Gowns and things • Fashion Photographer

Dreaming of gowns... 

I met Sophia last summer while collaborating with Jacqueline Cicala of Blowout and Jennifer Weil of Style Concierge {See it here: Bicycle • Inspirational Shoot, Part 1}.

That shoot sparked Sophia's interest to explore modeling a bit more, as a fun thing she could do in her free time when not studying or preparing for her finals. 

She later walked in Fashion For Hope show, wore Cristalle Brides gowns at their bridal line launch party and modeled for their lookbook. 

Her portfolio started to grow and she only needed a few simple headshots. 

When we scheduled our studio session, I thought to myself - why not use this opportunity to create something beautiful.

So my mind got to work.
My best ideas come to me late at night when I am about to fall asleep. I start brainstorming and pray that I remember it all the next morning 😉Thankfully, I did and I was super excited to make it come to life. 

The day before our shoot I pulled out my sewing machine and made this long tulle skirt that I paired with a black backless top from Zara {it's really a bodycon dress but you couldn't tell 😊}.
We added a pair of fabulous heels and statement earrings, and we were ready to go. 

Here are a few images from my afternoon with Sophia.
How beautiful is she?!


{Dress ~ top by Zara | tulle skirt by me • Shoes ~ Windsor}

Our Christmas Photos • New Jersey Family Photographer

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

We dressed fancy on one chilly afternoon and went outside for a few holiday photos 🎄

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Hope this holiday season is filled with love and laughter, and creating new memories.

❄️  ❄️  ❄️

"There's more, much more, to Christmas than candlelight and cheer;
It's the spirit of sweet friendship that brightens all year.
It's thoughtfulness and kindness, it's hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding,
And for goodwill to men!"

{Big Thanks to Aleksandra for helping with a few family shots!}

And he's 3!

How is this even possible?!

Just like that- three years went by in a blink of an eye. 

I still remember that snowy December 2013 when we were awaiting Jack's arrival and he would not want to come! Five days after his due date we were scheduled for an induction. We were finally going to meet him! 

I will never forget that overwhelming feeling when he was laid on my chest for the first time, the emotions that filled my heart, and the instant love that would just grow with each passing day. 

How lucky was I to experience that once more! {Jack has an older sister 😊}

Christmas 2013 was definitely one-of-a-kind! 

Here is a look back at Jack's third year ❤️

Amy + Brian • Parents-To-Be Session • New Jersey Photographer

I love nothing more than seeing two people so much in love and so excited about becoming parents it warms my heart.

I have known Brian for a few years now so when he reached out to me and announced this wonderful news I was beyond happy and honored to photograph such special time in their lives.

They decided to keep their baby's gender a surprise but the wait is almost over and they should find out in just a few days 😊

Congratulations, Amy and Brian!

Autumn Blues • Fashion Photographer

It was one of those shoots that happen last minute with very little preparation.

One of my clients had to postpone their session and I thought to myself - I must NOT 'waste' this beautiful afternoon!
I needed to photograph something or someone!

My friend Aleksandra happened to be available that day  so it was just a matter of finding the perfect dress. 

And I must say, I got pretty lucky with this one!

See for yourself!

Dress by Tahari Arthur S. Levine {available here}  •  Shoes Steve Madden •  Hair + Makeup by me 

The Bathla Family Session • New Jersey Family Photographer

I am so excited to share this session!

Because when photographing friends and their families, it is never work but pure pleasure!

I had so much fun spending a surprisingly warm fall Sunday afternoon
with Isha and Sunny, and their two handsome boys.

With everyone's busy schedule, it was such a great opportunity to catch up.
My husband and Sunny go back all the way to college days
when they met and became close friends.
He and the little ones joined us after the session for a quick bite to eat.

 Such a perfect way to end the weekend!

Janine + Chris • Lakeside Engagement Session • New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Ahhh, I am so excited to share this engagement session on the blog. 

I met Janine and Chris through Chris' sister, Marissa whose engagement session I shot just last year. 

I was beyond excited when Janine reached out to me and asked if I would like to shoot their engagement session as well as their wedding. 

She mentioned their wedding theme would be inspired by The Great Gatsby. 
My creative juices started to flow immediately and I had so many ideas to make their session extra fun and romantic, at the same time. 

On the day of the shoot we met at a New Jersey lakeside where a canoe was waiting for us.
 Jardiniere Fine Flowers made a beautiful garland to decorate the boat. We set one of the nearby picnic tables for the second part of the shoot. Lacey table cloth, bird cage, candles, pearls, delicious macaroons, and flowers, flowers, flowers! 

The couple dressed the part! I loved Janine's sequin romper accessorized with pearls,
 and Chris' dapper suspenders + bowtie look! 

They looked absolutely stunning! That afternoon could not have possibly been more perfect! 

And the chemistry between the two of them? Undeniable! It was so obvious to me how much they love each other, and how much fun they have together. 

Congratulations, Janine + Chris! I cannot wait to photograph your wedding next September!

Cristalle Brides Styled Shoot * * * Wedding Chicks Feature * * * New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I cannot describe how excited I was to be part of this amazing collaboration. 

I first heard about Cristalle collection back in May when I was introduced to Cristina - one of the designers for Cristalle Bride and creator of Letica Bag, by Jacqueline Cicala of Blowout.

I was immediately fascinated and could not wait to see their beautiful designs. 

I was over the moon when Cristina and Alejandro asked me to photograph their brand new collection! Teaming up with such amazing artists was like a dream come true. 

And we were featured on Wedding Chicks!!! 

 ~ From the designers ~

Cristalle is a bridal collection designed for the free spirited bride. 

Her venue can be a restored warehouse in Brooklyn, a cabin in Minnesota, New York's Shelter Island, or a trendy urban roof top. 

Cristalle's Romantic SS 2017 capsule collection will launch this October during New York Bridal Week. The collection presents bohemian inspired ethereal gowns made with delicate laces, organzas, embroideries, incorporating hand beaded embellished details and well paired retro hand beaded capes. 

•  •  •

Designers: Alejandro Trucco & Cristina Marulanda

Hair & Makeup: Jacqueline Cicala

Floral Design: Kerry Scordo Patel

Model: Diana Gots

Venue: Prudence Designs and Events 

Clutch: Letica Bag

*** Featured on Wedding Chicks ***

Inspirational Styled Shoot ~ New Jersey Photographer

Gorgeous florals, exquisite headpieces, an amazing location,
and beautiful dresses complemented by equally beautiful hair and makeup = a perfect recipe
 for a stunning inspirational shoot.

I was super excited to be part of this collaboration
 and I am so happy to share a few images from the day here today!

Makeup ~ Amy Baskin / Beauty On Location NJ  •  Hair ~ Jessica / Beauty On Location NJ

Headpieces ~ The House Of Mac & Zoe

Planning + Styling ~ Stacey Sainato / Peony Events 

Dresses ~ Bella Bridesmaids

Floral Arrangements ~ Jardiniere Fine Flowers

Models ~ Mackensi + Meghan

Florals By Kerry Patel Designs

Sometimes those impromptu shoots are just as exciting and fun as the ones you have been planning for weeks or months.

I teamed up with Kerry Patel Designs, Jacqueline Cicala Beauty Bridal Atelier and my favorite model-muse Aleksandra for a quick photoshoot to showcase Kerry's beautiful floral arrangements.

After overcoming a couple of obstacles, like a sudden rain storm, and figuring out where to shoot when a park was no longer an option, we ended up at Blowout Salon in Morristown where Jackie was kind enough to let us shoot at their gorgeous courtyard.
And amazingly enough, the storm cleared and the sun was out again.

I guess it was meant to be after all!


Florals ~ Kerry Patel Designs  •  Hair & Makeup ~ Jacqueline Cicala 
Dress ~ Vintage Melissa Sweet Bridal  •  Model ~ Aleksandra   
Venue ~ Blowout Salon, Morristown, NJ

The Cabrera Family Maternity Session ~ Sandy Hook ~ New Jersey

It was such a special maternity session.

Miss Lani was my daughter's preschool teacher whom she absolutely adored!
I cannot describe how honored I was to be able to capture such special time in her beautiful family's life.

We met on the beach in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in the late afternoon
to take advantage of the gorgeous golden hour light. And it was magical!

Congratulations to the sweetest family!

Little Black Dress Paperie ~ Morristown ~ New Jersey

Located in the heart of Morristown, New Jersey, Little Black Dress Paperie is a luxury invitation design studio specializing in wedding and special events stationery. Engaging Papers is their online boutique where clients have access to all their designs.

I met Patty Gibbons, the founder and owner of LBDP, in the fall of last year and quickly fell in love with her work.
From gold foil to flower embellishments and crystals, to incorporating materials like wood, cork, luxe silks and satins, this design studio can create a one-of-a-kind invitation suite that reflects their client's unique style.

 I was so honored when Patty invited me to do photography for their entire website!
Styling and photographing Little Black Dress Paperie stunning stationery makes me not want to leave my studio.

Please meet Patty and her wonderful team and check out a few of their stunning designs below!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Little Black Dress Paperie / Engaging Papers Team 

Patty ~ Founder & Owner {middle image}

Christine ~ Creative Director {bottom right}

Peggy ~ Lead Creative Director {top left}

Tyler ~ Marketing & Operations {bottom left}

Rachel ~ Marketing {top right} 

The House Of Mac & Zoe Styled Shoot

Mondays aren't usually the days I look forward to. Monday mornings especially.
That certainly was not the case when I met with Tammy of The House Of Mac & Zoe
 and Amy of Beauty on Location NJ for this quick styled shoot.

Amy was kind enough to let us photograph at her gorgeous house and I am still
 in awe. The rooms were filled with light and beautiful furnishings.
I could not have wished for a more ideal setting!

The hand-crafted headpieces were utterly stunning, perfectly complementing the dresses
 and pulling the entire look together.

*  *  *

Makeup: Amy/ Beauty on Location NJ | Hair: Jessica/ Beauty On Location NJ
Headpieces: The House Of Mac & Zoe | Gowns: Jean Ralph Thurin
Planning: Peony Events
Models: Mackensi & Meghan

Happy Father's Day!

"It's only when you grow up and step back from him -

or leave him for your own home -

it's only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it."

Margaret Truman

Happy Father's Day to this truly amazing man my children call their Dad.

And to All The Wonderful Dads, Dads-To-Be, and Dads-In-Law!

And a Very Happy Father's Day to My Loving Dad ~ Kocham Cię, Tato!

FATHER'S DAY 2012 | FATHER'S DAY 2013 | FATHER'S DAY 2014 | FATHER'S DAY 2015

The House of Mac & Zoe || Styled Product Shoot

This shoot was quite different from photographing couples, families or events. 

In the quiet of my studio I was surrounded by the gorgeous headpieces
handmade by Tammy Considine of The House Of Mac & Zoe.

Here is a preview of her latest collection. 

Happy Mother's Day!

"Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. 
There's no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving."

 ~ Gail Tsukiyama

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, Moms-To-Be, and Moms-In-Law!

And, A Very Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom ~ Kocham Cię Mamo! 

MOTHER'S DAY 2012 | MOTHER'S DAY 2013 | MOTHER'S DAY 2014 | MOTHER'S DAY 2015

Studio Portrait Session

As much as I love shooting outside, sometimes I enjoy the comfort of the studio...
Especially when my subject is this stunning!


Model: Aleksandra

Hair & Makeup by me

Cherry Blossoms

Ahhh, I am still in awe of this spring session! 

Even though we missed the peak of the cherry blossoms at Branch Brook Park we were still able to capture some of it. 

Finding the perfect dress and waiting for nice weather to finally come took some time. 

So everything was kind of last minute. 

When the dress came I was able to quickly put together this flower crown and we were on our way to the park! 

We did it! And I love the outcome! 

Model: Aleksandra

Dress: Angelina Faccenda

Flower crown by me