Take easy, better photos at home!

1.  Find decent natural light, do your photos during the day! Stay out of direct sun.  Cloudy days- like today, is the best! 
If you are inside- find a window and put your child/children in front of the window or it can be on the side. You stand on the side of them- make sure the light from the window is hitting them. 
If you are outside- STAY OUT OF DIRECT SUN!! I REPEAT, NO DIRECT SUN! :) 

2. If you want family photos- set your phone on a timer, and jump in! 

3.  To lighten/edit your photos after taking them- there are a ton of apps to do this. I personally use Lightroom and instasize. They are both pretty easy. Your best bet is instasize! 

4. Try not to over edit them, you don't need to do much. 
Think: Less is more! 

5.  Dont stress, if they aren't perfect, if the kids are crying, if they aren't looking!  This is all about capturing the moment!! 

Hope this helps, if anyone has DIRECT questions- feel free to ask!!! 

What newborn photographer do I choose?

You’re having a baby! CONGRATULATIONS!

Maybe its your first baby! Maybe this is the second third or more! You want to book a newborn photographer, but there are so many around you! HOW do you choose? I am going to help you with that.

Here are some things to think about:

First question to ask yourself is WHAT images do you see hanging in your house, or giving to family?

Do you want VERY posed cute little babies in baskets and bonnets with colors to match the nursery perfectly?

Do you want siblings in the pictures? Do you want to be in them (please always say YES )

Do you want pictures done in your home? Or are you looking for a studio setting? Are you looking for simple photos? Candid? ‘Lifestyle’ setting ( Which is more of interactions/connections or posed and/or just baby )?

Is the photographer going to be handling the baby? Do they have recommendations from family/friends? Are they familiar with newborn photography? NOT every newborn photographer knows the safe/correct way to ‘pose’ a baby in every pose.

If you know a few newborn photographers, open their websites - take a look at their work, make sure its exactly what you want! Try to find five that you have seen or have come recommended and focus on those, don’t overwhelm yourself by looking through one hundred!

I hope this helps!

What are my sessions like? My sessions are usually done in your home or in my studio space - they are simple, relaxed, candid and as stress free as can be! I will capture some simple posed/wrapped/onesie photos of baby, but I am focused on your connections with your new bundle of joy!

How to prepare for your next session!

You just booked your session! YAY! Now what? How do you prepare? What should you all wear? I am going to answer all of that for you!

What you wear is important so lets start with that!

Choose your color palette first- PICK 3-4 colors and go with that. Think about the location, the time of the year and the style that you want to get from this. Everyone can express their own sense of style within that palette of colors.

You don’t need to necessarily MATCH, but coordinating is important!

Layers, different patterns on maybe one or 2 people- solid colors for the rest. Start with the kids- and build from there. No kids? Then start with yourself- and build the other person/people.

I tell all my clients. CHOOSE NEUTRAL COLORS.

If we are taking pictures at the studio which is all white/cream loose comfortable clothing! Stick to solid colors/patterns and don’t even worry about the shoes for newborn sessions or beach sessions, we are going to be comfy!

Creams, grays and tans seem to look great on everyone and typically are the go-tos if you aren’t sure what to wear! Even blues look great on everyone! This keeps the FOCUS on the people, not the clothing!

Try to stay away from anything with ‘logos or words’ Of course I love cute quoted shirts, but bring those as a bonus for the kiddos- for babies, keep them comfy. Solid onesies are the way to go, they don’t slide up and block those adorable faces or details!

Remember, you want these photos to hang on walls, put in rooms- keep the colors close to colors that would match your home, and style! If you don’t like to wear dressy clothes - then don’t! Is your home light and bright? moody and dark? Keep it to match you.

Add a POP of color!

The summer/spring it seems to be the corals/light blues, the fall seems to be mustard and I honestly LOVE how it photographs! As long as it isn’t too neon color- then it photographs so nicely!

Choosing THE outfit.

You want to pick outfits that you feel comfortable in, that you’ll be able to sit/bend and move easily in. But you also want to feel beautiful, the more comfortable you are- the better it will photograph! You want it to reflect who you are. Something you would wear!

Keep the session in mind.

Where are we taking pictures? City style? Studio? Woods? Field? Park? You would want to wear what you would in the environment. The woods/fields/parks- maybe a cute pair of flats, boots or sandals. Beach- DITCH The shoes!! Newborn sessions at home, a nice pair of socks maybe or barefoot!

Don’t over think this: Keep it simple, relaxed and comfortable! Lets have some fun!

Connecticut family and newborn photographer // 2018 newborn sessions wrapped up

Well hello friends, it been way too long since I blogged- let alone blogged a session. I seriously am making it a goal to blog MORE in 2019. So help me keep accountable.

Since I missed the entire year of 2018 except one time. I am going to give you a wrap here all HERE… so here it goes.

2018 wrap up:

Lets start with all the babies…

February:

I met Elliot + spent the morning with his sweet family in their home.

I love being able to come to your home to capture these precious moments! Elliot, his big sister, dog and parents were easy going and laid back.. always makes the session go so smoothly!

Next up in February was Logan, his sweet parents + guard dogs <3

Logan didn’t want anything to do with sleeping, but that’s totally OK- we got some amazing sweet moments.

To end February was Salem, her brother + parents

I love the way that big brother Asher cared for his little sister!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE FEBRUARY BABIES <3

MARCH

First up, Maelyn <3 Jess and I have grown a great friendship over the last few years, I always LOVE photographing her beautiful family.

Next up was Annelise + James… I LOVE TWINS! Im from a family of twins, and I nannied for twins- I just LOVE the connection of them. Isabelle is my cousins best friend, and she’s the sweetest! So of course I LOVE being able to capture these special moments.

APRIL

This sweet family: William was sweet as ever, it just matches his parents!

I loved being able to get some photos of this beautiful mama with her baby bump before Elyse arrived to the world! Damien is seriously the sweetest most gentle toddler i’ve ever met.

Finnn was and IS ( he was just in my studio last weekend ) one of the sweetest babies- goes with his parents, Always smiling, and such a happy baby! Plus he’s an October baby- and OF course that’s my favorite month ;)

I have about 10 newborn sessions that are not featured due to not wanting to be advertised, I always respect that! :) So we are skipping to the last session of the year.. and this one was at the new studio space!

What you don’t see is that dad got totally pooped on.. ha! But it was 100% worth it <3

I love having the studio space as an option, because not everyone wants me in their home! My newborn sessions are easy, laid back and I focus on your connection to the baby.

Connecticut Family Photographer // She said YES!

Since I started photography I have had a proposal on my list of must get! I was so excited when a co-worker reached out to me about her sons proposal.  Of course YES was the answer.  The day was perfect, I was so nervous and anxious as I sat waiting for the adorable couple to meet us outside at the Vineyard. 

Rob is a Pilot and it was very meaningful to him to propose at Salt Water Vineyard in Stonington, Connecticut.  I sat on the side as they made their way towards the runway.. 

The time has come..   

You can guess by her face... she SAID YES! 

The love between these 2 glows.  Melissa had a smile from ear to ear the entire time.  <3 

I loved every minute of the session and I look forward to watching their next chapter in their lives <3 Thank you Rob + Melissa for allowing me to share this special day! 

Ellington Family Photographer // Westbrook Beach Session

I couldn't get enough of these beach sessions and with fall quickly approaching ( okay its practically here ) I thought it was time I finished these sessions and get them blogged! 

Next up is this adorable sweet family; Jessica, Paulie, Gabby and Carter were easy and just loved being on the beach! Carter enjoyed eating the sand more than anything I think ;)  Paulie couldn't wait to get home and tell his dad about the crabs he was looking for! 

You can tell how calm, patient and loving Jessica is -- those 3 kiddos adore her <3 

Thank you for sharing some special moments and I look forward to the next time together  <3 

CT Family Photographer// Westbrook, CT// Beach Photo Session

Back in November this sweet family reached out to me to take pictures for the holidays!   They had 3 little girls, and everyone was so very quiet. Well not Olivia and Sophia- but everyone else was! LOL.   I fell in love with these little girls right away.   They are full of their own personality and it shines through each of them!  

Mom and Dad are pretty easy going, and laid back! Makes each session easy and smooth <3 Since November I have seen them 4 times for a few other sessions, and Heather came up with an amazing idea to host a mini session event at their family beach house down in Westbrook, CT in July.  I would never say no!  It was a wonderful day- and it was all thanks to this wonderful family and Heathers parents who are all so welcoming, and great people to be around! 

I had 11 families total throughout the day- and it was perfect! 

First up was the Galattos of course- but Im going to break it down. 

Sophia is 100% a born true leader, she wants to know all the details, has lots of ideas and everything should really go her way in her eyes. She's a sweet older sister of 2 and LOVES her family.  She told me at the beach that her best days are days at the beach with her family.  <3

Than there is Olivia, sweet Olivia.   She has that sweet little voice that you just cannot resist. She's as girly as they come but has no problem lifting up her dress to get dirty!   She was trying to help me to get people to smile during their sessions and she kept saying the silliest things.   Made us all laugh for sure. She then turned to me and said- "this is fun! "  YOU are hired Olivia as soon as you are ready <3 

They are 100% sisters.  They love each other when they want to, and they don't like each other when they want to.   Mia is a lucky girl to have 2 big amazing sisters <3 

I adore this family, and the love they have for each other <3 

Thank you Dave, Heather, Olivia, Sophia and Mia for sharing this beautiful day with you and your friends. Thank you truly for making me feel so welcomed. I look forward to the next time <3

Ellington Family Photographer// Cakesmash// Mia

My goodness, I met Mia back in the fall with her parents, and 2 older sister Sophia and Olivia. Mia is just a sweetie.  Half of the time you don't even know she is there, she is always filled with smiles, giggles, and just watching everyone around her especially her 2 sisters!   

When asked to do her 1st birthday cake smash session, I had no hesitation!  

It was quite the fun time, at first Mia didn't like it that much..  She needed extra momma snuggles and babas <3  

I know Mia, being a baby model is hard work... 

Then we were okay, and when we discovered these weird things made noise- it was all smiles! 

Now for the best part!    the CAKE! 

At first we weren't sure about it, but I think she kinda got used it

especially when she figured out the best part! 

It could be thrown off!   Oh Mia <3 

Now it was time for sisters to come and help finish this cake! 

THANK YOU MIA for such a fun evening, and HAPPY HAPPY 1st Birthday to you! 

CT Family Photographer // Nieland family // { South Windsor, CT }

I had met Sabrina + Carter through some cool/awesome Moms that I had met out in the Facebook world.  Sabrina had won a Mommy and Me photo session, but her sweet hubby wanted to of course be included!  I wouldn't ever turn that down, so we had a great family session! 

Carter is 2, and you know what 2 year olds don't do long?...Sit.  So we have to make sure we keep them busy, which of course is fine with me! So we spent some time of the session chasing him around, blowing wishes in flowers and just having an easy fun time! 

Carter is one silly little boy, who loves his mom + dad very much.  I love when you are around a family and can just feel all the love they have for each other. 

We for sure had some good laughs during this session, there was this little bridge that they were sitting near and Carter thought it would be funny to take off his shoes! Silly boy,  Well one of the shoes fell in the water. Brad tried hard to get the shoe until a nice stranger who was walking by decided to help! Luckily, we did rescue the very wet shoe! 

LOL, it will for sure be a story to tell Carter when he gets older! :)  Glad he got the shoe. 

Thank you Carter, Brad & Sabrina for allowing me to share these special memories with you! I look forward to the next time we work together   <3