ready to book your studio portrait session?

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.

Connecticut newborn and family photographer Kelli Dease

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…

Natural baby photography on a white backdrop, light and airy style. A gentle, peaceful setting with a baby in a natural pose, highlighting their innocence and purity.

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.

black and white photo of a brother and sister running on the beach by connecticut family photographer kelli dease
professional headshots and corporate headshots for website, LinkedIn profile, business cards, marketing materials, and dating website profile

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.

framed print from an outdoor family photo shoot hanging on a wall in a modern home
photos from a baby's first year photo package displayed on a tabletop

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!

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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

Studio baby portrait of a smiling infant wrapped in a soft white blanket, sitting against a bright neutral background during a minimalist baby photography session.
Natural light newborn portrait of a sleeping baby wrapped in white, gently supported in a parent’s hands near a window during a lifestyle newborn photography session.

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

Studio sibling portrait of an older sister holding her newborn baby sibling wrapped in white, photographed against a bright neutral background during a newborn photography session.

Connecticut Family + Newborn Photography bloG

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WHAT'S NEW ON SOCIAL

@KELLIDEASE

Does it really matter what you wear to your photo session? 

Yes. A lot actually.

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought, “What were they thinking with those outfits? 😬”

Clothing is one of those things that can quietly make or break a gallery. The right outfits pull everything together and let the focus stay where it belongs, on the faces and the moments between people. The wrong ones pull your eye straight to the clothes. Soft, tonal pieces feel calm and cohesive. Bold colors and busy patterns create visual noise. And ten years from now, clean and simple still looks current. The trend of the moment does not.

When you book a session with me, figuring out what to wear is not something you have to do alone. Here’s what I offer to make it easier:

👗 Studio Wardrobe: Access to the studio wardrobe is included with every session. Borrow a few pieces or plan your whole look with curated pieces for the whole family.

📱KD Curated: @kd_curated is a whole Instagram account filled with shoppable session-ready outfits for the whole family, organized by color palette and vibe.

🛍️ ShopMy and LTK Storefronts: In addition to the looks over on @kd_curated, I am always updating my storefronts with the latest finds.

📌 Pinterest Boards: Not sure where to start? I have boards dedicated specifically to session styling. 

🔗 All links in bio.

Clothing is the one part of your session you have complete control over before you walk through the door. The right clothing choices make a photo feel like art. The wrong ones make it feel like a snapshot. Let’s not leave it to chance.
Don’t come at me for #2 🫣

Five hills I will die on as a newborn and family photographer. I said what I said.

1️⃣ Facebook message boards are not the place to find a photographer. If you need a plumber, Facebook groups are a great resource. Photography is an art, not a service call. Every mom with a cousin who just got a camera and can’t tell a clean edit from an over-processed one will reply to your post with equal confidence. You deserve better than that comment section. 

2️⃣ You get what you pay for. Yes, “affordable” is different for everyone, but discounted photography is not a deal. It’s a gamble. You’re not just paying for someone to press a button. Think of the price tag as the experience and talent score. If you want a gallery you’ll still love in fifteen years, hire someone who has been doing this long enough to know their worth. Cheap photos are expensive when you hate them.

3️⃣ Book the hair and makeup. Even if you never wear it in real life. You don’t need a full glam situation. You just need enough to show up on camera. You will not regret it. Show up feeling like yourself but better and watch how differently you feel in front of the camera.

4️⃣ Stop waiting for the perfect time. It doesn’t exist. The kids will never be a “better age.” You will never feel like you’ve lost enough weight. There’s no rule that says you can only book a session for a milestone or a Christmas card. Kids change SO fast. You’ll only regret the photos you never took.

5️⃣ No one’s kids are harder to photograph than my own. I love them, but holy hell. Never have I been more ready to throw my camera into a ditch and admit defeat than when photographing my own boys. Your kids are fine. I promise.

#newbornphotographer #familyphotographer #connecticutphotographer
Children are unhinged.

This photo is sixteen years old and it still makes me laugh, because I’ve probably shot a thousand sessions just like it since then.

I’ve been doing this long enough to know that the running, the chaos, and the “I am so sorry, he’s usually not like this” moments are just part of photographing little kids.

It’s easy to assume that everyone else’s child sits still and smiles for the camera except yours, because behind-the-scenes moments like this one never make it onto the Instagram feed. But I’m here to tell you that’s false advertising. 

For every one minute a child actually sits and smiles at the camera, there are five that were pure anarchy. And that’s totally fine. In between the chaos and the big feelings, there’s magic, and my job is just to be ready when it happens.

So if you’re waiting for the day when everyone listens, no one runs, and it all feels calm and coordinated… I say this with love: that day is not coming. Book the session anyway.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
I have the back of a 90 year-old. 

#newbornphotographer #ctnewbornphotographer #newbornphotographerct
“Your followers want to see your face!” I promise you they do not. I got into photography specifically to be the person behind the camera. A front facing video of me editing in my sweats while questionably showered is no one’s idea of top tier content. Can we please just go back to posting pretty pictures? I have a lot of them.

Editorial note from my son (and cameraman) while helping me film this: “You’re so cringe, mom.” Cool. Thanks.

#ctphotographer #connecticutfamilyphotographer #ctfamilyphotographer
Seeking: Connecticut parents who appreciate a clean aesthetic and never once considered a neon balloon arch. Must enjoy timeless portraits that will still look good in twenty years. Trendy setups are not what we do here. Heirlooms are. If you want clean, beautiful images you’ll frame, not just save to your camera roll and forget about, and you appreciate quality without the pretension, hi, hello, bring me your babies!
Behind the scenes footage is mostly just me crawling around like a goblin. 

#ctphotographer #childrensphotographer #connecticutfamilyphotographer

FIND US

based in farmington, ct

easy to get to from avon, simsbury, west hartford, and surrounding towns

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