Family Photographer

Photographing One Large Long Island Family

Family photography is unique, as it has so many different variables; the children’s age, family dynamics, location, and so on. Todays session was perfection. I photographed 5 sisters and their families in Sayville, NY. Today’s family session was a gift for their mother.

I broke the session out in to parts by first photographing each family. Then I captured the kids, cousins, parents, and sisters individually. Later, I brought everyone together. While most of the session was posed, I introduced time for candid photos. The candid photos really captured everyone being their true selves.

A Fall Family Session at Caumsett State Park

When reading this blog post forget where you are, and forget the title of this blog post. Believe it or not, this family session was captured right here on Long Island. Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor, NY is one of my favorite places personally and professionally because of its open spaces, wild fields, and rustic farm buildings. I have photographed all over Long Island, Westchester, and NYC, but Caumsett is my favorite place for family photos, especially in the fall. There are areas for formal posed sessions and areas where the kids can just be kids.

A professional family photographer captures the true spirit of your family.

You deserve a professional photographer that captures the true spirit of your family and what makes your family, your family. Hiring a photographer who is both friendly and patient will be the absolute key to capturing amazing photos, especially with young children. On today’s family session, I knew we’d be taking several snack breaks and toy breaks to regain the kids attention, so in planning the shoot I purposefully blocked out my morning. This family session wasn’t booked as a “90 minute session” or as“2 hours with overtime” as many photographers often do. I’m not interested in rushing anyone. I’m interested in capturing fun and happy family photos.

The best Long Island Family Photographer is an experienced family photographer because as we all know, there’s Instagram and then there’s reality.

Capturing family lifestyle photos are just as important as capturing the traditional posed family photos. Often the lifestyle photos are the best photos because they are organic and the emotions captured are natural, not posed.

For this shoot, we discussed capturing both traditional posed family photos and lifestyle shots (I.e. kids playing with their toys, bouncing on the bed). As I photographed this Long Island family, we alternated between posed formal poses and the fun candid moments. The constant change between “Look here and smile” (formal family photos - traditional) and “let’s play with the building blocks” (candid lifestyle) really kept the kids relaxed and engaged as I took photos.

Ayden's First Holy Communion - Manhattan

The sacrament of First Communion is an important tradition for Catholic families and individuals. As an NYC family photographer and NYC Communion Photographer, photographing a Holy Communion is special. I have the responsibility of documenting a families special moment, a memory they'll never forget.

Communion Photographers are documenting memories.

iPhone photos are nice. However, so is enjoying your own event and living in the moment. As professional NYC communion and baptism photographers, myself and my team of photographers make it our job to document life as it happens. Our event photos document the moment as they happen. Our years of experience as family photographers provide you the confidence to not only feel good when being photographed, but look good too.

being a professional NYC family photographer is my favorite job

As a professional family photographer, I love photographing the moments that make your family unique. NYC is one of the biggest cultural centers not just in the United States, but in the world. Each family I photograph is so vastly different from the previous family. It’s such an exciting experience learning about your family, your kids, and having the responsibility to photograph your individuality.

Long Island Family - Manhasset Family Photographer

That’s a wrap, 2019! My very last photoshoot of 2019 was a super fun family photo session with 9 month old Jayden and his parents, Mina and Jon. Our photo session was at their family’s beautiful and open home in Manhasset, NY.

Mina and Jon’s son Jayden was a lot of fun to photograph. He was super curious and didn’t mind dressing up in his new pajamas.

Photographing families in their home makes for the best photos. Everyone is comfortable and the kids have all of their favorite toys right there. Especially for little kids, home photoshoots are the best, not only because home is where the toys are, but because it’s easy for everyone. We were even able to pause for Jayden’s 30 minute nap and pick right back up again when he woke up.

Family Photo checklist for kids

  • Toys: On family photo sessions I always recommend brining a few toys. Children, young and old, need a distraction. It’s hard to constantly smile photo after photo, and still look happy. A toy break can be a great mood booster and a nice way to relax.

  • Snacks: Even this photographer needs a snack break from time to time. Bring snacks to our family shoot. It’s a huge mood booster and even a bargaining chips to get the kids to pay attention and behave.

  • Budget time: Budget time in to your family photoshoot for snack breaks and time to play. Not all of our photos have need to be posed photos. Sometimes the best photos are of the kids just being kids…. even if it’s on the floor. Posed family photos are great, and so are candids.

Jimmy's Upper East Side Baptism

Jimmy’s family gathered at St. Ignatius Loyola on the Upper East Side, the very place his parents were married, early on a cold Saturday morning. The priest was the same priest who married his parents.

family photos

We took a few photos inside the church before the baptism ceremony began. The ceremony space was tight, but I made do. After the ceremony, we took a bunch more posed family photos throughout the church where we had more. Then, it was off to brunch at nearby Orsay in Lenox Hill.

photographing the BAPTISM luncheon

At brunch, I made sure to photograph the posed family photos we didn’t get to prior, as well as candid photos and some more casual photos. I also used this time to capture friends who were not able to make the baptism service earlier in the day. Unlike the pre-service photos, post service and lunch photos tend to be more casual. These are the “3-2-1 CHEESE!” type shots.

Church: St. Ignatius Loyola

Restaurant: Orsay (Upper East Side)