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!

Hamptons in the early Fall. Nina Drapacz Photography.

I love to travel to the Hamptons for family sessions when the crowds are gone and its still warm but not hot. This day started out rainy and dark. When I arrived it had just stopped raining and there were overcast skies. They were concerned the images would look gloomy. I guarenteed everyone they would be bright and cheerful, which they were! The wind really kicked upon on the beach and as soon as I finished the rain returned in a torrential way! This was the ONLY hour that day it did not pour! We were lucky! The goal at the end was to capture an image of their youngest dog jumping in the water while the kids posed…

Candlewood Lake with three sisters by Nina Drapacz Photography

Each year we pick a new location. This was the most unique for me as the girls literally stood on a raft mid session. I was afraid they would definitely fall over. Each year the family tradition is dad carrying all three on his shoulders and images of the girls laying down, just faces . I have a session tomorrow with them and wonder if dad can support all three yet again on his shoulders this year!

A Studio Session On Location. Nina Drapacz Photography

She’s 8 months old and just started sitting on her own. I brought a simple piece of black vevet, the rest was a matter of capturing her personality. I love photographing babies in their natural surroundings at home but i felt like the simple black background provided the viewer with less distraction and more focus on the facial expressions.

Family Photography on Location by Nina Drapacz Photography

There’s nothing more rewarding than a family who is relaxed and excited about creative images. The baby had only taken half his normal nap so I needed to work quickly before his short window was up. Thanks to his big brother’s patience and his easy going parents we ended up with some memorable unique images!

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…

A Family in Central Park by Nina Drapacz Photography

I have photographed this family since the children were infants! To see how they change from year to year is a treat! The siblings are a close knit team, they actually don’t mind sitting close and even hugging each other! The funniest part was at the end when the parents were sneaking in a kiss and youngest stood there wondering why I shifted focus on them and not her!

Fall Fun in Central Park by Nina Drapacz Photography

Yearly tradition for dad- after swinging each daughter one by one, he holds all three at once. Admits this may possibly be the last year since they are getting too big !

Wedding Photography at The New York Botanical Garden by Nina Drapacz Photography

The bride requested the rose garden, but with the weather colder than usual the roses weren’t ready so we went to the Azalea Garden which was magical! The New York Botanical Garden is 250 acres and they provided a guide and golf cart to take us to different locations. It was a breath taking experience and a pleasure to work with this amazing couple in such a setting!

Fresh 48 in Hospital Photography by Nina Drapacz Photography

Fresh 48 is a series of images artistically captured just 24 - 48 hours after the trauma of birth. Parents and siblings are at their most vulnerable. It’s an honor to be able to be there to bear witness to these precious moments. I find myself comforting and reassuring parents and easing some siblings into acceptance.

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.

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!

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! 

Engagement Photo Shoot In East Hampton! Nina Drapacz Photography

With the New York Times photo deadline approaching....weekends of terrible weather drove the session indoors to my studio. Always planning for an outdoor engagement session, East Hampton made sense as the bride, my future daughter in law, spent almost every summer there since she was small. Since Paddy, the family's adorable golden doodle, isn't invited to walk down the isle, we needed him in these engagement images. Yes, snacks were involved for this pooch as seen in his profile after devouring his biscuit...

Next the beach, which at 8:30 am was too bright so the parking lot served as the backdrop here. 

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 Baby at Weill Cornell by Nina Drapacz Photography

Mom was recuperating and was eager for a photo session right in the hospital, she was prepared with plenty of hats from grandma! The baby was a beautiful girl! We tried my props first then moved to her own. She slept through the whole shoot! Grandma was a huge help! I would definitely hire her as my assistant. We both took turns swaddling her granddaughter.

Ten Going on Fifteen Fashion Shoot Birthday Celebration. Nina Drapacz Photography

When did 10 become the new 15? I came to photograph this small gathering of cousins celebrating a tenth birthday. The goal was fashion images of each girl. We started inside but we ended up outdoors - mid February and the birthday girl had on shorts! We were all surprised by the unusual weather that afternoon but no one was disappointed. Plenty of great backdrops.

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!