Hi, I’m Dawn, an award-winning photographer based in Port Chester, NY, proudly serving Westchester County and beyond. My journey into photography wasn’t exactly planned – it was sparked by a fascination with capturing life’s most precious (and often hilariously unpredictable) moments. I’ve always been drawn to the magic of freezing time, preserving the little details that might otherwise be forgotten – the messy cake smashes, the cheeky toddler grins, and the laughter that fills a family’s home.
Dawn Talia Photography began as a passion project, born from a deep appreciation for storytelling through imagery. Ever since I was young, I always had a camera in my hand. And yes, I know, many people found me annoying because I always had to take photos – whether it was family gatherings, birthdays, or just everyday moments. I wanted to capture everything, even if it meant a few eye rolls along the way. But my journey took a major turn when my mom bought me my first DSLR.
From that moment on, there was no stopping me.
What started as a hobby quickly grew into a full-time adventure, driven by a desire to give families the gift of lasting memories. It wasn’t long before I realized my absolute favorite sessions were Cake Smashes and Milestones. There’s just something so special about celebrating those big “firsts” – the first birthday, the first taste of cake, the first wobbly steps. Capturing these moments is pure joy, from the curiosity in their eyes to the frosting-covered giggles. But here’s the thing – Cake Smashes and Milestone Sessions aren’t always about 1st birthdays, even though those are the most popular. These sessions are perfect for any first, or just marking a special milestone in a child’s life, like turning any age. It’s all about celebrating growth, personality, and those unique moments that make every year memorable.
Milestone sessions also have a special place in my heart because they celebrate all the little moments that make growing up so memorable. Whether it’s sitting up unassisted, those first toothy grins, or just showing off their budding personalities, these sessions are all about fun, laughter, and genuine expressions.
I love crafting unique setups that reflect each child’s individuality, making every session as memorable as the milestones themselves.
While Cake Smash and Milestone Sessions are my absolute favorites, I also have a soft spot for Newborn Photography. There’s nothing quite like documenting those first tender days – the tiny toes, the sleepy smiles, and the overwhelming love that fills the room.
It’s a privilege to capture those fleeting moments for families, creating images they’ll cherish for a lifetime.
My style is all about fun, creativity, and authenticity. I believe that the best photos happen when people are genuinely themselves. That’s why my sessions are laid-back and playful, designed to capture real smiles, real emotions, and real memories.
I love getting to know each child’s personality, ensuring that every session feels personal and every photo feels genuine.
Having grown up in Port Chester, NY, I feel incredibly lucky to work in the community I love. There’s something truly special about photographing families in familiar places – from local parks to cozy in-home sessions. I get to witness families grow year after year, and it’s an honor to be a small part of their story.
When I’m not behind the camera, you can find me yelling at the TV like the Yankees can actually hear me (hey, I’m just trying to help). I’m also a coffee enthusiast – but not just any coffee. We’re talking the good stuff. I take my caffeine seriously, mainly because it fuels my creativity… and, you know, life.
I have a not-so-secret addiction to candles. It started innocently enough, but now I’ve got a collection that could rival a Bath & Body Works display. From seasonal scents to ones I light just because they “spark joy” – I’ve got a candle for every occasion, mood, and Tuesday afternoon.
Oh, and I’m that person who laughs at their own jokes. What can I say? Someone has to! When I’m not busy being my own comedic genius, I’m brainstorming fun, creative ways to make photo sessions unforgettable. Because, in my book, the best smiles are the genuine, mid-laugh kind – even better if they’re covered in cake frosting.
If you made it to the end of this, you're officially awesome!
Thank you for reading and I look forward to capturing your moments!
Dawn
xo
1 / 9
"We have trusted Dawn with capturing the most important moments in our family for years and she ALWAYS delivers beyond our expectations. No hokey poses or cliche shots that you would see everywhere else....she is able to capture the essence of the moment and everyone's personality in every shot. I know this to be true because of the reaction I get when I show the pictures to friends and family. They are truly as blown away as I am every time we see our shots! We will always use her...NO QUESTION!"
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2 / 9
"Dawn has a natural born talent to capture the beautiful essence of people. She is amazing at what she does and you can see the love she has for it. Her pictures say it all!"
2 / 9
3 / 9
"Dawn has such a personable character when she is working. She makes taking pictures so enjoyable. Her pictures are amazing and she captures such real moments. She also has a talent of catching the best lighting in her pictures and she picks amazing places to take pictures. You can't ever go wrong choosing Dawn to take your ever-lasting moments."
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4 / 9
"Dawn was nothing short of amazing! She did our pregnancy announcement photos and not only did they come out beautiful, but she really captured the love and excitement our family was experiencing for us to remember for years to come. We have both an 8 and a 6 year old (who can at times be a little challenging lol) Dawn had such a great way about her with the girls and such patience, she really went above and beyond! We look forward to using Dawn for our wedding next month and all the milestones in our family"
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5 / 9
"Dawn you are extremely talented and have the patience of a saint. There are not enough stars to give you. I cannot thank you enough for the amazing pictures you captured of my family, I am obsessed with them."
5 / 9
6 / 9
"Dawn is our official family photographer. She has photographed our proposal, our engagement session, our wedding, our maternity photos, both of our children when they were born, and every milestone our family has. I can't ever have a function without her. Our house is filled with so many beautiful memories thanks to her and the love she has for her craft. It shows in everything she does. I can't recommend her enough."
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"We have used Dawn for all our family milestones and will continue to for as long as she's doing this! Don't ever stop doing what you do! You were born to do this!"
7 / 9
8 / 9
"You completely chose the right profession! The photos you took of our large family are incredible! Thank you so much for capturing us so perfectly!"
8 / 9
9 / 9
"We were recommended by a friend to Dawn and following that recommendation had to have been the best move my husband and I have ever made. We used Dawn's services for our daughter's 1st birthday portrait and cake smash session. Every single picture was amazing and I am not exaggerating. Even the ones where my daughter was crying make you smile - she is just that brilliant with the camera. Dawn captured the spirit of our daughter with crisp, bright, vibrant, modern images. Bravo Dawn!"
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© 2025 Dawn Talia Photography | All Rights Reserved | Award-Winning Newborn, Maternity, Cake Smash, and Family Photographer | My studio is located in Port Chester, NY - Westchester County and I proudly serve clients across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, including Port Chester | Rye | Harrison | Larchmont | Irvington | Armonk | Bronxville | Chappaqua | Dobbs Ferry | Pleasantville | Bedford | Pelham Manor | Mamaroneck | Briarcliff Manor | Fairfield County | Darien | Greenwich | Stamford | Manhattan | NYC | Scarsdale | Tarrytown | Westport | White Plains | Book your session today to preserve the moments that matter most!