Welcome to The Blog
I am Teresa Geraghty. I am a family, newborn and couples photographer based in Ponte Vedra, Florida. I am so glad you found me.
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Check out some of these recent sessions on the blog.
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Intimate Backyard Weddings | Ponte Vedra Beach Wedding Photographer
Small weddings can be incredibly meaningful. Take a look at a beautiful backyard celebration and learn about the intimate outdoor wedding photography I offer in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Disney Vacation 2020 | Documentary Family Photography
In the midst of the “stay in” during the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many moments of anxiety and fear. To helps assuage those fears, I have opted to focus on the positives during the last few weeks. For example, I am enjoying this relaxing time at home, nurturing bonds with my children, reading voraciously, creating art and catching up on some blogging. When I choose this perspective, the situation actually seems more like a vacation than a quarantine.
Speaking of vacations, we traveled to Florida in early February for our annual trip to the Florida Keys. This year, we spent a few nights in Orlando and visited Walt Disney World. Although we visited Disney in 2017 and 2018, this trip was extra special because our youngest is currently princess obsessed and both girls are now old enough to really appreciate the trip.
While You Were Home Project | Documenting your Time Home with Your Children
We are now almost through the second week of the quarantine in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While we all want to do our part to flatten the curve, this time can be stressful and anxiety producing. Like most of you, I have felt a wide array of feelings over the last two weeks, including fear, anxiety and anger. The first few days of this situation awakened anxiety in me that I have not felt in many years. Thankfully, a conversation with my seven year old daughter changed my entire viewpoint.
At bedtime this past weekend, I asked my oldest how she was feeling in response to the stay in. She happily exclaimed, “I love it!” That night, I reflected on how our past week was going. My daughter is prone to explosive tantrums and meltdowns and in the last two weeks, she has experienced barely any. She is happy and does nothing but laugh and sing all day. When I asked her why she was so happy, she said simply, “because I am home with mommy.” It is that simple for a child and the moment truly put things in perspective for me.
A Proposal at the TWA Hotel | Surprise Engagement Photographer
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the last two weeks have been a whirlwind of uncertainty and fear. The media has been bombarding us with terrifying stories, the local grocery store shelves are bare and social media is filled with memes, articles and posts that further perpetuate the fear and madness.
In the midst of the hysteria, I had the privilege to witness what life is all about: love. I photographed an adorable couple as they embarked on a new stage of life together at the swanky TWA hotel. This couple’s love story is much like a storybook. The groom is from the Amalfi Coast in Italy. He met his bride while she was there visiting her father’s family, who also lives in Italy. The two began courting when he visited the states. Afterwards, they engaged in a long distance relationship that involved commuting between countries to see each other until he ultimately moved to the US.
Simple Blue and White First Birthday Session | Classic Studio Children's Photographer
I photographed this sweet man for his newborn session last year. Although I did see him for his holiday photos a few months ago, I was still so happy to see how much he has grown in the past year. I love that I am able to watch my clients’ families grow each year and I truly am always honored by the fact that they choose me to document their milestones.
Mom wanted a simple and uncluttered set for her son’s first birthday portraits, which is perfect for me because I always take a minimalist approach to my sets. Once she sent me his outfit, I knew exactly what type of set I would build for his birthday pictures.
NYPD Themed Newborn Session | Modern Studio Baby Photographer
I held several newborn sessions in my Long Beach studio over the last two months. I absolutely love working with each and every family. This recent session is no exception. I know I say it all the time, but I really do have the nicest clients. It is always a pleasure to chat with the family while I photograph their new bundle of joy and I truly love learning new things about each family I meet.
I got to know my recent client during our pre session consultation and I knew she and her family would be fun to work with. During the consult, mom told me that Dad is a police officer for NYPD and she wanted to incorporate a nod to his profession in the photo shoot. I was thrilled to accommodate this request, not only because I love to customize my studio sessions, but because I have tremendous respect for police officers. Even though mom was going to bring along Dad’s badge and hat, I decided to purchase a hand knit outfit for baby to wear for one or two photos. I always love incorporating the look of textures such as knits into photos.
Let's Go Mets | Classic Sports Themed Newborn Session in the Studio
My brother and sister in law recently gave birth to their first baby and she is an absolute cutie.. Our family is absolutely thrilled for them, but we are also super excited because it has been about five years since we had a newborn in the family. We are all eager to spend time and cuddle with the newest addition to the family. In fact, I recently had the opportunity to spend the morning with her and photograph her in my studio space.
My niece was born a few days after Christmas, so I knew we had to incorporate some type of subtle nod to the holiday in her session. I also have a wreath obsession, so as soon as she was delivered, I knew exactly what set up I would use for her portraits. She was a little over two weeks old on the date of her session, but we were still able to coax her to sleep and capture some beautiful polished portraits. What is great about the family studio newborn session is that baby only really needs to be asleep for those posed portraits. She can be awake for all of the family photos and even for swaddled photos. I love that this provides parents with a diverse gallery that includes those squishy sleepy images we all love, as well as awake and alert images in which you get to see a tiny bit of baby’s personality. Furthermore, it allows for the session to move a bit more quickly. Typically, a family session will run around 2 hours, sometimes 3 hours if the session includes toddler aged siblings.
Limited Edition Spring Portrait Sessions | Communion Photographer
The holidays have come and gone and we are now in the depth of Winter. Even though we still have quite a few weeks to go, I am choosing to look at the bright side of the situation; for example, the weather has been very mild lately, the days are getting longer and Spring is right around the corner.
I have added a Spring set to my studio that will be available on select days this Spring. The design is a gorgeous white rustic set with subtle accents of greens and florals. It is super versatile and will work for a multitude of occasions. The white and floral backdrop is perfect for Communions. The bright, modern and neutral look provides a great opportunity to simply update your photos of your children for Easter or to use as gifts for Mother’s Day. It is also large enough to accommodate maternity sessions and mother and child sessions.
Communion Portrait Sessions for 2020 | Natural and timeless children's portraiture
I have just packed away the last of my holiday decorations and I can hardly believe that the holidays have come and gone. The holidays are a whirlwind of family gatherings, activities, preparations, and, of course, shopping. Although I enjoy the festivities, I also like the few weeks afterwards, during which time I can decompress and get my wits about me again. Now that I finally have my head above water again, I am focusing on the Spring. Yes, I know, we are still in the clutches of Winter, but just remember, with each passing day, the days get longer and bring us one step closer to those beautiful Spring blossoms and mild weather.
For many of you, this Spring is particularly special because your little ones will be receiving their First Holy Communion , a special milestone that I know you want to document. I love photographing this special moment because it is the perfect time for me to capture a wide array of classic portraits of your child. My communion portrait sessions are centered on capturing candid and natural images of your child, as well as beautiful and artistic images that encapsulate this very special rite of passage for your child. Some of my most favorite photos I have ever captured are those of children on their Communion day. I just love the dramatic natural light that a church provides for portraits, but it also seems that this special day allows for a child's whimsical nature to shine through and I love capturing that silly and relaxed side of children too. Scheduling the photos before the communion day ensures that you capture beautiful portraits of your child in a natural and relaxed way, without the stress of rushing around on the day of the ceremony.
A Fall Foliage Session with a Trip to the Carousel
When mom originally contacted me to schedule her Fall family session, I knew we had to start the session at her gorgeous historic farm home; in particular, the breezeway entrance to the home. Although I love photographing families at scenic locations, it is always nice to capture them in their own home. It creates a more personal look for the session and it is another way to capture all of those precious memories. It is nice to have old photos that show how your home has evolved and changed over the years.
We started the session with some images of Mr P in his big brother shirt. Mom and Dad are expecting a baby boy in March, so they wanted to capture a few images to announce and share the great news and Mr P happily smiled for these photos. Like all toddlers, big brother was super active during the session and that is exactly what I want. I love images that capture children on the go because they are always the most natural images. Even though big brother was busy during the session, we were able to capture some cuddly and snuggly shots with mama and awesome family portraits too.
Why Families with Teenagers Should Schedule a Family Session | Fall Foliage Photo Session
Most families who book me have younger children, but I do also photograph teenagers. In fact, prior to owning my business, I was a high school English teacher; so, I am very familiar with how to interact with this age group. Capturing family portraits is important to do at every stage of your child’s life, but I would argue that it is even more important to schedule a photo session when your children are in high school and before they head off to college.
Most families who book me have younger children, but I do also photograph teenagers. In fact, prior to owning my business, I was a high school English teacher; so, I am very familiar with how to interact with this age group. Capturing family portraits is important to do at every stage of your child’s life, but I would argue that it is even more important to schedule a photo session when your children are in high school and before they head off to college.
I know many of you moms with adolescents have some trepidation about scheduling a family session at this phase. You might be thinking, “my child would never smile for the camera” or “there is no time to schedule a session because of all of the sports/activities”. I implore you; please make the time to schedule a session; if not with me, with any photographer. If weekends are too hectic for you because of activities, you can schedule one on a weeknight or even a weekday when the kids have off from school.
A Family Session with the Grandparents | Extended Family Photo Session
Grandparents are an integral part of your children’s life. For most children, the bond between grandparent and grandchild is strong and like no other. The love a grandparent has for a grandchild is unparalleled and it is unbiased. It is so very important to capture that bond and preserve those memories for your children. An extended family session is the perfect way to do so because you get images that capture the connection between your parents and your children.
I recently photographed this sweet group on Veteran’s Day. It was an unseasonably warm day and I was thankful for it because the days preceding this session were bitterly cold. Mom chose a location close to her home and I was happy to oblige her because I absolutely love to photograph families in new and unique locations.
The Perfect Gift for Grandma Family Session | Westhampton Beach Photographer
I think the greatest gift that you can give to any grandparent is the gift of a large group family session. This gift is one that the grandparent will cherish for a lifetime and so will the entire family. My client contacted me in the early Spring inquiring about a group family session. She and her sister wanted to gift the session to her mother as a Mother’s Day gift. The session was to include her parents, both of their spouses and their toddler aged children. Although they are from Nassau County and the surrounding areas, they chose Westhampton beach as their location because they spend a lot of time as a family out there.
Fall First Birthday Family Session | Natural Birthday Photography
The weather this September has been AMAZING! I have been loving every second of it and I have been busy doing as much outdoors as possible. I want to soak up every last second of the remainder of the this good weather, which includes lots of outdoor photoshoots. I spent a good deal of the Summer photographing families and children on the beach and I am happy to start shooting some Fall sessions at my favorite park location.
Many families have been scheduling family sessions in place of the traditional first birthday portrait session. I love this trend because you not only get images that commemorate your little one’s first birthday, but you also will have images of you interacting with your child that you will treasure forever.
A Family Newborn Session | Oceanside In Home Newborn Photographer
When my client first contacted me she said she was looking for a newborn session with a focus on mostly natural images. Because she already had a toddler, she wanted to schedule the session in the comfort of her own home. I knew right away that she was the right client for me because the goal of my newborn sessions is to always capture phots that appear natural and organic. I was thrilled when she decided to book the in home session.
On the day of the session, when I first arrived to her beautiful home, I was thrilled to see the abundance of natural light she had available. This allowed me to capture images in numerous locations of her home. I like to do this because it makes each session unique and personal. I especially love to photograph families in the baby’s nursery, living room, and master bedroom. All of these locations are areas in which you spend the most time as a family, so it is important to document them. Although most of what I focus on during this type of session is the family interacting with baby, I do make sure to capture some polished portraits of baby during my newborn sessions, whether it be in the studio or in the home. These are perfect for hanging on walls, gifting to family members and using for birth announcements.
Sunrise on the Beach | Port Washington Family Beach Photographer
To make sure that I can capture the gorgeous soft glow of the sun, I only photograph on the beach during golden hour. Most of the time, I meet families one hour before sunset, but because that time of day can be a challenge for families with young children, I also offer the option to schedule the session at sunrise and I can photograph families in the hour that follows sunrise. I absolutely love this time slot for photo sessions. The beach is peaceful and serene at that time of day and there is nothing quite like watching the sun rise over the horizon.
I photographed this adorable family the day after Labor Day weekend. We met at the beach for a sunrise session. Even though we started in the wee hours of the morning, there was an abundance of love, energy and vitality in this session. I don’t think I have ever seen a family laugh as much as this one and their love shines through int her gallery of images.
Summer, Please Don't End | Massapequa Family Beach Photographer
I can’t believe that today is Labor Day. I have to say that this was the fastest Summer season of my life. I was busy working with tons of families and children, but also got a lot of quality time in with my family, friends, and neighbors. I am truly sad to say goodbye to Summer, but I lam looking forward to the Fall season too.
I can’t believe that today is Labor Day. I have to say that this was the fastest Summer season of my life. I was busy working with tons of families and children, but I also got a lot of quality time in with my family, friends, and neighbors. I am truly sad to say goodbye to Summer, but I lam looking forward to the Fall season too.
The majority of my sessions took place on the beach this season and I have no complaints about the location. I completely understand why so many families choose the shore as the location for family photos. It is beautiful, serene and families tend to laugh and play readily at the beach. Plus, a sunset not only provides the most flattering light, but provides gorgeous hues and tones for photos.
A First Birthday Session at the Park | Fall Family Photographer
I love that so many of my clients have been opting to do family sessions in place of the traditional cake smash photo session. A first birthday is the perfect milestone to update those family photos. I often encourage my clients to get into the frame with their children and this is especially true when a client opts to do an outdoor session in place of the studio.
I recently photographed this family, whom I first met 11 months ago when I photographed them in their home for a lifestyle newborn session. I loved that I was able to see how much baby M has grown over the year and she was an absolute delight to photograph. She was all smiles and giggles throughout the session. I usually schedule my sessions an hour before sunset, but in the Summer months this time of day can be problematic for children because sunset coincides with bedtime. I can work around that time of day and shoot an hour or even an hour and a half earlier by scheduling the session at an outdoor location that provides lots of trees to filter the light. I am glad we moved the start time for this session because our birthday girl was so happy and I was able to capture some really sweet moments.
Newborn Sessions with Siblings | Lynbrook Baby Photographer
I have been shooting a lot of newborn sessions here in my Long Beach studio and I am loving every second of it. I recently photographed a baby and his two older sisters. I met this family two years ago while shooting an extended family session. The family is a delight to work with. They are fun loving and super nice, so I was thrilled to be able to work with them again for this very special session.
Baby C was an absolute dream. He slept throughout the entire session…even through several outfit changes! Big sisters clearly love their baby brother so much and it was so sweet to capture images of the siblings together. I love the way mom dressed the sisters in classic white shirts, jean shorts and a boho floral halo headband. The attire brings a classic simplicity to the photos, which I adore.
Sunset at the Garden | Rockville Centre Family Photographer
To bring some vibrancy and color to the photos, we opted for a garden location for their birthday/family session. The night of the session was absolutely gorgeous and the sunset was beautiful. We started the session with a few posed family portraits and then continued with some birthday photos of the twins. Thankfully, there was an array of flowers that were in bloom that allowed me to capture this family with a variety of colors and textures in the background.