Fresh 48 is a series of images artistically captured just 24 - 48 hours after the trauma of birth. Parents and siblings are at their most vulnerable. It’s an honor to be able to be there to bear witness to these precious moments. I find myself comforting and reassuring parents and easing some siblings into acceptance.
I met this family on the day of their baby’s bris. It was a perfect intimate setting in the party room of one grandma’s apartment building. The baby didn’t cry which made everyone so much more comfortable! Whew! Mom eagerly took a sip of the ceremonial wine following the procedure…
Four months old and quite adorable. This little one with his perfect round head and sturdy body didnt cry once until the very end, he was tired of all the entertainment! Dad had a walrus stuffed animal when he was the same age that he had saved all these years to give to his child….yep he inisited on includingit! The baby loves it!
Photographing in three different hosptials, Cornell, Mt. Sinai East and Mt. Sinai West, I try to capture brand new babies as artisictally as I can which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on the baby. I feel these images are a good summary of my work in just a month, toggling between hosptials and rooms. These sessions afford me the opportunity to meet so many different families and to turn my creative energy to wonderful portraits documenting a very emotional time for everyone. The dad with the twins chose a pink shirt to take his twins babygirls home this day!
The birth stories I hear as well as the coaching I give the new parents on how to soothe their babies and even swaddle them correctly gives me the pleasure of sharing what I know from being a mom as well as reminding me of my own experiences as a new mom hours after my baby was born. With each session, I gain new perspectives and learn more about newborns and their parents and how unique each family is.
Photographing in three different hosptials, Cornell, Mt. Sinai East and Mt. Sinai West, I try to capture brand new babies as artisictally as I can which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on the baby. I feel these images are a good summary of my work in just a month, toggling between hosptials and rooms. These sessions afford me the opportunity to meet so many different families and to turn my creative energy to wonderful portraits documenting a very emotional time for everyone. The dad with the twins chose a pink shirt to take his twins babygirls home this day!
The birth stories I hear as well as the coaching I give the new parents on how to soothe their babies and even swaddle them correctly gives me the pleasure of sharing what I know from being a mom as well as reminding me of my own experiences as a new mom hours after my baby was born. With each session, I gain new perspectives and learn more about newborns and their parents and how unique each family is.
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....
A beautiful set of twins ready to go home - what a treat! They were both a good size. The boy was the crier, the girl, the calmer of the two. It fascinates me how they still mimic the way they grew inside their mom, the way they nuzzle.
Needless to say she will have her hands full!
The only mom to date who said to me giving birth was easy! This was her second, so usually a bit easier however she claimed the first was easy as well. After knocking on hundreds of doors to see new moms, this mom was a first in claiming natural childbirth wasn't so painful! The first baby slept through the entire session with another photographer years ago, this one was adorable but not easy.
More from "Under 48 Hours" The family had another photographer the day before but the baby was too fussy..It was check out day so I had to work quickly.. I came straight to the room which was too dark and small and took the family out to the hall where there was space and beautiful window light.
Two big brothers were goofing around so I had to wrangle them in while the baby was being "topped off" with an additional feeding. I worked with them and they loved the attention, so when the baby was ready, so were they. The boys rose to the occasion and couldn't be more amazing!
His name is Fin, French for end! A beautiful boy and the fourth child, his siblings couldn't wait to handle him! Using the gorgeous private room, I set up a studio meant for one but stretched to encompass 4 plus parents....
Mom was prepared more than for the others at their birth. She brought the most awesome baby wrap which included a large blue bow to tie around him like a little bundle of joy!
I find the visual aspect of a baptism so compelling. This little one didn't let out a peep, she was amazing! Whether she was anointed with oil or the priest splashed her with holy water, she was calm and happy. And what a head of hair! Mom was busy fixing her hair after the dunk to get it back to its initial bounce!
A "huge" treat to find this chubby little baby born at 10.5 pounds and 36 hours old! He was an adorable sleepy bundle of baby and the only boy in a family with four girls all under the age of 6! The fifth child and according to mom, maybe not the last as he will need a brother....Oh those cheeks!
All my props worked with this big guy. He was so sturdy and content. This session was on the hospital bed using 6:30 pm soft window light.
Mom was recuperating and was eager for a photo session right in the hospital, she was prepared with plenty of hats from grandma! The baby was a beautiful girl! We tried my props first then moved to her own. She slept through the whole shoot! Grandma was a huge help! I would definitely hire her as my assistant. We both took turns swaddling her granddaughter.
Arthur was born on a Tuesday at Weill Cornell Hospital and on Wednesday he had his first photo shoot with his big brother and family right there on the hospital bed! As soon as I walked into the hospital room I met his big brother who was somewhat hesitant and losing patience...had to work quick, Arthur was calm and quiet but his brother needed coaxing. Need less to say this family took away wonderful images of Arthur and a bonus of Arthur and his older brother and parents! Birth announcement image DONE!
One of the last warm days of winter. (yes, no jackets or sweaters and this was December!) Three beautiful children traveled in from Westchester for the yearly photo session. The red pants were a perfect choice with the greenery of Central Park. I love the "pop" of color!
Dogs are a must for family photos! Sometimes they are more work, but mostly they are the easiest subjects....this is a case of a dog walking a boy!
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!
These beautiful little sisters had the best clothes! We had plans for at least 7 outfit changes but the girls allowed just 4 or 5. We had to choose wisely...I could have kept taking photographs all day, there was so much beauty and many special moments. Identical twins have a symbiotic bond like no other twins. My goal was to capture it! I especially love the image where one discovered her sister hidden in the bushes and it looked as if she was looking in the mirror at herself.
Covering all aspects of the bris, from the preparation, the service, the delicious food and schmoozing I avoided photographing the actual procedure -thanks to the mohel, whew!
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?
