<![CDATA[HILARY MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY - Journal]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 21:07:30 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Celebrating Friendship, Graduation & Connection]]>Mon, 15 Jun 2020 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/celebrating-friendship-graduation-connectionI spent last  Saturday evening at The Ditzel Farm in East Amwell, NJ with these seven incredible young women. Each graduating from one of the four public high schools in Hunterdon County, they met through the local 4H program. Representing the goat, horse, rabbit, dairy, hog & shooting sports clubs their hard work in 4H has given them a strong, solid foundation as they each set out on their own path. 
We spent the first part of our afternoon making sure to get a selection of group images to represent their friendship.  During their individual sessions, each one of these amazing ladies had a clear vision of what they wanted. We had so much fun and I hope they all enjoy their images!
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Rachel
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Ashlee
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Avery
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Emma
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Mollie
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Lauren
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Jessie
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]]><![CDATA[HEADSHOT TALK.]]>Wed, 19 Jun 2019 11:43:01 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/headshot-talk
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Headshots are one of my most booked sessions. I believe everyone needs a great headshot. Headshots are great for business, work and social media but I also think it's really nice to have a great picture of yourself. One that makes you feel awesome, confident and is a reflection of who you are in a particular stage of life. 

Getting headshots taken can be intimidating. The first step is to find the right photographer that understands you, your business and that can showcase who you are through an image. This is not an easy task - there are A LOT of photographers out there! Take the time to look at the images they have taken that relate to the type of headshot you need.  Are you a business professional? An actor? Do you need a headshot for your own business?  Look at the style, consistency and type of images. Do you relate to the images? Now, make a phone call and make sure you connect with your photographer.

I pride myself in being able to connect with my clients. I do my best to make each person in front of my camera feel comfortable and look their best. When you feel good, comfortable, and a have connection with your photographer, that will shine through the images. 

Once you book your session (hopefully with me!), you now have to decide what to wear! Don't fret, I have some simple tips that will  make it easy to pick the best outfit for your headshot session.

Make sure to check out all the headshot sessions I offer at the bottom of this post! 
My #1 rule for picking out clothes for a headshot session:
 
Pick an outfit that fits you correctly and makes you feel like a million bucks!
​Pick colors that suit your skin tone, that feel comfortable and are easy to move in. The style of your outfit should be one that you would normally wear; a reflection of who you are or what you are representing in your business.
Don’t try a new style or color for this occasion. You want to feel comfortable and confident! 
 
A few more tips:
 
  • Solid colors look great in headshots.
  • If going with a pattern keep it simple.
  • Start with a simple shirt or blouse and slowly add layers.
  • Bring a few changes of clothes to the shoot.
  • Make sure that ALL clothes are ironed and pressed before the shoot. ... 
  • Bring a lint brush or roller with you.
 

READY TO BOOK? FIND YOUR PERFECT HEADSHOT SESSION

30 Minute Headshot Session

$200.00

A 30-minute brand headshot session designed to create artistic, personality-driven images that capture both your professional presence and the essence of who you are. This session is focused on producing intentional, elevated portraits that reflect your brand, story, and individuality in a natural and authentic way. This session includes ONE outfit or look and must take place at my location in Pittstown, NJ


These will include all rights to finalized, edited images from your session ready for you to download. 
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45 Minute Headshot Session

$250.00

A 45-minute brand headshot session designed to create artistic, personality-driven images that capture both your professional presence and the essence of who you are. This session is focused on producing intentional, elevated portraits that reflect your brand, story, and individuality in a natural and authentic way. This session includes ONE outfit or look and must take place at my location in Pittstown, NJ


These will include all rights to finalized, edited images from your session ready for you to download. 
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1 Hour Headshot Session

$500.00

This one-hour headshot session is designed to create artistic, personality-driven images that go beyond the traditional headshot. This experience is focused on capturing the essence of who you are and visually telling the story of your brand, business, and personal style. Together, we’ll create a collection of intentional, polished images that feel authentic, confident, and aligned with your vision.


During the session, we’ll blend classic portraits with creative, lifestyle-inspired imagery that highlights your personality, profession, and the atmosphere of your brand. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, coach, artist, or business owner, these images are crafted to help you connect with your audience in a meaningful and elevated way.


The session includes guided posing, multiple looks or styling adjustments, and a collaborative approach that allows your individuality to shine through naturally. The result is a versatile gallery of modern, expressive images perfect for websites, social media, marketing materials, press features, and personal branding.


These will include all rights to finalized, edited images from your session ready for you to download. Additional travel fee may apply.
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Headshot & Branding Session

$750.00

In this session we will spend between 60-90 minutes together This session is designed to create artistic, personality-driven images that go beyond the traditional headshot. This experience is focused on capturing the essence of who you are and visually telling the story of your brand, business, and personal style. Together, we’ll create a collection of intentional, polished images that feel authentic, confident, and aligned with your vision.


During the session, we’ll blend classic portraits with creative, lifestyle-inspired imagery that highlights your personality, profession, and the atmosphere of your brand. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, coach, artist, or business owner, these images are crafted to help you connect with your audience in a meaningful and elevated way.


The session includes guided posing, multiple looks or styling adjustments, and a collaborative approach that allows your individuality to shine through naturally. This session also includes time to photograph products and brand specific images to result in a versatile gallery of modern, expressive images perfect for websites, social media, marketing materials, press features, and personal branding.


These will include all rights to finalized, edited images from your session ready for you to download. These sessions can take place at the location of your business and can include multiple looks. Additional travel fee may apply.
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]]><![CDATA[WINE PHOTOGRAPHER? SURE. I'M GAME.]]>Tue, 03 Apr 2018 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/march-08th-2018TRAVELING WITH BROADBENT SELECTIONS
One day last October, I was cleaning my house and putting laundry away when I received a text from a friend, who happens to be a wine importer....
"Would you ever be up/available to travel overseas with me to make some short films with winemakers?"
My response: "Hell yes!"
So we chatted and she explained her vision. It sounded amazing and was coming at the perfect time, as I was feeling a little stuck creatively.
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Fast-forward two months later to the first week of December when we got a plane and headed to Santiago, Chile. The trip was a whirlwind of visiting multiple vineyards in Chile and Argentina. We were either on a plane, in a car or walking through vineyards. Okay, okay yes there were amazing restaurants and food and of course amazing wine! 

​I learned so much about wine making, wine and the business of wine. We met some of the most wonderful, passionate people and tasted some of the best wines in the world. Everywhere I looked there was another breathtaking image. I was working with two cameras and my new Go Pro either taking still images or video. I got to explore new ways of shooting, capturing audio and video and pushing myself creatively everyday.

Not only was this work creatively exciting for me, it was serving a bigger purpose for Broadbent Selections and its winemakers. Being able to see the vines, touch the soil and talk to the people is an experience that connects you to the wine you are drinking.  Not everyone can go to Chile and Argentina for this. Broadbent can’t send all their sales teams there to experience the stories that are behind the wine. Having me be able to photograph and film these places, record the people passionately speaking and get close up shots of the soil brings the story to life for every one connected to the wine. This is what I love so much about this work and I am so very appreciative for the opportunity to tell these stories.

Below is a video I produced to showcase one of the vineyards we visited while in Chile. Marco & Sebastian De Martino bought this property in Itata, Southern Chile when they decided to make a change in their wine. They wanted to bring back the original wine making practices once used by their grandfather to produce wine that they truly enjoyed. The daily property management is done by Don Daniel, who has lived and worked there since he was a child. The property has to be managed carefully because of the way the vines are growing. They are not in neat rows tied up, like in most vineyards. They are growing on the hillside right out the ground. The soil has to be plowed by horse (a Chilean Percheron, named China) in order to carefully get in between the vines, without damaging them. Some of the vines here are over 200 years old. This is a special piece of De Martino that I know I am very lucky I got to see. 

Keep a look out for more videos from this trip and enjoy the gallery of images from our visit to the Itata property below. Two more videos are in production and another one is already being used to help promote a beautiful cabernet from De Martino. I will also be posting more videos and pictures from my most recent trip to Austria with Broadbent.

To learn more about Broadbent Selections, please visit their website at: http://www.broadbent.com
]]><![CDATA[Celebrating Friendship with a special Photo Session]]>Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:39:45 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/celebrating-friendship-with-a-special-photo-sessionWhat happens when you get together with your girlfriends? I spent last Saturday with these four beautiful women celebrating 30 years of friendship. All of them turning 40 this year they were brought together by Melissa Dannenfelser, who gifted this photo session in celebration of them! We started the day in my Frenchtown studio with makeup by Stephanie Alami and hair by Melissa Olson owner/hair stylist of Euphoria.

The morning was full of laughter and reminiscing, getting caught up with gossip and did I mention laughter? The morning rain subsided and we headed outside to explore the beauty that Frenchtown has to offer. Stopping along the way for individual pictures and group pictures it was evident these women are forever bound to each other. 

A refreshing and fun day spent with amazing women was a great reminder to not only celebrate yourself but those who have helped you along the way. Thank you Melissa, Jen, Dara & Jen. Enjoy just a handful of images from your session. Here's to 30 more years of friendship!

Hair by Euphoria: http://www.euphoriastudio.com
Makeup by Stephanie Alami:
https://www.facebook.com/Beauty-by-Stephanie-1109165095854446/
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]]><![CDATA[WEEKLY WEDNESDAY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Pets!]]>Wed, 08 Mar 2017 15:00:30 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/weekly-wednesday-photography-tips-pets

GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD HERE!

]]><![CDATA[WEEKLY WEDNESDAY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Location]]>Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/february-27th-2017
5 TIPS ON CHOOSING THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATION!

GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD HERE!

]]><![CDATA[WOMEN'S PORTRAITURE: CAPTURING THE BEAUTY OF YOU.]]>Wed, 01 Feb 2017 18:54:40 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/womens-portraiture-capturing-the-beauty-of-you
book now!
I have been working hard on creating a brand new session dedicated to women's portraiture. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you may have seen the videos I created of some of these sessions. These are sessions dedicated to the beauty and strength that make each individual woman special. I want you to feel special and truly embrace your beauty, inside and out.

Your session includes professional hair by Euphoria Studio in Frenchtown and professional makeup done at my studio prior to your session. You will be spoiled with fruit, coffee/tea, chocolate and even a mimosa! As your hair and makeup finishes up, we will start our session. Our session will take approximately 2 hours and will include up to five changes of clothes. You can bring items from home and choose from some that I have in my studio. 

Once I process the images, you will return to the studio for a reveal of your images. You will choose the ones you want to take home in a beautiful keepsake folio box the same day. For every print you choose, you will receive the corresponding high resolution image on thumb drive. 

On the day of your session, make sure to book a date night with your partner or a night out with friends because you will look and FEEL fabulous!

My Valentine's Day Special is an all inclusive package and will ONLY be available to purchase as a package now through February 14. 
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 908-674-0455 or email me at hilarymurphyphotography@gmail.com
BOOK your session for yourself,  a friend or your loved one now!
http://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/store/p20/WOMEN%27S_PORTRAITURE_SESSION%3A_Valentine%27s_Special.html
I hope you will consider gifting this to yourself, to a friend or family member.  

All my best,
Hilary
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THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE ONE YOU LOVE

WOMEN’S PORTRAITURE SESSIONS 
includes
PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP
PHOTO SESSION  WITHUP TO FIVE CHANGES OF CLOTHES
10 5X7 PRINTS PROFESSIONALLY MATTED TO 8X10
BEAUTIFUL 8X10 KEEPSAKE FOLIO BOX TO HOLD YOUR PRINTS
YOUR CHOICE OF ONE LARGE PRINT 11X14 OR 16X24
CORRESPONDING DIGITAL IMAGES OR PRINTS YOU CHOOSE
SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY PRICING

​$595


SESSION & PRODUCTS AVAILABE AT THIS PRICE 
NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 14, 2017
]]><![CDATA[Daryle & Paula Peterson's Wedding]]>Mon, 09 Jan 2017 15:18:16 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/daryle-paula-petersons-weddingDaryle & Paula got married on a beautiful October day. The colors were at their peak surrounding them with beauty at the Ramsey Golf & Country Club in Ramsey, NJ. Their day unfolded with ease and an overwhelming sense of calm from the couple made it easy to capture the moments of their day. Please enjoy some of the highlights from their wedding day. 

Ramsey Golf & Country Club: http://www.ramseycountryclub.com
]]><![CDATA[MOM-TOGOPHER WORKSHOP]]>Wed, 04 Jan 2017 19:35:29 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/mom-togopher-workshopI'm looking for 10 Moms to participate in my first MOM-TOGOPHER workshop!
Did you get a DSLR as a present and want to learn how to use it as one of your Mom
super powers to capture precious everyday moments of your family?  

Book by February 1 and your workshop fee will include a free half hour  in-studio session for your children taken by me! **This session is for your children only and must be booked and take place by March 30. This free session does not include digital images or prints. Digital images and prints can be purchased separately. $75 value!!**

Workshop will include:
Manual & Power Point Presentation
Hands on instruction (in studio and on outdoor photo walk).
Coffee/ Tea & Lunch
**Book before February 1 to receive a FREE half hour child portrait session by Hilary Murphy Photography.**

$300

This workshop is for you if:
  • You have a DSLR Camera.
  • Want to stop using the auto setting on your camera and improve the quality of your images.
  • You want to learn how to take pictures using the manual setting on your camera.
  • Improve your skills for taking images of your family, on vacation and of landscape images. 
  • **This workshop is for amateurs only and is not open to professionals. This workshop is for beginners and will cover the basics of digital photography and will not cover any aspects of the business of photography. This workshop does not include any information on editing but will cover the basics of processing photos after capture.**

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PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: March 7

$300.00

Do you own a DSLR camera and want to learn how to use it to its maximum potential? Are you looking improve your skills so you can capture precious everyday moments of your family? Do you need it to take amazing images for your business?  Are you traveling and want to get the possible best images?


Join me on Saturday, March 7 from 10 am- 2 pm in Pittstown, NJ.


Workshop will include:

Basic Digital Photography Manual 

Hands on instruction (insideand on outdoor photo walk).

Coffee/ Tea/Snacks


Access to a private Facebook group ONLY for my workshop attendees. This group offers weekly photo challenges and critiques by Hilary. A wonderful online community for you to continue to learn!


$300


This workshop is for you if:


  • You have a DSLR Camera.
  • Want to stop using the auto setting on your camera and improve the quality of your images.
  • You want to learn how to take pictures using the manual setting on your camera.
  • Improve your skills for taking images of your family, for your business, while on vacation and of landscape images. 


  • **This workshop is for amateurs only and is not open to professionals. This workshop is for beginners and will cover the basics of digital photography and will not cover any aspects of the business of photography. This workshop does not include any information on editing but will cover the basics of processing photos after capture.**
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]]><![CDATA[Zoe & Viego: High School Senior Storytelling Photography & Videography Session]]>Wed, 07 Dec 2016 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.hilarymurphyphotography.com/journal/zoe-viego-high-school-senior-storytelling-photography-videography-sessionWhat is your story? What is your passion in life?  

Zoe has been riding her whole life. She is a straight A student who balances her school work with a hefty competition schedule. Her drive for success in everything she does will guide her as she heads off to college next fall.  Viego is her current partner and they have had many successes together. 

Our session together took place at the barn where she boards and trains Viego and then for the portrait session at my farm in Pittstown, NJ.  Viego wasn't quite sure what to think of all the farm animals here on our property but he eventually settled and we were able to get some magnificent images of them together. 
 
Photography & Videography by Hilary Murphy Photography
Story by Hilary Murphy
Produced using Animoto
Music: "Anchor" by Mindy Gledhill
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