Grayson’s First Birthday: A Chef’s Dream!

Becoming a parent is one of the most transformative experiences life can throw at you. Itโ€™s full of late-night feedings, endless diaper changes, belly laughs, and the joy of watching your little one grow into their own tiny person. When Elsie reached out to document her son Graysonโ€™s first birthday, she knew she wanted to make it specialโ€”not just for him, but as a way to celebrate an incredible milestone in her own journey of parenthood.

Elsie chose the cutest โ€œchefโ€™s themeโ€ for the session, and I was instantly obsessed! With a miniature apron, a sprinkle of flour, and a rolling pin that looked bigger than Grayson, we were ready to cook up some memories that would last forever. Naturally, I leaned all the way into the theme, gathering every prop a tiny chef might needโ€”whisks, mixing bowls, muffin tinsโ€”you name it. The vibe was all about joy, mess, and embracing the chaos of the toddler years.

Before our session, I worked closely with Elsie to plan the shoot. Once she shared her vision, I created a mood board to bring it to life. Itโ€™s so important to me that every client feels like theyโ€™re part of the creative process. Whether choosing a theme, picking outfits, or deciding on locations, we collaborate to make your session unique and true to your family. When Elsie saw the mood board, she was over the moon and said it was everything sheโ€™d imagined and more.
Hearing that kind of feedback? Thatโ€™s the chefโ€™s kiss for me.

The session itself was so much fun. Grayson was the star of the show, of course. He explored every little thing we set up, from poking at the flour to crawling around like a champion. (Honestly, who knew a crawling chef could be so adorable?) Watching Elsie laugh and play with Grayson, I could feel how much love and joy she pours into being his mom. It was a beautiful reminder that first birthdays arenโ€™t just about celebrating babiesโ€”itโ€™s about celebrating parents, too. Elsie, youโ€™ve made it through an entire year of sleepless nights, new challenges, and countless memories. Thatโ€™s something worth shouting about!

When Elsie received her final images, she couldnโ€™t stop smiling. Seeing her joy made all the planning, organizing, and flour-covered chaos totally worth it. Sessions like this remind me why I love what I do. Capturing these fleeting momentsโ€”the ones that feel small but mean so muchโ€”is what Iโ€™m here for.

So, if youโ€™re a parent wondering whether you should book a session like this, let me be the one to tell you: YES. Celebrate your baby, celebrate your family, and most importantly, celebrate YOU. After all, these moments fly by, and they deserve to be remembered.


Do you have an idea for a theme or milestone youโ€™d like to celebrate? Letโ€™s brainstorm and create something magical together. Reach out, and letโ€™s get planning! ๐Ÿงก

City College Graduate

There’s a unique energy that comes with photographing a recent college graduate. It’s a mixture of excitement, pride, and a bit of uncertainty about the future. When Niscary contacted me for her graduation portraits, I knew this session would be special. She wanted to capture this significant milestone in her life with photos that reflected her journey and accomplishments.


There’s no better place to commemorate the event than choosing the university campus as our location. It was the perfect backdrop, rich with history and memories.

Niscary had planned an outfit change from her cap and gown which honored her roots, the motherland, the Dominican Republic. As a proud Latina, this accomplishment was one for the books, making her family proud.

One of the most rewarding aspects of photographing graduates is capturing their raw, genuine emotions. Niscary’s joy and pride were apparent. Photographing Niscary’s portraits was a privilege. it’s an honor to capture such a significant moment in someone’s life. Through my lens, I aim to reflect not just her achievements, but her spirit holds so much meaning to her. These portraits portray the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Every graduate has a unique story, and being able to tell that story through photography is what I aim to accomplish, time and time again.

Engagement Session: Sade + Patrick

Completely swooning over this dreamy engagement session with Patrick + Sade.


Let me tell you, I was so honored to be the one to capture this couple’s love. I used to work with Sade at a non-profit last year, and she and I bonded immediately. All our lunches were spent together gossiping and talking about our love life (which mine is a disaster), God, and practically hashing out situations from other coworkers in the office.
It was the best hour of my 9-5.

Now Sade is happily living in North Carolina and it’s safe to say that I miss her and our talks.
I told her when she comes to visit, she better make some time for me. Little did I know that I was going to greet her with open arms, and her with a big old rock on her finger. I was so ecstatic for her and quickly told her she needs to get her things together so I can document this newest chapter of her life.

Meeting Patrick and seeing Sade be so comfortable and silly with him, only showed me how much love they have for each other. Which only made my job behind the camera so much easier. Sade was a little nervous at first, but once I played a little music for her to relax, we were in the groove. This session is easily once of my favorites.

Thank you so much for trusting me to document your love. I wish you many years of happiness.

If you’re interested in your own engagement session, or if you want to document your love with your spouse, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to be part of the process.

Photo Journal: Kat’s Picnic for Two

3E4A3597ย  ย One of the beautiful things in the world to me, is the radiance of a woman who’s transitioning into a new stage of motherhood.
One of my dearest friend’s Kat is expecting, and her and her spouse couldn’t be happier. Due to these past couple of months being a rough in the world, we’ve stayed away from each other as recommended, but I love having girl dates.
I think making time for your girlfriends is essential. They’re the ones that listen to all your troubles, make you laugh and are with you every step of your journey, so why wouldn’t I go out of my way to do a little something simple, like plan a picnic.
We made our way to the most obsolete part of the park, 6 feet had nothing us today. Our speaker was blasting reggeaton, while we caught up on everything that’s going on in our lives at the same time. Where do you even begin?
For me that was a little easy, as my trusty camera was ready. But let’s be clear this photo session was not planned, not even a little a bit… but I was eager to document some part of her journey— even if I was a little late, and even if she’s almost due.
3E4A36243E4A36213E4A36733E4A3662bf9974af-8933-42ef-b657-72ebc19f895cHow about you, are you ready to document your journey to motherhood?
I know I’m ready to hear from you!
See the packages I offer HERE, or you can contact me HERE.
Have more questions? Visit my FAQ page HERE.
Looking forward to working with and creating wonderful memories with you.
Best MS signature-gatteway.png copy