Newborn & Maternity Photographer in Highland Park, NJ

Serving families across Middlesex County with elegant, heartfelt photography that preserves your most fleeting moments — forever.


Hi, I’m Paloma Cardoso — a maternity and newborn photographer based in Highland Park, NJ, serving families throughout Middlesex County and surrounding areas.


As a mother of two, a former fashion designer, and a professional makeup artist, I bring a unique eye for beauty, detail, and emotion to every session. Originally from Brazil, I speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, and a bit of French — so no matter your background, you’ll feel completely at home with me.


My goal is simple: to gently preserve this beautiful chapter of your life with elegance, care, and intention — creating timeless images your family will cherish for generations.

Family photography

Specializing in Pregnancy and Newborn

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, our bodies go through changes we have never experienced before. For some, it’s a beautiful and joyful journey; for others, it can feel challenging at times. But what keeps us moving forward is the excitement of knowing that each day brings us closer to meeting our baby.


And often, once our little one grows, we find ourselves missing that special baby bump and the unique connection we felt during that time. Looking back at photos from this chapter can be such a beautiful reminder of how it all began.


Let’s preserve this moment just the way you dreamed of—creating magical, timeless images that reflect your personality, your style, and the beauty of this incredible season of your life.

Essential Maternity Session

A beautiful and relaxed experience designed to capture this special chapter in a simple, meaningful way.


Perfect for moms who want timeless images without feeling overwhelmed, this session allows us to gently document your glow, your connection, and the love already growing within your family.


2-hour session

Up to 3 outfits

Individual + family photos

15 professionally edited images

Private online gallery

 

15 professionally edited images for

 

$350

Signature Maternity Session

A more complete and personalized experience, giving you the space to fully express your style and story.


With extra outfit changes and a wider variety of images, this session creates a rich, elegant gallery that celebrates both your motherhood journey and your family’s connection in a more detailed way.


2-hour session

Up to 5 outfits

Individual + family photos

20 professionally edited images

Private online gallery

 

20 professionally edited images for

 

$450

 

Bump to Baby Collection

The most meaningful way to preserve your journey — from the anticipation of pregnancy to the first days with your newborn.


This bundle is designed for families who want to hold onto every emotion, from the quiet beauty of your growing bump to the tiny details of your baby’s first moments. It ensures your story is told seamlessly, from beginning to beginning again.


Includes:

Maternity Session

2-hour session

Up to 3 outfits

15 edited images


Newborn Session

2–3 hour session

Baby + family photos

15 professionally edited images

Private online gallery

 

15 professionally edited images for

 

$700

Newborn

Hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time is truly magical. Watching them grow with every ultrasound feels almost surreal, and holding them in your arms for the very first time… it’s a kind of joy and love that words can hardly describe.


These moments are incredibly special, yet they pass by so quickly. What once lived only in our memories can now be beautifully preserved through photography.


With safety, care, and a deep love for what I do, I would be honored to capture this precious stage of your baby’s life. Together, we can plan every detail—from your favorite colors to the style you envision—creating a newborn photoshoot that reflects your family and preserves these memories forever.


Pure Beginnings Session

The first days with your baby are slow, tender, and beautifully unpredictable — and this session is designed to honor exactly that.


In a calm and cozy environment, we follow your baby’s natural rhythm, allowing time for feeding, cuddles, and soothing, so every image feels genuine, peaceful, and full of love.


2–4 hour session (baby-led pace)

3 softly styled sets

Baby + family photos included

15 professionally edited images

Private online gallery

 

15 professionally edited images for

 

$390

In-Home Newborn Experience

There’s something incredibly special about capturing your baby’s first days in the place where your story begins — home.


This session brings the full experience to you, allowing you to stay comfortable while we document your baby in a natural, intimate setting filled with real connection and emotion.


2–4 hour session (baby-led pace)

3 styled sets brought to your home

Baby + family photos included

15 professionally edited images

Private online gallery


Perfect for moms who want a relaxed, stress-free experience without leaving home.

 

15 professionally edited images for

 

$450 + Commute Fee

 

First 48 Hours Lifestyle Session

The most emotional and fleeting moments happen in the very first hours of your baby’s life — and they can never be recreated.


This session is a gentle, documentary-style experience where I capture your baby just as they are: tiny fingers, first stretches, quiet snuggles, and the overwhelming love surrounding them. No heavy posing — just real, raw, and unforgettable moments.


Session within 48 hours after birth

Available at hospital or in-home

Natural, lifestyle approach (minimal posing)

Baby + parent connection moments

20 professionally edited images

Private online gallery


This is about preserving feelings, not just photos.

 

20 professionally edited images for

 

$600

Testimonials

Vania & Thiago

Pregnancy Session Experience:

 

"Hi Paloma, just wanted to thank you for your excellent service. We loved all the photos and the entire photoshoot; the time we spent together was wonderful. Thank you for your patience and all the joy you brought to the experience." - Vania Silva.

Baby Liora

Newborn Session Experience:

 

"Paloma is incredibly talented and truly passionate about what she does. From the very beginning, it was clear how much she loves working with newborns. She has such a special, gentle, and loving touch with babies, something that is truly rare to find.


She was also extremely patient and creative throughout the entire session. I was especially impressed by how she managed to capture several wonderful family photos, even with my high-energy toddler!


I wholeheartedly recommend Paloma to any family who wants to capture such precious moments with care, creativity, and genuine passion." - Stephanie Cypreste.

Baby Thomas

Newborn Session Experience:

 

"I honestly don't even know where to begin. These photos mean more to me than I can properly put into words. You didn't just take pictures of our newborn; you captured a moment in our lives that already feels like it's slipping by too quickly.


Every image feels so natural, so full of emotion, and so us. The tiny details, the little fingers, the sleepy expressions, the way you caught those quiet in-between moments are absolutely priceless. You have such an incredible ability to make everything feel calm and effortless, which made the whole experience even more special for us as new parents.


Thank you for giving us something we'll treasure forever. These aren't just photos. They're the beginning of our family’s story, and memories I'll be able to hold onto as time flies by. I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out." - Marcella Mello.

Paula & Family

Pregnancy Session Experience:

 

"My family had such a wonderful experience with this Paloma! From the moment we arrived, she made us feel completely welcomed and at ease. She has such a calm, kind, and caring presence, which made the entire session feel relaxed and enjoyable. What truly stood out was her patience and understanding, especially with our very active toddler. Instead of forcing anything, she engaged so naturally and playfully, giving our child the space to warm up while still capturing beautiful, genuine moments. It made all the difference. She also did an amazing job guiding us through poses, positioning, and even outfit choices. Her direction never felt awkward or forced, it felt supportive and reassuring, which helped us feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera. The photos came out absolutely perfect…truly everything I was hoping for and more. She captured exactly what I had envisioned, and we will treasure these memories forever. If you’re looking for someone who is not only talented but also truly connects with families and creates a positive experience from start to finish, I cannot recommend her enough!" - Paula DeCarvalho.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to do pregnancy session?

The ideal time for maternity photos is between 28 to 32 weeks. This “sweet spot” beautifully showcases your baby bump while you still have plenty of energy and comfort to move, pose, and enjoy outfit changes during the session.

What do you offer for the pregnancy photoshoot?

For maternity sessions, we provide professional makeup and a curated wardrobe for your baby bump shots. We kindly ask that you also bring a comfortable outfit for family photos—something simple like jeans and a t-shirt works perfectly.

How long does it take to get our photos?

After your session, we’ll prepare your full gallery within 3 days for you to browse and select your favorite images. Once you’ve made your selections, we ask 5 days to carefully edit each photo and deliver them to you in high resolution.

When should I schedule my newborn photos?

The best time for newborn photos is between 7 to 20 days old. At this age, babies are sleepier, more flexible, and naturally hold the curled-up positions from the womb—perfect for creating those peaceful, posed images that capture their delicate beauty.

How long does the newborn session takes?

Newborn sessions depend entirely on your baby’s needs. Some little ones may have already started adjusting to the world and might take a bit longer to fall asleep. We always allow plenty of time for feeding, comforting, and settling, so there’s no rush—our focus is always on what’s best for your baby.


A typical newborn session lasts around 2–4 hours, giving us the time to capture those peaceful, timeless moments at a pace that’s gentle and comfortable for your little one.

What should I bring to the newborn session?

For the Baby:


If your baby uses a pacifier or bottle, bringing them can help soothe your little one and make the session run more smoothly—but it’s not required.


Please bring a blanket your baby is already familiar with to help them feel cozy and secure during outfit or pose changes.


For the Family:


Wear comfortable clothes in neutral colors for the family portraits. Simple, timeless outfits help keep the focus on your family and create beautiful, cohesive images.

 

Get in touch / Ask a question

 

I would love to hear from you! Whether you’re expecting or your little one has just arrived, I’m here to answer any questions and help you plan the perfect session.

I serve Highland Park, New Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, Piscataway, South Amboy, and all of Middlesex County, NJ. In-home sessions are also available throughout Central New Jersey.

Simply fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch within 24 hours. I can’t wait to meet your family! 🤍

Prefer to chat on WhatsApp?

Reach me at: (848) 252- 6856

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