Capturing your children’s NYC childhood is just as important as experiencing it firsthand. Even if you’re the kind of parent who is constantly snapping photos of your little ones, you should consider leaving this job to the pros every once in a while.
Abby Cope
Photo shoots with Abby include not only flashes and poses, but also quality time with the photographer herself. By allowing children to first gain her trust, Abby captures true, natural smiles. abbycope.com
Adam Morgan
“Say cheese” are words that never leave Adam’s mouth. He capitalizes on natural light in both indoor and outdoor settings to capture unrehearsed actions, from silly tumbles to spontaneous giggles. fineartchild.com
A Day In Your Life Photography
Susye Greenwood specializes in authentic, everyday moments. She spends an entire weekend with her clients, photographing events such as bedtime stories or picnics. adayinyourlife.net
Alysa Renee
Alysa aims to “blur the line between fine art portraiture and real life,” preserving the special moments and unique gestures of each child. She utilizes natural lighting in outdoor sessions. alysarenee.com
Aoommie Photography
Specializing in natural light photography, Aoommie depicts the simple beauty of children and families by highlighting precious details, such as loving glances between siblings and extra folds behind newborns’ knees. aoommiephotography.com
Audrey Lee
All of Audrey’s portrait sessions occur outdoors in natural lighting, usually in Central Park unless requested elsewhere. Lee focuses on depicting children’s fascination as they explore the wonders of nature. audreyleephotography.com
Bentley Waters
Bentley maximizes comfort by using natural lighting and working in your preferred location. She integrates scenery into each photo, using even paved sidewalks or bathtubs as props. bentleywaters.com
Carolina Nicasio
From flowered headbands to skateboards, Carolina incorporates children’s personalities into each shoot by basing props and poses on personal interests. She’s always open to suggestions regarding location or themes. carolinanicasio.com
Classic Kids Photography, UES
Classic Kids is known for its trained consortium of photographers and its highly praised fiber based prints. Photographs are manually developed in the company’s darkrooms and printed strictly in black and white. classickidsphotography.com
Cynthia L. Ever Photos
Cynthia L. Ever uses Nikon cameras to create balanced mixtures of posed and candid photos. She offers a professional setup with studio lighting and backdrops, but will shoot anywhere in the city. cleverphotos.com
Donna Padowitz
Photos range from intimate close-ups of toothless grins to action shots of crawling tots. Padowitz’s photos reveal her unrehearsed, candid style, with subjects appearing in natural environments and simple clothing. donnapadowitz.com
Heather Forbes
Heather captures the candid, silly moments shared between children and families in beautiful, naturally lit shots. Maternity sessions are available in the privacy of your own home. heatherforbes.com
Heidi Green
A former preschool teacher, Heidi connects with each child she photographs and captures stunning candid moments at private shoots and birthday parties. Her personality and style are genuine and refreshing.heidigreen.com
Jeffrey Shaw
Jeffrey creates a wholesome look for families while also ensuring that portraits can be framed without glass. Plus, you can enjoy your photos wherever you go with his free client gallery iPhone application! jeffreyshaw.com
JellyBean Pictures
Jennifer Tonetti-Spellman of JellyBean Pictures avoids unnatural props when depicting your young ones. A fan of natural light and colors, Jennifer captures the innocent beauty of each little “bean” she photographs. jellybeanpics.com
Jennifer Lee
Jennifer’s use of old-fashioned film causes even subtle details to vibrantly pop. She offers both color and black and white photographs, in addition to designer photo bags, jewelry and more. jenniferleephotography.com
jenn M
As a contemporary lifestyle photographer, Jenn makes the portrait process simple and casual. She is flexible regarding locations, traveling to sites such as Disney World for shoots. jennm.com
Jessica Leigh
Jessica is willing to shoot indoors, outdoors or in her studio with color backdrops. One of her newest services is creating personal family photo galleries in clients’ homes. jessicaleighfoto.com
Jordan Elyse
In addition to standard portraiture, Jordan offers a new spin on play-dates that your kids, and you, will love. Gather six or more friends and Elyse will photograph the fun! jordanelyse.com
Julie Brimberg
In both posed and candid photos, Julie works to reveal the inner beauty of each child, from capturing quirky smiles to the freckles that dot a toddler’s nose. juliebrimberg.com
Justine Cooper
Justine’s training in photojournalism enables her to perfectly preserve even fleeting moments. Sessions are available in clients’ homes, outdoors, the studio or a combination of locations, in natural or studio lighting. justinecooperphotography.com
Karen Haberberg
Karen’s photography focuses on natural moments that capture the spirit of her clients. Her personal approach places subjects at ease, leading to more authentic portraits. karenhaberberg.com
Kenneth Chen
Portraits by Kenneth capture quirky moments that reveal the personalities of his clients. His “intimate innocence” series uses extreme close ups that provide a unique perspective. kennethchenportraits.com
Leshem Loft
Leshem Loft produces traditional portraits of families, couples and children. It also specializes in capturing the beauty of a pregnant woman’s body through tasteful and elegant photography. leshemloft.com
Le Studio NYC
Client-centered Le Studio NYC emphasizes the artistic vision of the client, whether it be black and white, sepia or bold colors. lestudionyc.com
Lindsey Gray
With bold colors and patterns and natural settings, Lindsey’s photography emphasizes simplicity. Her specialty is newborn portraits, but she also excels in family, child and maternity. lindseygrayphotography.com
Lucile Khornak
Lucile creates elegant portraits through her use of soft black and white format and natural lighting. Her eye for unpredictable moments ensures that her portraits are unique and highly personalized.theportraitspecialist.com
Mac Hartshorn
Mac brings editorial styling to family photography through digital enhancement. His photography focuses on movement, emotion and relationships—three areas that help capture the unique personalities of his subjects. hartshornportraiture.com
Mary Jane Photography
Mary Jane’s photography emphasizes fun and surprise, capturing artfully posed portraits that are relaxed and unexpected. Her eye for simplicity ensures that her subjects are the feature of every photograph. maryjanephotography.com
Michael Jurick
Natural environments and the changing light of the sun help Michael produce effortless and vibrant portraits of families and children. jurick.net
Michael Kormos
With the help of his wife, Michael creates unique family portraits through dramatic lighting, interesting angles and vibrant colors. They emphasize spontaneity to capture the individual personality of each family. michaelkormos.com
Michael Scott
Combining photography and digital artwork, Michael creates unique portraits that position subjects in unexpected environments. He also specializes in natural prints and children’s fashion photography. michaelscottstudio.com
Nina Drapacz
Nina uses high-end digital cameras to capture great detail in her photographs. She has a special talent for capturing the fleeting expressions of her clients that display their personalities. ninadrapaczphotography.com
Paloma Sendrey
Through her special skill for capturing both detail and ease in children’s faces, Paloma produces natural, journalistic portraits of families, children and maternity. palomasendrey.com
Photo Op
Photo Op operates in a studio with several options for backdrops and wardrobe. This team of professional photographers excels in everything from traditional, posed portraits to contemporary fashion shots. photoopnyc.com
PortraitBug
PortraitBug is a team of photographers, all with unique skill sets. With experts in lighting, posing and working with kids of all ages, the team creates relaxed environment for its subjects. portraitbug.com
Rebecca Yale
Photographic manipulation is one way that Rebecca enhances the quality of her photographs. Her use of vibrant colors and backdrops ensures that the subjects remain the feature of each photograph. rebeccayaleportraits.com
Redhead Photography LLC
Specializing in exclusively newborn, baby and child, Redhead Photography’s vintage style features soft, earthy tones and organic backdrops. redheadphotography.net
Sarah Merians
Sarah specializes in event photography and family portraits. She is committed to producing not only great photographs, but also works of art that are passed down through generations. sarahmerians.com
Sarah Sloboda
Bringing traditional photography to the digital world, Sarah excels in documentary film. She offers both photo shoots and event photography to capture spontaneous moments. sarahsloboda.com
Shutter Sisters Images
Shutter Sisters is a collaborative photo blog made up of female photogs, each with her own business and expertise. Their interests range from graphic design, to natural lighting and color. shuttersisters.com
Sue Barr
Sue’s photography makes use of both environment and subject to capture unique moments in everyday life. Her skillful use of natural light makes the ordinary occurrences extraordinary. suebarrphoto.com
Suzanne Cohen
Inspired by New York City, Suzanne utilizes the metropolis as the backdrop to her photography. Her photo shoots can occur anywhere in NYC and surrounding areas. suzannecohenphotography.com
Thaddeus Harden
From maternity portraits to dynamic family photos, Thaddeus captures each subject’s unique personality and perspective with artistic flair. thaddeushardenphotography.com
Thomas Roemischer
Thomas brings his skills in digital retouching to his photography, combining traditional portraiture with contemporary technology. His shoots occur in locations comfortable for his clients to ensure relaxed portraits. thomasroemischer.com
Tiny Portraits
Tiny Portraits specializes in capturing pregnancy, from maternity photos to ultrasounds to newborn portraits. Its “Before and After” packages feature an ultrasound placed adjacent to a newborn shot. tinyportraits3dimaging.com
Venture Photography
Venture combines photography with digital artwork to ensure that your family portraits are unique and inspiring. They also frame and mount each photograph for the finishing touch. venturephotography.com
Another great way to discover local photographers we love is to check out our covers archive at www.newyorkfamily.com.
BIG TIP: 8 Great Places To Take Holiday 
Photos
Whether you’re doing the photographing or letting a pro take over, there are some great local spots for capturing holiday card-worthy moments with the fam. We asked some top photographers for their recommended city locales.
Cynthia Ever: “A place I love for photos is a small city park overlooking the East River on 57th Street. Children can play in this quiet park and there is a great view of the 59thStreet Bridge and river that create a perfect geometric architectural backdrop.”
Heidi Green: “I love photographing families right on the city streets in chic neighborhoods like the Meatpacking District. Families can be creative and it brings a new dimension to the portraits of the past, which presumably had to be done in the park with trees and flowers.”
Jeffrey Shaw: “There is a hidden gem in Central Park that even some lifelong New Yorkers don’t know about. It’s the Conservatory Garden on Fifth Ave at 105th Street. It is exceptionally well-maintained and there are interesting seasonal plantings at all times of year, providing interesting texture.”
Jennifer Tonetti-Spellman of JellyBean Pictures: “One of my favorite spots to film is easily accessed at the 72nd and 5th Street entrance to Central Park. There’s a very cool tunnel. Walk through to the other side and there are low hanging greens with gorgeous filtered light in the morning.”
Justine Cooper: “Tudor City Park on First Avenue between 40th and 43rd Streets—it’s incredibly versatile! You can make it feel like a hidden getaway, with shady walks and pretty plantings.”
Karen Haberberg: “Teardrop Park is a beautiful location for a family photograph. Its unique landscape is home to a gigantic slide set within a wall of rocks. There are serene paths, sand pits, water play, rocks to climb and sit on and much more.”
Lindsay May of Classic Kids Photography, UES: “Solid backgrounds are my favorite because they go with any style of holiday card. If you cannot get to a studio, think all one texture: The red brick wall in front of Old Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on Prince and Mulberry; everyone in the family laying down in the green grass on The Great Lawn in Central Park; the closed red doors in front of the NYC Fire Museum; or in front of the water wall in Paley Park on 53rd Street.”
PortraitBug: “Put on your striped PJs and find the swings in your nearest park. Big smiles always make the best holiday cards no matter what the setting.”
Sarah Merians: “An outdoor location that is great just after Thanksgiving is the very large red holiday Christmas balls that are across the street from Radio City Music Hall.”
Sarah Sloboda: “My favorite NYC family shoot spots are the tucked away little alleyways like Staple Street in Tribeca. They don’t get much traffic, so it’s possible to stand right in the middle of the street for a fun shot. You end up with the quintessential New York backdrop.”
Shutter Sisters Images: “One of our favorite places to photograph families is The Astor Court Garden at the Met. It is a peaceful place where children are instantly calmed by the serene surroundings. The beautiful pagodas, fountains and exquisite lighting make it our go to spot on a rainy day.”
Thaddeus Harden: “The city is filled with fantastic backdrops all year long, but some of the best visuals blossom during the fall season. Times Square, Lord & Taylor, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park with the ice skating, and Lincoln Center, to name a few.”
