Newborn Photography NJ | Chatham

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…

Newborn Photography NJ | Scotch Plains

October 12, 2023

2nd Time Around

I truly get so excited when one of my Mommas contacts me to let me know that they are expecting! Leanne is one of those mommas! I’m not sure if she feels the same way, but I genuinely feel like we have become friends over the years since she started coming to me for her family photos. It seems to happen that way. And it only makes sense since I literally get to celebrate the most important milestones with them! When you love what you do, and you have families who can see that and feel it in your energy, it really feels like such a complete blessing.

Rosanna Lynne

Do you want to hear the most adorable and sweetest thing you’ve ever heard??? Leanne and her husband, Rich, have a daughter named Violet who just turned 2 (check out her newborn session here or her cake smash from last summer here). She is a little sweetheart! When they were coming up with a name for their second baby, they decided on Rosanna Lynne. Leanne told me that Rich came up with that name because, are you ready? Because he wanted to have a LITTLE GARDEN!!! Are you KIDDING ME!?! How ridiculously cute is that??

Well Rosanna Lynne came earthside and we had such a beautiful session. Her mom owns a Pilates and Yoga Studio in Garwood, NJ called M Pilates and Yoga (go check them out!). And I’m telling you, Leanne is just so chill. I think she passed that on to both of her girls because they both were great with posing and letting me do my thing!

One day Leanne stopped by my studio and saw a backdrop that I was thinking about selling and she pointed it out and mentioned she would love to incorporate it in her session. Who am I to deny her of this!??! I was also probably looking for any reason NOT to sell one of my backdrops anyway LOL. I’m so glad I was able to use it in her session too!

Leanne, Rich, Violet and Rosanna – I love you guys! You feel more like friends than Clients and I am so grateful and thankful for you! I hope you love the images we captured and I cannot wait to get your album! XOXO

Scotch Plains, NJ | Headshot Photography

October 11, 2023

Recent Headshots!

I’ve been doing a good amount of professional headshots lately and I freakin’ love them! I have a variety of backdrop colors that I use for these sessions and I really enjoy playing with colors. One thing I’ve noticed I’m drawn to is how color choices can really enhance and pick up natural skin tones. I have always been interested in color theory and I really want to delve deeper into the power of color and how colors can compliment one another.

I consider my headshots to be a bit more artistic than what most people think of when they hear “headshots”. For me, there’s definitely more involved than having a camera. And I also think a headshot should capture your personality. That can be done in a number of ways. Your hair style, makeup, posing, outfit choice all work together to tell a story; the story of YOU! But another way we can do that is through COLOR! And that doesn’t mean that it has to be BOLD color. It can be subtle, monochromatic, feminine, soft, and of course it CAN be bold too!

While there are so many challenges with the world we are living in today, there are some things that I truly love about these times. We are more open minded and able to present ourselves in a more meaningful way through pictures. Humankind has always had a propensity for storytelling. It’s one of the things I love most about photography. It is a challenge for sure, but to be able to capture and tell a story through one single image literally gives me life. And I even strive to do that with my headshot photography.

Headshot Guides

I recently started sending out a professional headshot guide to my Clients to help them plan for their session. I think it is helpful to think about color and style choices of outfits for their session. But it also gives them the power to interpret it in their own unique way.

Another suggestion I give is to use Pinterest. Create a board and pin pictures of professional headshots that you love. This can help you see the types of posing, outfits, colors and composition that you are drawn to. Not only does it help them get inspiration and ideas, but it is helpful for your photographer! It gives ME inspiration. It gets me excited to work with you and capture you in a way that you are bound to love!

WIN – WIN!

So anywho, here are some of the headshots I’ve been doing recently. I put so much into my work and it really makes me feel so special that the photographs that I make for people could play an important part in getting them that next big promotion or job! I love giving people confidence and I’m telling you…a FIRE (yeah I have a teenager) headshot can give you a big confidence boost!

Want to know more?

Head on over to my headshot page to read more about my headshots and see the work I do!

NJ Dating Profile Photographer | Westfield, NJ

September 8, 2023

“Jersey Girl for LIFE!”

Time is once again getting away from me and I am realizing that I haven’t blogged about some of the best shoots I’ve had this Summer! The dating profile session I did with Ali was nothing short of AWESOME!

When Ali first reached out to me she was on the fence about doing a dating profile session. I get it. Believe me I do! Would we be able to get enough variety, could we capture her personality, could we REALLY get enough material in the one hour session to yield 5 unique images that are included in the package? My answer is always a resounding YES!

Questionnaires

I think part of this can be credited to the questionnaire that my Clients fill out. I don’t know what it is, but I really find it helps me connect with the individual and almost know them personally before we even meet. The questions I ask aren’t only for MY benefit, but I think they help get my dating peeps in the right mindset and remembering who THEY are and not so much who they want to meet. I think that’s really important! We all have something to offer and we need to remember that. But it also helps us to come up with outfit ideas and “props” for the shoot. These are simple things that can really create a completely different look and feel!

When Ali and I first spoke she mentioned wanting to give 80’s vibes in her dating profile. I loved it and I had the best idea! Let’s turn one of the images into a polaroid with some cool prism like colors overlaid on it! I knew right away we were on the same page! And that was confirmed once again when I read her answers to the questionnaire. She is a really freakin’ cool girl!

Ali and I originally planned on meeting at Van Gogh’s Ear in Union only to find out the day of that it was CLOSED! But, we go with the flow and we pivot! PIVOT!!! (Friends reference ;)) And I really believe that these things do happen for a reason and when you go with the flow, it all works out in the end! We ended up at a cute little spot in Westfield called Reeve’s Smoothie Cafe. We got the Berry Betsy and it was delicious!!

So let’s get right into it! Here is a little bit more about Ali <3

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy gardening, playing chess, dancing, running, checking out new restaurants/going cruising in the car.

What are the 3 most important things you’re looking for in a partner?

(Ali listed five LOL!)

Fun
Kind
Good conversationalist.
Loves/ed his mother.
Sense of Humor

Favorite book? (this was a good one…she listed some of my own personal favorites.)

I have a couple books I enjoyed reading. The Alchemist, The old man and the sea, The Four agreements.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Coffee and hugs!

So yeah, now you can see why I think Ali is so cool! One of my favorite answers she gave was whether or not she has any strange or unique talents. She made me promise that I wouldn’t include her answer here…so if you want to know what it is, I guess you’ll just have to meet Alide for yourself! HAHA!

Ali – I had so much fun gettting to know you! I know that you will meet someone who is worthy of you because you are true to yourself! Best of luck!! XOXO

View More Dating Profile Sessions

Block Party Scotch Plains NJ | Joan Marie

September 4, 2023

I’m still Joni from the Block – BLOCK PARTY, that is!

If my sons read that or knew that I used that in a blog post they would tell me how cringe I am. LOL, oh well! I will wear it proudly!

This Saturday is the first East 2nd Street Block Party in Scotch Plains! I’m super excited to be participating in it along with a bunch of other local businesses! There is even going to be a car show! I never had that official tape cutting Grand Opening for The Studio so while it has been so exciting getting that space, it was also pretty anti climatic! HAHA! So I feel like this Saturday will be a great opportunity for me to meet people and the other business owners that I haven’t had a chance to meet yet. I’m a Fanwood resident so not only is this where my business is, but it’s my COMMUNITY.

I know that some of the businesses will be offering things from their establishments, but I am a Portrait Studio so it’s a little bit different. I AM thinking about doing a fun selfie station (think pink), having photographic prints available for purchase, maybe even do a raffle? But I am excited to show my face and also talk about the services and products that I offer which make me different than other photographers.

To read more about The East 2nd Street Block Party and the participants, click HERE!