Words of Wisdom for New Parents from a Mom and Newborn Photographer in Passaic County

Someone recently asked me if I had any words of wisdom for them as they get ready to welcome a new baby. I guess they knew that, being a parent myself, as well as a newborn photographer serving families in New Jersey and New York, I’ve seen parenthood from a lot of different angles!

In answering them, I realized that there are probably lots of expecting parents out there wondering the same things, so I thought I’d jot down my thoughts on the blog. So here you go, a few words of wisdom for new parents from a mom and professional baby photographer in Passaic County:

Embrace the Journey

Parenthood is a remarkable adventure. And like any adventure, it’s filled with ups and downs. I know it can be hard, especially when you’re in the thick of it, but cherish each moment, even the challenging ones. They are irreplaceable and contribute so much to the growth and relationship of both you and your baby.

Prioritize Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is crucial. And it isn’t selfish in the least! Find time for rest, nourishment, and relaxation. If you feel well cared for, you’ll be better equipped to care for your child too—and both of you will be happier for it.

Trust Your Instincts

You know more than you think you do. You’ll probably receive a lot of childrearing advice from well-meaning people. Accept it graciously, but ultimately, trust your own intuition as a parent. You know your baby better than anyone, and your instincts will guide you as you make decisions for their well-being.

Seek Support

I don’t know where the old saying came from, “It take a village to raise a child.” But it’s true! Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or support groups for help or guidance. Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but it's also a tough gig. Building a support network of fellow parents can provide reassurance and give you a sense of community.

Nurture Your Relationship with Your Partner

If you have a partner (and I hope you do, it makes life so much easier!) remember to prioritize your relationship with them. Set aside quality time together, communicate openly, and support each other. You’ll both need time to adjust to the new dynamic of being parents, so be there for one another.

Embrace the Mess

Last but not least, realize that things are going to get messy. Don’t sweat it, embrace it! Clutter and stains are normal. The spit-up, dirty diapers, and occasional chaos is all part of the experience of having a little one (and makes for great stories later on). And if things get emotionally messy sometimes, that’s normal too. You’ll make a few parenting mistakes. Everyone does. Just do your best to clean up the mess and keep moving forward, knowing that your love for your little one is the most important thing.

Congratulations on this incredible life change! I hope these few words of wisdom help as you prepare for this exciting next step in your adventure. And if you need anything along the way, know that I’m here for you. Just get in touch!

Meet Your Photographer: New Jersey Newborn and Baby Photographer

Hey there! I’m Jennifer Parrello, the face behind the camera here at Jennifer Parrello Photography. Yes, I know you’ve got the About page where you can get to know me a bit, but I wanted to jump on and introduce myself on the blog as well so you can learn a little more if you want to!

It’s super important to me that you know who I am and feel comfortable with me. Why? Because when you book a session with me you instantly become family in my eyes! I am capturing memories for you that will last generations, and I want us to connect and get to know each other! So, here goes!

About Jennifer Parrello

One of the reasons I decided to become a New Jersey photographer is because family is everything to me! I’ve been married for almost fourteen years. My husband and I now have three amazing kiddos…and a dog! My family are my favorite people to hang out with and I feel so lucky every day to share my life with them.

As far as personality goes, I am super outgoing and energetic and very much a people pleaser. I love making people happy and I’m never more satisfied than when I know I’ve made someone else’s day!

Aside from family and photography, a couple of my other passions are:

Softball! I played in college and continue to play in a women’s league now, and I also coach my oldest kiddo’s travel softball team. I love the camaraderie, the energy, and just the good clean fun of being part of a sports team.

Video games! I’ve been playing competitively since the late 90’s, so…yeah. If you’re into video games, we’re going to have a lot to talk about!

About Jennifer Parrello Photography

And now…to the business! Every photographer starts somewhere. For me, the journey began in 1999 when I took a photography class in high school. Photography looked a little different back then, let me tell you! I learned how to develop film in a dark room and that is where my love of photography began. I continued to photograph through the years because I enjoyed it, but it was always just a hobby.

It wasn’t until my oldest was born eleven years ago that I got more serious about photography. As a mom I found myself picking up the camera more and more because I now had an adorable model! Finally, I realized I could combine my love of kiddos and my love of pictures. I took the plunge, quit my job (teaching), and started my photography business full-time. One of the biggest and scariest decisions of my life, but also one of the best and most exciting! I have never looked back!

Let’s Get to Know Each Other

I absolutely love being a New Jersey photographer. As a mom of three myself, I can relate on so many different levels with my families. And I love kids! I know how much you want to hang on to not just the memories of your child, but the very essence of who they are right now. And that is what I’m here for!

I truly cannot wait to get to know you and to help you preserve these memories for yourself and your family. Are you excited yet? ‘Cause I am!

Photo by Twig & Olive Photography

Newborn Photography Sessions with Jennifer Parrello Photography

There is nothing better than having photos of your baby’s earliest days. That newborn stage is so precious—and it goes by SO fast! I love welcoming these tiniest of little ones to my studio, and am honored to be entrusted with documenting those amazing memories.

If you’re expecting a little one, here’s what you should know about newborn photography sessions with Jennifer Parrello Photography:

When to Book Your Newborn Session

Early! I recommend booking a few months in advance to guarantee a spot on the calendar. This also makes it easier to get in shortly after baby is born, which is when we can get the cute curly poses. You can learn more about when and how to book your newborn session here.

How to Get Ready for Your Newborn Photography Session

Before your session, I’ll give you all the info you need to get ready, including how to help baby feel nice and sleepy at their session time, and what to bring. I customize each of my sessions, so you can also get ready by giving some thought to what colors and props you’d like to use.

What to Expect at Your Newborn Session

Honestly, expect to sit back and relax! You don’t even need to get baby out of the car seat at the studio—I’ll take care of all of that so baby stays as sleepy and calm as possible. Unless you’re participating in the pictures or your newborn needs to be fed, you can just chill with Netflix while I capture gorgeous images of your little one.

After Your Session

After you head home, I’ll spend time editing your images. Once they’re all picture-perfect, you’ll be able to choose your favorites and create your own collection of beautiful newborn pictures from your session—pictures you can treasure forever!

Are you excited?! I am! Can’t wait to welcome you and your little one to my New Jersey studio and help you capture those memories!

Beautiful Newborn Photography Session New Jersey

Oh my goodness, I can’t get over this precious baby girl and her beautiful newborn photography session! I was so excited to see this family again. I photographed big sister as a newborn almost three years ago now, and also did her cake smash session. I love when my little clients come back! It’s a chance for me to see how much they’ve grown and enjoy their fun personalities! We had such a wonderful time together during this session, full of love, laughter, and lots of snuggles!

Baby girl was an absolute DREAM. She slept the entire time, and we got so many great pictures that I had a hard time choosing just a few for this post. And watching baby girl and her older sister together—I can already tell they’re going to be BFFs! What a couple of cuties!

Mom wanted colors that would coordinate well with big sister’s newborn photos. (If you’re planning to put sibling photos together in an album or hang them on the same wall in the living room or nursery, it’s a great idea to make sure the colors/themes look good side by side.) We did all pink for first baby’s session, so we decided to include some pink and florals for the newest member of the family, as well as some deep purples and shades of berry. SO pretty! For whatever reason, purple isn’t a color that gets chosen much for baby girls, at least not at my studio, so I loved the chance to use a color I don’t often get to work with.

Hard to believe this was one of my last sessions for the year. Times goes by so fast—something I’m constantly reminded of as a newborn photographer. If you’re expecting a little one in the new year, I would love to help you document those precious memories. Be sure to book as soon as possible—I’m already scheduling into May!

Baby Girl Photo Session in Studio

Okay, people. This is a lot of cuteness, so brace yourselves! (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

Seriously, baby Annabelle was adorable and a total dream to photograph! I did her parents’ maternity session, so I’ve known for a while that she would be coming to the studio and have been looking forward to it! She was so good. Slept like an angel—which was great except that it made her newborn photo session zip by faster than I would have liked! Could have spent all day with this sweet baby girl. She even gave me some of those cute, sleepy baby smiles. (As a New Jersey newborn photographer, those are kind of what I live for!)

We did a pretty color scheme of pink, white, and gray. She loved being swaddled, so—since my goal is to keep baby happy while we capture your beautiful images—we did lots of wrapped shots. I love these anyway. A precious baby bundle is pretty much the best thing ever!

Mom and Dad also chose to get some family shots with their new arrival, which I definitely recommend! They are a super sweet family and it was such a treat to create those baby pictures with all of them together. I love it when my newborn clients first book a maternity session with me! It allows us to get to know each other better, and it’s so special to have pictures at each stage of your baby’s journey—including when you were still anticipating their arrival!

It was so fun to spend a couple of hours in my cozy Passaic County newborn photo studio with this precious baby girl and her parents. I’m really hoping she’ll be coming back to see me in a year for a cake smash! Love watching these little ones grow!

Bergen County Newborn Photographer | Baby Boy and Family

I was excited to be the Bergen County newborn photographer for this sweet baby and his family! Although Mom and Dad wanted a few baby-only and prop photos, they wanted most of our session to focus more on baby pictures that incorporated the rest of the family too. I think this is great! The arrival of a new little one is the perfect time to get updated family pictures that record this amazing change. And one of my favorite things about photographing newborns with family is that I get to record those brand new relationships.

Big Bro with Little Bro

Including older siblings in newborn photos is always fun…and usually unpredictable! Some kids love being in pics with their new little brother or sister, and others really don’t want anything to do with it. Luckily for all of this, this big brother was a dream! He clearly adored his baby brother and was happy to snuggle and kiss him. (If you feel like your kiddo may be a reluctant participant in photos, it sometimes helps to practice poses like cuddles and kisses at home with a baby doll or teddy before baby arrives. And hey, if all else fails, there’s nothing wrong with bribery!)

Personal Props

Most of the props we used were from my New Jersey photography studio, but Mom and Dad brought an Emerson Police Academy shirt to use as well, in honor of a family member. Personal items like this are always a wonderful touch, and I definitely encourage you to bring heirlooms or other treasured items to make your photos even more special and meaningful.

Book Your New Jersey Newborn Photo Session

Ready to book your own newborn photography session? The earlier you book, the better, so get in touch as soon as possible! I can’t wait to start planning your session!

Preemie Newborn Photography | 8 Week Baby Pictures

This little lady was such a sweetheart—and in a hurry to get started with life! She arrived 9 weeks before her due date and had to spend a couple of months in the NICU. Mom and Dad were so worried that by the time she was released from the hospital and they could do the newborn photo shoot that she would be too big. As a photographer, I do have to take a different approach when I do preemie newborn photography, but as you’ll see, I worked my magic and got them some beautiful shots!

When baby is born around their due date, I recommend getting them into the studio for baby photos within a couple of weeks. (One of the reasons I encourage booking early!) But it’s a different story with a premature baby. Often they’ll be a month older or more for “newborn” pictures. Yes, this does rule out some poses, but it certainly doesn’t mean it’s too late for beautiful baby pictures!

Instead of swaddles, we used some bed and rug props for this preemie newborn photography session.  This allowed our 8 week old baby girl to stretch out and kick around a bit. She was much more awake than a typical newborn, but we kept her happy and took advantage of that wakeful state to capture her big dark eyes and some super cute expressions! She did doze off for some of the session too, so we got some sleepy newborn pics as well.

I’m so glad baby girl is doing well, and that mom and dad finally have her home with them! Congratulations to this wonderful family!

As a newborn photographer, I know that every stage of your baby’s life is special and deserves to be recorded! No matter how old your little one is, contact me and let’s get them into my NJ photo studio for an amazing session!

When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session

If you’re expecting, let me be one of the first to congratulate you! And I really do mean one of the first—if you’re wondering when to book your newborn photography session, the answer is “now!” regardless of where you’re at in your pregnancy. A lot of times, your newborn photographer will know you’re getting ready to welcome a little one before family and friends do!

Why Book Your Newborn Photography Session So Early?

There are a couple of reasons it’s important to get your professional baby pictures scheduled as early as possible.

First, New Jersey newborn photographers book up fast! Sessions take time—not just in terms of the photo shoot itself, but also in sanitizing the studio, setting up before and cleaning up afterwards, and editing all of your photos to perfection. So most photographers limit the number of sessions they’ll do each month to give themselves time to give each client the detailed attention they deserve.

The second reason you should know when to book your newborn photography session is that we’ll want to get baby into the studio very soon after birth—usually within a couple of weeks. The best newborn pictures are so much easier to get when baby is still sleeping a lot and is also flexible enough for all those cute poses you see on Instagram.

If you’re worried about baby not arriving exactly on the due date, don’t be. As both a mom and a newborn photographer, I know better than anyone that babies live by their own schedules! I always allow wiggle room so we can adjust your little one’s session date as needed.

Didn’t jump on the baby picture bandwagon early enough? Reach out anyway! While I encourage booking early, I’m always happy to accommodate last-minute appointments whenever my schedule allows. Hope to see you and your baby in my New Jersey newborn photo studio soon!

NJ Newborn Photography ~ Sweet Baby Boy

Loved photographing this precious baby boy over the summer at my West Milford NJ newborn photography studio! I hope you enjoy peeking at this small collection of his photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Sleepy Baby

This little guy was such a sweetie! He was very sleepy—and as a newborn photographer, that’s exactly what I want! It’s one of the reasons I encourage people to book their sessions early so they can bring baby in sometime during the first couple weeks after birth. This is the time when these little ones are easiest to photograph since they’re usually sleepy and cooperative, as well as flexible for those cute newborn poses. This little man did a great job and slept through almost the entire session. But he did wake up long enough for us to get a shot of those gorgeous eyes!

Another thing I loved about this baby boy was his hair. So much of it! And such a beautiful dark color. We didn’t do a lot of hats with him because we wanted to show it off!

I had such a great time with this family and their newest addition. It’s always a pleasure to meet these sweet little ones and capture memories of those first days of life. There’s truly nothing like the wonder and love you feel as you hold your newborn in your arms, and I love helping people hold on to that forever through NJ newborn photography.

Newborn Photographer in New Jersey

If you’re looking for professional newborn photography in New Jersey, I hope you’ll be in touch! Feel free to scroll through the newborn gallery for more examples, or follow me on Facebook to get a better idea of my style. I’d love to welcome you and your family to the studio!

Best New Jersey Newborn Photography

This was the best New Jersey newborn photography session! We had so much fun together! This was my first time meeting this sweet family, and I fell in love with them immediately. Just the nicest, most amazing people—and with the cutest little boy ever! He was so adorable, and slept like a dream for me.

Best New Jersey newborn photography, Photo collage of baby boy in studio with parents

Stars Wars

As I’m sure you can tell from the pictures, this mom and dad (and Grandpa too!) were big Stars Wars fans. We included “Baby Yoda” in their session and they even brought a Star Wars quilt too. I love the personal touch, which is why every one of my newborn photo shoots is different from the next. Each one is fully customized so it reflects the personalities and tastes of my clients. And while I have lots of props and fun stuff in my West Milford NJ photography studio, parents are always welcome to bring special items from home to make their photos even more unique and individual.

Of course, it wasn’t all Star Wars. We also made sure to get some more classic baby shots that will make beautiful home décor, gifts, or memories for an album. Deciding how to use your newborn pictures is one of the many fun decisions you’ll get to make!

Personalized baby photography NJ, Star Wars theme baby boy photo session with parents

Newborn Photographer NJ

Speaking of decisions: If you’re expecting, I hope you’ll get in touch with me so you can learn more and decide if my services are right for you. Some of the things that allow me to provide the best New Jersey newborn photography are my passion for capturing that brand new stage of life, my experience with newborns, attention to detail and commitment to customizing every session, and a studio that has absolutely everything you’ll need! I hope to see you and your little one there soon!

Newborn and Family New Jersey Photographer

It was great to be the newborn and family New Jersey photographer for this sweet little gal and her parents and big sis. Baby girl was a total sweetheart and slept beautifully for me!

It’s always fun to include family in newborn photos. Capturing the relationship between a new baby and parents is one of the most precious things in the world. And I love working with siblings too! This big sister was amazing and a total natural when it came to holding baby. We got the cutest shots of the two of them snuggled up together. (And I’m totally in love with big sister’s hair! Such a pretty color—and all those curls!)

Mom really loved flowers, so we made sure to incorporate lots of those in our session. As a newborn and family New Jersey photographer, it’s important to me that your pictures feel unique to you and match your vision of what you want to see displayed on your walls or preserved in a baby album. Customizing each and every session is one of the things I pride myself on. I love taking the time and going the extra mile to make sure your images turn out exactly the way you want them too—or even better!

I love the pretty creams and pinks we chose, and the darker contrast of mom and dad’s clothes turned out so well! Such a beautiful little newborn and family!

Get in Touch

I’m honored to be the baby photographer for so many families in and around New Jersey. Every story is precious, and capturing those amazing stages of life is what I do best. If you’re looking for a professional newborn and family New Jersey photographer, I hope you’ll be in touch! I would love to record your journey!

Passaic County Newborn Photography Studio

Oh my goodness, can you even believe the cuteness of this little man? Adorable! And I love the serious, thoughtful expression on his sweet face. I loved having him in my Passaic County newborn photography studio for his baby pictures.

Baby boy photo shoot in Passaic County newborn photography studio

Swaddled Newborn Session

We decided to go with a swaddle session on this one. As a newborn photographer, wraps are one of my favorite things ever—and babies love them too, so it’s a win-win! Little ones this age almost always love to be wrapped up snug, so I’ll often use the swaddle to calm fussy infants if they’re having a tough day. Not that this baby boy was fussy. On the contrary, he was the sleepiest baby on the planet! So easy to work with. He just snoozed our entire session and let me do my thing!

Even though we were focusing on wrapped poses, a little variety is always great. We mixed things up with some naked baby shots (I always keep my Passaic County newborn photography studio nice and toasty so that baby is cozy the whole time) and also did a few bucket poses. These are really popular right now. I’m sure you can see why!

Swaddle newborn photography session Passaic County NJ photographer

Passaic County Newborn Photographer

Loved spending some time with this adorable little dreamer and his sweet mama. I’m honored to welcome families from all over New Jersey to my Passaic County studio where we can capture these special memories. If you’re looking for a professional newborn photographer who has a magic touch with babies, is experienced and meticulous, and will create a customized session just for you—you’ve come to the right place! I hope you’ll get in touch with me soon so we can start planning the perfect newborn photo shoot together. Can’t wait!

Passaic County Photo Studio

I always love welcoming these little ones to my Passaic County photo studio for newborn pictures! I was especially excited about this little guy since I’ve known his family for a while. I’ve been their New Jersey photographer since their oldest was born. Plus, dad works with my husband in the police force. (We absolutely had to get one or two police-themed pictures!)  They’re a wonderful family and it’s always a treat when I get to see them.

Baby boy was SO cute! He also slept great for me, which is always a plus. I love that fuzz of dark hair and his serious little sleeping face.

Baby boy newborn photography session in Passaic County photo studio

We chose a classic baby blue color scheme with some cream. And the family wore simple outfits of jeans and black shirts, which worked really well. It was fun to get pictures of the whole family together, as well as some parent/baby and sibling/baby shots. And, of course, the classic newborn portraits.

Best Buddies

Big brother was totally in love with the new little one, which I thought was so sweet! A baby is a big adjustment, and sometimes it takes older siblings a while to get used to the new arrangement. But this kiddo is obviously so excited about his new brother. It was no problem at all to get him to pose with and cuddle “his” new baby. They’re adorable together, aren’t they?

Congrats to one of my favorite families! I hope I get to see them again soon in my Passaic County photo studio!

Newborn and family photos in Passaic County photo studio Jennifer Parrello Photography

Passaic County Newborn Photographer

If you need professional newborn photos, I hope you’ll contact me! It’s my pleasure and honor to serve families from all over New Jersey, including Passaic County, Hackensack, Tenafly, Edgewater, and Franklin Lakes. I would love to see you and your family in my studio too!

Baby Boy J's Studio Newborn Session | Northern New Jersey Newborn Photographer

Baby Boy J was born right around Christmas and he joined my in our studio located in Hewitt, about 3 weeks later for an amazing session. We had everything out for mom and dad to choose from… Whether is would be something grey, blue or cream, and they decided to go with a nice light blue and cream.

He arrived quietly sleeping and I couldn’t wait to start cuddling him and start the session right away.

He snuggled in pretty well and preferred to be wrapped right away. How can you blame him, to be nice and snuggled up in a warm and fuzzy wrap.

After doing a variety of poses it was time to unwrap this little squish and get some adorable photos unwrapped. He just loved being wrapped, but he did fall asleep not long after and we got some adorable shots!

He was such the perfect little guy! I loved creating these memories for his mom and dad. <3

I am so happy they chose Jennifer Parrello Photography, LLC. to capture these amazing memories.

Ready to book your Newborn Session? Contact us here!

Jase Newborn Session

Had the pleasure of photographing this lil boy and his family last week.  Lots of neutral colors and awesome lil things momma wanted included in the photographs!  Love sessions like this. <3

New Years Eve Baby Girl Session (12-31-15)

Better late than never!

New Years Eve morning I had the privilege of photographing a gorgeous 9 day old baby girl and her beautiful family.  Baby girl "R' basically slept the entire time and was so content the few hours I was there.  Her "fur sister" even got in on some of the shots!  What an amazing way for me to end my year.  Enjoy!  

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