How to keep your annual portraits unique from past years

This can be tough, right? Making sure your photos look different from past years. Especially if you share your images in your yearly holiday card. You don’t want to keep sending out the same shot with a similar background. Personally, when I shoot my own family I try to do the opposite look from the year prior. I always gravitate towards a certain style (because that’s me and that’s my style!), but for the most part it looks different.

In this case, my client said “I’m stumped. I don’t know what direction to go in this year!” We have already done a summer-y backyard shoot, a summer farm shoot, a winter woodland shoot and an urban shoot. What else is there?! I think I had been binge watching Peaky Blinders that week and it was on my mind. I said “what if we do a Peaky Blinders inspired shoot? We could search for tweeds and layered looks…maybe an emerald green dress?” We were both excited and inspired. After seeing what she purchased for the kids, I knew I wanted a backdrop that enhanced the clothing colors and told the story of our vision. This old stable and the greenery of the grass was the perfect way to tie it all together. Enjoy the inspiration!

To see more from this shoot, head over to my instagram page!

SNOWY HOLIDAY PAJAMA PHOTOSHOOT

A few years back we had a massive snowfall in early December. Once the snow stopped and the sun came out, it was pure magic. I had already purchased my kids holiday pajamas, and decided to do a fun snowy shoot in the new pajamas (I mean, I might as well get my money’s worth!). Here is a little inspo for you. Hats on their heads and boots on their feet made this quick 15 minute shoot a little more bearable, and some hot chocolate afterwards was the perfect bribe to ensure some happy smiles. Pajamas are from Hanna Anderson (Dear Deer).

To see another image from this day, head on over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | summer nights on the farm

Sharing two of my favorite images from this farm session I did at the end of the summer. We did all the traditional family portraits in all the beautiful spots but it was these two images I captured at the end that really speak to me. The corn moon (yes that’s a thing people. I googled it!) was rising as the sun was setting. The colors were just magic. I’m sharing that shot above with you, to show you what we saw.

As dusk approached, the kids were playing tag on the hillside and I was just messing around with the silhouettes. Sometimes those little moments of you, the photographer just experimenting are what you need. It brings me back to my own childhood and memories of playing outside in the summer as the sun was setting.

To see more images from this shoot, head on over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Farm Photoshoot

In between the posed family portraits that we all want (and that I am hired to capture)… are those unplanned moments. And I know that you want them both. Honestly, I LOVE when they happen and I can surprise you with them.

We need them both.

We need those traditional portraits where we all look fantastic but those real story telling moments of who we are, unprovoked and unplanned are priceless.

To see more from this location, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Backyard Shoot

Another “at-home” family portrait session to help inspire your next photoshoot.

The premise was “Home for the Holidays.” The goal behind the pictures was to create a unique holiday card base on the “Home for the Holidays” idea but also not making the pictures feel set in holiday mode. This way we kill two birds with one stone: we get the card done but we can also display classically timeless family portraits that translate year round. Not just during the holidays. When I did this session, we were in the middle of the pandemic- it was summer 2020. So the meaning behind HOME was so much more. This was where they spent the majority of their time. When they look back on these pictures, they will see exactly where they were at that time and feel the love.

To check out their sunflower photoshoot, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Formal Holiday Session

Here’s a fun idea for a holiday photoshoot, my friends….a black tie inspired “end of the night” look. That end of the night vibe comes across thanks to the styling of the big brother with his undone bowtie and unbuttoned collar.

A shoot like this can take place virtually anywhere; your dining room, the kitchen, studio backdrop, any park or cool tone stone building. Since these guys live a bit far from me, we opted to meet in the middle at a local park. The setting had plenty of features that would add a bit of elegance (stone, arches, fountains and statues).

In the end, the holiday card that I designed read “Extravagant love is never wasted. Wishing you only the best this Holiday.” It tied the whole look of the shoot into a fun, different holiday concept that I’m pretty sure was unforgettable for the folks receiving the card.

To see a studio portrait session with a formal, fashion twist head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | warm fall home session

When my client contacted me for this shoot, she said “I love my home in the fall, there’s such a warm and inviting feeling I get at this time of year. Can we set up a shoot sometime in late October?”

Yes! Yes I will be there.

When I showed up and saw her doorstep with all of its Thansksgiving-home-for-the-holiday feels I was ready for a pumpkin spice latte and a seat by her outdoor fireplace. That fireplace isn’t featured in this post, but guys- it was fabulous. Aside from securing the look and feel of her vision, I also wanted to make sure the story of this core family came across. Three boys and their mom and the personalities that go along with that. We mixed posed, yet laid back portraits with real life moments. Throwing the ball in the backyard, climbing trees and dogs jumping in the pool. You might not see that here, but yes it all happened!

Looking for more fall vibes for your next photoshoot? Head over to my instagram page for inspiration.

New Jersey Family Photographer | Family portraits in Central Park shoot inspo

To see a maternity portrait in the same location, check out my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Family portraits in Central Park

Want to see another NYC shoot, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | studio backdrop style session +

Sharing a studio style (backdrops and lights) family photoshoot here. I purchased this hand painted canvas backdrop from Kate Backdrops. Its pretty massive (10 feet wide) but this is a large group of people. Everything was very intentionally selected; from the colors chosen to wear and they style of everyones hair. We wanted the boys to have that GQ look and the girls to be in gorgeous dresses. The shot featured above, shows off a whimsical dress rented from Rainey’s Closet. A girl could go hog wild renting things to wear on their website, let me tell you.

The second half of the shoot we spent taking environmental portraits in the home. Honestly, it was much easier to get the whole group in a room as opposed to on the backdrop. In the end, it was a perfect mix of artistically styled studio portraits and at home environmental portraits. Enjoy the inspiration!

To check out more photoshoot ideas, check out my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | New Home photoshoot idea

When my client contacted me to tell me she wanted to have her holiday card concept also work as a “we are moving, here’s our new address” card, I was up for the challenge. We shot in the unfinished attic because it had a raw look, was also pretty neutral in color and had tons of natural light. The lines and angles also interested me. The family dressed in neutrals and bundled up to give off a wintery “hoiday” feeling. Next time you are looking to try something different, don’t be afraid to think outside of the norm. Maybe you have the perfect attic too!

Need more inspiration? Head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Family portraits with a chic city feel

I live in the country. We have bears and turkeys and deer and all the animals out. here. When my good friend and client shown here said “I want to do something local, but I want it to feel like we are in the city.” I was like “hmmm, this is gonna be tough…”

Then I put my thinking cap on and thought about things like Main Streets and little nooks in the area with store fronts. And then, this spot popped into my head. I had never actually noticed just how perfect it was and how off the beaten track it was from throngs of people. Its perfect for a photoshoot and I want to keep it my secret forever..

Heres the thing; the backs of storefronts are so great for photoshoots. Some might have grafitti, or peeling paint or murals. All of it can be cool and funky if you let it be. Next time you are stumped for a new location, take a minute and just think about where the unexpected might be.

To see more images with these guys, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Cousin Holiday Session in the snow

Want more wintery holiday inspired images? Head over to my instagram page.

New Jersey Family Photographer | urban holiday session

Want to see more shoots from this location? Head over to my instagram page.

New Jersey Family Photographer | 80s retro photoshoot inspiration

This is super fun, right?!

The concept here began about a month before the shoot. My client wanted to do something different for her holiday cards, and thought a late 1970’s early 1980’s retro-vibe would be so cute. Thats when the planning and styling began…In order to pull this off we needed the right things to tell the story. Retro rollerskates, skateboards, colorful jackets and a boom box make this shoot extra. And I love extra.

When it came to designing and printing the holiday card, I chose a retro 70s-80s font. We used some lingo from back-in-the-day for the cards wording.

Coming into your holiday photoshoot with an idea is never a bad idea. Run it by your photographer or if you are the photographer, run it by your client. Prepare and gather the story telling items and then roll with it. These are the things that set your card apart from everyone else, and also are what make a photoshoot that much more fun. I’m sure the kids will never forget this day!

Want to be inspired? Head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Holiday portraits on the farm

Want to see more rustic photoshoots? Head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Happy Holidays from Meredith Mascola Photography

I'm not one to write much in this blog section, but today is a special day. Christmas is almost here, and my holiday photo season has come to an end. With that I wanted to say THANK YOU. 

Thank you for sharing your beautiful families with me. Allowing me to witness the love you all have for your children, and each other. Thank you for trusting in me to translate that love in to pictures you will have for years. Memories that will last a lifetime.

It's an honor, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I found something I love to do and that I am ABLE to do as a profession.

So from my family to yours, HAPPY HOLIDAYS and here's to a HEALTHY NEW YEAR! 

xo-Meredith

Some favorites from my own holiday shoot....

To see more christmasy photoshoot ideas, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Lauren's fall shoot

Such a fun shoot with this little doll yesterday. The happiness I see when I look at these pictures lets me know it was such a great memory in the making. The idea was to capture this family of 3 one more time, before becoming a family of 4 very soon. How special!

New Jersey Family Photographer | holiday session

Yesterday was my final portrait day before I have this baby of mine! We were blessed with a gorgeous day- thankfully. I'm so happy I was able to squeeze a few more folks in for their annual holiday pictures- I just love seeing how much everyone has grown over the years. My first shoot was with these 3 guys, and boy have they gotten big since our last session! Enjoy!

new jersey family photographer | family fun

My final shoot from this past weekend was with these 2 sweethearts. What a great way to end my day! We kicked the shoot off by noticing a baby deer in the woods, and once that happened- happiness ensued. In the end, we got lots of great family portraits and in the moment loveliness.