We’ve always loved photographing babies and newborns in particular, but having our own little one around has changed a few things in how we photograph. I love the crinkly gaze, the little squeaks, the wrinkly skin. And I know now in a more personal way how fleeting some of these things are.

Fall means family portraits, and I was so happy to photograph Gail’s family photos! With all her kids in town over Thanksgiving weekend, it was the perfect time to update their family memories in photographs.

On a beautiful autumn day we met Fran and her boys, Michael and Louis, in Forest Park for their annual photo shoot. Louis cracked us up and Michael so happily let us know his braces really are coming off soon. We made them a great holiday card that Fran is sending out soon!

First up, the Annunziata boys, who we finally got to photograph after three cancelations due to rain.

Later that week, we met up with the Fuggettas for their annual holiday photo – this year at Citifield!

And of course, one of my favorite families ever, the Clementes!

While not technically a portrait session at all, we did have a camera out in Southold with us a week ago and Joe took the most adorable photo of one of our friends while we snuck in two days of R&R.

We started in a nearby park local to their home and enjoyed a beautifully blustery day in a New Jersey field.

We wanted to show off Heather and Valentina together in some images as well!

If you miss photos of your baby as a newborn, it’s best to wait a few more weeks and schedule baby portraits when they’re just leaving behind the infant stage. Jiselle was a ball of fun for her first portrait session and we got so many photos of her beautifully alert!

We split up the collection into some indoor and outdoor shooting since there were so many dresses in Orangia‘s new bridesmaid lineup! Janelle was working furiously to finish the collection last fall in time for the scheduled photo shoot. Janelle also found us a house in Westchester to use for the fashion shoot, which turned out to be a good thing since it was raining the day before the shooting day.

Janelle of Orangia asked us last fall to photograph a new line of bridesmaid dresses she’s starting to introduce to the market. She’s been designing couture bridal gowns for a while and this new line adds to her eco-friendly designs. Look back soon for the second part with the indoor shoot!

If you’d like Valentine’s Day portraits like these, we might just have a limited amount of time to make them for you. We only do sessions like these in groups and can do them at your own home if you have a large area where we can set up, or we can do them in our home studio as well.

First, it always makes me happy to get a good picture of three young children together, but especially when it only takes a minute to do so!

Then we took a few individuals of each kid. Logan’s up first, just in case.

Emma just couldn’t wait, so she was next. She seemed to think Joe’s Emmy was a toy, so we indulged her for a minute before putting it back in a safe place.

The girls wanted a couple pictures together. Reagan had to have “Molly” in at least one photo, of course.

And then one more of our little man, Logan.

Also, what do you think about making Harrison my new assistant? Find the light, Harrison, find the light!

Two days before their portrait session, the Sofias welcomed Fozzy into their family, so it was natural to want to show him off! I think this was one of the most adorable designs and perfect for their family.

New addition Johnny wasn’t quite sure what to make of me plopping him down on the chilly sidewalk!

This was John’s favorite photo from the entire session. He loves the NY grit!

Jake is really growing up, and I think he’s coming into a great age. We had such a great time with him this year!

And with that, we’re off to California! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, everyone!

If you are interested in a quick portrait for holiday cards and maybe just a few prints, this is an economical offer of $75 for a 30 minute session. We will be working on location, using beautiful, natural light to create your portraits.

Holiday mini-sessions include:

• 1/2 hour family session with Britney + Joe
• Image Premier (viewing and ordering session appointment)
• An online proofing gallery so you can proof and select your images right at home

All studio products are available for purchase a la carte, including studio designed holiday cards, prints, gallery wrap canvases, albums, and more. Special pricing and packages will be available for this very special event.

For our New York clients, this year’s Mini Session will be held on  Sunday, October 17th (rain date is the following Sunday, October 24th) at a local park within Nassau County. Booked clients will get further details and directions.

For our Los Angeles  and Southern California area clients, your Mini Session date will be on Sunday, November 21st at El Dorado Park in Long Beach.

*Note: Space is very limited. Reserve your Mini Session NOW! Contact us here or by phone.
You can also book your session directly on our online gallery and shopping cart right here.

We will look forward to seeing you soon!

Charmaine asked for some iconic Central Park images, photographs that couldn’t be taken at just any park.

Lucas and Logan just cracked us up throughout the afternoon! This was their first trip in New York!

And a blast from the past, about a year and a half ago when Joe photographed their engagement session the day after a big ol’ snowstorm.

I’m going to start with what might be my favorite shot of a newborn in a very long time:

You think Daddy is a hockey fan?

And look, he’s a rockstar already

Here is one that didn’t make the publisher’s cut, but Britney and I like this shot; it’s one of our favorites from the shoot. You can’t tell it was 38 degrees that day!

Isabella and Amanda are very busy girls, and the only time we could all meet for these pictures was a very cold day, so they were all inside. We ended up setting up two triptychs to show off some of their favorite photos.

Lindsay likes to get her Christmas cards out the day after Thanksgiving, so we shot her family back in October.  I love these images because they show the family exactly as they are! The first one here is my favorite: Logan is not even looking, Emma is talking to me, and Reagan is pointing at an airplane in the sky.

Isabella and Amanda are very busy girls, and the only time we could all meet for these pictures was a very cold day, so they were all inside. We ended up setting up two triptychs to show off some of their favorite photos.

Lindsay likes to get her Christmas cards out the day after Thanksgiving, so we shot her family back in October.  I love these images because they show the family exactly as they are! The first one here is my favorite: Logan is not even looking, Emma is talking to me, and Reagan is pointing at an airplane in the sky.

However, the second to last day we were there I really couldn’t resist the beautiful sight before me. After 3 solid days of snowing, the sun broke through patchy clouds for a few hours in the afternoon and we walked fumbled down the stairs to the beach of Lake Michigan. Later, the sunset was beautiful from the deck behind my grandparents’ cottage.

So there you have it, our last shoot of 2009.

I think Addison’s grandpa is going to love the Angels pictures!

The first looks is taken entirely from jcrew’s current collection. It includes lots of color, a little texture, and easy mix and match pieces.

This next look has option for 2 boys and a girl, and I found all the items on The Children’s Place’s website. Icy wintery colors anyone?

Jake cracks me up!

So, that said, I’m pointing you to another article that delves further into this idea better than I can express with my own words:
Lessons Learned From the (in)Famous Chicken Suit Pics
With that, we’re off to California. We’ll be photographing a couple weddings, and I’ll be in a wedding! I can’t wait to see Andrew and Sara get married!

Andrew and Sara arranged to have a Vespa at their engagement shoot!

s!

a rogue wave was a little bit bigger than anyone was expecting!

note: it looks like Ella loves me and is running my way, but really it was the adorable Golden Lab behind me

This was actually the last shot of the day, but definitely my favorite:

Joe captured some really sweet moments between Jake and PJ

Jake was a little fussy in the middle of the session, but daddy calmed him down

and then I had a chance to play a little with little naked Jake

It’s never too early to get a start on this year’s Christmas card!

All photos taken in and around Adam and Amanda’s Lakewood home:

I call this the Adam section:

I love this next image!

Per our viewing terms, please don’t republish.

We love this shot with Eric’s uniform!

And a couple with Kiran cocooned

1. When do I schedule my maternity session?

Well, this one is going to be an ambiguous answer, unfortunately. For a lot of first time mothers, they aren’t sure when they feel best, and aren’t sure when they will all of the sudden just feel big. For the average woman, 7.5 to 8 months is a great time for a maternity or “bump” session. Your belly has great shape and you aren’t feeling “blah” yet. However, if you feel you’re getting very round at 6 months, feel free to schedule it for the 6.5 to 7 time period. If you don’t feel you’re that big at all yet, feel free to wait. Just don’t wait too long, or it may turn into an unexpected birth session!

I believe Kaylene had less than 4 weeks to go here:

2. When do I schedule my newborn session?

This is not an ambiguous answer at all. In fact, we will ONLY schedule a newborn session during the first week! While we don’t have children, we do know what we’re talking about, I promise. Having photographed well over 30 newborns in the last couple years, we’ve seen a lot and experienced a lot! Newborns in the first week are different, and they change so quickly. We can bundle them up and snuggle them into the most adorable positions for photos in that first week, things they just won’t tolerate in the second week. We hear a lot of mothers tell us, “Trust me, they won’t change next week.” While your new baby may not appear to change, in hindsight you’ll see they have changed; at the very least, their sleep habits change. The cuddly newborn photos you see on our website and blog really only occur in the first week, and weeks 2-5 make for difficult sessions with fewer great images.

This is a recent favorite from a session in the first week, something that we just wouldn’t be able to do any later

And another from last year. Again this would be very difficult once the baby is more aware of what is going on around him.

3. When do I schedule my baby session?

After the newborn session, there are some great landmarks. 6 weeks is the next really great time to photograph babies, as they start to interact more. Other great times are when your baby begins to sit up on their own, when they’re just starting to crawl, just starting to stand, and of course the 1 year mark. The next two photos are at 6 weeks and 1 year:

4. What about later? How often should I plan for photography sessions?

That’s a personal answer, and again, it depends. Any landmarks like a child entering school, important birthdays, graduating from school, going away for the first time, these are all great times to schedule sessions. When I was in middle school, I went to Europe for almost a month and just before I left, my mother scheduled a portrait session for my sisters and I. I love looking back at those photos even if I look like a total dork in them, because that was a turning point in my life. (And yes, Joe agrees I look like a total dork in those photos.)

As for groups, a lot of our clients schedule annual sessions in the fall for holiday photos of their kids, while some schedule an annual beach session in the summer. We recommend a full family session with mom and dad at least every three years when your children are school-aged so you have a progression of family images. I know, I know… you just want photos of your kids. Please trust me when I say that one day your kids will want to know what you looked like when they were 5!

Ryan and Marlene incorporated Jake’s first professional photos in with their annual fall session last year, and we already have their November session scheduled this year!Graduating from high school? We can take a much nicer and more creative senior portrait than the contracted yearbook photographer for your school!

Or maybe you’ve got several children nearing or in high school and want to take a nice family photo before your family starts changing!

Or… maybe you’re moving. While we’re sad to see you leaving the Turn Loose the Art family, it’s nice to document your last portrait session at your home for historical purposes. We’d even be happy to recommend a colleague in your new area to continue taking photos of your family as you settle and grow there. This image was taken the day before the moving truck arrived to pack up the house and move it from Redondo Beach, CA to Bend, OR.

These prices may never be seen again!

Full set of unretouched hi-res files… normally $1400… now $500

Full set of retouched hi-res files… normally $2500… now $1400

Set of Top 10 Favorite retouched hi-res files… normally $1400… now $500.

This sale will only be available through our public shopping cart. On August 7, there will be three new products listed there. If you choose the Top 10, please list your 10 favorite image numbers in the notes section.

Please address any questions before the deadline, as we’ll probably be unavailable the evening of the 14th due to prior work commitments.

1. Texture

We love texture! Sweaters with cable and other textures add a richness that you’ll never get with a plain cotton tee. Look at Ava’s sweater dress, the different rolling textures at the hem, and also her headband even has texture. We do mostly prefer the textures to be solid in color as that’s not distracting, but any texture is great. (Also, you’ll note that the kids take center stage here and the parents are in supporting colors– this is great.)

While the Splendorio kids do match perfectly, they added visual interest by all wearing textured knits. In addition, they really dressed considering the surroundings.

Below, Evie and Jeff are dressed quite simply for their beach engagement session. But her sweater adds some dimension in an otherwise simple image.

2. Layers

Layers also add interest without adding distraction. The orange shirt Mandell is wearing beneath his Mom shirt adds a pop of color in an otherwise dark outfit. Layering denim jackets over dresses, layering sweaters with corduroy pants, ruffled dresses — these are all easy ways to add layers into your clothing choices.

3. Accessories

Technically, white tank tops are pretty boring, right? But with the accessories we added here with the cowboy hat and ruffled skit, it’s a great portrait! Sometimes letting the girls take center stage works pretty well. After all, most women know that adding the right necklace or hat can completely transform an outfit. Below, the Presser girls look adorable in their gold leggings and Converse. The right accessories really dress up a portrait.

4. Complementing Colors

Years later, I still use this great portrait of the Ver Steegs as an example of awesome attire. They’re all dressed in complementing colors, but no one matches exactly. Jeans, black pants, black lace shirts (texture), sweaters… they all meld wonderfully. For a full family, you don’t get any better than this.

Below, the Weinstocks complemented each other very well, all dressing in greens, yellows, and pinks for their family lifestyle beach session. The kids suits all have subtle patterns and textures that blend nicely as well.

Below, Amber and Trevor complement each other so well! They are at the same level of formality and in similar tones.

5. Naked. But I guess that really only works for newborns!

We’ll start with the little bum picture, because I think it’s adorable.

a few with his sisters!

this one makes us laugh, because apparently Reagan loves Logan’s feet

with mommy and daddy

some baby parts (sounds like I’m shopping for a used car?)

a few of Emma and Reagan posing by themselves. anyone else notice they’re much better (used to) being on their own?

and this last sweet shot Joe captured:

We love how happy Julia and Danny were to pose for the “official” birth announcement photo!

I think Danny just wanted in on the action here

And one last image, an homage to Dave’s love of the Mets!

This one is so cute! Emma wanted to hold her belly like Mama.

Isn’t she just so adorable?

Joe caught this hilarious expression while Julian was hanging out in his little PUNK shirt.

And this one, I found it funny when Steve mimicked Julian as he started wailing!

Joe captured this lovely moment with Shirin holding Ayaana’s little feet

Gotta love that look!

This is one of those images that I just love, and can never really pinpoint why:

Aadit was such a good boy and behaved so well holding Ayaana, that we wanted to grab a few of him too!

On a completely separate note, Shehnaai just rebranded and has a great new site!

We are announcing $100 sessions for June 19, 22, and 26. For June 26, only a morning session is left.

Other days we might have openings yet, at regular $175 weekday or $275 weekend rates.

And since all posts are better with pictures, here are a few old faves:

the girls like playing with their legs