Family + Event Photography in Stratford, CT, Fairfield & New Haven County. Candid, colorful, documentary-style photos for families who want real memories, not stiff poses.
There’s something sacred about those first few days after a baby is born.
The wrinkly toes. The flaky skin. The way their entire body fits into the crook of your arm.
This session was originally meant to be a Fresh 48, the kind where I meet you at the hospital and document your baby within the first 48 hours of life.
But instead?
We waited.
And it was absolutely the right decision.
Eliana initially reached out wanting to document her baby girl as soon as she arrived. But as the days unfolded, they decided to give themselves more time. Sometimes waiting gives you more time settle into a new rhythm, physically recover, and just get more sleep! lol
When I arrived at their home in Queens, NY, baby Emilia was bright-eyed, alert, and still tiny, so perfect.
“I’m Not a Camera Person”
Now let’s talk about mom for a second.
Eliana told me from the beginning: “I just want photos of the baby. I’m not a camera person.”
She even shared that when she got engaged, her fiancé hired a photographer, and she was quickly over posing.
And I told her, very gently…
“I’m going to peer pressure you in the nicest way possible.”
Because here’s the truth:
The fresh baby smell fades. The tiny toes turn into little feet that one day smell like cheese. The newborn scrunch disappears. The way they fit perfectly on your chest changes almost overnight.
This is their first baby. It only happens once.
And I always tell my moms who don’t want to get in front of the camera: If you never want to look at the photos again, you don’t have to. But at least they’ll exist.
She trusted me, and it was worth it. By the end of the session, Eliana was relaxed. She laughed, she held her baby without worrying about angles. And when she saw the images, she thanked me over and over. She even left the sweetest review, the kind that makes you want to hug your laptop.
I will always encourage moms to get in the frame. Because one day, your baby will look for you in the photos. And they should find you, holding them, loving them, existing in their story.
The best part? Hearing how she felt after seeing the images.
If you’re in New York or Connecticut and thinking about documenting your growing family, whether it’s a Fresh 48, a two-month-old, or a toddler who won’t sit still, I promise we’ll do it in a way that feels easy, natural, and true to you.
A Quinceañera Is Not Just a Party, It’s a Moment in Time
There are events you photograph, and then there are events you feel. Jelissa’s quinceañera was absolutely the second kind.
For months leading up to her big day, I worked closely with her mom, Nancy, brainstorming details, timelines, and little moments that would matter long after the balloons came down. That behind the scenes planning is one of my favorite parts of event photography, because when the night finally arrives, everyone gets to be present, and I get to quietly make sure nothing meaningful slips by unnoticed.
The day of the event started the same way many of my long event days do, kids dropped off with a trusted babysitter, a deep breath, cameras charged, and a mental checklist running in my head. Showtime.
I arrived at their home at 3:30 pm to photograph Jelissa getting ready for her quinceañera, and this part always feels extra special. Hair being curled, dresses carefully stepped into, nervous excitement mixed with proud smiles, it’s the calm before the celebration.
In Latino and Hispanic culture, a quinceañera marks the transition from childhood into young womanhood. It’s symbolic, emotional, and layered with tradition. Watching that unfold in real time, especially inside a family’s home, is exactly why documentary-style photography matters. These moments don’t repeat themselves.
The celebration continued at the VFW in Stratford, Connecticut, transformed into a beautiful space centered around a traditional throne-style seating area that immediately told you, tonight is about her.
Every detail felt intentional, from the decor to the pacing of the evening. As a Connecticut and New York event candid documentary photographer, I’m always watching how people move through a space, where the emotions gather, and when to step back and let moments breathe.
The Traditions That Made Everyone Emotional
Some parts of the night hit straight in the heart, and yes, I absolutely teared up behind my camera.
Here are a few moments that stood out most
• The lighting of the 15 candles, each dedicated to someone meaningful in Jelissa’s life • The changing of the shoes, when her dad swapped her sneakers for high heels, a classic quinceañera tradition that never fails to get people emotional • The reflection moment, where Jelissa honored her younger self through her niece, a reminder of how fast time moves and how deeply we carry our inner child • A candle dedicated to the vendors, where I had the privilege of lighting one on our behalf, an unexpected and incredibly touching gesture Watching Jelissa honor her younger self hit especially close to home for me. I never had a quinceañera of my own. My mom bought me the most beautiful lavender and pink gown, it’s still sitting in her closet to this day. But the party never happened. Life moved fast, priorities shifted, and that moment quietly passed.
Standing there, camera in hand, watching a young girl be celebrated so intentionally, I couldn’t help but think… maybe one day, one of my daughters will get to wear that dress. Maybe that story will come full circle in its own way.
That’s the thing about nights like these. They’re not just about one person. They ripple through generations. They remind us of what we didn’t have, what we hope to give, and how deeply meaningful it is to pause and say, you matter, this moment matters.
Just when emotions settled, a dancing robot entered the room and instantly turned the energy all the way up. The dance floor filled, laughter took over, and the night shifted into full celebration mode.
This balance, emotional depth and pure fun, is what makes events like this so powerful to document.
Why I Photograph Events This Way
People often ask, Why candid documentary photography for events like a quinceañera?
Because posed photos tell you what happened. Candid photos remind you how it felt.
My goal is always to create images that let you relive the night exactly as it unfolded, the proud glances, the tight hugs, the joyful chaos, the quiet tears you didn’t realize anyone saw.
Planning, Trust, and Letting Go
Nancy trusted me not just to show up with a camera, but to understand the importance of this milestone. That trust is everything. When families feel supported, the night flows more smoothly, the emotions are real, and the photos become truly meaningful.
That’s the experience I aim to give every family I work with.
Thinking About Your Own Event?
Whether you’re planning a quinceañera, sweet sixteen, milestone birthday, or cultural celebration, you deserve photos that honor the story, not rush it.
I’m based in Connecticut and proudly offer my services throughout Fairfield County and New Haven County, as well as the New York Metro Area. If you’re looking for a NY and Connecticut portrait and event candid documentary photographer who loves to boldly capture special events, I’d love to connect.
Reach out, let’s talk details, and let’s document your story as it unfolds.
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this, life is full of moments worth remembering, not just the big milestones, but the hugs, the quick laughs, the chaos, the tiny in-between gestures that make your family and your celebrations yours. That’s exactly what I’m there to capture.
Whether you’re throwing a birthday party, hosting a baby shower, celebrating a baptism, or planning a sweet sixteen, my goal is simple, I want you to actually enjoy your event and trust that the memories are being documented with intention, heart, and a whole lot of candids.
And just so you know, your photos will look like your day felt, bold, colorful, lively, and full of energy, never washed out or drab. I’m all about true color, real emotion, and photos that feel alive.
1. I Photograph Your Event as It Naturally Unfolds
I’m not the photographer who yells at your guests to pose every five seconds. I’m the one following the story, weaving through the room, catching the laughter, the tears, the surprise moments, the details you spent time choosing.
You’ll get a mix of • traditional group photos, • beautiful candids, •unexpected moments you didn’t even realize were happening around you.
Think of me as a friendly extra guest… who just happens to have a camera and a love for storytelling. And if the vibe is right, yes, I absolutely will jump on the dance floor with my camera in hand. Listen, if Abuela is breaking it down, I’m not missing that.
2. I Capture the Details You Worked Hard On
The decorations, the table setups, the cake, the florals, the outfit details, the balloons, and every little thoughtful touch you added, I document them all.
You’ll get photos that bring your vision to life, Pinterest-board worthy, without pausing the celebration even once.
3. Your Guests Will Actually Feel Comfortable
My vibe is relaxed, fun, friendly, and very go-with-the-flow. Kids love me, parents relax around me, and guests feel at ease, allowing them to be themselves.
No stiff poses. No awkward angles. Just people being themselves.
4. I Take Care of the Timeline, You Enjoy Your Day
From the moment I arrive, I’m observing everything: the flow of the event, the emotional moments, the people who matter to you most, and the lighting as it shifts through the room.
You never have to chase me down or remind me to get a shot — if anything, I’m already two steps ahead.
5. You Get a Sneak Peek Fast
Because I know the excitement is real. Within a short time after your event, you’ll get a preview of the best highlights so you can relive the magic and share with loved ones.
The full gallery follows in an organized, easy-to-navigate online format. No stress, no guessing, just your memories waiting for you.
6. Your Memories Are Safe With Me
These moments matter, and they can’t be recreated. Your images are backed up, secured, and delivered in high resolution so you can print, share, and treasure them forever.
7. I’m Here to Celebrate With You
This isn’t “just another event” — it’s a chapter in your family’s story. I want you to feel supported, understood, and documented in a way that feels real. I capture the love, the laughter, the chaos, the beauty, and everything in between. It’s an honor to be invited into that space.
If you’re looking for photography that’s alive, bold, colorful, heartfelt, and full of personality, I’m your girl.
Stratford, CT, you really said “vamos a bailar“, and wow, you really meant it!
Yesterday I finally experienced the Latin Festival everyone keeps raving about—and wow, you weren’t exaggerating. The Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committeethrew down for their 20th Anniversary Latin Music Festival, and let me tell you, this town knows how to celebrate. With Hispanic Heritage Month(Sept 15–Oct 25) officially underway, the timing couldn’t have been better.
Yesterday was my very first time attending, and let me just say… I get it now. I came prepared like a pro festival-goer: packed chairs, snacks, and picked the perfect shady spot under a tree. (Did I need snacks? Nope. With all those food vendors, I should’ve come hungry.)
From the first performance, it was pure magic—local dance schools absolutely brought the energy, and the crowd was eating it up. But the Peruvian dancers? They stole the whole show. The colors of their traditional outfits were so vibrant they could have powered the stage lights themselves. And the way they hyped up the crowd? Unreal. Stratford was basically one big dance floor for a minute.
Of course, I couldn’t resist snapping photos. It wasn’t official—just me, my camera, and a soft spot for families having a blast. I’ve already shared the gallery with Stratford residents so they can find their own smiling faces, just like I did back in June with the Stratford Festival. (You can read that blog post here, and find the gallery here) There’s nothing better than capturing real, unscripted joy.
After a year and a half of living here, I’m still blown away by how much community Stratford has. People show up for each other, they celebrate loudly, and they make you feel like you’re part of something bigger. My heart is full, and you can bet I’ll be back next year, front row, camera in hand, dancing, and loving every second.
Go on, click through the gallery and see if you can find your dance moves or your abuela’s best twirl. 😉 Relive the fun right here!”
