Family Archives

Mini Sessions for Spring or Easter

mini session_spring_pink hairbow_CT photography_photo deal I realized that it has been over 18 months since I last offered mini sessions (waaaay too long) so I am going to do two dates for in-studio spring and easter mini sessions. I wanted to bring a little spring inside and not be nervously checking the weather forecast for the week before the session dates!

Once I decided to do sessions well I just couldn’t decide what would be cuter for spring. So, I decided to offer 2 different looks/backdrops and make you all pick instead!

The first is a neutral, organic looking scene complete with Pottery Barn nest and easter bunnies. Available March 22 AM and March 30 PM

The second is a much brighter and cute look that gives a trendy Baby Gap look. Available March 22 PM and March 30 AM

Both can be adapted for older children and siblings.

If you just can’t decide and you want both (or the dates don’t work) then let me know and we can schedule a regular session.

I will information on special print pricing for the mini session but I will send you all of that later….

Thanks to Erin and Brody for trying out the looks!

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Maternity Photographer – New Milford, CT Studio Session

A Studio Maternity Session in the middle of winter

Have you noticed how everyone loves to share pregnancy horror stories? When you are a Family, Newborn and Maternity Photographer you get to hear a fair number of stories. . .

I was actually one of those women that loved being pregnant. I had no morning sickness and two easy deliveries. Now before you hate me, it wasn’t all perfect – I stopped counting weight gain over 55 pounds and my first child was nicknamed “Sensitive Sammy”, I found myself always making excuses for why he was crying or difficult. You’ve heard them all before…. he’s tired, he’s hungry, he’s hot, he’s ______ you could just fill in the blank. Luckily around one he turned into the most incredibly mellow kid. I paid my dues, and now I am enjoying years of easy going mellow behavior.

So it was great to meet Lindsey. She is a fellow lover of pregnancy and on the urging of friends and family at her shower she called me to schedule a last minute maternity shoot. I say last minute because she is due in about 3 weeks now! She had the most incredible baby bump that just cried out to be photographed and admired. She also had a suitcase full of maternity clothes and was pretty much game to try a bunch of different poses and looks – music to my ears! We had a few minutes outside but I really wanted to be able to show that even a winter session in the studio can give variety and can deliver a bunch of different styles.

I absolutely love how the images came out. The hair and make-up by Stacey of Blush Couture was sexy and perfect. My absolute, hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, can’t get enough of it, favorite of the day is the first one. The blanket was made by her Mother and I can’t wait to photograph the new baby wrapped in that same blanket in just a couple of weeks.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the in studio session – if you are interested in maternity photographs but were worried about it being too cold now (or too hot in summer for that matter) then I hope I have shown you that a studio session can be a great option!

Happy Birthday Emery Kate – Cake Smash!

A 1st birthday cake smash for beautiful Emery Kate!

There are some milestone birthdays that just call out for an extra special celebration. The first birthday is a date that cannot be missed and we had so much fun marking the day for Emery Kate. She was such an easy going little girl, full of personality and happy to be over at my home studio for her cake smash session. She not only takes everything in her stride – she loves what each new day has to offer her!

We got a couple of portraits of Emery in her special 1 year old undershirt and pink tutu – I really think that every girl needs a tutu portrait at some point in her life, don’t you agree? She did great with that so we moved onto the cake part. I just love the look on her face when she finally tastes that creamy buttercream – her mom said that she can be very particular about having clean hands, and true to form she hesitantly dove into the cake but then was very happy to clean up in the bath tub afterwards!

I got that pouting picture when she first got in – she wasn’t quite sure about all the bubbles but she soon came around. The bath tub entertains a busy one year old and keeps them still so that I can use that time to get a couple of portraits. It’s the perfect way to end a fun, messy (but very yummy) session – – Happy Birthday Emery Kate!

If you are interested in scheduling a studio session then send me an email to janet@planet-photography.com or text me on 203 313 1303.

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Newborn Photography CT – A baby sister!

Newborn Photography CT – A “Pinkalicious” Baby Sister!

I just love this little Bethel family. There is always something about each newborn photography session that makes each and every one just a little bit different. Whitney had put out a couple of hats and even had a crown for her little princess to wear the day we got together. If I remember correctly her Grandmother had hand knitted the hats and booties we used. I love that personal touch – we can’t all be knitters, but somehow or another, whether it be a photograph, a piece of jewelry or even a name, I see hints of the family history that these babies have inherited. I like to think that these images will become part of that family history as well to be shared with generations to come.

When my son was born I got a package of hand knitted sweaters that my Grandma made for my sister’s son. He was the first Great Grandson and she made sure he had a matinee jacket and matching booties for every day of the week! My nephews are in college now and those old fashioned looking (and not terribly practical) matinee jackets have been packed away after my children had their turn wearing them. Hopefully we’ll use them again (even if just for pictures!) and tell the story of Grandma Logan and her knitting prowess. Maybe that will lead to other stories and an opportunity for family memories to be passed down to a new generation.

Enjoy this yummy, pink, perfect baby and congratulations to the whole family!

I love how you can just see big sister Logan giving kisses here.

Which is your favorite? I loved the second to last the moment I saw it…..but the booties and hat are pretty darn cute too!

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Newborn Photography – Welcome Baby Brody!

Planet Photo Newborn Photography – welcomes Baby Brody!

I first met Amber and Eric of Raw Photo Design through our children. Olivia and Avery rode the bus to kindergarden and have been the best of friends ever since. It was a couple of weeks into the soccer season and side line chatter when I realized that this young couple were photographers (the 70-200 lens was probably the first clue) and I had been following their blog. Small world, huh?

Fast forward a few years and things have changed quite a bit for all of us. After spending a few years as part of the raw family, Planet Photo was born. Eric and Amber gave me the confidence, the inspiration (and a lot of technical know how!) to go for it. I learned tons from both of them and our families became close in so many ways. Tragedy struck earlier this year and Eric drowned in a terrible accident. We felt his loss deeply and promised to be there for Amber, her children and her baby on the way. We respect and honor Eric’s memory by talking about him often; sharing memories and guessing what he would say or do in a particular situation or just joking about the crazy things he did…… there was one time they came for dinner and Eric jumped behind my stove and started taking it apart so that he could figure out how to fix his own broken cooktop!

Avery and Olivia have helped each other with their losses this year, Olivia grieving for her Auntie Sarah and Avery for her Dad. It has created a strong bond that I hope will be there for a very long time and has made for some very strange back of the car conversations!

We are so excited to welcome Brody to the raw family. He is the glue and the promise of the future bringing them together, and he is already deeply adored by Amber, Avery and Ryder and all the family and friends around him. I was so happy to spend time with Amber and Brody to capture this little nugget at two weeks old. He is changing already but I think you will agree he is a very special little guy.

Welcome Brody Michael – we have lots of stories to share with you.

xoxox

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The Planet Photo Family Session :)

The Planet Photo Family Session – the holiday card shoot!

There are some families out there (who shall remain nameless at this point in time) that don’t always love to have photos taken. It’s not a specific thing, but a general “Oh do we have to? Can’t we do it next week?” kind of response. Usually I compromise and just take photos of the kids, but this year I booked our session on the shared family calendar just like any other regular shoot. The day that my family was going to get their christmas card picture!

I have a list of tips and tricks for styling a family shoot. I know, I hear you groaning from here, but the advantages far out way the disadvantages and it means that you can have more printing options when everyone coordinates. Notice I didn’t say matching, you know I prefer coordinating to matching right? So let me know what you think. I am pretty happy with how they turned out this year and I even printed and framed a selection of the pictures before the holidays!!! Procrastination is everyone’s worst enemy (even mine) but I was determined, and it really is easier to just go ahead and do it right away. Go with your gut instinct to pick your favorites and get them on your wall where they can be enjoyed. I already have a date pencilled in my calendar for our next family picture. There are no excuses for the Planet Photo Family in the future!

OK. Enough chatter. Onto the pictures. My favorite comment on facebook was that my hair looked like I just stepped out of a Pantene commercial. I always read all the comments, and of course love the complimentary ones, so please send me a comment!

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Family Photo Session – Danbury, CT

Family Photo Session – Tarrywile Mansion, Danbury, CT

What an adorable family! Another set of twins, this time twin boys with the cutest big sister you could ever wish for. We met over at Tarrywile Mansion a few weeks ago for a family photo session when there were still leaves on the trees and the golden light of fall in New England. Mikey and Tracy have that great relaxed attitude of parents that are used to going with the flow and they didn’t try to micro-manage the shoot. We hung out and played in leaves, we played tag, got running hugs (another great perk of the job) and threw big chestnut “balls” around. I have a feeling they all slept well that night after an afternoon at Tarrywile – Mikey and Tracy earned a glass of wine for sure!!!!

So, I am asked all the time what the ideal age is to take family portraits and I have to say every age has it’s advantages and it’s challenges. One thing I have learned over the years is that you have to follow the lead of the kids and some of the best shots of the day are on the way back to the car. Kids are busy and curious and generally don’t want to sit and “smile pretty”….. so let’s not make them do that! Let’s have some fun and keep it light, the shots will come and the personalities of the family will hopefully shine through much more than any of the manufactured contrived “pretty shots”. I think you can tell that this is a family that has fun together – what do you think?

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Newborn Photography CT – Branford Baby Boy

Newborn Photography CT – Welcome to the newest member of the Raw Photo Design family.

Before Planet Photo I worked as part of the Raw Photo Design team – we called ourselves the “raw family”. Raw Photo was started by Eric and Amber Langlois, a young charismatic couple from Connecticut with an amazing talent for photography. Eric and Amber brought a unique style to the CT wedding photography market and to couples wanting a modern, editorial style to their wedding day photography. I came on board to help with family photography and this little guy’s mom, Jill handled the studio management. With Brenden and Rob in the studio editing, the raw family expanded. Earlier this year Eric was lost in a tragic drowning accident leaving behind Amber, their two children and a baby on the way. Friends and family from all over Connecticut have supported and grieved alongside Amber and his loss is felt every day by many who knew him well and many who just admired his incredible talent. Although I no longer work for Raw Photo, I will always consider myself a member of the Raw Family and I was thrilled to welcome the newest member. Eric would have adored him.

The fund for Eric’s family

Jill’s beautiful baby boy was born when the leaves were falling and the air was starting to get a chill. Probably my favorite time in New England. No humidity, true blue skies and clear crisp days. We had to get him outside in the leaves and we wrapped him up in a cocoon to keep him warm. My son was born while we were living in Copenhagen Denmark. He took his naps bundled up in his pram and parked in the fresh air, even at daycare they put the babies outside to nap in rows of prams with no wheels! There has been much written about the Scandinavian tradition of parking prams outside a restaurant and leaving the baby unattended, something that would be unimaginable in the United States but is considered completely normal in Denmark. I will let you decide if you ever would dare….but don’t risk it in NYC, you just might be arrested!

Just a hint of a smile!

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Family Photos – Brookfield, CT

This Brookfield CT extended family have a lot of energy between them! We met on a sunny but slightly chilly morning at Happy Landings Farm and they burst out of the cars ready and eager to run and chase each other around. Could you imagine trying to capture these six in a studio????

It was so fun to see how they interacted together and how comfortable they all were with each other. So often today families are scattered far and wide but this family gets the benefit of growing up knowing and loving their cousins. The big ones look out for the little ones and everyone joined in to help make each other smile and look in the direction of the camera!

Erin is a teacher and I imagine she’s a great one – her kids certainly respond well to her fun, outgoing personality.

I love how the twins are literally doing laps around Mom, Dad and their baby brother – it looks like he is used to it though and not at all phased by the chaos!!!

I was blown away by the classic celtic coloring of this family, their red hair is stunning.

All the cousins sitting still for a moment or two……

The kids were getting a little cold but with a tootsie roll waiting for them in the car they were such troopers and I think the rosy cheeks just add to their cuteness!

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CT Family Photo Session

CT Family Photo Session – Planet Photo meets a beautiful baby boy!

I had the pleasure of meeting this little guy a couple of weeks ago for a newborn family photo and he was the cutest! Newborn sessions are completely unpredictable. You never know how fast the baby will fall asleep, or how much they will like me “fiddling” with them once they fall asleep. One thing I can usually count on is some time to hang out with the parents and get to know a little about the family this new baby has been lucky enough to be born into. I loved this guy’s parents and almost invited myself along to lunch afterwards!!!

Once I get the baby posed in a certain way then instead of moving them, it’s me that moves around and I try to get a couple of different angles of the same pose.