family photographer for the new york catskills + hudson valley

I’ll say it plainly: backyard family sessions are wildly underrated. People often assume they need a scenic overlook, a flower field, or some secret magical location to have great family photos. Meanwhile, some of the most personal, relaxed, and genuinely fun sessions I photograph happen twenty feet from the back door. Especially in summer. There is something about summer at home that feels real in the best possible way. Windows open. Bikes tipped over in the grass. Sprinkler

One of the questions I get asked most often is, Where should we do our family photos? And my honest answer is this: the best location is not always the most dramatic one. Yes, I know there are beautiful mountain views, rivers, fields, and postcard-worthy backdrops all over the Catskills. We’re lucky like that. But the location that often means the most years later is the one that feels connected to your actual life. The place where your kids run wild. The porch where you drin

Isn't that always the key? Let me start by saying this: nobody needs to show up to family photos looking like they were styled for a catalog shoot. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to look like yourselves on a really good day. I think one of the biggest reasons people stress about family photos is because they assume outfits need to be complicated, expensive, matching, or deeply curated. They don’t. In fact, when clothing feels too forced, it usually shows. Summer fami

When I survey the families I photograph, one of the biggest concerns they have when scheduling their family photos is ' where to have it'. This is so funny to me, because as a professional photographer, location scouting is actually a significant part of my job. In fact, each year I strive to add one new, fantastic location to my list. Of course, we all have our favorite spots. For me, what makes a spot perfect for family photography is a mixture of accessibility, light, loca

Cliche as it may sound, it's true that there's never been a better time to host an event in the Catskills and Hudson Valley! A wildly popular destination, not just for New Yorkers, but for people all over the country, incredible resorts, venues and restaurants keep popping up. If you're an outside of the box momma-to-be, you're probably craving a unique and beautiful location to host your upstate New York baby shower, but you might not know where to start. Lucky for you, I'

If you're traveling to the Catskills with kids, figuring out where to eat is probably high on your list. The good news? Sullivan County is full of welcoming, family-friendly restaurants, whether you're in the mood for a quick bagel, a sit-down meal, or a spot where kids can roam while you relax. This guide highlights Livingston Manor, Roscoe, Callicoon, Jeffersonville, and Narrowsburg, five small towns in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, each offering great food and a laid-ba

By now, I'm sure most parents are aware of the findings of this 1975 study but I'll share it anyway. Children who see photos of themselves displayed around their house have shown a significant boost in self esteem. Furthermore, seeing photos of themselves with their family improves their feelings as a valuable member of their household. But you probably didn't need me to convince you to print your photos and get them on your walls. I can tell you, even as a photographer, one

My favorite photos aren’t the ones where everyone is dressed up, smiling at the camera. They’re the ones that feel like real life.

Milestone sessions document the incredible growth and personality changes that happen in a baby’s first year.

Spring offers a stunning variety of natural backdrops, from rolling meadows to blooming orchards, that create visually rich and timeles

These photos aren’t just for you. They are for your children. They are for posterity. And I promise, you won’t regret it.

Dogs are part of the family, and it only makes sense to include them in your annual family photos!

So many of my clients avoid booking family photos during the duller, less colorful months because they assume the photos won't be as pretty. Yes, I get where you're coming from. November-March in The Catskills and Hudson Valley can be pretty brown and even dreary. The trees are often bare, leaves are brown, the grass is yellow, and of course, there's not a flower in sight. But don't let that stop you. Instead of trying to inject color into these seasons, why not embrace the s

My biggest challenge during your session won’t be to make you (mom) look beautiful, or to get your kids to smile. It’s not going to be...

We’re all getting settled into 2024, I’m excited to try new things and create beautiful family photos that are more meaningful than ever....

Navigating the wardrobe waters for a family photo session can be a bit like trying to sail without a map, especially when the seasons change their coats. Autumn in the Catskills and Hudson Valley spoils us with a tapestry of jewel tones, making outfit choices a walk in the park. But then spring waltzes in, and suddenly, we're left wondering how to dress our families in a way that complements the fresh, bursting life around us. My secret sauce? I let the shooting location be o

It's so easy to get caught up in the same old poses with maternity portraiture. I am breaking out of that mold this year. See how.

Finding new locations for family photo sessions in the Catskills is a challenge year after year. As somebody who has lived in Livingston Manor since 2011, I know lots of great shooting spots in this part of the Sullivan Catskills, but further east near Woodstock, Phoenicia, Saugerties, Mt. Tremper and Hunter has been a little trickier, especially since lots of families love to book vacations at the AirBnbs and VRBOs in the area. But recently, I discovered the Thorn Preserve i

Your Seasonal Guide to Family Photo Sessions Look, we’re all juggling a million things. Between work, family, and the endless to-do lists, who's got time for elaborate photo sessions? But capturing your family's moments shouldn't be a chore—it should be an experience. And let's cut to the chase; you want this experience to be hassle-free and meaningful. So here it is, a straightforward guide to nailing that lifestyle family photo session, season by season. Spring: When Everyt

I'm so excited to capture some beautiful memories for you and your loved ones! You may be wondering what you should bring to the session...