My Favorite Ways to Include Siblings in a Newborn Photoshoot

I love it when older siblings come to the studio with “their” new baby!

As a parent welcoming a second or third baby to the family, it’s natural to want a picture of all your littles together. But what’s the best way to get a beautiful shot with kiddos of different ages and personalities? I like to play things by ear as we go along for the best and most natural results. But over my years as a New Jersey newborn photographer I’ve also done a lot of experimenting and have figured out tried-and-true poses that work.

Here are just a few of my favorite ways to include siblings in a newborn photoshoot.

Snuggling with New Brother or Sister

One of my favorite classic poses is to have siblings lie down next to their new baby brother or sister and just cuddle with them. Since they’re lying down this is a very safe pose for even very young toddlers. And it makes for the sweetest newborn and sibling pictures!

Seated Next to Baby

Not all kids love snuggling. And that’s okay! I have lots of newborn props at my studio, like tiny cribs, baskets, and prams, and one of my favorite strategies in this situation is to pose your newborn in the prop and then have big brother or sister seated on the floor next to them.

In Newborn and Family Photos

If you’re doing family photos as part of your newborn session, I always like to get a cute pose with your older kiddos as part of the whole-family shot. I tell families not to be too worried about posing when young children are involved! Sweet moments can be created even if your older child is just looking down at baby or laughing while Dad tickles them to coax a smile.

Holding Baby

Depending on the age of your older child or children, we can also have them hold baby. This can be a really sweet way to capture a group of siblings, with maybe the oldest one holding the newborn. (A super cute variation on this pose is to swaddle baby and place them in the front, with siblings lying on their tummies just behind them.) Even young children often do really well just sitting down and wrapping their arms around their swaddled sibling.

Book Your NJ Newborn and Family Photoshoot

Do you have any favorites from this list of ways to include siblings in a newborn photoshoot?

If you want to have a group portrait of all your littles, there are lots of ways to do it. I absolutely love kids and have so much fun connecting with them to create amazing images! Rest assured, no matter what mix of ages and personalities you have in your family, we will have a great time together and capture memories you can cherish for a lifetime!

I love to include every member of the family in newborn photos in a way that’s stress-free, genuine, and relaxed. Get in touch to book your session and let me show you just how fun and beautiful it can be!

Baby’s First Year in Photos: Milestones to Capture as Your Little One Grows

I can’t tell you how excited and honored I am to capture your family’s special moments! While I love seeing your babies in my New Jersey studio for every single one of their milestones, from newborn to sitter to first birthday cake smash, I know it’s not always an option for families to have a professional photoshoot every single month. And yet—I want you to have all those memories!

So I thought I’d provide you with a quick rundown of baby’s first year, including some of the important milestones you’ll want to capture with your own camera at home. Plus, I’ve got recommendations for the best ages and stages to invest in professional portraits of your little one. Read on for what milestones to look for as your baby grows!

Milestones to Capture During Baby’s First Year

Months 1-2: Welcoming Baby

This is the stage where everything is new—for both you and baby! If you can only afford to book a professional photoshoot once during baby’s first year, make it a newborn photography session. This time of life is irreplaceable and it goes by so fast. This is your baby’s introduction to the world and to your family, and as a mom, trust me when I say that you will want beautiful, heirloom-quality images to remember this time of sweet snoozes and snuggles with your brand new bundle.

A professional photographer can help you safely achieve those cute Instagram poses, like froggy pose, womb pose, and chin-on-hands. They can also get adorable closeups with a focus on tiny details like fingers, toes, and lips. Learn more about professional newborn portraits here.

As you continue to photograph your newborn at home before and after your newborn session, I recommend focusing on the interactions between you and your little one. Catching those sweet moments when baby is asleep on dad’s chest, or one of your older kiddos sneaks in for a kiss—there is nothing better!

Months 3-5: Growing Up Fast

You won’t believe how much baby is growing already as they begin to hold up their head and start showing more interest in the world around them. At this stage, they are beginning to develop the motor skills that allow them to interact with toys and enjoy tummy time a bit more.

If you’re snapping photos at home, some fun ideas include:

·         Baby pictures with favorite toys

·         Interactions with mom, dad, or other family and friends

·         First smiles and giggles

·         Reactions to new stimuli

Months 5-8: Sitting and Crawling

Once they start being able to sit on their own and move around independently, a whole new level of adventure begins! This is another great time to get professional baby pictures with a sitter session. As parents, we often don’t realize how much our baby is changing—because it’s happening right before our eyes. You will be stunned when you compare images from your newborn and sitter sessions at how much your little one has changed already!

Whether you choose to do a sitter session at the studio or try your hand at DIY baby photos, here are some ideas for fun milestones to capture at this stage:

·         Trying new foods

·         Interactions with siblings, friends, or pets

·         Grabbing their own toes

·         Crawling and exploring

Months 8-10: Finding Their Footing

Some babies are still at the sitting and crawling stage here, while others are learning to pull themselves up on furniture and try out standing. Either way, this is another great time for professional baby portraits! Even if you don’t come into the studio at this point, remember that this is also the time to book your baby’s cake smash for their first birthday celebration. I’m so excited to get that call and start planning!

In the meantime, fun milestones to capture at home include:

·         Mealtimes

·         Pulling themselves up on furniture

·         Those first wobbly attempts to stand

·         Playtime in the bathtub (most kids are enjoying water toys at this point, making bathtime extra fun!)

Months 10-12: Approaching Toddlerhood and First Birthday!

Maybe baby is taking their first steps by now or maybe not. But it’s a guarantee that they are more active than ever and getting cuter by the day! Not to mention…almost ONE! This is a HUGE milestone that definitely deserves to be captured by a professional. My favorite way to celebrate is with a custom cake smash!

If you book a cake smash with me, we’ll get both milestone and cake smash photos before wrapping up with some of the cutest splash pics ever in my miniature tub! Every session is completely customized, so we can party with any theme you choose! Learn more here.

Even with a cake smash photoshoot, there are still plenty of exciting moments to capture at home:

·         First steps

·         All the adventures that come with first steps (once they start walking—watch out!)

·         The birthday party (of course!)

First Year Baby Photographer Serving Little Ones and Families in NJ, NY, and CT

I hope I’ll be seeing you and your little one in the studio very frequently throughout baby’s first year. But no matter how often I get to see you, I hope these milestone photo ideas ensure that you have pictures of all the best moments of your little one’s babyhood, from day one to year one. Enjoy your sweet bundle, soak up every moment, and know that I’m thinking of you and am so honored to be your baby photographer! Can’t wait to start planning your next session!

Looking Back on 2023...and Forward to 2024 with Jennifer Parrello Photography

I hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season!

This week between Christmas and New Year’s is always one for me to take a second to reflect on the past year and wonder what the future holds. 2023 has been a great year, filled with so many of my favorite things. Like…

Baby snuggles

It is such a beautiful experience to welcome new babies and their families to my New Jersey studio. Those new little lives are so precious, and I’m always honored to capture a few of those very first moments!

Cake

Birthday and cake smash sessions are my all-time favorites! If you know me, you know I’m always up for a party—and I love helping little ones celebrate that first birthday with a fun, customized cake smash all for themselves!

Pictures

As a New Jersey photographer, I can’t help but love photos. And it’s been exciting to be part of creating so many great ones this year!

And a little bit of magic

I tried something a little different for my holiday sessions this year and they all went amazing! I always feel that those magical Christmas sessions are such a good way to start wrapping up the year.

Can’t Wait to See You at the Photo Studio in 2024

And what does 2024 hold? I don’t know, but I have a feeling it’s going to be amazing! I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces in my studio and welcoming many new ones, and I hope this next year will be one of making lots of connections and memories. Most of all, I hope that YOU will be a big part of my 2024! I would love to get to know you better and help you document the best of your family’s moments. Let’s connect now, and start making memories that will last a lifetime!

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!

One of the (Little) Boys in Blue | NY/NJ Newborn Photographer

I feel like it’s been a while since I posted a session on the blog, so I thought I’d share some baby pictures from this little man’s AMAZING newborn photo session! He was seriously so good for me and such a cutie! Loved that he halfway woke up during posing. Big stretch and yawn! And then that look of deepest suspicion. :) Gah!

Mom and Dad were the sweetest couple. I really like visiting with my clients and just getting to know them when they arrive. Helps put us all at our ease and makes the whole experience better. I feel like, if you’re trusting someone to capture these important moments, it should feel just as comfortable as going to a friend’s and having a chat!

Dad is a police officer, so of course we had to incorporate that into the session. You’re always welcome to bring meaningful items from home. Little touches like this really make your photos more personal and can reflect your family’s legacy and what’s important to you.

We went with blue, brown, and gray for the baby-only pictures. With our baby and parent images, we switched to a more neutral setup. I often recommend this for the family portion of your newborn photography session. Neutrals are way easier to mix and match, so the parents don’t have to stress as much about finding complementary outfits. Plus, neutrals are classic and timeless!

Loved getting to know this sweet couple and capturing the essence of this special time as they welcome their little one!

Newborn pictures really do capture the memories and emotions of this precious time in your lives. They are also one of the few things that become even more precious and valuable as the years go on. So if you are in the New York/New Jersey area and expecting a baby, get in touch and let’s schedule a time to capture those incredible memories!

Best Newborn Photographers New Jersey

Starting your search for the best newborn photographers in New Jersey? Well hit the brakes—you’ve arrived!

In all seriousness, I can’t tell you if I’m the right baby photographer for you. That is a decision only you can make (although I’ve got some tips to help you here). But I can tell you that I live and breathe newborn photography, and I give 100% to each family who comes to my studio.

I don’t want to brag, but…ask any of my past clients and they will tell you that they loved their experience with me. (Which sends me over the moon every time!) There’s nothing mysterious about my approach though. If I had to boil it down, I’d say it comes down to a combination of passion, experience, and connection.

Passion

Have I mentioned that I LOVE babies? And not just babies—the whole family! Everyone who comes to me comments not just on my baby whispering skills, but on how comfortable they felt in the studio. I love meeting new people and getting to know them. It’s an honor to document these special memories for you. I truly view you as family, and I’ve created a comfy studio space where you can feel like you’re just hanging out at home, talking to a good friend.

Experience

I’ve been doing this for years (which is something you should always take into consideration when hiring a newborn photographer!) But I’m not just talking about the training and experience under my belt. I’m talking about your session experience. I want it to be AMAZING!

As a parent myself, I know that the most amazing thing is simply having everything taken care of for you. Which is why I provide everything you need. You literally just need to show up and relax. I have a beautiful sitting area with a coffee bar so you can chill…but honestly, most of my clients just come hang out with me in the shooting area because by that time we’ve gotten to chit-chatting about all kinds of fun things and we don’t want to stop!

Connection

My very favorite thing? When families come back to me again and again to capture special milestones. Because once we’ve had a session together, we are family! I want to watch your babies grow, chat with you about life, and be there for all the special memories. In a busy world like this, there is no replacement for slowing down, taking time to connect, and embracing the beauty of your life.

Best Newborn Photographers NJ

If you think the best New Jersey newborn photographers are the ones who combine artistry and professionalism with a healthy dose of fun, then we’re obviously soulmates and I’m so glad we found each other! Contact me here and let’s create some memories.

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!

Meet Your Photographer: New Jersey Newborn and Baby Photographer

Hey there! I’m Jennifer Parrello, the face behind the camera here at Jennifer Parrello Photography. Yes, I know you’ve got the About page where you can get to know me a bit, but I wanted to jump on and introduce myself on the blog as well so you can learn a little more if you want to!

It’s super important to me that you know who I am and feel comfortable with me. Why? Because when you book a session with me you instantly become family in my eyes! I am capturing memories for you that will last generations, and I want us to connect and get to know each other! So, here goes!

About Jennifer Parrello

One of the reasons I decided to become a New Jersey photographer is because family is everything to me! I’ve been married for almost fourteen years. My husband and I now have three amazing kiddos…and a dog! My family are my favorite people to hang out with and I feel so lucky every day to share my life with them.

As far as personality goes, I am super outgoing and energetic and very much a people pleaser. I love making people happy and I’m never more satisfied than when I know I’ve made someone else’s day!

Aside from family and photography, a couple of my other passions are:

Softball! I played in college and continue to play in a women’s league now, and I also coach my oldest kiddo’s travel softball team. I love the camaraderie, the energy, and just the good clean fun of being part of a sports team.

Video games! I’ve been playing competitively since the late 90’s, so…yeah. If you’re into video games, we’re going to have a lot to talk about!

About Jennifer Parrello Photography

And now…to the business! Every photographer starts somewhere. For me, the journey began in 1999 when I took a photography class in high school. Photography looked a little different back then, let me tell you! I learned how to develop film in a dark room and that is where my love of photography began. I continued to photograph through the years because I enjoyed it, but it was always just a hobby.

It wasn’t until my oldest was born eleven years ago that I got more serious about photography. As a mom I found myself picking up the camera more and more because I now had an adorable model! Finally, I realized I could combine my love of kiddos and my love of pictures. I took the plunge, quit my job (teaching), and started my photography business full-time. One of the biggest and scariest decisions of my life, but also one of the best and most exciting! I have never looked back!

Let’s Get to Know Each Other

I absolutely love being a New Jersey photographer. As a mom of three myself, I can relate on so many different levels with my families. And I love kids! I know how much you want to hang on to not just the memories of your child, but the very essence of who they are right now. And that is what I’m here for!

I truly cannot wait to get to know you and to help you preserve these memories for yourself and your family. Are you excited yet? ‘Cause I am!

Photo by Twig & Olive Photography

Newborn Photography: The Best Baby Shower Gift

Trying to find the right gift for an expecting mother can be tough. Baby clothes? Fun to shop for, but outgrown in the blink of an eye. Diapers? Practical, but a little boring. Nursery furniture? Um…what was their color scheme, again? Don’t worry, there’s no need to keep searching. I’ve got the perfect present for every mom right here. Gifting a newborn photoshoot is easy for the giver—and thrilling for the recipient! Learn more about why newborn photography makes the best baby shower gift!

Meaningful

While stuffed animals are cute and a diaper bag is super practical, nothing is as meaningful as memories. To have beautiful photos of their new little one—memories they can hold onto as their little one grows—is truly the best gift any new parent can receive!

Lasting

Newborn clothes are adorable…but baby will outgrow them in a matter of weeks. Newborn photos, on the other hand, are a gift will stand the test of time! Parents won’t believe how fast that little bundle grows up. But with professional newborn photography, they will have all the details of those precious first days to treasure forever.

Surprise!

One of the things that makes newborn photography the best baby shower gift is that it’s almost always a surprise. (I love surprises!) Professional newborn photos are something every new parent would love, but that few would think of adding to their registry. If you love gifting the unique and unexpected, then newborn photography is the best baby shower gift!

How to Gift a Newborn Photoshoot

If you’d like to gift a newborn photography session, please get in touch! I offer gift certificates that can be purchased in any amount and put towards the cost of a session, so if multiple people want to get in on the fun, we can absolutely do that! Just give me a call or contact me here and we’ll go over all the details.