New Jersey Photographer

Portraits for life's celebration moments.

Portrait sessions for engagements, graduations, and family moments, built around the genuine, in-between moments, not just the posed shots.

See the work Invest now
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Jacob Franco holding camera gear
About

I shoot the moments people actually want to remember.

I'm Jacob, a portrait photographer based in New Jersey. What started as photographing my own college's events turned into something I wanted to take seriously on its own, real sessions, for real milestones, without the noise.

My work leans toward genuine expression, using natural light and artificial light together depending on the situation. These are portraits, so there's direction and posing involved, but whether it's an engagement, a graduation, or a family gathering, I want the final photos to still feel like you, not stiff or forced.

Every photo you receive is also fully retouched by me, personally. I go through each image individually to handle color correction, blemish removal, stray hairs, clothing issues, anything that needs a second look. I don't do body modifications, just a clean, polished version of the real moment.

NJBased & travels
2020Behind the camera since
Selected work

A closer look at each kind of session.

Every gallery here reflects one type of celebration, real sessions with real clients.

Engagements

Couples, quiet moments, golden hour
Engagement session photo
Engagement session photo
Engagement session photo
Engagement session photo
Engagement session photo

Graduation

Caps, gowns, the people who showed up
Stevens Institute of Technology graduation portraitStevens Institute of Technology
Rutgers University graduation portraitRutgers University
Seton Hall University graduation portraitSeton Hall University
Stevens Institute of Technology graduation portraitStevens Institute of Technology
William Paterson University graduation portraitWilliam Paterson University

Family & lifestyle

Everyday life, parents, siblings, kids
Family and lifestyle session photo
Family and lifestyle session photo
Family and lifestyle session photo
Family and lifestyle session photo
Family and lifestyle session photo
What clients say

Real feedback from recent sessions.

"We got the photos and they look so good! Thanks for capturing the moment and making it something we'll be able to look back on forever. The pictures are perfect, and I really appreciate you coordinating it all."

Family & lifestyle client

"Jacob was amazing to work with. He didn't just take pictures, he helped with poses and confidence too, and made the whole environment comfortable and enjoyable. The photos are some of my favorites I've ever taken, and I've gotten so many compliments on them."

Engagement client

"Jacob is a very professional photographer who took my graduation pictures. He pays attention to detail and truly captured the moment. Quality photos for a good price, would highly recommend."

Graduation client

"The photos are amazing! I appreciate you taking your time with each shot and making sure the backgrounds and details were just right. You really have a great eye, and it was a comfortable experience from start to finish."

Engagement client
Common questions

Everything you're probably wondering before you reach out.

How far in advance should I book?
For graduation season and peak fall dates, a few weeks out is ideal since those windows fill up fast. For everything else, a week or two of notice is usually fine, but earlier never hurts.
Do you travel?
Yes! I'm based in New Jersey but happy to travel for the right session, just mention your location when you reach out.
What does "edited" mean?
Your photos look great straight out of camera, but every single one is also retouched by me, individually. That means color correction, blemish removal, stray hair removal, sky replacement if needed, and clothing touch-ups. I do not do any body modifications.
How many edited photos will I get?
This varies by session length and type. I'll walk you through what's included when we talk details, so you know exactly what to expect before booking.
What's the turnaround time?
Proofs are returned within 1 to 5 days of your shoot. Once you select which images you'd like edited, final delivery takes 5 to 7 business days.
Can I reschedule?
Rescheduling is free depending on the day, just reach out as soon as you know you need to move things.
What's your refund and cancellation policy?
All bookings are non-refundable once confirmed. If you cancel more than 72 hours before your shoot, you're eligible for a 50% refund on your deposit. Cancellations within 72 hours aren't eligible for a refund, and delivered edited work is non-refundable given the time and effort that goes into it. The one exception is unavoidable emergencies like natural disasters or severe illness, in which case we'll work together on a reschedule or credit.
What should we wear or bring?
Whatever feels like you. I'm happy to send styling suggestions once your session is booked so everyone feels comfortable and the photos hold up over time.
Do you shoot indoors, or only outside?
Both. I work with natural light and artificial light, and I manipulate whichever the space calls for to best suit the framing of the shot. I can work with whatever location makes sense for you.
How many people can I bring to my shoot?
For outdoor sessions, I recommend 1 to 3 people. Bigger groups tend to pull focus and we end up shooting less than planned, but it's up to you, bring the whole family if you want. For studio sessions, I'd keep it to 2 to 5 guests if they're not being photographed.
Get in touch

Let's plan your session.

This form is how you book, fill out a few details about what you're celebrating, and I'll follow up within a day or two with availability and next steps.

Email direct
shotbyjfranco@gmail.com
Location
New Jersey, available to travel
Instagram
@shotbyjfranco