Holiday Photo Sessions 2023: Peek into This Year's Christmas Magic in New Jersey!

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? For me, the holidays always start extra early, because as a New Jersey photographer it’s my job to make sure that Christmas photo magic happens in time for holiday cards and gifts! This year was no different. My photography studio turned into a cozy nook for Santa and friends for a few days in October and November, and I’m so excited to share some of the photos with you!

I did a couple of different sets this year. One was full of dark wood tones, reds, and greens, and the other was an elegant white set that made for a bright, but still cozy and magical, look. They both turned out so beautiful!

Santa Sessions

And of course, no season of holiday photos is complete without some Santa sessions! Santa was insanely awesome (he always is) and the kiddos absolutely loved spending some one-on-one time with him, reading stories and taking a peek inside his bag.

It was so fun to have some of my favorite faces back in the studio for these holiday pictures! I love that this has become an annual tradition for many of my clients, and one that they look forward to just as much as I do!

Join Us Next Time for Our Magical New Jersey Holiday Photos

These Christmas photo sessions in New Jersey are pure magic, and the perfect way to get ready for the holidays! These holiday portraits have become my most popular seasonal offering, and if you want to be in on the festivities you have to move fast! I usually announce these sessions in the summer, so be sure to subscribe to my email list to be the first to know. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the blog and my Facebook and/or Instagram pages for all the fun sneak peeks as well!

I so hope I’ll be seeing you in the studio for some Christmas magic next year! In the meantime, if there are other memories I can capture for you in 2024, I hope I’ll be hearing from you very soon. I can’t wait for your session!

Holiday Photos 2023: Book Your Christmas Mini Session!

I know you haven’t even started figuring out Halloween costumes for the kids yet, but guess what? It’s already time to book your holiday photos for 2023! Photographers start thinking about Christmas way ahead of anybody else (we’re talking even before the retail stores), because we want you to have your pictures in time for the actual holidays!

I’m offering THREE different types of Christmas Mini Sessions this year, so no matter what your style, there is something for everybody.

Santa Mini Sessions

I’m already sold out of Santa sessions! I love getting an early visit from Father Christmas each year! These are always a huge hit with the kiddos, and I’m so excited to capture this extra special Christmas magic on November 12th.

Formal Holiday Mini Sessions

I have just a few spots left for my formal holiday mini sessions. Usually I go for the very cozy look and create a set with traditional Christmas colors of reds and greens. I will be offering that again this year (on Sunday, October 22nd), but I decided to branch out and also offer a more light-and-bright version featuring whites and golds. (Family formals using this set will be held on Sunday, October 15th). As I mentioned, these are going really fast, so this is your reminder to choose your session and reserve a time soon!

New Jersey/New York Holiday Photos

I absolutely LOVE doing these festive mini sessions! They are a highlight of the year for me, and have become a family tradition for many of my clients. They really are such a great way to get in the mood in the run-up to Christmas, and these pictures make the best holiday cards and gifts for friends and family! Hope I’ll be seeing you in the studio so we can celebrate the season together!

When to Book Your Photo Session

If you’re coming up on one of those exciting life events, like expecting a baby or getting ready to celebrate your little one’s first birthday, you’re probably wondering when to book your photo session. My shooting schedule fills up very quickly, so I want to make sure you know the best times to book so you can plan ahead and not have to deal with the stress and disappointment of not being able to find a photographer who can accommodate you!

While some sessions aren’t super time-sensitive, there are a few (like newborn, maternity, cake smash, and holiday pictures) that have a limited window for perfect photos. Let’s take a quick look at each of them:

When to Book Your Newborn Session

Babies only stay little for so long. My favorite time to capture newborn photos is when they’re between 7 and 21 days old. I’ve taken photos of babies as old as 6 weeks, but I don’t necessarily consider those to be newborn pictures. If you don’t get baby in before they’re 4 weeks old, it makes it a lot more difficult (and sometimes impossible) to get certain poses. Plus, baby probably won’t be as sleepy and cooperative!

Because you really do want to have newborn pictures taken right away (and because I only take a limited number of newborns each month) I recommend booking your session at least 3-4 months before your due date.

When to Book Your Maternity Session

If you’re pregnant, the best time to capture images of that beautiful bump is right around the 30-35 week mark. We want your belly to be nice and big, and for you to still be comfortable enough to enjoy your photoshoot. And we don’t want to get too close to the due date because babies sometimes decide they’re ready NOW!

With these considerations in mind, I recommend booking your session about 2-3 months before that ideal 30-35 week window.

When to Book Your Cake Smash Session

Another type of session you’ll want to book early is a cake smash! Honestly, the earlier the better with this one, because I create your custom set completely from scratch and it takes at least 6-8 weeks to create your unique setup. I also like to photograph baby about 3-4 weeks prior to their first birthday. So, once your baby gets to be about 6 months old, hop on the phone and let’s start planning their milestone celebration!

What About Holidays?

I usually hold my holiday sessions in October and November so you can have pictures in time for Christmas cards and gifts. But you’ll want to be thinking about scheduling your session well before then! I announce my holiday sessions in July and they sell out FAST! If you haven’t done it already, be sure you get in touch for one of my magical holiday sessions later this year.

I hope this information helps you in planning your photoshoot. If you have any questions, get in touch sooner rather than later! I want to capture those beautiful memories and can’t wait to reserve a spot for you on my calendar!

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!

Santa Sessions in New Jersey

Gah! You guys, holiday mini sessions this year were SO GOOD! Can’t even tell you. I offered three types of sessions this year: formal, pajama, and Santa sessions. I loved them all, but I gotta say: the Santa Sessions were my favorite! It was just pure magic watching the joy on those kiddos’ faces as they got to meet the big man himself. Yeah, I cried. Four times. And you know what? I wasn’t the only one! So many moms and dads had tears in their eyes because of how magical it was and how much their kids LOVED spending quality one-on-one time with Santa Claus.

Seriously, if I ever need a reminder that I have the best job in the world (or need to get in the holiday spirit) all I have to do is schedule a Santa date. They are proof that magic really does exist!

Holiday minis this year were in such high demand that I ended up opening another date on my calendar just to accommodate everyone. It was such a pleasure to have so many wonderful families come through my New Jersey studio for a holiday photo experience. Was it a bit of a whirlwind for me? Yes, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world! As I edited, it made me so happy to think of the joy these pictures were going to bring as gifts and Christmas cards!

Pssst! Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Don’t miss next year’s magical Santa sessions (coming November 12th)! I’ll be releasing the link for time slots in July so be on the lookout for that! If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram you’ll see an announcement there, but folks on my email list are always the first to know. Santa sessions book up FAST, so be sure to subscribe for that and other special offers and announcements! I’m already excited to make some more magic in 2023!

Holiday Mini Photo Sessions 2022 | New Jersey Christmas Card Photographer

Whoa—where the heck did summer go? I can’t believe it’s already September! And you know what that means: Time to book your holiday photo session! I know—it sneaks up on folks every year. And while my holiday mini sessions will be happening in a month or so, spots are filling up fast, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. So the time to book is NOW!

This year I’m excited to offer three different types of holiday photoshoots so families can choose their favorite style for holiday cards and gifts. I know this time of year gets very busy for everyone, which is why my mini sessions are streamlined to be as fun and efficient as possible! Each shoot is just 15 minutes, so you can get back to gift shopping and decorating in no time. And you’ll end up with your 5 favorite images to use in personalized greeting cards or as special holiday gifts for the family. Phew! One big item off your list, just like that!

Santa Christmas Photo Session

Image copyright Santa Jersey Joe (TM)

Santa Claus is comin’ to town! Not just that—he’s coming to my West Milford, NJ photography studio for some magical pictures with you and your little ones on November 13th. There are only a few spots left, so don’t miss your chance to spend some quality time with Santa before he’s back to the North Pole to prep for Christmas!

Pajama Holiday Photo Session

There’s nothing that says home for the holidays like some comfy cozy PJ’s and bouncing on the bed! If you’re looking for some extra cute pictures that capture all the excitement and wonder of Christmas Eve, then a pajama photography session will be perfect for you! Join me for all the cozy feels on October 16th.

Formal Holiday Photo Session

Looking for something a bit more fancy? My formal holiday mini photo sessions are your chance to get all dressed up in those festive holiday clothes and create beautiful portraits with an old-fashioned Christmas vibe. I’ll be waiting by the fireplace on October 23rd to help you get in the spirit of the holiday season!

Can’t wait to see you all in the studio for some festive cheer as we kick off the 2022 holiday season in style! Happy Holidays!

New Jersey Holiday Photo Sessions | Now Booking Merry Minis

Can you believe it’s that time already? I know, I know, it’s still hot and humid at the moment, but before you know it there’s going to be a nip in the air and it will be time for cookie swaps, gift exchanges, and holiday get-togethers. Tons to think about, but don’t forget to add a Merry Mini holiday photo session to that list that you’re checking twice!

As you’ve probably figured out—given that I’m booking for these in August—my New Jersey holiday photo sessions fill up fast! These are super popular as they provide the perfect option for holiday cards and newsletters. I’ll be doing these sessions in October and November to give clients time to get their greeting cards and invites sent out in time for the holidays. And, honestly, I just can’t wait much longer than that! These holiday photo sessions are so much fun and I always have such a great time with my clients, helping them get ready to celebrate!

Holiday Mini Photo Sessions from New Jersey’s most loved newborn and child photographer.

For me, holidays are all about family, friends, and connection—and what better way to connect with the people we love than with photos? Whether you decide to go with a fun PJ session or a more formal session in fancy holiday outfits, I can guarantee magical pictures that are perfect for the season.

Sounds like something for you? Please feel free to contact me for more information. You can also find a quick guide here. After reading, just scroll to the bottom of the page to book your holiday photo session—PJ or formal! I can’t wait to see you in my West Milford, NJ photography studio. Let’s make this year the merriest and brightest one yet!

New Jersey and New York Photographer

Jennifer Parrello Photography is one of New Jersey’s most loved newborn and child photographers. She is proud to provide outstanding portraiture to families through New Jersey and New York, including Bergen and Passaic Counties, Paramus, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Tenafly, Fortlee, Hackensack, New York City, Long Island, Orange County, Edgewater, Rockaway, Weehawken, Jersey City, Rutherford, Clifton, Wayne, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Ringwood, and Oakland.