Marissa's Maternity Session | Long Island New York

Krick Smith Photography

I ventured out to Wading River Beach on Long Island with a beautiful couple - Marissa and Rob - for their maternity photoshoot this weekend. The weather was so gorgeous this day. They were so much fun, and we wanted to incorporate the rocks and beach because they were pregnant with their first baby boy.

Marissa is seriously so beautiful with her perfect round belly! She was so easygoing. I loved this shot of her holding her belly with the rocks and beach surrounding her.

Everytime I go to this beach, I have to have clients climb on the giant rocks jutting out from the water. I just feel like it’s so magical and almost like a scene from a book here! This shot is more candid and lifestyle like. They are beautiful here.

This is one of my favorite shots from this session because I feel like it looks so whimsical and fairytale-like - look at that dress flow! Marissa looks stunning all posed with her belly!

After leaving the beach, we made a stop at East Wind Long Island and found this fantastic carousel that perfectly captures the fun loving nature of Marissa’s personality.

Wasn’t this outdoor maternity session gorgeous?! I travel within 60 minutes of Princeton, NJ if you like outdoor shoots (farther for a travel fee)! If you’re ready to start planning your maternity photoshoot, you can find our information here! We can’t wait to help you plan your dream session!

Helpful Tips For The Perfect Photoshoot With Your Kid | New Jersey Photographer

It is so much fun to photograph and work with these little ones and we have some beautiful photos to share with their parents and family! I try to capture an array of emotions with each shoot; from laughs, smiles, and giggles to tears, screaming, and being shy. Or all of them in one shoot! One theme became apparent, and it hit me that I needed to blog about this. Many parents had tons of anxiety about this and even felt that one small meltdown ruined their entire shoot, absolutely not! I wanted to share a few tips to help prepare you and your family and wanted to be the reassurance you need!

• Dress for the weather. It seems simple, but extra layers on a warm day or too little clothing mixed with a cool breeze can be the first problem of a shoot that can lead it down a rough path.

•  Reel in your expectations. We totally understand you booked your session and have a fantastic idea in mind or a pose you so desperately want. We love to do our best to make that happen! But, the more expectation, pressure, and direction we start giving to young ones can easily frustrate them. Especially when in a different environment and having a camera clicking away at you. Give us ideas of things you have seen and would love, we can create situations and place you in positions to be ready to capture those special moments!

•  Don’t freak out if they begin to cry or become fussy. We know you don’t want teary eyed photos, but trust us when we say you definitely don’t want photos of you looking upset or frustrated either. Many times, mom or dad can be consoling their little one and those make some of the best shots. It’s genuine and real, but most importantly it is your life and those little moments are something to certainly treasure years from now.

•  Plan a day and time that works for your schedule. We try to be as flexible as we can, but if you know nap time is always between 1-3 please don’t schedule an early afternoon session. Even if you feel you can lay them down earlier or later, it almost never works out. Also, keep it relaxed that day. If they had school or events going on, maybe schedule your session for another day when there is less going on. And another big tip – give them a little snack to avoid that hangriness feeling we all get! As my wife can attest, sometimes even I need a Snickers!

•  Rewards do help. This is totally up to you, but it has worked many times for us. We will never say “if you’re good, mommy and daddy will...”. But, if there is a reward you know they will like that could get some cooperation for 10 minutes, we can bounce off that and it helps!

•  We will do our best to make your child smile, but we can’t guarantee it. As we photograph, we try our best to direct attention to the camera and get those smiling photos for you. We ask for assistance a lot from mom and dad right behind the camera, because who knows what makes your baby laugh more than you do? Even though we have been known to be quite goofy behind the camera ourselves! But unfortunately, sometimes babies and kids know this just isn’t right and they aren’t having it. I was one of those kids! So, there is no reason to be flustered because they won’t. Again, it goes hand in hand with reeling in your expectations. Therefore, we like to do a combination between portraits and lifestyle. With lifestyle, it is much easier to get those genuine reactions and smiles when we can stand on the side lines and capture those special moments! Not to mention, they feel the most real and exactly how your life is.

• Talk to your kids. Let them know they are getting photos done by us. You can show them the About Me page on the website so they can see my face, you can show them our logo, or even show them some other photos we took of other kids and their families! Now is also a good time to mention rewards if you choose to do so. We have allowed kids to help us shoot, they love it. Tell them they can help us out for the day. It is amazing to see the little artists at work!

• Most of all, come to have fun. We have been fortunate enough to photograph many families with children. And like I mentioned earlier, sometimes there is combinations of emotions from hysterical laughs to hysterical crying. Nothing is by the book and cookie cutter; it is simply going with the flow when having young ones. Trust in our ability to make the best out of the situation and create the images you will love and cherish for many years.

How to Prepare for Your Family Photo Session | New Jersey Photographer

Family photos hold a special place in our lives and in our hearts. These are images we’ll look back on for years to come, images that our children and grandchildren will look at to remind themselves of where they came from and how much their family has changed and grown.

Tracking your family’s growth is a great reason to take annual family photos. But once you’ve booked your session, you may be feeling some trepidation:

• How am I going to get all the kids to behave?

• What should everyone wear?

• What if our pictures turn out terrible because no one will cooperate?

 A family photo session can be a nerve-wracking experience for any parent, but the results are well worth the effort. To help you feel a little less stressed about getting everyone dressed and smiling, this handy guide will help you prepare for and make the most of your family session!

Preparing for Your Session

Schedule at the right time of day

When it comes to photographing young children, scheduling is everything. You don’t want to schedule a photo shoot right in the middle of naptime and end up with a cranky toddler. In the same way, if your session runs over into dinnertime, your little one may throw a tantrum. Even if you want “golden hour” images, consider your kids and what time of day they’re most alert, awake, and content. It’s better to have your photos taken in the middle of the day than to struggle with frustrated, grumpy children just to get that gorgeous evening light.

Talk to your kids beforehand

A photo session is not something you want to drag your kids to without warning them. Take time to sit your kids down and explain what they can expect at the family session and how they should behave. Emphasize the fun aspects of a photo shoot: They can pretend to be models and even ham it up a little for the camera. Just remind them the importance of listening to you and the photographer and following instructions.

Get inspired

Think about what kind of images you want and talk to your photographer about your options. Would you prefer a studio session or one outside at a favorite park or spot in your town? Maybe you want an in-home session where the photographer can capture your family in their natural environment. Whatever you choose, be sure to speak with your photographer beforehand about what you’re hoping to achieve, as well as any special requirements you or your family may need.

Choose what to wear

While kids definitely look adorable in their dressiest outfits, you’re better off choosing something they’re comfortable in. That goes for your whole family, including you. Everyone will feel more like themselves in their favorite outfits. Just be sure everyone coordinates well and avoid bright colors or patterns that can be distracting.

---

The Day of Your Session

Pack your bag

If you have kids, you’re familiar with how much stuff you need to bring along with you when you go places, and a family photo session is no different. Here are some items we recommend you pack for your photo shoot:

• An old blanket to sit on - perfect for cozy outside images

• Backup outfits - You never know when someone will get a little messy!

• Lint roller - This is a must if you’re including pets in the session

• Favorite toys - A great way to keep little ones happy

• Snacks and water - Nothing boosts a kid’s mood quite like a favorite snack! Just go for something that isn’t too messy

• Tissues - As a parent, you probably always have these on hand, but you’ll need them to wipe messy noses

Keep an eye out for illness

If you or one of your children comes down with the flu the day of your session, talk to us about rescheduling. These things happen, and we’re more than happy to work with you to find a better time to capture your family photos.

UPDATE 2020: Because of COVID-19 concerns, the session will be cancelled if anyone in your party arrives showing symptoms. While we are vaccinated, we will not take the chance of passing it on to someone who may not be. Non-refundable deposits will not be used towards a future date and the session will need to be re-booked.

Remove any unnecessary items

Before your photographer starts snapping pictures, be sure to take any keys, phones, or wallets out of pockets and remove any hair ties or Fitbits from your wrists. All these items can be tucked away into your bag, so you know exactly where they are and don’t have to stress about searching for your keys later.

Make a day of it

While your actual session may only take a few hours, it’s a good idea to make the day a relaxing one. That means no additional activities for the kids (unless you want to take everyone out for a treat after the session) and no work for you. Just spend a relaxing day at home before and after your session.

Give yourself plenty of time

Instead of rushing out the door 15 minutes later than expected, get everyone ready early and give yourself at least 30 minutes to get to your session location. You may even want to look at traffic reports and give yourself even more time if necessary. If you’re in a rush, you’ll feel stressed and anxious, and that’s no way to start a family photo shoot! Be sure to give yourself plenty of breathing room so you can arrive comfortably early to your session.

Stay calm

I know, it’s easier said than done. But if you’re stressed out, your kids will sense it, and suddenly everyone is having a not-fun time. Besides, genuine smiles look so much better than forced ones, and you want your family photos to capture your authentic joy and personalities!