Holiday Minis: Magical Moments from Christmas 2024

I did two rounds of holiday minis in my New Jersey studio this year—and they were both SO much fun! I’ve already given you a peek into my first round (with a cozy Christmas living room setup), but now it’s time for a few more magical moments, this time from my Santa sessions!

Santa sessions are always a HUGE hit with my families and their kiddos. Who doesn’t love to spend some time with Father Christmas?

I think this year was my favorite so far for Santa sessions. (And yes, I do say that every year. They just keep getting better and better!) Seeing the excitement and wonder on the faces of those littles as they talk with Santa Claus or find their names on his list (the Nice list, of course!) is just the best. I couldn’t ask for a better way to kick off the holiday season.

And of course, these holiday minis make the best greeting cards and gifts for grandparents. (Can you just picture an ornament made from a photo like this every year?) This is one reason I hold my holiday sessions early (usually in October and November). I want you to have plenty of time to use these pictures as part of your celebration.

If you missed the fun this year, be sure to subscribe to my email list to be the first to know when I open my schedule for holiday bookings in 2025! (There’s a spot to sign up at the bottom of my home page). I am already so excited for Santa sessions next fall. Not even kidding. It’s my favorite day of the whole year!

Hoping I’ll see you in the studio in 2025! (Get in touch here to schedule your newborn, cake smash, or family session—I’m already booking up fast!) In the meantime, just know that I’m wishing you and your family the best and happiest Christmas season and lots of magical moments this December!

Photo Ideas for Baby's First Christmas

As a New Jersey/New York photographer I love helping families get ready for the holidays with my own special brand of Christmas magic. But if it’s baby’s first Christmas, there are probably lots of pictures you’re going to want to capture at home too! Here are a few fun and festive photo ideas for baby’s first Christmas to give you some inspiration as you celebrate this extra special season together!

Just a little note: Many of the cute Christmas poses you see online are composite images or photos created by professionals. Don’t try to recreate these kinds of photos at home! They require safety training and special software to edit out behind-the-scenes details (like an assistant’s hands securely holding baby). Be sure that baby is safe and secure at all times as you capture their first Christmas. If you’re not sure about a pose, don’t do it. Schedule a session with a professional baby photographer instead, so you can get exactly the pictures you want while knowing your little one is in safe hands.

Newborn in a Stocking

This pose is perfect if you have a December baby who is still just itty-bitty by the time Christmas rolls around. Choose an oversized stocking at the store (be sure it doesn’t have any loose strings inside that baby’s little feet could get tangled in) and use it like a sleeping bag. Just tuck your little one inside for an adorable festive picture!

Baby Wearing a Santa Hat

Santa hats are sold in all the sizes, so no matter what your baby’s age you should be able to find one that’s just right! I think the extra long ones are SO cute! Another option is a cute headband with reindeer horns or something equally fun and festive!

Sweet Bundle Under the Christmas Tree

You’ll definitely want to snap a picture of your little one under the Christmas tree! Babies who are old enough to sit independently can sit underneath all those pretty lights, while those who are younger can be swaddled and tucked in amongst the presents. That little bundle is the best thing under the tree!

Little One Wearing Christmas Pajamas

Does your little one have festive PJs? A holiday onesie or pajamas can make such a cute baby’s first Christmas picture, especially if you can do it against a backdrop of twinkly lights or maybe a decorative Christmas blanket.

Include the Family

Don’t forget to get some pictures of baby’s first Christmas that include the rest of the family. Whether it’s mom or dad holding baby near the fireplace, all the siblings snuggling together by the tree, or using baby’s first Christmas ornaments (you’re sure to get a few as gifts!) as props to surround the sleeping little one, it’s always so special to showcase those family connections in your holiday pictures.

I hope these photo ideas for baby’s first Christmas give you a great place to start! I’m sure you’ll have fantastic ideas of your own too, so be sure to keep your camera handy. You’ll have so many fun and beautiful memories of this very first Christmas with your little one!

Remember, the memories don’t stop once the holidays end! Contact me to book a session for your baby or family in 2025. Can’t wait to see you in the studio next year!

Holiday Mini Sessions in New Jersey '24

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! I know, I know, we just barely did Thanksgiving! But as a photographer I always get a very early start on the holidays, usually doing my holiday mini sessions in October and early November.

This year’s first round of holiday mini sessions happened over a busy October weekend. I had so many families come through the studio. I loved seeing everyone and our sessions were amazing! (Next round will be Santa sessions, which are always a huge hit. Can’t wait!)

I change up my background setup a bit every year. A lot of my families have made photo sessions at Jennifer Parrello Photography an annual tradition and use their images in their holiday greeting cards and newsletters, so I like to make sure they have a new look to share each time. This year I had a traditional cozy Christmas setup, complete with trees, fun toys, and Santa’s bag of presents!

All the kids had so much fun creating some festive magic and they were all smiles and giggles. None of my little clients leave a holiday session empty-handed either. They loved the special reindeer food I sent home with them to sprinkle on their lawn and help guide Santa’s reindeer to their house on Christmas Eve!

The weekend was nonstop—not only did I have a ton of families coming through my doors for these short and sweet seasonal sessions, but I also got all of the editing done too. I know how much these memories mean to people and that they want to share them immediately, so I pride myself on lightning fast turnaround time. All of my families had their final galleries back to them within 72 hours. Now that’s what I call some Christmas magic!

If you missed the fun this year, be sure to subscribe to my email list to be the first to know when I open my schedule for holiday bookings in 2025! (There’s a spot to sign up at the bottom of my home page).

Hope to see you next year! In the meantime, I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy this special time together!

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!

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!

Ways to Give Photos as Gifts

The holidays are coming up, and you know what that means. Lots of holiday shopping!

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes struggle to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Especially those people who don’t really need or want anything—and yet I still want to express my love and appreciation in some way.

For just about every situation, I’ve found that photos can be the perfect answer! Here are some ways to give photos as gifts that will work for just about everyone.

Artwork

There are so many gorgeous ways to display your photos. From framed prints and canvases to photo blocks and albums, creating a piece of art composed of special pictures is a gift anyone would treasure. This can be a single piece of wall art, perhaps for a grandparent, or an album focused around a theme like a relationship (you and your child, for instance) or event (like a family vacation).

Custom Photo Gifts

If your recipient’s tastes run more to the fun and whimsical, maybe a custom photo gift would make their day! There are a plethora of options for using your photos to create customized mugs, blankets, pillows, keychains, calendars, puzzles, coasters, etc. The list is almost endless!

Prints

And there’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple. Personally, I would be thrilled with a thoughtfully chosen selection of favorite prints that had special memories for both giver and recipient. A few ideas:

• Write a message on the back of each print expressing your love or a fond memory, then tie it all up with a pretty ribbon.

• Include a gift card to a favorite restaurant or other location and set a date to make some more memories there together.

• Give them a small, blank photo album along with the images so they can start their own photo collection.

• Buy a frame and include a selection of prints that they can rotate throughout the year: One frame, lots of possibilities!

• Include a length of twine and some cute clothespins so they can brighten up a spot in their home with some fun pictures.

I hope these ideas for ways to give photos as gifts provide some inspiration as you get ready for the holidays!

And one more, just as a bonus: Professional photos make an incredible gift that will be cherished for years! If you’d like to gift a special someone a photo session (or treat yourself!) I hope you’ll be in touch. I would love to help you give one of the most meaningful gifts they will ever receive: a professional photo session just for them!

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!

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.