Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Ricci.
Tara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Creativity has always been at the heart of who I am. Long before Confetti Creatives, my first love was fashion. I taught myself to sew at a young age and, by 13, was already working in a tailoring shop, where I gained early hands-on experience in garment construction and craftsmanship. Under the guidance of Mario, the tailor, and Enza, the seamstress, I began developing an appreciation for precision, quality, and thoughtful design—principles that would continue to shape my creative work for years to come.
I carried that passion with me to the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I studied fashion design and graduated at the top of my class. During my time at FIT, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy to report on the Pitti Bimbo childrenswear fashion shows and was honored with the Critic’s Choice Award for childrenswear design.
My early career gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected names in the fashion industry. I earned my first design position with Michelle Smith of Milly, whose work would later be worn by Michelle Obama in her official White House portrait. I interned at Oscar de la Renta while Oscar himself was still leading the fashion house and later contributed to the Ralph Lauren Girls collections. Each experience challenged me creatively and strengthened my understanding of design, storytelling, craftsmanship, and the power of thoughtful details.
My career eventually led me into education, where I spent more than a decade as an educator and educational leader. I served as department head at the High School of Fashion Industries and later as department chair at Newark School of Fashion & Design. Throughout that chapter of my career, I developed curriculum, helped lead meaningful institutional change, and became a passionate advocate for my students.
Through grant writing and partnership development, I helped secure more than $1.2 million in scholarships, technology renovations, and educational opportunities. At the center of that work was a simple goal: to give my students access to experiences that could expand what they believed was possible for themselves, just as mentors and opportunities had once done for me.
Then came motherhood, and with it, an entirely new perspective on creativity and time.
I found myself wanting to document everything—the milestones, of course, but also the fleeting, everyday moments that somehow become the ones you wish you could return to most. Photography had quietly been part of my creative life for years, and over time, photographing my own children naturally grew into capturing memories for friends, family, and loved ones.
After welcoming my second child, I began thinking seriously about how I could build something that brought together the different parts of my story: my background in design, my love of creating, my experience working with children and families, and my desire to be more present for my own family. With the unwavering support and encouragement of my husband, I took the leap and officially launched Confetti Creatives in 2026.
Today, Confetti Creatives is a boutique portrait photography studio based in Denville, New Jersey, serving families throughout Morris County and Northern New Jersey. I specialize in newborn, milestone, birthday, family, and seasonal portraiture, bringing my fashion and design background into the custom sets, styling, and thoughtful details that make each session unique.
For me, photography is about more than creating a beautiful image. I love dreaming up a concept, designing the details, and bringing it all to life around the personality of the child or family in front of my camera. That philosophy has become the foundation of how I work: **Dream. Design. Deliver.**
Motherhood has taught me just how quickly each season passes. Today, I have the privilege of using a lifetime of creativity to help other families preserve a little piece of theirs—transforming fleeting moments into something tangible, beautiful, and lasting.
And, of course, giving every memory a little confetti.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Building Confetti Creatives has meant putting my ideas out there, learning through trial and error, and adjusting when something doesn’t come together the way I envisioned. I care so much about the details, so giving myself room to experiment while building a business has been a learning process.
My background in design, education, and now motherhood has taught me that some of the most meaningful growth comes from having a safe space to try, make mistakes, and try again. There’s something beautiful about seeing what emerges when you give yourself that freedom. I bring that approach into my sessions, working closely with families to understand their vision while creating a warm, comfortable experience that leaves room for the unexpected.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Confetti Creatives is my boutique portrait photography studio in Denville, New Jersey, serving families throughout Morris County and Northern New Jersey. I specialize in newborn, milestone, birthday and cake smash sessions, along with family portraits and seasonal minis. My style is whimsical and thoughtfully styled, with beautiful color and a lot of attention to the little details.
My slogan, “Dream-Design-Deliver,” really captures how I approach my work. One of my standout characteristics is that when I have an idea, I feel like there’s always a way to design or build it. I love the challenge of figuring out how to bring something imagined to life. My fashion background plays a huge role in that—from choosing colors and textures to designing custom sets. I also work with artisans to create props and have commissioned special pieces, including custom 3D-printed designs, to make a vision possible.
That creativity is something I love sharing with families. They can come to me with a fully imagined theme or just the beginning of an idea, and we can develop it together. I want each session to feel personal to the child and family we’re celebrating.
Just as much care goes into the experience. As a mother and former educator, I understand that children need space to get comfortable. I work around them, give them time, and leave room for their personalities to come through. I want parents to feel welcome and enjoy the experience, too.
I’m most proud of building a brand that brings my creativity and care for families together. From the first idea to the final hand-edited images, I put thought into every part of the process. I want families to leave with beautiful photographs and the feeling that we created something special for them.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My family deserves so much credit, especially my husband. His support has been unconditional, and he embraces even my most ambitious creative ideas. Whether I’m experimenting with a new concept or building a prop, he helps keep things running at home and gives me the time and space to work through the process. That support has meant so much as I’ve built Confetti Creatives.
My dad has become my unofficial studio assistant, helping me complete props and bring ideas to life. My mom, mother-in-law, and father-in-law are always willing to help care for our children so I can dedicate time to creating. Their involvement makes so much of this possible, and I’m incredibly grateful.
I also want to recognize the friends, family, and clients who have supported me from the beginning. Every recommendation, shared post, and opportunity to photograph a family has helped this business grow. I’m proud of what I’m building and deeply appreciative of the people who continue to support me along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.confetticreativesphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confetticreativesphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DrXmHwsxN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://confetticreatives.pixieset.com/booking
