Senior Portraits for the Yearbook by Nina Drapacz Photography

Mom reached out to me in December inquiring about senior yearbook photography. She said her daughter will need them in January. Her best friend, who attends the same school, needed a session as well so we combined both sessions together . This made it fun for them and they were able to encourage each other and share ideas as well as coats!

Senior yearbook photographs must show the best possible versions of who they are as they enter a new chapter of their lives. Scouting out the perfect backdrops and working closely on the best and most genuine expressions are key. These published images will live on for friends and family to visit for decades.

Headshot for ASRT Scanner Magazine by Nina Drapacz

This is the second cover I have done for ASRT’s magazine, Scanner. The session was done on a day where the wind was 40 mph and the temperature was 38 degrees. The doctor had limited time to do the session, this was the only day. I suggested we meet at the Metropolitan Museum. I chose four locations around the front of the museum. Her smile lit her face and her confidence beamed. There was no evidence of the inclement weather. She was a pleasure to photograph!

Socially Distant Newborn Session in Central Park. Nina Drapacz Photography

Two years ago I photographed this newborn’s older brother in his home. The parents had given birth mid pandemic so the same indoor session was not safe with their second son. They met me with their toddler and two week old baby at the entrance to the park. The entire session was in the cool shade. We able to get his older brother to hold his little hand… apparently a first!

Social Distance Sessions by Nina Drapacz Photography

Safe photography from over 6 feet away with a masked photographer! I’ve been asked to photograph many famlilies and studio session outdoors. With children home wihout camp and social activites, families have found time to schedule annual photo shoots, new births, first birthdays and even professional headshots for new jobs. I travel to the Hamptons, New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut where many families have been living since Covid. The sessions are relaxed in backyards and beaches or here in the splendor of New York City’s various parks.

Staple Street Location Shoot by Nina Drapacz Photography

It was a hot August day with an amazing family I have had the privilege of photographing since the girls were babies! The heat made it hard for everyone including the photographer. Eventually “we” all began to relax and enjoy this session, which shows in the images. Love the mom and older daughter too deep in conversation to notice dad and the younger one jumping off the ledge…

Birthday in the Hampton's by Nina Drapacz Photography

It was all about the mermaid outfit! The birthday girl had a good time with the balloons and scarves before the guests arrived… which for me, creatively, was the best part!

Bat Mitzvah at Home by Nina Drapacz Photography

As a photographer and as a guest I have been to many many mitzvahs. This was the first one at home - it was simple and a class act. Warmth and affection from close relatives really made this mitzvah so wonderfully unique and special!

Actor/Modeling/Muscle Headshots by Nina Drapacz Photography

Big goals for one session. Actor headshots, modeling headshots and athlectic modeling headshots. Clothing choices: three t shirts and a hoodie not intendrd to use...turns out to be the best images came from that hoodie. 

Leon was amazing from the start but initially put on his "posing face", which was great but lacked personality. We talked a bit and he became more at ease. I tried to trigger him to give something more. Every 40 or so images we stopped to see what we were getting and taking it from there. Collaboration is EVERYTHING! I chose to show my personal favorites, chuck full of "Leon" for acting, modeling etc. We were both very pleased with the diversity and the range of personality and expression!

A Baptism in Greenwich Village with Relatives from Around the World. Nina Drapacz Photography

The mom had found me from a recommendation on Facebook. When I arrived early at the Church of St. Josepth in Greenwich Village I met the baby's grandfather. He told me the guests were arriving from around the world that day for this special ceremony. One daughter was arriving from Australia, he and his wife came in from India, another daughter from London, relatives from the mom's side were coming from San Francisco etc. 

Needless to say the pressure was on to document this special event in the baby's life surrounded by tons of loving relatives. 

Under 48 Hours Old. Mt. Sinai East. Nina Drapacz Photogaphy

New hospital for me lots of new babies! The parents of this little beauty work here at the hospital and had a wonderful new private room in the new addition on this floor. What a head of hair! She was all cheeks and hair, a true delight to photograph!

Corporate Website Headshots made Fun by Nina Drapacz Photography

Its a day everyone dreads, portrait day like in school! Once I was done, they couldn't wait for me to return to take more! I did two looks, one classic studio and the other a bit more current or cutting edge. They chose both! For different purposes and each person now owns a two perfect retouched portraits to use for social media as well! 

The important part of photographing in a corporate environment is being quick and efficient. Give direction on positioning and tell them where to look. It is also beneficial to have a decent sense of humor, especially when the other co workers are observing and teasing!

Central Park Photo Seesion. Nina Drapacz Photography

One of the last warm days of winter. (yes, no jackets or sweaters and this was December!) Three beautiful children traveled in from Westchester for the yearly photo session. The red pants were a perfect choice with the greenery of Central Park. I love the "pop" of color!

Children in Costumes by Nina Drapacz Photography

What to do when a child shows up to a photo shoot in costume? The costume, the identity of the day, is very important to the child and they may be very hesitant to remove it.... 

Batman, aka Henry, came with his parents to my studio last week. As an experienced mother I immediately started calling him Batman which was exactly what he wanted to hear, step one. I ask if he could perhaps demonstrate some flying techniques, something he was thrilled to perform. After a few clicks of the camera and lights, I gently asked him to show me who was under the mask, he pulled it up and with coaxing eventually shed it completely with the cape! 

Mom didn't pressure him at all and had brought a white button down shirt for the shoot. Henry liked what he came in but mom asked him if he would like to look like dad in the white shirt, bingo! He agreed and let her change the shirt. It was a fantastic session! Light, lively and captured him perfectly!

As an experienced children's photographer and mother, I had realized that the costume was important and it was who Henry wanted to be for the day. Indulge the need, pay attention and the rest will fall into place! Hours after he left the studio with mom and dad, I noticed the mask was left on my desk, completely forgotten! His mom is coming by in a day or two to pick it up...

Website Portraits for Village Obstetrics. Nina Drapacz Photography

I've been photographing these amazing obstetricians for over a decade. Each year they change their website photos to keep current. We all have such a great time and each year we try a different location. This year the office and Mt. Sinai inside and out plus a favorite coffee cart. The practice is like a big happy family! 

Beach Captures! Hamptons, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

Unseasonably warm, why not? Its never the wrong time to have beach portraits! This day was extremely cloudy, a photographer's dream! No shadows and the ability to shoot from any direction without squints! 

There was a small mouse running around behind me until a seagull swept down and captured it! I don't know who screamed the loudest, the mom, the kids or me!

Some of the Last Beach Photographs, Watermill, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

The sun was still this bright at 6:30, and incredibly golden orange. The girls, who have been among my favorite subjects for years, were really excited to be photographed! The combination made this early evening session magical!

Copy of Swinging Above a Lake in September in Tuxedo, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

This past Saturday was not warm enough to swim, especially in a huge lake! When we went to the dock to take pictures, the dad put the boys on a swing above the lake. Needless to say the boys stayed dry holding on tight and I was able to make amazing images with "natural" smiles! A win win situation.

Swinging Above a Lake in September in Tuxedo, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

This past Saturday was not warm enough to swim, especially in a huge lake! When we went to the dock to take pictures, the dad put the boys on a swing above the lake. Needless to say the boys stayed dry holding on tight and I was able to make amazing images with "natural" smiles! A win win situation.

The Hampton Toss! Family Photography in the Hamptons! Nina Drapacz Photography

Freezing the moment is what good photography is all about. Here are various kinds of tosses mastered by this Dad. 

Central Park Wedding Photography A Year Later. Nina Drapacz Photography

My good friend Michael's fiance recommended my photography to her good friends visiting from Germany. They were married a year ago, but this was their honeymoon.  I met them at the entrance to the park, her in a wedding gown, him in a stylish outfit. We were ready to explore east to west of the park, one of us in heels!

I found myself discovering new areas to photograph along the way. How the bride literally hiked, climbed rocks and walked miles in the heels, I dont know! A beautiful couple so in love! I left smiling the rest of the day!