A Milestone to Remember


Turning 40 is a milestone birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with a portrait session that captures the confidence and joy of your big year? Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing my good friend, Jazmin Novoa for her 40th birthday, and it was a session filled with laughter, fun, and a touch of birthday magic.


We met at the beautiful Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey for a portrait mini session. Jazmin came prepared to celebrate, arriving with a fabulous tool skirt and a crown that perfectly accentuated her personality. And of course, no 40th birthday celebration is complete without balloons!


Now usually this park is filled with amazing florals but spring this year has been delayed for some reason, so the barren trees posed a bit of a challenge for me. Luckily, I found this beautiful cherry blossom tree just outside the gardens and with a beautiful new backdrop we were able to get some really stunning photos!


Session: 30-minute Birthday & Family Portrait Session

Camera: Canon R6

Lens: 50 mm

Elegant formal photoshoot in a black ruffled gown with rose gold number balloons against flowering cherry blossoms.
Celebration photo with rose gold number 40 balloons and black formal gown against spring blossoms.
Celebratory photo with rose gold number balloon against blooming cherry trees.
Elegant black tulle dress with belt photographed under blooming spring trees.
Dramatic black tulle dress posed against blooming cherry blossom tree trunk.
Joyful portrait in flowing black formal dress sitting by cherry blossom tree.
Twirling pose in black tulle dress with gold belt against spring cherry blossoms.
A dramatic black tulle skirt twirls against cherry blossoms and trees in an outdoor photoshoot.
A black crop top and tulle skirt ensemble complemented by a delicate crown in a spring garden setting.
An elegant gold crown adorns a black dress against blooming cherry blossoms in spring.

More Than Just Birthday Wishes


Tagging along the shoot were Jazmin's two gorgeous daughters, Elena and Ariana. They are both so full of style and sass! With Mother's Day just around the corner, I couldn't help but to sneak in a few mother-daughter portraits.

A young child in a pink tulle dress and denim jacket poses among cherry blossoms.
A child in a pink tulle dress and denim jacket climbs a tree surrounded by spring blossoms.
A heartwarming group photo under cherry blossoms featuring coordinated pink and black outfits.
A coordinated photo featuring matching pink tulle dresses and denim jackets against cherry blossoms.
Sweet moment captured between three people sharing kisses under cherry blossoms.

Through Ariana's Lens


Who would've known that while I was snapping away at Jazmin's portraits, Jazmin's oldest daughter, Ariana, was getting some great shots of her own behind the scenes! Here's a few behind the scenes shots of what she captured from her iPhone. A little photographer in the making!

A couple poses beneath blooming cherry blossoms on a hillside.
A behind-the-scenes photo of a fashion shoot under blooming cherry trees.
A dramatic pose against a tree trunk surrounded by spring cherry blossoms.