Tag Archives: Newborn Prop Photographer

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!

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!