Prom Night Party by Nina Drapacz Photography

I have been photographing this family since the children were toddlers. Mom told me she was having a pre prom party for her son and his classmates at her apartment for the seniors followed by a small private prom organized by the parents. Their regular prom was cancelled due to Covid, I was excited to see all three of them again as young adults and be part of a fun celebration. The family had relocated to this space during Covid. The neighborhood was eclectic and the wrap around balcony with veiws of Tribeca was the perfect place to capture such a colorful evening!

Cake Smash Photo Shoot by Nina Drapacz Photography

Mom wanted it simple. Just some gold stars , one simple monotone balloon filled with glittery pieces and a cool cake with platter. In comes a gorgeous baby, my granddaughter, dressed in an adorable bubble outfit from Feltman Brothers and wearing a small birthday crown. The rest was magic!

A Mitzvah in the Hamptons During Covid. Nina Drapacz Photography

I was scheduled to photograph the Mitzvah in June 2020 indoors in NYC. In May the mom contacted me to ask if I could do covid safe photography outdoors in East Hampton since indoor services and parties were not allowed. Yes! Just a small intimate family service to start followed by an evening of safe mitzvah fun. A temperature checker at the front entrance for additional safety and tie dyed masks, made by the mitzvah girl ,were laying in a bowl for everyone next to the disinfectant.

Mitzvah Photography at Temple Emanu-El by Nina Drapacz Photography

What makes this so special is having a photographic relationship with this wonderful family since she was just 4 years old! I was so excited to be the photographer for her important day. We started with images in Tribecca months before …Synagogue photographs (thank you Temple Emanuel for allowing photography during the service) followed by reception also in Tribecca! I did not want to do conventional images in Temple Emanuel, especially considering how nervous everyone was before the ceremony . Her little brother was the perfect family member to create the more relaxed mood that we all needed!

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!

Bar Mitzvah At The Classic Car Club! Nina Drapacz Photography

All the super valuable cars had been removed except for the DeLorean was which equipped with car karaoki. It was an amazing over the top Mitzvah with basketball players, dancers, insane passed treats and an awesome DJ!


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. 

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....

Bar Mitzvah Manhattan Style! Nina Drapacz Photography

After photographing and attending so many mitzvah's, this one was simple and classic! The bar mitzvah boy is even barefoot during a hora in his own apartment! The temple was stunning, the tallis was the same color as the torahs in the ark, a perfect combination coincidently... What would I have done without the gentleman that works at Central Synagogue? He positioned the tallit perfectly after grandpa had put it on and was full of ideas for the images. Needless to say a little hairspray, a gorgeous tallit and a beautiful family make a great combination for perfect photography.

A few hours later everyone headed to the apartment for good food, magic tricks, mind reading and a hora! Followed by a spectacular birthday cake, carrot, and quite melted by then. 

 

 

Children's Birthday Party at Amorino, a Primo Gelato Shop! Nina Drapacz Photography

What's better than an ice cream party for six year old twin girls?  A gelato party! It surpassed even the best ice cream party as it was at one of the best gelato shops in NYC, Amorino. The gelato is imported directly from Italy - it doesn't get better! Imagine a fresh made waffle cone with more than three insane flavors made into a flower and topped with a macaron- then imagine an unlimited supply of these cones plus thick homemade hot chocolate!!!

A dance party followed by an awesome acapella group singing their favorite songs apres the hot chocolate and gelato.....