Jennifer Parrello Photography Session Types

As a New Jersey photographer, I specialize in capturing baby’s first year, which means most of my sessions are either newborn or cake smash (to celebrate that big one-year mark!) I’ll admit, photoshoots with babies are my fave! But that doesn’t mean I don’t offer other options as well. Baby’s first year is only part of the picture, and I’m happy to capture your family’s memories no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Here's a quick peek into the different types of sessions you can book at Jennifer Parrello Photography:

Newborn

There is nothing like capturing those first precious days of infancy. I recommend booking your newborn session a few months in advance to guarantee availability. You can choose from a few different collections based on your needs and personal preferences. My newborn sessions last up to 3 hours, just to give us some wiggle room in case baby is fussy or needs a feed or diaper change at the studio. You’ll get to choose colors, props, etc. from my extensive studio collection!

Cake Smash

Possibly my favorite type of session! Cake smash sessions are also booked a few months in advance, to give me time to fully customize your setup (which can take 6-8 weeks). I create all the sets myself to ensure that you have a unique first birthday photoshoot and the flexibility to choose any theme you’d like! You’ll be able to choose a collection based on your wants and needs—we can even include family photos at your baby’s cake smash session.

Child and Family

Every age and stage is precious! If your family is past the babyhood stage, I would still love to help you create portraits documenting your journey together. I only offer a select number of family sessions each year, so if you’re interested in these, get in touch as soon as possible! While most of my sessions take place in my New Jersey photo studio, family sessions can also be done outdoors. I have many different locations I can recommend. We’ll probably schedule your session for an hour or two before sunset for optimal light. Again, I offer a few different collections. And yes, I do offer extended family sessions, which are very popular right now!

Headshot and Branding

I also offer basic headshot sessions, which are a really quick and easy way to update your business cards or web page. Headshot sessions only take 20 minutes and are super relaxed and fun! The package includes 2 digital images for a set price, and from there you can add on whatever you want.  

Whatever your portrait photography needs this year, I hope you’ll choose Jennifer Parrello Photography to capture those lasting memories. Please feel free to contact me for more details!

Beautiful Newborn Photography Session New Jersey

Oh my goodness, I can’t get over this precious baby girl and her beautiful newborn photography session! I was so excited to see this family again. I photographed big sister as a newborn almost three years ago now, and also did her cake smash session. I love when my little clients come back! It’s a chance for me to see how much they’ve grown and enjoy their fun personalities! We had such a wonderful time together during this session, full of love, laughter, and lots of snuggles!

Baby girl was an absolute DREAM. She slept the entire time, and we got so many great pictures that I had a hard time choosing just a few for this post. And watching baby girl and her older sister together—I can already tell they’re going to be BFFs! What a couple of cuties!

Mom wanted colors that would coordinate well with big sister’s newborn photos. (If you’re planning to put sibling photos together in an album or hang them on the same wall in the living room or nursery, it’s a great idea to make sure the colors/themes look good side by side.) We did all pink for first baby’s session, so we decided to include some pink and florals for the newest member of the family, as well as some deep purples and shades of berry. SO pretty! For whatever reason, purple isn’t a color that gets chosen much for baby girls, at least not at my studio, so I loved the chance to use a color I don’t often get to work with.

Hard to believe this was one of my last sessions for the year. Times goes by so fast—something I’m constantly reminded of as a newborn photographer. If you’re expecting a little one in the new year, I would love to help you document those precious memories. Be sure to book as soon as possible—I’m already scheduling into May!

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!

Choosing Props for Your Newborn Session

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

Planning Your Newborn Session

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

Gathering Inspiration

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

Choosing Props

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

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

How to Get Ready for Your Newborn Session

I love welcoming brand new little ones to my photography studio! I want to make sure you and your baby have the best possible experience when you choose me as your New Jersey newborn photographer, and I believe knowing what to expect goes a long way towards feeling prepared and relaxed when it comes time to capture those photos. So, here’s how to get ready for your newborn session!

What to Bring

Before your newborn session, you’ll want to get ready by packing a few items to make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality. Babies can be unpredictable, after all! I recommend bringing:

• Extra diapers and wipes in case of accidents. (This happens all the time, and everything at the studio is washable, so don’t worry!)

• At least 3 receiving blankets.

• A change of clothes for yourself. (Depending on baby’s mood, you may need to feed him/her at the studio, and again, accidents can happen! I want to make sure you have something clean and comfy to change into if needed so you can enjoy the full session.)

• Extra bottles of formula or pumped breast milk. (Newborn sessions last from 2.5 to 3 hours, which allows time for feeding during the session if baby gets hungry.)

• A pacifier. (Even if your baby doesn’t normally use one, a pacifier is super helpful if baby is fussy and needs some distraction.)

The Day of Your Newborn Session

We want baby to be sleepy at their session, so it’s a good idea to keep them awake for a while right before picture time.

About 45 minutes to an hour before you leave the house, keep baby awake with playtime or a bath.

About 20 minutes before you leave, feed them so they have a nice full belly.

When it’s time to go, dress baby in button-up or zip-up PJs (so it’s easy to change them at the studio.) Baby should fall asleep in the car on the way to the studio.

What to Expect at the Studio

When you get here, leave baby in their car seat. I’ll take the car seat from you and start getting baby ready. When you come in, you’ll hear white noise playing in the background, as this recreates a womb-like environment for baby and helps keep them calm. You’ll also notice that it feels tropical! I keep my newborn photo studio very warm to keep baby comfortable and sleepy. Dress in layers so you don’t get too hot!

And that’s it! Unless you’re participating in pictures or feeding baby, you can just sit back and relax with some bottled water and your favorite show on Netflix or Hulu while I capture images of your sleeping newborn.

Still have questions about how to get ready for your newborn session? Get in touch. I’m here for you! Can’t wait to see you and your newborn in the studio!

Booking Your NJ Newborn Photography Session ~ When and How

There’s so much to think about when you’re getting ready to welcome a new member of the family. If booking your NJ newborn photography session is one of the things on your list (and I hope it is—there is nothing better than having pictures of your little one in all their adorable newness) than you’re probably wondering when to book and how to go about it. I got you. Here’s what you need to know!

When to Book Your Newborn Photo Session

As far as the when, I love babies at any age, so I’m not going to say you have to book by any specific time in your pregnancy. That said, newborn pictures are easiest when baby is brand new and still sleeping a lot, so you’ll want to book your session as soon as possible (and while you’re still pregnant.)

Why Book Early?

There are several reasons for booking your NJ newborn photography session early:

Sleepy babies make for relaxed newborn photo sessions—which is the experience I want you to have! And brand-new babies usually sleep a ton and aren’t as likely to be disturbed by outfit changes as older babies. Win-win.

Newborn photography is one of the most popular types of portrait photography there is. As a NJ photographer who specializes in capturing babies through their first year of life, my schedule fills up fast! I also customize all of my sessions. Making your session exactly what you’ve dreamed of takes extra time, and booking your session early ensures you a place on my calendar.

Babies don’t always stick to schedules. You may think baby is going to arrive on such-and-such a date, but the little one may have other plans. The last thing you want is to be stressed out about baby pictures when your little bundle is delivered earlier or later than expected. I allow some wiggle room in my schedule so that even if baby decides to surprise us, we’ll still be able to do your session.

Forgot to Book Your NJ Newborn Photography Session Early?

Get in touch anyway! While I can’t guarantee a spot, it never hurts to check, and I’m always happy to accommodate last-minute bookings if my schedule allows.

How to Book Your Session

If you’re ready to book your NJ newborn photography session, or just want to learn more, it’s as easy as filling out this quick and easy form. I’ll be in touch as soon as possible to discuss all the details. Can’t wait to help you document these precious memories with your little one!

Sweet Newborn Boy Photography Session | New Jersey

We’re starting to feel a nip in the air here in New Jersey, but it’s always cozy in my newborn photography studio! While I’m loving helping folks gear up for December with some magical holiday photos, it was so fun to take a break and capture this sweet boy’s newborn photography session. Give me all the newborn snuggles!

One of the Boys in Blue

How cute is this little man? His daddy is a policeman, so of course we had to use a pint-sized policeman’s cap in our photoshoot. Gahhh! So adorable! It also tied in perfectly with the other shades of blue we were using, which looked so cozy with the gray and natural wood tones.

Mom loved wrapped images (and so did baby!) so we did lots of those. Most babies love to be swaddled, so these can be perfect if little one is a bit fussy—or not! This baby boy was the sweetest thing ever and did amazing for his newborn session. The wraps were purely aesthetic for this little guy!

The Importance of Booking Your Newborn Session Early

So glad I could spend some time with this little man in my studio even in the midst of all the holiday preparations. He’s a perfect example of why you want to book your newborn photography session nice and early! This gives me time to plan, so I can provide the customized session you’ve been dreaming of, and also guarantees you a place on my calendar—no matter what else is going on! If you’re expecting a baby in 2023, now is the time to get in touch with me! I would love nothing better than to welcome you and your precious bundle to my New Jersey newborn photography studio! Let’s make some memories!

Pumpkin Cake Smash | New Jersey Baby Photographer

Happy first birthday to this sweet little pumpkin! I photographed her as a newborn and was so excited to have her back in my New Jersey photography studio for a pumpkin cake smash! Get ready to fall in love with these autumn-themed birthday pictures:

Cake Smash in the Pumpkin Patch…Under the Harvest Moon!

Since we’re getting so close to Halloween, Mom requested a nighttime pumpkin patch theme for our cake smash photoshoot. I instantly knew that the studio would look so cute decked out in straw bales, pumpkins, and fairy lights, and before long I realized there was a way to make it even more incredible: A harvest moon! Ended up looking so good in the middle of that starry night sky backdrop. Yeah, I had way too much fun designing this set for all the fall feels, haha!

The Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

This birthday girl was little Miss Smiles—how can you resist a frosting-coated grin like that? Absolutely adorable—and she knew it! She loved every second of being in the spotlight. And yes, she absolutely LOVED her cake too! Eating it, smashing it, squishing it all over her face. Nom, nom, nom! Who needs to go trick-or-treating when you can have a whole cake to yourself? :)

So glad I could celebrate this little girl’s special milestone with a pumpkin cake smash. Combining pumpkins with this sugar-and-spice-and-everything-nice cutie couldn’t have been more perfect!

New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer

I’m already booking sessions for next year, so if your little one is approaching the big ONE, get in touch and let’s start planning some magic! All of my sessions are fully customized, so bring your ideas and we’ll  figure out the perfect theme for your baby’s cake smash photo session!

Hot Air Balloon Cake Smash in New Jersey

Phew! I am up to my ears in shooting and editing holiday mini sessions right now (my photography studio in Northern NJ was basically one big holiday pajama party last week!) but I’m taking time out to share some adorable cake smash photos with you!

Hot Air Balloon Cake Smash

As you may or may not know, cake smash photoshoots are some of my absolute faves! I love creating unique, one-of-a-kind setups for my clients, based on the theme they want for celebrating their little one’s first birthday. This mom wanted some kind of hot air balloon theme and these specific colors of blue and yellow. I took that and ran with it, and here’s what I came up with!

Color Schemes for Girls

I love doing out of the box, non-traditional colors for girls. While you can’t go wrong with beautiful pinks, a lot of parents want to do something a little different—and that’s great! Our color scheme for this hot air balloon cake smash was bright and sunny, perfect for sailing through the clouds!

Baby girl was amazing and gave me so many smiles! She brought along some animal friends (because what’s a hot air balloon without company?) and had a great time partying in the studio, eating cake, and splashing in the tub afterwards. She’s one year old and ready for adventure!

New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer

Nothing says happy birthday like a cake smash! Feel free to explore the blog for more information about when to book your session and how to prepare, plus lots of other cake smashes to inspire you! Book your session here, or get in touch with questions. I’m happy to guide you through the process and help you create an amazing custom cake smash for your baby!

Newborn Girl Pictures in Purple | NJ Newborn Photographer

Loved doing the newborn girl pictures for this wonderful family! I did mom’s maternity session when she was pregnant, so I was very excited to meet the little one—and my goodness, is she ever beautiful? Such pretty dark hair and gorgeous eyes. (We were lucky to have a few minutes where she was awake but happily swaddled. Love it when that happens and I can take advantage of the perfect opportunity to photos of those sweet and soulful baby eyes!)

Pretty in Purple

Mom loved the color purple and that’s what we chose for these newborn girl pictures. I think it was a great choice! It went so well with baby’s coloring, and we also did a setup with neutral shades too. (No matter what your color scheme, it never hurts to do a neutral setup as well. It gives you a bit more variety in your finished images, and of course, neutrals go with everything! It also makes it easy if you’re planning to use some of your baby photos as gifts, since neutrals will fit easily into almost everyone’s home décor.)

This little cherub loved to be swaddled, so we did lots of those poses, and we were also able to get some pictures of her asleep on her tummy too. So cute!

Such a pleasure to capture memories for this growing family, from the anticipation of baby’s arrival to the brand new little princess herself!

Looking for a New Jersey Newborn Photographer?

The air may be turning crisp outside, but it’s nice and cozy in my newborn photography studio! I’m currently booking into next year, so get in touch and let’s start planning your baby photo session today. I can’t wait to meet your little one and help celebrate their arrival!

Outer Space Cake Smash Photoshoot in New Jersey

Look out NASA, here he comes! What a blast to do an outer space cake smash photoshoot with this handsome little birthday boy! He was a former newborn client, so I was super excited to see him back in my New Jersey photo studio for his first birthday pictures.

I customize all my cake smash photoshoots, so when you book a session with me you can be assured it’s one of a kind. In this case, little man’s parents had requested an outer space theme. They wanted something unique, but not prop heavy. Not a problem! Instead of props, I created a little lunar landing pad in my studio. I love the way the moon at the bottom turned out, and all the asteroids, stars, and planets in the background (plus rocket ship, of course!) were so fun!

This little guy was such a chill and happy dude and was totally fine with just hanging out and getting photographed during the portrait part of our session. (Formal pictures with the cake smash are a must!) And when we moved on to cake, he was over the moon, if you’ll pardon the pun. ;) He dug right in and got frosting all over himself from his fingertips to his toes. Love that kind of enthusiasm!

Ended our outer space cake smash photoshoot with a SpLaSh, as always! Happy first birthday to this adorable little astronaut in training!

New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer

Looking for a New Jersey photographer to capture memories of your own little star? I specialize in photographing babies from their very first days as a newborn through their first year, and I’d love to design a custom session just for you! I’m already booking into 2023, so get in touch as soon as possible!

Baby Girl Photo Session in Studio

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

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

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

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

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

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!

When to Book Your Cake Smash Photo Session

If you ask me, a cake smash photo session is THE BEST way to celebrate your kiddo’s first birthday. Cake, cuteness overload, and professional pictures so you can remember it forever. What could be better? Just like with newborn photos though, you’ll want to make sure you schedule your child’s cake smash ahead of time for the best experience possible.

When to Book Your Cake Smash

I recommend getting in touch with me at least 3-4 months before your little one’s big day. My schedule books up fast—especially for cake smashes, which are some of my most popular (and personal favorite) sessions! Getting on the schedule early guarantees you a spot on the calendar.

Why So Early?

Aside from making sure you get a prime spot on the calendar, there are a couple of other reasons why booking your cake smash photo session early is a good idea.

Time to Customize – Every kiddo is unique, and their cake smash should be one-of-a-kind! I create custom setups for each and every one of my cake smashes based on your requested theme and other preferences. That kind of attention to detail takes time, and I want to make sure everything is perfect for baby’s one-year photoshoot. It generally takes at least 6 weeks to plan a custom cake smash and get everything created and delivered to the studio.

Product Prep – Do you want photos of your kiddos cake smash to give as gifts to family around baby’s birthday? Or maybe you want to use these cake smash photos to create birthday party invites? Then you’ll also need to allow time after the session to edit the photos and use them in your chosen designs. But wait…wouldn’t that mean getting first birthday photos before baby turns a year old?

Yes, which leads to my last point:

Flexibility – One of the great things about cake smashes is that there’s some flexibility in when we do them. Anytime between 11 and 12 months is a perfect time to capture this first birthday milestone. You may want to get baby in a little earlier than their birthday so you can have all those photos and products ready for when the big day actually arrives.

I can’t wait to start planning for your session! Get on the schedule or reach out with questions and let’s get this party started!

When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session

Are you expecting? I’m so stoked! Seriously, I absolutely LOVE babies, and I know how important it is to have photos documenting that precious newborn stage. That’s why I want to make sure you know when to book your newborn photography session—so you can get it all lined up and not have to stress about whether you’ll be able to get on the schedule once baby arrives.

The Earlier the Better

You definitely want to book your newborn photoshoot while you’re still pregnant. And if you’re wondering where on the continuum—let’s just say it’s best to be closer to the “OMG, I’m pregnant!” side of things rather than the “This baby is coming any day now” side.

Why It’s Important to Book Your Newborn Photo Session Early

The biggest reason is that newborn photographers are always busy! Because it’s important to choose a professional for both safety and aesthetic reasons, newborn photos are one of the most popular kinds of photography out there. And most newborn photographers only take a limited number of sessions per month, because they know that aside from the session itself, they also need to give themselves enough time to edit your images so that they’re exactly what you’ve hoped for.

Another reason you should book your session early is that babies only stay little for so long. We want to capture them in that brand new stage, while they’re tiny, sleepy, and still extra flexible, so we can get those adorable poses. And ideally, that means getting baby to the studio within the first couple weeks after birth.

The third major reason I encourage booking early is that babies don’t always stick to a schedule—especially when it comes to their arrival date! Most newborn photographers, myself included, make sure to leave some flexibility in their schedules so that if baby arrives late or early it’s easy to adjust their session date accordingly.

What If I’m Super Late in My Pregnancy, or Baby is Already Here?

I’m not just a New Jersey newborn photographer—I’m also a mom myself. So I know that when you’re expecting a baby, you’ve got a lot on your mind! If you’ve left booking a little late, don’t hesitate to reach out anyway. Booking early is certainly best, but I’m always more than happy to work in last-minute appointments if my schedule allows. It never hurts to check!

Again, congratulations on your new little one! I hope you to see you both in my NJ photography studio soon!

Top One Cake Smash Photography Session

This little redhead was the cutest birthday boy, and his Top One cake smash photography session couldn’t have been more perfect! The Top Gun movie was coming out around the same time we had our cake smash planned for, so the stars aligned. Gotta love it when that happens.

I love customizing each and every one of my cake smashes so that it’s unique to each client, and this one was no different. We created an awesome setup for our little all-star, and he loved it! Check out that winning smile. Tom Cruise has got nothing on this guy!

We kept baby boy in the same outfit for portraits that we used for the cake smash, but with the addition of a bomber jacket that was just his size. Talk about cuteness overload! He was the happiest little guy and gave me tons of huge grins and giggles.

Although he enjoyed his portraits, the real fun started when we brought out the cake. This kid meant business and he went for it! You can see that we started with this beautiful three-layer creation—and in no time flat it was, well, flat! He was totally hilarious with his cake and thought smashing it and crawling through it was the best thing ever. At least, he did until bath time, at which point splashing in the tub became the best thing ever! He was just totally enthusiastic about everything and wasn’t shy about getting into it! His energy and enthusiasm mean that our Top One cake smash photography session was a blast from spectacular start to frosting-smeared finish.

Happy birthday, little man!

Interested in booking a cake smash photoshoot for your kiddo? Let’s talk! I’d love to help you plan an amazing themed birthday smash and can’t wait to transform my studio space to fit your vision!

Newborn and Family Photo Session | Baby Boy in Green

Everyone loves a sweet baby boy in blue—but how about green? I think it’s so fun when parents pick out less traditional colors that really match their style! Not that I don’t love the traditional blues and pinks too—because I totally do! (It’s babies, after all. They look great in anything!)

I was really excited to do this little guy’s newborn photography session since I know his family. They live locally and I was thrilled when they asked me to help them welcome baby number three (a boy, after two girls) with a session at my NJ photo studio.

His big sisters were the best with him! We dressed the girls in matching outfits (so perfect for big sisters that, yes, I provide these at the studio) and got the cutest shots with these three siblings together. We also did some beautiful backlit portraits of baby boy with mom and dad, as well as some family pictures.

For our baby-only newborn pictures, we played around with several different textures as well as some props to add height. The magic of digital photo editing software means that as a newborn photographer, I can create images of baby sitting or lying atop something, while in reality your little one is safely supported at all times.

While composite images are fun, I’ll admit that all I really need are those closeup detail shots—like those little lips and chin. Gah!

This was such a fun newborn photo session and I loved spending time with this absolutely adorable family. You know what I love even more though? That they live near me, so I’ll get to continue to see this little guy and his sisters as they grow!

Are you expecting? Congrats! I recommend booking your session as early as possible, so get in touch and let’s talk baby pictures!

First Year Birthday Cake Smash in New Jersey | Shades of Purple

First off, it was so fun to see this little birthday girl in my West Milford, NJ photo studio! She was one of the babies I photographed as a newborn, and as a cake smash photographer I always love when I get to see my little newborn clients again as one-year-olds…and beyond! This is the most amazing family and just the happiest lil girl ever! Oh, and bonus: I love the color purple, so I was super stoked when mom and dad picked that as the main color for this baby girl’s first year birthday cake smash! Can I do a purple theme? Yes. Yes I can.

I got the studio all set up with purples, whites (including a shabby chic set of barn doors that go well with so many different setups!) and of course, tons of twinkle lights. There’s just nothing to else to show off baby’s smile and the mischievous twinkle in their eyes like a few strings of fairy lights!

Birthday girl gave me all the smiles—she was so cute! Super happy and absolutely loving life! We got some baby portraits of her on a plain backdrop in the studio before moving on to our birthday setup and the all-important cake! She wasn’t quite sure what to do with it at first. But once dad stepped in and showed her how much fun it was to squish her hands in that icing, she was all over it! She even discovered that it’s just as much fun between the toes. :)

Afterwards (as is tradition in my studio!) we finished up with a good splash in the tub. Every bit as much fun as eating cake!

Happy birthday to this little ray of sunshine! She really lit up my studio space with that award-winning smile! If you and your little one are getting ready to celebrate that special first birthday and don’t mind getting your hands a little sticky, let’s talk! I’d love to help you plan an amazing cake smash!

"Where the Wild Things Are" Cake Smash

Baby’s first birthday is the perfect excuse for one wild party—and that’s exactly what we did for this little man! His mom requested a “Where the Wild Things Are” theme. I was so excited to create this custom setup! I love the story of Max and his monster friends, and the classic artwork made the perfect backdrop for our cake smash photography session!

This was actually the birthday boy’s second visit to my photography studio in West Milford, NJ. I photographed him as a newborn as well, so when his mom booked a cake smash session I couldn’t wait to see him again! He is a super sweet boy who was just as amazing for his first birthday photos as he was for his newborn pictures. All it takes is a glance at those smiles to see that this is one happy baby!

In addition to our Wild Things theme, we also wanted to personalize these photos further with some favorite toys, like his tractor and teddy bear. I love including special items like this!

Since cake can get a little messy (that’s kind of the point, when you’re a year old) we started off with our baby and family portraits first. Can I just say that I don’t think there’s anything cuter than a baby in blue jeans? Once we had a great selection of portraits, we got the birthday boy all dressed up in his bow tie and tails (okay, just one tail) and “let the wild rumpus start!” As you can see, he loved his cake—and the tub time to follow up.

Thinking of booking a cake smash for your little one? Check out more information on the blog, or get in touch with any questions. I’m here for you, and can’t wait to help you plan the perfect birthday celebration!

NJ Newborn Photo Session | Police Baby

This new baby boy was so cute and just the sweetest! Loved his full head of hair and that look of intense concentration he had when he was asleep. Hey, sleeping is serious business! Especially, when, like this little guy, you have to devote more than half your day to it. (The amount of time newborns sleep is actually one reason I encourage parents to get their new baby in to my New Jersey photography studio nice and early. That sleepiness makes it easy to get all the adorable poses!)

Police Baby Pictures

Mom and Dad wanted all neutrals for this NJ newborn photo session—except, of course, for our police baby pictures! Dad is a police officer and wanted to incorporate that into the newborn photos. I thought it was a great idea! I love personalizing each and every photo session I do, and it makes it even more meaningful when parents come with ideas or items that are especially significant to their family. If you’re a first responder, I’d love to incorporate that into your little one’s baby pictures and help pass on that legacy of service to them!

Baby-Led Photo Sessions

We did lots of swaddle shots with this little boy, since that seemed to be his happy place! He let us get some tummy poses and bucket poses too though, so we were able to get a fun variety. I always make sure that my newborn photography sessions are baby-led. I want your session to be a fun and genuine experience for everyone—especially the new little star of the show!

Loved spending some time with this wonderful family! Mom and Dad were just the nicest people, and baby boy was a total sweetheart!

NJ Newborn Photographer

Looking for a NJ newborn photographer? I love serving families throughout New Jersey, and would love to welcome you and your little one to my comfy studio, so get in touch today and let’s start planning! You’ll love your experience—check out what others have to say here!