Studio Family Portraits in New Jersey

Authentic, joyous, and soulful portraits of the people who mean everything to you, worthy of your walls.

Families across Northern New Jersey visit the Maplewood studio for modern family portraits that are simple, yet stunning.

With soft professional lighting, a curated wardrobe, and gentle guidance throughout the session, the result is a collection of studio portraits that feel both
natural and timeless.

Modern Studio Family Portraits

Authentic images that feel like you.

Two children, a girl and a boy, wearing sunglasses and smiling, sitting on a white couch with a plain white background.
A black and white photo of a family of four posing together, with the mother sitting on a stool, the father standing behind her, and their two children, a boy and a girl, also in the frame.

Whether you are drawn to playful, movement filled images or tender, quieter moments,
my modern, minimalist aesthetic means each moment I present can stand as a work of art.

Family portrait, parents with three children, two girls and a baby, on a white background in three separate images. The first image shows the family sitting on a bed, smiling at the camera. The second image, in black and white, depicts the two girls kissing the baby's forehead. The third image captures the family playfully hugging and kissing each other.
Family portrait, parents with three children, two girls and a baby, on a white background in three separate images. The first image shows the family sitting on a bed, smiling at the camera. The second image, in black and white, depicts the two girls kissing the baby's forehead. The third image captures the family playfully hugging and kissing each other.

Each session is designed to capture both genuine connection and beautifully composed portraits, so you walk away with images that feel like your family and look beautiful on your walls.

A staircase with white banisters and black treads, and three framed black-and-white photos of children hanging on the wall beside it.

Children’s Portrait Photography

Families often discover the studio while searching for a child photographer who can create natural portraits of their rapidly growing children and quickly know they’re in the right place.

Especially if they love black and white photography and appreciate that less is often more.

Studio portrait of two young young sisters in black t-shirt and jeans smiling and hugging each other against white photography background.
Modern black and white portrait of tween boy with short dark hair, light freckles, and light-colored eyes, resting his chin on his hand.
Black and white natural and modern portrait of a teenage girl hugging her brother, both smiling and looking at the camera, against a plain background.
Black and white portrait of tween girl with long hair in NJ photo studio, resting her chin on her hands, smiling gently, wearing a polka dot dress.

Specializing in young children, I bring a relaxed, positive professionalism to every session,
handling big toddler energy, quiet personalities, and teens with ease while keeping everything
genuine and unforced.

A Guided, Full-Service
Portrait Experience

NJ family photographer Nicole Hawkins sitting on a yellow couch in a bright, modern photography studio, holding a family photo album and smiling. 
Your plate is full. I’m here to guide you through the process and ensure your images become beautiful artwork, not just files on your phone.

With detailed planning, studio wardrobe or styling assistance, and expert retouching, rest assured that your photos will be stunning and beautifully preserved.

A closet with neutral and soft colored dresses hanging together, featuring lace, floral patterns, and various textures.

“Working with Nicole was a wonderful experience. She has such an incredible eye for beautiful photos and was involved in the process from start to finish (guiding us on outfits, planning the photo shoot ahead of time, helping to choose the best photos, and so on). I highly recommend her and would love to use her again. She was incredibly patient with our two very active boys AND dogs (lots of movement, lots of barking!) and was able to capture moments and expressions we will treasure. Her recommendation for hair and makeup was perfect, too!” — Melissa L.

Family portrait gallery along a long hallway wall.

Featured GALLERIES

Serving Families Across Northern New Jersey

Modern portrait of a young boy jumping in mid-air against a plain white background, wearing sunglasses, a black t-shirt, and beige shorts.
Two young brothers holding a smiling baby brother on a tall gray stool against a white background, all wearing denim and white t-shirts.

Based in Maplewood, but serving families throughout Northern New Jersey,
including South Orange, Summit, Short Hills, Montclair, and the surrounding communities, as well as New York City.

A tablet placed on a white surface displaying an interior decor photo of a minimalist living room with a wooden bench with cushions, framed art on the wall, and a potted plant.

Begin Planning Your Studio Family Portrait Session

Studio portrait of a one year old baby girl with a bow in her hair and her grey and white dog in a woven basket against a white background.

Sessions are limited each month to ensure a personalized experience. Contact us to reserve your date and begin planning your dream family or child portrait session.

For families with a very specific portrait in mind, such as a single child portrait or a classic sibling portrait, a limited number of Heirloom Portrait Sessions are available in the studio. Please inquire for details.

Inquire now
Two year old half asian toddler sitting in vintage high chair celebrating second birthday with custom cake
Close up black and white portrait of a young boy with freckles and curly hair, wearing glasses, a checkered shirt, and a bow tie, smiling at the camera.
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Two young girls smiling and hugging each other, sitting together on a white surface, in front of a plain white background.
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A woman helping a young child stand and walk, both smiling, in a bright, minimal background.
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A modern family portrait in black and white, with smiling father with two young sons, all wearing light-colored sweaters, standing close together against a plain background.
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A black and white portrait of a toddler girl with wavy hair and bangs and a slight smile, wearing a light-colored shirt, looking directly at the camera, seated in front of a dark backdrop with dramatic professional lighting.
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A woman holding a baby, smiling, in a close embrace, black and white photo.
Elegant white mother in black dress and black father in black velvet suit holding happy baby and toddler
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Minimalist portrait of mother in black dress with tween son in suit and tie sitting in New Jersey photo studio
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Black and white mother daughter portrait of smiling mother with curly hair in white dress and young daughter with curly hair, both facing the camera.
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Modern black and white family portrait of parents and baby in casual clothing
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Black and white photo of a brother and sister laughing together, sharing a joyful moment, against a plain background.
Studio portrait of a young girl with long blonde hair wearing a light pink, frilly dress from the studio wardrobe and gold shoes, twirling and smiling against a dark background.
A toddler holding hands with two adults, a woman in a beige dress on the left and a man in a white shirt and jeans on the right, standing on a white floor with a plain white background.
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A woman in a white dress holding a young girl in a white dress with lace details, both with curly hair, against a white background.
Two children sitting on modern white chairs, facing opposite directions, in front of a plain white background.
Smiling one year old baby girl on neutral chair wearing pink feathery tutudumonde dress
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Studio portrait of young child with her pet rabbit, lying on a white bed, with her resting their head on one arm, and the other arm draped over her black and white rabbit.
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Two babies lying on a white bed, looking at the camera, one with hand near mouth, dressed in grey, with short black hair, and the other with short brown hair, dressed in a blue sweater.
A black-and-white photo of a family with two adults and a baby, all close together and smiling softly, with the adults touching foreheads and the baby being held.
Family of four sitting on a bed, laughing and playing with children, against a plain white wall.
A smiling toddler with short hair, sitting on a quilted surface, looking at the camera, in black and white.
A young girl with curly hair, wearing a blue and white striped dress with floral embroidery and a white bow in her hair, sitting against a plain white background.
A woman holding a young child close, with her face touching the child's cheek in a black and white portrait.
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Two year old toddler holding stuffed hippo and sucking thumb in back and white with lots of white space
A young girl with glasses standing barefoot with a stroller carrying a doll and other toys, against a plain white background.
Three children lying on the floor, smiling and laughing, with their heads close together, in a black-and-white photo.
Two young girls in matching lace dresses with white bows in their hair, sitting together against a gray background, smiling at the camera.
A black and white photo of a young boy with short hair, smiling while sitting on a white surface against a plain background. He is wearing a dark velvet blazer, a white shirt, and a striped tie.
Dad in jeans and glamorous mom in studio dress playing with baby in NJ photo studio
Two boys lying on the floor and smiling, one with his head resting on the other's head, in a black and white photo.
A mother holding her young daughter close with foreheads touching, smiling, against a plain white background.
A young girl with pigtails sitting on a bed against a plain wall, looking to her left with a curious expression.
Two young boys sitting on a white surface with a golden retriever dog between them, all smiling, against a plain white background.
Modern photo of three happy siblings hugging with lots of white space
A happy multiracial family of five smiling and hugging against a plain white background.
A young girl with long light brown hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera, wearing a cream-colored dress with feathered shoulder details, sitting against a dark gray background.
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A young girl standing barefoot on a white floor in front of a white wall, smiling and wearing a light pink floral dress with ruffled sleeves.
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Smiling young girl with long brown hair, wearing a lavender ruffled dress, posing with hands on cheeks against a dark gray background.
Black-and-white photo of a young child sitting on the floor with one leg extended, holding sunglasses around their neck, and looking at the camera.
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A young girl with curly hair wearing a dress with ruffled sleeves and a bow in her hair, looking directly at the camera against a dark background.
A smiling baby sitting on the floor, dressed in a diaper, with white curtains around.
A black and white photo of three smiling children sitting close together against a dark background.
Two children, a girl with curly blonde hair and a boy with short brown hair, are playing on the floor against a white background, smiling and dressed in black blazers.
Black and white photo of a woman and a young girl smiling, standing against a plain background. The woman is behind the girl, with her arms on the girl's shoulders. Both are dressed in elegant clothing, with the girl wearing a polka-dot dress and the
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A young girl with light hair and a floral dress looks with a surprised or concerned expression while an adult, possibly her mother, is styling her hair. The image is in black and white.
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