Maternity Session in the Hamptons by Nina Drapacz

The photographer in Aruba called them after they returned home to let them know her memory card was corrupt and she lost all the images from their maternity session on the beach. We needed a beach asap and it was 45 degrees! She said she wanted to do it in the cold and even wear a bikini at the end!

I was dressed in my warmest sweater, a long down coat and a hat. Hubby was bundled as well. We went to work right away! Lots of wind and three outfits changes later… these images! We had the beach to ourselves and no one looked cold!

Maternity Home Session by Nina Drapac Photography

As much as I love to control the background and lighting for a maternity session in my studio, nothing is quite as beautiful as a pregnant mom and family in their own surroundings. The apartment offered wonderful available light and an assortmant of locations which allowed me to be both an observer and a participant.


Maternity Session at an East Hampton Beach by Nina Drapacz Photography

We were all set, lots of outfits, a special goldendoodle brother to be and gorgeous parents to be…. Dad was proud of his sympathetic weight gain which seems to be on par with mom’s. They were so relaxed and we all had a blast, especailly the puppy! To make the session easy, we took the SUV onto the beach for easy access to clothing and a place to change. Two hours later after this amazing session, we found that we couldn’t get out! Stuck in the sand for quite awhile until help arrived!

Copy of Personal Favorite Newborn Images from Newborns Under 48 Hours. Nina Drapacz Photography

Photographing in three different hosptials, Cornell, Mt. Sinai East and Mt. Sinai West, I try to capture brand new babies as artisictally as I can which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on the baby. I feel these images are a good summary of my work in just a month, toggling between hosptials and rooms. These sessions afford me the opportunity to meet so many different families and to turn my creative energy to wonderful portraits documenting a very emotional time for everyone. The dad with the twins chose a pink shirt to take his twins babygirls home this day!

The birth stories I hear as well as the coaching I give the new parents on how to soothe their babies and even swaddle them correctly gives me the pleasure of sharing what I know from being a mom as well as reminding me of my own experiences as a new mom hours after my baby was born. With each session, I gain new perspectives and learn more about newborns and their parents and how unique each family is.

 

 

Personal Favorite Newborn Images from Newborns Under 48 Hours. Nina Drapacz Photography

Photographing in three different hosptials, Cornell, Mt. Sinai East and Mt. Sinai West, I try to capture brand new babies as artisictally as I can which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on the baby. I feel these images are a good summary of my work in just a month, toggling between hosptials and rooms. These sessions afford me the opportunity to meet so many different families and to turn my creative energy to wonderful portraits documenting a very emotional time for everyone. The dad with the twins chose a pink shirt to take his twins babygirls home this day!

The birth stories I hear as well as the coaching I give the new parents on how to soothe their babies and even swaddle them correctly gives me the pleasure of sharing what I know from being a mom as well as reminding me of my own experiences as a new mom hours after my baby was born. With each session, I gain new perspectives and learn more about newborns and their parents and how unique each family is.

 

 

Baby on The Way, Toddler Waits...Nina Drapacz Photography

When incorporating a toddler into a maternity photo shoot, its all about the toddler....Battery Park City was a perfection backdrop but the weekend crowd proved challenging. It was a hot late afternoon and the tour buses kept letting off more people to view this awesome area in Manhattan. We escaped to the Irish Hunger Memorial for some shade and short lived moments of respite from the sun. Between swarms of tourists I was able to capture these special moments....

Newborn Twins 48 Hours Old by Nina Drapacz Photography

A beautiful set of twins ready to go home - what a treat! They were both a good size. The boy was the crier, the girl, the calmer of the two. It fascinates me how they still mimic the way they grew inside their mom, the way they nuzzle.

Needless to say she will have her hands full! 

Special Delivery, Under 48 Hours by Nina Drapacz Photography

The only mom to date who said to me giving birth was easy! This was her second, so usually a bit easier however she claimed the first was easy as well. After knocking on hundreds of doors to see new moms, this mom was a first in claiming natural childbirth wasn't so painful! The first baby slept through the entire session with another photographer years ago, this one was adorable but not easy.

The Fourth and Final. Under 48 hours by Nina Drapacz Photography

His name is Fin, French for end! A beautiful boy and the fourth child, his siblings couldn't wait to handle him! Using the gorgeous private room, I set up a studio meant for one but stretched to encompass 4 plus parents....

Mom was prepared more than for the others at their birth. She brought the most awesome baby wrap which included a large blue bow to tie around him like a little bundle of joy!

Newborn Baby AND The Only Boy of 5 ! Under 48 Hours by Nina Drapacz Photography.

A "huge" treat to find this chubby little baby born at 10.5 pounds and 36 hours old! He was an adorable sleepy bundle of baby and the only boy in a family with four girls all under the age of 6! The fifth child and according to mom, maybe not the last as he will need a brother....Oh those cheeks!

All my props worked with this big guy. He was so sturdy and content. This session was on the hospital bed using 6:30 pm soft window light.

 

Newborn Shoot a Day After Birth! Cornell Hospital by Nina Drapacz Photography

Arthur was born on a Tuesday at Weill Cornell Hospital and on Wednesday he had his first photo shoot with his big brother and family right there on the hospital bed! As soon as I walked into the hospital room I met his big brother who was somewhat hesitant and losing patience...had to work quick, Arthur was calm and quiet but his brother needed coaxing. Need less to say this family took away wonderful images of Arthur and a bonus of Arthur and his older brother and parents! Birth announcement image DONE!

 

Capturing a Bris While Trying Not To Look! Nina Drapacz Photography

Covering all aspects of the bris, from the preparation, the service, the delicious food and schmoozing I avoided photographing the actual procedure -thanks to the mohel, whew!

Maternity Portraits Can Be Beautiful! Nina Drapacz Photography

Women glow during pregnancy! Many women are so self conscious about their changing bodies but this an important time for professional photographs to celebrate the belly! Of course future siblings play an important role and assume the shoot is for them, but with a little coaxing....everyone gets camera time!

Stunning Maternity Portraits in Bedford by Nina Drapacz Photography

With only weeks to go I headed north with all my studio equipment and in time for gorgeous late afternoon light. This mom glowed! We all had fun with this creative and playful session! I'm excited to meet the little one soon!

Village Maternity Opens! Photography by Nina Drapacz

Last night was opening night for my favorite practice, Village Obstetrics' new addition, Village Maternity! Doula and midwives abound! I was happy to create this poster for them, a few of the babies in this poster were delivered by these docs! Successful opening celebration for these doulas and midwives with Dr. W and Dr. M.

The Glow from Inside and Out! Celebrate the belly! Maternity by Nina Drapacz Photography

A special and short time in a woman's life. Not a time to cover up but to take off the layers and show off that magnificent belly! maternityphotography19 maternityphotography20 maternityphotography21

House Call and More Newborn Images....Nina Drapacz Photography

I found a few more favorites from this newborn session as I was meeting with the mom to go through the images together. House calls are an integral part of the process. When I post galleries of over 300 images to choose from its much easier to narrow down the best when I swing by with my laptop loaded with Adobe Photoshop. This program allows us to place similar images side by side to compare details as well as toggle back and forth in Camera Raw with a magnification tool to see minute details.family family2 7W4A0324 newborn3 siblingsO