Even though it's a crazy year...even though this year has brought so much turmoil to all of our lives, even though our spirits may be bruised, somehow Christmas Spirit and Santa can always make you feel happiness and joy.  

When I contacted Santa a few months back, I asked about this year's photo sessions and he said we'll have to social distance, but let's talk about how we can make this happen.  So Santa and I got together for a little brainstorming session at the studio and we came up with a few dates.  Although not everything panned out the way I had hoped, I'm very happy to have made many of my clients happy this year by offering some Santa Minis.

We had one day at a tree farm and I still have one day open, November 7th, with Santa, which is just about filled up.  The November 7th date is indoors at my home studio this year.  It will allow for a little more social distancing ability than my photo studio, as the space is a little bit bigger and We don't have to fear running into the different businesses that are in the same building as the studio is.  





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I wanted to get Santa nice and early in the season since life keeps changing I feel by the day and by the week, I thought the earlier in the season, the better and who knew if there would be a Santa at the mall this year, so I'm so grateful that Santa was open to these sessions and that families were open to the social distance Santa experience this year.  

November 7th, we will be taking temperature checks and asking questions before entering the studio space for photos.  This year has been more electronic 'paperwork' than ever as well, however, we're making it happen.  The sessions are lasting 20 minutes, and we're taking an extra 10 minutes after the session to clean and sanitize the space before the next family walks in.   These sessions are very limited, however, I think it's great the kids & families will have a little one-on-one with the Big Guy this season.

I hope you all stay healthy.  Please take all precautions and don't forget to stay positive, smile often and wash your hands.   

Thanks,
Denise
Millie Dee Photography
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Millie Dee Photography is currently in Flanders, NJ, will be moving to Landing, NJ January 1, 2021.

Halloween has been my favorite holiday for decades.  The inside of my house turns into a skeleton & scary clown fest.  I try to get to Salem, MA every year or so with my kids, too.  

I think what draws me to this Holiday called Halloween is that I or we all get to be creative; it's a time that you're creativity can shine.  I get to be someone else for a day; however, I do feel that Halloween is more of a lifestyle than a Holiday. 

It's just fun!  My assistant saw some photos titled 'boo-doir'  somewhere on social media and tagged me in the post so I could try it, too.  Before a newborn session one morning, the family was just a few minutes behind schedule and I was all set up, I had this skeleton in the car, so I took a crack at my first 'boodoir' photosession.

​I must say, I fell in love with posing this skeleton right away; I was amazed that this pile of bones could actually hold some of the poses.  

For the past several years, I've had a Halloween themed portrait session, but one was a family portrait of all of my creepy dolls and the other two were of a creepy monster baby swaddled up like in the newborn photos.   

I've been wanting to create a Halloween themed photo session around fog and special lights, but that may need to wait for next year since this is what I created this year.  Although, I can totally see this Boodoir session happening again next year; perhaps it will become an annual event; a Halloween tradition, such as pumpkin picking, hay rides and drinking fresh apple cider from the farm.  

These are just a few of the poses; I have about a dozen of them that I love.  If you're interested in viewing more of them, I'm sure I'll be posting them to my social media.  Please follow me at: ig:  millie_dee_photo and fb: MillieDee Photography.

Happy Halloween, 2020 style, everyone!
Stay Scary Healthy this year!
Denise
​: D 

I KNOW I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT I REALLY DO HAVE THE BEST JOB.  I GET TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE.

IT'S A SPECIAL GIFT TO MEET A NEW CLIENT FOR THEIR MATERNITY SESSION, AND GET TO SEE THEM AGAIN FOR THEIR NEWBORN'S FIRST PHOTO SESSION AND OTHER MILESTONE SESSIONS, LIKE THE BABY'S 3, 6 9 MONTH PHOTOS, ALL WORKING UP TO THE BIG FIRST BIRTHDAY!  

SOMETIMES I JUST GET TO SEE THEM FOR PART OF THIS JOURNEY AND EITHER WAY, IT'S ALWAYS A PRECIOUS OCCASION TO CELEBRATE THESE BIG MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE.

THIS LITTLE GUY CAME TO ME, WELL, HIS MOMMY BROUGHT HIM TO ME FOR HIS NEWBORN PHOTOS.  AND WE GOT TO MEET UP AGAIN FOR HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY.  

HE'S  THE LITTLE BROTHER WITH TWO BIG SISTERS...WHO CAN RELATE TO THIS?  (ME)....  I'M THE OLDEST OF 3, MY SISTER IS THE MIDDLE CHILD AND MY BROTHER IS THE BABY...AND WE ALWAYS SAID HE'S THE FAVORITE.  HAHA...  HE'S STILL THE FAVORITE, I CAN'T LIE!  

THIS LITTLE GUY COMPLETES HIS FAMILY.  HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, LITTLE GUY!  
XO

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR KIDS, ALLOWING ME TO BE PART OF THESE PRECIOUS OCCASIONS IN YOUR LIVES.

WE'RE GEARING UP FOR HOLIDAY MINI SESSIONS, WHICH CAN I BE HONEST, IS ALWAYS FULL OF ANXIETY FOR ME.  WILL THE WEATHER BE NICE?  WILL EVERYONE SHOW UP?  WILL THEY BE ON TIME?   WILL EVERYONE FIND THE LOCATION OK?  THERE'S SO MUCH BEHIND THE SCENES WORK ON PROPS, SCHEDULING, AND THIS YEAR, COVID HAS ADDED AN EXTRA LAYER OF STRESS.  IT'S LIKE HAVING AN EXTRA HOLIDAY TO CONSIDER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. HA.

I LOVE SEEING THE FAMILIES EVERY YEAR, GETTING TO SEE THE KIDS GROWING UP, GETTING TO SEE THE PARENTS AND TALK TO THEM FOR A FEW MINUTES.  IT'S TRULY A JOY FOR ME.  

AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, MY STUDIO IS MOVING FROM FLANDERS TO LANDING.  IT'S REALLY JUST A COUPLE OF MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND I'M EXCITED THAT THIS LOCATION WILL STILL JUST BE 1/2 MILE FROM ROUTE 80 AND I'M IN A LITTLE STRIP MALL, 172 LANDING ROAD, LANDING,NJ.  I'LL BE NEXT TO A CHIROPRACTOR AND BABERSHOP AND ACROSS FROM A PARK.    THIS SPACE IS JUST A LITTLE BIT BIGGER, BUT I'M EXCITED OVER THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES IT WILL OFFER FOR ME AND FOR MY CLIENTS.  

I HOPE TO ALSO START SELLING MY DEEVA FUEL COFFEE OUT OF THE NEW LOCATION AND TO OFFER MY CLIENTS TO JUST STOP BY WHEN THEY'RE IN THE AREA FOR A CUP OF COFFEE AND CONVERSATION TO CATCH UP WITH THEM! 

I'M ALSO EXCITED TO HOPEFULLY HAVE A VERY SMALL LOUNGE AND HEADSHOT STATION SET UP THERE...OKAY, THAT WILL BE FOR ANOTHER POST SOMEDAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

WHATEVER YOU'RE CELEBRATING THESE DAYS, MAKE SURE TO CAPTURE YOUR MOMENTS AND SHARE THEM! 

ENJOY!
XO
​MILLIE DEE PHOTOGRAPHY    

I'M DETERMINED TO KEEP SOME 'NORMALCY' DURING THE CRAZIEST YEAR OF OUR LIVES.  SANTA IS VISITING THE STUDIO THIS YEAR!  SANTA WILL BE WITH US FOR 3 DAYS, OCTOBER 18TH AT THE TREE FARM IN NEWTON AND NOVEMBER 7 & 8 IN THE STUDIO.  
WE'RE HAVING SOCIAL DISTANCE SANTA PHOTOS THIS YEAR, SO THERE IS NO SITTING ON SANTA'S LAP AND MASKS NEED TO BE WORN UNTIL PHOTOS ARE BEING TAKEN. HOWEVER, WE HAVE IDEAS...SANTA CAN READ A BOOK TO THEM, HE COULD PEEK BEHIND THE TREE OR THE CABIN AND SHARE SILLY LITTLE MOMENTS TOGETHER FROM A FAR...ALOT OF KIDS DON'T LIKE GETTING TOO CLOSE TO SANTA ANYWAY, SO WE'RE USED TO HAVING A "PLAN B"  IT'S JUST THE "PLAN B" IS PLAN A THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID.
THESE ARE HAPPENING AT MY HOME STUDIO THIS YEAR IN LANDING, NJ.  THE HOME STUDIO HAS ITS OWN ENTRANCE & DRIVEWAY AND IS DIVIDED FROM THE REST OF THE HOUSE.  I FEEL THIS IS A BETTER LOCATION THAN THE FLANDERS STUDIO BECAUSE, FOR ONE, THERE IS MORE ROOM, SO IT WILL BE EASIER TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AND SECOND, WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THE OTHER BUSINESSES AND THEIR CLIENTS AS WE DO AT THE FLANDERS STUDIO LOCATION, AS WE'RE TRYING TO CUT DOWN ON SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH OTHERS.

SESSIONS ARE RUNNING IN 20 MINUTES INCREMENTS, HOWEVER, THEY'RE BEING BOOKED ON THE HALF HOUR, EVERY 30 MINUTES, TO ALLOW 10 MINUTES IN BETWEEN SESSIONS FOR PROPER CLEANING & DISINFECTING.  

I'M ALSO EXCITED BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING SANTA IN THE STUDIO NICE AND EARLY THIS YEAR; JUST A WEEK AFTER HALLOWEEN.  IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE'RE CRAMMING IN THE HOLIDAYS ALL TOGETHER THIS YEAR, SORRY, HOWEVER, I WANTED TO PLAY IT AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.  I BELIEVE WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY. WE'RE FOLLOWING COVID GUIDELINES AND THERE WILL BE A WAIVER TO SIGN. (OH, WHAT OUR LIVES HAVE BECOME JUST FOR SOME HAPPY PHOTOS!). HOWEVER, IT IS WHAT IT IS THIS YEAR, I'M JUST EXCITED TO HAVE A LITTLE NORMAL AMONGST THE CHAOS TO OFFER SANTA AND HOLIDAY PHOTOS. 

IT'S A HAPPY TIME FOR MANY AND I HOPE TO OFFER SOME HAPPINESS HERE FOR FAMILIES ALONG WITH SAFETY.  

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MINI SESSIONS OR COVID GUIDELINES, ETC.  I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ...PLEASE REACH OUT THROUGH WWW.MILLIEDEEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM OR CALL 973.805.FOTO.  WISHING THE HAPPIEST AND HEALTHIEST HOLIDAY SEASON FOR EVERYONE 

DENISE 

THE PREGNANCY...I'VE HAD THE EXPERIENCE TWICE IN MY LIFE.  BECOMING A MOTHER IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM IS A LIFE CHANGING EVENT.  IF YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE THE GIFT OF GROWING A BABY IN YOUR WOMB, IT'S SOMETHING PRECIOUS THAT NOT EVERYONE GETS TO EXPERIENCE THIS PART OF LIFE.  IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE A GIFT EVERY DAY WITH THE SICKNESS IN THE BEGINNING, GROWING EACH DAY AND BY THE END PROBABLY HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING, HOWEVER, BRINGING A LIFE INTO THIS WORLD IS A BIG DEAL...YOU'RE MAKING A BRAND NEW PERSON...IT'S A CELEBRATION OF A NEW LIFE.  HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE?  PORTRAITS ARE A GREAT WAY TO CAPTURE THIS TEMPORARY TIME IN YOUR LIFE.  IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, EVEN IF YOU'RE PREGNANT SEVERAL TIMES, THAT BABY BELLY IS ONLY TEMPORARY.  IT'S A PART OF YOUR LIFE, IT BECOMES YOUR LIFE AND ONCE THE BABY IS HERE, THE BUMP STARTS TO GO AWAY AS IT'S ONLY THERE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF YOUR MOTHERHOOD JOURNEY.  

I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR BIOLOGY (YEP, NOT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY), THE STUDY OF LIFE HAS ALWAYS FASCINATED ME SO PERHAPS IT'S PART OF THE REASON I'M IN AWE OF PREGNANCY.  I'M GRATEFUL THAT I GET TO CAPTURE THIS TIME IN A WOMAN'S LIFE; IN HER FAMILY'S LIFE.  THE PHOTOS FREEZE A MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE'S HISTORY AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THEM AND REMINISCE...

SO WHEN IS A GOOD TIME DURING THE PREGNANCY TO CAPTURE THESE PHOTOS?  MY FEELING IS ANY DAY AND EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR PICTURES.  WELL, HOW IS MAMA LOOKING AND FEELING?  TRADITIONALLY, THE MATERNITY PORTRAITS ARE TAKEN DURING THE END OF THE SECOND TRIMESTER BECAUSE THE BABY BELLY IS SHOWING AND MOM STILL HAS SOME ENERGY.  ONCE THE PREGNANCY IS NEARING THE END OF THE THIRD TRIMESTER, MOM IS USUALLY TIRED, NOT SLEEPING WELL AND NOT FEELING LIKE HERSELF, AFTER ALL, THAT BABY IS ALMOST FULLY GROWN, SO DURING SECOND TRIMESTER IS IDEAL. 
WHEN TO SCHEDULE THE PHOTOS?  THE MORE ADVANCED NOTICE YOU GIVE TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, THE BETTER THE PLANNING; YOU CAN DISCUSS IDEAS YOU HAVE, ORDER OUTFITS,  HAVE THE HAIR, MAKEUP NAILS DONE, ETC.  ALL OF THIS TAKES PLANNING; ALOT OF THOUGHT, PREPARATION AND EFFORT GOES INTO THE "BTS" BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS HAPPEN ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T ALWAYS GET TO BE PLANNED, SPONTANEOUS CAN WORK OUT SOMETIMES, TOO, HOWEVER "THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR PLANNING AHEAD".
EITHER WAY, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ANY DAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR PHOTOS...OKAY YES, THERE MAY BE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS, BUT I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE SENTIMENT.   
IF YOU'RE ON THE FENCE ABOUT PHOTOS, ASK QUESTIONS, CALL A FEW PLACES, HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT....I LOVE WHAT I DO...I CAPTURE THESE SPECIAL MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE....AND ONCE THEY'RE TAKEN....THESE BRIEF MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE BECOME YOUR HISTORY....ONCE THEY'RE TAKEN...THEY'RE FOREVER PART OF YOUR MEMORIES THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH YOUR GROWING LITTLE ONES. 
ENJOY YOUR PREGNANCY! CELEBRATE IT!  DOCUMENT IT!  
XOXO  
​ 

As a business owner of a small photography studio, I am grateful to say that I love my job.  I love meeting new clients, hearing their stories, getting to photograph them and their families.  I love when I get to be creative and curate unique sessions for my clients and I hope I get to do what I do for a very long time.  I also wish I had more time to dedicate to my business, but as a mom, its a challenge.

I know there are plenty of working moms, whether you have a boss or are the boss, it all comes with its unique challenges and having to work around every unique individual and their needs in your household is sometimes an extra hurdle to climb.

As a small business owner, for me, right now, mid August to mid September is a transition month for my family, moving into our next year of school, doctor appointments, shopping for clothes and school supplies, getting their schedules, hair cuts, just to name a few things...This is the time of year I take a few weeks off to take care of all of this stuff, because, to be honest, most of it falls on me and not Daddy.  He's here, we're married, its just the kids get me for all of this with a little bit of help here and there, but if I'm being totally honest in this blog, it's overwhelming.  

This year especially.  With covid, it's just enhanced all of the challenges.  Challenges and issues I didn't even see coming our way.  I am struggling to hold onto my little business.  The business challenges are overwhelming, I feel like I keep using this word. Right now in the background of writing this, my dog is barking non stop and no one seems to be stopping him, in fact I think someone is making him bark; this is one of many distractions of working from home right now and not having the ability and freedom to visit the studio.  Time is another big challenge, in 20 minutes, I'm going on a bike ride with one of my kids, I love it, I want to do it, but there's just not enough time for everything.  

Another big challenge right now I'm seeing is competition from other photographers.  I don't follow other local photographers, I don't want to know what they're doing, however, I do come across social media posts once in a while that put them right in my view.  I am seeing one has basically taken verbatim from my website, some of her sessions are in the exact same spots and set ups as mine and of course she's cheaper.  Maybe we're just very similar in style, perhaps she has no idea who I am, but it's a blow.    I know a lot of these locals are wonderful, talented, don't have a studio so don't have the overhead I have and their husbands buy their cameras or the money for their props comes out of their family budget instead of their photography business budget because they're undercharging so they get business to build a portfolio, etc.  This is the shitty side of this business.  I hear 'there's room for all of us', however, I'm not sure there is....

Another hurdle I'm facing right now is trying to keep the business here in NJ, where the covid guidelines have been rough, afloat.  I'm grateful I had a client hire me to take lots of photos of food over the covid period, that really helped and got me through however, I needed a little more, so I advertised, and took on more clients this summer than usual.  The more time I spend on my business, the less time there has been with eyes on my kids and they've been starting to make some not so great choices.   

The kids are great; they do require alot of attention and guidance because, well, they're kids and with peer pressure and social media playing a big role in their lives right now, It really causes alot of stress on the Mom.  I get the tears, the screams, the tantrums, the blame, the crap....it's all coming my way right now; it's been one of those times that you re think EVERYTHING you're doing in life.  

Perhaps I should close down the studio to focus more on the kids?  Maybe i should move the studio home so i don't have so much overhead, but where I'll have my dog barking incessently and kids moving all of my props and stuff?  No thanks, Do i just go to people's houses and take photos?  Then I' on the road for a long time, should I get a better SUV?  How long will I be traveling? Will I hit traffic?  There are just so many variables.  I like my little spot, I love what I do, but It just doesn't seem to be working for my family right now.  

Do I give it more time while I'm figuring things out for my kids?  Their next steps to making better choices?  What type of help do I need to help them?  Its just hard sometimes trying to be everything.  Do I really think I can have everything I want?  A successful business, great kids, a great marriage and friends and family to share it all with?  It's a struggle and right now, i'm not winning the struggle.  

Dolly Parton has a saying that I use as one of my mantras, "The way I see it, you have to put up with a lot of rain to get to that rainbow" .  Thanks, Dolly.  I'm in a storm right now, but praying it gets better SOON for my kids and my business.   

I was trying to attach some black and white photos to this blog and perhaps I'll go back later and try again, but for some reason I can't get them to add into here and my son is waiting for me to go on our bike ride.  

Last note, should I keep blogging on my business page about business struggles/ business owner mom struggles?  I'm not sure anyone will want to hear my whining, lol... But I just needed to get this off my chest and be real.  

Please feel free to send some prayers or positive vibes for my kids and I right now, they'll need it going into this new school year and I'll need it to get them through it, while trying to hold onto my little business.  

Thanks for reading.
xo
: D

MENTION THIS BLOG AND I'LL TAKE $50 OFF YOUR MINI SESSION IN 2020! 
Christmas Tree Farm Minis are now available for October 17 & 18th.  In typical 2020 fashion, social distancing requirements will apply.  I look forward to these mini sessions every year; as I get to see a lot of returning families.  Honestly, the word 'client' is so formal, so I like calling them families instead and I'm also lucky enough to call many of them friends.  

Also in 2020 Fashion, as small businesses have been closed for a while, I had an idea to put $25 of your session toward a small business of your choice; whether it be a favorite restaurant, or somewhere the parents or the kids like to go, such as The Little Gym or Circle Bowl and Entertainment, you will receive a gift card for a business after your photo session.

So, really, a $50 off little gift from me and a $25 gift card to a local business, plus a $25 print credit if you purchase your prints or Holiday cards through Millie Dee Photography.  All of this plus your 10 digitals for $250.  

This is the little red truck (seen in one of the photos above) will be at the Newton Tree Farm, too. Please feel free to call me 973.805.FOTO to book your session. 

I will also have indoor mini session information to blog about soon, however, for now, you can find the information on my facebook page:  MillieDee Photography and my Instagram: millie_dee_photo.  Please follow me for the latest studio info.  

I hope to see you this season!
Denise
: D

If you're on my email list, you'd received Millie Dee Photography's "Christmas in July" promotion first.  If you're not on the email list, here it is...all of the information you need for Holiday photos that are being offered in 2020. 

Last year, we had a great time at Waterloo Village, I got a permit to photograph there all day and we got there and a ton of photographers were there, none of which had a permit to shoot there, which is their business not mine, however, just an FYI, I'm happy to be legit and very happy to pay a few bucks to support our local historical landmarks, so just so you know, if you book with me, I will always get permission to shoot at my locations, if I can't I won't shoot there... (this is a live and learn lesson for another blog post, yes, my nieces and I were almost arrested for unintentionally trespassing when they were little to take some photos, and never want to be in that situation again..anyway, I digress, let's move on to what is being offered Right Now...Fall and Winter of 2020 for Family, Seasonal, Holiday &  Christmas Photos.

There is one weekend per month, starting in October.  October is the only month we're scheduled to be outside currently at St. Paul's Abby Tree Farm in Newton, NJ.  I'm so grateful to have gotten permission to use this location; which is so easy to get to, its right on Route 206, which is the main road toward Newton.   It's also a peak foliage weekend, however, it doesn't matter when you're amongst evergreens.  I love October photos because the air is usually crisp but   warm enough for outdoor photos and keeping the kiddos comfy, so if you'd like some outdoor family photos for your Holiday cards this year, this is where Millie Dee will be and yes, I'm bringing the red truck.  That red truck has a little bit of a funny backstory that I'll save for another blog post, right now I just wanted to get the information to the public about the Holiday Minis.  

The second date is early November, and WE HAVE THE BIG GUY, YES SANTA, COMING TO MILLIE DEE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO 185 ROUTE 206 FLANDERS, NJ THIS YEAR.   Santa and I have been conversing back and forth about the most up to date Covid guidelines and are using all types of precautions to keep Santa and all of the families we serve safe.  I'll be outlining the guidelines in early September.  As a mom, I'm just waiting for "school" to begin so I can have a couple of hours to speak with my attorney about what is suggested for guidelines; so yes, we have me, Santa and an attorney working on guidelines and I may even get a nurse involved to answer some of my questions, too.  (little tidbit about me, my background is in Biology, i've studied and worked with many a germ in my lifetime).

The third date is early December, currently in the studio.  I have been working with a balloon artist to offer some balloon trees as one of the available prop set ups for this year.  I've been on a balloon kick all through Covid; they always put a smile on my face and I think many people feel the same way; however, I know latex allergies are something I need to consider, so we're working on other options, i have some beautiful backgrounds that I cannot wait to post as well, however, right now, I'm being beckoned by my youngest, he so generously made plans for me to take him and his friends to the park, so let me go make sure my daytime pj outfit looks appropriate enough for a trip to the park.  Oh, Covid Life!    I'll have further information available on my website:  www.milliedeephotography.com  Thank you.