This is the fourth consecutive Modern Lifestyle Family Portrait session for Dea and Chris. I photographed their wedding a few years ago and 2 years after that I photographed their lovely baby girl, whose photos are some of my all time favorites. Last year I photographed their new addition to the family, a baby boy. I look forward to their session every year because I get to witness and document the growth of their children and family.

The Chinese character for “good” (?) composes of a “girl” (?) on the left and “son” (?) on the right. Dea and Chris have this “goodness” not only because they have a daughter and a son, but because they really are a wonderful and fun loving family!

I totally enjoy photographing them because they instinctively know how to let it happen naturally without a fuss. They invite me into their life as a friend for the duration of the session and trust in my ability to capture the truth of their characters and family dynamics. This total trust and willingness on their part to enjoy the process have always created memorable and distinctive photo keepsakes.

These photos are not mere recordings of the changing face of a child, but the emerging character development of a little human being. I feel truly lucky to witness the transformation of their baby girl into a little princess and now seeing their son from a new born into a toddler!

Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side of New York City.

Click on the slideshow to see more images from the family portrait session in Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side of New York City. Be patient while slideshow loads…

Click here see a Lower East Side Modern Lifestyle Family Portrait session.

For those of us that have been in wedding photography business for over 10 years; we know by now that it’s not a get rich quick profession. Getting a Krispy Kreme franchise will probably make you a millionaire much quicker. Then, what keeps us in the business for so long?

There are many reasons and one of them is definitely appreciation. It makes us feel so good when we get to do something that we love and at the same time make people happy. Personally, the appreciations from my happy brides and grooms drive me to continue to create and to improve my art.

The ultimate sign of appreciation is the repeat referrals we get from our totally satisfied and loyal customers. This appreciation keeps our business going; we are a referral base and word of mouth business!

We are humble and grateful to the brides and grooms who keep referring us to their friends; therefore, we want to give back to our loyal customers by rewarding them with our Modern Lifestyle Portrait session. We appreciate your business and referrals. We will not be here without your support. Thank you!

Today’s photos are from Janet and Howard and their two lovely boys. We did not have the honor of photographing Janet and Howard’s wedding, since we were already booked when they inquire about our services; but we have since photographed their sister, Amy, and brother, Jimmy’s weddings and will soon photograph Janet’s friend, Lauren’s wedding.

Here’s a short behind the scenes video shot by Willi, theStoryteller during the Fine’s Modern Lifestyle Family Portrait session.  Move over Naked Cowboy, Greg Fine is in town now.

Click here to see A Fine Day – Part One {A Lower East Side Modern Lifestyle Family Portrait Session}.

Greg Fine, the winner to our photo story contest stopped by our studio last week with his family to claim his prize. Willi met Greg and Lauren five years ago when he was entrusted to photograph their wedding. It must be a pleasure for Willi, theStoryteller to see his brides and grooms’ story continue; and once again entrust him to document their next chapter.

Knowing that Greg is an artist and musician, Willi asked Greg to bring his guitar with him. Greg treated Willi to a live performance. His voice is a pleasure to listen to; it is both soulful and angelic.

“Always Time” is on Greg’s new and soon to be released CD.

To learn more about Greg and his music visit him on myspace and CD Baby

The audio slideshow will play when it has finished loading. It may take a minute or two.

The photo session is shot entirely in the Lower East Side. It has it’s share of historical buildings, it’s own park, bridges and yet somehow retain the raw urban characteristics of decades past. As you can see, it is a hip place to shoot in.

Portraits are a lifetime investment, but a portrait session can be boring and tiresome for children. From my experience, parents who are good sports and understand the importance of having fun not only enjoy the portrait session, but are also rewarded with the best images.

Forcing children to pose is not something I recommend, but well meaning parents often try to help during a photo session by telling their children to sit or stand still and look at the camera. But that often leads to rebellious behavior or at best a cheesy smile. Children are at their best when they are deeply absorbed in doing something that interest them. Simple as it sounds, but it works.

The best way to capture children is to let them be. Let my camera document the many faces of your children as they reveal them freely without inhibition. Trust them and let them lead the way. You will not be disappointed by the outcome.

Parents wanting to get the best pictures tend to supervise their children during the photo session more often than not end up frustrated and unhappy; therefore, you should simply sit back, relax, enjoy, and play with them. When you look at the photos afterward you’ll recall a memorable experience which you want to relive over and over again; now that’s a lifetime investment!