School Portraits, Reimagined in Westchester, CT & NYC
As a pro family photographer and mom of two school-aged kids, I believe every parent deserves the opportunity to own terrific portraits of their child (you know, the ones you actually want to hang up!)
“Those are the best class photos of him ever.”
— Kristen L., Pelham, NY
Approachable,
Organized & Talented
School portraits should show children as they really are—comfortable, confident, and true to themselves. That’s why my mantra is No Fake Smiles. Each child gets a few moments of real connection in front of my lens, which results in portraits that families enjoy for years.
Professional Approach,
Natural Results
As a Westchester-based small business owner specializing in family portraits and headshots, my reputation depends on delivering beautiful products and excellent customer service.
Unlike big, national portrait companies that pressure families to buy mediocre photos, I work hard to make sure my portraits are worth purchasing. There is no pressure to pre-purchase packages and proofing galleries are available throughout the busy school year!
Look & Style
Flexible Options
Schools may choose an indoor portrait style photo day or one that takes place outdoors using the campus as a natural background.
Fill out my questionnaire and let’s discuss what works best for you and your schedule.
Before Picture Day, I’ll invite parents to download a what to expect guide with tips for how to prepare.
Do we belong together?
Click below and fill out this short survey. I’ll respond within 24 hrs.
If you are interested in sibling or family photos, please contact me to book a private session.
I’m looking forward to making adorable portraits of your child and their classmates!
Basic
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Intermediate
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Advanced
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Bronze
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Silver
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Gold
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Make it stand out.
Why Choose Me Over Lifetouch (or other big-box companies)?
Local & always kid-focused: I live and work in Westchester County. I grew up in White Plains, tutored and mentored kids in Burlington, VT & NYC, led countless trips as a summer camp counselor in Pocantico Hills, NY and am raising my own children in Pelham where I’ve served and volunteered for the PTA and town-wide events benefitting organizations like Pelham Civics and The Town of Pelham Library, which provide services and support to children.
I’m a parent too: I know what it’s like to open a portrait envelope and feel disappointed. My mission is to deliver images parents actually want to keep.
No Fake Smiles: I never force expressions. Kids feel comfortable, and it shows.
Professional approach, but natural results: I study light for a living and know how to bend and control it. I use artificial lighting in outdoor and indoor environments, which means children are beautifully lit while still surrounded by timeless backdrops.
Options for schools: Schools can choose between outdoor environmental portraits or clean, modern indoor studio-style portraits with LFP-branded backdrop colors. No fake lasers or bubbles—ever.
Privacy & respect: Every gallery is secured with a unique access code. Families only see their own child’s images, and ordering is encrypted. I accept all major credit cards and Apple Pay. Privacy is sacred. I will always seek and obtain permission from parents if there is an image worthy of including in my portfolio and in marketing and publicizing my business.
Personal communication, no spam: I send families only what they need to know about portraits and related offerings. No junk mail, no pushy marketing. After all, we might run into each other at the supermarket. And I want to laugh with you about the Phil Collins song that’s playing on the radio, not watch you run and hide behind the Tostitos display in the snack aisle.
No purchase pressure: Galleries remain open until the end of the school year. Families may order at any time, with early incentives like free retouching, free batch shipping to schools, and seasonal product specials. Grandparents and relatives can also order direct-to-home delivery.
Partnership, not payment: I don’t charge schools or PTAs. What I need instead is excellent communication and support—this includes a complete roster of student names and parent email addresses so I can deliver all Picture Day details directly to families.
Busy season, but priority commitment: Fall is the busiest season for me as a family photographer, but it’s a priority to deliver a superior portrait experience to the schools I serve.
👉 Curious how different school photos can look? Browse my Portfolio.
What Schools and PTAs Love About Working With Me
Stress-free process: I handle everything from scheduling and setup to communication, galleries, and order fulfillment.
No paperwork for staff: Orders are placed online—no envelopes or checks to manage.
Happy families: Parents love having multiple portraits to choose from, plus flexible packages at different price points.
Fundraising option: I can structure Picture Day so it also benefits your PTA or school community.
Professional results: Whether outdoors or studio-style, my images look polished, modern, and timeless.
Respectful communication: Families receive clear, personal updates—not spam or unnecessary marketing.
👉 Want to see how other schools shine on Picture Day? Visit my School Portrait Portfolio.
Are you ready for a better picture day?
If you’re looking for a school photo experience that feels modern, personal, and pressure-free, I’d love to connect and start the process of onboarding your school community .
How it works:
Schedule a call with me below & learn more about how I work with schools and PTAs.
I’ll send you a questionnaire which will help me prepare for our call.
After our call, I’ll send you a contract with terms for review by you and your committee members.
Once the agreement is signed, I will provide a template emails and links to my website for school to use in school-wide newsletters. I will also provide a PDF suitable for printing and sending home in backpacks. wto include in school announcements. This will include important links to register for photo day and to receive important information. A roster containing classrooms, student names and parents’ contact info is required prior to announcing photo day.
This will include template emails to use for school newsletters, a template spreadsheet for providing class rosters and parents’ email and phone numbers, a private, secure link to share a spreadsheet template for you to fill out with class rosters, to share template spreadsheet to use for uploading school roster
👉 See the difference in my Portfolio and imagine the same joyful, natural portraits for your school community
FAQs
What makes your school portraits different?
I capture portraits that are authentic, modern, and natural—always guided by my mantra: No Fake Smiles. Each child gets a short but meaningful session that allows me to capture their true personality.
Do you offer indoor portraits?
Yes. Schools may choose either outdoor environmental portraits (with natural surroundings) or indoor studio-style portraits. Indoor sessions use my branded, modern backdrops—no outdated or gimmicky backgrounds.
Do you take class photos?
Yes! Each package includes a traditional class photo in addition to individual portraits.
How do families order photos?
Parents receive a secure, private gallery link with a unique access code. Galleries are encrypted and accessible only to that family. Orders are placed online using any major credit card or Apple Pay.
How do you communicate with families?
All communication is respectful, clear, and to the point. Families will only receive emails with important information about Picture Day and related offerings (like family portraits). No mass spam, no endless marketing.
How long are galleries open?
Galleries remain open until the end of the school year. Families can order anytime. To encourage early ordering, I offer incentives like free retouching, free batch delivery to schools, and limited-time product specials.
When are photos delivered?
Orders placed during incentive windows are batch-delivered to schools. Families (and grandparents!) may also order direct-to-home delivery anytime at their own expense.
What support do you provide schools?
I provide flyers, email templates, and clear parent communication so your staff and PTA don’t have to spend extra time managing Picture Day.
What does the school/PTA need to provide?
I do not charge fees to visit and photograph your students. I am only paid when a family places an order from their digital proofing gallery (after picture day). I invest 10-15 hours to planning, photographing, editing and delivering galleries and orders. Therefore, the only commitment I require is a strong partnership and communication—which includes providing a complete roster of student names and parent email addresses so I can deliver all Picture Day details directly to families.
Be Prepared
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![Outdoor school portraits for nursery schools. A smiling young girl with curly brown hair styled in pigtails sitting outdoors on a stone surface in a park with green grass and trees in the background.]()
Location & Lighting
Weather permitting, I will be taking individual portraits outside in the shade on your school’s campus. The background of these portraits may feature elements natural and manmade (i.e. trees, rocks, shrubs, flowers, buildings). I will use a combination of available light and strobes so your child is featured prominently.
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![Outdoor school portraits for nursery schools. A young boy with brown hair standing outdoors near a tree with fall foliage in the background.]()
What to Wear
Here’s my rule of thumb: if the weather forecast calls for temperatures under 70F please dress your child in long sleeves! We will be in the shade which makes it feel chilly. Nothing says “fake smile” more than an underdressed child straining against the cold! Avoid neon color tops as these tend to cast color on your child’s skin. Also, please avoid wearing clothing with large brand logos as this can take away from the timeless look I am trying to create.
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![Outdoor school portraits for nursery schools. A young boy with blonde hair outdoors during daytime.]()
Hair Aware
Embrace the imperfections. These portraits are meant to capture your little human as they are at this moment in time. If you think hair is in need of a trim, book a haircut about a week in advance of photo day. It might take a few days to grow into (or fond of). Whatever you do, consider the possibility of a slight breeze on picture day. We’re going to lean into it like Beyonce.
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![Friendly school portrait photographer at a nursery school Woman with curly hair wearing a denim jacket, with a colorful pink rainbow plush toy parrot on her shoulder, in a private nursery school or daycare center]()
Do Not Stress
I'm dedicated to making picture day stress free for your child. I’ll guide them on where to put their feet, their hands, their chin. I’ll even tell a joke to catch that natural smile.
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![Outdoor school portraits for elementary schools. Smiling young boy with short blonde hair, wearing a red and blue checkered shirt, standing outdoors in front of a dark, textured stone wall.]()
No Fake Smiles
Kids do so much better when they know what to expect. Tell your child about their photoshoot but please don’t make them practice “smiles.” It’s too much pressure! Allow me to capture their true emotions. Silliness is allowed.
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![Outdoor school portraits for nursery schools. Close-up of a young girl with curly blonde hair and blue eyes, smiling, wearing a yellow dress with a floral pattern, outdoors on grass.]()
Proofing Galleries
Expect some images in your gallery to be horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait). You may crop before you checkout. You’ll also have the choice to add a black & white filter before placing an order.
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![Outdoor school portraits for nursery schools. Young girl with curly hair, wearing a navy blue jacket with pink accents, standing outdoors among trees and greenery.]()
Timeline
Expect an email from me two weeks after Picture Day. It will contain a link to view and access your child’s private proofing gallery. I select and produce four of the best images from your child’s school portrait session. This attention to detail is what sets me apart from larger school portrait companies. Thanks for your patience! The ordering process is simple and secure. Choose from a variety of packages and individual products (attached). All print orders are delivered directly to your school for distribution to families.
