As a newborn and family photographer for over a decade, I often have to coax moms to get into the photos with their children. Some women are more hesitant than others, but I truly believe that it is important for very mother to have photos of her with her children.

Without a doubt, the Fall is the busiest time of year for photographers. Here on Long Island, countless families scramble for fall family photos in the Fall. This time of year is highly popular for photos for a multitude of reasons. As a family photographer serving Nassau County and beyond, I am here to explain to you the many reasons why Fall is a great time of year to finally schedule that portrait session with your loved ones.

So, you finally booked that beach family session with Long Island’s favorite family photographer. Now, it is time for the toughest part of having a family portraits captured and that is figuring out what you should wear! I am here to tell you that it does not have to be difficult. I try my best to make this part of the session as easy and stress free for you as possible.

We are about to enter the busiest season for photographers. The Fall is a time of year uring which time everyone is on the hunt for family photos. Most are interested in holiday mini sessions. If you are looking for a unique and fun Long Island holiday mini session, then you have come to the right place. I have been photographing families in the Nassau County area for over a decade and I love working with each and every one of them.

This year I will only be offering a very limited amount of holiday themed sessions, but the sessions I am offering are fun, exciting and new for the season.

The beach is a popular place at which to schedule family photos. It truly is a stunning location that lends itself to relaxed and connected family photos, but it can also be a challenging location to shoot at. Contrary to what many people think, there is a limited window of time during which the lighting is ideal at the beach. Furthermore, there tends ot be a lot of activity at the beach, so scheduling a sessiont here requires some strategic planning. Here are a few things to consider before scheduling your next beach family portrait session.

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.