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Scroll down to learn about Stylish & Hip Kid's approach to family photography and to find answers to some frequently asked questions
"We didn't realize we were making memories,
we were just having fun"
-Winnie the Pooh
Our approach to family photography
We strive first and foremost to make sure that you and your family are having fun and enjoying yourselves. The photo session should be an opportunity to share a special moment with your family. It's from that space that we're able to capture pictures that are natural and comfortable.
We love to explore the city and parks, and we are always mapping new locations where we can photograph you and your family, We also photograph families, especially for newborn sessions, in the comfort of your own home where we can be cozy and not in a rush. We also use a collection of studios with funky textured walls for our portrait sessions.
Contact us and we can help you think about locations and ideas for your family photo session.
Who we are
Stylish & Hip Kids photography is direct from our family to yours. Mariliana Arvelo is our founder and creative director, her husband Noah Goodman works behind the scenes helping the business run smoothly, and our kids Anaya and Joaquin provide endless inspiration and occasional sleepless nights. We call on an extended family of photographers, artists, and general trouble makers, such as photographer Jonica Moore, illustrator Miranda Bruce, and retoucher Juan Ude.
Mariliana and fam live in Brooklyn and are part of a thriving family-oriented economy. We photograph families, but also work with local family brands, such as Lulaland, Noobie Box, Bubbsi, Nourish foods, and Play Maysie. We also throw parties, make art, and can be found on the playgrounds of Clinton Hill and Fort Greene. We would love the opportunity to talk with you about how we work with you, your family, or your brand.
“We will skip through the meadows and run through the woods and swim in the river. In the evenings we will sit right here on this front porch and count the stars."
- Frog and Toad
Come leap
with us!
Next Steps
How do I book a family photo session?
Work with us to finalize dates, locations, and a plan for your photo shoot.
Fill out the contact form, including preferred dates and what you're looking for.
Complete booking form, sign contract, pay retainer.
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Enjoy your photoshoot!
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Smile. Enjoy. Share pictures
with loved ones. Leave a review.
Download your images and order albums and prints.
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Preparing for your photo session
How far in advance should I book a session?
The short answer is booking early will help you secure the time you want, but we can generally accomodate last minute bookings. As you might guess, there are times that are more busy than others—such as weekends in the spring or fall—so you should take that into account.
What location should we choose for our photo shoot?
There are lots of options for where to do your family photo shoot. The first thing to is decide whether you want an outdoor location, your home, or a studio. We're happy to discuss the benefits of each option and help you select from a variety of locations or studios we love across the city.
What should we wear or bring to the photo shoot?
Start by choosing something that you'll feel comfortable in. You want to look good—however you define that—but especially if we're doing an outdoor photo shoot, you might want to leave the stilettos at home. Also, women might want to avoid wearing shorter skirts as they can limit your movement. It can be fun to bring props as well: scooters, stuffed animals, a change of clothes. We're happy to provide recommendations. Check out our Pinterest inspiration boards for ideas about clothes.
How should I prepare for a family photography session?
We love to help you celebrate your family. Click the link below find out more about how to prepare for family photo shoots.
When should we schedule our photo shoot?
We'll work with you to find a time that works with your schedule, when we'll have nice light, and when we're likely to find your kids in good spirits. We tend to book early morning or late afternoon.
What happens if it rains or if someone gets sick?
As much as we want to be masters of the universe, we have to roll with the punches. We're flexible and will work with you to find a new time.
What to expect after the photo session
Do you offer prints or albums?
When should I get maternity pictures done?
We sure do. You can order prints directly from your online gallery, and albums are something we love to create. They get passed around when guests or family are over, they're reminders you can leaf through with your kids and tell stories from, and they're simply pretty. View our packages and pricing page for more information about albums or reach out to us. Whether you work with us to create an album or download your pictures and create your own, we recommend creating an album.
We suggest between seven and eight months as a sweet spot for maternity pictures—where you've got a nice belly, but you can still smile.
What's age should newborn photos be taken?
This depends on your preferences. Some people are super into the first 10 days, which we understand is a magical moment. Others like to wait a little longer when the kids are more alert. We suggest you don't stress yourself—newborn pictures can be anything in the first three months.
Do you retouch images?
All our pictures go through a professional post-production process to ensure your pictures look sharp and bright. That may include some minor retouching, such as smoothing out subtle blemishes. We can do more significant retouching for an extra fee.
How long is a photography session?
That depends on the type of session you're looking for. Most sessions are about an hour, which is generally enough time to get good pictures without tiring your family out. We book an hour and a half for newborn sessions so we can approach it calmly and take breaks.
Do you photograph birthday parties, events, headshots, weddings, something else?
Yes! We have lots of experience photographing weddings and are happy to share pictures. We are also happy to help you capture your birthday parties or events—and if it's something we feel that isn't in our wheelhouse we can suggest another photographer.
Is there an extra fee if the grandparents come?
No, we love to have grandparents join us and we don't charge extra for it. We love doing shoots with extended family—cousins playing together can be lots of fun. For these larger groups, we do charge an extra fee. Hit us up and we can discuss your particular situation.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, we offer a $50 discount for return clients. You can also get a discount by ordering our Motherload package, which includes several photoshoots at discounted rates. Additionally, we periodically offer other discounts as well as a limited number of mini sessions—sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about these.
What if I'm not happy with the pictures?
Happy customers are our first priority. Just like Paul Mitchell—if you don't look good, we don't look good. We'll work with you to ensure you walk away happy.
Do you travel outside New York City?
Most of our sessions are within NYC, but we're also happy to travel around the tri-state area. Depending on where you are, we may charge a travel fee. Hit us up and let's talk.
Read our tips for choosing the right photographer
How long will it take to get my pictures?
Choosing the right professional photographer can be a daunting task. Check out our tips for selecting a professional family photographer—or deciding whether you even want one.
Your pictures will be ready within two weeks from your photo shoot.
How do I get my pictures?
Your digital files will be delivered in a private online gallery. You can download the high resolution files, share them with your family, and order prints from within the gallery. Don't forget to heart some pictures and talk to us about getting an album.
