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.

Hamptons by Nina Drapacz

I met these amazing children at the Bridgehampton Surf and Tennis Club many years ago. They live in another state but like to be in the Hamptons with their family each summer. The goal was to capture these two with their 3 cousins. Here are a few of my favs from this session.

Baby on The Way, Toddler Waits...Nina Drapacz Photography

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....

Central Park Photo Seesion. Nina Drapacz Photography

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!

 

Children in Costumes by Nina Drapacz Photography

What to do when a child shows up to a photo shoot in costume? The costume, the identity of the day, is very important to the child and they may be very hesitant to remove it.... 

Batman, aka Henry, came with his parents to my studio last week. As an experienced mother I immediately started calling him Batman which was exactly what he wanted to hear, step one. I ask if he could perhaps demonstrate some flying techniques, something he was thrilled to perform. After a few clicks of the camera and lights, I gently asked him to show me who was under the mask, he pulled it up and with coaxing eventually shed it completely with the cape! 

Mom didn't pressure him at all and had brought a white button down shirt for the shoot. Henry liked what he came in but mom asked him if he would like to look like dad in the white shirt, bingo! He agreed and let her change the shirt. It was a fantastic session! Light, lively and captured him perfectly!

As an experienced children's photographer and mother, I had realized that the costume was important and it was who Henry wanted to be for the day. Indulge the need, pay attention and the rest will fall into place! Hours after he left the studio with mom and dad, I noticed the mask was left on my desk, completely forgotten! His mom is coming by in a day or two to pick it up...

Never Too Cold for Holiday Portraits...When They are Inside! Nina Drapacz Photography

Parks aren't always the best when it comes to holiday portraits, apartments are way to go when its freezing outside! Of the five plus years I have photographed this family, the two apartment sessions were the best! No trees to climb, no expansive places to run and best of all, controlled lighting!

Hamptons in September. Nina Drapacz Photography

When I arrived, this gorgeous girl was watching her father and brother playing basketball. She was dressed to go and they ran into the house to change. I met this the family when the kids went to Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club Camp a few years back and they all keep getting more beautiful each year.

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!

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?

 

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.

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! 

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!

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! 

New York City Window Photography by Nina Drapacz

When indoor portraits are finished and there happens to be the rare balcony available...Yes, it was me outside with the camera freezing, but well worth it for this beautiful mom and her daughters!children portraits childrenphotography family portraits familyportraits

The Metropolitan Museum makes a Perfect Backdrop for these Brothers! Nina Drapacz Photography

When the mom asked to meet her in front of Central Park, we were losing light. We had 15 minutes to take photographs before the light was gone. Hence we didn't have a chance to go behind the museum, but in fact made a great discovery on this crowded late afternoon! What better a backdrop for the perfect holiday card, two happy boys and an iconic fountain!boysLowen jake jake2

Dreaming of Summer Again. Bridgehampton by Nina Drapacz

I first photographed these sisters at the BSTC camp the previous year. I had the special privilege of photographing them this summer on their own turf. Loved the woodsy setting!schiff schif schiff schiff2schiff3