WORKSHOPS & MENTORING

 
 

 

 

About Paula:

Paula Swift, M.Photog, Cr., CPP started her portrait photography business in Framingham, MA in 2004 and then moved into a new studio in Sudbury, MA in December 2013. Paula is the recent Past President of the Professional Photographers Assocation of Masschusetts – PPAM (2021-2023), a PPA Councilor and PPA Approved Juror.

Paula was a staff photographer at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Mass from 1995-2005. Three of Paula’s images were part of a Pulitzer nomination and finalist entry in 2000 in feature photography for the photography staff’s coverage of the deadly Worcester warehouse fire that took the lives of six firefighters in 1999. Her photography has appeared in the Boston Globe, New York Times, LA Times, Esquire, People, Time, Newsweek and internationally via the Associated Press wire service

Her portrait photography has won her two Kodak Gallery Awards, a Hallmark Award, Photographic Degree of Excellence by PPAM, Loan and General Collections at IPC. ­­ In 2024, , Paula was recognized as Platinum Medalist,  a Silver Medalist in 2022  and in 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020 a Bronze Medalist for her photography at the Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition.

In May 2017, Paula’s book Storytelling Portrait Photography: How to Document the Lives of Children and Families published. The book offers ideas for creating a strong and lasting client connection, eliciting memorable moments, finding storytelling locations, inspiring natural action and reactions, and capturing the inter-relationships between siblings and between children and their parents.

Paula was born in Newport News, Virgina and grew up Longmeadow, Mass where she first learned to develop film in her parents’ basement with her big sister Gina who is a LA Times photographer.  She attended Fitchburg State University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Communications Media – Photography in 1995. Paula lives in Framingham, Mass. with her husband Chris and their three sons.

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Storytelling Family Photography

presented by Paula Swift, M.Photog, Cr., CPP

Monday, January 13, 2025

7:30 PM at Newton Camera Club

Hybrid Meeting (See Instructions/Get Zoom Link Emailed)

United Parish of Auburndale
64 Hancock Street
Auburndale, MA
For More Info CLICK HERE

Sudbury Framingham Metrowest Photographer

Paula Ferazzi Swift, M. Photog., Cr., CPP owner of Paula Swift Photography a Boston area portrait photographer, spent 10 years chasing fires and covering news assignments all over Central Massachusetts as a photojournalist at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette (’95-’05).

Paula started a photography business where she could utilize her photojournalistic skills to photograph the relationship children shared in front of her cameras in a fun and natural way. Capturing fleeting moments during a session; when a child thinks no one is watching, the hugs a parent shares with a shy child, or even a toddler running away from the camera giggling. Paula approaches her sessions just like a fire…ready to go at a moments notice, but in a stress-free way for her clients.

Paula will talk about briefly about her experience as a photojournalist and how she implements those skills in capturing beautiful, timeless and storytelling portraits of children in today’s competitive photography world. She will share images and the story behind how she captured them technically and emotionally.

Information that Paula will share during her program will include…

  • How to capture those unexpected moments

  • How to get shy children to warm up to you

  • How to keep children involved in their photography session

  • Use of props to keep the session looking natural

  • How to incorporate pets

  • How to capture children on the go

  • How to let children be themselves during a session

  • Learn how to sit back and watch a moment happen

  • Favorite gear to used at sessions

 

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Newborn Photography 1-1 Mentoring, Photography Workshops and Speaking Engagements
with Paula Swift, M.Photog., Cr., CPP of Paula Swift Photography, Inc in Sudbury, Massachusetts

My book titled Storytelling Portrait Photography – How to Document the Lives of Children and Families is available for purchase through my studio directly.
Please visit my online store here to purchase the book for $20 and free shipping in the United States.

Cover Final Ferazz Swift web

Paula Ferazzi Swift, M. Photog., Cr., CPP owner of Paula Swift Photography, Inc. has been a professional photographer since 1995.  She spent ten years in photojournalism as a staff photographer at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Mass. In 2004, Paula opened her portrait photography business while still full time at the T&G but in 2005 left her position as a staff photographer to go full time in the portrait photography field.  Paula is available for speaking engagements for your organizations on her Photojournalism, Storytelling Portrait Photography – How to Document Children and Families book or Newborn Photography. She is also a Professional Photographers of America – PPA  Approved Juror and available to judge your image competitions. Please contact Paula at 978.261.5266 or paula@paulaswift.com  

 

newborn photography workshop

learn how to photograph new babies

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1:1 Newborn Photography Mentoring

$1500 (one on one Private mentoring)

Spend the day with Paula Swift as she preps for a newborn session, shows you posing, lighting and lets you pose and photograph the newborn right along side her. You will have access to her props and studio during this time. We will end the day with downloading and editing the images you captured. This perfect for any photographer who wants a hands-on personal guidance from a professional photographer who has been photographing newborns for 21 years and is a professional photography teacher. This is also perfect for a more advance posing than the workshop offers or to build your personal newborn photography portfolio.

These are only offered one time a month. Please reach out in advance.
Contact paula@paulaswift.com to register.

  • The day will start at 9:30am and will end anywhere from 4:30pm or later. All depends on the new baby we photograph.
  • Lunch and snacks are included in your mentoring.
  • Dates are booked on a first come basis and due to my shooting schedule is limited to 1 mentoring session every 4-6 weeks.
  • $500 non-refundable retainer due upon registering. The remainder will be due 3 weeks before mentoring date.
  • No mileage restriction on mentoring, the only restriction is that you know how to use your DSLR camera. You will be able to use Paula’s studio lighting and transmitters to fire her lights. She will help you figure out what type of lighting might be best for your photography business as well.

If you are from out of town, there is a Fairfield Inn by Marriott one block away from the studio.
http://www.fairfieldinnbostonsudbury.com/

Paula Swift Photography, Inc. is located in historic Sudbury, Mass at 730 Boston Post Road ( Rt 20).

REGISTRATION:

$500 non-refundable payment is due to hold your spot. Online payment option available. Remainder of balance is 3 weeks prior to photography mentoring session.

DISCOUNTS:

Previous workshop students of Paula Swift Photography receive $100 off their mentoring fee.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you need to cancel your registration, we will do our best to fill your spot. If we are able to fill your spot, we will apply your deposit to a future photography workshop/mentoring. If we are unable to fill your spot, your deposit is non-refundable.

PAYMENTS:

Payments can be made by check or credit card through our online system. Once you reserve your spot, you will receive a payment link to complete your reservation.

REQUIREMENTS:

DSLR camera, lens, memory card, batteries and knowledge of how to use your camera outside of Auto-mode.  A laid back attitude and ready to learn.

LOCATION:

Paula Swift Photography, Inc.
730 Boston Post Road, Suite 29
Sudbury, MA 01701
978-261-5266


Workshop Reviews

This class was perfect for me. Exactly what I needed to get more insight into newborn photography. Just awesome!!!!

“OMG! it was amazing! I loved it! Paula you are so pleasant and knowledgeable. The class was fun, interesting and loved the fact you gave us the opportunity to practice and to see how you work. Thank you so much for sharing so many tips! I am going back for more!”

“Fantastic class!! I’m about to dive in and edit up the photos I took…thanks so much for the knowledge and experience you shared!

Awesome class, I highly suggest going. I attended the class last fall and had a blast.

“What I learned in person with Paula, I could of never gotten from watching an online video. Take her class!”

“I highly recommend this class if you really want to get a better understanding on newborn photography.  Learning how to photograph newborns using the right light and learn how to pose safely, was priceless to me.”

“I know Paula through PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and she is wonderful.  An amazingly talent portrait artist and a genuinely nice person and colleague willing to share her thoughts and ideas with others in the industry.  I recently attended a newborn workshop Paula held in her Sudbury, MA studio and it was fantastic, offering a little something for everyone where ever you are in your journey.  If you’re looking to get into a new genre or just need some confirmation that you’re on the right track I recommend attending a workshop with Paula Swift.”

“Paula’s Family and Children Storytelling class was a wonderful day well spent. Paula began the morning by sharing her story and background, explaining her approach to storytelling photography, and offering clear guidance regarding exposure settings, posing, and tips for success. The day flowed smoothly and there was time for introductions and informal chatting among the participants. The small class size was perfect, and before we knew it, we were heading out to the Sudbury Grist Mill for the scheduled afternoon shoots. Paula has a wonderful way with clients, parents and kids alike, and continued her relaxed instructional style throughout the afternoon, ensuring that all participants had an opportunity to photograph each family in each moment, and even giving us a chance to “art direct” the sessions toward the end. It was an engaging, thoroughly educational, and fun day! And I was thrilled with the images I captured. This class will help you take your photography — whether as a hobbyist or aspiring professional, to the next level.”

“I know Paula through PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and she is wonderful.  An amazingly talent portrait artist and a genuinely nice person and colleague willing to share her thoughts and ideas with others in the industry.  I recently attended a newborn workshop Paula held in her Sudbury, MA studio and it was fantastic, offering a little something for everyone where ever you are in your journey.  If you’re looking to get into a new genre or just need some confirmation that you’re on the right track I recommend attending a workshop with Paula Swift.”

“Thank you so much for providing this workshop.  It was fun and educational.  I really enjoyed the session.  You are a wonderful instructor in your art.  I hope to sign up for another workshop of yours.”

I spent the day in Paula’s newborn session class. It was so informative! She was so easy to talk with and answered everyone’s questions with ease. Each student was able to take their turn in photographing the models. I would highly recommend it if you are interested in learning to photograph newborns.

“I took Paula’s newborn photography class and I am so happy with what I learned from her class. Her patience and way with clients is phenomenal! I highly recommend her!”

I just want to send Paula a huge thank you for an amazing newborn photography class !!! It was so informative and fun! I can’t wait to take more classes with Paula!

“Paula was an excellent instructor!  And she is clearly an excellent photographer … to be able to complete 2 newborn sessions – with siblings – and cover all the course material in the allotted time was simply amazing.  She was calm, clear and relaxed, which made the day both informative and fun.  Highly recommend!”

Paula was extremely well-prepared, yet maintained a relaxed environment.  She brought in two families in order to give us a hands-on experience with lighting and posing.


Paula Ferazzi Swift, M.Photog., Cr., CPP owner of Paula Swift Photography, Inc in Sudbury, Massachusetts – an award winning photojournalist, children, family and newborn photography with over 29 years of professional photography experience offers photography workshops to photographers. From those just starting out to seasoned pros, with no mileage restriction.  Paula loves to teach photography to those who want to grow their craft and stay creative. As a Sudbury Photographer, Framingham Photographer and well known Boston Photographer, she hopes you will continue to learn all you can in your talent. Stay Creative! May 1st, 2021-April 30th, 2023, Paula is the President of the Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts – PPAM. Check out this amazing group of photographers to help your photography craft grow too. www.ppam.com

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