Indoor Documentary-Style Photography With Your Children | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

Whether your children are tiny infants or grown toddlers, indoor documentary-style photography is the perfect way to capture your family beautifully and authentically. In the comfort of your home, you can capture the realness of your everyday life and the sweet connection you share. So, grab your loved ones and cuddle together as you prepare for your indoor documentary-style photo session!

As a New York City lifestyle photographer, a lot of what I do focuses on connection, and telling a story. There isn’t much stuff losing and stopping to smile at the camera. I want to capture the real moments, the everyday moment, and give that day-in-the-life feel to your photos.

While this session was not the documentary style, I still wanted to capture that intimate, in-the-moment feel. The perfect way to do that was in their home! And the best part?! The day ended up being a rainy overcast day which adds to the coziness of it all.

I usually ask my clients what type of things they would normally find themselves doing on a typical day at home with their new baby or kids. Once we are together at the location, I will give you suggestions on things to engage in and do together based on the specific location and where I am shooting from. There is less instruction provided, less posing and more prompts given, more conversations, and more organic interactions. In your home, I want you to do the everyday tasks and the things you do together. It's a normal day, and I'm just here to capture it all. 

Indoor documentary-style photography captures your life in an intimate, natural way and helps to depict a specific phase in your life at the time. It’s all about the realness of this season of life and the connection of your family. 

Gantry Plaza Family Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

These Gantry Plaza family photos were so iconic! This sweet family joined me in this neighborhood and we had so much fun. Their baby was so happy, and I had a blast getting to know them! Being a New York City lifestyle photographer means that I get to visit some ICONIC New York City areas, and the Gantry Plaza has it all! The stunning city views and old shipping gantries make the most beautiful backdrops for your family photos. 

For these Gantry Plaza family photos, and every session for that matter, lighting, and location are everything! They make a HUGE difference in the overall look and vibe of your family photos and can sometimes be more difficult and out of my control. As much as I’d love to control the weather and make sure every location is perfectly clean and has low crowds, they aren’t! And that’s okay! It just means that I have to be creative with every session, and I love it!

Sometimes you might want to have your family photos in a location that has a lot of meaning to you, right?! I love that! Documenting your family in a special place is a HUGE part of my brand and something I believe strongly in. I want to honor your wishes in every way possible, so trust me when I say that I will do everything in my power to get creative wherever we are going! I am always trying to find the best pockets of light, work with angles and man-made spaces, find juxtaposition in nature and concrete, and make a backdrop that might normally look flat in a photo look visually more exciting. It’s all part of the creative process and makes every session so uniquely beautiful!

So if you are dreaming of stunning Gantry Plaza family photos, I’d love to document them for you! This location was STUNNING, and I am so glad we could bring this sweet family's vision to life!

Outdoor Family Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

Home decor and upcycling creator Emily of NYC Apartment Home wanted me to document her sweet family in their home neighborhood, and I loved every moment of it. These outdoor family photos perfectly capture their playful spirit and love for one another! No matter where you are, the beauty of your family can be captured!

Emily wanted to stay close within her home radius, so I sought out places for their outdoor family photos that would have more of an environmental approach. Posing instruction was key during this shoot! Most families, like this sweet family, are used to forced smiles and stiff posing. As a New York City lifestyle photographer, I want to capture the real moments. To do that, I lean into the posing and prompts! I had this family play together, laugh together, and chat and gave directions on where to look with their eyes and heads. I was careful to place them specifically to create visual interest within the environmental space, and we created magic!

Lifestyle family photos are the perfect way to capture the true essence of your family! With friendly prompts throughout your session to encourage a more naturalistic look to your interactions during the shoot, we can capture all the genuine emotions! Oftentimes, you can catch me lightening the mood by joking and making it more casual and fun. Your family deserves to be documented in a way that is true to all that you are!

Are You Ready For Your Outdoor Family Photos?!

If you are looking for a NYC family photographer who can authentically capture the beauty of your family, I’m here for you! The holiday season is quickly approaching and there is no better time to document your family than now. Celebrate the magic of the holidays and your family together with family photos you’ll never forget!

What To Wear For Brand Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

This branding shoot with Channeling.Chic was so CHIC! She wanted to portray a sleek, city, creative but professional, vibe in NYC. I knew of the perfect place, and we headed to West Village and found various spots with different aesthetics. It was perfect! So how do you decide what to wear for brand photos?! It can be hard to find the perfect outfits, but, I’ve got you covered!

Leading up to this brand photoshoot, we discussed what to wear quite a bit! She had sent me outfit ideas from her mood board, and with that, I was able to find the perfect walking route along West Village to compliment her outfits. 

What To Wear For Brand Photos

All Things Color

As I mentioned to her, I encourage you to not be afraid to wear color! Don’t be afraid to show off your personality and have fun with it! If you are shooting in an area with a more solid color background, you can have fun with a playful and colorful pattern. Whereas if you are in an area that has multiple colors, a solid or neutral color would compliment the area very well!

Professional, Sleek, Feminine

You can always bring a neutral outfit that still has that feminine and sleek style to bring a more “professional vibe”! A black suit, coat, or dress is always so chic and photograph so well! Especially in the hustle and bustle of a busy street, it is always good to find something calm in what you are wearing!

Don’t Forget The Accessories

Whether that is your hair, makeup, nails, or work-related objects - don’t forget to pack them! A laptop, camera, magazines, or even just a suit coat, are easy accessories to pack that can really give a good variety to your final gallery!

Are You Ready For Your NYC Brand Photoshoot?!

Planning what to wear for brand photos doesn’t have to stress you out! Enjoy the process, every part of it! This is YOUR business and YOUR brand, so you get to decide what to wear. As a New York City lifestyle photographer, business and branding photography is one of my passions! It is so inspiring to see everyone chasing their dreams and living the life they KNOW they deserve!

Sawmill Reservoir Adventurous Family Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

These Sawmill Reservoir adventurous family photos are some of my favorite photos ever! Not only because of the incredible views, scenery, and family, but because of all they represent. The beauty in the simple moments spent with family! As a New York City lifestyle photographer, documenting moments like these is what mean the most. 

Family photos don’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to spend weeks finding the perfect outfits or the best location. Grab your family and just have the everyday moments documented. Wear your most comfortable clothes and head to your favorite hiking spot! Enjoy the afternoon fishing together, or making s’mores. Create moments together and let the magic happen!

I love traveling and shooting at different places, which is what draws me to photography! And these Sawmill Reservoir adventurous family photos are no exception. Traveling gives you a chance to see new places and new people all the time. And photography allows me to really see and take it all in. I’m looking for the little spots of magic amongst the beauty of it all! 

These Sawmill Reservoir adventurous family photos were during a 2-hour hike with family! I documented these in a very unscripted way. Which I love! I document for a longer length of time and get to capture people enjoying their time together and interacting on their own. It gives the family something to keep that is a memento of a real-life event that they shared at that brief moment in time.

So, enjoy EVERY moment of your family. Every single moment. Celebrate together, love one another, and don’t be afraid to document any second of your life.

Downtown Family Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

Documenting this sweet family was such a magical experience! Both parents are professional athletes, and recently welcomed their baby girl! The love they all shared was truly something special, and I was honored to get to document their downtown family photos.

One of my favorite parts about these downtown family photos is that this family was so open to making it more adventurous! Instead of the traditional “stop and pose”, we did more of a “walking shoot” style structure for their session - stopping at different spots along the way that caught our eye with interesting architecture or pockets of light. It was perfect!!

I have been trying to pay more attention to reflection and light sources when shooting, and this was the perfect day for that! There was harsh direct light, which lends itself to a lot of good shadow and a strong light source. It created these editorial, documentary, lifestyle, and in-the-moment photos that are truly unforgettable!

This downtown family photos session is a great reminder that documenting your family at any season of life is so important. Whether you're welcoming a new baby, celebrating milestones, or just wanting to freeze a moment in time, these photos are memories you'll treasure forever. It’s so easy to put off your session, and wait for the “perfect time” or new milestone, but don’t. The magic is now! It’s in the everyday moments of your life! Trust me, there is beauty and magic in your life and family, and it deserves to be preserved in time! 

Are You Ready For Your Adventurous Downtown Family Photos?!

As a New York City lifestyle photographer, I LOVE capturing the everyday moments of your life! Here’s to embracing all the love and light in our life, and celebrating every moment to its fullest!

Sekrit Theater in Austin, TX | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

If you are looking for the perfect place to document any season of your life, Sekrit Theater in Austin, TX is the place to be. This sweet mother and baby joined me in this gorgeous greenhouse to celebrate their special bond, and it couldn’t have been more perfect! This is your sign to document your life, no matter the season of life you are in.

While I am primarily a New York City lifestyle photographer, being able to step outside the city and capture this magic in a greenhouse is a dream! I LOVED every moment! The way the light changes and reflects, ahhh so perfect. Even the water fountain with the sparkling water, the foggy windows filtering light through them, it was all so perfect!

Let’s not forget the sweet bond between Mom and baby. Just another great reminder that your life deserves to be documented. You don’t have to wait till you are pregnant or be stressed about capturing your newborn in the first few days. Enjoy every moment of your life and celebrate it with photos! Each season of your life is so special and can be captured so beautifully!

So, whether you are in New York City looking for someone to capture your authentic and unique love story, or just want special moments of your baby documented, let’s do it! I love celebrating every season of life, and cannot wait for you to see the magic we can create together!

Elizabeth Street Gardens Engagement Session | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

This Elizabeth Street Gardens engagement session was so fun! Erika and Jon are so much fun, and it was a joy getting to know them! Remember that your engagement session should be exactly what you want. Everything you want! If that means taking a stroll through your favorite park or sharing your favorite dessert, do just that. Celebrate your love! Cheers to this happy couple and their beautiful Elizabeth Street Gardens engagement session!

Elizabeth Street Gardens Engagement Session

Elizabeth Street Gardens is one of my favorite gardens for many reasons! The beautiful sculptures, close-knit community vibe, and all the pretty hidden corners are just *chef's kiss*! The surrounding area is just as incredible! With tons of shops, it makes the perfect place to explore and enjoy the city. 

Before heading to the Gardens, we thoroughly enjoyed %Arabica! A lot was going on in the area, which makes for tons of creativity. From yoga classes, other photo shoots, and a podcast recording, we found the perfect little pockets of open space and light! 

As always, whether you’re planning family photos or your engagement session, make it YOU! Your love and family deserve to be authentically captured. As a New York City lifestyle photographer, I specialize in capturing your story. All the raw, authentic, everyday moments. Those are the moments that make you, YOU! So, if you are ready to tell your story through unscripted photography, let’s chat!

What To Bring To Your Family Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

Planning what to bring to your family photos can be overwhelming, right?! As a New York lifestyle photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to capture so many incredible families with the most joyful spirits! This sweet family who met us during an evening in Austin, TX, during the Finding HeART workshop at McKinney Falls State Park was so inspirational. Not only in the love they shared for each other, but in the way they approached their session. So, don’t be afraid to make your family session all about your family, whatever that looks like! Here are a few things to bring to your family photos that can help capture the true essence of your beautiful family.

What To Bring To Your Family Photos

Favorite Things

Especially with the younger ones, don’t forget to pack all their favorite things. Not only will this help keep them entertained, but it really helps give the photo a truer sense of who they are! Musical instruments, toys, drawing items, and books are great things to help bring out the best! They also help the little ones feel like they’re not being forced into the photo session by giving them something they love to do! Double win!

Bring The Love

This sweet family made the BEST of their day, and if there is anything I can tell you to bring to family photos, it’s love. Bring all the love. Don’t stress about getting the perfect shot, having elegantly styled hair, or getting everyone to smile at once. Have fun with everything and enjoy the time together. Even with the hot and humid weather, this sweet family never let that dull their love for each other. 

Expect Anything

When you have your mind set to expect anything, I promise it will make the world of a difference! Our original location was crowded and we made the best of it with this family and wandered to a nearby creek area. It was still, if not more, magical than we could have imagined. Family photos can bring anything, so just enjoy the moment and try not to focus on things that are out of your control. 

Do You Know What To Bring To Family Photos?!

So as you plan your next family photo session, just remember to enjoy every moment. This is a special time for documenting your family all together and deserves to be celebrated with all the love, joy, and happiness!

Erika Chen - LIC LAB Brand Photoshoot | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Erika Chen, the owner of LIC LAB in Long Island City! Erika wanted her LIC LAB brand photoshoot to capture both the professional and friendly aspects of her premiere waterfront health and beauty aesthetics lab. Working together, we brought her dreams to life and created magic during her brand photoshoot!

The Vision For A Stunning LIC LAB Brand Photoshoot

LIC LAB revolves around three core principles: food, rest, and exercise. To really hone in on these core pillars in her brand photoshoot, we wanted a mix of professional and friendly images. We landed in the beautiful neighborhood of Tribeca! 

One of my favorite shots from the session features Erika in front of the iconic Staple Street Sky Bridge. STUNNING. The green bridge perfectly complements Erika’s aesthetic! We were able to have her stand confidently under the bridge to show off the powerful female entrepreneur vibes, and sit on the steps for those friendly vibes she wanted too! It was all so perfect! 

Preparation Is Key

Preparation was key to ensuring this LIC LAB brand photoshoot was a success. I educated Erika on what to wear, makeup tips, and some posing tips for that professional but sleek look or a friendly and relaxed look. I recommended she bring clothes for fitness that were form-fitting! Of course, I reassured her that I would help her make her feel comfortable and like her most confident self with the tighter-fitting clothing! I recommended she bring a more “at home” casual look with more muted or neutral colors and one or two professional looks that would accentuate who she feels she is! 

To help me get a feel of how she wanted to portray herself as a businesswoman and to get an idea of how she sees herself, I provided some discussion and questionnaires so that I could portray all of that in photographs and let her personality SHINE! The images, where Erika is genuinely smiling and laughing, are the BEST! It is so important to try to get my clients comfortable and make normal conversation to keep things light and fun and get those genuine emotions! 

This LIC LAB brand photoshoot with Erika was incredible! To give her the best experience and help her feel confident in herself and her brand, it was important that I nailed her visions! Working with fellow entrepreneurs like Erika is so inspiring, and I can’t wait to meet more fellow female entrepreneurs!

Brooklyn Heights Family Photos | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

This sweet family will always be so special to me! They were one of the first families I documented in the beautiful NYC area, and I was so excited. These Brooklyn Heights family photos were a DREAM. From the infamous Fruit Streets during the quiet morning hours to the sweet family, I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my day. So, if you are dreaming of the perfect place for your Brooklyn Heights family photos, look no further than the gorgeous fruit streets. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Brooklyn Heights Family Photos

For these Brooklyn Heights family photos, we chose a quieter hour in the morning, when the neighborhood was still waking up. The only people out with us were neighbors meeting at the corner coffee shop for their routine Saturday morning chat. It was almost like a movie scene, the way the morning woke up with us. So beautiful!

This sweet family had two sweet girls who were in the best of spirits! We had a completely child-led approach to this session to keep the little ones in good spirits, and it was so much fun. We just played around the neighborhood and stopped at different corners to enjoy the views. It was almost like a walking session, that was somewhat pre-planned but also largely unplanned and based on what just caught our eye or what appeared next. That's the beauty of living in New York City. The architecture is unlike anything else, and you’ll never know what’s around the corner.

Planning Your Brooklyn Heights Family Photos?

As a New York City lifestyle photographer, there are soooo many beautiful places you can enjoy with your loved ones as I’m documenting your family. From the gorgeous fruit streets in Brooklyn Heights to the comfort of your home, we can capture every sweet moment. So if you are dreaming of Brooklyn Heights family photos that are child-led, enjoyable, and memorable, I’d love to chat! Head here to inquire about your session today!

In-Home Family Session | New York City Lifestyle Photographer

This in-home family session during the Finding HeART workshop in Austin, TX, was just what I needed. Beyond the joy that it was to work with this sweet family, getting to play with the light in this home was so much fun. As a New York City lifestyle photographer, documenting the tender, intimate, and everyday moments is my goal. I want to tell your story through images you’ll never want to forget! 

Finding HeART Workshop

The Finding HeART workshop was incredible! A small group of us photographers gathered to learn from one another and listen to discussions on business topics, all in the hopes of growing our businesses. We walked away with an immense amount of education, and I am so thankful I could be a part of this workshop. 

Beautiful In-Home Family Session

This in-home family session was shot in a cork eco-home in the Austin, TX area. It was soooo incredible. The light was very interesting to work with because of how it filtered into the home. The light came from a different perspective, and the small spaces created that intimacy I was hoping to capture. I wanted to play with spotlighting and just knew this home was the perfect environment to show a painterly, chiaroscuro style of photography and editing. 

Sometimes you get those in-home family sessions where everything is falling into place nicely - the family is doing well, the location is stunning, and the lighting is so interesting. It’s all just perfect! All the little pockets or corners in the house were perfect to capture the tender moment shared between the family. I wanted to capture all those intimate, quiet, everyday life moments centered around this beautiful family connection. It was memorable in so many ways, and I am so thankful for it all! 

Ready To Book Your In-Home Family Session??

An in-home family session is the perfect way to capture your life just as it is. The beauty that is in the everyday! You’ll never regret having these moments captured forever! Head here to book your in-home family session and celebrate your everyday life.