I'm all about bold and color in my photography! Light and airy has no place in my portfolio! You'll find me capturing all the candid real moments, real laughs, genuine love and and the emotions! When you look back on your photos you will FEEL the forevermore moments and go right back to those emotions of joy! My work isn't to be placed in a drawer, so be prepared to select gorgeous wall art, beautiful books and amazing gifts during your consultation! If you're into photos that feel as real as you are, if you want your memories made to last, and you'd like to make a new friend in the process, keep scrolling, I can't wait to meet you.
Looking for something in particular? Here's where to start:
HELLO SUNSHINE!
boutique portrait and FINE ART photographer in NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
The Family Sessions
Communion Time
The Galleries
Introducing
View The Experience
THE ultimate Luxe experience! A Custom artisan adventure that captures your journey to YOU!
My speciality is understanding and bringing out human emotion in my photography. I have been called an empath, and I have an innate ability to find your heart and make it shine! All my bride and grooms receive a free Engagement Session so I can dig deep and far! I'll learn WHY you love each other then make that shine! I learn everything about your insecurities and I pull out those fears and push them far away, so that on your special day, we have a rhythm and flow that is uniquely beautiful, completely authentic and absolutely emotive!
Want to add an even more special touch to your bridal package? How about Bridal Boudoir? Single or couple you'll experience an intimate day being pampered and empowered as I take you through a journey to emotional release! You will be more YOU than you have ever imagined! The perfect gift to give your new partner on your wedding night - an album showing your love and longing!
Any photographer can snap a picture, but can they capture the emotion?
what makes ME different
Your insecurities, fears, hopes, dreams, vision and your heart, I see them all. I'm there for you every step of the way. From designing your PERFECT engagement session; your save the dates; your Bridal Boudoir session to gift your partner on your wedding night; designing a perfect time-line to capture your perfect day, I'll be as close to you as your maid of honor and your mother!
My background in portraiture, boudoir and my training in all kinds of light allows me to deliver an artisan boutique experience far different than other so called wedding photographers. I only take on a few events per year so I can concentrate on my portrait clients, boudoir clients and pamper my brides and deliver the most authentic experience.
I SEE you
what makes ME different
Your special day will be my special day. I'll probably cry the entire ceremony while snapping the most REAL pictures that you will look back and feel the moment over again. I'm not just your photographer, I'm your fix your viel, bustle, hair, tear, makeup, deal with drunk Uncle Bob kind of friend!
We could be sisters from another Mister!
what makes me different
Small business owners know they need unique and quality content, but they often don’t know where to start or what they need. Which is where I come in! You and I will have a one-hour consultation where I'll get to know everything about YOU and your business vision. Together we will map out the perfect plan to get your passion, message and vision out to the world!
Interested? Want to learn more? I've got you! Let's connect and I’ll answer the top questions that land in my inbox with my free Personal Branding Planning Guide. When you have a clear vision of how to use your images, you can adequately prepare, and execute your plan with confidence. Get your guide now!
Personal Branding Photography Session with Colleen Carlson Photography
interested in personal branding?
Personal Branding? What’s that? Whether you’re new to the idea or ready to book, I'd love to teach you everything you need to know about a personal branding session. As a personal brand and portrait photographer, I love partnering with female business owners to help them create perfect content to reach their clients!
A big laugh, my DIY adventures, singing when least expected (and not well I might add), my crazy need for Mexican food, and my crazy addiction to pickles and coffee (not together I promise).
what I'm known for:
I'm a single mom of 6: A teenage boy and girl, two rescue dogs and two rescue bunnies! You can find me laughing and giggling my way through life while gifting big hugs, drinking copious amounts of coffee, singing at the most awkward moments (not well I might add) and volunteering in my hometown as the local photographer, and Service Unit Manager for Girl Scouts. I'd travel to the moon and back for my friends and family. So please know, I don't want to just take your photos, I want to stop time and create artisan fine art for your home, to treasure for years to come, and welcome you as part of my family!
MEET Colleen
Graduates
Let's take a look at some of my favs!
Teens/Seniors
Tweens
Storybook Fantasy
let's connect
If you're still reading this, let's meet for coffee!
booking information
So you and I are a perfect match? So let's meet for some delicious coffee or a glass of wine, and begin our journey together!
Click on the button and let's get to know one another!
B'Nai Covid Mitzvah
kind words
See the Gallery
What can I say? To sum up our experience with Colleen is to just say AMAZING! We met Colleen as the camp photographer for our daughters and fell in love with her and her talent. Once we set the date for the girls B’not Mitzvah – Colleen was my first call! In this crazy world during COVID and the uncertainty of what the actual day looked like – Colleen was the most flexible and easy to work with. She made everyone feel comfortable and put the “FUN” into taking pictures. From the pre-pre-shoot a year early to make sure we captured this special time, to the lessons with my camera and facetime calls to capture the pre-shoot from a different country, to the spectacular day of pictures. Having shifted the ceremony and party outdoors she tirelessly captured it all PERFECTLY. And the pictures – just STUNNING! When we had the big reveal, I was in awe and spent days staring at them. The montage truly brought me back to the moment. Her ideas for the album took the ease and stress out of having to sort through hundreds of pictures and the turnaround time – less than a week! To sum it all up, working with Colleen was an extremely enjoyable experience and something I would do over and over again and look forward to her capturing our family for many years to come! - LISA W
Read More
There’s no words that can explain the memorable experience Colleen captured behind her lens while also influencing it with her pure joy, compassion, professionalism and big heart. This was my very first photo shoot and it was a huge milestone for me, divorcing after 20 years and celebrating my rebirth “new beginning. She suggested we do a beach shoot and was she ever so right. I felt so free, liberated, empowered and happy and so thankful that she was there to share the experience alongside me. What a beautiful person she is, so glad to call her my friend. Highly recommend her.❤️- Melissa P from her Destination ME session
kind words
See the Gallery
Read More
Colleen took my breath away when I saw the pictures of my daughter. We did a princess photo shoot and it was nothing short of amazing. The time she spent with me and my daughter were so professional and so much fun. This shoot will be one of our best memories and I cannot thank Colleen and Brittany for making this happen. - Kerry S.
"Colleen took my breath away."
Princess Session
kind words
Read More
hello@colleencarlson.com
Mahwah, NJ 07430
I can't wait to hear from you.
Ready to reserve your session today?
