CJ waited a long time to become a mother and knows all too well how precious these moments truly are and how fast they fly by. CJ specializes in film lifestyle maternity portraits, newborns and families throughout the Tri-State area and world wide. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and son and not only adores Motherhood but loves to capture it on camera as well. Whether you are expecting your first baby or your third, please don’t hesitate to reach out and say hi. Hello’s are always welcome!
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Whether you’re seeking striking maternity images or a warm family photograph you’ll treasure and hold tight to forever—I can’t wait to meet your favorite people, watch your magic unfold, and help you slow down and savor all that is short-lived.
Family Sessions typically last between 1-1.5 hours, newborn sessions generally last around 3 hours. Your session is my top priority and I am in no rush, I love to spend as much as time as I can to get those sweet little moments. I leave plenty of time for extra feedings, changes, and cuddles to get exactly what we need. And if a sibling is involved in the session, it sometimes takes a little longer to get both of them to cooperate at the same time. Please do let me know if there are any time constraints on the day of the session so I can plan accordingly.
Newborn sessions are held in the morning in the comfort of your own home to provide that soft and airy natural feel. I love scheduling outdoor sessions when daylight is at it’s best and the light is the most flattering, which means Sunrise or Sunset.
Everyone wants to look their best and feel comfortable during a session and who wants to spend the entire session squinting because it’s too bright. When you arrive I am fully prepared and have a game plan because I do know your little ones will expire fast. My priority is to make this a fun and memorable session for you, and fighting tourists and crowds throughout the city makes the session a little more stressful. So I choose the best light to work with and a time frame where we hopefully have more space to ourselves! Win!
Absolutely, style planning is something I love! I am more than happy to send you links and pictures to outfits that I think would work perfectly for your session and location. When it comes to outfits, I think keeping it simple, neutral, and lighter colors always make for soft and sweet family photos, plus lighter colors are automatic light reflectors. I want you to value these images for years to come, so when planning your outfit I love to keep in mind that these images will grow with you.
I know little ones won’t last long and have a breaking point so I come to the session with a plan and have all your locations picked out. I know exactly where we are going and what we are doing, and if we need a minute to let your little one regroup we can definitely do so. I recommend bringing bribery snacks (neutral, nothing that stains the mouth or spills) and I recommend bringing a family member or a family friend who can help out during the session.
I do try to keep my sessions more natural. However, I have a handful of carefully chosen beautiful swaddles I bring along to newborn sessions as well as bonnets, and I have some adorable diaper covers for those 6 month and 1 year sessions. They are perfect for showing off those tiny feet and little thighs.
I love working with families on creating the perfect portraits and sweetest of moments that tell your family story. And while some of those images may be beautiful you found on Pinterest, I am more focused on telling your exact family story instead of trying to recreate someone else’s. I am all ears if there is anything you want to try and capture specifically, but just know that deep down I have a solid plan for how I want to tell your family love story.
For Spring and Summer sessions I highly recommend reaching out sooner than later. Those months are very popular for sessions and tend to start booking up in the early New Year. For Fall Sessions, I recommend reaching out at least in July to get your session on the calendar. I want to ensure each client has my undivided attention so I only take on a limited amount of sessions per month.
- Lauren