Colleen Carlson Photography - NJ/NY Photographer

05/14/2025

When "the book" flags your account because your profile picture is too adult and won't let you post, or won't recommend you as a business? What??? Because I felt proud of my weight loss and showed a whole shoulder? How dare I! With all the stuff I see posted, I find it just insane how far they are taking this.

Seriously? Ridiculous. This is why I disappeared for years on "the book"; it allows people half nekkie all over the place, but I bare a shoulder and I'm book-banned. I'm so over social media. I get most of my clients from word of mouth or Google anyway.

04/10/2025

What if your next chapter had a postcard to go with it?
Not the kind you send.
The kind you live.

I call it “Destination ME.”
A soulful, custom-designed portrait experience made to honor your transformation—
the bold becoming, the healing, the reclaiming, the rising.

And here’s the secret?
I’m no longer tied to one location.

Something exciting is unfolding behind the scenes (you’ll see soon)…
but for now, just know:
I can come to you.

Mountains, coastlines, cities that changed you, desert air that healed you—
Wherever your story wants to be told, I’ll meet you there.

DM me your dream “Destination ME” session.
Tell me where you want to go and who you’re becoming.
We’ll co-create a once-in-a-lifetime experience that captures it all—
beautifully, boldly, and fully you.

04/07/2025

Hi there! It’s been a while.
And not because I stopped loving photography—
but because life asked me to be fully present somewhere else.
Quietly. Completely.

I stepped away from the events, the noise, the constant posting.
And what I found in the stillness was clarity:
I only want to do the work that fills me with light.
The kind that lets me breathe and create and feel.

So no, I’m not photographing weddings, parties, or events anymore.
No newborns bent into shapes.
No rushing around capturing moments that don’t move me.

I’ve let go of bo***ir too—for now.
As much as I love the art form, I’ve traded my studio for open skies and new roads.
And I won’t be turning back.

Here’s what I am saying YES to:
❤️Destination “ME” Sessions - A soul-led portrait experience for women rising from transformation, ready to be seen in the light of who they’ve become in a destination location that calls to their heart and soul.
🤰 Maternity Sessions - Artful, radiant imagery that honors the fierce softness of motherhood in all its sacred beauty.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Sessions - Unposed, unrushed storytelling sessions that capture the connection, chaos, and real joy of your everyday magic.
🌱 Teen & Tween Sessions - Empowering portraits that celebrate identity, confidence, and the wild wonder of becoming.
I’m traveling across the country now, meeting women in the middle of their stories and helping them see their own light through my lens.

And while I’m here sharing my work, I’ll say this with love:
Please don’t message me asking what happened or where I’ve been.
I’m not trying to be mysterious.
I’m just honoring what’s sacred.
Some things are meant to stay private.

If that feels uncomfortable, I understand—and I also know I’m not for everyone.
But if you’re here because the art speaks to your soul,
If you feel the truth in these words and the tenderness in my heart…

Then we’re already connected.

Comment “SESSION” for travel dates + booking info.
Or drop a 🌊 in the comments and tell me where in the world we should meet.

I’m back.
But this time, it’s different.
This time, it’s all heart.

03/14/2022

Friends and family I would like to ask you for a favor. Please support my Girl Scout who is competing in a national speech competition! I’m so proud of this girl and think of her like my own daughter.

Please click on the link and go to her YouTube video and like it. She will be judged on the number of LIKES received in YouTube only. Not FB.

Thank you!

Hailey Goris from Eye Level Ramsey gives a speech about the most influential person in their life.

03/11/2022

A personal branding photoshoot is perfect for you if:

❤️You are ready to grow your business and attract your ideal clients with content that will help them know, like, and trust you!

❤️You are considering a rebrand or a new launch and need cohesive imagery that can tell your story!

❤️You're ready to grow your brand and position yourself as the authority in your industry.

❤️You're spending too much time looking for stock photos or content to use for your business.

❤️You want your website and social media to stand out with custom images that reflect your brand and unique value!

❤️You want to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, and you want more than the standard corporate headshot.

❤️You're ready to focus on marketing and you need images for your website, blog, social profiles, ads, printed and email marketing materials, and more!

❤️You're so over snapping photos with your iPhone and praying it's good enough.

Let me help you add some real-life to your feed! Single sessions and Quarterly sessions are available!

[email protected]
www.colleencarlson.com

03/11/2022

March is here! The kids are ITCHING to get moving! Let's start spring off right, and get them ready to have a real impact on their lives once they can get back outside with a new love of PHOTOGRAPHY!!!! Class is a LIVE feed but recorded in case you miss it! New Class starting April 1!
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Are your kids bored at home? Want them to get excited about a new hobby? If they have any device that can take a picture let me help get them OUTSIDE and into a new hobby!

Join The Photo Clique for the Snap Happy Photo Project hosted by Colleen Carlson Photography!! A four-week-long project* to spark joy, excitement and ignite a passion in your child with fun weekly photography assignments. Fun for the whole family!

The cost is just $35 per family! YEP you heard that right just $35! OR grab a friend and have them come over to join your child for a super fun weekly playdate! You get a four-week program to excite your child and inspire inspiration! Classes drop starting April 1 then each Friday after.

At the end of class you will have the option to join us for a 2-hour long hike at Ramapo Reservation for a fun photo scavenger hunt after school! One adult must attend per group. This is NOT a drop-off event. Date TBA based on weather. Cost for scavenger hunt is $10 per child and snack and award certificate are included. Perfect for Girl Scout Troops!

Great for ages 4-9. Older kids might benefit more from our Tween/Teen Photography Classes!

When you sign up, you will be given access to our Private Zoom call. Each video will be recorded and saved in our Facebook Group with weekly inspiration, videos, and assignments! If you miss one assignment don't worry it's easy to catch up, skip or go back when you have a chance. We ask that each family that joins posts a brief hello post! The class is more fun the more you participate!

*this is not a "learn iPhone photography or DSLR class" but a project using a digital device to take photos and create positivity in the world! It is your responsibility to ensure your child knows how to take a photo on this device.

Email us at [email protected] today to join! Classes start April 1!

03/11/2022

Spring Break is here! And back by popular demand, I'm going to bring back my two most requested courses! Check out my latest classes! HURRY spaces are limited!

**Tween Clique - Thursday, April 14 11am-4pm (Grades 4-7) $100 per child

A smartphone class for that amazing Tween who is struggling with self-esteem and too much screen time. I will show them new and BETTER ways to spend their time! I'll teach them all the basics of smartphone photography, give them the basics of composition and dip into the newest and most exciting editing apps and teach them my fast smartphone editing tricks that I only teach in my online courses! And just for fun, I will host a contest that will last all of the spring break to keep them motivated and excited to use their phone for something other than social media rabbit holes! I'll even give them an introduction to real cameras to entice them into a new fun and exciting hobby!

This event will be outdoors at Ramapo Reservation. In case of inclement weather, it will be held at the Paramus Park Mall.

More fun with a friend! Pack a lunch and let's have fun! Must have an iPhone 11 or higher.

**Teen Photo Clique - Friday, April 15 10am till 4pm

Recommended Grades 6-12 $300**
This is the class for your budding photographer! I'll keep them out all day enjoying the sun and having loads of fun! They will learn everything in my intro to DLSR photography course, have lifetime access to me for questions via access to the exclusive Photo Clique FB group as well as receive the beta version of my online course when it launches this spring! This course would market for $1200 with all these freebies so grab it now while you can! This used to be spread over two days but by request, I moved it to one day so it's easier for scheduling.

MUST have their own DSLR camera. Bring a packed lunch.

Here’s what a mom had to say about this course:

Colleen's photography class is the best! Over 2 days my daughter went from only using her phone camera to learning how to use a DSLR camera and understanding the basics of all of the different settings. She came home after day 1 bubbling with enthusiasm, talking non-stop about all of the great shots she had taken. On day 2, she went back out and honed her skills even more as she learned some of the principles of photography. On top of that, Colleen taught her how to do some basic editing! As I looked through her pictures at the end, she told me the techniques used to take each picture. My daughter is now saving for her own DSLR camera and planning all of the photos she will take with it. Colleen is a kind, patient teacher with an unending enthusiasm for her craft. I can't recommend her class enough!! - Lesley

Sign up here!
http://bit.ly/thephotoclique21

Questions? Contact me at [email protected]