enough of it unfortunately. As does this society we live it.

So obviously, I said absolutely! Of course I set realistic expectations, but also promised we would end up with amazing art. Because making art from my newborn experience is just as important to me as it is to the parents who trust me with their investment. And this lil’ girl did NOT disappoint! <3

So yes, some newborn photographers will turn you away, some will tell you your baby is too old. It’s not their fault either. It is usually that they don’t think they will be able to get the images you hope they can capture. So they shouldn’t be faulted either. At the end of the day, we all strive to deliver what we promise. We all want to perform our jobs to the best of our abilities. If they say your baby is too old, it means that they do not think they will be able to deliver the images that best represents their work. That while they are confident they can capture the poses and images they can with a 7-10 day old, they aren’t sure they can get them with an “older” baby. HAHA, “older baby”…sounds ridiculous, but you know what I mean.

But also, lots of Newborn Photographers have Newborns booked MONTHS in advance! So sometimes it’s just a matter of not having availability! So there’s that too…

In any case, if a newborn photographer turns you away for missing the window, just call around. We live in a very saturated market of newborn photographers. And I am sure you will find someone who you connect with, click with, whose work moves you and who will welcome your month old baby with open arms! Maybe that photographer is me? 😉

NJ Newborn | Scotch Plains | Gianna

January 3, 2022

Wow, I’ve been so busy! And I feel so blessed for all of the new Clients and BABIES I’ve been able to meet lately! So now after the Holidays are over I will be catching up on my blog posts!

This little angel was such a little peanut! So tiny, and SOOOOO CUTE! Just look at the adorable images we were able to get from her session!

Thank you so much for choosing me Becky! I can’t believe this was already a MONTH AGO??? XOXO