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!

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!


Tween Sibs on a Summer Night at the Beach Nina Drapacz Photography

The very end of August around 7pm.....it started with awesome warm orange light then a magical sky after the sunset. The girls could have kept going all night! Tweens are great! While the parents were under the impression that the light would not be as good this late, it happens to be the BEST light.kib kib2 kibkib4

Bar Mitzvah Photography at Temple Emanu-El of New York by Nina Drapacz Photography

TRIEDtried4tried2tried3tried6I arrived at the home of this lovely family for portraits before the ceremony. Two years earlier I photographed their oldest daughter for her Bat Mitzvah. I suggested photographing the actual service which wasn't an option for their daughter and they agreed if the temple agreed. Surprising to the family private services were allowed to be photographed. What a gorgeous synagogue, what a gorgeous family!

Senior Portraits by Nina Drapacz Photography

wel3welslaw4lawfleg3fleg2fish3 chaw2I have been photographing many of these seniors since they were babies! The all important yearbook personal page- make it special with a portrait thats says who you are! Book now for yearbook deadlines.

Westside girl comes to the upper east side for a fun photo shoot with Nina Drapacz Photography!

Her mom picked her up from school and came straight to the park. It was unseasonably warm, luckily, and she had a blast! Apparently this is her first formal photo shoot. Seven is a wonderful age! Between jumping on a thin stairwell banister, doing back bends and hugging agirl jumping girl outdoors girl with tree very very2 tree to name a few stints, she didn't want to our session to end. The perfect subject!

Steve Weatherford and Knicks Elite Air Dunkers at Basketball City by Nina Drapacz Photography

Last yearhochp hock2 hock4 hockp2 hockp3 it was Tim Hardaway Jr., this year Steve Weatherford and the Knicks Elite Air Dunkers at Basketball City! Poor Steve came as a guest and ended up signing over 50 shirts, shorts, sneaker, napkins... The Knick's Dunkers were awesome!

Bat Mitzvah in Scarsdale, New York by Nina Drapacz Photography

While I have photographed many birthday parties at the Sunningdale Country Club in Westchester, this was the first Bat Mitzvah I had done there. The room for the ceremony was perfectly set up and the space was wonderful for this kind of celebration! It was a cold rainy day and eventually the sun came out affording me the chance to photograph both indoors and outdoors. It was special to be able to photograph the actual ceremony with available light.gab gab2 gab3 gab4 gab5 gab6