Family Photographer CT – Cake Smash Milestone

Cake Smash Milestone

Family Photographer Connecticut

Greta was scheduled for her first birthday cake smash with big sister Aine along to help out. Hands down one of the best aspects of my job is getting to know some incredible families. I feel honored to be the photographer that Ian and Kate have chosen to photograph their children’s first milestones. I love seeing how they grow and change and catching up on all the family adventures.

So, the family arrived with another fabulous Sweet Spot cake and we got down to business. A couple of cute outfits (Kate loves Hanna Andersson so I can usually look forward to something adorable!) Aine has been working on her British accent with some Peppa Pig so we got the music playing and let the girls dance a bit while we set up for the cake. I LOVE it when the birthday star gets stuck in to the cake! Greta was delicate at first but she ended up being covered in frosting. And sprinkles. Lots of sprinkles! Aine sat in to help with some frosting so we finally got them in the same frame 😉

Like most one year olds Greta doesn’t exactly sit still for long and this is when I love to bring out the tub. Bubbles and warm water and most babies stay still long enough for me to get some close up portraits and capture the fun of the bath tub. That’s when I get the giggle images too – can you see Greta’s tooth? How cute is that!!!!

If you are wondering when you should book a portrait session you can follow the milestone plan, schedule around a family event or reunion or just pick a time that works for your family. My summer shooting schedule is reduced to spend time with my family but contact me to schedule your family session. Believe me, time flies – I will have two in high school this year!!!

Sweet as Sugar – Teen Photography Concept Shoot

Sweet as Sugar!

A teen photography concept shoot

The Planet Photo Tribe have been looking forward to the sweet as sugar concept shoot for a while. We were invited to shoot at Tasty Waves on Main Street in New Milford so lots of candy AND frozen yoghurt. Tasty Waves has become a New Milford staple so the tribe was happy to shoot there. Thanks to Abbi for helping the rest of the Tribe with some sweet make-up!

Sweet as sugar Cold as ice. Hurt me once, I’ll Break you twice

I looked into the expression Sweet as Sugar and found a song by an Australian song writer called Lenka. You really can be everything! And work on your simile skills at the same time!

As sly as a fox, as strong as an ox
As fast as a hare, as brave as a bear
As free as a bird, as neat as a word
As quiet as a mouse, as big as a house

All I wanna be, all I wanna be, oh
All I wanna be is everything

As mean as a wolf, as sharp as a tooth
As deep as a bite, as dark as the night
As sweet as a song, as right as a wrong
As long as a road, as ugly as a toad

As pretty as a picture hanging from a fixture
Strong like a family, strong as I wanna be
Bright as day, as light as play
As hard as nails, as grand as a whale

All I wanna be, all I wanna be, oh
All I wanna be is everything

As warm as the, the sun, as silly as fun
As cool as a tree, as scary as the sea
As hot as fire, cold as ice
Sweet as sugar and everything nice

As old as time, as straight as a line
As royal as a queen, as buzzed as a bee
Stealth as a tiger, smooth as a glider
Pure as a melody, pure as I wanna be

All I wanna be, all I wanna be, oh
All I wanna be is everything at once

Thanks to Abbi, Katelyn, Madie, Audrey and Sam for wearing lots of candy for our shoot. Have a sweet summer everyone!
Janet

A Connecticut Senior Concept Shoot at Five Guys

Connecticut Senior Concept Shoot

You know when an idea starts to form in your mind and you get completely carried away and excited with all the amazing possibilities? That’s what happened with this concept shoot… it started with the color RED. Then the brainstorming began and it turned into a game of work association…. red, Five Guys, retro, roller skates, graphic t’s, athletic shorts, high tube socks, RED! the car wash in New Milford, retro again, laundromat, 70’s, converse, Baywatch, RED!

A call went out to the Planet Photo Tribe for a last minute concept shoot and we were off and running. I tried to get the roller skates, they actually became a bit of an obsession I will readily admit, but it was just not meant to be 🙁

I think we managed to pull it off though – what do you think?

UPDATED! Seniors Ignite thought we pulled it off – we were featured on the Seniors Ignite website!

Five Guys was opening a new store in New Milford so we arranged to meet for lunch there and then the heavens opened for one of the many crazy heavy rainstorms we have been having of late in Connecticut – what is going on with the weather? It feels like we are living in a rainforest!! We moved indoors to the new (and much nicer than any laundromat I ever used) Stay Fresh Laundromat down the road to finish up our retro, red, 70’s vibe shoot.

Thank you to Abbi, Nora and Haegan who were amazing with their styling and their willingness to jump into my crazy concept.

If you are a Connecticut senior and want to schedule a session before you go off to college then I would love to hear from you!

Trumbull Animal Shelter cutest pet contest

Vote for the Cutest Pet!

The Planet Photo Tribe is raising awareness for Animal Shelter Pets this month. We visited Lynn at the Trumbull Animal Shelter and got to meet some of the current visitors. The cuteness factor was very high with a litter of puppies, 2 litters of kittens and a couple of the more mature dogs who had some serious personality. The shelter is clean, very well run and the animals there are the lucky ones. They have been taken in by the group to get them healthy, to get them out of dangerous situations, and to find them kind and loving homes. Lynn explained that donations are always needed though and gratefully accepted. At the moment they need have the greatest need for:

Kitten or Puppy Chow, Kitty litter and canned cat or dog food.

So how can you vote for your cutest pet pick?

Write the letter of your pick in the comments below for one point, but we will also be counting votes by taking donations! You can donate directly to the Trumbull Animal Shelter at 300 Church Hill Road in Trumbull or you can drop off a donation at the Planet Photo Studio at 53 Bank Street on June 17th (or call/text if you want to come another time)

If you want to donate to your local shelter that is fine too. Take a photo of your donation and text (203 313-1303) with the letter of the pet you would like to vote for.

For example, if you want to vote for Payton’s adorable dog then write the letter A on the bag somewhere and drop off your donation – it’s as simple as that!

One can of food = 5 points

One bag of puppy or kitten chow = 10 points

One container of kitty litter = 10 points

An ENORMOUS thank you to Lynn Dellabianca at the Trumbull Shelter for showing us around and coming into work on her day off to help us out. Now please help the Planet Photo Tribe to get some donations for all our local animal shelters.

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.

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!

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.

New Milford High School Senior Prom 2017

Tony, Will and Evan stopped by the Planet Photo studio on their way to the New Milford High School Senior Prom at the Amber Room. I have known them since 1st grade of Hill and Plain School and photographed them many times through the years, but especially over the last year as some of the first members of the 2K17 tribe. They all looked so handsome and happy to be prom bound and probably even happier to be in the final few weeks of high school! Tony has been accepted into the Musical Theater program at Western Connecticut State University, Will is on his way to study business at University of Connecticut and Evan will be playing lacrosse and studying at Lebanon Valley in Pennsylvania.

Will and Stephanie went on to be crowned the Prom King and Queen and it sounds like everyone had a fabulous time. Both Angela and Stephanie work at the Bank Street Movie Theater so we had to get a couple of shots with some movie theater co-workers, they turned out to be some of my favorites from the day.

Good luck guys. I am so excited to hear what the future brings!

Janet xo

Teen Portraits CT Studio and Location Fashion shoot

Teen Portraits CT – Taylor

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a fashion model for the day?

Taylor is part of the Planet Photo Tribe so she has taken part in a few photo shoots over the last year but this one was different. We planned and styled this individual shoot around her and she chose a combination of studio fashion shots and locations around the town that she has grown up in, so we kept our fingers crossed for the weather to cooperate so that we could be outside!

The day of the shoot arrived and first stop is professional camera ready make up at the studio. Taylor probably has twice as much make up and is at least four times as much talent as I do, but she was still overflowing with excitement to have the full make over experience with Stacey from Blush Couture. She had inspiration photos on her phone (always helpful!) and of course she looked stunning in all her outfits. Most importantly, she was relaxed and confident in front of the camera.

I think it was Coco Chanel who said, “Confidence is the best outfit, rock it and own it”

We braved the wind and chilly day to get some shots outside and the “wind machine” effect actually worked to our benefit LOL! I shared some of my favorite nooks around downtown New Milford and literally stopped traffic and drew a crowd for a couple of the 19 Main shots! Location is everything, but it doesn’t have to be a beautiful field of flowers or an elegant formal building, we found beauty in the most unexpected places.

Taylor is going to be back for the 2K18 Planet Photo Tribe so you will be seeing more of this beautiful young lady. I am so excited to get started on the group and concept shoots that are planned for this year so keep checking back or subscribe to get the blog updates. Taylor is developing an interest in being behind the camera too, so hopefully she will be sharing some of her images soon.

Whether celebrating a milestone birthday, a change of schools or just because they are changing EVERY DAY, remember that teens deserve portraits too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Janet

Hair by my Bank Street neighbors: Joes Salon and Spa

Teen Photo Shoot Studio Portraits of Caitlin

Teen Photo Shoot – Caitlin

Finding a time to schedule a photo shoot is hard for all of us. We are all busy. I know, we all get busier every year and don’t know how we will fit one more thing into our schedules, but you have to get out your calendar and find that gap. Caitlin’s schedule has been crazy with Amity High School Dance Team, competitions, rehearsing for the upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof and keeping up her grades in her freshman year at high school.

But we found the time.

Do you think her family will regret making time to capture this moment in her life? Teens deserve portraits too!

So of course we had a blast; Stacey did an AMAZING job on Caitlin’s make-up, she brought some killer outfits and being in front of the camera over the past year meant that she was relaxed and completely natural. And she had her gold dance team sneakers. Seriously? What more did we need?!?

Caty is part of the Planet Photo 2K17 tribe and (spoiler alert) she will be back for the next season! I am so happy to have her, not just because I can stand opposite her and look her in the eye (I am a total sucker for my fellow tall girls) but she is a smart, funny and an absolute pleasure to work with. Oh and she killed it at her shoot!!!!

Oh the fun we will have this year, so many things in the planning stages and so many fun shoots in the making. I can’t wait!!!

Janet xo

CT Family Photography sitting portraits

CT Family Photography

Finley – 6 months

Finley came to visit the new studio for 6 month sitting portraits with her big brother Nolin. They were frequent flyers at my home studio but this was his first visit to Bank Street. He was so excited to see his portrait on the wall in my office and kept checking on it while he was here.

You read time and time again about how family portraits boost the self esteem of children. It gives them an identity, confirms their place in the family and makes them feel like they belong.

“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message that our family and those in it are important to one another, and we honor the memories we have experienced,“ says Cathy Lander-Goldberg, a licensed clinical social worker and a professional photographer in St. Louis, Missouri and the director of Photo Explorations, which offers workshops to girls and women using portrait and journaling for self-reflection.

I guess Nolin feels like he belongs to the Planet Photo family too – he was thrilled to see his portrait on my wall and brought me over to “meet” him and Finley in the wall portrait multiple times during his visit! I think Finley is going to find that her big brother will be looking out for her, there is pride in his voice and a twinkle in his eye when he says her name.

So here they are now. Six months brings lots of changes in both a baby and a two year old. Nolin is chatting up a storm and Finley was part of the group!

I would love to welcome your family to the Planet Photo Family.

Specializing in CT Family Photography – Seniors, Teens and The First Year.

Milestone portrait photography 6 month sitting session

Milestone Portrait Photography

Greta is 6 months

I have said it before but you can hear it again…. I love the 6 month session. No stranger danger, curiosity for days, sitting up and so proud but not crawling away just yet. Six months is a portrait photographer’s dream come true. When Greta arrived in her Hannah Anderson outfit she did not disappoint – she is adorable!

Big sister Aine was on hand to catch some bubbles and entertain her baby sister, siblings ALWAYS get the babies to laugh. I don’t usually recommend a sibling to participate in the whole first birthday celebration they can distract the baby from enjoying the cake, and of course they want to get in on the action, but siblings are ALWAYS welcome for part of each milestone session.

Call now to book your milestone portrait photography session in the studio on Bank Street, New Milford CT or on location in Fairfield County, Litchfield County.

See you soon!