Never too Late in Fall for A Hampton Session. Nina Drapacz Photography

It started as a rainy day and continued to rain and got harder by the hour as I drove out. The family had this one window of time to do the holiday shoot, having postponed due to weather several times. Not know what to expect or where to photograph in the rain since their house was under construction, I was panicked! Just as I pulled into the driveway, the rain stopped. The parents dropped the kids off and said they would be back in an hour. 

Not know when the rain would return, we started taking photos immediately and even made it to the beach a ways away. Just as we felt a drop of water we started running towards the house. The rain had begun AND the photo was complete! Yay! I was excited to capture these images and thankful for the even light. My first November taking images in the Hamptons. It was quiet and so pleasant!

Website Portraits for Village Obstetrics. Nina Drapacz Photography

I've been photographing these amazing obstetricians for over a decade. Each year they change their website photos to keep current. We all have such a great time and each year we try a different location. This year the office and Mt. Sinai inside and out plus a favorite coffee cart. The practice is like a big happy family! 

Beach Captures! Hamptons, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

Unseasonably warm, why not? Its never the wrong time to have beach portraits! This day was extremely cloudy, a photographer's dream! No shadows and the ability to shoot from any direction without squints! 

There was a small mouse running around behind me until a seagull swept down and captured it! I don't know who screamed the loudest, the mom, the kids or me!

Some of the Last Beach Photographs, Watermill, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

The sun was still this bright at 6:30, and incredibly golden orange. The girls, who have been among my favorite subjects for years, were really excited to be photographed! The combination made this early evening session magical!

Swinging Above a Lake in September in Tuxedo, NY. Nina Drapacz Photography

This past Saturday was not warm enough to swim, especially in a huge lake! When we went to the dock to take pictures, the dad put the boys on a swing above the lake. Needless to say the boys stayed dry holding on tight and I was able to make amazing images with "natural" smiles! A win win situation.

Hampton Photography! Nina Drapacz Photography

I love photographing this family! Every year its a treat and this year was just magical! Too windy for the beach but the house was the perfect backdrop, filled with natural golden sunlight.

The Hampton's in the Summer! Nina Drapacz Photography.

There is no better combination than the Hampton's and New York City as a family and event photographer! The Hampton's provide a serene respite from the hot city. Beautiful families and parties on the beaches are a joy to photograph!

Sisters, One Graduating High School, the Other 3 weeks old in Brookyln. Nina Drapacz

I photographed this beautiful sister and brother over 12 years ago! The dad had saved my contact information from when I was still shooting film! There was a beautiful new baby to photograph, some graduation portraits and family portraits. A simple commute to Brooklyn to this lovely townhouse, replete with an incredible outdoor space! Why go to the park?

Two Teenagers and Their Little Brother, A Successful Challenge! Nina Drapacz Photography

The traffic was ridiculous and I arrived late. The mom was anxiously texting me to hurry as all three were losing patience. The lighting was soft and beautiful but all were upset and not into the shoot. Slowly but surely as we scouted for locations in Central Park, we came across an amazing tree, then rocks that lined up and more. So with the perfect backdrop and lighting, I needed to work on the adolescents. I resorted to politics and sure enough, it worked!

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!

Central Park Wedding Photography A Year Later. Nina Drapacz Photography

My good friend Michael's fiance recommended my photography to her good friends visiting from Germany. They were married a year ago, but this was their honeymoon.  I met them at the entrance to the park, her in a wedding gown, him in a stylish outfit. We were ready to explore east to west of the park, one of us in heels!

I found myself discovering new areas to photograph along the way. How the bride literally hiked, climbed rocks and walked miles in the heels, I dont know! A beautiful couple so in love! I left smiling the rest of the 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!  

Mitzvah Photography Manhattan, Westchester, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Nina Drapacz Photography

No stone left unturned. I arrived at the family home at 7 am sharp and began documenting... from Mom helping with the tie to the dog watching as he slipped into his shoes. Then on to the synagogue. It was pouring and dark. We did all the traditional images as well as some behind the scenes before the service. Next, the most extraordinary kiddish we have ever photographed! 

The evening events left myself and my team speechless. Every detail was perfect and many were "over the top!!!" One of the best mitzvahs!

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

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?!

Personal Branding Headshots by Nina Drapacz

This mom never ages! She's stunning! I have photographed Erica and her beautiful family for years. She contacted me for a new headshot for an upcoming talk show position which is very exciting! We used her own environment and natural soft window light. Of course we needed hubby and her babies, Ricky and Lucy, to make the session complete!

Village Maternity Opens! Photography by Nina Drapacz

Last night was opening night for my favorite practice, Village Obstetrics' new addition, Village Maternity! Doula and midwives abound! I was happy to create this poster for them, a few of the babies in this poster were delivered by these docs! Successful opening celebration for these doulas and midwives with Dr. W and Dr. M.