Engagement Photo Shoot In East Hampton! Nina Drapacz Photography

With the New York Times photo deadline approaching....weekends of terrible weather drove the session indoors to my studio. Always planning for an outdoor engagement session, East Hampton made sense as the bride, my future daughter in law, spent almost every summer there since she was small. Since Paddy, the family's adorable golden doodle, isn't invited to walk down the isle, we needed him in these engagement images. Yes, snacks were involved for this pooch as seen in his profile after devouring his biscuit...

Next the beach, which at 8:30 am was too bright so the parking lot served as the backdrop here. 

Special Delivery, Under 48 Hours by Nina Drapacz Photography

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.

Two Loving Big Brothers Bonding with a Baby Sister after Birth. Nina Drapacz Photography

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!

The Fourth and Final. Under 48 hours by Nina Drapacz Photography

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!

Baptism Photography Upper East Side by Nina Drapacz Photography

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!

Under 48 Hours Old. Mt. Sinai East. Nina Drapacz Photogaphy

New hospital for me lots of new babies! The parents of this little beauty work here at the hospital and had a wonderful new private room in the new addition on this floor. What a head of hair! She was all cheeks and hair, a true delight to photograph!

Newborn Baby AND The Only Boy of 5 ! Under 48 Hours by Nina Drapacz Photography.

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.

Newborn Baby at Weill Cornell by Nina Drapacz Photography

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.

Newborn Shoot a Day After Birth! Cornell Hospital by Nina Drapacz Photography

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!

Ten Going on Fifteen Fashion Shoot Birthday Celebration. Nina Drapacz Photography

When did 10 become the new 15? I came to photograph this small gathering of cousins celebrating a tenth birthday. The goal was fashion images of each girl. We started inside but we ended up outdoors - mid February and the birthday girl had on shorts! We were all surprised by the unusual weather that afternoon but no one was disappointed. Plenty of great backdrops.

Newborn Work Over Many Years...Nina Drapacz Photpgraphy

The weather is miserable, what better time than to make a video of lots of photo sessions of newborns I have done throughout the years? I use Animoto as my video maker. Very simple, choose music and images and even text! 

Here it is:

Bar Mitzvah Manhattan Style! Nina Drapacz Photography

After photographing and attending so many mitzvah's, this one was simple and classic! The bar mitzvah boy is even barefoot during a hora in his own apartment! The temple was stunning, the tallis was the same color as the torahs in the ark, a perfect combination coincidently... What would I have done without the gentleman that works at Central Synagogue? He positioned the tallit perfectly after grandpa had put it on and was full of ideas for the images. Needless to say a little hairspray, a gorgeous tallit and a beautiful family make a great combination for perfect photography.

A few hours later everyone headed to the apartment for good food, magic tricks, mind reading and a hora! Followed by a spectacular birthday cake, carrot, and quite melted by then. 

Corporate Website Headshots made Fun by Nina Drapacz Photography

Its a day everyone dreads, portrait day like in school! Once I was done, they couldn't wait for me to return to take more! I did two looks, one classic studio and the other a bit more current or cutting edge. They chose both! For different purposes and each person now owns a two perfect retouched portraits to use for social media as well! 

The important part of photographing in a corporate environment is being quick and efficient. Give direction on positioning and tell them where to look. It is also beneficial to have a decent sense of humor, especially when the other co workers are observing and teasing!

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's Birthday Party at Amorino, a Primo Gelato Shop! Nina Drapacz Photography

What's better than an ice cream party for six year old twin girls?  A gelato party! It surpassed even the best ice cream party as it was at one of the best gelato shops in NYC, Amorino. The gelato is imported directly from Italy - it doesn't get better! Imagine a fresh made waffle cone with more than three insane flavors made into a flower and topped with a macaron- then imagine an unlimited supply of these cones plus thick homemade hot chocolate!!!

A dance party followed by an awesome acapella group singing their favorite songs apres the hot chocolate and gelato.....

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...

STREAMLINE WEBSITES AND PRESENTATIONS. CREATIVE BUSINESS PORTRAITS NINA DRAPACZ PHOTOGRAPHY

In the world of internet, visual presentation is critical. A great headshot can create an element of trust. A polished portrait speaks volumes for business websites, social media and personal branding. Do not hesitate to make the time and financial commitment as the LinkedIn profiles with great picture are viewed many more times. An attractive image that portrays strength and confidence is the definition of a successful headshot. The portrait can be used not only for websites and LinkedIn, but Facebook business pages, leaving comments on blogs, etc...  

Trust a professional photographer as she or he knows what to do, the tilt of the head, the flattering angles of the light and most importantly what to elicit from the subject. Creating a sense of ease and working collaboratively is the secret. In this shoot with the doctor for her new website we had four different looks to be used for different purposes. 

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!

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!

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!