LONG ISLAND NEWBORN AND PET PHOTOGRAPHER - LAURA PEA PHOTOGRAPHY
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Photos from Gallery Openings!

9/2/2024

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I made a post back in May about the gallery openings my work was going to be included in. Now that those shows are both down, I thought I'd post an update with some photos of both. When I was a student at Stony Brook University, I had my work in many art shows. Once I graduated, I focused on serving clients in my business and for a long time I never submitted my photographs for consideration into any shows or galleries. That changed once the wonderful Nancy Hassel of American Pet Professionals collaborated with the Islip Arts Council to have a pet art show in their gallery space. She encouraged any pet artists in the group to apply, so I submitted three photographs and was so excited when they accepted all three! The first was a photo I took of Handsome Zeus, the Instagram famous dog at the beach a few years ago! The second is a digital art piece I put together with three photos of my dog Gracey. The third was a photo I took of my friend Diana's cat Oscar! Thanks to both groups for hosting the art show. There were so many wonderful artists involved and some gorgeous pieces. 
Here are some photos I took of the gallery when I visited!
The other art show I was involved in was at Flux Coffee in Farmingdale. The owners collaborated with the Long Island Film Club, a group I'm a part of. Members of the group were invited to submit one shot that embodies them and their work, and was shot on Long Island. I submitted the same shot of Zeus because a dog on a Long Island beach are very on brand for me! These photos are from the opening of that show. There are so many talented photographers in that group and I was proud to have my work on display alongside theirs! Thanks to Flux Coffee and Ryan from Long Island Film Club for putting it together! 
It's very gratifying to see artwork you've made displayed for others to appreciate. I'm going to make it a goal to enter my work into more of these exhibits and opportunities!

​To be notified of all the events I’m participating in,
​ join my email list or follow along with me on Instagram!

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Gallery Openings!

5/17/2024

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I have some exciting studio news to share! I have three pieces that are on display at the Islip Arts Council gallery's Art for Paws show. There will be work from over 40 pet artists there in many forms: photography, painting, sculpture, textile, etc. The show was the brainchild of Nancy Hassel of American Pet Professionals, a professional group I'm a part of. They have an opening reception on May 17th from 6-8pm if you'd like to go, but you can also show up to the gallery any time between now and May 30th when the works will be on display. 

Another one of my pet photographs is also going to be included in an art show of members of the Long Island Film Club at Flux Coffee in Farmingdale. That opens on May 25th! Stop in for a cup of coffee and see some wonderful local art from a ton of talented photographers. 

I haven't submitted my art work much for display since I left college, but I've been trying to get out there more when it comes to showing my work, so I'm really excited for these opportunities. All of my works at both shows are for sale, so if you're interested in owning a piece by Laura Pea Photography, head on down to pick up some art! 

To be notified of all the events I’m participating in,
​ join my email list or follow along with me on Instagram!

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Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Idea

5/10/2024

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Mother's Day is this Sunday! ​

Black and white photo of a first time mother holding and looking down on her newborn baby girl. The photo was taken by Laura Pea Photography, a Long Island newborn photographer.
Moms always want updated photos of their beautiful families to line their walls, show off on social media, keep on their desks at work, etc.

While it's too late to book a session with me in time for Mother's Day, it's never too late to give the gift of a photography session. 

You can purchase e-gift cards from me that will be sent instantly to your recipient's email! Or you can send the gift card to yourself to print out and put in a card for your loved one.
 
If time got the better of you this year and you're scrambling for something heartfelt, the gift of photography is something that the mom in your life will always adore. Sessions can take place in my home studio in Farmingville, at the client's house or on location within Suffolk County, Long Island.
My gift cards are available in any amount over $25. Most gift-givers choose to cover my session fee ($150 for regular sessions, $250 for newborn sessions) and a little extra to include a few photo prints. You can find all my pricing information and product menu here, and when you're ready,
purchase e-gift cards here! 

Get in touch to book your session today! Email me at [email protected]
​ or call (631)256-7476. 

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Pet Portrait Program at Comsewogue Public Library 5.11.24

5/7/2024

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Color photo collage of many photos of pets: dogs, a cat and its family, a ferret, a guinea pig, a hamster and a bearded dragon. All photos were taken by Laura Pea Photography, a Long Island pet photographer.
I'm going to be at the Comsewogue Public Library for a pet portrait program this Saturday from 11am-2pm! This is a new one I'm adding to my ever-growing list of libraries putting on this program and I'm so excited! The weather looks like it'll be beautiful so we're planning on doing the program out on their lawn. If the weather takes a sudden turn, we also have access to one of their indoor community rooms. Participants will get a free 8x10 photo and a digital file. If you're a patron of Comsewogue, sign up for the program to receive a free photo of your pet!

Pets should be clean, well-behaved around other animals, and in a cage or on a leash to attend. All pets are welcome, not just dogs! In the past, I've had people bring cats, turtles, ferrets, guinea pigs, lizards, bunnies, hamsters, even rats to my library programs! Feel free to get in the shot with your pet too! There are a few spots left. 

​ Sign up here!

Hope to see you there!

To be notified of all the events I’m participating in,
​ join my email list or follow along with me on Instagram!

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2023: My Year in 52Frames

12/30/2023

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Since May of 2015, my mom has texted me every Sunday night two words..."52 Frames??" She knows I've submitted a photo every week for the past 8 years to this special project and if I missed a week after all this time, I'd be devastated.

52Frames is a weekly photo challenge meant to foster creativity and hone photography skills. I started submitting to the project shortly after I started my business, when I realized a few months in that I had stopped creating artwork for myself entirely. Every ounce of my creative energy was being spent on my clients and I had nothing left for my own personal work. If it went on much longer, I was going to burn out on photography. I came across this group and it gave me a way to force myself to be creative at least once a week, so I would never fall into that rut again.

At least once every single week I grab my camera to shoot the weekly challenge. Sometimes it's well thought out, sometimes it's rushed at the last second on Sunday night (often after my mom texts me), but for the last 8 years I've committed to shooting something for the sheer love of the art of photography. Some weeks can be incredibly challenging (especially "portrait of a stranger" week), but it's always rewarding. It's made me a better photographer. It's made me friends, both in person and online. I love it so much, I've even become a patron of the project, and I volunteer on the Whittling Committee and run their Pinterest account. 

This year I put together a collage of all 52 of my photographs I took for the project in 2023. If you want to see any of them larger or read the stories behind them, you can check out my 52Frames profile. And if you're starting your photography journey, or want a way to stay creative with your camera, the new year is a great time to start. Join us! 
52 photo collage of a mix of color and black and white photos taken in 2023 for the project 52Frames by Laura Paesano of Laura Pea Photography, a Long Island based photographer.
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Spring Pet Portrait Program at Middle Country Public Library 6.3.23

5/19/2023

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Photo Collage of families and their dogs in the Nature Explorium outdoor area of the Middle Country Public Library
I'm going to be back at the Middle Country Public Library for another pet portrait program on June 3rd from 10am-2pm! This one will be taking place in the beautiful outdoor Nature Explorium area of the library. If you're a patron of Middle Country, sign up for the program to receive a free photo of your pet!

Pets should be clean, well-behaved around other animals, and in a cage or on a leash to attend. All pets are welcome, not just dogs! In the past, I've had people bring cats, turtles, ferrets, guinea pigs, bunnies, hamsters, even rats to my library programs! Feel free to get in the shot with your pet too!

​ Sign up here!

Hope to see you there!

To be notified of all the events I’m participating in,
​ join my email list or follow along with me on Instagram!

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Documenting Your Life

1/4/2023

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As a photographer, I always have a camera on me at all times (most times I have more than one). You never know when the perfect moment will arise. That doesn't mean every photo needs to be a masterpiece, though. I like to document my life through photos because I don't have the greatest memory. Sometimes I'll look back at a moment from a vacation or a concert and I'll think "Oh my God, I totally forgot about this"! That experience could have been completely lost to me if I hadn't photographed it.

I know all too well how important our memories are, because both of my grandmothers developed dementia. I noticed that with my Mema (my mom's mother), photographs used to help her remember more from her past, and it always led to great stories. Every year, I make a photo book of my personal photos from the year before. For the most part, my professional art work gets made into a canvas and goes on my wall. But the snap shots I take every day, the little moments that make up the story of my life, they go into my photo year book, and I love to look at them. Showing them to my family and friends brings me a lot of joy. Almost all of them are photographs taken with a small compact camera or just my iPhone.
​
See, you don't have to be a photographer to carry a camera with you at all times. How many people do you know that don't have a cell phone? A phone camera doesn't have to be fancy to document your life. To be honest, a lot of phone cameras these days can lead to stunning photographs if the light is good.

This is what a typical page of my photo year book looks like.
Maybe these aren't beautiful professional photos that I would make a canvas out of, but they represent some awesome moments I had that year, and each memory is special to me.
photo collage of friends and dogs
​
A lot of people put off doing anything with their photos, because it seems like a huge undertaking to put something together. It doesn't have to be, though. A simple layout with a few photos from each month of the year can be a beautiful way to tell the story of your family. Go with a site like Mixbook if you want to customize your photo book and get fancy with layouts, covers and graphics. Or you can just keep it simple and use a company like Shutterfly that can auto-design your photo book and take the work out of your hands. 

Now that you've got your family's snapshots in order, you can always come to me when you want that beautiful canvas portrait to hang on your wall. I'll take care of that kind of stuff for you :) 

Schedule a portrait session with me by
​emailing [email protected]
or calling (631)256-7476. 

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Holiday Gift Guide 2022

11/28/2022

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photo of a kids' toy shopping cart loaded with a stuffed bear, stuffed camera and an oversized tennis ball toy on a gray background
​Being a newborn and pet photographer, I try out a lot of products for babies, toddlers, dogs and cats. I also get introduced to a lot more products through my clients. I decided to compile a list of the most useful and interesting products I've come across in my travels. This gift guide will help you get ideas for your loved ones who are moms, dog moms, cat moms, or photography lovers! Enjoy!
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For the Dedicated Dog Mom

1. Dash Express Dog Treat Maker: My dog Gracey has gotten so many tasty treats out of this thing. My nephew and I love making treats for her with this machine. It comes with a recipe book, it's easy to use, and the treats look adorable when they come out.

2. Bully Grip Bully Stick Holder: This thing comes in very handy if you have a dog who loves to chew on bully sticks. I didn't have this for my last dog Basil and he ended up swallowing the small end of a bully stick. It sat in his stomach all night and then the next morning it found its way onto my bedroom floor. Yuck. This offers dogs a grip to hold onto while they chew the bully stick and keeps them from being able to swallow the end of the stick. This gives me peace of mind when Gracey enjoys her favorite chew.

3. Pooping Pooches Calendar 2023: Great for a gag or White Elephant gift, this quirky calendar will make you laugh each month. My brother in law bought me this last year and each time I turned a page, it made me chuckle. Plus, $1 from each calendar is donated to the Maui Humane Society!

4. Dog Smart Composite Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy: This is a level 1 dog treat puzzle, perfect for beginners to these kinds of interactive toys. I bought this for my dog Gracey and it was fun teaching her how to get to her treats. This can also double as a slow feeder if you put dry kibble in the holes. I feed her her dry portion of food for the day in this for some mental stimulation.

5. Foldable Pet Ramp: This is good if you have a big dog you like to bring on adventures, or if your senior dog is having trouble getting in and out of the car. I bought this for my dog nephew Ash when he was getting older and having issues getting up and down my back porch steps. It folded up nicely when not in use and provided some good traction for him.

​6. Do Not Knock Sign: I have a dog who has assigned herself the role of neighborhood watch, and she's identified the following crimes that my neighbors regularly commit: walking past our house, pulling in and out of their driveways, getting their mail, existing on their own property. But the absolute worst offense anyone could commit in her eyes is to knock on our door. I wish I had this sign when my nephew was a baby because every single person who came up to our door would set off a barrage of barks that would wake him up from his naps. This would have come in handy!

Bonus Stocking Stuffer idea:
Dog Shaped Cookie Cutter
Personalized Dog Paw Ornament
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​For the Crazy Cat Mom

1. Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Fountain Raindrop Design: Dogs will love this too, but cats especially prefer their water to be flowing over still. This one is stainless steel, so most of its parts are machine washable and it's very easy to use. My pets love this fountain. My cat Charlie prefers to drink from the top bubbling part of the fountain, and my dog Gracey likes to drink from the bottom part of the basin.

2. Flopping Fish Cat Toy: At first, my cat Charlie was totally freaked out by this flopping cat toy, but quickly he learned to love it. It looks realistic, is activated by touch so it won't run all day and bother you, and it's rechargeable by a USB.

3. On2Pets 2 ft Mixed Maple Cat Tree: This cat tree and scratching post is fun for kitties and adorable to look at. A lot of cat trees are very basic, but this one is so nice looking it can be a part of your decor!

4. Custom Pet Phone Ring: Another one you could get for dog or cat lovers, this is for the pet obsessed owner. The inside of their phones are filled to the brim with pet photos, so why shouldn't the outside of their phones reflect that too? I get a lot of compliments on this phone ring whenever I'm around other animal lovers.

5. Kitty Face Magnetic Bookmark Set: If you know someone who likes to curl up with their cat and a good book, they'll love this magnetic bookmark set with assorted adorable little kitty faces.

6. Kitty Cape: This cape is just too cute. I know a lot of cats don’t appreciate clothes, but this one is pretty loose and may not bother them too much. If you can get them to wear it for 5 minutes for a photo, I consider that a win!

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Idea:
Cat Shaped Cookie Cutter
Catnip Infused Felted Balls
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For New Moms and their Beautiful Babies
1. Camera Teether: I often put a camera teether in my newborn clients' packaged orders as a gift. The one I typically buy is no longer available, but this one is very similar. Made of soft food grade silicone, this is a machine washable, nontoxic and absolutely necessary when those poor babes are cutting their first teeth!

2. Baby Shusher: Listen, the voice is creepy at first, but I'm telling you, this thing works. My sister gave me this when my nephew grew out of the need to use it and it's become a staple in my studio. I used to constantly shush the babies to quiet and calm them, and I don't have to utter a peep anymore. The baby shusher does it all for me!

3. Electric Baby Nasal Aspirator: AKA "The Boogie Sucker". This thing is very helpful for stuffed little noses. Machine washable tips make this a sanitary option and very easy to clean. A must for cold and flu season.

4. Flappy the Elephant: This Gund classic is both musical and plays an interactive game of peek-a-boo with babies. My nephew loved this toy!

5. Bath Color Tabs: In my experience, kids never want to get in the bath and once they’re in, they never want to get out. These color tabs will help you convince them to get in, and I usually tell my nephew once we’ve added so many that the bathwater looks like mud, it’s time to get out!

6. Fisher-Price Magical Lights Fishbowl: This was another favorite of my nephews when he was a baby. So much so, that I can still sing the songs to this day. And honestly, not bad tunes!
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For your Shutterbug Friend
1. Capturing Couture Camera Straps: I like scarf straps for my camera because it's a little softer and easier on the neck when my camera starts to feel like it's 100 pounds toward the end of a session!

2. Backdrop Clamps: These are great to keep fabric backdrops wrinkle free and in place. They attach to the side of your backdrop holder and clip to your backdrop and can be adjusted to the desired tautness you need.

3. Hot Shoe Level: This sits in the hot shoe of the camera and helps you stay level for horizontal shooting. This is especially helpful for landscape photography. It also serves to protect your hot shoe contacts and keep them in tiptop condition.

4. Photo Prism: This prism can be shot through, held in front of the lens and used to create interesting colors and reflections in your composition.

5. Flex Tilt Tripod Attachment: This gives you more flexibility with the angles you can shoot from when your camera is attached to a tripod!

6. Dust Blower: This blows air to gently clean the camera's very sensitive components. A special valve keeps dust from being redeposited onto your camera.

I hope that helps you check off a little bit more of your holiday shopping list this year. Thanks for reading and happy holidays!

If you’d like more blog posts like this hitting your inbox, sign up for my email list here!
Happy Shopping!

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I've Been Nominated a Third Time!

10/1/2022

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It's such an honor to be nominated for Best Pet Photographer on Long Island. This is the third year in a row I've been nominated, and each time it happens, I get such a shock. My business is very high touch but pretty low volume. I work very closely with just a small number of clients a year to create a really custom experience for those who choose to invest with me. So the fact that enough people took the time to nominate me to get me on the ballot really means so much to me. Thank you so much to everyone who nominated me!

If you'd like to vote for me, you can do so once a day per email address at this link!

VOTE HERE!

Scroll down in the pets category to get to the subcategory of pet photographer! For now, my business name is spelled incorrectly as "Laura Pea Photograghy" but you know who I am haha!
​You can vote once a day until December 15th. Thank you so much!
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[Free Printable] Winter Photo Checklist

1/23/2019

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At the end of every year, I always make a photo book with all my favorite photos from each month. One thing I always notice is that I barely ever have any photos from January, February and March. Because it’s after the excitement of Christmas and it’s a blah, chilly few months until Spring begins, this time of year can be easily ignored.

But since I’m always an advocate for people documenting their lives, I decided to create a checklist of everyday moments that make for great photographs during the winter months. Use this checklist to help you celebrate the small moments that make up your family’s story. Your photo albums can’t JUST be beach photos, right?

Click here to download the checklist!

You’ll receive an email with the link to my freebies page, where you can download the checklist and all my other freebies. If you’re already a mailing list subscriber, I sent out a newsletter with the checklist this morning, so check your inbox! There will always be a link to the freebies page at the bottom of every email.

​Happy Shooting!
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Rather not take these photos yourself? Schedule a winter photo session with me! Email me at [email protected] or call me at (631)256-7476.

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