Why should I have my child's photo taken at least once a year? | South Jersey Child & Family Photographer

Why should I have my child’s photo taken so often? Didn’t I just get photos done? Maybe yes, maybe no. I know that time moves fast and photos kind of get lost in the shuffle. I may be bias, but photos of your children and family are one of THE MOST important things you can do. Photography is an art that captures a moment in time and preserves it forever. Children and family photography, in particular, is an important aspect of capturing memories and preserving them for a lifetime. Children grow up so quickly, and the moments that we capture today may be cherished memories in the future. Let’s chat about the importance of having photos of your children taken and how it can help you cherish those sweet memories and create a legacy for future generations.

South Jersey Family Photographer, Family Photography in South Jersey

Photos of your children and family capture the innocence and joy of their childhood and represent each season of your life. Children are naturally curious and full of life, and having their photos taken allows me to capture those precious moments for you when they are laughing, playing, and exploring their world. These photos not only capture a moment in time, but also reflect the unique personality and character of each and every child. As the old adage goes, no two children are ever alike! These photos also serve as a visual reminder of your child’s growth and development over time, providing a valuable record for you as their parents, their grandparents, and special friends and family.

South Jersey Maternity Photography, Maternity Photography in South Jersey, South Jersey Maternity Photographer

Having their photos taken regularly also helps us to remember special moments and milestones. From the time that they’re pushing up, sitting on their own, taking their first steps, their first days at school, these photos allow us to capture these moments and preserve them forever. These photos provide a tangible reminder of these milestones, allowing us to revisit these moments and relive those sweet memories. They also provide a valuable reminder for parents and even children themselves to reflect on their growth over time. I know my daughter loves to look at photos or videos of herself when she was just learning to talk, or walk and she can hardly believe that was her.

South Jersey Baby Photographer, Baby Photography in South Jersey, South Jersey Baby Photography

Photographs of your children serve as your family’s legacy. As your children grow up and leave the nest, photographs can serve as a way to connect with family and preserve your family history. These photos can be passed down from generation to generation, providing a visual record of family history and legacy. How often have you pulled out photos of your own parents and siblings when you were younger, or even photographs of your grandparents on their wedding day. I have a photo of my father when he was just a toddler sitting on a chair and I can’t even believe that was him. I do wish I had more photos of my parents. There was a time that my mother avoided any camera and there are not many photos of her and I together.

South Jersey Newborn Photography, South Jersey Newborn Photographer, Newborn Photographer in South Jersey, South Jersey Family Photographer

Having your children’s photos taken on a regular basis is an important aspect of capturing memories and preserving them for a lifetime. It allows you to capture the innocence and joy of childhood, and remember special moments and milestones. So, take the time to capture those precious moments and create a legacy for your children and generations to come.

My baby is turning ONE!!! How do I plan for their cake smash session? | South Jersey Cake Smash Photographer

Let's chat about Cake Smashes

Where are my first birthday kiddos!!! The best time to hold your baby's cake smash is between 11 months and 1 year! This way you'll be sure to get them back in time for your babe's party if you plan to print them for their big event!!!

A few tips for planning your baby's cake smash session and tips for the day of:

PLANNING:

A lot of people struggle with a theme. Try thinking of how you'll be using your baby's cake smash photos. Will you be using them at the party? If yes, what's the theme? Will you be hanging them around your home? Maybe you might want to go with a color scheme rather than a specific theme. Making an album? The sky's the limit!!! I can always suggest some themes for you as well! I'll put some photos of cake smashes I'd LOVE to do :::::wink wink::::::

girl ice cream cake smash in south jersey
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girl sunflower cake smash in south jersey

Is your baby not really a sweets kind of baby? If your baby doesn't love sweets or cake, why not go for a different food? Spaghetti, tacos, ribs are just a few that are super cute! Yes, ribs...one mama said that her babies loved their dad's bbq spare ribs and OMG was she right. They devoured them!!!

twin boys bbq rib first birthday in south jersey
boy spaghetti first birthday smash in south jersey

Outfits...you could go simple or you could go big!!! Whatever it is, I recommend making sure baby is comfortable. Make sure to order your outfits in enough time that if they come in and they're too big or too small, there's time for a return/reorder. I also have outfits at the studio in the client closet for you to use as well!!!

I suggest giving your baby a little cupcake or something to try a few weeks before the smash. Babies sometimes either don't like the sweetness of the cake or how messy they get.

twin fall pumpkin cake smash in south jersey, first birthday

THE BIG DAY:

Bring puffs or Cheerios or something your little one loves in case they don't like the cake. We'll stick their favorite snack in the back of the cake and the hope is that they'll pick it out and eat it and it looks like they're eating cake!

boy where the wild things are cake smash in south jersey
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Expect to get cake on you lol. I wouldn't wear your Sunday best to the session. Some babies will crawl up to and onto their mamas covered in cake and get it on you. I try my best to keep your baby on the paper during the smash, but sometimes they need snuggles.

boy notre dame cake smash in south jersey
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Don't worry about clean up! At the studio there is a sink to get them cleaned up in, clean towels to dry off, and a plastic shopping bag to put your little one's cakey outfit in so you don't have to shove it in the diaper bag.

Relax! Sometimes babies don't eat the cake, they play with it more. The idea of the smash is for your baby to have FUN!!!

Kelly xoxo

Kira's Ice Cream Cake Smash - South Jersey Cake Smash Photographer

When Kira’s mom asked for an ice cream cake smash for her sweet baby, I could hardly contain myself. I had the PERFECT set in mind!!! Kira absolutely loved her cake from my girl Diane at Diane Michelle Cakes and she absolutely outdid herself (once again).

We started with some spring portraits first. How sweet is she???

Source: Kira's Ice Cream Cake Smash - South ...

Virtua Voorhees Fresh 48 Photos - Aiden

It’s Taco Tuesday! No wait…it’s Tiny Tuesday! Fresh 48 sessions are quickly becoming some of my favorite sessions. Virtua Voorhees Hospital is an amazing place for these! The rooms are huge and the amount of light that pours into them through their big windows is just scrumptious.

I was so excited for Jen and Frank to add another little boy to their family this spring. I remember when Jen called me in the fall of 2017 and asked what I was doing May 25th. Ummmm…..nothing? My stomach instantly got butterfiles. I KNEW she was either going to tell me that she was either going to tell me that her and Frank were renewing their vows…..or that she was pregnant again! I was so excited. Liam finally has a baby brother.


Halloween & Fall Mini Sessions | South Jersey Portrait Photographer

I looked at the calendar today and realized AUGUST IS ALMOST OVER!!!!!!!!!!  How did that happen?  The end of summer brings the start of school, all things pumpkin spice, and fall!  I'm starting to crave that crisp, cool air.  Fall is my favorite time of year, so it would only make sense that I would have TONS of specials for the upcoming fall season. 

First, indoor sessions!  Here are the details:

When?  Saturday, October 21st
Where?  731 Bridgeboro St., Riverside
How much?  There will be 2 set ups.  A Halloween set up and a fall set up with hay bales, pumpkins, leaves, and mums.  You can choose one or both!  
          1 set up - $125 with 5 digital images
          2 set ups - $185 with 10 digital images

Bring your littles in their Halloween costumes and then change them into those cute fall clothes!  Easy peasey lemon squeezy.

 


Up next, outdoor mini sessions!  These are for the families that want a session outdoors.  Indoors is for children only, but outdoors is for everyone!  Snuggle up with your kiddos and have some fun.  These make amazing holiday cards.  Here are the details:

When: Sunday, October 22nd
Where:  To be determined, however, location will be within 5-10 miles of zip code 08048
How much: $185 for 10 digital images and 30 minutes. 

There are only 4 SPOTS left for these!!!  I announced them in my private Facebook group first and they were a big hit! 

Lena | South Jersey Child Photographer | Spring Photos

Oh Lena.  How come you're so beautiful?  Janice is Lena's mommy and I've known her for quite some time.  Janice works one of the best salons around (I HIGHLY recommend them for anything hair and makeup related!) and we became fast friends.  Both her and her husband are motivated and hard working entrepreneurs...not to mention BIG goofballs.  They are my kind of people!

I ran spring mini sessions back in April and Janice brought her little diva in.  I am SO glad she did!  Look how precious she is! 

Back lit images are my absolute favorite!!!

When the photographer says jump on the couch, YOU JUMP ON THE COUCH!!! :D

Angelic.

Simon is One! | South Jersey Photographer | First Birthday Photos

What??? Simon is ONE???  I had documented Simon's entire first year and it's so hard to believe that year is up. 

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Natalie & Nadia | South Jersey Child Photographer

Valerie and I have always said our relationship was meant to be.  Unexpectedly, I shot her engagement photos, and then after a frantic call, I shot her wedding.

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Carson is One | First Birthday Portraits | Cake Smash | South Jersey Baby Photographer

Cake smash sessions are becoming some of my favorite sessions! Check out Carson's first birthday portraits and awesome cake smash! 

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Exist in Photographs

When your children go to look for photographs of you, what will they find?  How many times have you said "I'll get my photo taken with my children when I lose the 20 pounds I want to lose".  How many years has it been since you've said that?  You say it year after year.  Soon enough, your children will go off to college, they'll get married, they'll move away.  The photos you wanted to take after you lost the 20 pounds never happened.  It always got pushed off. 

I say all of this because I know it's true.  As a child and teenager, I remember wanting my mother to take photos with me and my brothers.  I wanted to see her hugging us and playing with us.  She always wanted to lose 20 pounds.  She always said she was too fat.  Too ugly.  But I didn't care.  My mother passed suddenly on November 17, 2013.  When I went to look for photographs of her once she was gone, what did I find?  I found three.  THREE.  At the time, I was 34 years old.  Three photos in 34 years because she felt too fat...too ugly, it wasn't important, she wasn't ready.  One of them was taken when I was about 3.  The other two were taken at my first wedding in 2004.  

Mama, I know it's hard to get in those photos.  I know it's hard to not like how you look.  I've honestly been there. I still get very nervous being in photos with my children because I'm still self-conscious about the way I look. But if there's one thing I know as an adult who was a child whose mother was never in photos with us, it is of the utmost importance to do this.  It is critical.

this mother's day, i would like to make it a little easier for you to get in photographs with your children.  between now and may 31st, if you book and pay for a family session, i am offering 15% off plus a free gift.  it's so easy - just use the 'contact' me section above to shoot me a message. To be clear: You do not need to have your actual session in the month of may. 

Please. If there is anything you can do for your children, exist in photographs.  Because when your children go to look for photographs of you when you're gone, what will they be left with?  what will they find?