Central Park family photographer

A Bright October Family Session at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

Capturing Timeless Family Memories

What makes a family session worthwhile and special is the way it preserves both the big and little moments—the posed group photo, the kids being goofy kids, and the little moments that are unscripted. Often, it’s not the posed “Look here and smile” photos that are the best photos. It’s the weird, awkward micro-moments that make each family unique. My family photos are a window back in time, reminding you of this unique moment in your children’s lives, whether that’s in 1 month from the session or 1 generation later and beyond.

Why Central Park Is Perfect for Family Photography

Central Park offers something for every family session. At Bethesda Fountain, you’ll find a balance of classic NYC landmarks and natural beauty, making it an ideal backdrop for timeless photos. The Model Boat Sailing Pond offer an elegant Upper East Side look with few crowds. Here is what I value and carefully consider when working with clients to find the right spot for their NYC Central Park Family Photo Session.

  • Plenty of Space for the kids to run around and for us to position ourselves without people around us / behind us in our photos.

  • Iconic Views: This is a NYC Family Photo Session. Let’s make that known in your photos, whether it’s subtle or clearly evident.

  • Seasonality: If it’s the fall, let’s show off the foliage. If it’s the Spring let’s find the Cherry Blossoms.

Book Your NYC Family Session Today

Whether you want to celebrate a milestone or simply document everyday life, a Central Park family photo session is a beautiful way to capture your story. I photograph families throughout New York City and Long Island, focusing on natural, heartfelt images that you’ll treasure for years.

LET’S BOOK A NYC FAMILY PHOTO SESSION TODAY!

Winter Family Magic at Bethesda Fountain: A Central Park Photo Session

A Winter Family Photo Session in Central Park

Central Park in the winter becomes one of the most magical places in New York City. As a NYC photographer, I love capturing these cozy, heartfelt moments when families come together to celebrate the season — and there’s no better backdrop than the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain.

For this session, we met at the iconic Bethesda Fountain, a location that remains just as stunning in the winter months. The terrace’s stone arches and intricate details create a timeless, elegant feel, creating an almost storybook-like atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for family portraits that feel both classic and intimate.

Why Winter is the Perfect Time for Family Photos

While spring and fall often steal the spotlight, winter in New York City offers a uniquely beautiful and cozy backdrop for family photography. Central Park, especially around Bethesda Terrace, feels quieter and more intimate in the colder months — a hidden gem for those willing to embrace the season.

Winter sessions are also a wonderful way to create memories around the holidays. Whether you’re updating your holiday cards, gifting prints to loved ones, or just wanting to preserve a special moment with your family, a winter photo session can become a cherished tradition.

Golden Moments: A Fall Family Photo Session in Central Park

The Session: From the Model Boat Pond to Bethesda Fountain

There’s nothing quite like autumn in New York City, and when it comes to capturing timeless family memories, Central Park in the fall is pure magic. As a NYC family photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting in many beautiful locations, but few are as iconic — or as breathtaking — as Central Park in November.

For this recent family photo session in Central Park, we started at one of my favorite hidden gems: the Model Boat Pond. With its reflective waters, classic toy sailboats, and tree-lined backdrop bursting in golds and reds, it was the perfect spot to begin our shoot. From there, we strolled through the winding paths covered in leaves, making our way toward the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. This area is truly the heart of Central Park and an unbeatable spot for family portraits.

Why Central Park in the Fall is a Dream for Photographers

As a New York City photographer, I always recommend fall sessions to families who want that classic NYC look with an extra pop of seasonal color. Whether it’s your first time doing family photos or an annual tradition, Central Park offers the kind of warmth and timelessness that shines in every frame.

Early Fall Morning Family Sessions In Central Park are the best.

As a New York family photographer I’ve worked all over place, from Long Island’s beaches to upstate NY’s vineyards and lakes, and from the Upper East Side to Prospect Park. With my experience I’ve been able to successfully help families plan their own unique family photo sessions by offering real recommendations, not ones pulled off of Google. I understand the factors that come in to play when planning and photographing family photos; the children’s ages, the family’s personality, the look and feel you want to achieve, likes/dislikes, where are we photographing, the time of year, and the time of day we are photographing.

Living in NYC offers countless opportunities. However, one of my favorite locations for outdoor photography time and time again is Central Park. I’ve worked as a Central Park family photographer in every season and every weather condition imaginable. Each location within the park, each time of the day, each time of the week, and each time of the year offers its very own unique look and feel.

Joel's Morning Central Park Family Session

NYC weather in the Spring is … unpredictable.

Joel reached out back in February to schedule a Springtime NYC Family Photo Session in Central Park. His family would be visiting NYC for the very first time and they chose the second week of May. Being from Florida they wanted a warmer weekend for their visit and they hoped to get a glimpse of the cherry blossoms.

This trip was going to be special. It was his daughters’ first big trip out of Florida and the family photo session was his children’s Mother’s Day gift. Now that the girls were older, both Joel and his wife Samantha wanted professional, quality family photos to print and hang around their home. With a busy schedule, a keen focus on good lighting, and an effort to avoid crowds we chose a Sunday morning. Warm it was not (38*F), however everyone powered through it.

On my Central Park family photo sessions I like to select 2 main areas for us to take photographs. My go to location on the East side of Manhattan is the Model Sailing Boat Pond. This part of Central Park is quiet, as most tourists venture to the Bethesda Fountain and the southern part of the park. After the pond, we venture West to several fields where the kids can be kids.

A Central Park Cherry Blossom Family Photo Session

Central Park in the Spring is a favorite for Family photos

Spring seems to arrives a bit late in New York City compared to other parts of the US, and it doesn’t always seem to stick around all that long. However, when Spring does show up in NYC, it comes ready. New Yorkers, and tourists alike, take full advantage of the warm longer lasting days, the sounds of nature, and Central Park’s beautiful Cherry Blossoms. This Spring, with Mother’s Day approaching, Guatam chose a family photo session as the perfect gift for his wife while on their family vacation in New York from Australia.

Family Photo Sessions are for the whole family, not just mom and dad

I love when family photo sessions invite the whole family. It adds a whole new dynamic to the mix besides offering different poses, it also brings out a different energy to the kids, parents, and overall atmosphere. On todays Central Park Family Session, the families uncle who lives in Connecticut came in to the city for the photo session. Everyone was so excited to see him, to hear about what’s new in his life, and to spend time together. Getting this group to smile was a walk in the park.