West Hartford Newborn and Family Photographer

since 2008

Welcome!

I'm so glad you're here! Kelli Dease Photography is a full-service portrait studio located just minutes from West Hartford, Connecticut. As a West Hartford newborn and family photographer, I specialize in maternity, newborn, baby, children's, and family portraits for busy families throughout Hartford County.

 

Since 2008, I've built a reputation for timeless, light-filled portraits and a relaxed, stress-free experience. My approach is simple: natural, emotive images that reflect your family's connection, without stiff posing or trendy edits that will look dated in five years.

 

From maternity and newborn portraits to yearly family photos, I'm here to make the process easy and deliver heirloom-quality artwork you'll be proud to hang in your home.

 

Thanks for visiting. I can't wait to work with your family!

A West Hartford Newborn and Family Photographer for Every Stage

So many of my West Hartford families find me when they're expecting. That's my favorite way to meet you, because it means I get to photograph everything that comes next: maternity portraits, newborn sessions, baby milestones, first birthday cake smashes, children's personality portraits, and family sessions. I also offer professional headshots for when you need to look polished for work.

 

Every session includes access to my studio wardrobe with options for moms, partners, kids, and babies, plus personalized styling help and a detailed prep guide. You show up. I handle the details.

Studio Newborn Sessions, Minutes from West Hartford

My studio is in the Unionville section of Farmington, an easy drive from West Hartford. It's a comfortable, light-filled space designed around newborns and the parents who just brought them home. Newborn sessions here are calm and unhurried. Babies set the pace, and I've spent nearly two decades learning to work with that instead of against it.

 

The studio also hosts maternity portraits, sitter sessions, cake smashes, and children's portraits, so once you've found a photographer you trust, you never have to start the search over.

Outdoor Sessions at Elizabeth Park and Beyond

If you love natural light and room for kids to run, outdoor family sessions might be your fit. Every June I photograph rose garden sessions at Elizabeth Park, right in West Hartford's backyard, when the gardens are at their peak. Spring and fall bring field sessions in open, golden-hour light.

 

These sessions are less posing, more playing. I'll guide you when you need it and stay out of the way when the real moments happen.

A professional headshot photo taken against a white background in a studio setting by West Hartford headshot photographer Kelli Dease.

Headshots for West Hartford Professionals

Need an updated photo for LinkedIn, your company site, or personal branding? Professional headshots at my studio are quick, efficient, and a lot less painful than you're expecting. You'll leave with images that look confident and approachable, not stiff.

 

Headshot sessions take place in my Farmington studio and run about 10 to 15 minutes. You'll review your images on-site before you leave and choose your favorite. Your finished photo is retouched and ready within 1 to 2 days, sized for both digital and print use.

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.

meet kelli

I’m Kelli, a newborn and family photographer based in Farmington, Connecticut. For nearly two decades, 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?

West Hartford has no shortage of photographers. Here's what makes this studio different.

years of experience

With nearly two decades 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.

What West Hartford Families are Saying

We absolutely adore working with Kelli! She has captured some of the most important milestones in our family's life, including our maternity photos, newborn session, first family Christmas photos, and our son's first birthday cake smash.

Not only is she incredibly talented, but she also has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera. I especially appreciate her patience with babies and young children.

Her photography style is timeless, light, and beautiful, and the images she delivers are consistently beyond our expectations. Many of the photos she has taken are displayed throughout our home, and they are some of our most treasured possessions.

If you're looking for a photographer who is kind, professional, talented, and genuinely cares about her clients, I cannot recommend Kelli enough. We are so grateful to have her documenting our family's memories and look forward to many more sessions in the years to come.

Lauren

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. Many parents start by finding a Connecticut maternity photographer and then sticking with that same photographer as baby hits each milestone, from newborn to sitter to first birthday. The images come together as one complete story by the end of the year. That's exactly what the First Year Membership is built for: a flexible package that lets you choose the milestones that matter most to your family while you earn increasing savings along the way.

West Hartford Newborn and Family Photography FAQs

Do you photograph families from West Hartford?

All the time! My studio sits just outside West Hartford in Farmington’s Unionville section, and West Hartford families make up a big part of my client list. Studio and outdoor sessions both work well, whichever fits your family best.

When should I book a newborn session?

The earlier the better, ideally while you’re still pregnant. I book newborn sessions around due dates so your spot is reserved before your baby arrives. My newborn photography guide covers timing, what to expect, and how to prepare.

Where is your studio located?

At 29 Mill Street in Farmington (Unionville), CT, just minutes from West Hartford. It’s a comfortable, light-filled space with everything we need for newborn, baby, family, and headshot sessions.

Where do outdoor sessions near West Hartford take place?

Late-June rose garden sessions happen at Elizabeth Park. I occasionally shoot at Westmoor Park as well. Spring and fall field sessions are typically in Simsbury, or we can use a favorite spot of your own.

Do you offer professional headshots?

Yes. Headshot sessions are quick, relaxed, and perfect for LinkedIn, company sites, or personal branding.

How much does a photo session cost?

It depends on the type of session and the package you choose. I offer packages to cover all kinds of needs, whether you’re booking a newborn session, maternity portraits, a family session, or professional headshots. Head to the session page for the type you’re after and you’ll find all the pricing details there. If you’re expecting and plan to do multiple sessions throughout your baby’s first year, our flexible First Year Membership package lets you choose the milestones that matter most to your family while receiving increasing savings along the way.

BOOK your session

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WHAT'S NEW ON SOCIAL

@KELLIDEASE

I didn’t want to, but the algorithm made me do it.

Apparently “posting more of me” comes with a side of applause from strangers and silent judgment from people who know my middle name.

If you’re seeing this, no you didn’t. But also, please clap. Also, book me so I can stop. 

#ctphotographer #ctnewbornphotographer
We are not thriving, but we are delivering.

If you’re booking a family photography session in Connecticut, just know I’ll be out here refreshing the weather app and coordinating outfits, light, and mild chaos in real time so your gallery looks like magic.
Out of office. ✈️

I'm hitting pause for a little family vacation and will be away until July 10.

I'll have limited access to email and messages while I'm away, so if you reach out, thank you in advance for your patience. I'll get back to everyone as soon as I'm back in the studio.

In the meantime, I hope you're soaking up all the little moments that make summer so much fun. See you on July 10!
Why am I like this?

The photos? Great.

The lighting? Beautiful.

The conversation? I’d rather not revisit it.

Somewhere between trying to make everyone feel comfortable, getting kids to laugh, and remembering camera settings, my brain occasionally throws out a sentence that should’ve stayed an inside thought.

The good news is, awkward photographer or not, you’ll still end up with beautiful photos. If you’re looking for a Connecticut family photographer for maternity, newborn, milestone, or family sessions, I promise I’ll make your experience feel easy… even if I spend the drive home wondering why I said what I said.
She’s home.

Every session ends the same way. Camera and lenses packed away. Memory cards downloaded. Dress back on the hanger.

Then it’s time for my favorite part… turning all those little moments into photos your family will keep forever.

If you’re looking for a Connecticut family photographer, I’d love to help tell your story next.
There is no off switch. 🤦‍♀️

If you book a session with me, just know you’re about to hear “cute,” “perfect,” and “I LOVE THAT” on a loop. I genuinely don’t even hear myself until it’s too late. It’s baked in at this point.

It’s fine. I’m fine. It usually just means your kids are being adorable, your family is doing exactly what I hoped they would, and I’m way too excited about what I’m seeing through my camera.

If you’re looking for a Connecticut photographer with an extremely limited vocabulary but a great eye, I’m your girl. Just don’t turn it into a drinking game every time I say “cute.” I can’t be held responsible for how that turns out.
Not all of these are real questions... but they’re definitely things you’ve wanted to ask. 😆

After years of being a Connecticut family photographer, I’ve learned that every family session comes with a few questions. Some are practical. Some are important. And some are rightly focused on whether wine is allowed.

There are no bad questions.

Whether you’re planning your first family photo session or you’ve done this a dozen times, I want the experience to feel easy, relaxed, and actually enjoyable. 

So if you’ve ever wondered if you could bring your dog, what happens if your kids refuse to cooperate, or if bribery counts as a parenting strategy (it does), you’re in good company.

If you’re looking for a Connecticut family photographer who welcomes questions, laughs at the chaos, and knows that the best photos usually happen somewhere between the plan and the meltdown, you’re my kind of people. 

Now tell me: what’s the family photo question you’ve always been afraid to ask?
Please respect my privacy during this very famous season of my life.

To all five of my fans, thank you. Seriously. I left my comfort zone about fifteen miles back.

Sooner or later I’ll get back to photographing newborns, babies, and families across Connecticut. Until then, I’m out here performing for the algorithm, so please continue rewarding my awkwardness with likes and shares.

#ctphotographer #connecticutnewbornphotographer #photographerhumor
Oh, you thought boys calmed down when they got older?

Bless your heart.

One minute they’re launching themselves off the couch and turning every raised surface into a parkour course. The next they’re riding motorcycles, jumping out of planes, snowboarding down the face of a mountain, and casually texting you things that immediately raise your blood pressure.

Raising boys means living in a near-constant state of low-grade anxiety. Even my “easy” child is still partially insane. 

He just hides it better.

This is also why I laugh a little when parents show up for family photos apologizing in advance for their wild kids.

“They won’t listen.”
“They never sit still.”
“You’re going to have your hands full.”

Trust me, I’ve seen it all. More importantly, I’ve lived it.
Those two lunatics in the cover photo are the same ones in the reel. They’re mine. And they weren’t any less wild when they were little.

And if you’re thinking, “But I have girls, and they don’t behave either,” I know. I have three sisters. Girls may be slightly less reckless, but they’re ten times more dramatic and every bit as insane.

So if you’re putting off family photos because you’re worried your kids are too energetic, too goofy, too busy, or too unpredictable, don’t. Childhood isn’t supposed to look perfectly posed. It’s supposed to look like them.

And after raising these two, there’s very little your children can throw at me that I haven’t already survived.

#BoyMom #ConnecticutFamilyPhotographer #CTPhotographer

FIND US

based in farmington, ct

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

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