Behind the Scenes of a Maximalist Birthday Photoshoot in New York City

Sep 11

I love being a photographer not only because I get to take beautiful photos of people, but also because I get the chance to explore my creative side as a creative director. Many of my clients come to me with big ideas, and I love bringing those visions to life.

Today, I want to share the story of one of the most fun and exciting shoots I’ve ever styled and executed at Times Square Photo Studio in New York City—a maximalist birthday celebration photoshoot!

The Client’s Vision

When my client reached out, she made it clear that she wanted to go all out. She sent me a collection of inspiration photos, and from the very first glance, I knew we were heading into maximalist territory—pink everything, endless balloons, chic designer shopping bags, and even a bubble dispenser.

It was the kind of creative challenge I absolutely love, because I could combine my photography with styling and creative direction to deliver something truly unique.

Preparing the Studio

Once the vision was clear, it was time to make it happen:

Ordered a mountain of balloons (you can never have too many!)
Collected all the designer bags and boxes I had on hand
Searched for more inspiration online
Pulled out my favorite hot pink backdrop for the ultimate pop of color

On the day of the shoot, I ran to a nearby store to get the balloons inflated, brought everything back to the studio, and started decorating. Watching the set come together piece by piece was such a rewarding experience.

The Big Reveal

When the client walked in, her reaction to the setup said it all—this was exactly what she had imagined! That moment confirmed that all the prep work was worth it.

We also had a professional HMUA (hair and makeup artist) on site, ensuring she looked flawless for the session. Once she was ready, it was showtime.

The Photoshoot

I like to keep my sessions efficient but fun, so we managed to capture a wide variety of looks in just one session. And since we were ahead of schedule, we even had time to take the celebration outside for some photos in the heart of Times Square.

It was pure magic—mixing studio glam with the energy of New York City.

Lessons Learned

This session reminded me of a very important lesson: trust the process.

When you prepare ahead of time, align with your client’s vision, and coordinate the little details, the results are always amazing. And of course, the best reward is seeing your client’s happy eyes (and reading their glowing reviews afterward!).

Final Thoughts

Being a photographer is so much more than just clicking a button—it’s about creating experiences, crafting memories, and sometimes, being a set designer, stylist, and creative director all in one.

Scroll down to see the photos from this shoot, watch the mini vlog I filmed during the preparation, and check out the client’s review. I hope this behind-the-scenes story inspires you to dream big and create boldly.

✨ Because sometimes, more really is more.