Getting engaged is a monumental milestone in life. It is the start of a lifetime commitment to your significant other and a moment that is the foundation on which the rest of your life rests. It is also a moment that should be special and meaningful. Many of my clients struggle with how to make this moment special, but I am here to reassure you that no matter what you do, I promise it will be special because this memory is unique to you as a couple. Hopefully, that sentiment relieves a bit of stress; but, if you want to know how to have a successful SURPRISE proposal, I am going to give you a few tips to pull it off.

Congratulations on the newest addition to your sweet family! These first few days & weeks are just so magical and it is such an honor to capture your little babe during this special time. Here are some tips & tricks I’ve found to be super helpful in preparing for your newborn session so it can be as fun, stress free and enjoyable as possible.

If you’re expecting a baby and searching for a more relaxed approach to newborn photos in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, or St. Augustine, an in-home newborn session may be exactly what you’re looking for. The early days of bringing home a new baby can feel beautiful, exhausting, emotional, and overwhelming all at once, and the thought of packing everyone up for a photo session often feels like one more thing to manage.

If you are reading this article, odds are you just got engaged. Congratulations!!! Whether you knew about the proposal or it was completely a surprise, this is one of the most exciting moments in life for both of you and it is one that should be documented.

Your baby is about to turn one and you are considering a birthday portrait session for your little one. Cake smash sessions are a fun and joyful way to commemorate the milestone of your baby’s first birthday. These birthday sessions are amongst my favorite to photograph. I wanted to take a moment to go over a few tips I have accumulated over the past ten years as a first birthday photographer.

There are a multitude of reasons why I am passionate about documenting newborns and their families in their homes here on Long Island. I know that I have spoken about this topic before on the blog, but I wanted to take a moment to shed some light on this topic for those of you who are unsure about whether or not an in home session is for you.

Bringing home a new baby is already a huge adjustment for the entire family, especially for older siblings who are still learning what this new season of life looks like. One of the biggest concerns parents often have before a newborn session is how their toddler or older child will behave during the photos. The truth is, newborn sessions with siblings are rarely perfectly quiet or perfectly posed — and they are not meant to be.

There is just something special about the Fall. It is the season for cozy sweaters, pumpkin lattes and fun filled family activities. There are so many traditions associated with Fall ranging from pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, making pies or simply just jumping into a pile of leaves. It is also the time of year that most people schedule their annual photoshoot as a family. Whichever activities you choose to participate in, you no doubt want to create living memories, and what better way to do that than to have a nice picture hanging on your living or bedroom wall?  

The beach is the ultimate place of tranquility, peace and beauty. For most of us, it is a place that we frequented during our own childhood and is associated with fun and laughter. Now that you have your own kids, I am sure that you visit the beach often for fun filled days at the ocean.

Did you know that the beach is also the perfect location for family photos? This location lends itself to images that are not only beautiful, but playful and packed with emotion. A Summer family beach session is centered on you spending time with your family at sunset, the most magical time of day.

A really common question I get asked is, “Can I have newborn photos taken if my baby is over two weeks?” With easy access to the Internet these days, it’s not hard to find recommendations that the “ideal” time for a newborn session is around 5-14 days after birth. While this is true to some extent, don’t feel like you missed the boat if you didn’t manage to schedule your baby’s first photos within that timeframe.

I don’t know about you, but time surely seems to be flying by these days. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom of two active girls, who seem to be growing at the speed of light, or perhaps it is because my own parents are getting older. Whatever it is, I can’t help but reflect on my own childhood and how important my grandparents, parents and siblings were to me. I loved spending time with them and I wish I had professional photos that documented my time with them.

I know life is busy, but I can’t encourage you enough to prioritize extended family portraits. Years from now, you will be so very grateful that you made a point to get everyone together for a large family session. It is more than worth the effort, and I guarantee you’ll love every minute of it.

A first birthday is a special milestone for every family. Your baby has grown and developed tremendously over the past twelve months and now your little one’s personality is shining through. It is a good idea to take this opportunity to schedule a photo session for your child. If you There are many types of sessions you can book to commemorate this special occasion. If you are unsure about what type of photo session you want, I will go over each of the options below.

Although I am a family photographer, I also photograph many couples. The couples maternity session is a popular session booked. While maternity sessions with a big sibling are structured much like a family session…first time pregnant couples are a lot different! I am here to share some posing tips from my years of being a Long Island maternity photographer.

A lot of families will wait until the Fall to do their family photos. Most people do so because they want to also use their images for holiday cards. However, just because that’s the norm, doesn’t mean there isn’t an alternative. In fact, Summer is a great time of year to capture those family photos and you can still use your gorgeous images for those Christmas cards. Here are some reasons why Summer on Long Island is the perfect time for family photos.

For most people, having your family photos taken is a special occasion. What you wear to your photo session will dramatically impact the overall aesthetic for your images. It is important to choose outfits that will not only look good in the photos, but also make everyone in the family feel comfortable.

Now that the Fall season is upon is, you have likely been hearing about mini sessions. Although I capture families throughout the year for full length sessions, I offer mini sessions once a year during the Fall season. I offer minis because as a mom, I understand the appeal to capture some beautiful, professional photos for a lower price point in a faster time frame. Mini sessions are a great option for some families, but they aren’t for everyone. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether a mini session is right for you and your family.

I receive tons of inquiries for multi generational family sessions. I photograph many of these large group sessions. They are really special sessions for the families and, often times, are gifted to grandparents for special occasions. This is a special gift that the entire family can appreciate.

As you can imagine, working with large groups like this involves a large degree of planning, flexibility and an open mind. It also requires lots of additional time, both during the session and in particular when it comes to editing these sessions, especially when the session involves multiple children of young ages.

Updating your family photos is important. You are documenting each stage of your life with your children and giving them tangible memories to hold on to. There is so much more importance attached to this than just pretty pictures. A family photo session is not just about having photos to hang on your wall. It is an opportunity to take pause and connect with your family. I want my photo sessions to feel like a fun experience for my families and not like a chore. It should be something to which you look forward and enjoy being a part of. How exactly do you accomplish this? Read below to find out.

To say that the weather this Summer has been unpredictable is an understatement. For most of my sessions this Summer, there has been a threat of thunderstorms at sunset. I was thrilled on the evening of this family session to finally have an evening with the sun shining and no clouds in sight. Although I love the moodiness and dimension a gloomy sky can bring to a session, it was nice to mix things up and have that abundance of golden sun on the evening of this beach session.

When you have your first child, it can be tough to not only choose a newborn photographer in your area, but also to choose the type of session that works best for your family. There are so many options available and finding what is best for you can seem overwhelming. Scheduling your newborn session should not be stressful. Let’s face it…you have tons of other things to think about when expecting your first baby. I am here to take all the guess work out of your first photo session with your little baby.