Fascinated with the sky.

This shoot was done at the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, NY. Most of the photos were taken with the 85mm 1.2 Canon lens and some were taken with the 50mm.

When the child is small enough (and their parents only take pictures with a point-and-shoot camera), may not recognize that the big dSLR camera that you holding to your eye is even a camera, so they might not even realize that they are being taken pictures of. My goal is for them to act totally naturally (and not to force-smile or pose) so I’d rather them not know that I’m holding a camera.

I also LOVE interacting with kids myself and find it a fun challenge to distract them and make them go and do where I want them to. With 2 year olds, like Ta’ana, it’s often enough to get them on your side, and then do exactly what you want them to copy.

Love making my subjects into a small dot with the trees looming over them. It looks dramatic in a fun Thumbelina kind of way.

Before meeting my clients for the shoot, I give them guidelines for dressing and styling (great hair is a biggie). During the shoot I talk about body positioning and what angles look best. Engagement shoots is exactly when I can jump in with a few tips, which can make a big difference, although the adjustments are usually very subtle.

The Central Park in NY is a great spot, because you can get some nature-meets-city shots.

Can’t wait to shoot their wedding!

Browse the blog post below or visit the more complete music slideshow of Adam and Margie’s wedding.

I’ve been in love with the Canon 85mm 1.2 lens for a while, dreaming about it, fantasizing about our happy days together. This was by far not the first wedding that I shot with this amazing portrait lens, but this was the first time that I didn’t have to part with it afterwards.

Greeting family.

Margie is a really friendly and open person. I felt like I’ve known her for a long time as soon as I met her.

Adam is a drummer and founder of “New York Soul” – the amazing band that playing throughout the wedding.

The food was actually as good as it looked.

The while walls of a photography studio make the light just bounce all around and create the softest look, which is amazing for portraits. Here are a few of the family formals (that are a little less formal : ).

The wedding was accompanied by Adam’s very own company – “New York Soul”.
They sang a wide variety of sophisticated music on a very high level, from current R&B to jazz classics (the most memorable for me being Nina Simone, whom I absolutely love).

Talking to a band member.

Margie having a blast with Adam.

The best friend speech.

The band emanated so much positive energy that I almost got a little carried away photographing them.

Guests enjoying the music.

A kiss on the bench.

Before you leave, don’t forget to check out a more complete slideshow of Adam and Margie’s wedding and click “Like”, if you enjoyed looking at the photos!

Wedding Hall: Park Studios
Band: New York Soul
Catering: JPO Concepts
Wedding Gown: Priscilla of Boston
Bridal Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Tux: John Varvatos

Love Yana’s eyes.

Oh the over-exposed black and white images. You make me happy.

Anything can be a background… even a beam.

Squealing with joy!!! Life does not get more fun than jumping on a bed.

Kids get distracted very easily, so it is definitely a challenge to change settings, watch out for lighting and composition, and think of the next inventive step – all while trying to get into the mind of the child and talk to them in a way that will produce results.

Model time.

Ahh… the negative space.

Loving the negative soace in this photo.

The expodisc performed pretty well, given the mixture of natural and incandescent light, with a little bit of flash!

The new year lights in the background add a warm holiday layer to the photo. I made them out of focus on purpose.

A close up of Keira’s calm demeanor.

The red hat. I think it was hand-knit by a coworker of the mother.

Bath tiiiiiiiime!

These are:
1. the anticipation of an upcoming vacation to “warm the bones”,
2. my old-school heating pad which I fill up with hot water (my apartment can be either really cold or really hot and I prefer not to sweat), and
3. memories (through pictures) of amazing days of fall in Prospect Park, like below.