How to Narrow Down the Pictures from Your Session

All of my photo collections include a set number of digital images. After your session, you’ll receive a link to your gallery, where you can select the pics you love and want to keep. But…it can be intimidating to try to pick favorites from among so many beautiful photos! Here are a few tips that can help you narrow down the pictures from your session.

Set Aside Some Uninterrupted Time

Choosing photos takes a lot of concentration! Rather than trying to do it on the fly, set aside some dedicated time to really focus on your photos. You might also find that it helps to do this alone before coming together with your partner. This way, you’ve both identified your favorites without influence from anyone else and can feel more confident in your decisions.

(This is one reason I don’t have parents come to the studio to choose pictures. This is something you should be able to do at your leisure and without feeling pressured by other people’s input.)

Divide Your Photos Into Categories

Rather than try to choose your favorites from the whole collection all at once, try picking your favorites from a smaller group. For example, which are your favorite pictures of mom and baby? Which are your favorites of baby and their big brother? Which are your favorite shots of the whole family?

Dividing it up into categories can keep you from getting overwhelmed and also ensure that you get a nice variety. Plus, you can feel more certain you didn’t miss anything!

Decide How You Want to Use Your Photos

Knowing how you want to use and share your photos can be a big help in deciding which ones to keep. If you want to print and frame some images, think about where you want to hang them in your home. If you’ll be giving photos as gifts, which ones would be most meaningful to grandparents or other family members?

It’s also a great idea to put some thought into this before your session. If you already know how you want to display your pictures, we’ll be sure to get exactly the shots you want!

New Jersey Photo Sessions

I hope these three tips for narrowing down the photos from your session help to simplify the process and give you confidence in the decision-making process. And remember, if the decision is just too hard, you can always purchase extra images separately!

If you have other questions or are ready to book your session, please be in touch. I’m so excited to hear from you!

Top 3 FAQs for Your New Jersey/New York Photographer

There are always lots of questions with any new experience, and booking a photoshoot is no different! I try to anticipate questions and give my clients plenty of information beforehand. When you inquire I’ll send you lots of great info to help you out! But in the meantime, I thought I’d address the questions I get asked most frequently as a New Jersey based photographer.

What to Ask Your Photographer

When is the best time to book a cake smash?

The earlier the better! I recommend booking your cake smash well in advance—even as early as 5 months before your little one’s first birthday! We will usually do your cake smash a little before the one year mark (around 11 months) so you have time to use your images for invitations, gifts, etc. And I build all of my custom sets from scratch, which takes several weeks! You can learn more about my cake smash sessions here.

When is the best time to book a newborn session?

I advise booking 3-4 months before your due date. However, if it’s past that date already (or even if baby has already arrived) you can always reach out on the chance that I might have an opening available. If you’re expecting, you’ll definitely want to check out my newborn page for helpful info and answers to frequently asked questions!

Why are family sessions always in the evening?

I like to hold my family sessions about an hour to an hour and a half before sunset. There are lots of reasons behind this, but the big one is lighting. Photographers call that pretty, sun-soaked time before sunset ‘the golden hour.’ The light at this time is really warm, not too harsh, and very flattering for everyone, making it the perfect time to do outdoor portraits. I’ve got more about family sessions on this page.

Questions for Your New Jersey/New York Photographer

Any other burning questions? Send them my way! I am always up for a chat and would love to help you learn more about any session you’re interested in. Just reach out and let’s talk!

Lake Hopatcong Newborn Photography Session | Sweet Baby and Parent Pictures

What a cutie! Loved doing the Lake Hopatcong newborn photography session for this adorable baby girl. I worked with her grandma and have known mom since she was elementary age. (Yes, I know I’m dating myself by admitting that!) But basically, I go back a long way with this family!

I was so very excited when I found out mom and her hubby were expecting. And even more thrilled when they asked if I would do their newborn photoshoot! There is nothing I like better than working my magic with these tiny bundles and capturing sweet memories for their parents to cherish. If I’m honest though, I didn’t have to work a whole lot of magic with this little princess. She was AMAZING for her session! Such a sweet lil girl.

I always send my families my newborn photo session prep guide with some tips and tricks for getting baby sleepy before they come to the studio. Since this family lives in Lake Hopatcong, about 45 minutes from my studio in West Milford, NJ, they had a little bit of a drive to get to me. I quite often have families who drive over an hour for their baby pictures, so I’m always prepared with a few tricks up my sleeves in case baby slept during the drive and isn’t feeling super drowsy for their photoshoot. But sometimes—like with this little one—they are totally happy to just keep napping!

I love the sweet baby-only and baby and parent pictures we were able to create during our time together. So very precious—and so great to catch up with this family and celebrate this exciting time with them!

Baby Pictures near Lake Hopatcong New Jersey

If you’re looking for a newborn photographer near Lake Hopatcong, I hope you’ll be in touch! I am honored to serve families throughout New Jersey, and would love to welcome you and your little one to my studio!

Why Invest in Professional Portrait Photography? Answers from a New Jersey / New York Portrait Photographer

If you think you should just snap that annual family photo yourself or try to capture all your child’s milestones on your cell phone, think again. While cell phones and snapshots are great for documenting the day-to-day moments, there is nothing like an actual photo session for capturing the big milestones in life. Here’s why it’s totally worth it to invest in professional portrait photography for your family.

Equipment and Expertise

Beautiful photos don’t just happen. They require special equipment, great lighting, and an experienced eye to create that perfect shot. And while it may seem simpler to just try to do it on your own, most people find that they are much happier when they spend the money and invest in professional portrait photography.

Display-Worthy Photos

You can get lots of fun snapshots on your phone. But it really does take a professional portrait photographer to capture images that you’ll be proud to display on your walls or gift to family. A professional photographer has years of experience and that artistic eye to know how to pose people to best advantage and create images that are seriously gorgeous.

Editing

Another important step in the process of creating photos is the behind-the-scenes work. A true professional will take the time to edit each of your photos so that they are free of distractions and are the best they can possibly be.

The Photoshoot Experience!

I don’t know about other New Jersey portrait photographers, but I love to make my sessions FUN! My belief is that if we’re going to be making and capturing memories together, we should have a great time doing it. I treat all of my clients like family and love to visit with them, get to know them, and work together to create images their family can treasure forever.

Bonus: Newborn Safety

Baby pictures are only one type of photography, it’s true, but it’s worth noting that it is SO important to hire a professional for newborn photos. There is no one that can safely create those amazing newborn images you see on Instagram except a trained professional. Learn why here.

If you’re thinking of investing in professional portrait photography in New Jersey or New York (so many of my clients come from the Orange County, NY area!), please inquire here. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Jennifer Parrello Photography: My Vision for You

As a New Jersey/New York photographer, I know how important it is to have a vision for each session. Having a vision keeps me on task, provides inspiration, and ensures a quality experience and products. But I believe it’s also important to have an overall vision for my clients. Because it’s not just about individual sessions. It’s about YOU! My vision for you is for you to come away with an amazing experience and timeless photos that can be displayed and treasured for years.

The goal of every session is twofold: I want to create forever memories for you, and I also want you to have a memorable experience. Sound like the same thing? It’s not! For me, creating forever memories is about the pictures. I want to create images that bring back this special time in your life, whether that’s cradling your newborn or laughing with your toddler. But a great photography session is about more than the finished product. I also want the experience itself to be enjoyable, fun, and relaxing. I love chatting with my clients and getting to know you in the cozy, home-like atmosphere of my New Jersey photo studio. I want you to feel like, by the end of your session, you are part of the family!

I also want you to come away from your photoshoot feeling beyond happy, thrilled, and excited for your photos! This should not only be a meaningful experience, but an exciting and celebratory one! That’s one of the reasons I pride myself on lightning-fast turnaround time. Once your shoot is over, I get right to work putting your proof gallery together, so you can choose your favorite images that same day.

There is nothing like the moment when you first see your images. It’s so amazing, beautiful, and special. Your photos are a treasure because they are a moment captured in time. For me, there is nothing more awesome than seeing gorgeous photos that will be cherished forever, and I know you will feel the same way as you look through the authentic, fun, and beautiful pictures of your loved ones.

If you’re looking for a baby and family photographer in the New York or New Jersey area and my vision for you sounds like the perfect fit, I hope you’ll be in touch! I can’t wait for you to become part of the Jennifer Parrello Photography family!

Your Photo Session: Before and After

Being in the photography studio (or at a favorite outdoor location in the New Jersey/New York area) and posing for the camera is probably what comes to mind when you think of your photo session. But you also want to know what to expect before and after your photoshoot. Here’s the lowdown!

Before Your Photo Session

I want your shoot to be as successful as possible. To help you prepare and feel more relaxed about the whole thing, I’ll send you a prep guide prior to your session. This is a short but super helpful reference that will help you know what to bring or do in advance so you can have the best experience possible!

If you’ve booked a newborn session, I’ll also send you a questionnaire. This helps ME prepare for your baby pictures so they’re everything you hoped they would be!

And if you’ve booked a cake smash session (hopefully 4-5 months in advance!) then I’ll be spending lots of time before your session creating your custom set and finding the perfect outfit for your little one.

After Your Photo Session

With most photographers, you have to wait a few weeks before you can see your photos. Like other professionals, I am very meticulous and want everything to be perfect. But…I hate waiting, and I bet you do too! That’s why I send you your proof gallery on the SAME DAY as your session!

You’ll have 48 hours to select your favorite images from the proof gallery. Once I know which photos you want, I get to work editing your pictures right away and give them my full attention, so I can get them to you fast! My contract states that it may take up to 2 weeks to get your finished images to you, but honestly, that’s just in case of emergencies. In most cases, you’ll have your beautifully edited photos in just 1-4 days!

At this point, you’ll receive a final gallery with all your favorites—edited to perfection. All of the digitals are yours to keep, and your gallery is also linked to a storefront so you can easily purchase prints and products if you would like to.

It’s as easy as that! I make preparing for your photo session simple, and after the session I cut out as much of the wait time as possible. You should be able to enjoy your gorgeous pictures as soon as possible! If you’re looking for a professional photographer to capture your forever memories, I hope you’ll be in touch with Jennifer Parrello Photography! I’m conveniently located for families in both New Jersey and New York, and would be delighted to document these special moments for you!

What is an All Inclusive Photographer?

What is an All Inclusive Photographer?

Great question! Essentially, an all-inclusive photographer is a photographer who includes digital files in the price of your session.

But wait, doesn’t everyone do that?

Nope. There are several different pricing models that photographers use. As you’re shopping for a New Jersey photographer, you’ll want to make sure you know the fine print before booking your session. One of the questions you’ll want to ask is what’s included in the session fee.

An all-inclusive photographer (like Jennifer Parrello Photography) includes the session and all digital images in one flat fee. But some photographers only include the session (you’ll have to purchase digital files and other artwork separately), or they may have packages that include certain pieces of artwork.

Here's why Jennifer Parrello Photography uses the all-inclusive pricing model and what it means for you:

Flexibility

Digital is everywhere! Digital files are nice because you have such a huge variety of ways in which you can use them. Professional printers can use your digital files to create custom wall art or prints, and there are also tons of businesses that create unique custom gifts (like blankets, mugs, or Christmas ornaments) with your digital images. With digital, you can use your photos in an infinite number of ways!

Affordability

Photographers who include artwork build their wall art or albums into the package pricing. While that’s great if you want that particular type of artwork, what if you want to do something different? I don’t want you to pay for something that isn’t exactly what you would have chosen for yourself. That’s why I include digital files so you can use them in whatever way works best for you.

Physical Artwork

Just because your collection includes digital files doesn’t mean you can’t also order physical artwork if you want it! Once I send you your gallery, I’ll also open up a store with your photos, so you can purchase products if you would like them. (A lot of my clients order prints.)

To recap: Your digital files are included in all of my photo collections, and you always have the option to create tangible artwork with them as well, either through Jennifer Parrello Photography or your own choice of photo lab. These are your forever memories, and I want you to have the option to share them in whatever way is most meaningful for you!

Interested in a photo collection? Get in touch and let’s start planning that all-inclusive photography session!