Ben

I have a little confession to make: Sometimes I get nervous when I have a senior session with a boy as opposed to a girl. Not sure why? Maybe it's because I have a mistaken impression that teenage boys don't want to be photographed. The pre-session jitters were alive and kickin' the evening I went to photograph Ben. I remember a photographer friend once said to me, "The day you aren't nervous before a shoot is the day you should hang up your camera." And he was right. It means everything to me that people walk away happy with the photos of course, but also with the experience itself! The moment I met Ben, I knew it was going to be a great session. He put me at ease immediately with his calm and confident manner - imagine feeling confident at 17? Usually, it's the person in front of the camera that needs to be reassured - but not this time. Cool. As. A. Cucumber. Thanks Ben for helping ME relax! ;-)

Late in the Evening

Last week I had a nice surprise when I was asked to photograph a few bands that were scheduled to play before our town's Fourth of July fireworks show. I'm always on the lookout for something new and interesting to photograph, so to say I was excited by this opportunity is an understatement. When I first arrived, I played it safe and used a nice long zoom so that I wouldn't get in anyone's way or be too obvious, but by the end of the evening, I was all over the stage trying to catch the moments. There was so much great energy up on that bandshell, it made capturing genuine moments pretty easy. What it didn't make easy was the culling, but that's a problem I'll take any day! Enjoy! 

Four Littles | NJ Family Photographer

I admire the talent and ability of newborn photographers at the same time knowing that will never be me. I don't think I'm a baby whisperer by any stretch of the imagination. I won't come to your home with soft, organic blankets and a space heater and lull your newborn to sleep. If I had that power when I was a new mom, maybe I'd be a different type of photographer today. But, what I WILL do is come to your home and capture your life as it really is in those first few precious days or weeks. All the snuggles, a sleeping baby and yes, the less than thrilled sibling. And it's all good, because as much as I hated when people said this to me (and I mean I HATED it) it does go by quickly, and the beginning days with little sleep can all seem a blur. The images that remind you how special those days were are the photos you will look at again and again. xo

NYC In-Home Session

Talk about a fun in-home/at-the-park session! Met this beautiful family at their gorgeous brownstone where we spent a little time just hanging out and playing. And the blue couch, don't get me started on that couch and wall covering....<3. After that, it was off to Fort Tryon Park for some running and chasing, a little bubble time and some experimenting with string lights. The kids were great and up for anything! I'm sure everyone slept well that night. I know I did! ;-) 

Apple Picking | NJ Family Photographer | Bergen County

When the weather didn't cooperate a few weekends ago, we needed to reschedule our session to a weekday. Knowing it might be hard for mom and dad to travel to me during the week and being that I'm always up for a road trip, I offered to go to them! Since we ski often, I was familiar with Rachel's neck of the woods and imagined it must be beautiful during the fall season. I had no idea how beautiful until I drove up one sunny afternoon. The leaves were peak, with rolling hills and a sky that seemed to go on forever...not something easy to find in Bergen County! To make things even better, the apple orchard we chose to meet at was practically empty! We had full run of the place and baby girl couldn't have been happier. I hope you enjoy looking through these pictures as much as I did editing them. Anyone up for a location session? I'm game!

Long Beach Island | NJ Family Photographer

Seems like a long time ago that I drove down to the shore to photograph this beautiful family, yet it was only last month. So happy that mom agreed to meet just before sunset. There's nothing like the light at the end of a day.  I have to admit, I was worried that it might be too late for the little ones, but they were so happy just to run around and play in the sand and surf. I hope you enjoy  a glimpse of sunshine on this gray and blustery day! 

Graydon Park | NJ Family Photographer

Scouting for the perfect location can be a challenge. You need to think about getting enough variety in a gallery, while being sure the background is nice to look at, or at least interesting. Imagine my delight when mom requested a session at Graydon Park right here in town! Not only is it a beautiful spot, but it is a place that speaks to them as a family. Some of their fondest summer memories, with their children, but also from their own childhoods, happened here. The  stars aligned for us this night, hardly another soul there, the evening was beautiful and the water, almost glowing. Throw in a gorgeous family and it's this photographers happy place too! 

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Wilmington, NC has got to be one of my favorite places on earth! Last month we were lucky enough to spend a week with good friends exploring the downtown area and beaches. There's so much happening in the downtown area; excellent food, breweries turning out delicious craft beers, a vibrant music and arts scene. And the beaches were killer!! The water was so clean and the waves almost scary, just enough to make boogie-boarding a real thrill and a guaranteed source of exhaustion, and an early bedtime! My only regret is coming home to find there wasn't one picture of me! Ugh. I did all the shooting and never handed the camera off. This breaks my heart and won't happen again. As soon as I got home, I headed to the camera store and bought myself a remote for my camera. From now on, I'll get in the frame every now and then. I want my kids to know I was there having fun with them. Hope you enjoy looking through our "vacation photos". I promise not to pull them out at Christmas. 

Escape to Asbury Park

We were all getting tired of the same old thing and craved a change of scenery. I'd remember reading something in the Times recently about Asbury Park and decided that was our destination. An hour or so away, the ocean, a boardwalk, what did we have to lose? Turns out we had everything to gain. The revival down there is amazing! It has a completely urban/island vibe, if that's even a thing? Great restaurants with roof top bars overlooking the ocean, cozied up next to hip shops and street food "containers". I say containers, because literally that's what they are...shipping containers painted vibrant colors. Imagine a food truck, but bigger with no wheels. 

The water temperature couldn't have been better. It was clean and the surf was rough, but not insane. I've never seen Eamon so happy and believe me, I have seen him pretty happy, many times. I literally had to pull him out of the ocean when it was time to leave. Liam spent the evening hours digging a VERY deep hole in the sand. As we drove the parkway home with a cotton-candy sunset before us, I vowed to make this a regular trek. 

When the boys woke up this morning, the first thing they said was, "Can we go again today?" I wish I could've made it happen the very next day, but there were things to take care of here at home. But soon, very soon we will go again. 

Oh, and by the way there are LOTS of pictures here. Feel free to scroll. :-)

Little Girl in the Big City | NJ Family Photographer

Our day in the city began at the local coffee shop, afterwards we wound our way up to the park and then trekked over to the apartment for some playtime, lunch and finally, nap time. The scheduled life of a toddler is a wonderful thing - I'm envious as I write this! I've said it before and I'll say it again, these are the kind of photos that will transport you back in time the way posed photos cannot. As the years pass and you take out photos like these, you will feel many things, but regret won't be one of them. You were there, completely there.  You preserved precious, simple moments of  a life filled with love and hope. Give this gift to yourself and your children. As the photographer I realize it sounds self-serving to say it's worth it, but it is. It is worth every penny.