Morristown Marvels: Behind the Lens of a Photoshoot Experience

Have you ever spent time in Morristown, New Jersey? Nestled in North Jersey, it’s a town rich with history, charm, and some truly underrated photo locations. One place that had been on my creative wish list for a long time was the Vail Mansion—and once I finally photographed there, it did not disappoint.

The aesthetic of the Vail Mansion is timeless. The property features a long, elegant reflecting pool that stretches across the grounds, instantly adding a sense of depth and sophistication to photos. Surrounding it is beautifully maintained landscaping—deep green shrubs that bloom with soft white flowers in the summer months. It’s one of those locations that feels serene, polished, and cinematic all at once.

And here’s the best part: the grounds are completely free and open to the public.

If you’ve ever searched for a photoshoot location, you know how rare it is to find somewhere that’s free, stunning, and well-maintained. The Vail Mansion checks all three boxes. If you ever find yourself in Morristown, I highly recommend stopping by—you’ll instantly see why photographers love it.

Keeping the Vision Simple at the Vail Mansion

Like many people who aren’t professional models, my subject arrived feeling understandably nervous. She wasn’t sure how to pose or whether she would look natural in front of the camera. My advice was simple: wear something comfortable.

Comfort goes a long way during a photoshoot—especially when nerves are involved. Feeling at ease helps strip away anxiety and allows real moments to come through. My philosophy for every session is straightforward: keep it simple. The more complicated a shoot becomes, the easier it is for things to unravel. From the start, I knew I wanted the mansion and landscaping to play a central role in the images. Rather than over-directing, I encouraged my model to interact naturally with the flowers, greenery, and architecture around her—and thankfully, she was more than open to it.

Those small interactions with the environment made all the difference and helped bring the entire vision together.

Let’s Talk Camera Gear

No matter the type of session—portraits, Sweet 16s, or weddings—I always bring two camera bodies. I’m a firm believer in Murphy’s Law: anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. That said, preparation changes everything. Having backups ensures the shoot continues smoothly no matter what.

For this session, I worked with two lenses:

My go-to lens—the one I rely on most—is the Canon RF 28–70mm f/2.0. It’s incredibly sharp, insanely versatile, and produces beautiful depth. The only downside? It’s heavy. Very heavy. If you ever see me struggling mid-shoot, now you know why.

The second lens was an adapted Sigma 135mm f/1.8, which I used sparingly—only for about five percent of the images. It’s perfect for isolating details and creating a more compressed, intimate look. If you know lenses, you can probably spot the difference.

As for lighting, I always bring flash and a softbox—but for this shoot, I chose to rely entirely on natural light. Not because flash isn’t useful (it absolutely is), but sometimes simplicity wins. The available light worked beautifully, and there was no need to overcomplicate things.

Wrapping Things Up

All in all, the Vail Mansion is an incredible location for a photoshoot. Between the elegant pool, lush landscaping, and historic architecture, it offers endless creative possibilities. I’d love to hear what you think about the location—feel free to share your thoughts.

If you want to see how this shoot came together, check out our YouTube video for a behind-the-scenes look. And if you’re thinking about booking your own photoshoot, reach out to us today—we’d love to help you create something truly memorable.