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!

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!

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!

New Jersey Photography Studio: A Quick Tour

As a parent, you learn pretty quickly just how important environment is for a happy kiddo! Babies are all about comfort, and I am behind that 100%! I’ve designed my New Jersey photography studio to be a cozy place where both babies and parents can relax and feel comfortable. If that sounds like the place for you, read on for a quick peek into my studio.

Studio Location

My photography studio is located in West Milford, NJ. And it’s okay if you’ve never heard of West Milford. :) We’re a pretty small town, with a relaxed and friendly vibe, just like my studio! And even though it has the small-town feel, West Milford is also located within easy driving distance of larger cities like New York, Hoboken, and Jersey City. A lot of my clients come from busy towns and love the warm and friendly atmosphere when they visit me.

Family-Friendly Vibe

My work as a baby photographer is very family-focused, and I want every member of the family to feel at home during their time in my space. I have a seating area with TV and some toys for siblings so that everyone can enjoy the time while we’re working with baby. Parents can relax with some coffee or tea while older siblings play or watch a show.

Designed for Memories

From the studio space itself (with my collection of props and different walls for shooting) to the family area (which provides a much-needed chance for parents to unwind), I’ve designed my studio to be the perfect place for making and documenting memories. When you bring your little one to my studio it’s more like getting together with a friend than anything else. I love hanging out with my clients and chatting like we’re family!

What do you think? If you’re ready to experience the studio for yourself, you can book your session here. I would love to welcome you to this special haven I’ve created for babies and families. We are going to have so much fun together!

Jennifer Parrello Photography Special Offers and Events

I hope you had fun learning about the different types of sessions I offer here at Jennifer Parrello Photography! Throughout the year, I also do model calls, giveaways, and other special offers and events—and I don’t want you to miss out on those! So here’s just a bit more about some of the great stuff you can expect from my New Jersey studio.

Newborn and Cake Smash Collections

Every family’s needs are different, which is why I’ve designed a variety of collections for my newborn and cake smash sessions. Rather than one-size-fits-all, these collections allow you to choose the right fit for your family, such as whether you want your session to be baby-only or include family. You can also choose to bundle certain services (like a maternity and newborn session) to capture multiple stages in a more affordable way.

Model Calls and Giveaways

I love doing model calls when a spark goes off in my brain and I want to make some magic happen! Keep an eye on Instagram or Facebook. I always post model calls on social media and you’ll be able to fill out an application if you’re interested. I sometimes offer giveaways throughout the year too—also posted on social.

Holiday Photo Events

I offer holiday sessions every year, so mark your calendars for those! (They book up fast and are absolutely magical!) Santa sessions happen in November and are such a fun and memorable opportunity for kiddos to spend some time with St. Nicholas. Formal minis take place in October, and I’m super excited about this year! I’m doing two different sets, so you’ll be able to choose your favorite, on two separate weekends. For the first time ever, one set will be all neutrals and whites. I have never done this before (since I love doing traditional sets with holiday colors) but I know that neutrals are another really popular option and I want clients to be able to choose!

Giving Back

I am a firm believer in the importance of community and giving back, so I enjoy donating sessions to local organizations when they host fundraising events. I’m also a photographer with The Gold Hope Project, which provides photo sessions for children with cancer to raise awareness and funds.

Referral Program

Of course, none of this would be possible without my wonderful clients, so I also want to give back to YOU! Word-of-mouth referrals are so important to me as a photographer, not least because it means so much to know that people love my work and what I do for them. I’m currently working on a referral program so that I can give back to you whenever you do me the incredible honor of sending family and friends my way. I’ll announce that once I’ve gotten the logistics worked out (hopefully this summer).

In the meantime, let’s connect on Instagram and Facebook, or you can feel free to contact me directly with any questions. I can’t wait to chat with you!

Different Types of Photo Sessions | Northern New Jersey Photographer

Just wanted to post a quick update on the different types of photo sessions I offer here at Jennifer Parrello Photography. As a New Jersey photographer I specialize in capturing baby’s first year, which means most of my sessions are newborn and cake smash—which works out well since they’re my absolute favorite! I love working with babies! But I also offer lots of other types of photoshoots so we can capture your family’s memories at every stage of life.

Here’s a quick peek into the different types of photo sessions you can book with Jennifer Parrello Photography:

Baby’s First Year NJ Photographer

Maternity Sessions

Before baby even arrives, let’s capture that exciting stage of pregnancy! You can choose from studio or outdoor options depending on what feels comfortable for you and how many people you’re inviting to join in.

Fresh 48 Sessions

We can create beautiful, intimate birth photos right at the hospital. Fresh 48 sessions are perfect for remembering every moment of those precious first hours with your little one.

Newborn Sessions

There’s no better place for newborn photos than in my comfy New Jersey photography studio! With hundreds of props and outfits to choose from (plus a place for Mom and Dad to relax while I do what I do best) you can create forever portraits of your little bundle that will last long after babyhood is over.

Cake Smash Sessions

Celebrate the big one-year mark with a special cake smash session! I go all out and customize every single one of my cake smashes so you can have a theme and style that’s totally unique to you. (I love doing custom cake smashes so much that I also offer cake smash mentoring for other photographers who are wanting to

Milestone and Sitter Sessions

There are so many other moments that you’ll want to hold on to forever. We can book a milestone or sitter session to capture any and all of those wonderful in-between stages as baby grows.

Northern NJ Family and Professional Photographer

Other Types of Photo Sessions

In addition to documenting all the big moments in baby’s first year, I also offer limited family sessions, specialty sport photos, and headshot and branding sessions. Family sessions usually take place outdoors, so I hold these only during months when the weather is nice. (My West Milford studio is the perfect size for intimate photos, but it’s a little too cozy for big groups!) And be sure to keep an eye out for my holiday and Santa mini sessions. I offer these on just a few select dates in October/November and they are always so much fun!

Whatever stage of life you’re in, and whichever of the different types of photo sessions you’re considering, I’d love to capture those memories for you! Please get in touch for more details. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Choosing Props for Your Newborn Session

If you’re expecting a new little one, I’m guessing you’ve spent a fair bit of time scrolling through photo inspiration on social media. Isn’t it fun to see all those adorable babies with those cute props and setups? But, if you’re choosing props for your own newborn session, it might start to feel a little overwhelming too. How can you possibly decide?

Planning Your Newborn Session

Planning a newborn session is so much fun, and I want to make sure that the setups I create are in line with your vision. I also want to keep things as simple as possible for you. So rather than have you show up for your session and be faced with choosing from my (kind of huge!) collection of newborn props, I’ll send you a questionnaire prior to your session which will help me plan the perfect session for your baby.

Gathering Inspiration

Before filling out the questionnaire, I recommend that you spend some time scrolling through my Facebook and Instagram pages to see what you like. You’re welcome to send me inspiration photos too! One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is the color scheme you’re going for. I have swaddles, hats, and headbands in every color you can imagine, so the sky is the limit! As you’re planning your colors, just make sure that they fit well with wherever they’ll be displayed (nursery, living room, etc.)

Choosing Props

If you have any specific prop requests, let me know! Otherwise, I’m happy to choose the props for you based on your color scheme and what I think will work well for you. I do three props poses during a newborn session, so parents often find it’s easier to just give me a general idea (like, “We love bucket poses!”) and let me make a selection from there. That way you don’t have to stress about decision-making, but you can feel confident that you’ll end up with images you love!

I can’t wait to help you create the perfect session for your new little one! From choosing props for your newborn session to making sure baby is comfy cozy during the photoshoot itself, I’m here to make this a relaxing and beautiful experience for you! Contact me today to book your spot for next year!

Baby Girl Photo Session in Studio

Okay, people. This is a lot of cuteness, so brace yourselves! (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

Seriously, baby Annabelle was adorable and a total dream to photograph! I did her parents’ maternity session, so I’ve known for a while that she would be coming to the studio and have been looking forward to it! She was so good. Slept like an angel—which was great except that it made her newborn photo session zip by faster than I would have liked! Could have spent all day with this sweet baby girl. She even gave me some of those cute, sleepy baby smiles. (As a New Jersey newborn photographer, those are kind of what I live for!)

We did a pretty color scheme of pink, white, and gray. She loved being swaddled, so—since my goal is to keep baby happy while we capture your beautiful images—we did lots of wrapped shots. I love these anyway. A precious baby bundle is pretty much the best thing ever!

Mom and Dad also chose to get some family shots with their new arrival, which I definitely recommend! They are a super sweet family and it was such a treat to create those baby pictures with all of them together. I love it when my newborn clients first book a maternity session with me! It allows us to get to know each other better, and it’s so special to have pictures at each stage of your baby’s journey—including when you were still anticipating their arrival!

It was so fun to spend a couple of hours in my cozy Passaic County newborn photo studio with this precious baby girl and her parents. I’m really hoping she’ll be coming back to see me in a year for a cake smash! Love watching these little ones grow!

Newborn Photography Studio | Northern New Jersey

Last year I had quite the project going on—a brand new newborn photography studio! Exhausting? Yes. Totally worth it? Absolutely! Thought I’d share a few of the before and after pics here so you can get an idea of just how much work it was and what an amazing studio space it is now!

First, some before pics of the new studio under construction:

Now that it’s done, I’ll admit there were times I thought this stage would never end! Don’t get me wrong, I love buckets in my photo studio—just not that kind!

It was really exciting as things finally took shape though. More storage space for all my props, fresh paint and pretty curtains—it was starting to feel like not just a space I could work in, but a place my clients could feel comfortable and at home.

And now—drumroll, please—after!

What a thrill when it was finally finished! With all my equipment and backdrops ready to go, favorite pictures hanging on the wall, and a beautiful sign out front. It’s official!

My newborn photography studio is perfect for babies, of course, but it’s also an ideal space for the other types of photography I specialize in. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re getting ready for maternity pictures, a cake smash photoshoot, or milestone photography of the important stages in your little one’s life.

And, just as important as being a place with great lighting, a beautiful collection of props, and setups for every occasion, my newborn photography studio is a place to relax and enjoy the experience. As a newborn photographer and a mom, I know all too well that parents don’t often get a chance to unwind. So I wanted to make sure that when you’re at the studio, you get that chance! I was careful to include a comfortable sitting area for parents so you can kick back, watch some TV, or enjoy a snack, knowing your baby is in the best of hands.

I absolutely love my new studio space and I know you will too! If you have any questions or want to know more, please contact me. I can’t wait to welcome you to the new studio!