New York City during the holiday season has a timeless magic—especially at night, when the crowds disappear and the city feels cinematic and intimate as Madison Avenue’s lights twinkle alive. As a NYC photographer specializing in candid, editorial-style portraits, this quiet side of the city is my favorite. I love it so much, I call it home. The lights glow warm, the streets slow down, and Manhattan becomes the perfect backdrop for refined, romantic Christmas photo sessions.
Eva and Josh’s Upper East Side Christmas couples session captured that exact feeling. Inspired by the classic elegance of Ralph Lauren’s holiday aesthetic, their shoot felt sophisticated, nostalgic, and effortlessly stylish. The evening was calm and cinematic, with soft storefront light and a sense of quiet romance—like we had the entire neighborhood to ourselves.
Living on the Upper East Side, I pass the Ralph Lauren flagship Upper East Side at night and always captures my attention, especially during the holidays. After hours, when the tourists are gone, the store’s warm glow transforms the block into something out of Hollywood. By day, the street is packed with visitors photographing the storefront and their Ralph’s coffee, but at night it becomes still, elegant, and unmistakably New York. That contrast sparked the idea for these Ralph Lauren–inspired Christmas holiday photo sessions in NYC.
The timeless appeal of Ralph Lauren’s holiday imagery has even been recognized by The New York Times, which recently highlighted how the brand’s Christmas visuals tap into nostalgia, craftsmanship, and classic American luxury. Those same principles and ascetic are ones I wanted to incorporate in to a Ralph Lauren inspired Holiday Session —images that feel elevated, editorial, and enduring rather than trendy or overdone (no filters here).
I shared this vision on Instagram, hoping the right couple would connect with it—and Eva and Josh were the perfect match. Their session brought together Upper East Side architecture, understated holiday décor, and a refined wardrobe that felt straight out of a Ralph Lauren Christmas campaign.
For couples, families, and individuals looking for luxury Christmas photo sessions in NYC, especially on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, these Ralph Lauren–inspired holiday shoots offer a timeless alternative to traditional holiday portraits in Central Park. Elegant, cinematic, and rooted in classic New York style, they’re designed to feel as beautiful years from now as they do today.
Why the Ralph Lauren Store Is Perfect for Christmas Photos in NYC
If you’re dreaming of a luxury Christmas engagement session in NYC, the Ralph Lauren store on the Upper East Side is hard to beat. It offers:
Classic New York architecture
Elegant holiday décor without feeling overdone
Warm window light that photographs beautifully at night
A timeless backdrop that never goes out of style
No crowds.
For couples who want editorial, romantic, and elevated holiday photos, this location is a favorite—especially after hours when the streets are calm and the magic feels personal.
If you’re planning a holiday proposal in NYC—at Rockefeller Center or anywhere that holds meaning—Jonathan Heisler Photography would be honored to help you craft your moment and capture it beautifully.
Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.