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!

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

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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

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

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Junior Tribe Studio Photoshoot

Studio Photoshoot

Sweet as Sugar

The last Planet Photo Junior Tribe studio photoshoot had a sweet as sugar candy theme. Ring pops make you feel sticky before you even open the packet so you can imagine how we felt by the end of our shoot. I tried my hardest not to touch anything until the very end but now I have added sprinkles to the glitter that lives in my studio and turns up at odd times no matter how much I sweep!

I loved how the girls styled their outfits and got into the theme – I can’t even believe how much they have grown in front of the camera over the course of the summer. This was the perfect theme to end the season – all the girls in the Junior Tribe really have been so sweet.

Thank you to Kate, Caitlyn and Jordana for making this particular studio photoshoot so much fun and good luck in school this year!

I’m just here for the candy!

What do you get when you go to a movie? Popcorn or candy? Or both?

Milk Duds are my favorite!

How about donuts? Glazed, jelly or frosted?

I have to admit donuts aren’t my favorite but I’ll take a peach and ginger muffin from River and Rail Cafe with my latte please!

If you are interested in joining the Planet Photo Tribe or Junior Tribe then you need to be on the Planet Photo Mailing list so that you’ll be the first to know when it’s time to sign up. The Planet Photo Tribe is open to girls and guys in grades 10,11 and 12 and is an all year program.

Now booking fall family and teen portraits with limited availability and COVID safety measures.

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Back to School NMHS

Back to School

The Junior Tribe at NMHS

Jordana, Grace and Katie will be Freshman at New Milford High School this year so we met there for our Junior Tribe Back to School photo shoot. NMHS has a hybrid model this year so students will be learning in person for two days per week and online for three days. That means back to school shopping is a little different (I hear that Lululemon and Athleta are having their best years ever, and jeans companies are struggling, because who wants to wear jeans during quarantine?) but planning your first day of school outfit is still so much fun and we can knock those outfits out of the park for two days a week.

I grew up in the UK and I wore a school uniform until I was 16, but even getting a new uniform and shiny new shoes for the first day of school was exciting, so I LOVE to see all the photos on social media of kids heading off on their first day.

Good luck to all the students heading back to school soon and to all the parents getting ready to drop kids off at college.

We got this! It’s going to be hard to send those kids back but I am excited for them to see their friends and teachers.

Stay safe. Be smart. And wear your mask!

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Teen Studio Portraits

Passion Portraits - what do you love to do?

The teen years are when you start to get serious about training for a sport or practicing dance or playing in the band. I often hear that high school is somewhat defined or at least structured around the fall, winter or spring sport seasons, it is for my daughter for sure!

COVID has not cancelled our fall sports (fingers crossed) but they are going to look a little different. Conditioning is in full swing and the teams will be ready for whatever kind of season they can get!

Dance studios have been really creative about engaging dancers and holding online or outdoor practices to keep skills and abilities in top shape. Studio D even transformed their spring show into an amazing outdoor performance around New Milford.

I was thrilled to spend some time with Planet Photo Junior Tribe members Ella and Katie so that they could share their passions for dance and soccer with me. I had lots of fun creating teen studio portraits with them.

Two more group shoots remain in our summer modeling experience, I am going to miss the junior Tribe but we’ll have lots of portraits to look back on. Make sure you are on the Planet Photo mailing list if you are interested in future junior modeling experience teams.

Don’t forget The Tribe starts soon for 10, 11 and 12th graders!

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Flower Crown Portraits

Junior Tribe 2020

One of the very first teen group shoots I ever did was a flower crown shoot and I was excited to do it again with the 2020 Junior Tribe. We met at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford and enjoyed their beautiful gardens and surroundings. The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm is a popular stop for both locals and visitors to Litchfield County.

When we arrived the long horned cows were across the road to observe our group but of course they wandered into the back field when we were ready to shoot. There is something very magical about seeing them so drive by if you get a chance and see if you can spot them.

Jordana, Grace, Katie and Ella were all beautiful and graceful in their flower crowns but you know we had lots of fun too!

If you have a creative idea for a group shoot or a themed photo shoot for you and your friends then a BFF portrait session is a great way to celebrate a birthday or a great friendship. We’ll plan the location and styling around your group and you’ll have the portraits as a wonderful memory of your special day.

Now booking family, teens and high school seniors and personal branding for the most popular shooting time of the year – fall in New England!

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Junior Tribe Glitter Photoshoot

Glitter PhotoShoot

Junior Tribe 2020

I am sure you have read one of the many cute quotes and sayings about glitter;

A life without glitter is no life at all.
Toni Collette
“
When life gives you Monday, dip it in glitter and sparkle all day.
Ella Woodward
“
Shower the world with pink and glitter.
Tori Amos
“
If something doesn’t look right, throw some glitter on it.
Adam Lambert
“
Some girls are just born with glitter in their veins.
Paris Hilton

I am 100% certain that Kate, Caitlin and Grace left a lot of sparkle wherever they went on Tuesday! Glitter has the habit of staying with you and showing up in unexpected places at unexpected times, but you have to admit it does make you smile!

We chose the right week to be in the studio with the temperatures rising outside we were very relieved to be in the air conditioning for our latest Junior Tribe shoot. You’ll notice that there are no group shots, we actually staggered the shoots to minimize the numbers in the studio at one time so we had to cut out the traditional group shots we usually take.

I am so impressed by the girls who took part, they have all grown in confidence in front of the camera and it shows in the amazing images we captured.

If you would like to schedule a fun shoot for the teen in your life then reach out and let’s get something on the calendar! We had so much fun throwing glitter with the Planet Photo Junior Tribe summer model experience. If your 10, 11 or 12th grader would like to join the Tribe then I need to hear from you SOON! We are getting ready to start planning regular Tribe influencer shoots!

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Portraits New Milford Junior Tribe

Portraits New Milford CT

Bubbles and Balloons with the Junior Tribe

Harrybrooke Park is a popular destination for portraits in New Milford, CT. The gardens are spectacular and I thought we might find a little relief from the sun in the shade of all the beautiful evergreen trees for our bubbles and balloons Junior Tribe shoot.

Ella, Kate and Caitlin were fantastic and we had so much fun because they are all starting to get to know each other. There is something incredibly joyful about seeing bubbles drifting in the air, maybe memories of childhood? I probably put them in the same category as seeing a rainbow or driving past a herd a field of cows…. I can’t resist the temptation to announce that I see them!

We had lots of laughs and maybe just a tiny little bit of competition to see who could blow the biggest bubble!

I am so happy to be spending time with this amazing group of girls this summer! We are three shoots into our summer Junior Tribe model experience and I can’t wait for the next one. We’ll be in the studio next week for something a little different but you’ll have to wait to see what our theme is…..