Jill C. Smith Photography

08/22/2026

Been rained out plenty of times.

This is the first time I was rained in.

Jess is the poster child for thinking outside the box with her family photos. I mean it when I say, she is outside the same box I hope to be each and every day I show up for work. For that, I really look forward to her family’s session every year, for the 9 years I’ve been photographing her family.

There’s also a pang of anxiety that comes with making photos with these folks. Not because the time together isn’t enjoyable. It’s the opposite. It couldn’t be easier, I really enjoy them.

I am always anxious about not being able to match the standard we have collectively set in previous years.

Each year with the Sansevera family we create photos that I love even more than the previous year. Somehow, this continues to happen.

And I guess this isn’t unusual as a family photographer with a very loyal client base. It’s not uncommon to create a better photo set each time we work together. But it sure does put the pressure on when I pull out my camera.

What I know about our 2026 meet up is that these will absolutely stand out.

The tones. The purple sneezewort (we learned about a new native plant!). The way the photos get softer and softer the longer the session went on (hello rain drops on my lens).

And on that note, shout out to NikonUSA for weatherproofing their gear.

Tell me true - would you consider getting “rained in” for your family photos next year?

08/01/2026

07/25/2026

Shortly after you book, we will start discussing locations.

After photographing families in the Catskills and Hudson Valley for over 13 years, I’ve become quite familiar with so many incredible locations.

But not all locations will be right for your family.

I offer a guide for my families who book to go through, and identify at a glance, which locations might work, and which won’t.

Today I’m highlighting a favorite for families in the Hudson Valley in particular, Long Dock Park in Beacon, NY.

Long Dock is an expansive and scenic public space located right on the Hudson River.

The evening golden hour light there is incredible, with so many different textures, tones and visual interest that keeps my photography heart and eye so happy.

Families who have their sessions here love the wide variety of ‘backdrops’ and I have yet to see a kiddo get bored while shooting at Long Dock.

Could this be the perfect location for your next family photo session?

**As a mom to an autistic kid, I always like to be sure to point out whether or not a space is ‘worry free’. This means we are away from traffic, deep water and cliffs. Some kids do fine with these variables, and some don’t. As a photography who prioritizes inclusivity, I always like to make sure families can feel comfortable, no matter what their family looks like.

07/21/2026

Extended family sessions absolutely DOMINATE my summer. And I’m not mad about it.

Honestly? A lot of photographers avoid these like the plague. Some won’t do them at all.

I’ll tell you why.

Lifestyle photographers hate feeling like they’re just going through the motions of taking formals at a wedding. It can be hard to break outside the box of what you think an extended family session should be.

The truth? We get those group photos, with everybody (or almost everybody!) looking at the camera. Proof that you were all in the same place, at least once.

Because I get it. These are hard photos to get and they are really special. No shame here for grabbing the traditional portraits now and again.

But guess what? The in between moments are REAL. And they’re so real during extended family sessions. Yes, there are struggles. At least a third of the folks there didn’t want to do it, but half the fun of my job is showing them it’s not bad at all (and I love that I hear this from those people at the end of the session, each time!)

The other truth is I used to be one of those photographers who avoided these sessions. It took me time to figure out how to do them in a way that felt good and true to me, but since I’ve struck that balance, I’m happy to say that my summers are always full of families renting Air BnBs in the Catskills, documenting that once in a decade opportunity they have when all the adult kids and their babies are under the same roof.

It’s magic and I get it. I’ve had that experience and you better believe I hired a photographer when it happened.

07/21/2026

Welp.

We’re more than half way through July and much of my fall calendar is booked.

There’s still a handful left if fall family photos are your cup of tea.

I don’t need to sell you on why - fall is the most popular time of year for New York families to update their photos for so many good reasons.

Head over to the link in my bio - or my DMs to see exactly what’s left.

07/12/2026

Print your photos! Nobody's going to be looking at your phone screen in 120 years!

07/12/2026

A thing I love a lot about shooting on 35mm film, as pointed out to me by the profoundly inspiring Rachel Larsen Weaver | DC Family Photographer, is that there’s absolutely no room for trying to get the perfect shot. You do your best in camera, to correctly estimate the exposure, nail the focus, look for poor light patterns, and cross your fingers. Unlike digital photography, where you can instantly review your shot, and course correct as needed, until you get as close to your ideal as perfect. You have to think too, before pressing that shutter, because you know you only have 36 shots - not thousands like on digital. Even then, sometimes the shots we didn’t nail, the ones that are out of focus or had some light leak in, end up being our favorites.

Kind of like life, right? We do our best to assess risk, choose wisely, make sound choices and moves, but there aren’t true do-overs - just course correction and making the very best out of the hand we were dealt.

And it both cases, it’s almost always pretty beautiful, even when it’s not what we planned for.

This session with Liz & her girls was shot partially on digital and partially 35mm (the shots you see here). You can add a roll of film to any family session for an additional $150 at booking. Film developed ever so beautifully by Nice Film Club in Brooklyn 🗽

06/23/2026

HELP.

I’m a Family Photographer (who swore off weddings years ago) having an identity crisis.

In the last 10 months I have photographed 3 weddings and thoroughly enjoyed photographing each of them.

Who even am I?

Please enjoy some favorites from this past weekend - photographing something outside of the wedding box - Emerson Resort & Spa ceremony with a reception at Phoenicia Diner 🌲Catskills NY - Giant congrats to Helene & Eamonn and shoutout to the incredible vendors Yahaira Cerda and I worked alongside; Day of Coordinator: Brit 💕 Vermont Wedding Planner & Travel Curator ✈️ Videographer New Jersey + Destination Wedding Filmmakers HMUA Hair and Makeup Team🤍 Florals mira mira florals

06/22/2026

There’s something extra special about summer family sessions.

Maybe it’s because everybody is about 15 degrees more relaxed. Free time is more abundant. Skin is a few shades darker. Our wardrobe’s more laid back. The world around us has completely come alive, waters have warmed and wild flowers are everywhere.

Summer in New York is fleeting though. We wait for it all year, and by July we’re already seeing back to school ads and pumpkin spice lattes at the coffee shops.

Let’s immortalize it this year. Let’s make family photos that remind you of everything you love about this time of year.