Botanical Gardens NY Photo Shoot

NY Photoshoot

New York Botanical Gardens

It was March 2020, a year ago this week. School was closed mid-week for a teacher development day so we planned to shoot Taylor and Olivia that day. Our location was the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. We planned our outfits, ordered new clothes (of course) and reserved our entry tickets for the Orchid exhibit. I’d seen pictures of the orchids and also seen the crowded greenhouses but we figured we might be lucky and get a couple of open shots if we went mid-week. New York was starting to talk about COVID and recommending that older people stay home to stay safe, but we decided we would still go, we would just skip lunch in the Bronx and make a quick trip.

As the day progressed we watched as more and more CT schools closed and we waited for the word on Taylor and Olivia’s school. Maybe we were going to get an extra long spring break! What we didn’t realize was that we picked the last day before the lockdown closed schools in Connecticut for two weeks. Well, of course, now we all know how that two week shut down turned out….

The New York Botanical Garden is a living museum, an educational institution, and a plant research and conservation organization.

The annual orchid exhibition is scaled down this year but we were lucky enough to spend some time in the almost deserted conservatories on a spring day in 2020. I realized that I only shared a few of these images and they deserve to be seen. So here are some of my favorites from that wonderful day before we really knew about social distancing and face masks or hybrid school days.

I am excited to start planning location shoots again. We will continue to work within health and safety recommendations but we can start to make those plans! Class of 2021 there is still time to create your senior portrait experience and Class of 2022 it is not too early to start planning yours!

If you are interested in joining the Planet Photo Tribe – the ultimate CT high school senior model team experience then stay turned for all the details for 2K22 coming SOON!

Senior Photos Pawling NY

Susannah Pawling HS senior

I met Susannah for the first time when she was just days old so to say I was emotional about taking her senior portraits is kind of the understatement of the year. Susannah and my daughter Olivia were born within days of each other and our families spent so much time together when the girls were little. Sam became everyone’s big brother and when Susannah’s little sisters were born we all celebrated. School and after school activities began to take up more and more time so our interactions became less frequent but that bond remains strong.

Susannah is a dedicated dancer and I was thrilled when she wanted to include that passion into her senior photos. Add in the fact that she had an AMAZING red prom dress that she didn’t get a chance to wear because of, well COVID, and we had our second outfit. Susannah did a little shopping with her mom and we had plenty of outfits to play with.

Fairfield Hills in Newtown, CT is one of my favorite locations for an edgy portrait session. Susannah’s senior photo shoot was scheduled for the same week as the devastating California wildfires and because of the smoke high in the atmosphere we had the most incredibly eerie defused light. From something so destructive and dangerous we were able to create something incredibly beautiful.

If you are able to submit a headshot to your yearbook then we can accommodate that but your senior year is so much more than that yearbook headshot.

I design senior photos around the individual so each session is personal and unique. Let’s plan your senior portraits.

senior photographer senior photos senior portraits

Photo shoot at IKEA

Tribe Photo Shoot Ikea

Pantone Blue Challenge

INTRODUCING CLASSIC BLUE: INSTILLING CALM, CONFIDENCE, AND CONNECTION, THIS ENDURING BLUE HUE HIGHLIGHTS OUR DESIRE FOR A DEPENDABLE AND STABLE FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD AS WE CROSS THE THRESHOLD INTO A NEW ERA.

I love to challenge myself with new and fun places and themes to shoot. One Collective posted a pantone blue photo challenge and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take some bright, vivid portraits with a photo shoot at IKEA in New Haven. Classic Blue represents stability and dependability, I thought we could all use a little of that in 2020!

A group or concept photo shoot usually starts with a theme and then develops by choosing how to interpret that theme, finding a location, styling the participants and then finally picking up my camera. We were really lucky to have Fiona from Joe’s Salon and Spa to help us with some edgy hair styles to go with our fun outfits. This was the first group shoot for the 2k21 Tribe and I think they did an amazing job! I am so excited to create some amazing images and get to know the team.

Thanks to Susannah, Daniella, Erinn and Olivia for joining me in New Haven!

“Since 2000, Pantone’s color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. The selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. including the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles, and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.

Twice a year Pantone hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations’ color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year.” – Pantone.com

Featuring: @daniellamazzza⁠ @susannhah⁠ ⁠@erinnwilli24⁠ @oliviataub

Hair: @joessalonct⁠
Navy Dress: @freepeople⁠
Bag: @denisedcox⁠
Green Dress: @greylincollection⁠
⁠Yellow Dress: @susanamonaco⁠
⁠

The Planet Photo Tribe is an exciting opportunity for high school students in 10, 11 and 12th grade. We have fun planning creative shoots, collaborating with local businesses and being positive role models.

If you would like to talk about teen portraits or plan your high school senior’s portrait session then don’t hesitate! Give me a call. In Frame: @daniellamazzza⁠

CT Seniors ct teen photographer ct teens tribe2k21

Tribe Photo Shoot Make Up Lesson

Photo Shoot Make Up

A lesson in how to get photo shoot ready make up

Applying just the right amount of make up for your photo shoot is not easy!

I invited a few of the girls from the Planet Photo Tribe to join me and Stacey at Skin and Tonic in New Milford to learn how to apply natural make up for the group and concept shoots we have planned this year. All the girls get their make up professionally applied for their own individual shoot but we usually don’t have time to all get professional make up for our group shoots. Learning make up techniques and figuring out what color foundation works for them was such a treat. My camera shows every detail so well applied make up is a must!

I think Sam, Daniella, Susannah, Erinn and Olivia did a fabulous job!

Thanks for the lesson Stacey.

portraits senior portraits

NMHS Senior Portraits Paige

New Milford, CT Portraits

Paige and her mom contacted me over the summer for senior portraits. Her mom grew up in the midwest where EVERYONE has senior portraits and she wanted that experience for her own rising NMHS senior. We were able to deliver, right down to the corn fields!

Paige has been involved in color guard at New Milford High School so we didn’t yet know what kind of season would be possible in this new COVID era, nor had she had chance to really look at colleges because of the lockdown. In fact we didn’t really know if school was going back in person at all, so it became even more important for her mom to celebrate this special time with a photo shoot of her high school senior.

I meet all my clients before the shoot to finalize styling and locations and I knew we were going to have so much fun. She brought some of her own pieces and we added a few things from the Planet Photo style closet. We decided to include some downtown Bank Street spots and then got the farm look her mom was hoping for! All good summer portrait shoot end in the water so we got those too.

I loved hanging out with Paige and her mom and I wish her the very best of luck for her senior year and beyond! I can’t even tell you how much I love how her senior portraits came out, so take a look for yourself – she is stunning!

Choosing a location and styling the shoot is one of my favorite parts of the preparation. I love to match personalities with locations and styling with the colors of the location. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle that elevates your teen portraits to the next level. It’s my goal to deliver something unique, personal and memorable for all my clients.

If you would like to talk about teen portraits or plan your high school senior’s portrait session then don’t hesitate! Give me a call.

Serving Litchfield, Fairfield, New Haven counties and also available to travel.

CT Photo session CT Seniors litchfield ct photographer Senior Photographer CT seniors and teens teens portraits

New York Portraits

New York Photo Shoot

Denim

"In the right denim a girl can conquer the world"

We took off our masks just long enough to shoot our New York Portraits in denim and if you look closely you’ll see us holding them in a couple of the shots.

We hadn’t been to New York since March so we were excited but nervous for our first day back shooting in the city. Images of New York fighting a pandemic have been on everyone’s mind and we wanted to wait until it was both safe and appropriate to be there. The tourist sights were reopening, the restaurants were welcoming outdoor diners and New Yorkers were getting back to normal life where they could.

It was time.

Sam, Belle, Olivia and I drove into Chelsea and started our day there, wandering the streets and surprised by how quiet everything was. This is one of my favorite areas of the city but it was strange and a little surreal. The area downtown was even quieter, the 911 museum and memorial were closed and the Oculus Transportation Terminal was missing the commuters and tourists that usually gather there. We took advantage of the open views and the girls brought some smiles and laughter to the almost empty streets.

I have been back to New York since this shoot and the streets are already more vibrant and much busier again. New York will be back – just wait and see!

Olivia’s Bardot High-Rise Flare Jeans Stoned Immaculate

Sam’s Two-Toned Denim Mini Skirt: Alice McCall

Olivia’s Majorly Cropped Top: Alice McCall

CT photographer CT Seniors NYC Photo Shoot NYC portraits Senior Photographer CT seniors and graduates seniors and teens

Teen Portraits Bella Stratford CT

Bella at the Marina

Teen Portrait Shoot

I have known Bella since she was in elementary school and she was on my daughter’s pop warner cheer team. so it was such a treat to shoot her teen portraits.

Selecting a location and styling the shoot was easy for Bella. Her parents have a boat in Stratford, CT and she knew right away that she wanted to meet there. Choosing a place that holds so many good memories is always preferable, but having it be a stunning location made it even better! I met Bella and her mom and she showed me around and I honestly don’t think her styling could have been any more on point. The hydrangeas, the fence, the boat dock…… OMG it just got better and better.

Bella is going into her senior year at New Milford High School. It’s going to be a great year and hopefully you will see more of Bella in the 2K21 Planet Photo Tribe group shoots!

Good luck for Senior year Bella – you got this!

Choosing a location and styling the shoot is one of my favorite parts of the preparation. I love to match personalities with locations and styling with the colors of the location. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle that elevates your teen portraits to the next level. It’s my goal to deliver something unique, personal and memorable for all my clients.

If you would like to talk about teen portraits or plan your high school senior’s portrait session then don’t hesitate! Give me a call.

CT Portrait Photographer ct teen photographer ct teens teen teens portraits

Tribe Picnic Group Shoot

Picnic Group Shoot

with the 2K20 Planet Photo Tribe

It seems like a lifetime ago that we were planning the last group shoot so we were so happy to be back for this first post COVID group shoot. We went with a picnic theme so that we could get used to being together again!

Normally the girls are draped over one another, in the way perfected by teenaged girls, but we kept our distance and shot outside. I am sure we will see the restrictions becoming more relaxed as the summer progresses but we were able to pull off a picnic with our own blankets, baskets and individual portions of food and we were comfortable with this gradual introduction to socializing again.

Isabelle, Samantha, Madi, Olivia and Bella styled themselves and did their own hair and make up but we had a little help from The Hunt to style our picnic. The selection at The Hunt changes all the time so you have to keep checking back, but it’s a cute new store in Brookfield, CT so check it out if you can!

Did you notice the message on the sign?

Travel far enough that you find yourself.

What great advice! I have always been a fan of living in another state or country to give you the experience of living as part of another culture but also that unique perspective of seeing your home environment with new eyes. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go?

Project Beauty 2020

Celebrating the natural beauty of our teens

It’s that time again!

For the third year in a row I am going to be doing all natural portrait mini shoots to celebrate the natural beauty and confidence of our local teens. Now more than ever we need to recognize our teens and remind them that they are “good enough” just the way they are. They should not be judged by their clothes, hair, make-up or designer labels and you NEVER should judge a book by it’s cover;

Everyone is unique.
Differences should be celebrated.
Appearance does not matter.

We are all worthy and important.

Project Beauty is a movement among senior photographers all over the U.S. to place emphasis on simple, natural light portraits of young adolescents. No make-up. Simple clothes. The emphasis is on you. You DESERVE it!

This year has been challenging to say the least, so let’s have some fun and remember who we are behind that snapchat filter and instagram worthy selfie!

Every year we make a donation to a local charity from Project Beauty. This year we will be raising funds for Camella’s Cupboard. Helping to provide food and supplement nutritional needs of local children.

What do I need to know?

Who can sign up?

Anyone and everyone between the ages of 13 and 18!

All are invited to join the movement to celebrate natural beauty. In the past it’s been mostly girls but I am not going to say no to the boys!

What should I wear?

I want the emphasis to be solely on you, so please choose a white or black top and denim on the bottom.

How much does it cost?

$60

50% of the proceeds will be donated to Camella’s Cupboard.

Can I include my family?

Unfortunately not for this one. This shoot is about our local teens. If you have a dog who joins in that would be OK. Teen aged siblings can book a time slot next to yours.

Where will we shoot?

I will come to you.

By that I mean, I will come to your yard or outside your home. I will not provide props or have a chair with me. You need to meet me outside and we will maintain AT LEAST six feet between us at all times.

What do I get?

You will get an app with FIVE social media sized files. Full resolution and additional images are available for purchase.

SIGN UP BY LOCATION

I am going to be coming to your yard or door step in May so please sign up for the day I will be in your area. I might contact you to adjust the time ever so slightly to cut down on zig zagging across town!

I will be in Southern New Milford (south of the bridge) on Tuesday, Sherman on Wednesday and Northern New Milford on Thursday.

If you are in a different town but would like to participate I would love to hear from you. Fill out the contact form and let me know your town and then invite your friends to join you!

confidence CT Portrait Photographer natural portraits portraits

2k20 Tribe Teen Portraits Madison

Meet Madison

Danbury High School

The Planet Photo Teen Model Tribe 2k20

What is the 2K20 Teen Model Tribe? Every year I invite a limited number of High School seniors and teens to be part of the ultimate teen model experience. We collaborate with local boutiques and businesses so if you have an idea for a social media collaboration then reach out to us and send me some details – my email is janet@planet-photography.com. In addition to some fun group shoots and activities, every Tribe member shoots their own individual senior or teen portrait session that is designed around them. I help them choose locations, styling and of course they get professional make up, they can even borrow from the Planet Photo Style closet. You can draw inspiration from their shoots to plan your own! Preserve the memories of the high school years with a portrait session. Planet Photo will make you look and feel like a super model.

Meet the rest of the 2K20 Tribe here. Follow Planet Photo on Facebook and Instagram to get a glimpse of behind the scenes fun and the latest locations and styling tips to help you plan YOUR photo shoot.

Serving Litchfield County, Fairfield County, Westchester County, Putnam County, New Haven County and also available for studio and on location destination portrait sessions. Why not combine portraits with a trip to a dream location? Spend time and create memories and portraits with your senior before they head off to college. Look out for details of destination portrait sessions with Planet Photo in 2020. Past locations have included Palm Springs, California and Austin, Texas.