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!

exterior shot of newborn photography studio window in Northern New Jersey

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!

interior shot of new photography studio under remodeling in New Jersey
New Jersey newborn photography studio undergoing remodel

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.

newborn photo props on shelf in NJ studio

And now—drumroll, please—after!

brick building with newborn photos displayed in window in West Milford New Jersey

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.

interior of newborn photography studio in Northern New Jersey with lights and equipment

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.

cozy parent sitting area in newborn photo studio NJ

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!

5 Things to Bring to a Newborn Photo Session

There are so many adjustments as a new parent! One that you don’t always hear about? Remembering to pack that diaper bag with everything you’ll need! Don’t worry, you’ll get to the point where it will be a breeze, but usually your newborn photo session takes place in the first couple weeks of baby’s life—when you’re still getting used to being a parent. It’s okay, I’m here for you! Here are 5 things to bring to a newborn photo session that will make your session easy and relaxing.

5 things to bring to your newborn photo session, baby boy sleeping on white background

Wipes and diapers. I know, seems obvious. But I have had instances where clients have forgotten this crucial duo. A fresh clean diaper makes for a happy baby, so be sure you have some extras packed for your session.

A pacifier. Even if you don’t normally use one, a pacifier can be really helpful if baby needs a distraction or a little something extra to settle down. I only use them for a few seconds at a time (if baby needs it), and I definitely recommend that this is one of the 5 things you should bring to your newborn photo session.

A receiving blanket or two. I like to use these to cover the baby during certain poses to help keep them cozy. Although I have blankets at my New Jersey photo studio, it’s nice for baby to smell the familiar scents of home on their very own blankie.

closeup of baby feet at New Jersey newborn photo studio, what to bring to your newborn photo session

Extra bottles of milk. I’ll have you feed your little one right before you come, but sometimes baby needs a little top off during the session. An extra bottle of milk, whether formula or breast milk, can be just the ticket for soothing a fussy baby and getting them back to sleep.

Something to do. This is for you! Bring a book, tablet, coloring stuff—whatever fun thing you haven’t had time to do since bringing baby home. This is on my list of 5 things to bring to a newborn photo session because your baby’s session is time for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy some “me time.” You really don’t have to worry about a thing while you’re at the studio. I’ll take care of all of it!

Can’t wait to see you and your little one in my New Jersey newborn photo studio sometime soon! If you’re ready to book your session or would like more information you can fill out the contact form here and I’ll be in touch shortly.

 

5 Cake Smash Photography Ideas for Baby Girls

5 Cake Smash Photography Ideas for Baby Girls

Creating customized cake smash setups is one of my favorite things to do as a baby photographer! I love gathering ideas and materials and seeing it all come together! In this post I’ll be sharing 5 cake smash photography ideas for baby girls, just to get you started. (If you’re planning a celebration for a boy, be sure to check out my previous post for ideas just right for the little man.)

Baby girl in princess crown, Northern NJ cake smash photographer

Princess

Every baby girl is a princess to her parents—so why not play up the theme for her birthday celebration? A pretty dress and a sparkly crown are the perfect ensemble!

5 cake smash photography ideas for baby girls

Bowers of Flowers

Flowers are always a sure bet for baby girls! I have tons of fun bouquets and garlands in my Northern NJ photo studio for you to choose from. So just let me know if you have favorite colors or flower varieties and we’ll put together a gorgeous indoor flower bower just for the birthday girl!

Cake smash for baby girl with lemonade stand theme

Lemonade Stand

A super fun option for summer is to go with a lemonade stand theme. I love the bright colors and fun flair! And of course, if your daughter isn’t a summer baby, there are plenty of other great seasonal themes we can brainstorm. (Watermelon could be another summer cake smash photography idea, a harvest theme for fall, butterflies in the springtime, winter wonderland…the possibilities are endless!)

Cake smash ideas, Alice in Wonderland 1st birthday cake smash New Jersey

Wonderland

Speaking of wonderland, what do you think of this adorable Alice in Wonderland first birthday cake smash? Too cute, am I right? I had a blast setting this one up!

Outdoor cake smash photography baby girl NJ

Garden Party

Depending on the weather, another fantastic option is to do your baby girl’s cake smash outside. Yes, it means I miss out on the fun of creating the perfect studio setup, but I can still bring some fun props, and the birds and squirrels take care of most of the cleanup. ;)

Hopefully these 5 cake smash photography ideas for baby girls have given you a starting point as you plan for baby’s first birthday. But don’t limit yourself to these. Let your imagination run wild, and when you settle on one you love, get in touch so I can make it happen!

5 Cake Smash Photography Ideas for Baby Boys

Did you know that one of my favorite parts of being a cake smash photographer is setting up the studio for the main event? It’s true! I absolutely love customizing each and every session for my clients. So please feel free to bring your ideas! However, you may find that you’re drawing a blank—and that’s okay too. If you need a little inspiration, here are 5 cake smash photography ideas for baby boys. (Stay tuned for 5 more cake smash theme ideas—next time for baby girls!)

5 cake smash photography ideas for baby boys, baby with ocean setup

Set Sail

You can’t go wrong with a nautical theme for a baby boy. Maybe it’s because they look so freakin’ cute in a sailor suit!

Wild One firt birthday cake smash, New Jersey cake smash photographer

Go Wild!

We all know boys are a little wild—that’s one of the reasons we love ‘em! A jungle theme or even something more specific, like this Wild One cake smash—is the perfect way to celebrate baby boy’s first birthday.

Baby boy NJ studio cake smash with racecar backdrop

On the Right Track

Boys are fascinated by things that go. Usually the faster the better! So why not a racecar theme for a truly winning cake smash photography session?

Baby boy cake smash travel and adventure theme

Next Stop: Adventure!

I’ve never met a boy who didn’t love airplanes. And it starts young! Bring out your little guy’s sense of adventure with an aviation-themed cake smash.

New Jersey one year cake smash photographer, baby boy with cake and farmyard background

Farmyard Fun

Mud pies, anyone? It doesn’t get much cuter than a tiny farmer in overalls (or suspenders and a cow print bow tie!) partying it up with all his barnyard friends.

If you weren’t sure where to start with planning your little one’s first birthday photos, I hope these 5 cake smash photography ideas for baby boys has given you some direction! I’m always creating fun new setups for all ages, so be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram so you catch all the great photo inspiration!

When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session

If you’re expecting, let me be one of the first to congratulate you! And I really do mean one of the first—if you’re wondering when to book your newborn photography session, the answer is “now!” regardless of where you’re at in your pregnancy. A lot of times, your newborn photographer will know you’re getting ready to welcome a little one before family and friends do!

when to book your newborn photography session

Why Book Your Newborn Photography Session So Early?

There are a couple of reasons it’s important to get your professional baby pictures scheduled as early as possible.

First, New Jersey newborn photographers book up fast! Sessions take time—not just in terms of the photo shoot itself, but also in sanitizing the studio, setting up before and cleaning up afterwards, and editing all of your photos to perfection. So most photographers limit the number of sessions they’ll do each month to give themselves time to give each client the detailed attention they deserve.

NJ newborn photo studio, photo collage of baby girl

The second reason you should know when to book your newborn photography session is that we’ll want to get baby into the studio very soon after birth—usually within a couple of weeks. The best newborn pictures are so much easier to get when baby is still sleeping a lot and is also flexible enough for all those cute poses you see on Instagram.

Best New Jersey newborn photographers

If you’re worried about baby not arriving exactly on the due date, don’t be. As both a mom and a newborn photographer, I know better than anyone that babies live by their own schedules! I always allow wiggle room so we can adjust your little one’s session date as needed.

newborn baby girl on pink backdrop with floral headband

Didn’t jump on the baby picture bandwagon early enough? Reach out anyway! While I encourage booking early, I’m always happy to accommodate last-minute appointments whenever my schedule allows. Hope to see you and your baby in my New Jersey newborn photo studio soon!

NJ Newborn Photography ~ Sweet Baby Boy

Loved photographing this precious baby boy over the summer at my West Milford NJ newborn photography studio! I hope you enjoy peeking at this small collection of his photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Sleepy Baby

This little guy was such a sweetie! He was very sleepy—and as a newborn photographer, that’s exactly what I want! It’s one of the reasons I encourage people to book their sessions early so they can bring baby in sometime during the first couple weeks after birth. This is the time when these little ones are easiest to photograph since they’re usually sleepy and cooperative, as well as flexible for those cute newborn poses. This little man did a great job and slept through almost the entire session. But he did wake up long enough for us to get a shot of those gorgeous eyes!

Another thing I loved about this baby boy was his hair. So much of it! And such a beautiful dark color. We didn’t do a lot of hats with him because we wanted to show it off!

NJ Newborn Photography, studio photos of baby boy

I had such a great time with this family and their newest addition. It’s always a pleasure to meet these sweet little ones and capture memories of those first days of life. There’s truly nothing like the wonder and love you feel as you hold your newborn in your arms, and I love helping people hold on to that forever through NJ newborn photography.

Newborn Photographer in New Jersey

If you’re looking for professional newborn photography in New Jersey, I hope you’ll be in touch! Feel free to scroll through the newborn gallery for more examples, or follow me on Facebook to get a better idea of my style. I’d love to welcome you and your family to the studio!

What to Wear for Your Photography Session

What to wear for your photography session? As a New Jersey photographer, this is something I get asked a lot! I’ll start off by saying that outfits are mostly a matter of personal preference. Remember, taking pictures is about capturing memories of your family—and you’re unique! So as you’re thinking about what to wear, think about what you’re comfortable in and what styles and colors reflect your family’s personality.

That said, here are a few tips to keep in mind that will help you love both your photography experience and your pictures.

what to wear for your photography session, husband and wife in a field

Make Sure You’re Comfortable in What You Wear

My goal is to make your photoshoot a memorable experience. And I want you to remember that it was so much fun, not that your shoes were too tight! Choose clothes you like, that feel comfortable, and that are easy to move and pose in.

Take Location into Consideration

Photos or no photos, it never hurts to dress in layers! This is especially important if your photography session is going to take place outdoors. Keep an eye on the weather and wear clothing that will work with whatever Mother Nature decides to do. And think about the vibe you want. An elegant, flowing dress and leggings, boots, and a sweater both work beautifully for an outdoor autumn photoshoot—it just depends on the style you’re going for.

Focus on Coordination Instead of Matching

If you’re doing a family photography session, it can be tempting to dress everybody in matching outfits. While you absolutely can do this, it isn’t necessary to wear the same thing—or even the same color—for everyone to look good. Think of coordinating multiple outfits in a similar way to coordinating a single outfit. Choose complementary colors and patterns rather than a monotone look for the best results.

Sisters, NJ outdoor photography

I hope these ideas on what to wear for your photography session help! If you need more ideas or have any other questions, feel free to reach out—that’s what I’m here for!

Northern NJ Cake Smash Studio ~ King of Rap

It was so fun to see this family again—this time in my Northern NJ cake smash studio! I photographed them for a holiday session earlier in the year, so it was wonderful to welcome them back for another special occasion. For this session, the big event was their little one’s first birthday, and we went all out to celebrate!

Customized Cake Smash Sessions

I love seeing the different themes clients choose for their kiddos’ one year photo shoots. Customizing sessions—collecting ideas, gathering the perfect props, designing the setup—is one of my absolute favorite things, and one of the things that sets me apart as a baby and child photographer. If you have an idea, I want to make it happen!

NJ-Cake-Smash-Photographer-1.jpg

Biggie Smalls Party

These parents decided on a Biggie Smalls theme for their little guy’s first birthday cake smash, which was awesome! I had so much fun getting my Northern NJ cake smash studio ready with gold chain balloons, a “King of Rap” backdrop, and a mic—All the essentials! Little man wore the cutest (sorry, coolest) outfit, complete with bling, and definitely kept us all entertained with his big toothy smile and the enthusiastic way he dug into his cake.

And That’s a Rap!

As I usually do (for reasons of both cuteness and practicality) we finished up the party with bath time so we could get our little rapper squeaky clean after his performance. He did a great job for me and I love the fun, creative images we were able to get as we celebrated baby’s first year!

I’d love to get my Northern NJ cake smash studio all ready for your little one. Just tell me what you’re thinking and let’s get this party started!

NJ New Baby Photography

It was great to see this beautiful family again—this time for some NJ new baby photography! I photographed big sister’s one year cake smash session a few years ago (she’s gotten so big!) and have also been their family photographer for all their holiday photo sessions. I’m already booking those again this year, by the way, so be sure to get on the schedule before it fills up!

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Two Beauties

This newborn girl had so much amazing dark hair. I absolutely loved it! We did lots of pinks and creams for her colors, and the contrast with that gorgeous brown hair was picture perfect! What a gorgeous little gal. We also made sure to get some new baby and sibling photos with big sister. It’s always so fun to see my little clients back in my New Jersey photography studio when they’re not so little anymore. I love seeing how much they’ve grown and getting to know their personalities. Big sister was the best helper and clearly very proud of “her” new baby. I think these two sisters are going to look a lot alike, don’t you?

Outfit Fun

We kept most of this NJ new baby photography session pretty girly, but it never hurts to throw some variety in there too. In this case, the family are Star Wars fans (who isn’t!) and so we decided to do something fun to incorporate that. Don’t you love that little crocheted light saber and Jedi outfit? Cutest Padawan learner ever!

Baby girl was so good for me. She slept like a dream and really was just an angel throughout the entire session. I love every single one of my sessions as a professional newborn photographer, but when they’re super easy like this it’s even better! Loved spending some time with this sweet family and I hope I’ll see them again in the studio before too long!

Cake Smash Photo Session | West Milford, New Jersey

Another great cake smash photo session in my West Milford, New Jersey photography studio! I love doing these! There’s just no better way to celebrate baby’s first birthday than with professional pictures—and creating a special photoshoot for their special day is one of the highlights of my job as a New Jersey baby photographer.

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This little man was such a cutie! He had great expressions, and I loved capturing every single one of them for the camera. We wanted tons of balloons for these cake smash pictures, and he absolutely LOVED those balloons—and really everything about his session! I was glad he had so much fun. That’s what it’s all about!

New-Jersey-Cake-Smash-Photographer-2.jpg

I enjoy customizing my sessions, and always work closely with my clients to determine what it is they want. I had worked with this family before (for a holiday session) and I was delighted to have them back in the studio. Mom had this vision in her mind for her little guy’s one year birthday pictures, so I went all out to make it come to life! It really is my pleasure to make every session special.

Like I said, this little guy was a huge fan of balloons! He also loved the cake—and the splash! One of the things I love about being a children’s photographer is how genuine kiddos are and how they just embrace the emotions of each moment. It was so fun to spend a bit of time with this birthday boy and create images of this first birthday celebration that he and his family can treasure for years to come.

NJ Cake Smash Photographer

If you’re thinking of booking a cake smash photo session for your own little one, I hope you’ll get in touch with me! It’s my honor to provide some of the best cake smash photography in New Jersey, and I would love to create an amazing milestone photo experience for your baby!

Best New Jersey Newborn Photography

This was the best New Jersey newborn photography session! We had so much fun together! This was my first time meeting this sweet family, and I fell in love with them immediately. Just the nicest, most amazing people—and with the cutest little boy ever! He was so adorable, and slept like a dream for me.

Best New Jersey newborn photography, Photo collage of baby boy in studio with parents

Best New Jersey newborn photography, Photo collage of baby boy in studio with parents

Stars Wars

As I’m sure you can tell from the pictures, this mom and dad (and Grandpa too!) were big Stars Wars fans. We included “Baby Yoda” in their session and they even brought a Star Wars quilt too. I love the personal touch, which is why every one of my newborn photo shoots is different from the next. Each one is fully customized so it reflects the personalities and tastes of my clients. And while I have lots of props and fun stuff in my West Milford NJ photography studio, parents are always welcome to bring special items from home to make their photos even more unique and individual.

Of course, it wasn’t all Star Wars. We also made sure to get some more classic baby shots that will make beautiful home décor, gifts, or memories for an album. Deciding how to use your newborn pictures is one of the many fun decisions you’ll get to make!

Personalized baby photography NJ, Star Wars theme baby boy photo session with parents

Personalized baby photography NJ, Star Wars theme baby boy photo session with parents

Newborn Photographer NJ

Speaking of decisions: If you’re expecting, I hope you’ll get in touch with me so you can learn more and decide if my services are right for you. Some of the things that allow me to provide the best New Jersey newborn photography are my passion for capturing that brand new stage of life, my experience with newborns, attention to detail and commitment to customizing every session, and a studio that has absolutely everything you’ll need! I hope to see you and your little one there soon!

Newborn and Family New Jersey Photographer

It was great to be the newborn and family New Jersey photographer for this sweet little gal and her parents and big sis. Baby girl was a total sweetheart and slept beautifully for me!

It’s always fun to include family in newborn photos. Capturing the relationship between a new baby and parents is one of the most precious things in the world. And I love working with siblings too! This big sister was amazing and a total natural when it came to holding baby. We got the cutest shots of the two of them snuggled up together. (And I’m totally in love with big sister’s hair! Such a pretty color—and all those curls!)

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Mom really loved flowers, so we made sure to incorporate lots of those in our session. As a newborn and family New Jersey photographer, it’s important to me that your pictures feel unique to you and match your vision of what you want to see displayed on your walls or preserved in a baby album. Customizing each and every session is one of the things I pride myself on. I love taking the time and going the extra mile to make sure your images turn out exactly the way you want them too—or even better!

I love the pretty creams and pinks we chose, and the darker contrast of mom and dad’s clothes turned out so well! Such a beautiful little newborn and family!

Get in Touch

I’m honored to be the baby photographer for so many families in and around New Jersey. Every story is precious, and capturing those amazing stages of life is what I do best. If you’re looking for a professional newborn and family New Jersey photographer, I hope you’ll be in touch! I would love to record your journey!

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.

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.

White and Floral Cake Smash | West Milford NJ Photo Studio

Can you say adorable? I had the best time doing this cake smash photography session for this little one’s first birthday. A lot of times my cake smash kiddos are also little ones I photographed as newborns, but this baby girl and her parents were first-time clients. It was great to meet them and I’m so glad they chose me to capture their daughter’s big milestone!

One of the things I have the most fun with is customizing each and every session to fit my clients’ unique vision and preferences. In this case, we picked out lots of clean, bright whites to create our base. Then we added some beautiful pinks, purples, and greens in the form of flowers and greenery. It turned out so pretty and was perfect for spring (we did these cake smash photos in March).

Northern New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer, baby girl in white with floral backdrop cake smash

Northern New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer, baby girl in white with floral backdrop cake smash

Baby girl was the sweetest little gal. She absolutely loved her cake and did a great job smearing frosting all over her mouth! And she really got into the splash at the end when we did some tub time to get her cleaned up. Some kiddos need a little convincing on either the cake, the bubbles, or both, but this cutie was ready for anything! We had a fantastic time from start to finish!

West Milford New Jersey Cake Smash Photo Studio, 1-year-old girl cake smash and tub time

West Milford New Jersey Cake Smash Photo Studio, 1-year-old girl cake smash and tub time

New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer

Getting ready to celebrate baby’s first birthday? If you ask me, there’s no better and more memorable way to both celebrate and record the experience than a professional cake smash photography session. I’m more than happy to customize your baby’s photo session so it’s exactly what you’re looking for. Check out my gallery for more fun ideas! Can’t wait to see you and your little one in my West Milford NJ photo studio. Let’s get this party started!

Passaic County Newborn Photography Studio

Oh my goodness, can you even believe the cuteness of this little man? Adorable! And I love the serious, thoughtful expression on his sweet face. I loved having him in my Passaic County newborn photography studio for his baby pictures.

Baby boy photo shoot in Passaic County newborn photography studio

Baby boy photo shoot in Passaic County newborn photography studio

Swaddled Newborn Session

We decided to go with a swaddle session on this one. As a newborn photographer, wraps are one of my favorite things ever—and babies love them too, so it’s a win-win! Little ones this age almost always love to be wrapped up snug, so I’ll often use the swaddle to calm fussy infants if they’re having a tough day. Not that this baby boy was fussy. On the contrary, he was the sleepiest baby on the planet! So easy to work with. He just snoozed our entire session and let me do my thing!

Even though we were focusing on wrapped poses, a little variety is always great. We mixed things up with some naked baby shots (I always keep my Passaic County newborn photography studio nice and toasty so that baby is cozy the whole time) and also did a few bucket poses. These are really popular right now. I’m sure you can see why!

Swaddle newborn photography session Passaic County NJ photographer

Swaddle newborn photography session Passaic County NJ photographer

Passaic County Newborn Photographer

Loved spending some time with this adorable little dreamer and his sweet mama. I’m honored to welcome families from all over New Jersey to my Passaic County studio where we can capture these special memories. If you’re looking for a professional newborn photographer who has a magic touch with babies, is experienced and meticulous, and will create a customized session just for you—you’ve come to the right place! I hope you’ll get in touch with me soon so we can start planning the perfect newborn photo shoot together. Can’t wait!

Outdoor Maternity Photos | Passaic County, New Jersey

Outdoor Maternity Photos | Passaic County, New Jersey

Springtime and babies go together! Just ask Mother Nature—or this sweet couple! I had the pleasure of doing their outdoor maternity photos last month, and I love the way our images turned out. Enjoy!

Time for Maternity Pics!

If you’re opting for outdoor maternity photos, I always recommend just after sunrise or just before sunset as the optimal time. Maternity photography, like any other type of photography, is all about lighting, and there’s a reason the time around sunrise or sunset is referred to as “the golden hour” by a lot of photographers. The sunlight is really soft and warm at this time, giving the perfect glow to portraits—as you can see from these shots.

Passaic County NJ Maternity Photographer

Passaic County NJ Maternity Photographer

What to Wear

We wanted to keep things pretty simple for this maternity photography session. Since it was outdoors, we didn’t want to be messing around with outfit changes. Mom wore a classic black dress with boots, and Dad chose blue jeans and a black button-up shirt. It was a great mix of stylish and casual, and went great with the rustic backgrounds we chose at our outdoor location in Passaic County, New Jersey. The wood, stone, and hills made for a perfect setting.

Outdoor Maternity Photo Session Passaic County NJ

Outdoor Maternity Photo Session Passaic County NJ

Maternity and Newborn Pictures

Most photographers who offer maternity photos do newborn as well. Most of the time it just makes sense to have the same photographer take care of both sessions for you, which is what this couple decided to do. A few weeks after we did these outdoor maternity photos, I welcomed them and their new little one to my NJ photography studio for a newborn session. So much fun! Keep an eye out on the blog for those pictures as well. Trust me, you won’t want to miss them!

Passaic County Photo Studio

I always love welcoming these little ones to my Passaic County photo studio for newborn pictures! I was especially excited about this little guy since I’ve known his family for a while. I’ve been their New Jersey photographer since their oldest was born. Plus, dad works with my husband in the police force. (We absolutely had to get one or two police-themed pictures!)  They’re a wonderful family and it’s always a treat when I get to see them.

Baby boy was SO cute! He also slept great for me, which is always a plus. I love that fuzz of dark hair and his serious little sleeping face.

Baby boy newborn photography session in Passaic County photo studio

Baby boy newborn photography session in Passaic County photo studio

We chose a classic baby blue color scheme with some cream. And the family wore simple outfits of jeans and black shirts, which worked really well. It was fun to get pictures of the whole family together, as well as some parent/baby and sibling/baby shots. And, of course, the classic newborn portraits.

Best Buddies

Big brother was totally in love with the new little one, which I thought was so sweet! A baby is a big adjustment, and sometimes it takes older siblings a while to get used to the new arrangement. But this kiddo is obviously so excited about his new brother. It was no problem at all to get him to pose with and cuddle “his” new baby. They’re adorable together, aren’t they?

Congrats to one of my favorite families! I hope I get to see them again soon in my Passaic County photo studio!

Newborn and family photos in Passaic County photo studio Jennifer Parrello Photography

Newborn and family photos in Passaic County photo studio Jennifer Parrello Photography

Passaic County Newborn Photographer

If you need professional newborn photos, I hope you’ll contact me! It’s my pleasure and honor to serve families from all over New Jersey, including Passaic County, Hackensack, Tenafly, Edgewater, and Franklin Lakes. I would love to see you and your family in my studio too!

Airplane Cake Smash Photo Session | Passaic County, NJ

Airplane Cake Smash Photo Session | Passaic County, NJ

I have been the Passaic County, NJ photographer for this family since their first child, so I loved having them in my New Jersey photography studio again! I’ve done all their maternity, newborn, and cake smash sessions. This latest was an airplane cake smash photo session for their littlest guy.

Airplane Theme Cake Smash

I customize all my cake smash photography sessions, so I always ask my clients if they have a theme in mind. This little man LOVES airplanes, so I created a special travel-themed setup for him—with an emphasis on air travel, of course!

In addition to airplanes, we added another item to his “list of stuff I love.” Cake! He had a great time digging into his treat, with the help of a big spoon at first, and then with both hands. He’s such a happy baby and he just smiled the whole time—although it got harder to see as he got more and more frosting on his face!

Tub Time!

Bath time is a good way to end a cake smash photography session. Our little world traveler was pretty sticky from his adventures, so I got out my miniature clawfoot tub so he could freshen up. We kept our backdrop up and had him wear his little aviator helmet for part of the time while he splashed! He didn’t seem to mind—I think he just imagined it was a really wet cockpit. 😊

Loved doing this airplane cake smash photo session for these long-time clients! It turned out so cute!

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Passaic County Cake Smash

Looking for a customized (and super fun!) cake smash photography experience for your baby? I’d love to help you create the perfect setup and capture class images of your baby’s milestone, so get in touch! I can’t wait to see what we come up with!

Northern NJ Newborn Portrait Studio | New Baby Girl

This baby girl was such a cutie. She wanted to get a head start on life and arrived a few weeks early—always a bit of a scary thing for parents—but she’s doing great! Healthy, happy, and absolutely adorable. It was a pleasure to have her in my newborn portrait studio in West Milford, NJ.

Northern New Jersey newborn photography baby girl session

Northern New Jersey newborn photography baby girl session

One of the things I love about being a newborn photographer is that I get to meet so many great people. Although I sometimes know my clients through friends and family or previous photo shoots, most of the time a session means meeting someone new. And I love that! There are so many wonderful people in this area and I feel super blessed to meet so many of them—especially at such a special and memorable time of life.

We did lots of swaddle shots with this baby girl—mostly because she just looked so cute all wrapped up! We also had fun with several different headbands, hats, and flower crowns. I keep a huge variety of props and outfits in my New Jersey photography studio so that people can choose exactly what they want. Every new baby is completely unique—and the baby pictures from your photo session should be too!

Customized newborn portraiture in Passaic County, New Jersey, newborn and family portraits

Customized newborn portraiture in Passaic County, New Jersey, newborn and family portraits

Mom and Dad chose mostly pink as the color scheme for these newborn photos, but we also used some blue. It’s not just for boys, and I have the flower crowns and girly accessories to prove it! Baby girl looked beautiful in everything.

Newborn Portraits in Passaic County, NJ

Looking for professional newborn pictures? Feel free to check out my newborn gallery to get a better feel for my style, or get pricing information here. Each of my newborn sessions is meticulously customized, and I look forward to hearing how I can create the perfect newborn photography experience for you and your little one.  

 

NJ Most Loved Newborn & Family Photographer

Can’t even tell you how much fun I had doing this newborn and family photo session a few months ago. I have known this family for years and I absolutely LOVE them! I’ve photographed big sister’s newborn session, cake smash, and everything in between. So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned that little sister was on the way!

Baby girl was the cutest thing ever. So much gorgeous dark hair, and she loved being swaddled. And big sis did a great job posing with her. She is always fun to hang out with, and is already a great big sister. Absolutely adores the new baby and is a great helper for mom and dad.

New Jersey most loved newborn and family photographer

New Jersey most loved newborn and family photographer

All of my sessions are completely customized, so I get lots of input from my clients to make sure the session I create is in line with their vision. For this family, we did most of our session with neutral colors (I love the high contrast black and white), but added some splashes of purple too.

Northern New Jersey photographer, newborn and family portraits

Northern New Jersey photographer, newborn and family portraits

All the Love

We mostly wanted to capture the relationships—which is what newborn and family photography is all about! Because of that, we didn’t do a lot of props or fancy backdrops. Just lots of beautiful portraits as we highlighted the love between this sweet baby girl and each member of her family. I can’t imagine anything more perfect.

Loved having this family in the studio again as they welcomed their second daughter! It was such a joy to see them for photographs every few months while big sister was growing from newborn to toddler, and I hope I’ll be able to record that same amazing journey for this new little one. Congratulations to one of my favorite families—love you!