Looking for a Mother's Day Gift?
Connecticut's top maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography studio
since 2008
I’m so glad you’re here! Kelli Dease Photography is a premier maternity, newborn, baby, children’s, and family photography studio based in Farmington, Connecticut. As one of the top-rated family photographers in Connecticut, I work with families throughout Hartford County, including West Hartford , Avon, Simsbury, and Canton, to create timeless, light-filled portraits that capture the fleeting beauty of childhood and family life.
With over seventeen years of experience, I’ve built a reputation for providing a stress-free, relaxed portrait experience and delivering heirloom-quality artwork that my clients cherish for a lifetime. From glowing maternity sessions to intimate newborn portraits and joyful family photography, my goal is to create natural, emotive images that truly reflect your family’s love and connection.
Thank you for visiting! I look forward to helping you document this special season of life.
meet kelli
I’m Kelli, a newborn and family photographer based in Farmington, Connecticut. For more than 18 years, I’ve been photographing growing families, from tiny newborns to busy toddlers, school-aged kids, and beyond. I also offer professional headshots for parents and professionals who want to put their best face forward.
Whether we’re in my beautiful Farmington studio or outdoors in the fresh air, my goal is always the same: to make you feel comfortable, give you a stress-free experience, and deliver images you’ll fall in love with again and again. Every session includes access to my curated wardrobe, personalized styling, and a detailed session guide, so all the hard parts are covered before you even step in front of the camera.
From your baby’s earliest days to milestone moments with your children, or simply a season of family life you don’t want to forget, I’m here to capture portraits that feel natural, timeless, and full of heart.
why choose me?
years of experience
With over a decade of experience and hundreds of families photographed, I know how to capture authentic moments effortlessly.
Timeless, Natural Style
My photography is clean, classic, and free of trendy edits, ensuring your images look just as beautiful years from now.
excellent communication
From the first inquiry to the final delivery of your images, I respond promptly, answer all your questions, and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
FULLY CURATED experience
From access to a thoughtfully curated client wardrobe to expert styling guidance, I take care of all the details for you.
Professional Studio Setting
My Farmington, CT studio provides a comfortable, light-filled space perfect for capturing your family's milestones.
Consistent, High-Quality Work
Unlike many photographers who come and go, I’ve built a trusted brand with a reputation for excellence and client satisfaction.
kelli dease | connecticut newborn and family photographer
Welcome! I’m so glad you found me.
If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for a photographer who can make the experience feel easy while delivering photos you’ll truly love. That’s exactly what I do. With over 18 years of experience and a studio right in the heart of the Unionville section of Farmington, I specialize in capturing all the stages of childhood and family life, including maternity portraits , newborns , babies , children , families , and professional headshots in a way that feels natural, timeless, and stress-free.
Every session includes access to my client wardrobe , styling help , and a detailed session guide, so you can relax and simply enjoy the moment while I take care of the rest.
Now let’s talk about the kind of session that’s right for you…
Milestones Made Easy
My Farmington studio is designed with comfort and convenience in mind, so you can relax while I capture life’s most meaningful milestones. Whether it’s maternity portraits , your baby’s first days , a six-month sitter session , a cake smash , a birthday celebration , or classic children’s portraits , you’ll have everything you need to feel prepared. All you need to do is enjoy your little one while I take care of the details.
natural outdoor Images
If you love the look of natural light and a relaxed setting, outdoor portraits are a beautiful option. These sessions are perfect for maternity photos or children and family photos , with plenty of room for kids to play and parents to unwind. Think less posing, more laughing and playing together. I’ll make sure the real moments are the ones that shine.
Confidence Without the Stress
Professional headshots don’t have to feel stiff or overwhelming. My goal is to help you look confident, approachable, and polished while keeping the process simple and efficient. Whether you need updated images for work, LinkedIn, or personal branding, we’ll create professional portraits that make a lasting impression.
how a photo session works
1.
choose your session type
Session types include maternity, newborn, baby, milestone, birthday, family, and headshots.
Sessions can be in my Farmington studio, or outdoors in Simsbury or a favorite spot of your own.
2.
Choose your Package
Packages differ by time, images, and group size.
Every package includes digital files, editing, styling help, and planning support.
3.
Book Your Session
Book online or fill out the contact form and I’ll reply within 24 hours. Secure your spot with a contract and deposit, then get your session guide.
4.
After Your Session
Your hand-edited images will be delivered via an online gallery.
Optionally order prints, albums, or frames, or book a free design appointment to create keepsakes.
Beyond Digital Files
Heirloom Artwork for Your Home
Your images deserve more than a folder on your phone. I offer a complete line of custom heirloom artwork, including beautifully framed pieces, fine art prints, and luxury albums created to be held, displayed, and passed down. From selecting the right images to choosing finishes and sizes, I provide complimentary design service to guide you every step of the way, so the process feels simple and tailored to your home.
capturing every milestone
the first year membership
Your baby’s first year moves quickly, and most parents don’t want to miss a thing. The First Year Membership documents each milestone, from maternity to newborn , sitter , and first birthday, so the images come together as one complete story by the end of that first year. This flexible package lets you choose the milestones that matter most to your family while receiving increasing savings along the way.
Questions?
Just fill out the form below!
my approach to newborn and family photos
When I photograph your family, I’m not just aiming for pretty pictures. I’m looking for the in-between moments. The spontaneous giggle, the little hand-hold, the way your child nuzzles into your neck. Those are the things I want you to remember when you look back at your images.
I’ll guide you into flattering poses, but I won’t leave you standing frozen in front of the camera. I encourage movement, laughter, and interaction so your photos feel alive and natural. Every session flows differently, and that’s exactly how it should be.
My sessions are designed to feel easy and enjoyable. You don’t need to worry about being perfect or having everything just right. I’ll take care of the details so you can focus on simply being with the people you love.
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what clients are saying
Don’t just take my word for it - over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of families across Connecticut, capturing their most cherished milestones. My clients appreciate the warm, professional atmosphere I provide and the beautifully crafted images that stand the test of time. They value my attention to detail, patience with little ones, and ability to create a relaxed, enjoyable session experience.
Whether you’re looking for an experienced newborn photographer, a baby milestone session, or timeless family portraits, you can trust that you’re in good hands. See what families have to say about their experience with Kelli Dease Photography!
wonderful
I did a lot of research before choosing Kelli and am 100% confident in that choice. She's a genuinely good person with great communication, responsiveness, work ethic, and integrity. She is flexible and easy to work with, detail-oriented, and really well put together.
- Amy
Breathtaking Images
Kelli is the baby whisperer. She has such a gentle, peaceful way of getting the babies to sleep and arranging their little hands and feet into adorable poses.
- Kelly
Amazing
What she does with newborns is nothing short of amazing. You cannot recreate it! Kelli is so incredibly easy and fun to work with from the booking process, through the actual photoshoot, and all the way to purchasing.
- Mallory
Connecticut Family + Newborn Photography bloG
WHAT'S NEW ON SOCIAL
@KELLIDEASE
Go to my bio, click the link, buy the gift certificate. That’s it.
#ctphotographer #mothersday #mothersdaygiftideas❤️
Two decades in, and I’ve made peace with not being the affordable option.
What you won’t find here: a bargain price, awkward poses, or a photographer who disappears after you pay. What you will find: a full studio wardrobe for your whole family, complimentary styling help, guidance at every single step, and a session that is efficient without ever feeling rushed. We’re talking clean, timeless images. Heirloom albums. Framed portraits that actually belong on your wall, not buried in a camera roll you’ll forget about.
When it comes to newborn and family photographer, I’m not the least expensive option in Connecticut. I am, however, the one you’ll still be glad you chose.
This is a new piece of equipment that @rwinklerphotography and I have been trying out, and the results are genuinely beautiful. The folding-it-back-up part, however, is a whole separate conversation that we are not ready to have.
We will figure it out. Eventually. Probably.
In the meantime, if you’ve been thinking about booking a studio session, the link to do that is in my bio. I promise I’m much better at photography than I am at equipment management. (If you see this background set up in the corner not being used, just know I lost the fight.)
Please hire me so I can afford my son’s spending habits.
It’s okay to change your mind. I won’t take it personally. (That’s a lie. I’ll take it a little personally. But I’ll get over it.)
Budgets shift. Timing changes. Life happens. I genuinely get it.
All I ask is a quick “we’re going to pass” so I’m not out here sending multiple emails like a stalker and wondering if I’m communicating with your spam folder.
A two-second reply goes a long way. That’s it. That’s the whole ask. Mmmkay thanks.
Childhood is chaotic and beautiful and over before you blink. Time does not stand still, and neither do your children. And no one expects them to, at least not here.
Toddlers don’t stop moving. Babies want to be held. Snack breaks are needed. No one is interested in looking at the camera and posing and smiling. There is dancing. There are a few tears. But there are also giggles, and hugs, and genuine moments that feel simultaneously messy and perfect. Because that’s what childhood is, and mothers are at the center of it all.
The best photos capture the real moments. Your children don’t need to behave perfectly, or smile on command, or sit still.
A toddler wrapping their arms around your neck mid-chaos. A baby reaching for your face like you’re the only thing in the room. A kid laughing because someone made
a fart joke.
That’s the stuff. That’s what I’m always looking for.
Because one day your kids will look back at these photos and they won’t care about any of the logistics. They’ll care that it feels like you. The way you held them. The way it felt to snuggle into your lap.
If you think these moments are worth holding on to, I’d love to capture them for you.
Booking a maternity session and not sure what to expect?
Here`s everything you need to know before we get started.
Timing, wardrobe, hair and makeup, how a session flows, and when you`ll have your photos. All of it, covered. The goal is for you to walk in feeling prepared, not piecing it together as you go.
If you`re in the Farmington Valley, West Hartford, Avon, or anywhere in the Hartford area, this is what a maternity session at Kelli Dease Photography looks like.
The full version of this guide is on the blog at kellidease.com (link in bio) if you want to dig in even further. And my DMs are open if you have questions before you book.
This is where it all happens.
My photography studio in Farmington, CT is set up so that you can walk in, exhale, and actually enjoy your session. No scrambling to figure out what to wear, no hauling a newborn somewhere that wasn’t built with them in mind, no stress about whether you remembered to pack wipes or diapers.
This space holds a lot. Maternity sessions, newborns, sitters, first birthdays, cake smashes, family portraits, headshots. The studio wardrobe is here for all of it, the newborn setup (posing bean, space heater, swaddling blankets) is ready before you arrive, and the space is clean, minimal, and thought through so you don’t have to think about any of it.
You just have to show up.
If you’ve been thinking about booking, kellidease.com or the link in my bio is the place to start.
Photographer confession: We may appear confident and act humble, but we have a minor panic attack every time we send off a gallery. Positive feedback is our lifeblood.
So to every family in Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, and throughout Connecticut and beyond, who has ever replied to a gallery delivery email with “we are obsessed,” know that you are the reason I do this. Newborn sessions, baby milestones, family portraits, the whole thing. Your photographer reads every single response and tries to play it cool, but in reality it’s the first time she’s exhaled since pressing “send.”
FIND US
based in farmington, ct
easy to get to from avon, simsbury, west hartford, and surrounding towns
