When clients book me for a photo session with their two year old, they often tell me that they are afraid that their child won’t behave, will not sit still or is unpredictable. They have trepidations about booking a family photo session for these aforementioned reasons. There is no disputing the fact that toddlers are unpredictable, but that is exactly what I love the most about them. The candid nature of a pre school child warms my heart and makes for amazing photos. I personally think this is THE best age for photos. No, I have not lost my mind. I said what I said and I mean it, but why do I feel this way? Today, I'll share some reasons why.

I schedule most of my outdoor photo sessions one hour before sunset. This time of day which is known as golden hour, has the softest light and creates a dreamy and ethereal quality to your images. I just love the golden glow of the sunset and the soft colors this time of day creates. While, I will never shoot in harsh mid day sun, I do offer sessions during the morning hours. This is because for some clients, sunset is too late for their little ones and they would rather schedule the session at a time of day at which their child feels his best. I am happy to accomodate that request and can do so while maintaining a style similar to that which you see on my portfolio.

I have been photographing clients on the beach for a decade and I have live in Long Beach, NY for almost two decades. One thing I have learned during this time is that it is impossible to predict the weather. Beach weather has a mind of its own and during the Summer months, thunderstorms can appear at sunset without a warning. Many times, the storms are not even predicted on the forecast for that day.

We all look forward to vacations with out family. A vacation is a time to unwind, relax, and bond with your family members. This time is stress free and without the distraction of work, technology and provides you with the time to focus on each other.

While planning a family vacation the last thing you are thinking about is family photos. I get it can be a bit overwhelming. You are already inundated with a multitude of tasks including the planning of the trip, where to stay, activities, packing for the entire family and the list goes on. The thought of adding in a portrait session may seem overwhelming, but it is so worth the extra time it takes to plan. Here are the reasons why:

As a Long Island family photographer who photographs primarily at the beach, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is “what colors should we wear for our family beach photos?” This is an important thing to consider as you plan your upcoming shoot because it really determines the vibe and aesthetic of your images. To choose your outfit’s, you will need to consider the location, your family’s personality/style and your photographer’s editing style. I always provide my clients with a wardrobe guide after booking and I am available every step of the way to help plan their wardrobe. If you are looking for some quick tips in regard to choosing your family’s wardrobe, here are a few factors to consider:

Summer is a very popular time of year for people to schedule family photos. Many of my clients also opt to bring along grandparents to their portrait session and I think this is a great idea. A photo session that includes these favorite people is the perfect way to give your children a tangible memory of them.

If you’re considering a family portrait session that includes one or all of your child’s grandparents, I have a few tip to help you plan family photos with grandparents.

When clients contact me about planning a surprise proposal, it is an honor that I do not take lightly. Although I love standard engagement portrait sessions, a surprise proposal session requires extra attention and planning. These are very special sessions and near and dear to my heart. I want each one of them to be pure magic and perfection for my clients. My goal is to give each client an individualized experience and I make sure my calendar is not overbooked so I can do so

Children’s portrait sessions are so much fun. I photograph a lot of Communions, first birthdays and Sweet 16’s, but rarely get a chance to do something as fun as this recent dance session. My client, with whom I have worked with many times before, wanted to schedule a fun and unique dance portrait session for her daughters. Her daughters both competitively dance and although their dance studio offers photo services, she wanted a session that was outdoors, as opposed to captured on a studio backdrop. I loved this idea and was excited to capture this moment for her girls.

I am a sucker for photos of grandmas with their grandbabies. There is nothing more especial than the bond that exists between a grandparent and grandchild. I had an amazing relationship with my own grandparents and my children have a close bond with theirs as well. You need to document this bond not only for grandma, but so your children have these photos for years to come. The gift of a family photo session truly is meaningful for everyone in the family.

Most people who book newborn sessions are either looking for posed studio photos or in home lifestyle photos. While I offer both of those options, I also offer the option to schedule your newborn session outdoors. This is probably not a surprise to most of my clients, as I always encourage my clients schedule photos outdoors. An outdoor session can be scheduled in your backyard, at a local park, an arboretum or any location of your choice. This is a great way to get family photos with your new bundle of joy in a unique way.

The beach is the most popular location here on Long Island for family photos. As a resident and family photographer based in Long Beach, NY, I absolutely understand why my clients choose the beach location. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful, but it is a place associated with family memories. We often go there for the quiet serenity of the ocean, the cooling ocean breeze, and to spend carefree days with our families, so it is no surprise that this location lends itself to images that tend to be more relaxed and interactive than other locations.

There are so many reasons why the beach is a wonderful choice for portraits. Here are some things you need to know about my approach to beach family portraits.

Summer is perhaps my busiest time as a photographer. This is because my beach sunset family photo sessions are widely popular with my clients. This session is a fan favorite and my clients start booking their spots in early March. My sunset spots book up before Summer gets into full swing. Most people who book me will choose the beach as a location, but there are other locations that work well too. I also have locations that can work for early morning sessions.

Mother’s Day was this past weekend and it is always a busy time here in the photography industry. I often have clients who purchase photo sessions for the special mom in their life. Whether it be a husband gifting a session to his wife or a child gifting a session to their mom, the gift of a photo session is one that the entire family will cherish.\

The earlier the better. My Summer sunset spots book out quickly. It is ideal to book a date as soon as booking opens for the 2024 season, which is usually around late February to early March. The best month to schedule your family photo session is late May to September. Although most people prefer June to August dates, I still schedule portrait sessions throughout September. In fact, September is my favorite month for beach family photos here in Long Beach, NY because the beaches are empty, the weather is milder, sunset is earlier and sunsets tend to be epic.

It’s no secret that the Spring is a highly desired time to take family portraits. This time of year is one of new life, growth, and possibility. Although you are likely to be out a about more, family schedules aren’t jam packed yet. If you are not sure about what time of year is best for your family photos, keep reading to see why Spring is one of the best times to schedule a portrait session.

It has been a long and cold Winter here on Long Island, New York. Now that we are just a few weeks away from the Spring, I am pining for the warm weather, beach days and of fun filled nights on the beach with my clients for sunset beach family photos. My beach sunset family sessions always book up fast, so if you are considering one this upcoming Summer, now is the time to start planning for it.

I adore the six month milestone. Babies have so much personality at this phase and it is such a great time to capture a family’s bond. Some families come back to me after their newborn session to schedule a six month old family session and others schedule this session in lieu of a newborn session.

A question I often hear as a family photographer here in Long Island for over a decade now, is how often should I schedule family portraits? I have met many families during this time and I see many of them annually for updated photos, but is it necessary to have photos taken annually? As a mom and photographer, I can tell you the answer is, yes. I schedule photos for my own family every year and plan on doing so annually. I realize that for some, this may not be realistic, so I am going to go through some suggestions about when to schedule photos and why you should continue to do so.

It is no secret that I am a big proponent of taking family photos. This is especially true for newborn photos. With that being said, I have many clients who just want a photo session that is focused on the baby alone. These clients are looking for images to hang on their walls and use for announcements. Most of these clients book a family session wither at six months or a first birthday, when moms are feeling up for family photos.

Today is a mild Winter day here in Long Beach, NY. We are just a few short weeks away from the Spring season and I am ready for it. Spring is a busy time of year in the photography industry. Clients are looking for a portrait photographer for a wide array of occasions ranging from Communion portraits to Mommy and Me photos. I love this season because I capture a diverse range of clients and each session is unique.