Mommy and Me Mini Sessions!

It’s happening again!

Due to high demand we are hosting our second annual Cherry Blossom mini sessions at Verona Park! These 20 minute sessions are the perfect opportunity to create beautiful images for Mother's Day 🌸

This isn't just for Mom's with young children either. Photos of Mother and child are so precious regardless of age, and are memories that will last a life time. If you are a mother-to-be you can take the opportunity to show off that bump too!

Spots are limited so sign up today! Click here to reserve your spot today!

Now to answer some frequently asked questions…

Can I bring my husband/pet?

Yes, both are welcome 😂 These sessions can be used for almost any type of portrait session. This includes family portraits, maternity images, just the kids, communion portraits, etc. If you have never worked with me before and just want to do a “test shoot” this is the time to do it!

What is the minimum age requirement for my child?

At least 6 months. I do not recommend bringing infants younger than that age as they typically require more time and a more comfortable working environment.

Can i upgrade for more images after my shoot?

Of course! Toddlers can be temperamental so I typically recommend most clients book the base collections and upgrade after seeing the proofs!

How do i rent a couture dress for my shoot?

Couture dresses are the perfect prop for any session! For our clients convenience, we offer a variety of dresses to choose from. Click here to view and reserve your dress!

If you have any further questions regarding the sessions, drop us an email via bookings@nicolettesarzosa.com

We can't wait to see you there! 

Nicolette

Preparing for your Family session (with kids!)

I know we haven’t even gotten to Halloween yet but trust me, the holiday season is right around the corner…

And yea, here in New Jersey it is the most wonderful time of the year. Leaves are starting to change color, it’s cozy sweater season and Starbucks finally has pumpkin spice coffee again!

So why am I talking about holiday portraits in October? Because this is the time of year everyone wants to take family portraits for the holiday cards. I try to book these sessions as early in the fall as possible to make sure I can accommodate each and every one of my clients. I always start with fall themed portraits from September until mid-November, and holiday themed portraits from mid-October through the end of November.

While I put together the themes for the session, props and choose the locations, there are a few things I would like to mention so you can have your family ready for the picture perfect photo session…

Schedule the session around your child’s nap-time

Let’s be honest, nobody wants to put a cranky kid in front of the camera. I certainly don’t want them to miserable the entire photo session either. A photo shoot should be a fun experience which means your child needs to be comfortable. This also means they shouldn’t be hungry before the session either because being hangry isn’t fun for anyone. I usually have enough flexibility in scheduling to be able to accommodate your child’s needs so we get lots of smiles for the camera!

What should my children wear to their photo-shoot?

My rule of thumb is neutral/earth tones. An exception to this would of course be red if your doing a Christmas shoot, but in that case I would still stay away from large patterns as they can be distracting in the image.

If your doing family photos with everyone it is important to coordinate outfits as well. This doesn’t necessarily mean everyone has to be in white shirts and jeans-wearing similar neutrals such as greys, blacks, taupes, etc. and keeping the attire simple makes for beautiful portraits. When in doubt, think less is more. Less pops of color, less jewelry, less accessories=better photos.

For girls, I do offer couture dress rentals which are the perfect prop to any photo-shoot! I offer special packages when booking where you receive additional images for renting a dress!

have your child’s favorite toy, music, show at the ready

Wondering how I get children to look at the camera? It’s honestly not a big secret. I usually have parents dangling some type of object over the lens of my camera such as a toy or something that makes sound to draw in their attention.

Another good trick is playing their favorite music or show on an iPhone. When you fill out a questionnaire prior to your session you could mention a few of their favorite songs to me so I can have a playlist ready to go!

go with the flow…

While this may not be a “picture perfect” moment, it certainly is real! The parent’s ended up loving this shot and buying it because it’s something the kids will always be able to look back and laugh about! Isn’t that the best part of making memories after all?!

I mention this in a lot of my blogs regarding photo sessions. The best shoots I have with kids is when they are stress free. We will get awesome photos of your kids, even if you see they are making silly faces, not sitting still, or even running away from the camera! (Lol!)If we make the photo-shoot feel like a “job” they are going to lose interest real quick. I say “let kids be kids” and use those silly moments to capture great candids. With some patience and positive reinforcement we will get some great portraits for you to cherish and share with your loved ones.

Top 3 Parks to Photograph Fall Portraits in New Jersey

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”

If you are reading this and from the Tri-State area, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The leaves are changing color, the air is crisp, there’s so many fun outdoor activities for you and the family to do. This is the time of year everyone in the area looks forward to.

As a portrait photographer, walking out to do a shoot on a beautiful fall day, I get that feeling of a kid in a candy shop. There is just SO MUCH to work with! I’m not one to keep secrets so I would like to take a moment to share with you all some of my favorite places to photograph this time of year and why. Here’s my go to list of recommendations:

1. Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park

2. Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne

3. Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton

Interested to learn more? Scroll down to see some images from each location and learn more about hosting a photo session there!

Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park

The pros: Chances are if you are a photographer from New Jersey you have been here before. If your not a photographer and reading this, chances are still likely that you’ve been here before because Skylands Manor is not just a popular photo destination but also a venue.

This park is #1 on my list for a reason. You can spend HOURS here and still discover a new hidden corner on your next visit. I’m surprised each time I photograph here (which is usually 1-2 times a week) because the landscape changes from one day to the next. As a photographer, you have the choice to keep your backdrop “scenic” by utilizing the landscape or more “ industrial” by incorporating the water fountains and buildings on the property.

The cons: There are two “downfalls” I would say about Skylands. One, don’t go here on a weekend. The place is filled with photographers, families and tourists. I have my “secret spots” that I’ve learned over time shooting here that are usually pretty empty, but I would recommend booking your shoots during the week.

The other downside is that the permits are a bit pricey at $175/year. However, as I previously mentioned I shoot here 1-2 times a week so I definitely get my money’s worth. Be careful not to shoot here without a permit as they do check.

Skylands manor is located at 5 Morris Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456

Small bridge in the Native Plant Demonstration Garden

Laurelwood Arboretum

The pros: If you are looking for a small park with a lot to offer, look no further! Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne is beautiful year-round, but I do particularly love the fall colors you will get in their botanical garden and near Laurel pond at the top of Azalea Way trail.

As you can see from the image above, the park offers bridges, gazebos, flowers, trees and even more! You can do an entire session in the entrance area alone, but it’s worth making the short trek up the trail to see more.

Pro tip-If you are planning a shoot at Laurelwood Arboretum around golden hour, do your actual “sunset shot” 3 miles down the road at Terhune Park. It’s a four minute drive and the sun sets right over the water. No permit needed!

The cons: Like many parks, it does tend to get crowded here, especially after work hours. Because it is a smaller park it can be difficult to shoot around the people visiting so be sure to know your way around first to know where to work around.

The permit for this park is also priced high at $150/year, however you can book one session for only $50! Learn more by visiting their website.

Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470

Grounds for sculpture

Sculpture: Dorian by Bruce Beasely

The pros: There was no way I was going to make a list of my favorite places and not include Grounds for Sculpture. This park is an absolute gem and I would shoot here over and over again. The grounds are perfectly maintained and every corner you turn is different, so you can offer your clients a variety of looks.

During the fall there are many parts of the park that you can capture the beauty of the leaves changing. Besides the artwork there are bridges, hedges, fountains, and gardens that can be utilized to create a picturesque scene for your clients.

Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Township

The cons: I’ll be honest, I don’t have anything bad to say about this place. The permit price is more than reasonable at $18/shoot. You do have to sign a waiver that you will give credit to the artists who’s work is featured in your photos which is a very reasonable request. I would recommend this location to anyone looking for a unique shoot location!

Grounds for Sculpture is located at 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619

While it’s not much I hope I offered you all a few different options for locations to capture beautiful portraits that you can be excited about for your upcoming sessions. I look forward to all the portrait sessions I have coming up this season at all of my favorite parks! Don’t forget, you can still book your fall portrait session with me at any of these locations by clicking here. Thanks again for taking the time to stay up to date with my blog 🍂

Baptism Photography

Let’s start by asking “what is the real meaning of a Baptism?”

Many Christians believe that a baptism is important because Jesus was baptized, and after his resurrection he told his disciples that they should be baptized too. This tradition has carried on centuries into our modern day society for those who are part of the Christian Church. It is an act in which water is sprinkled onto a person’s forehead (or sometimes a full immersion into water) and it symbolizes rebirth or a purification. This is how one gains passage into the Christian Church.

Beautiful interior of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension

I’ve been a witness to so many different Baptisms and each are unique in their own way. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing a Greek Orthodox Baptism, in which after the immersion the family, godparent and priest circle the baptismal font three times. I’ve photographed a Polish Orthodox Baptism, and Baptisms in the Catholic Church. Prior to becoming a photographer, I didn’t know much of a difference between all of these different types of Ceremonies. Now having been a part of these celebrations, I’m fascinated by how each culture has it’s differences.

Now let’s talk about what gets photographed

Prior to the Ceremony, many families ask to have photos of the baby “getting ready”. If you remember the getting ready part of your Wedding day, you will find it’s very similar to this. I always ask that parents have the “details” ready. This includes the following:

• Pre-Ceremony Outfit

• Baptismal Outfit

• Baptismal Cross and Chain

• Olive Oil

• White hand towels

• Baptismal Candles

• Martyrika-in some cultures these witness pins are used which are handed out to guests at the end of a ceremony

•Additional items include shoes, a copy of the invitation for the guests, florals, or any other details you see fit.

If time allows, I usually like to get some family photos done prior to the Ceremony, but at this point in time I primarily focus on candids.

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The Ceremony

Again, depending on the type of Baptism your child receives, a ceremony can be anywhere from 45-90 minutes. During this time I confirm with the Priest where I am allowed to stand and photograph. In most cases they allow me onto the alter to take close-up photos of the baby being submerged. Other than that we have the lighting of the candles and the blessings which are typically done while the Godparents, family and baby are seated in the pews. Having done many Baptisms, I am very familiar with the timing of these events.

After the Ceremony

Immediately after the Ceremony concludes I ask the Priest to jump in for a family photo. After that, we will proceed to the remaining family portrait combinations. To learn more about what types of family photos I typically take during an event you can refer to my recent blog post “Family Portrait Combinations”

The Reception

Now it’s time to have fun! During the reception I will be capturing the decor details, cake, food, cocktail reception and plenty of candids! At this point all the family photos and important rituals are covered, so parents get to sit back and enjoy. I hope this post helped those of you who are planning a Baptism in the future and be sure to send me a message with any questions you may have!

Precautions to be taken after COVID-19

Well, this isn’t exactly how I imagined my first blog post…

I’ve always wanted to have the time to blog and create content to share with all of you, DIY videos, photography tips and tricks, etc. Now that I finally have the time to write, I figured I’d start off with acknowledging the elephant in the room.

Covid-19

Needless to say, it has impacted the world in ways we can’t even imagine. We continue to live in the solidarity of our homes. People have lost their lives and the lives of people they love. Businesses have been shut down for months and many will not recover. I want you all to know that I do plan on continuing to work once the state has re-opened, but things will be different.

you should know, I’m a total germ-a-phobe

So yea, I’m taking this thing pretty seriously. Especially because the majority of the time I’m working with kids so I have a responsibility to the parents to ensure that their children are in a safe environment. In normal circumstances, this means securing any equipment to prevent accidents, keeping small objects away that they can choke on, making sure all the props are clean before the next child uses them. You get the idea…

Postponing existing photo sessions

To start, all existing photo sessions will be moved to late June/early July and fingers crossed those can happen. Only outdoor sessions will be scheduled so there will be no in-home or studio shoots. Any new client inquiries will be scheduled for mid-July or August.

“I heard the parks re-opened, so Why do I have to wait to have my photo session?”

Although state parks have re-opened they are not allowing photo sessions at this time. They are still working to maintain social distancing laws, and until further notice they are not allowing photographers to schedule sessions. If photographers are seen on the premises working they can be ticketed and heavily fined.

If you are looking to have a photo session earlier than the last week of June, I will have to contact the local police station to receive some type of permit authorizing me to conduct a photo session.

safety precautions

These are the actions I will be taking to ensure each and every client will be safe during their session

1. Questionnaires: I used this time off to set up a new program that I’m super excited about when booking clients. Everyone will receive a questionnaire prior to their session so I can gain more information about their wants and needs to provide them with a customized photo shoot experience. I’m also utilizing this new tool as a waiver that clients can fill out in regards to Covid-19 safety.

Please please please fill out the waiver honestly. Your session will not be cancelled indefinitely if you have been exposed, it will just be postponed until deemed safe. This works both ways. if I were to find out my household member has Covid, or if I were to travel or been exposed, I will postpone our session at least 14 days. Again, while I know this isn’t convenient it is for everyones safety ESPECIALLY the children involved.

2. No newborn sessions until further notice. I feel like this one kind of goes without saying, but until Covid becomes a thing of the past I will not be taking any newborn clients or selling annual collections. If you are interested in Maternity sessions those will be hosted outdoors once the parks re-open.

3. PPE: I will be wearing a mask and gloves to every session, and have a bottle of sanitizer at the ready. I do ask parents if you are not involved in the session to please also wear a mask.

4. Social distancing: This is probably the most important point. I want to let you know that it is very easy for me to maintain 6+ ft distance away from you and your child while I’m working. I have long lenses and high resolution cameras that allow me to create tack sharp images from even 15 ft away. What will be different is I will not have the ability to pose the children without your help. Parents will have to be more involved during the session more-so than usual to help pose the children. That being said, sessions may run a little longer than normal but I will not be charging for such excess time.

5. Minimal props: This one makes me want to cry 😭You guys all know how much I love creating custom sets for all of you, but in order to minimize exposure I will not be using any props that children can handle for the time being. Basically, anything that they would normally touch like pillows, blankets, baskets, swings etc. I will not be using. However, anything decorative that will be in the background will still be included. We might have to get creative together to collaborate before the session, and feel free to bring anything from home that you think will work for the shoot. We can do this!

6. No dress rentals until further notice: Wahhhhh!!!! I feel your pain. Bentley and Lace dresses are my favorite and I would so love to rent them out for your sessions. I will definitely be making an announcement once we are able to rent these out again!

Lastly, I want you all to know how much i miss each and every one of you, and i cannot wait to start working again!

And I promise after this no more depressing posts! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this and from now on it will definitely be more up-beat and inspiring news. I hope you are all staying safe, healthy and happy during this difficult time. If you have any questions for me please feel free to reach out, or if you just need someone to talk to I’m here! Love you all and thank you for your continued support 💕

Xo,

Nicolette