Studio Portraits

New Milford CT studio portraits

Studio Portraits

Tiffany and Kas in the new Planet Photo Studio

New Milford CT studio portraits

Tiffany came to see the studio and support her mom Amy when she took part in my 50 over 50 portrait project. I have known Tiffany since she babysat for my kids when she was in high school and I have photographed her a couple of times before.  I convinced her that she needed to come in with her boyfriend Kas so that I could try out a new backdrop and I could practice my shooting flow in the new studio. She agreed! 

Shooting in a new space is exciting but also a little daunting. My old studio was small but I had my system down. Now I have room to set up three shooting areas and we can flow from one to the next, it’s awesome!

New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits

Tiffany is a dancer and Kas is a hockey player so the COVID quarantine has brought big changes for both of them; but it’s also given them time to slow down and spend time together. They’re pretty cute right? 

Which are your favorites? I love that they both love fashion and that they wanted to experiment with me. Let’s design your portrait session! 

New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits
New Milford CT studio portraits

Faces of Female Entrepreneurs Exhibition

Faces of Female Entrepreneurs

Portrait Exhibition

The idea for the Faces of Female Entrepreneurs project came from a portrait conference in California last year. The leader of the Portrait Masters conference, Sue Bryce, made the first presentation of the day and introduced her team by inviting them to come up on stage. They were each carrying a 5 foot tall black and white image of themselves. The crowd went crazy and those enormous powerful prints stood in the hallway and mesmerized the conference attendees for the next two days. You looked at those printed portraits and you could feel their power and sense the personality of the subjects.

I decided I wanted to do that too! The problem was I didn’t have a team. Like so many small business owners I wear many hats, so short of photographing myself immersed in a variety of tasks, my series of portraits stopped at one. I realized that my position was similar to many of my neighbors downtown and the idea of focusing on my fellow female entrepreneurs was born.

So I did what everyone does these days, and I created a Facebook event. For good measure I even printed posters, and I invited women who had started a business in New Milford to contact me so that I could create their portrait.

I set my initial goal at 20 portraits. That came and went pretty quickly and I ended with 35 plus one of me! Of course there are many more talented business owners in New Milford but time and resources meant that I had to stop. Some of the last portraits were of Rita and Anne. Two local ladies who started Literacy Volunteers on the Green from a park bench on New Milford green. Their group of mainly female volunteers have been teaching literacy skills to local residents since 2005. Some of them have even gone on to start their own business.

I wanted to show these beautiful strong women the look of strength, power and determination in their eyes. I am proud to be part of this network of women. The portraits were shown at the opening night at 19Main and the exhibition will be on display during April at Makery Coworking on Bank Street, New Milford.

Meet New Milford’s Faces of Female Entrepreneurs…..

Maureen Kenny: Nutmeg Olive Oil. Lyn Van Buskirk: Swank on Bank

Female Entrepreneurs

Luisa Amaral: Ruth Chase Flowers. Lupo Passero: Twin Star Apothecary

Karen Ross and Pamela Picheco: Joe’s Salon and Spa
Female Entrepreneurs

Sandra Stetson: Green Granary. Jessica Reis: Reis Learning Center

Rebecca Doring: Massage Therapy. Jessica Bitner: Lasting Impressions Jewelry
Female Entrepreneurs

Lisa Berte: LAB Media Designs. Allison Eng: Ruby Bridal Boutique

Denise Trach: Creating Cadence. Sarah Lopes: The Safari Collection
Female Entrepreneurs

Shannon Powell: A Muddy Paw. Janie Larson: Study Works

Anne Hungerford: AH Yoga. Lisa Lent: Intuitive Movement
Female Entrepreneurs

Monica Harcken: Monica’s Corner. Julie Czerenda: Art Experience

Ashley Ayers: Salon27. Gail Henderson: Functional Rehab
Female Entrepreneurs

Manuela Durre Young: Alpenhaus Restaurant. Kathy Henkel: Kathy Henkel Fitness

Janet Taub: Planet Photo. Marion Cooper Farrell: Mind Body Connection
Female Entrepreneurs

Elizabeth Parkinson: Fineline Theater Arts. Amanda Placeres: Placeres Naturopathic and Acupuncture

Crystal Girgenti: G-Force Coaching. Debbie Bauman: Barkery Bootique.
Female Entrepreneurs

Vanessa Gronbach: Gronbach Law. Kris Stewart: Kris Stewart Photography

Anne Maitland and Rita Guariglia: Literacy Volunteers on the Green
Female Entrepreneurs

Stacey Palancia: Blush Couture. Lacee Yurtoglu: Artist

Thank you to all the ladies who trusted me to take and choose their portrait for the exhibition!

19Main and Makery Coworking for showing the portraits

Crystal Girgenti for believing in and sponsoring the project and delivering a keynote speech

Joe’s Salon for donating refreshments

Ruth Chase Flowers for donating flowers for the opening night

Mitch and Mike from Charisma for music

Bank Street Investments for support and sponsorship

 

 

Photography Exhibition Female Entrepreneurs

Faces of Female Entrepreneurs

photography exhibition

A black and white portrait photography exhibition

March 29th | 7-9pm

19Main, New Milford, CT

Dessert and refreshments will be served

When I opened the Planet Photo studio on Bank Street at the end of 2016 I realized that so many of the neighboring businesses had been established by women. Starting your own business is not for everyone. It takes strength, determination, and of course, a lot of hard work.

I chose to celebrate these powerful women with a portrait project. I wanted to capture their strength, but also their feminine side. So the Faces of Female Entrepreneurs project began. Over the course of a few months I met with quite a few of New Milford’s women who had started their own business. I am so happy to share these portraits with our community. Meet them and other local entrepreneurs at 19Main on March 29th. All are welcome to attend!

Sign up to receive updates and information about the exhibition here

Portrait Project – Women in Business New Milford CT

Portrait Project

Women in Business New Milford CT

I am creating a portrait project around all the wonderful women who have started their own business in New Milford. Since I moved into my studio on Bank Street at the end of 2016, I realized just how many female entrepreneurs had opened a store or started a business in downtown New Milford. I would like to take a black and white portrait of these women in business for a future exhibition celebrating women entrepreneurs. My goal is to show strong, independent and powerful female entrepreneurs while also showing their feminine side. Check out my inspiration board.
Are you a business owner? Would you like to be part of my portrait project? I would love to hear from you! 
Email: janet@planet-photography.com

I am sure you have a few questions, check here first but contact me if there is something I missed!

What to wear?

I would like to show your glamorous side! All portraits will be shot in black and white so don’t worry about the color but textures photograph really well, I love lace! Large earrings can be distracting but a necklace always look great. Most portraits will be waist up so don’t worry about shoes! 

How long will it take?

About 30 minutes. You should come dressed and with hair and make up already done. If you want to arrange to have professional make up, I generally use Blush Couture but Joe’s Salon and Spa also offers make up services – contact them both directly for pricing and scheduling information.

Do I get to see all the images?

I will choose one image to be printed for the exhibition. You can arrange a time to view your images and select your favorite – that is my gift to you. Additional images will be available for purchase.

Do I have to have a brick and mortar store?

No. But you do have to be a female registered business owner in New Milford, CT. This project is open to for-profit or non-profit organizations. If you started it, I want to hear from you! I know there are many ladies involved in a MLM company, unfortunately I cannot focus on these businesses this time, unless you started the original business.

Is there a charge?

No. I will print my favorite for the exhibition. I will gift you one matted portrait of your choice, additional portraits will be available for purchase (no obligation!)

Can I bring my husband, kids, dog, cat, fish?

No. This is a portrait project focusing on New Milford women in business. If you would like to arrange a portrait session to include all or some of the above then we can do that.

My business is in New Milford but I live in a neighboring town, can I still participate?

Yes!

How many women can do this?

I am going to start by saying 20 but I may add more.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Janet 

Planet Photo is a boutique portrait studio located on Bank Street, New Milford, Connecticut.

Specializing in magazine style individual and family portraits, High School seniors and graduates, teens and families.

Serving New Milford, Danbury, Kent, Washington, Newtown, Bethel, Redding, Ridgefield, Bridgewater, Southbury, North Salem, Brewster and surrounding areas.

New Milford Portrait Photography – Abbi

New Milford Portrait Photography

Abbi

Abbi is a member of the Planet Photo Tribe so I asked her to meet me at the studio so that I could try out a couple of new outfits and techniques. Well of course that turned into a crazy dress up, fun afternoon,when I didn’t even want to put my camera down….. You’ll be seeing more of the photos but here is a little taste of some of the things we experimented with.

Backlight. You’ve seen my studio window and you know how wonderful the light is in the studio, but by shooting in front of the window we get an incredible rim of light in Abbi’s hair. I am crazy about this look!

New Milford Portrait Photography
I had seen her in her “little black dress” at a New Milford High School awards dinner at the end of the school year so I asked her to bring that along for a couple of shots – I love her in it!



Who doesn’t love to play dress up?
Portrait sessions can be held in the studio, on location or a combination of both. Contact me to book your ultimate portrait experience.

Thanks Abbi!

Connecticut Family Photographer Sisters

Connecticut Family Photographer – Sisters

These beautiful sisters contacting me about taking a portrait as a surprise for their mom’s birthday. They brought in a photograph taken about 10 years ago and while their mom and dad were away for the weekend we set about recreating the image with similar posing and then had a little fun with some updated portraits. They experienced the full Planet Photo portrait experience with make up and styling tips and we planned how and when we would surprise their mom. We agreed that they would come to the studio and I would print a selection of my favorites, she would walk into the studio and be surrounded by portraits of her three daughters. I have to say I was probably as nervous and excited as anyone, I could barely wait for her reaction!

Connecticut Family Photographer Sisters

It all came together beautifully and both mom and dad were thrilled and shocked that the girls had done all of this without them suspecting a thing! Their daughters, two in college and one in high school had given their mom the most incredible gift.

Connecticut Family Photographer Sisters
Family portraits should not be reserved for small children and babies. If you are interested in booking a family session then please fill out the contact form. We can arrange a studio or location family session.

Make Up Blush Couture

New Fairfield High School Prom Prep – Lyndall

New Fairfield High School Prom Prep – Lyndall

Lyndall chose to get ready for the New Fairfield High School Prom at the Planet Photo Studio so that her family could have some traditional portraits of her in her prom dress. I am so glad they did! Lyndall was anxious for the pampering to begin and with the help of her inspiration photos saved on her phone, Meagan and Stacey set to work on her prom hair and make up.

new fairfield High School Prom

Her dress was absolutely stunning and she glowed with excitement when the transformation was complete. Lyndall has her heart set on a career in education and I can imagine that she will make an incredible teacher. She is outgoing, confident and has a unique sense of style, she was also part of the New Fairfield High School Marching band this year so we probably saw her at band competitions in during the marching season!

new fairfield High School Promnew fairfield High School Prom

Lyndall had a fabulous time at her senior prom and her family have portraits to remember her day. It was a pleasure meeting you Lyndall, good luck studying education at Western Connecticut State University in the fall!

Janet xo

Make Up Blush Couture

Hair Hair by Meagan Jones 

If you would like to have portraits in your prom dress it is not too late! Contact me to set up a free consultation, we can incorporate your prom dress into your personalized senior session.

Call or text 203 313-1303. 

Prom Prep and Portraits Party Prom Portraits

Prom Prep and Portraits Party

This year I am so excited to be offering a unique experience for prom.

Come to the Planet Photo Studio on Bank Street in New Milford and get hair styling by Meagan of Rebel Hair and make up by Stacey of Blush Couture ON THE DAY OF PROM for editorial style portraits. Bring your date or come with your best friends. You don’t have to pay for hair and make up twice but you can still have a mini photo shoot and have the portraits you really want on the day of prom.

Doing your own hair and make up and still want portraits? – No problem! Just mention that when booking!

While you are here you can book a time to come back and view your portraits. If you book hair and make up we’ll even add a FREE 8×10 print.

By the way, have you ever been to Sabrina Style in Sandy Hook? The selection of prom dresses is seriously OUT OF THIS WORLD! It kind of made me wish that I was 17 again and getting ready for senior prom but without all the high school drama! Sabrina’s styled our shoot and every dress was more incredible than the last. If you are looking for a prom dress then head over and tell them I sent you – she has a special surprise for you!

See you soon!

Janet xo

prom portraits

prom portraits

prom portraits

prom portraits

prom portraits

Contemporary Glamour Portrait Photography CT Photographer

A Contemporary Glamour Portrait – Kathy

When people first hear glamour portrait they think of big hair and a mall in the 80’s. That’s not what I am trying to achieve with my contemporary portraits of women. Everyone deserves to be made to feel beautiful. Now Kathy and her family have beautiful portraits of her. A mother. A wife. A daughter. A strong, beautiful, capable woman. A woman who deserves to be recognized as all of those things and so much more.

I asked Kathy to describe her portrait experience so here she is in her own words…..

“Back in the fall, Janet Taub, Planet Photo, and Stacey Palancia, Brush Couture, asked me to be part of a new campaign they are putting together focusing on women. Not knowing what to expect, I decided to jump in with both feet and go with the experience.
As I walked into Planet Photo for the first time, I was greeted with a warm hug from Janet and then a burst of beautiful sunshine. The lighting in Planet Photo is amazing – warm and inviting.
Stacey Palancia, took the time to apply makeup professionally. I’ve never had this done before. It was fun to sit in the chair and let her work her magic. My favorite part was the airbrushed foundation application. I was made up without being overly made up. I loved the lipstick choice too. Next she primped my hair and off I went to put on my first outfit.

Janet is so encouraging as she put me in all these yoga poses and then asked me not to move, but smile at the same time. It was a bird’s eye view of what a professional model goes through each day.
This experience allowed me to really focus on myself and appreciate who I am. I spend most of my time on my family and children. It’s very easy to lose yourself and this was a real treat.
Janet and Stacey made me feel so beautiful. I’m so happy I decided to jump.”

We are very happy you did too Kathy!
Janet xo
Are you interested in a day or pampering and magazine style portraits? How would you like to be photographed?