When most people think of first birthday photos, the first thing that comes to mind is an elaborate set and a cake smash. I enjoy those studio sessions very much. In fact, I capture many first birthday portraits in my Long Beach photography studio. I love the creative side of planning, designing and building a set. I also love to photograph a baby on these sets, gleefully making a mess with cake. The photos always make me smile and I know that families cherish those type of images.

One of the most popular sessions I offer is the extended family photo session. People often book these sessions as a gift for a grandparent, for a family reunion or simply to just update their family photos. A photo session is a great way to document the bond your family shares. However, what exactly is an extended photo session?

Ok, so you finally booked that family photo session. Now comes the part that most people find hard, styling your family. Don’t stress. I have compiled a list of helpful tips to help you style your family for your portraits. If you have booked a session with me already, I also will send you a custom styling board for your family and you even have access to my client closet with women’s dresses available on loan. I keep the styling process completely stress free.

When I became a family photographer, I didn’t realize how much time I would spend looking at weather reports. I have spent a lot of time analyzing the weather patterns in the Long Island area. As a result, I’m well versed in how to manage rain, and to still give you wonderful family photographs that you’ll love.

Getting engaged is a monumental milestone in life. It is the start of a lifetime commitment to your significant other and a moment that is the foundation on which the rest of your life rests. It is also a moment that should be special and meaningful. Many of my clients struggle with how to make this moment special, but I am here to reassure you that no matter what you do, I promise it will be special because this memory is unique to you as a couple. Hopefully, that sentiment relieves a bit of stress; but, if you want to know how to have a successful SURPRISE proposal, I am going to give you a few tips to pull it off.

Congratulations on the newest addition to your sweet family! These first few days & weeks are just so magical and it is such an honor to capture your little babe during this special time. Here are some tips & tricks I’ve found to be super helpful in preparing for your newborn session so it can be as fun, stress free and enjoyable as possible.

A favorite client of mine recently booked me for a photo session including the grandparents. Coincidentally, the session took place on grandparents day, which is September 12th. It was a special session for this family because the grandparents were in the states visiting from Germany, so it was the perfect opportunity to capture professional photos with the extended family. I was thrilled to capture this session, not only because I love working with this family, but also because I love photographing grandparents. I figured I would use this session as an opportunity to blog about why I feel including grandparents in your family photos is so important.

If you are reading this, you have likely just given birth to your baby and are considering a newborn session. Congrats to you and your family. This is such a special time in life and one that deserves to be properly documented. I wanted to take a moment to put together a prep guide for my clients and anyone else who is considering an in home newborn session.

If you are reading this article, odds are you just got engaged. Congratulations!!! Whether you knew about the proposal or it was completely a surprise, this is one of the most exciting moments in life for both of you and it is one that should be documented.

Your baby is about to turn one and you are considering a birthday portrait session for your little one. Cake smash sessions are a fun and joyful way to commemorate the milestone of your baby’s first birthday. These birthday sessions are amongst my favorite to photograph. I wanted to take a moment to go over a few tips I have accumulated over the past ten years as a first birthday photographer.

There are a multitude of reasons why I am passionate about documenting newborns and their families in their homes here on Long Island. I know that I have spoken about this topic before on the blog, but I wanted to take a moment to shed some light on this topic for those of you who are unsure about whether or not an in home session is for you.

I have been photographing this family for five years now and it is always a joy to see them. I’m so excited that I got to capture their newest addition to the family. It truly is always an honor to document the growth of my clients’ families over the years. I love this session so much and I wanted to use it as an opportunity to blog about how to prepare for an in home newborn session.

There is just something special about the Fall. It is the season for cozy sweaters, pumpkin lattes and fun filled family activities. There are so many traditions associated with Fall ranging from pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, making pies or simply just jumping into a pile of leaves. It is also the time of year that most people schedule their annual photoshoot as a family. Whichever activities you choose to participate in, you no doubt want to create living memories, and what better way to do that than to have a nice picture hanging on your living or bedroom wall?  

The beach is the ultimate place of tranquility, peace and beauty. For most of us, it is a place that we frequented during our own childhood and is associated with fun and laughter. Now that you have your own kids, I am sure that you visit the beach often for fun filled days at the ocean.

Did you know that the beach is also the perfect location for family photos? This location lends itself to images that are not only beautiful, but playful and packed with emotion. A Summer family beach session is centered on you spending time with your family at sunset, the most magical time of day.

A really common question I get asked is, “Can I have newborn photos taken if my baby is over two weeks?” With easy access to the Internet these days, it’s not hard to find recommendations that the “ideal” time for a newborn session is around 5-14 days after birth. While this is true to some extent, don’t feel like you missed the boat if you didn’t manage to schedule your baby’s first photos within that timeframe.

I don’t know about you, but time surely seems to be flying by these days. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom of two active girls, who seem to be growing at the speed of light, or perhaps it is because my own parents are getting older. Whatever it is, I can’t help but reflect on my own childhood and how important my grandparents, parents and siblings were to me. I loved spending time with them and I wish I had professional photos that documented my time with them.

I know life is busy, but I can’t encourage you enough to prioritize extended family portraits. Years from now, you will be so very grateful that you made a point to get everyone together for a large family session. It is more than worth the effort, and I guarantee you’ll love every minute of it.

In home newborn lifestyle sessions are perfect for any family. These sessions allow a photographer the opportunity to capture a real and intimate look at your family during this precious time. Lifestyle photography captures those first snuggles, the itty bitty baby bits, and all the emotion and love of that special and fleeting time in your life. Having these images is priceless, as it will allow you to relive these special moments each and every time you look at the images.

A first birthday is a special milestone for every family. Your baby has grown and developed tremendously over the past twelve months and now your little one’s personality is shining through. It is a good idea to take this opportunity to schedule a photo session for your child. If you There are many types of sessions you can book to commemorate this special occasion. If you are unsure about what type of photo session you want, I will go over each of the options below.

Although I am a family photographer, I also photograph many couples. The couples maternity session is a popular session booked. While maternity sessions with a big sibling are structured much like a family session…first time pregnant couples are a lot different! I am here to share some posing tips from my years of being a Long Island maternity photographer.

A lot of families will wait until the Fall to do their family photos. Most people do so because they want to also use their images for holiday cards. However, just because that’s the norm, doesn’t mean there isn’t an alternative. In fact, Summer is a great time of year to capture those family photos and you can still use your gorgeous images for those Christmas cards. Here are some reasons why Summer on Long Island is the perfect time for family photos.