Goodbye New York City and Moving West! Family Photos by Nina Drapacz Photography

Enough park photography, this family wanted more of a city vibe. Moving to LA in just a week, I brought them to my favorite Tribecca spot, saturated with history and grit! Lucky for me there was a lot of rain the night before, leaving these pools of water on this tiny street. The kids, who mastered the perfect jumps, loved the chance to leap across trying not to get wet...it worked most of the time.

It Was Meant to Be. Engagement Photography by Nina Drapacz Photography

They met when she was a student and he the professor many years ago. There was an instant intellectual connection. Keeping in touch over the years she would visit his family and, on occasion, babysit for his children. With the passing of his wife he reached out and she was there. Life events brought them full circle. Without wasting time, he proposed. Some of the images were captured at Convent of The Sacred Heart where she went to elementary school many years before they met. It was meant to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central Park, After School and After a Cup of Grom. Nina Drapacz Photography

Baby number two, two years old and very serious. The only trick that worked for a fleeting smile was the Dad toss. I photographed this little one in his mom's belly, as a newborn and now a toddler with his handsome older brother. The shoot came after they both consumed Grom strawberry gelato, thank goodness for photoshop! Evidence erased!

Communion at the Boathouse in Central Park. Nina Drapacz Photography

Many years ago I photographed Bridgette and her classmates at her nursery school. A year later her mom contacted me to do communion portraits of her eldest daughter. The bright red tulips on Park Ave were in full bloom, creating the perfect backdrop. A few years later I was contacted to photograph Bridget for her communion. The tulips were wilted but the Loeb Boathouse Lakeside was another ideal setting! Water, some boats even a turtle appeared in the water! Yes, found some red flowers to match her sister's portraits as well! The last image is Bridgette on her sister's communion day.

What Happened to Spring? Portraits with Tulips on a Nice Day in NYC by Nina Drapacz

It felt like an August day this past Saturday! Lucky as its cold again and this gorgeous little toddler had to wear this fab dress sans sweater! A late walker, the mom contacted me as soon as she started to set up a shoot with her brother, whom you may recognize in many of my galleries...

Her brother chose a beautiful dandelion for his mom, and one for his sister. He enjoyed her reaction.

Magic Show At Twin's Birthday Party in Tuxedo, N.Y. during a Snowstorm! Nina Drapacz Photography

The drive upstate was tame but as the guests arrived, so did the snow. The amazing birthday party for adorable twin girls continued for three hours as the storm grew more intense. The predictions were 15 inches and the house was way up on top of a slippery mountain. After a 3 hour knuckle drive home, I uploaded these amazing images and sent to the parents and girls to enjoy on their day off of school the next day!  

Valentine's Day is Approaching! Family Portraits by Nina Drapacz Photography

Professional fine art photographs are a fun and a perfect way to say "I Love You!" for someone special. It makes a wonderful surprise as framed prints or a wrapped gift certificate to be used at a later date with an expiration of one year. Book now or buy a certificate for later!

ninadrapacz.com  ninadrapacz@gmail.com  917.972.1788

Newborn Photography by Nina Drapacz Photography

She was just days old, we all expected this beautiful little baby to sleep the entire shoot.....there was no way! She was alert and thoroughly enjoyed being photographed! Her older fur sister had a good time licking peanut butter off her head as we pretended it was intentional loving licks.

Identical Twins! Rare and as Most Toddlers are, "Raring To Go!" Nina Drapacz Photography

These one year old adorable identical twins were a true and rare treat! Age one marks the transition to toddler from baby. Toddler stems from "to toddle" and these little ones were on the go as soon as they were released from the stroller. It took me about 15 minutes to distinguish one from the other, while they share the same faces their personalties were different. 

Outdoor Winter Photography...its not too cold! Nina Drapacz Photography

Its been seasonally warm this winter, so far. This family reunion was after Christmas and the weather was perfect for this Harlem outdoor photoshoot! The family was so much fun, some visiting from Australia. Laden with multi outfit changes for the cousins and tons of interchangeable bright hats, we were set for the fun! 

Maternity Portraits Can Be Beautiful! Nina Drapacz Photography

Women glow during pregnancy! Many women are so self conscious about their changing bodies but this an important time for professional photographs to celebrate the belly! Of course future siblings play an important role and assume the shoot is for them, but with a little coaxing....everyone gets camera time!

Pet and Twin Portraits by Nina Drapacz Photography

Pets are an integral part of the family, many times, the "first child". While the session can be more challenging with pets, it is by far worth the challenge! The animals sometimes become the stars of the photo shoots.....This small series were taken over two years in Tuxedo, New York.

Probably getting close to the last of the color, Fall Photography. Nina Drapacz

Some solace by weeks end. With all the shock of the week, it was comforting to experience nature in NYC as its finest. 

Summer in the Hamptons by Nina Drapacz Photography

Still need to finish blogging about my summer shoots- tons of fall images soon! These images show the warm glow of the late afternoon / early evening summer sun. The girls had a blast! Next summer I need to convince the parents to join in!

End of Summer Beach Shoots. Nina Drapacz Photography

I recommend squeezing the last drops of golden light available when it comes to beach shoots. This family started inside and when we got to the beach, just steps away, we had about 10 minutes. This being said, once the sun set, there was a lovely soft dusk that set in, shadowless and wonderful!

These images show how much fun these sibs were having!

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Headshots by Nina Drapacz Photography

She showed up with a small suitcase, a fresh blow out and no make up. She didn't need any! Just a dab of lip gloss and some of my bronzer on her eyes and we were set to go with at least a dozen outfits, great music and her doting dad.

Among The Last Summer Sessions in Bridgehampton by Nina Drapacz

This session was one of three, the first of the day and it was sweltering in the sun! The finale was the entire family, minus the dog, jumping on the trampoline together! They each took turns doing tricks, I chose this image because the mom literally finished doing a flip! Needless to say I was impressed! 

Dunewood, Fire Island by Nina Drapacz Photography

I've photographed in the Hamptons all summer and finally got the chance to photograph a family in Fire Island! Its a completely different scene there. No cars, just simply wagons and bikes with a tiny grocery store and a single restaurant in the adjacent town. Super rustic and very cozy! The real beauty for children is the independence they get from being able to go places safely without parents hovering....

These children, my seventh year photographing them, were never this excited! I heard from each one all about their treks alone to the next town on their bikes! And what would a beach experience be like without a newly captured hermit crab?!

Beach Photography in Amagansett, N.Y. Nina Drapacz Photography

It was a super hot and humid day but lucky for us, cloudy! The only way to successfully shoot on the beach is either all clouds or very late day sun, which isn't always the best time for young subjects. Its hard to tell how hot it was that afternoon by these images, the family was gorgeous, cool and collect. The best part was how they wanted the images to be interactive and not posed. This gave everyone a lot of freedom to have fun! My favorite part was the creative license this afforded me to truly capture the spirit of the family in a unique way.

 

Baby Sister's Photo Session Upper west Side, NYC. Nina Drapacz Photography

Her older brother is among my favorite subjects with his enormous smiles and playful personality. He now has some competition! She has a huge range of expressions and she's beautiful! To see them together is magical!