Long Island Family Photographer

Carl Schurz Park Family Photos | NYC Family Photographer

Carl Schurz Park is one of the Upper East Side's hidden gems for family photography. Nestled along the East River, it offers a quieter atmosphere than many of Manhattan's larger parks while still providing beautiful waterfront views, tree-lined paths, and seasonal gardens. It's an ideal location for families looking for natural portraits without the crowds often found in Central Park.

For Lexi's family session, the park provided the perfect setting for a relaxed morning together. The blooming flowers and peaceful atmosphere created a timeless backdrop for capturing genuine family moments.

Planning and Capturing the Session

We centered the session around Carl Schurz Park's beautiful flower-lined staircase, one of the park's most picturesque locations. The vibrant blooms framed the family naturally, creating colorful yet elegant portraits. We also explored a few nearby paths for additional photos, adding just enough variety while keeping the session relaxed and easy for everyone.

Why Carl Schurz Park is Great for Family Photos

Carl Schurz Park offers a balance of nature and New York City that makes it an excellent choice for family photography. Its peaceful atmosphere, seasonal flowers, and waterfront setting provide beautiful backdrops throughout the year without the crowds of some of Manhattan's more popular parks.

For families looking for portraits that feel genuine, relaxed, and distinctly New York, Carl Schurz Park is a wonderful location on the Upper East Side.

LET’S BOOK A NYC FAMILY PHOTO SESSION TODAY!

Golden Hour Family Session on the Beach in Locust Valley, NY

The Joy of a Big Family Session

This session, which included over ten family members, was about more than just taking pictures; it was about capturing this families true personality and their unique dynamic. I made sure to capture siblings with siblings, cousins with cousins, parents with their kids, and the grandparents with their grandkids, so on and so on! It was a ton of fun watching the kids just be kids, and getting creative with the different combinations, poses, and candid moments we could initiate.

Golden hour, the hour before sunset, is one of the most flattering and magical times for photos. The light is soft, hard at times, and creates a warm that is not seen during the harsh dayligh. On this Long Island beach in Locust Valley, NY we were presented with:

  • Warm, Soft Light: The sun’s glow added a natural radiance to every image.

  • Beautiful Colors: The sky shifted from soft gold to gentle pinks and blues, creating a dreamy background.

  • Relaxed Atmosphere: As the day winds down, families can enjoy a peaceful, laid-back session by the water.

Creating Timeless Family Memories

What makes large family sessions so special is that they bring everyone together in one place. As your kids get older, getting everyone in one place just gets harder and harder. These aren’t just photos; they’re a family heirloom, which will be referenced and shared for years, generations to come!

Book Your Long Island Family Session

Whether you’re gathering a large family or celebrating an everyday moment, a beach session at golden hour is a beautiful way to capture your story. I photograph families across Long Island and New York City, always focusing on natural, heartfelt moments that showcase your unique bond.

Cozy Moments at Home: A Rainy Day Family Photo Session in Cold Spring Harbor, NY

A Special Session to Celebrate Their New Baby

Not every perfect photo session needs sunshine — sometimes, the most meaningful memories are made right at home on a quiet, rainy day. These new parents reached out wanting to document this tender stage in their baby’s life — those precious early months that go by so quickly. They didn’t want anything overly posed or formal. Instead, they hoped for relaxed, lifestyle-inspired photos that would tell a story — one they could look back on years from now and remember exactly what life felt like in those early days of parenthood.

Capturing Memories That Last a Lifetime

For this Cold Spring Harbor session, the focus wasn’t just on getting the “perfect shot,” but on capturing the emotion of a young family in their element — in love, at home, and in the beautiful blur of new parenthood. These photos will become a window back in time, allowing them to revisit the details of their baby’s first few months whenever they want.

Book Your In-Home Family Photo Session

Whether you're welcoming a new baby, celebrating a milestone, or just want to document your everyday life, an in-home lifestyle photo session is a beautiful, stress-free way to preserve your family’s unique story.

Thinking about booking a session? I travel throughout Long Island and New York City for in-home family photography and would love to help you create lasting memories — rain or shine.

Capturing a Real Long Island Family at Home | Posed and Candid Moments Make the Session Succesful!

When it comes to family photography, there's something undeniably special about capturing moments in the comfort of your own home. Home is where memories are made, laughter is shared, and connections are felt most deeply. Recently, I photographed this happy family right in their Long Island home, and the experience was nothing short of heartwarming.

This particular family consisted of two adorable girls, their parents, and the grandparents, all of whom came together to create a picture perfect session that showcased the essence of family life. It was an intimate setting filled with genuine moments, and the photographs that emerged from this session truly reflect the love and bond that ties this family together.

Why home photography sessions with a professional are so, so good!

Comfort and Familiarity
One of the biggest advantages of having a family session at home is the sense of comfort and familiarity it brings. The children, especially, felt completely at ease in their own environment. There's no rush, no travel stress—just an opportunity to be themselves in the space where they feel most secure. This allows for more candid, natural interactions that truly capture the spirit of the family.

Whether it's the girls running through the living room, playing with their favorite toys, or sitting on the couch cuddled up with grandma and grandpa, the photographs taken in these spaces feel incredibly authentic. No stiff poses—just real, unscripted moments that tell the story of a family’s everyday life.

Generational Connections
Having the grandparents join the session added another layer of warmth and significance to the photos. It was a beautiful reminder of how family ties span generations. The joy on the girls' faces as they played with their grandparents or hugged them tightly was a testament to the special relationship between them. There’s something truly magical about capturing these moments, as they’re often the memories that last a lifetime.

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.

Long Island family photographers love Caumsett for its variety of backgrounds. From rustic barns and stone walls to wide fields and forested paths, the park offers endless options to suit any family’s personality. Whether you’re going for a cozy, casual look or something a bit more styled, fall’s natural color palette enhances every image.

Choosing a local Long Island photographer familiar with Caumsett ensures not only technical excellence but also a stress-free, enjoyable experience. These professionals know the best times of day for lighting, the secret nooks for privacy, and how to keep little ones smiling through the session.

A session at Caumsett Park blends nature’s splendor with your family's unique story. For those looking to capture genuine, heartfelt moments in a breathtaking setting, booking a fall photo session with a trusted Long Island family photographer at Caumsett Park is an investment in memories you’ll treasure forever.