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!

A Baby Naming During Covid by Nina Drapacz Photography

I had met this family right before Covid at the hospital after their second daughter was born. I was there to photograph the new baby and the sisters meeting for the first time. A year later, mom had reached out during the pandemic to see if I would photograph her first birthday cake smash in Central Park. Six months after her first birthday they asked me to document her baby naming, which had been postponed due to Covid. They had a small outdoor area outside their window. Immediate family and the rabbi. The paternal grandparetns could not travel so they were streamed in by zoom. The ceremoney was sweet and meaningful. I am so happy to have captured this important milestone for them.

Newborn Session at home by Nina Drapacz Photography

The family’s second baby. Mom wanted beautiful sleeping baby portraits like she had for her first son, which were done a day after birth at the hospital. Since Covid, hospitals were not allowing photographers so this session was done a week later at home. The baby was about 4 days old, his cord was still intact. He would not sleep. Mom had a list of images she wanted and they all invloved a sleeping baby…

After 2 hours, dad was able to get him to sleep and finally, we got those images. I like both the awake ones and the sleeping ones!

Monica + Andy Newborn Collaboration. Nina Drapacz Photography

A representative from Monica + Andy reached out to me during the beginning of Covid to see if I could use Monica + Andy clothing for newborns at the hospitals where I photographed babies a day after birth. I told him that due to Covid the hospitals will now not allow photographers . He agreed to my using the clothing for my home sessions. This was the first session I did using their clothing for the baby.

Their apartment was simple with pops of color. Perfect backgrounds! Later we went to their bedroom and used this incredible green blanket and a yoda hat with a brown wrap that they had purchased for the session as they were avid Star Wars fans..

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!

Three Girls under 5! Nina Drapacz Photography

Mom and dad contacted me together on speaker phone to photograph their newest daugher, only 8 days old. They had recently moved to their new home and were concerned there was not enough furniture or that it may look too empty. I reassured them that minimal is always best! When I walked in I found a beautiful apartment with amazing light warmly decorated with many options. The two beautiful older sisters, I was warned, both wanted to hold the baby as much as possible. What a gift for the photographer for those hard to get sibling moments! All three girls were such a pleasure to photograph. We all had fun!

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.

A Newborn Session at Home and Outside. Nina Drapacz Photography

A week after birth I was contacted by this lovely family who had newborn photos done at the hosptial with their first child. Due to Covid they were unable to do the same two years later with their second son. I brought a basket and some of the same letter blocks that were used at the hospital and recreated similar images for this family as they requested. They lived across from the park and the light was fading but we trudged the gang out. It was mom’s first time out since she came home from the hospital!

Newborn Session at Home. Nina Drapacz Photography

When I came into the family’s home, her parent’s were trying everything they could to get this big sister to wear something that wasn’t the gift for her newborn brother she had put on right before I arrived. Somehow she squeezed into an outfit their nanny had just brought for the new baby. Nothing could be done at this point to persude her to change so we went with it…trucks and all.

The images from that morning are truly fun and interactive. Posing wasn’t an option and much to my delight, not desired. When a family wants me to capture their dynamic, the photographs become part of their personal narrative and more creative which is not only a gift for them but a gift for me as a photographer.

Indoor Newborn Session During Covid. Nina Drapacz Photography

I was contacted by a new mom who had just delivered a week before to schedule my first indoor session during this time. I came wearing two masks. The parents couldn’t have be more chill or easier to work with! Their space had wonderful light and good locations to put newborns. The bonus was a sweet beautiful baby who slept the entire session!

A Baptism During Covid by Nina Drapacz Photography

This is the second baptism I photographed since Covid began. When I arrived, the family wanted photographs outside the church as they were prepared to have their masks on during the ceremony inside. Once inside, the priest, a family friend who had married the parents and the grandparents, told everyone they would be safe to remove their masks as everyone had been tested negative. There were no other congregants in the entire church.

As I was leaving the baby’s father asked if I was related to a good friend of his in high school as it was the same unusual last name. It turned out he was good friends with my son. He did not recognize me with my mask and I did not recognize him since he become an adult!

Charlie is Two Months Old! Nina Drapacz Photography

My granddaughter Charlie. I try to take my camera everytime I see her. My son tells me to just relax and not to feel the need to photograph her everytime. There is such a joy in capturing her evolving personality and to know she is my grandchild!

Newborn Socially Distant Session on Long Island. Nina Drapacz Photography

This mom was organized enough to book me before her baby was born according to her due date. Births, being unpredictable, she came a week early. Mom wanted the photo session as soon after birth as possible. Six days later and 91 degrees at 6pm…

An additional treat were two sets of grandparents, whom were all living with the new mom and dad during those first few weeks. A first grandchild on both sides. One can only imagine how they will dote on her!

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.

Newborn Photography Under 48 hours by Nina Drapacz

I have been specializing in baby photography for close to 28 years and for the past 2 years I have begun to photograph babies in the hosptials a day after birth. It’s exciting,, exhausting and an emotional rollercoaster for parents, siblings and grandparents. I feel priveleged to be there to witness it all.

Bris Photography by Nina Drapacz Photography

Some beautiful moments captured at this Bris, which is almost always a very emotional event for the parents. This baby is surrounded by so much love from his parents, grandparents and big sister. Luckily the mohel was fast and the baby stopped crying as soon as his diaper was secured. Whew!

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 !

More Fresh 48! By Nina Drapacz Photography

When I knock on the doors on the post delivery floor of the hosptials, it always a different experience. Some parents are exhuberant, others exhausted and overwhelmed. These families were excited and one family was prepared, the others happily surpirsed at what this Gaga photographer, me, had to offer! I’ve been called the baby whisperer by many new families!

Newborn at Home with the Famiily by Nina Drapacz Photography

I had seen a few images of this beautiful baby before I got to her home. She was even more spectacular in person! Her mom had a list of what she would like to be included in session, from hairbands and clothing to pillows, signs, setting and most importantly her big brother, Rascal, the dog! We accomplished all in over 2 hours, whew! While Rascal was a huge part of the shoot, I’m including the feet image where his paws are among the family feet.