There are a few key things that make for beautiful photographs (natural light, red eye reduction, Photoshop), but you'd be satisfied with a stain-free family who looks like they love each other. For all of the above and more, we found some of the best photographers in Bergen County, NJ, to fit every style (and budget). 'Tis the season for scheduling your photo sessions. For amazing holiday cards to cherished prints, here's who we've got framed to do the job right. So snap to it.
Little Nest Portraits (201-670-6378)
Little Nest takes a different approach to family photos, offering a kid-friendly studio with both a la carte sessions and their heirloom membership program that allows you to document your family’s growth and all the milestones that go along with it over the course of a year and turn it into cool custom art. The place is staffed with pros who focus (literally) on showing just who your one-of-a-kind family is in a super laid-back environment that’ll have your whole gang feeling ready for their close-ups. Sunflower Sessionettes are in a beautiful sunflower field at a farm in Sussex County and will take place on the evening of August 12 (book quickly!). The sessionettes start at $50 and classic sessions are $100. Their best feature is their Heirloom Program, which is $59/month or $599/year, where members can enjoy a year of sessions and exclusively styled PhotoPOP sessions for holiday seasons. Mention Bergen Mama and receive a $100 discount.
Stacey Ilyse Photography ([email protected])
Many of you have already seen Stacey's work when her custom lifestyle video of our staffer Sara went viral on Facebook. If you did happen to catch that, you know that Stacey Ilyse's work is fun, quality and aims to capture your fam in the best, real, honest way possible. Not only does she produce bomb vids, but she also specializes in fine art, documentary/lifestyle family photography too. Stacey offers both year-round mini (30-45 mintues) or full-length (1-1.5 hours) sessions. She works to create a completely individual experience tailored to each family. Mention Bergen Mama and receive 20 percent off photography and video packages.
Giella Barbara Photography , Allendale NJ ([email protected])
You'll know you're in great hands when you meet the duo behind the brand Giella Barbara Photography. Cassandra Barbara and Renee Giella work as a team to create glorious, gorgeous and fun photos that you will treasure for years (all you have to do is follow their Instagram to see their amazing work). These lovely ladies are just as comfortable working in their 1920's colonial studio setting with babies and backdrops (and serious amounts of smash cakes) as they are out on location in a field of sunflowers. Eitherway their planning and attention to detail guarantees you'll end up with wow-worthy keepsakes. Mention Bergen Mama for a savings of $100 when you reserve by September 16th, 2017.
Eroula Dimitriou Photography ([email protected], 201-658-0634)
We're not sure what we love more about Eroula "Rou" Dimitriou: her gentle, cool, easy vibe or her gorgeous, light-filled, perfectly edited photos, where she often adds elements like glitter and gold to give them an even more etheral look. When we got wind she was the photographer behind the gorgeous images of Hilaria and Alec Baldwin's first baby, we realized word about her work was definitely spreading. Her standard shoot rate starts at $700 and includes 20-30 images, and her newborn shoot rate begins at $1075. Mention Bergen Mama within the next month, and you will receive 10 percent off of a standard OR newborn shoot. In addition, you will receive a professional package of prints including one 8x10, one 5x7 and five 4x6s.
Kristen Maus Photography ([email protected], 201-926-1666)
The lighting in Kristen Maus' photos is gorgeous—her subjects look radiant, yet like themselves because she believes in capturing you and your family as naturally as possible. Kristen offers seasonal mini sessions on August 19, October 22 and November 4. These 20-minute sessions include an online gallery from which clients can pick five digital files. She shoots all kinds of events, from weddings to engagement photos and family sessions. Mention Bergen Mama when booking your session, and you will receive an additional digital file.
Sara Eden Photography ([email protected], 973-715-3081)
Capturing the love between people is the goal of photographer Sara Eden. Catch the Early Bird Fall Special that will be running through September, which is a 20-minute session with five digital files for $325. Eden also offers mini sessions ($200), a 30-minute session with 10 perecent off an a la carte order (package A, $425) and a one-hour session with 15 percent off an a la carte order (package B, $600). For first-time customers, Mention Bergen Mama and you will receive a $50 discount off of any regular session.
Tatiana Teo Photography ([email protected], 305-308-8611)
From weddings to birthdays to backyard fun, everything Tatiana Teo photographs looks special. Her creative take on everyday situations will blow you away. Choose from a family, maternity or newborn shoot that starts at $800, or hire Tatiana to photograph your event (prices depend on the hours). Print your photos on a custom card or trifold, or create a photo album (or website) of your pictures. Mention Bergen Mama to receive 15 percent off her normal rates.
Sweet Little Smiles Photography ([email protected], 973-931-4573)
Shana Pangione of Sweet Little Smiles is a mom too, and she gets it—you want to bottle up each moment with your children and treasure it forever. She seeks to capture those tiny, precious details of your little ones and the love you share. Don’t miss out on this fall special from Sweet Little Smiles: Fall minis are $299 and include five digital images with a print release. If you’re looking to book a full session, contact Shana for details. Mention Bergen Mama and receive 10 percent off plus a $25 gift card when you book a session (excluding mini sessions).
Carolyne Rao ([email protected], 551-486-7361)
If you’re going for a super-authentic holiday scene (with the most real looking Santa, like, ever), Carolyne Rao’s holiday Santa Experience Sessions are truly unique and fun. Children get 10 minutes of private time with Mr. Claus where they can take their time getting to know him while Carolyne captures those magical moments. The holidays are right around the corner, and it's time to book your photo session! These Christmas-themed shoots are outdoors and include five jpegs (10 to choose from). Carolyne’s mini sessions start at $140 and last 15-20 minutes with two jpegs (five to choose from). Mention Bergen Mama and receive a free 5x7 print.
Christie Adams Photography ([email protected], 201-389-3712)
Christie Adams has been expertly capturing newborns and families for the past 10 years and conveniently offers outdoor shoots or indoor sessions at her charming, light-filled studio in Ridgewood. No need to bring your own props, as she’s got tons of those (and dress-up clothes too)—everything needed to ensure happy faces as evidenced by her smiling subjects. Full session fees start at $200 and prints start at $55. Mini sessions run for 20 minutes on select weekday mornings and include a mini gallery plus an 11x14 portrait or three mini mounts for $250. Mention Bergen Mama and receive a free mounted 5x7 with easel for any mini session, or get the $200 session fee waved when you book a full session that takes place in August or September.
Love Actually Photography ([email protected], 201-981-6551)
Whether you’re interested in a newborn shoot ($1,000 including 20 images) or a family session, Love Actually Photography has a range of standard and Santa-themed shoot options. Her standard session is $700 and includes a copyright release of 20 images. The standard shoot includes up to four family members and is $25 for each additional member. Mention Bergen Mama and receive 10 percent off a standard shoot rate or newborn shoot when booked and paid within 30 days of this article.
Souls Imagined Beginnings by Niki Torres ([email protected])
Niki Torres is a mother of four and has experienced the immense joy of seeing her own babies grow. She seeks to capture those fleeting moments in a creative and gorgeous way, offering newborn, maternity and milestone sessions ranging from $350-$1200. Her holiday mini sessions start at $349. They can be inside or outdoors and are perfect for a single child or sibling sets. Wear your festive pj’s or fuzzy slippers to get into the holiday spirit. Mention Bergen Mama and receive a free 16x24 canvas with any (non-mini) session booked.
Hartshorn Portraiture (201.610.1199)
Hartshorn Portraiture is a go-to spot for gallery-quality prints of your fam. Meet owner/dad Mac Hartshorn at a Bergen park (Ridgewood’s Van Neste is a favorite location) or beach (the Hamptons or Jersey shore), or go climate-controlled at his luxe studio for fun, action shots of your whole brood. Order an exquisitely produced, hand-torn watercolor print for an accent wall or a canvas for the playroom and let their design consultant assist you in selecting the perfect Italian hand-crafted custom frame to complement your art to hang just in time for the holidays. This upcoming season, Hartshorn Portraiture will be offering a holiday card package for $495, which includes a 45-minute session and an 8x10 print. Choose from their standard packages as well: pregnancy, newborn and babies, family beach portraits, in-studio portraits and family portraits in the park. Mention Bergen Mama and receive a $100 discount off of your session fee.
Elise Campbell Photography ([email protected], 201-724-8482)
Whoever you keep close to your heart (a newborn, a terrier, your teenager), Elise Campbell will put them at ease in front of the camera, capture them in beautiful light and helping you treasure that moment in time. This fall, Campbell will be offering fall short-and-sweet portrait sessions for $175, as well as holiday magic sessions in her Harrington Park Studio (children only) starting at $200. Campbell also offers standard sessions for newborns, families and even your pets! Prints and digitals are an extra fee when booking a session. Mention Bergen Mama and receive the following discounts if you book your session before August 20: If you are a returning client, you will receive $75 off a fall short-and-sweet portrait session, and if you are a new client, you will receive $50 off. All Bergen Mama readers will receive $50 off of the holiday magic sessions.
Jennifer Wright Photography ([email protected])
If you’re after gallery-worthy photos with pops of color that would look equally good on a wall as they would on your holiday card, check out NJ and NY mama/photographer Jennifer Wright’s work. You’ll never hear her ask her subjects to pose or say “cheese” because her specialty is capturing kids in action, just having fun. Choose from a portrait session (starts at $375), a headshot (starts at $175) or a fall mini session (starts at $165). Her fall mini sessions are 20 minutes long and come with five edited images. Mention Bergen Mama and receive a free print package (1-8x10 & 3-5x7s) with the purchase of any full session this summer or fall.
Story of Life Photography ([email protected], 201-981-5426)
Dalia Sherman's way with little ones is nothing short of remarkable. She's been known to get down on the ground and roll around with kids to capture them as their most-spirited selves. Standard sessions from Story of Life Photography include a 16x20 print with a la carte pricing starting at $350. They also offer digital packages that start at $750 and include digital and print products (20 files). They offer print services for albums and coffee table books as well. Mention Bergen Mama and receive a complimentary set of 25 holiday cards this fall.
Lynda Sheeler Photography ([email protected], 201-286-9414)
An expert in event photography, Lynda Sheeler knows how to capture active families on the go. She'll meet you in the park or at your home and produce expertly edited images you'll swoon over. This fall, don’t miss out on Sheeler’s fall special: A fall mini shoot that lasts 20 minutes and includes two digital images at a location of your choosing is $200. Sheeler also shoots all types of events, including bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings. Mention Bergen Mama and you will receive a 10 percent discount off of your purchase.
Erika Deer Photographer ([email protected], 201-664-6558)
Erika Deer's calm demeanor and playful way with kids results in natural photos that truly capture your little ones' personalities. Fall mini sessions last 15-20 minutes, producing 20 to 30 images and start at $150 depending on the location. If you are looking for a longer session, Erika’s regular sessions have a $100 sitting fee, and a disk of all the images starts at $300. Mention Bergen Mama and you will receive $50 off your purchase.
