Hey there! I’m Marilliana, the creative heart behind Stylish & Hip Kids Photography. After over 15 years of documenting families across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the greater NYC area, I’ve learned something important: the best family photos happen when you and your family are truly you, and forget completely about the “perfect photo.”
Whether you’re expecting your first baby, welcoming a newborn, or chasing toddlers around Brooklyn streets and Central Park, our approach is all about capturing the real, beautiful, messy magic of your family’s story. Here’s what makes us different…
Family Sessions: The Magic of Being Together
Let me guess – you’re thinking about family photos and someone in your family has already said, “But the kids won’t sit still!”
Good. I don’t want them to.
Playfulness Over Poses
Our family sessions are designed for families who like to play. We love movement, color, and those genuine belly laughs that happen when your 3-year-old tells their favorite knock-knock joke for the hundredth time.
Think about your favorite family memories – are they from times when everyone was sitting perfectly still? Probably not. They’re likely from moments of:
- Saturday morning farmers market runs
- Strolls in your neighborhood
- Central Park adventures
- Ferry rides to eat at Caracas Arepa Bar in the Rockaways
- MoMA family art days
- Eating popcorn on your sofa during movie night
- Sharing bagels with cream cheese on the stoop
That’s exactly what we capture.
Real NYC, Real Colors, Real You
New York is our playground, and we know it pretty well. We have routes that are full of awesome little surprises.
Living in NYC means we have the most incredible backdrops right outside our door. From Brooklyn’s vibrant street murals to Central Park’s golden light, from the High Line’s urban garden vibes to Dumbo’s waterfront magic – we use the city’s energy to tell your family’s story.
We’re not just taking photos in front of pretty walls (though we do that too). We’re capturing how your family moves through this amazing city together.
As a Mom, I Get It
I have two kids myself, so I know the drill. And guess what? That’s all part of your story, and we’re here to capture that in a gorgeous way using the tools we know because we’re trained and passionate about our photography craft. We see things you don’t and we compose with lighting and angles.
The Truth About Time
Here’s what I’ve learned as both a photographer and a mom: they grow so fast. I know everyone says it, but it’s true in a way that takes your breath away. One day they’re climbing on everything and building forts, the next they’re too cool to hold your hand in public.
These photos? They’re time capsules. They capture exactly who your kids were at this moment, their personalities, their quirks, the way they look at you like you hung the moon.
Newborn Sessions: Capturing Welcome
Let’s talk about newborns for a second. Those tiny, perfect humans who change everything the moment they arrive.
They’ll Never Be This Little Again
I cannot emphasize this enough – newborns change SO quickly. In just the first two weeks:
- Their features start to change and become more defined
- They lose that curled-up, just-from-the-womb position
- They become more alert and less sleepy
- Their skin changes texture and color
This is why we recommend scheduling your newborn session within the first 10-14 days. Not because that’s the only time we can take beautiful photos, but because that’s the only time we can capture this specific version of your baby.
Home is Where the Magic Happens
Unlike many photographers who insist on studio sessions, we LOVE coming to your home for newborn photography. Here’s why:
Everyone’s comfortable – You’re in your safe space, surrounded by your things, with everything you need within reach.
It’s your real life – That rocking chair where you’ll spend countless hours feeding and soothing? The nursery you spent months perfecting? Your dog who’s still figuring out this tiny human? That’s your story.
No packing required – With a newborn, leaving the house feels like preparing for an Arctic expedition. We come to you with everything we need.
It’s About the Whole Family
Yes, we’re photographing your brand new baby, but we’re also documenting how this little person has already changed your entire family dynamic.
Some of my favorite newborn shots include:
- Big brother or sister gently touching baby’s hand for the first time
- Dad looking at this tiny person with complete wonder and slight terror
- Mom’s exhausted-but-glowing expression during those quiet feeding moments
- Grandparents meeting their newest grandchild
- Even pets carefully investigating this new family member
Celebrating the Welcome
These sessions aren’t just about getting “baby pictures.” They’re about documenting one of the most significant moments in your family’s story – the moment your family grew by one perfect little person.
We capture the anticipation, the overwhelming love, the slight chaos, and the profound joy that comes with welcoming a new human into your world.
Maternity Sessions: Honoring the Journey
Let’s be real for a second: growing a tiny human is kind of a big deal. For nine incredible months, your body becomes this amazing habitat, stretching and changing in ways you never thought possible. And while not every day of pregnancy feels glamorous (hello, swollen ankles and midnight ice cream runs), there’s something undeniably magical about this fleeting season of life that deserves to be captured.
Beyond the Bump: Celebrating Your Transformation
Think about it – your body is literally creating another person. This incredible journey deserves to be documented. A maternity photoshoot honors this unique transformation that happens only a handful of times in your life, if at all.
Every curve, every stretch mark, every change tells part of your story and your baby’s story. Years from now, when your little one is running circles around you, you’ll look back at these images and remember exactly how it felt to carry them.
The best maternity shoots capture more than just your silhouette—they capture the anticipation, the dreams, and the connection between you and the little one you haven’t met yet. They freeze a moment when your family exists in this in-between state, with one foot in your old life and the other stepping into a new adventure.
When to Book Your Shoot
Timing is everything with maternity photos. Too early and you might not have much of a bump to showcase; too late and you might be too uncomfortable to enjoy the experience. We recommend scheduling your session between 28-34 weeks – when your bump is beautifully defined but you’re still feeling comfortable enough to move around and try different poses.
Making It Uniquely You
As a mom of two myself, I know firsthand that maternity shoots should reflect who YOU are as an individual and as a family.
If you’re all about flowers, let’s have many around you in the photos! If you’re craving pizza or anything else during your pregnancy, let’s include that in your session! Whether you want to wear a bathing suit, pajamas, or a super beautiful dress, we are all for it.
Some ideas we love:
- Home sessions where you’re super comfy and can beautifully showcase your belly
- Locations that hold deep meaning for you and your growing family
- Incorporate meaningful items like ultrasound photos or family heirlooms
- Include your partner and kids – those genuine interactions create the most meaningful images
Beyond the Ordinary
Forget stiff, awkward poses and cheesy props. Our vision for maternity photography is all about natural beauty, genuine emotion, and artistic expression. We’ll guide you through poses that feel comfortable while creating stunning images that truly reflect this magical time in your life.
What This All Means for Your Family
Here’s the thing – whether we’re capturing your growing belly, your brand new baby, or your wild and wonderful kids, our approach stays consistent:
We create the right space for you to be yourself. We’re not about ultra-posed setups or cheesy studio scenes. Instead, we craft environments where your family can be real, playful, and truly enjoy the magic of parenthood and family life together.
We work with your family’s personality, not against it. Introverted kids? We’ll create quiet, gentle moments. High-energy family? Let’s run around and play.
We believe in movement and authenticity over stiff poses and forced smiles.
We understand the urgency – kids grow up, babies change, pregnancy is temporary. These moments deserve to be captured.
An Investment in Your Story
These photographs become more than just beautiful images – they transform into treasured keepsakes capturing different chapters of your family’s story. We use light, composition, and our understanding of family dynamics to create images that truly celebrate you at this exact moment in your lives.
The portraits we create together will be cherished by you, your partner, your children, and generations to come. They tell your story in a way that words alone never could.
Ready to Document Your Beautiful Story?
Whether you’re expecting, just welcomed a new baby, or have kids who refuse to sit still for more than 30 seconds, we’re here for all of it.
Your family’s story is unique, and it deserves to be told with the same authenticity, creativity, and joy that you live it every day.
After all, this is your life – and it’s worth capturing.
Contact us to learn more about our photography packages and let’s create some magic together.
