Brooklyn Portrait Photographer/5 Reasons NOT to do Portraits on Communion Day

1. The actual day of the communion can be very hectic, and it's a good thing to have LESS to accomplish and just enjoy the day with the child and family. Less stress = happy communion day! No stress = better pictures!

2. If you'd like to shoot in your home church, most times it will be EMPTY. Then, it's just me and the portrait subject (and the parent of course!), free to move around wherever the light is best, in the quiet sanctuary that so perfectly captures the emotion of the sacrament. This enables us to get a LOT of photos and different set-ups for you to choose from.

3. If you'd like to shoot in a beautiful outdoor setting, we can schedule with the weather, and reschedule if the weather is bad.

4. If your shoot is done before the communion day, you can have photo thank you cards ready to go.

5. You can get a discounted rate if you shoot earlier!

Shoot me an email at mijolaphoto@gmail.com or call me 347-782-2734 to get more information and to book. Special runs through April 15th.

Announcing My 2011 Communion Special/Brooklyn Portrait Photographer

It's that time of year again!!! I am so excited-I just love love love doing communion portraits. When I work with my subjects, especially when we are in their home church, it is just so touching how earnest they are, how they are so willing to say their little prayers and be so serious in their commitment to their faith. It is such a sweet life moment that embodies the innocence of childhood so perfectly- and I think the pictures reflect this. I am really big on shooting on a day OTHER than the actual Communion Day for many reasons, so shoot me an email if you want the whole story! For this year's special, starting immediately until April 15th, I am offering a 1/2 hour shoot with a rights-released cd for $175. Call me @ 347-782-2734 or email me @ mijolaphoto@gmail.com.

New Year........Stunning New Baby

This was my first attempt at the classic baby-girl shots with the outlandish hair accessories- posed and primped. I LOVE THESE!!! But, not so easy, especially since this little princess was just at the "three week window" which usually marks the end of the earliest stage of life when babies sleep very deeply and are naturally curled up. Thank goodness she gave her wonderful mom and I a few minutes of heavy slumber so we could adjust her into a cuddly position!!! I am a sucker for newborns, they bring back memories that are so dear to me. We tried a few different hair looks, but there was no way I was changing that pink tutu- it was PERFECT against that lush, dark background. I think this shoot was a smashing success, especially for a "first try"!!!

Seize Happiness

How lucky was I to get a last-minute referral to shoot a wedding on New Year's Day? How utterly blown away was I to learn that the groom was an octogenarian and his bride a close friend for 30 years? How unlucky was I that my camera was broken?? How lucky was I that a friend came through and lent me equipment? A perfect New Year's harbinger of good things to come in 2011. What do I come away with after having the honor of documenting this beautiful event? Life is so incredible, seize happiness wherever and whenever you find it, and it's not over till it's OVER!

Getting Excited!!! Holidays Approaching FAST!!!

Sending a shout out to all of you parents needing to schedule holiday portraits........contact me as soon as possible if you want to shoot! I have limited bookings available this year because of my own scheduling constraints...I don't want to disappoint, so...........347-782-2734!
I pulled this adorable sequence out of a recent shoot to pop them up here because I just fell in love with them- how cute is this little princess? She was so precious with her perfect little displeased pout- but then, with the expert coaxing of her loving parents, she just lit up!!! I love my job!

Fall Colors

How I love these photos! These are from my first holiday shoot last year. I saved them until now because I wanted to post them at the most relevant time- to inspire those of you who may be considering outdoor shoots this year. It really is up there with my all-time faves because everything is so real and natural. The lovely family, their obvious affection for one another, the beautiful setting, the perfect coordination of their clothing....I could go on and on. Essentially, they're just hanging out in the park, and I'm just shooting away! I put together a gorgeous coffee table book with the images from this shoot and gave it to the mom as a gift (I kept one for myself of course!), as this really is one of the best examples of what I try to achieve in my work. I used the photo above as the wraparound book jacket. If you'd like to learn more about doing a book project together, I'd be thrilled. I think my photography lends itself perfectly to this presentation. 347-782-2734

Announcing Mijola Photography's 2010 Christmas Special

Woo hoo! It's that time of year!!! Starting immediately until November 15th, I am offering ½ hour blocks of shooting time, with a rights-released cd -for $149. This amount of time will give you enough material to choose from for a portrait card or a collage card-with no additional photographer fees for prints or cards. The “proof” step is eliminated, and you get all of your photos within 10 days of the shoot date. The photos are yours to keep for personal use and to do with whatever you please! Cards, calendars, posters, mugs, whatever! This represents a $50 discount from my usual fee for this time frame. Log on to my Facebook page, become a fan, and you will receive an additional 10% discount! This special will remain in effect until November 15, 2010. After this date, my regular fees will apply….. so book now! Call me @ 347-782-2734 or email me at mijolaphoto@gmail.com to secure your preferred time.

2010 Communion Portrait Special

$149

Avoid the crush and chaos!!! Do the portrait BEFORE Communion day and keep things easy breezy for your child’s special day. Book your child’s portrait session for any date between March 1^st and April 15^th and get a special 25% discounted rate.

Price includes ½ hour shoot time, basic color correction and retouching, a cd with your top images, and a written license releasing the images to you for unlimited personal use. I highly recommend shooting in your parish church! It makes for a beautiful and relevant communion portrait. No matter the weather, both the light and setting are exquisite.

Call me to schedule your shoot!! 347-782-2734

Howza 'bout a few babies doing the kitschy Christmas stuff??? I can't stand it!!! These guys are too cute for words.... I don't know how the Dads feel, but I know the Moms are going NUTS!! Some of my fave shots from the season, so sad it's all over, can't wait till NEXT YEAR!!!