Newborn Photography NJ | Jacqueline Belle Fleur Photography Blog

Look who is ONE! Paris Themed Cake Smash

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Bon anniversaire (that’s French for “happy birthday,” of course) to this mademoiselle who lit up the studio for her Paris themed cake smash! This is one of my new backdrops for 2018, and I just love how it worked with both her light pink and bright blue outfits. Can a baby girl ever have too many ruffles, rosettes and bows? No way! Check out the shot of her in the distressed white chair with her arms up like she’s saying, “Hooray, I’m one!” She’s almost touching fingers with the ballerina behind her.

As always, Kimmy of Kimmy’s Cakes did a beautiful job with the cake, which was a moist, buttery yellow one wrapped in pink fondant and decorated with an Eiffel Tower just like the backdrop. This little lady thought it was finger-lickin’ good. I love the close-up where her lips are puckered up, and her cheeks are stuffed with cake. I just want to squeeze her!

Schedule your baby’s 1st Birthday Cake Smash with Jacqueline Belle Fleur!

1st Birthday Cake Smash sessions take place in my Cranford, NJ studio and include the following:

the session fee (time and talent to capture, carefully select and fully edit 30 final images)
the base digital package — The Petal Collection (all hi-res digital files on a USB drive)
a beautiful, personalized cake from Kimmy’s Cakes
carefully and personally selected props such as handmade swags, balloons and paper flowers to match your theme

I know how busy parents are, so I do all the errand-running, crafting and styling for you. You just bring the baby in his or her adorable outfit!

I’m excited to offer the following additional themes this year, many of which work well for both boys and girls: unicorns, airplanes, hot air balloons, carnival, sailing, “Down on the Farm,” Bohemian flowers, Bohemian “Wild One” with arrows, “Where the Wild Things Are,” music, Cookie Monster, Mickey Mouse, lavender fields, carousel, ballerinas, blue stars, angel and clouds, and woodland animals. You can even just pick a color scheme, and we’ll roll with that!

As always, feel free to email me at jacqueline@jacquelinebellefleur.com.

Bohemian Outdoor First Birthday Cake Smash

Monday, February 26, 2018

Spring is just around the corner, and I hope I get to do another outdoor cake smash like this Bohemian floral one! This avant-garde girl looked adorable in her lace off-the-shoulder top and loved sitting in the ivory teepee. Her loving big sister joined in on the fun in a matching outfit, and the interactions we captured between them are just priceless. We also got some individual portraits of big sis and her sweet toothless grin.

When it was time for cake — a simple funfetti one with just a crumb coat of buttercream for a shabby chic look — we brought out even more flowers, plus pompoms and confetti balloons, which received a few hugs, haha. The birthday babe changed into another darling outfit, and I think she enjoyed showing off her cake just as much as she liked eating it. What a doll baby. Happy first birthday!

Schedule your baby’s 1st Birthday Cake Smash with Jacqueline Belle Fleur!

1st Birthday Cake Smash sessions take place in my Cranford, NJ studio or on-location outdoors and include the following:

the session fee (time and talent to capture, carefully select and fully edit 30 final images)
the base digital package — The Petal Collection (all hi-res digital files on a USB drive)
a beautiful, personalized cake from Kimmy’s Cakes
carefully and personally selected props such as handmade swags, balloons and paper flowers to match your theme

I know how busy parents are, so I do all the errand-running, crafting and styling for you. You just bring the baby in his or her adorable outfit!

I’m excited to offer the following additional themes this year, many of which work well for both boys and girls: unicorns, airplanes, hot air balloons, carnival, sailing, “Down on the Farm,” Bohemian “Wild One” with arrows, “Where the Wild Things Are,” music, Cookie Monster, Mickey Mouse, lavender fields, carousel, Paris, ballerinas, blue stars, angel and clouds, and woodland animals. You can even just pick a color scheme, and we’ll roll with that!

As always, feel free to email me at jacqueline@jacquelinebellefleur.com.

Cool Winter Maternity Session

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Winter maternity portraits often turn out to be more colorful than I expect. In the first picture, the swath of green behind this gorgeous mama echoes the shape of her royal blue skirt draped on the forest floor. In the closer shots, you can appreciate how her smoky eye makeup is the same tones as the trees. And those sexy red lips and nails really pop!

The afternoon sun made some of the leaves remaining on the trees glow orange, which complemented the couple’s cool-colored wardrobe nicely. The diagonal angle of the fallen tree provided extra visual interest.

I love the contrast between the barren trees and the beautiful mother bursting with life. This is especially noticeable when she’s wearing the floral crown. The quiet stillness of this collection of photos is reminiscent of the waiting during pregnancy. I wish this loving pair all the best as they prepare for their little one, who is almost sure to have a head of thick, dark hair!

Schedule your maternity session with Jacqueline Belle Fleur!

There is nothing more gorgeous than expecting mamas, and I love capturing them! We always shoot outdoors in different pre-scouted locations each season. In the event of inclement weather, we will reschedule (it may have to be a weeknight — thank you for your flexibility!). Maternity sessions are typically held when moms are between 7 and 8 months pregnant, and include the following:

30-45 minute session and 15 carefully selected and fully edited images
the base digital package — The Petal Collection (all hi-res digital files on a USB drive)
two clothing changes for mom (partners are welcome to be in the photos in one outfit)
use of any of the beautiful gowns and hairpieces in my collection (I can also make recommendations for hair, make-up and manicures once a session is booked.)

Feel free to browse my maternity gallery, and email me for more information or to schedule!

Pretty in Peach — Newborn Girl

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Look at this precious face surrounded in peaches and cream! I love how her hair matches the dark wood background, and that you can just barely see her arms and legs all folded up through the wrap. I love making cozy, fuzzy nests for newborns — just like the womb environments they enjoy for months before their arrival.

I’ve also included the macro shots of this little peanut’s hair, lips, fingers and toes because those are the details I’m always sure to capture for families to remember. Isn’t it neat how the upper lip is perfectly smooth while the bottom lip has the cracks and crevices you’d expect? Notice how different the toes on her right and left feet are too — I wonder if her first footprints at the hospital looked like that too. Congratulations to mom and dad — savor every moment!

Schedule your newborn session with Jacqueline Belle Fleur!

Each newborn session that I capture in my Cranford, NJ, studio is unique — no two are ever alike. Capturing newborns takes a special skill and patience. I promise you the very best customer service, creativity, and an overall great experience. My newborn fee includes:

the session fee (time and talent to capture, carefully select and fully edit 30-35 final images)
the base digital package — The Petal Collection (all hi-res digital files on a USB drive)
carefully and personally selected props
package upgrades and additional products also available

For more examples of my custom newborn photography, check out the gallery here. My schedule fills months in advance, and it’s best to capture newborns within the first 7-10 days of life, so please email me at jacqueline@jacquelinebellefleur.com to schedule your session as soon as you can!

Adam & Eve Inspired Maternity Session – The Cromarties

Friday, February 23, 2018

The Cromarties’ maternity session (which you got sneak peeks at here and on Facebook and Instagram) was probably the most stressful but also most rewarding one ever. Terricka and Antonio, I’m so proud that we pulled this off!

We had originally planned to do an Adam and Eve inspired shoot for Terricka’s previous pregnancy with their twins, but the babies arrived two days before our scheduled session. I was super bummed we didn’t get to do it because I loved the idea so much. So when she told me she was expecting another baby, I knew we had to go for it. I’m not so sure Antonio was that thrilled though!

I’m kinda shy when it comes to sharing (and being on camera), but I have to share the story of all we overcame during this photo shoot. First, it started to rain, which wasn’t in the forecast. We were on a two-hour delay due to hair and make-up, and when you’re a photographer counting on natural light that’s quickly disappearing … GAH!!!

The USA Network crew of about 25 people was there filming (no pressure!), so I had a mic on my butt (it fell down my back into my pants — no joke), and I was pretty sure this session was bound for disaster. Then Terricka shared that US Weekly wanted the images to publish. I think I might have started to cry a little because I felt like everything was going downhill fast. But when you have two amazing clients who roll with the punches, trust you, and are amazingly photogenic, you do all you can to save the session. I’d say we succeeded!

Dominic of Rizzo’s Wildlife was my calming force whose awesome sense of humor helped ease my nerves. He also managed to make Alora, the beautiful 50-pound boa constrictor, look a little more pliable than she was. We had wanted to use a smaller python, but New Jersey laws wouldn’t allow it. I won’t get into all the details, but there were lots of conversations with NBC and the state. Safety first! Terricka wasn’t the least bit concerned about the larger snake though — she loves animals and reptiles. Nothing was going to stop this fearless mama! Antonio, however, never warmed up to the snake — in that last shot, he was just thrilled it was over!

Special thanks to my friend and CrossFit partner Isabel for helping me out. You make a great photography assistant!

Did you miss The Cromarties on USA Network? No worries, the first season is streaming now! You can find me on Episode 3 (The Snake Maternity Session at the beginning of the show, and The MetLife Football Session at the end of the show), and on Episode 6 (The Birth of Jhett Paxton).

What an amazing experience — thank you Terricka and Antonio Cromartie!