White on White group Tribe shoot teen senior portraits

White on White

Group Tribe Shoot

Everyone knows that you can’t count on the weather in New England. You’ve probably heard people say “if you don’t like the weather just wait 5 minutes”. Well we waited for the snow and it never came, but the rain sure did. So we moved our white on white snowy, winter-wonderland group Tribe shoot indoors and made do with pretend snow balls and hot cocoa!

Did you ever read that book about snow, Miss Smilla’s Feelings for Snow? The Scandinavians apparently have hundreds of words to describe snow and frozen water in its various forms, not surprising when you consider that every snowflake is completely unique. I feel like we need more words to describe white… we probably had hundreds of versions between us but they were all beautiful. The Tribe did an amazing job of dressing in shades of white.

Thank you to Madisyn, Taylor, Cassie, Madi, Cadence, Zoe, Julia and Olivia for participating in our latest concept shoot. When you grow up in a small town then there is a really good chance that paths have crossed at some point or another. Have we met at a dance class or toddler program somewhere or have we been in the same school since Kindergarten? The girls love reconnecting with old friends!

Thank you to Seniors Ignite for featuring our shoot alongside some other amazing interpretations of the “whiteout” theme. Be sure to check them all out.

A New Years photoshoot Times Square NYC

Happy New Year

A celebration photoshoot in Times Square NYC

Almost every country celebrates New Year’s Eve in some way. If you live in the United States then the site of the ball dropping on Times Square is synonyms with the countdown to the New Year. Confetti, champagne, fireworks, glitz and glamour are all part of the New Year’s Eve celebration for many around the world. A time to reflect on the past and prepare and look forward to the future. How many people set New Year’s resolutions? It just feels natural to use the start of a new year as a turning point.

Times Square in December is busy, bustling and ALIVE with all walks of life and for some unknown reason lots of people dressed up as Elmo, Spiderman and Mario….. The famous billboards and signs cover every facade and are all around. Where tourists gather, vendors descend and you can’t walk five feet without being offered a bus tour, a restaurant coupon or discount tickets to a Broadway show. But it is magical and you feel like you are in the heart of New York City! Just blocks from Rockefeller Center, the Christmas tree, the department store holiday window displays and Radio City Music Hall but surrounded by Broadway and the musicals and plays that make it unique.

Madisyn, Julia and Olivia braved the cold and gave each other confidence to “work it girl” – they got lots of encouraging comments from passersby!! We were a few weeks early with our New Years celebration but we had a blast. 3000 pounds of confetti is dropped BY HAND at midnight, we even wrote messages on a couple of pieces.

Happy New Year to you all!

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The Future is in their Hands Tribe Teen Photo Shoot CT

The Future is in their Hands

Planet Photo Tribe

Teen Photo Shoot CT

Much has been written about Generation Z. They are more tech savvy than previous generations, most don’t remember not having access to the internet via their phones and they multitask. They are also starting to express their opinions and frustrations with the current political system. Most American school kids experience drills to prepare for an active shooter situation and they want someone to do something about it. They care about the environment and animals, they have lived through the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements and they took notice.

The New York Times wrote: “Alex Dunphy from ‘Modern Family’ represents the Gen Z antidote, Alex is a true Gen Z: conscientious, hard-working, somewhat anxious and mindful of the future.”

The girls in the Planet Photo Tribe picked the issues that they feel most passionate about and we highlighted some of those things. They believe that we should PROTECT our schools, our planet, our children, our water supply, our food supply, the environment, animals, minorities and the earth.

They say NO to racial profiling, labeling, transphobia, violence, sexism, racism, fat shaming, homophobia.

For today’s teens, the nation’s first African-American president is less a historic breakthrough than a fact of life. It is the responsibility and privilege of Generation Z to vote and they intend to do so. They make up almost 25% of all Americans and THEY VOTE NEXT.

They are Stronger Together. The Future is Female. They Support Equal Rights……The future really is in their hands.

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Candytopia A Planet Photo NYC Photo Shoot

Candytopia

A Planet Photo NYC Photo Shoot

Who says you have to choose a conventional location for your senior portraits?

Candytopia, a pop-up location in New York City is ANYTHING BUT CONVENTIONAL!

Here is how they describe it on the website:

“What if an eccentric chocolatier and a daredevil pop star had a whirlwind romance, got married while skydiving, and had a glamorous, glittering love child who grew up to rule a small nation? Welcome to Candytopia, where colossal candyfloss constructions meld with a tantalizing taffy twistedness!”

I’d seen the pictures on social media and I knew it HAD to be… we HAD to have our NYC photo shoot there! We got the golden tickets and Abbi joined me on an adventure into candy wonderland. It was insane. I can’t even imagine how many 100’s of thousands of jelly beans went into the exhibit, it was a crazy dream world on a massive sugar high and we were going in.

I knew we needed something different and special for this location, but you know when you don’t know what you are looking for until you see it? Well the minute I saw this romper on Fashion Nova, I knew we had our outfit!

Thanks to the amazing staff and crew at Candytopia for their help. We shot during regular business hours using the built in spot lighting. No off camera flash or light stands. But we made it work – you gotta love a challenge.

So where would you love to shoot? Let’s design something completely original. I love street photo shoots, don’t you?

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New Milford HS Photography Meet Maddie

New Milford HS Photography

Meet Maddie

The Undiscovered Model Competition Finalist!

Maddie joined the Planet Photo Tribe this year and I have been thrilled to have her on the team. I loved the outfits she picked for her session, fall in New England is full of color and she carried that into her styling. We chose Litchfield for her shoot and dodged the rain drops to get some of my favorite fall portraits this year. Bohemian Pizza is a Litchfield County institution so we stopped there first. We were SO sad that we were too early for their crazy good pizza but we promised to come back soon!

We stood and activated our super powers and it must have worked! Maddie was chosen as one of the Undiscovered Model Competition finalists. So cross your fingers and activate all your good vibes and super powers so that she ends up on the winners list. It’s announced on November 16th at noon CST so follow along and join the excitement.

Maddie has been involved in cheer for as long as I remember. A recent injury has kept her from flying but she has been a demo for the New Milford Bulls Cheer team and an amazing role model for the young cheer leaders.

If you are class of 2020 or 2021 then you need to be part of Planet Photo’s model experience! Senior and Teen photography that shows just how unique you are. Drop me a line with “Future Planet Photo Model Tribe Member” in the subject line and I will make sure you are invited to the informational meetings in the spring.

Now booking Class of 2019 senior sessions!

Photography CT Hamden Hall Skilyn

Photography Hamden Hall CT

Skylin – Class of 2019

The Undiscovered Model Competition Finalist!

The minute I met Sky I knew we were going to have an incredible shoot! She was the sweetest, outgoing girl you could possibly meet with a cute little sister and a really fun mom. When I asked her about her high school experience and interests I was excited to figure out how we could incorporate her love of dance. She wanted a mix of urban and natural beauty so we actually met in Derby, CT. Now Derby doesn’t necessarily spring to mind when you think of a backdrop for a photoshoot…. but it actually was perfect for what we were looking for! Grace and beauty in an urban setting.

All Planet Photo Feature Seniors are invited to submit to The Undiscovered Model Competition and we are thrilled that Sky has made it to the Finalist stage! We find out on Friday if she will be one of the few winners chosen to go to Austin Texas in January for the ultimate destination model experience. You can see all the finalists on The Undiscovered In Print so you can see she is in good company, you might even see another Planet Photo Model – Maddie! Of course I am so proud of them both. All good vibes and luck accepted for both of them!!!

If you are class of 2020 or 2021 then you need to be part of Planet Photo’s model experience! Senior and Teen photography that shows just how unique you are. Drop me a line with Future Planet Photo Model Tribe Member in the subject line and I will make sure you are invited to the informational meetings in the spring.

Now booking Class of 2019 senior sessions!

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Gothic School House Group Halloween Photo Shoot

Gothic School House

Group Halloween Shoot

The Planet Photo Tribe was very excited for the gothic halloween photo shoot….. well, let’s be honest, that is probably the understatement of the year! They were 100% on point with their styling so we didn’t waste any time getting down to shooting at the Hill and Plain one room school house in New Milford. Almost all the models had probably visited and learned about the school house in elementary school, so they knew the history of how past residents of our town were educated.

The Hill and Plain schoolhouse was built in 1843 and was in use until 1940. The room was heated by potbelly stove, burning wood supplied by nearby farmers in the spring and fall, and coal in the winter months. At recess the children would play ball in an open field across the road or would slide down the huge rock formation directly behind the school. At the time of its closing in 1940, there were 16 students in the eight grades taught there.

However you are celebrating All Hallows Eve this year, have fun, be safe and save the Milk Duds for me!

Please consider supporting the restoration of the New Milford One Room Schoolhouse
Thanks to Sue Snow for Madi’s vintage costume

Stranger Things Planet Photo Tribe September Model Shoot

Stranger Things

Planet Photo Tribe

September Model Shoot

Stranger Things is a tribute to the 80’s for those that grew up with science fiction films such as E.T. and Alien. A group of kids from a small town in Indiana search for their friend who disappears into thin air after biking home from a Dungeons and Dragons marathon game. They don’t immediately find their friend but they do find a strange girl with an 011 tattoo on her arm and the strange things start to happen all around them.

The throwback to 80’s fashion and the mysterious supernatural forces of the Upside Down World have captivated audiences all over the world and the Planet Photo Tribe jumped at the chance of a Stranger Things inspired shoot. Fortunately the 80’s are back and most of the girls could draw on their back to school wardrobe for our shoot! We added a few vintage pieces and accessories and we were all excited to begin shooting.

The editorial team of Seniors Ignite loved our theme too and our Stranger Things Planet Photo Tribe September group shoot was featured by Seniors Ignite on Undiscovered! Head over to check it out and the other fantastic sic-fi shoots that were featured this month.

The model shoots are a ton of fun but you can draw inspiration for your own individual senior portrait session from them. Styling, locations or even creating a theme for your shoot. Let’s talk about how you would like to be photographed.

Book your free consultation.

Teen Photography 2018 Sherman CT

Teen Photography 2018

Taylor

Litchfield County CT

I have been longing to do a Free People inspired shoot for a while and when I came across this Free People dress I knew the time was right! A huge thank you to Taylor for going along with the vision and modeling for Nathalie and I on a humid sticky night in Sherman CT. You see I wanted to put Nathalie on the other side of the camera for a few shots, so we came up with the idea of having Taylor come with us so that Nathalie could shoot a bit too. Confused? Don’t worry the images kind of speak for themselves….

We set out with an overly optimistic plan of driving to Danbury to shoot some downtown graffiti shots first but we very quickly realized we were not going to have time to get back up to Sherman for sunset meadow shots. A quick compromise found us trekking under the bridge at Lover’s Leap for some local graffiti. Nathalie took these amazing ones of Taylor and I got a few of Nathalie but you’ll have to wait for the next blog post to see those!

We used a beauty dish to create some drama and shadows. We knew we were going all soft and dreamy for our next stop so it was great to have a little contrast here! On to full-on Free People dreamy natural light. The sun was setting fast so conditions were different for almost every shot!

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Pool Party Photography 2K19 Tribe Friends

Pool Party Photography

2K19 Planet Photo Tribe

When Friends first hit the TV screen it was revolutionary. A show about a group of 20 something friends, hanging out, dating, working and living in a cool apartment in New York City. We all wondered how they could afford such an amazing apartment? Where did they buy their clothes? Should you get a Rachel or Monica haircut? Should Monica date Ross? Everyone kind of wanted to live the Friends lifestyle and be one of their friends.

The 90’s TV line up soon filled up with similar shows; Melrose Place, Beverley Hills 90210, Dawson’s Creek, Baywatch, Saved by the Bell. They all centered on the interaction of friends and they all featured a boat load of DRAMA! We used the 90’s TV show as a springboard for our latest Planet Photo Tribe shoot and planned a pool party (minus the DRAMA!)

Special thanks to Maddy M, Madi L, Madi S, Zoe and Julia for hanging out at our Planet Photo Tribe Pool Party!