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.

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.

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.

The Summer and Fall months are always the busiest months for outdoor photo sessions. Most families prefer images captured in the golden glow of Summer, but Winter is also a great time of year to consider photos. Booking a snowy winter family photo session here in New York can be a great way to capture special memories of your loved ones in a beautiful and unique setting during what can be a magical time of year.

One of the most popular sessions I offer is the extended family photo session. People often book these sessions as a gift for a grandparent, for a family reunion or simply to just update their family photos. A photo session is a great way to document the bond your family shares. However, what exactly is an extended photo session?

Ok, so you finally booked that family photo session. Now comes the part that most people find hard, styling your family. Don’t stress. I have compiled a list of helpful tips to help you style your family for your portraits. If you have booked a session with me already, I also will send you a custom styling board for your family and you even have access to my client closet with women’s dresses available on loan. I keep the styling process completely stress free.

When I became a family photographer, I didn’t realize how much time I would spend looking at weather reports. I have spent a lot of time analyzing the weather patterns in the Long Island area. As a result, I’m well versed in how to manage rain, and to still give you wonderful family photographs that you’ll love.

A favorite client of mine recently booked me for a photo session including the grandparents. Coincidentally, the session took place on grandparents day, which is September 12th. It was a special session for this family because the grandparents were in the states visiting from Germany, so it was the perfect opportunity to capture professional photos with the extended family. I was thrilled to capture this session, not only because I love working with this family, but also because I love photographing grandparents. I figured I would use this session as an opportunity to blog about why I feel including grandparents in your family photos is so important.

There is just something special about the Fall. It is the season for cozy sweaters, pumpkin lattes and fun filled family activities. There are so many traditions associated with Fall ranging from pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, making pies or simply just jumping into a pile of leaves. It is also the time of year that most people schedule their annual photoshoot as a family. Whichever activities you choose to participate in, you no doubt want to create living memories, and what better way to do that than to have a nice picture hanging on your living or bedroom wall?