Holiday season Is in full Swing

I have had the most wonderful year, and I hope you have too. I’ve been taking more family photos than ever, and my heart is full. Thank you all for entrusting me in your heirloom pictures.

Here are some recent holiday family pictures I’ve taken: Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and even a golf course in Los Angeles with furry babies. I really want to do another Hanukkah family portrait, across from (and in front of) the Plaza Hotel at Grand Army Plaza where the World’s Largest Menorah will shine bright.

There’s still time to take holiday pictures, edit, and print them up in cards or framed prints. If you’re a New Yorker, you know how we do, last minute and fast. Message me to book, but don’t wait.

Family portraits, an art in and of itself

I used to specialize in weddings, editorial portraits, and headshots and I still definitely do those, but family photography has naturally risen to the top. I have been doing portrait photography and it’s grown through referrals. For many years I photographed the Hamilton Park Montessori school— I called photo days Blossoms because we shot during peak flowering tree season. Now, I’ve moved to Manhattan and the possibilities are truly endless. I understand the importance of family pictures, not just when your babies are small, but as they grow older as well.

Thank you for a Wonderful Year, and Happy holidays, everyone!

Fall Senior Photos NYC

I never use Chat gpt, however tonight I decided to test it out. I asked for a Nora Ephron-style passage based on my latest Central Park grad photo shoot. Here it is. What grade would you give it?

Some stories begin in January, but this one starts in the fall, on one of those suspiciously warm New York days when the park smells like leaves and pretzels and possibility. She doesn’t graduate until January, but the light was too good to wait, and honestly, New Yorkers have never been known for patience.

We began in her house where I set up a studio. Her cat, small and sweet, was the perfect supporting character.

Then out we went into the park, which was showing off with every warm shade of fall. The kind of day where the leaves look painted on, the sun is soft instead of bossy, and people stroll like they’ve forgotten they have anywhere else to be. As an aside RIGHT NOW, Central Park to me is the most beautiful place on earth.

She climbed up onto the magnificent Manhattan schist—like every true New Yorker has done at least once—and sat with the billionaire’s row skyline standing guard behind her. She looked right at home, as if the city were a familiar friend rather than an architectural brag.

We made our way to the Cop Cot—(or maybe another little spot that looks just like it?) — always charming, always slightly lopsided in the best way—where the vines curled just enough to make the whole scene feel quietly cinematic. Then we wandered to Frederick Roth’s incredible Balto statue, standing there as steadfast as ever. The graduate felt compelled to pose next to it. It really felt especially fitting for a future vet-science grad: an animal cast in bronze, a symbol of loyalty and endurance, posing beside someone who plans to dedicate her life to creatures who can’t speak for themselves.

And at the end, there was one last frame: a bonus shot with her dad, our driver for the day, the silent anchor who shepherded us from spot to spot with a smile. It was a tiny moment, warm and simple, the kind you almost miss if you’re not paying attention. I never forget to take pictures with the parents if they’re around because these photos end up being the most meaningful as the years go by.

Maternity photos

My full-on documentary style comes to the fore when I photograph pregnant women. I tend to use my vintage cameras with gritty film and black and white. It’s just what inspires me. I have a ton more of these, but of course this is all I can find at the moment. Are you a mom to be? Do you want me to photograph you in a soft, but real way? Contact me! This gallery is so special to me.

Shakespeare Garden Central Park

Do you love Central Park? I wouldn’t be surprised if you have never seen the Shakespeare Garden. Go visit! Can’t visit? Then check out this lovely wedding I did a while back with Peter the wedding officiant!

Maternity pictures with clothing, and . . . New Camera!

I got a new camera! If you’re interested in geeking out with me, message me and we can discuss. I’m sooo excited. Oh! and here are some more maternity portraits, these outdoors, fully-clothed, in Central Park on the Bow Bridge, Reservoir, and on a big rock in Central Park.

children’s pictures in spring

For years and years, I photographed the Hamilton Park Montessori school pictures in Jersey City. I lived right across the street from the school, in a charming brownstone in an historical neighborhood. I was in close contact with the school administrators as the exact date of the pictures was always a little iffy. Why? Because I took the pictures outside, and during the peak blossom season in the park.

School pictures

to order or not to order

School pictures, order now or forever hold your peace

It’s something that has sort of fallen out of fashion, those school photos with the generic backgrounds and kids with hairstyles combed so perfectly you barely recognize your own child. I for one treasure prints of my kids. In fact, I order prints of my past year’s phone and camera pictures at the end of each year as a holiday gift to myself.

My son goes to a private school, and I am told that beyond the sitting fee, hardly anyone orders prints. What? All the pictures I’ve ever taken for schools, I always require parents to order prints. I know, not fair, but they’ll thank me later.

When you miss the blossoms

For years as I’ve mentioned, I coordinated with the school to get the perfect pictures while the apple blossoms, cherry blossoms and dogwoods were blooming in all of their glory. I even called the sessions Blossoms. One year, though, we missed the boat. I don’t recall why. Maybe it was a bad year for blossoms. Maybe the school had scheduling issues. Maybe I did. But in lieu of blossoms, we purchased some potted flowers. Below you can see the results….. Enjoy!