Family + Event Photography in Stratford, CT, Fairfield & New Haven County. Candid, colorful, documentary-style photos for families who want real memories, not stiff poses.
I had a friend reach out to me, and get this question all the time: “Do you do newborn sessions?” And the short answer is: Yes, I do! But if you’re picturing a baby wrapped like a burrito and nestled in a basket with a headband bigger than their head… that’s not quite my thing.
My style is what I like to call real-life magic. It’s storytelling. It’s emotional. It’s close-ups of teeny toes, sleepy yawns, and the way you instinctively run your hand down your baby’s back. It’s capturing the way your partner looks at you when you’re rocking your little one at 2 weeks old—messy bun, tired eyes, and all.
These aren’t studio-styled portraits with props, flower crowns, or babies propped up on pillows. Instead, I focus on natural moments, honest emotion, and connection.
So, What Does a Newborn Session With Me Look Like?
We’re usually in your home, where you’re most comfortable. I might catch baby in the crib just waking up. Maybe there’s a moment where you’re nursing or bottle-feeding. Or your partner’s curled up with baby on the couch while you sneak in a hot coffee (finally).
We’ll get those beautiful little details—tiny hands wrapped around your finger, soft baby skin, the way your body holds them like you’ve known them forever. It’s less “say cheese” and more “you’re doing great, let’s freeze this moment in time.”
What If You Were Hoping for the Wrapped-Up Look?
Totally valid! Those posed newborn sessions with intricate wraps and set-ups are an art of their own—and I know some amazing photographers who specialize in just that. If that’s more your vibe, I’d be happy to send some referrals your way.
But if you’re looking for something more laid-back, heartfelt, and centered around your story as a growing family… I’m your girl.
Plan the event or key moments (like speeches, group photos, or couple portraits) during golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset. The soft, warm light flatters every skin tone and creates a dreamy, ethereal vibe that enhances the mood of any photograph.
2. Fairy Lights Galore
Drape fairy lights over trees, walls, or even tables. Their warm glow creates a cozy, magical atmosphere, especially for evening events. They also act as great bokeh (blurred light) in the background of photos.
3. Bold Backdrops
Use statement walls, floral arches, or colorful murals as backdrops. They add vibrancy and a polished, intentional look to your photos. Personalize them to match the theme of your event for added impact.
4. Candids Over Poses
Encourage guests to interact naturally. Capture laughter, hugs, and those quiet moments of connection. The best photos often come from people being themselves rather than looking directly at the camera.
5. Props with Personality
Props like funky sunglasses, chalkboards with messages, or themed decor help tell the story of the event. For weddings, kids’ parties, or family reunions, these items add a playful and unique touch to photos.
6. Mix Indoor & Outdoor Shots
If your event spans indoor and outdoor spaces, use both to add variety. Indoor shots can highlight the cozy details, while outdoor shots capture openness and natural light.
7. Bright, Coordinated Outfits
While matching outfits can feel stiff, choosing complementary colors makes photos cohesive without looking overly planned. Bright colors or patterns stand out and add personality.
8. Decor Details
Photograph intricate elements like table centerpieces, floral arrangements, or unique decor pieces. These details add depth to the story and preserve the effort that went into the event’s aesthetic.
9. Interactive Activities
Events with games, DIY stations, or performances offer action-packed opportunities for great shots. Guests absorbed in activities create dynamic and joyful photos.
10. Confetti Moments
Throwing confetti at a key moment—like the end of a speech or during a toast—creates movement and color. Biodegradable confetti is eco-friendly and photographically stunning.
11. Smoke Bombs
Colorful smoke bombs create an artistic, surreal effect in photos. Use them for dramatic portraits or group shots to add whimsy and visual interest. Safely, of course.
12. Mirror Reflections
Use mirrors creatively to frame guests or decor. Mirrors can reflect light beautifully, create depth, and add a modern, artistic flair to photos.
13. Candles Everywhere
Scatter candles on tables or use candelabras to bring warmth and romance to the scene. For safety, opt for flameless candles if kids are present.
14. Dramatic Drapes
Flowy drapes in bold colors or sheer fabrics can create soft, romantic vibes. Use them on entryways, as photo booth backdrops, or even as decor for outdoor setups.
15. Focus on Laughter
Plan moments that make people genuinely laugh, like a funny toast or a silly group activity. Unscripted laughter translates into radiant, joyful photos.
16. Include the Pets
If your furry friends are part of the family, bring them along! Pets add charm and often steal the spotlight in photos with their natural curiosity and energy.
17. Capture the Prep
Photograph behind-the-scenes moments like setting up decor, getting ready, or candid interactions among family members before guests arrive. These moments tell a fuller story of the event.
18. Rainy Day? Embrace It
Rain doesn’t have to ruin photos—it can enhance them! Umbrellas, puddles, and reflections on wet surfaces can add artistic flair.
19. Neon Signs
Custom neon signs with cool phrases, this way in can provide a modern, vibrant focal point for photos. They’ll look especially striking in nighttime or indoor settings.
20. Overhead Perspectives
Use ladders, drones, or balconies to capture wide shots of the event from above. This perspective highlights the scale and energy of the crowd.
21. Capture Reactions
Focus on people’s expressions during speeches, toasts, or big reveals. Genuine reactions often tell a story that words cannot.
22. Play with Shadows
Look for interesting shadows cast by trees, windows, or decor. Shadows can create dramatic and artistic elements within photos.
23. Monochromatic Moments
Plan a color theme like all white or all jewel tones. Monochrome looks create a visually cohesive and striking aesthetic.
24. Dance Floor Action
Capture the energy of guests letting loose on the dance floor. Motion blur or dramatic lighting adds a sense of movement and fun to these shots.
25. Include Family Heirlooms
Incorporate sentimental items, like a grandparent’s quilt or your mom’s wedding earrings, to add a layer of personal storytelling.
26. Festive Balloons
Oversized balloons, garlands, or ones with confetti inside bring playful, eye-catching elements to photos.
27. Sparklers at Night
Hand out sparklers for guests to hold during a nighttime send-off. The warm, glowing light adds magic and energy to photos.
28. Unexpected Angles
Shoot through plants, decor, or doorways to create frames within frames. This adds layers and depth to your photos.
29. Cultural Touches
Highlight traditions, cultural attire, or rituals unique to your family or community. These elements bring deeper meaning and connection to the photos.
30. End on a High Note
Plan a memorable finale, like fireworks, a confetti blast, or a dance circle. These moments create high-energy, joyful photos to close the event gallery beautifully.
Milli Stephania is a lifestyle and candid event and family photographer based in Stratford, CT. She passionately captures bold, vibrant moments for families across Fairfield County and New York City, turning life’s everyday stories into timeless, unforgettable memories.
I’ll never forget when I delivered a gallery to a sweet mom, and she messaged me with: “These made me cry. I’ve never seen myself like this.” Cue my own little dance in my kitchen, don’t judge. That’s the magic of candid photography: seeing the moments you didn’t even know existed, the ones that show the love, the chaos, and the beautiful reality of motherhood.
Moms Are Always Behind the Camera
If you’re a mom, I bet your phone is bursting with photos of your kids: their first steps, their silly faces, their masterpiece crayon drawings on your walls. And let’s not forget the dozens of group shots at family events where everyone looks great… except, wait, where are you? Oh, right. You’re the one taking the picture. Moms are like the stealthy ninjas of family photography, always capturing the memories but rarely appearing in them. It’s almost as if we’re trying to make ourselves invisible. Um, excuse me!! Spoiler alert: we’re not.
But here’s the thing: Moms matter. You were there too. You did the bedtime stories, the epic pancake breakfasts, the dance parties in the living room. And someday, when your kids look back at those moments, they’ll want to see you there, too, smiling, laughing, and being the heart of their childhood.
Candid Photos: The Ultimate Love Letter to Yourself
When I photograph families, I always make it a point to turn the lens on moms. And not just the posed “hey, look over here and smile” kind of shots. I’m talking about the real, raw, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. Like when your toddler grabs your face for a sloppy kiss or when you’re laughing so hard at your partner’s dad joke that you’ve got tears streaming down your face. Those are the moments that make you, you.
The beauty of candid photos is that they’re not about perfection. It’s not about having your hair perfectly curled or your kids sitting neatly in matching outfits (though props to you if you manage that). It’s about capturing the love, the chaos, and everything in between. It’s about giving yourself permission to exist in the frame with messy hair, yoga pants, and whatever mixed match socks you found closest by.
What Will Your Kids Remember?
When your kids grow up and flip through photo albums or scroll through your digital archives, they’re not going to care about whether you had makeup on or if the kitchen was spotless. They’ll care that you were there. They’ll care about seeing the way your eyes lit up when you looked at them, the way you held them close, and the way you made their world feel safe and full of love.
Imagine your grown-up daughter showing her own kids a picture of you laughing in the backyard, holding her as a toddler. She’ll say, “This is your grandma. She was always so full of life.” That’s the legacy of a candid photo: it’s not just a picture; it’s a memory, a story, a connection that transcends time.
Change the Narrative
Moms, this is your gentle nudge, no, your loving shove, to get in the frame. Be part of the memories. Let someone else hold the camera (or better yet, let me do it). Because you deserve to be seen, celebrated, and remembered just as much as everyone else in your family.
So, next time you book a photo session, don’t shy away from the camera. Embrace it. Laugh. Dance. Be unapologetically you. And when you see those photos, I hope you’ll tear up, as well, because you’ll see what everyone else sees: a mom who is bold, beautiful, and full of magic.
Have you ever stopped in the middle of a chaotic day, taken a deep breath, and felt the vibrant pulse of life around you? It’s a rare moment, isn’t it? We’re all so busy chasing after the next task on our never-ending to-do lists that we forget the beauty of simply being present. Isn’t it funny how life often feels like a whirlwind, with us as mere passengers in a train speeding through moments we should cherish? What if you could pause that train, even just for a little while, to gaze out the window at the breathtaking scenery of your everyday life? That’s the beauty wrapped up in “The Magic of Now” sessions. It’s about diving headfirst into the beautiful chaos of your life, the heartwarming snippets that truly define your family. Imagine me as a fly on the wall, stealthily documenting those unfiltered moments you hardly recognize as remarkable.
How It Works
Every journey begins with planning; it’s like setting the stage for your own personal masterpiece. Together, we craft a mood board that serves as a visual compass for our time together. Think of it as a roadmap that guides us to your unique story. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see your lifestyle captured not just in photographs, but through a lens that reflects your essence? A visual diary of sorts, where every image pulses with the energy of your family.
Gabby’s session was all about capturing her and her two adorable babies. We kicked things off by raiding her closet—yes, you read that right! As Gabby started picking out clothes for her little ones, I gently stopped her and said, “Hold up. We dress Mom first.”
Why? Because as moms, we’re always putting our kids first. Every decision, every chore, every priority revolves around them. But this session? This is about you. It’s about putting yourself first, even if just for a moment. Once Gabby’s outfit was sorted, we coordinated pieces for her little ones to match her effortless vibe.
A Day to Remember
The session itself felt like hanging out with an old friend. Gabby even made a stunning charcuterie board (and let me tell you, I’m a sucker for a good charcuterie board!). Between the snacks and laughter, I captured moments that felt completely authentic—cuddling with her chubby-cheeked baby, dancing in the kitchen, and all the tiny, magical in-between moments.
As moms, we’re often the ones behind the camera, snapping pictures of everyone else. “The Magic of Now” is your time to shine, to be seen, and to have those precious memories preserved forever. “The Magic of Now” isn’t just a mantra; it’s an opportunity to shine. Those authentic photographs are treasures, a narrative of your motherhood and your family’s laughter.
Life can be fleeting, and those little moments of joy often slip through our fingers like grains of sand. Yet, when they are immortalized in photographs, they become eternal. So, the next time you find yourself caught up in the whirlwind, ask yourself: When was the last time you lived fully in the moment? Take a chance to embrace the chaos—because within that chaos lies the real magic of your life, just waiting to be captured. Life is waiting, vibrant and full of promise; together, let’s seize it, frame by frame.
