Photo Journal: Two Roads Brewery’s Paws & Pints in Stratford, Dogs, Drinks, and Candid Moments

photo of a woman embracing her dog at stratford, two roads brewery event "paws and pints"

If you were at Paws & Pints at Two Roads Brewery in Stratford, there’s a good chance you’ll spot yourself in this gallery. I spent the day capturing candid moments, dogs being their chaotic adorable selves, and a community just enjoying a really good time together.

I pulled up to this Stratford community event with my camera in one hand, probably a drink in the other (balance), and spent the day doing what I do best, capturing real, candid moments of people just living.

I had plans with good friends from NY, and since they came up to visit, I couldn’t just have them sit in my house all bored. Especially with 4 kids. And there’s nothing that kids like more than puppies.

There were dogs everywhere. Big ones, tiny ones, people were hanging out, laughing, meeting new faces, loving on their pups, and just enjoying a genuinely fun Stratford event at the brewery.

This is exactly the kind of energy I live for.

No stiff posing. No awkward “what do I do with my hands” moments. Just real connection, real laughter, and those little in-between moments that actually matter. The kind you don’t even realize are happening until you see them frozen in time.

That’s what I look for when I show up to these community events.

If you’ve seen my posts from the Stratford Main Street Festival or The Latin Festival last year, you already know the deal, I love showing up, blending in, and documenting the vibe as it naturally unfolds. Stratford has such a strong sense of community, and events like this are proof of it. So anytime I see a cool event pop up, I make it my mission to show up. Especially if I can bring my littles with me.

👉 So if you were there, I uploaded a full gallery from the event, and you can go through, find yourself (or your dog, let’s be honest), and download your favorite images.

Yes, free.

If you do find a photo you love and decide to share it on social, I would LOVE it if you tagged me so I can see and hype you up 🧡🩷 @millistephaniaphoto.
It genuinely makes my day seeing these moments live on outside of my camera.

And if you didn’t make it this time, don’t worry, I’ll definitely be popping up at more Stratford events, ready to capture the next round of candid, fun, slightly chaotic, memory-filled moments.

Alright, go find your photos 👀. Click on the image below for access.

flyer for stratford, ct , two roads brewery event on may 31, 2026 "paws and Pints. access to gallery

Looking for a photographer for your next community event, brewery gathering, festival, fundraiser, or family-friendly celebration in Connecticut? I photograph events throughout Stratford, Fairfield County, and New Haven County with a candid, documentary approach.

🎃 Halloween in Stratford: My Neighborhood Photo Booth Tradition

One of the things I love most about living in Stratford is how the community always shows up to celebrate. Whether it’s a local festival, parade, or holiday, there’s always this warm, small-town magic in the air — and Halloween is no exception!

This year, I wanted to do something fun and interactive for the neighborhood, so I set up a Halloween photo booth right outside my home. As trick-or-treaters made their way down the block, they stopped to pose in front of my spooky backdrop — and let me tell you, the creativity in those costumes did not disappoint!

Last year was my little “trial and error” phase. The winds were wild, and my backdrop stand just couldn’t keep up. But this year, I came prepared. I made a few upgrades, reinforced the setup, and learned a lot along the way. And now I’m already brainstorming how to make it even better for next year!

To all the trick-or-treaters who stopped by — and the parents who got just as excited about the photo booth as I did — thank you for making it such a fun night. Your photos are ready to download! You can find your spooky (or adorable) portraits here:

Can’t wait to do it all over again next year. Same place, new backdrop, same Stratford spirit. 💜

Photo Journal: The Ukrainian Family I Didn’t Know I Needed (But I’m So Glad I Found)

Moving into a new neighborhood is always a gamble. You hope for friendly faces, maybe a neighbor who’ll wave hello… but finding people who feel like family? That’s rare. Lucky for me, my family hit the neighbor jackpot.

In the short year we’ve lived here, these neighbors have become our honorary family. The kind of people who invite you in, offer you food (multiple times, whether you’re hungry or not), and make your kids feel like their backyard is a second home. So, when their oldest was graduating high school, there was no way I wasn’t showing up to help document their celebration.

It was everything a graduation party should be: a backyard BBQ, a pool full of happy, splashing kids, and a grill that didn’t quit. And let me tell you about the food. There were bacon-wrapped mushrooms that quite literally stole my heart. I mean, if you didn’t strategically position yourself near the appetizer table, were you even at a party?

While I worked my camera, capturing every laugh, cannonball, and plate piled high, my own kids were just living their best lives. One was running wild in the backyard like it was her personal kingdom, while the other got passed from relative to relative, collecting kisses and snacks along the way. It was chaos, the sweet, heartwarming kind that fills a home with life.

As a photographer, these are my favorite kinds of events. Not the ones where everything’s staged and stiff, but the ones where life is just happening, and I get to freeze those little in-between moments that people don’t even realize they’ll miss.

It’s wild how life surprises you sometimes. I never expected to have a Ukrainian family that feels like my own, but here we are. And I’m so grateful.

If you’ve got a milestone coming up and you want someone who’ll show up not just with a camera, but with heart (and an extra appetite), I’d be honored to be there. These moments are fleeting—but the memories don’t have to be.

Ready to make your own backyard memories unforgettable?
Whether it’s a graduation, a family BBQ, or just an excuse to gather your favorite people, I’d love to be there to document it all—cannonballs, chaos, and bacon-wrapped goodness included. Let’s make those everyday moments into forever memories.

Gemma’s First Birthday Doljabi- A Celebration of Culture and Connection

Doljabi, korean first birthday for baby Gemma, where she chooses her future, she chooses a stethoscope for physican. Mom holds her in her traditional korean dress.

Ever wondered what tradition, adorable baby giggles, and a dash of destiny look like? Let me take you behind the scenes of Gemma’s first birthday doljabi. It was a vibrant celebration rooted in Korean culture and bursting with love.
Spoiler alert: It involves tiny hands choosing their future career path, squishy baby cheeks, and some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.

In Korean culture, a doljabi is more than just a birthday—it’s a cherished tradition that celebrates a baby’s milestone first year while offering a peek into their future. During this event, various symbolic items are placed before the birthday child. The baby then picks one, and each item hints at their potential path in life: a gavel for a future judge, a paintbrush for an artist, a microphone for a musician, a stethoscope for a doctor, and even thread for longevity. Watching little Gemma reach out with her tiny fingers was the cutest—and possibly most suspenseful—moment of the day, especially since there was a raffle to make it extra fun. And guess what? Little Miss Gemma—with her squishable cheeks and gummy smile—reached straight for the stethoscope. Future doctor in the making? We’ll have to wait and see, but the room erupted in cheers and laughter when she made her pick.


Stephanie and Robert hosted Gemma’s doljabi at The East Norwalk Association Library. The venue was intimate yet lively, filled with family, friends, and the warmth of celebration. Gemma, dressed in a stunning traditional Hanbok, looked like a little princess. Her parents, also dressed in Hanboks, radiated grace and pride as they shared this special day with their loved ones.

Gemma’s at the perfect age where everything is fascinating, and is full of personality. She lit up every time I sang “Wheels on the Bus” to catch her attention.

If you’re planning a special event—whether it’s a doljabi, a birthday, or just a fun family gathering—I’d love to be there to document it. I’m based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and I also serve the New York Metro Area. Let’s make sure your memories aren’t just lived but beautifully preserved forever.