Charlie is Two Months Old! Nina Drapacz Photography

My granddaughter Charlie. I try to take my camera everytime I see her. My son tells me to just relax and not to feel the need to photograph her everytime. There is such a joy in capturing her evolving personality and to know she is my grandchild!

Newborn Brother to These Two Boys. Nina Drapacz Photography

This family has had newborn sessions at Mount Sinai Hospital for their first two sons but Covid made this impossible with the third. It’s a family who had always lived in New York City until Covid made it impossible to function with their growing family. Both parents have high power jobs and were forced to work remotely with two young boys at home. Childcare was closed so their only work option was to take turns working and caring for the kids. This schedule began to take its toll and they decided they needed to move out. Comfortable in Dobbs Ferry now, the new addition arrived. Everyone is satisfied with their decision.

This outdoor socially distant session with the masked photographer was relaxed and fun. Fighting over who was going to hold the baby was the big deal.

Newborn Socially Distant Session on Long Island. Nina Drapacz Photography

This mom was organized enough to book me before her baby was born according to her due date. Births, being unpredictable, she came a week early. Mom wanted the photo session as soon after birth as possible. Six days later and 91 degrees at 6pm…

An additional treat were two sets of grandparents, whom were all living with the new mom and dad during those first few weeks. A first grandchild on both sides. One can only imagine how they will dote on her!

Socially Distant BEACH SESSION IN EAST HAMPTON, NY. NINA DRAPACZ PHOTOGRAPHY

A few years ago I photographed this gorgeous family on the beach when mom was pregnant with her second daughter. She wasn’t afraid to schedule this session at my favorite time, 7pm. It was cold and rainy all day. The sun came out as predicted by the weather app at 5 pm. It was a bit stressful to trust the weather app as it was a 2 1/2 hour drive from NYC and I was driving out in the rain for a beach session!

Three outfit changes, gorgeous subjects, great pre/post sunset light and a masked photographer were the recipe for these images…

Socially Distant Newborn Session in Central Park. Nina Drapacz Photography

Two years ago I photographed this newborn’s older brother in his home. The parents had given birth mid pandemic so the same indoor session was not safe with their second son. They met me with their toddler and two week old baby at the entrance to the park. The entire session was in the cool shade. We able to get his older brother to hold his little hand… apparently a first!

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.

Opening at the Museum of the City of New York! Nina Drapacz Photography

It is an honor to have my image of a masked dad and son biking over Ward’s Bridge in the first outdoor exhibition at The Museum of the City of New York. “New York Responds” focuses on elements of life in New York City during covid-19 .

Family Photography on Location by Nina Drapacz Photography

There’s nothing more rewarding than a family who is relaxed and excited about creative images. The baby had only taken half his normal nap so I needed to work quickly before his short window was up. Thanks to his big brother’s patience and his easy going parents we ended up with some memorable unique images!

Newborn Photography Under 48 hours by Nina Drapacz

I have been specializing in baby photography for close to 28 years and for the past 2 years I have begun to photograph babies in the hosptials a day after birth. It’s exciting,, exhausting and an emotional rollercoaster for parents, siblings and grandparents. I feel priveleged to be there to witness it all.

Mitzvah Photography at Temple Emanu-El by Nina Drapacz Photography

What makes this so special is having a photographic relationship with this wonderful family since she was just 4 years old! I was so excited to be the photographer for her important day. We started with images in Tribecca months before …Synagogue photographs (thank you Temple Emanuel for allowing photography during the service) followed by reception also in Tribecca! I did not want to do conventional images in Temple Emanuel, especially considering how nervous everyone was before the ceremony . Her little brother was the perfect family member to create the more relaxed mood that we all needed!

Birthday Party Photography at Kidville Union Square by Nina Drapacz Photography

I have been photographing these identical twins each year since they were 1! They couldn’t be more adorable! This year the party had an animal theme, one twin was a flamingo, the other a bear. Love when one of their friends grabbed as many animals as possible and ran with them!

A Boy and his Dog in New Jersey by Nina Drapacz

The sweetest boy with awesome hair, which was expertly cut moments before this session. Apparently one hair at a time ….His dog had a range of expressions that were priceless when they were together!

A Girl and Her Horse in Bridgehampton by Nina Drapacz Photography

I traveled to the Hamptons to photograph this gorgeous girl whom I have photographed since she was 2 years old. The goal of the session was headshots at the stable and then some images with the horses. It was scheduled the last day before she got braces so no time to redo… We started with the her with the horse, a mistake. The horse stepped on her toe as she led him out to the area we decided would be the best backdrop. The shoot was over after these images and just a handful more! It was too painful to continue and the toe expanded and throbbed for days!

Staple Street Location Shoot by Nina Drapacz Photography

It was a hot August day with an amazing family I have had the privilege of photographing since the girls were babies! The heat made it hard for everyone including the photographer. Eventually “we” all began to relax and enjoy this session, which shows in the images. Love the mom and older daughter too deep in conversation to notice dad and the younger one jumping off the ledge…

Birthday in the Hampton's by Nina Drapacz Photography

It was all about the mermaid outfit! The birthday girl had a good time with the balloons and scarves before the guests arrived… which for me, creatively, was the best part!

A Family in Central Park by Nina Drapacz Photography

I have photographed this family since the children were infants! To see how they change from year to year is a treat! The siblings are a close knit team, they actually don’t mind sitting close and even hugging each other! The funniest part was at the end when the parents were sneaking in a kiss and youngest stood there wondering why I shifted focus on them and not her!

Bris Photography by Nina Drapacz Photography

Some beautiful moments captured at this Bris, which is almost always a very emotional event for the parents. This baby is surrounded by so much love from his parents, grandparents and big sister. Luckily the mohel was fast and the baby stopped crying as soon as his diaper was secured. Whew!

Fall Fun in Central Park by Nina Drapacz Photography

Yearly tradition for dad- after swinging each daughter one by one, he holds all three at once. Admits this may possibly be the last year since they are getting too big !

Maternity Home Session by Nina Drapac Photography

As much as I love to control the background and lighting for a maternity session in my studio, nothing is quite as beautiful as a pregnant mom and family in their own surroundings. The apartment offered wonderful available light and an assortmant of locations which allowed me to be both an observer and a participant.

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.