In an age when nearly everyone carries a camera in their pocket, Jeff DiCosimo believes professional photography still offers something a smartphone never can: the ability to turn life's fleeting moments into lasting memories.
For more than 42 years, Jeff has built a career photographing everything from kindergarten class portraits and high school seniors to championship sports teams and family milestones. As owner of Premier Portraits and EB Taylor Premier Portraits in Glastonbury, he has combined artistic skill with evolving technology to serve communities across Connecticut.
Based in Plainville, Premier Portraits has grown into one of the state's largest school and sports photography companies, serving 65 schools, including 12 high schools, and more than 30 youth sports organizations. The company also provides event photography and portrait services for families and businesses.
A major milestone came five years ago when Jeff purchased the well-known EB Taylor studio in Glastonbury. Rather than replacing the respected local brand, he chose to build on its reputation, combining Premier's expertise in school and sports photography with EB Taylor's tradition of family, senior and business portraits.
"Basically, it made us go to a more specific field of photography where others can't go," Jeff said.
That specialty requires much more than owning a quality camera.
"The average photographer needs personnel and software to create these kinds of images," he said. "Most cameras can do things automatically, but for special effects, you need to know what you're doing."
After four decades in the business, Jeff has witnessed photography's transformation from film and darkrooms to digital editing and online ordering. Yet he believes a professional's trained eye remains the difference. His passion for photography began long before digital cameras transformed the industry. What started as an interest in capturing everyday moments grew into a lifelong profession built on patience, creativity and a commitment to quality.
Over the years, Jeff has photographed thousands of Connecticut students, athletes and families, creating images that often become treasured keepsakes. Many of the children he photographed early in his career now return with families of their own, continuing a tradition that spans generations.
"A professional photographer has the edge because of what to look for in a picture, the quality of the cameras and the skills to create photos with lighting," he said.
That expertise is especially important in school photography, where efficiency and creativity go hand in hand. Senior portraits, meanwhile, allow for more personalized sessions.
"We'll go outside and do casual poses," Jeff said. "We'll shoot on a farm or even with a student's horse."
While traditional yearbook portraits remain popular, today's families often want customized sessions that reflect a student's interests and personality.
Operating from its Hebron Avenue studio, EB Taylor Premier Portraits also offers family portraits, business headshots and event photography. The business recently expanded its staff with the addition of photographer Tina Pelletier, whose expertise is helping broaden the studio's offerings.
He recently expanded his staff with the hiring of a new photographer, Tina Pelletier. Tina’s expertise will help Premier Photography expand their photo services.
"I'm doing more pregnancy photos, moms-to-be photos and baby photos," Jeff said, including milestone sessions during a baby's first months. The studio is also seeing increased demand for pet photography.
"People love pictures of their pets," he said.
The expansion reflects Jeff's belief that professional photography should capture every stage of life, from newborn portraits to graduations and family celebrations.
Despite the rise of smartphones and social media, he believes there will always be a place for trained professionals who understand composition, lighting and storytelling. His photographs preserve moments that families return to for generations—a child's first school picture, a championship season, a senior's graduation or the arrival of a new baby.
For Jeff, photography has never been simply about taking pictures. It's about preserving the milestones that become a family's history, one frame at a time.
For more information visit Premierportraits.com.
"The average photographer needs personnel and software to create these kinds of images. Most cameras can do things automatically, but for special effects, you need to know what you're doing."