Central Park Model Boat

Steven's Model Boat Sailing Pond Proposal

What’s so unique about the Model Boat pond in Central Park is how intimate and quiet this not so hidden NYC gem is. While the tourists flock to Bethesda Fountain, the Bow Bridge, and the Gapstow Bridge from the South, the Model Boat Pond not so much. Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side (72nd street) this Central Park location is one of my favorite places to capture a surprise marriage proposal.

Jonathan Heisler Photography is comprised of Professional New York City photographers specializing in photographing private NYC proposals, as well as engagement sessions and weddings.

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Early Fall Morning Family Sessions In Central Park are the best.

As a New York family photographer I’ve worked all over place, from Long Island’s beaches to upstate NY’s vineyards and lakes, and from the Upper East Side to Prospect Park. With my experience I’ve been able to successfully help families plan their own unique family photo sessions by offering real recommendations, not ones pulled off of Google. I understand the factors that come in to play when planning and photographing family photos; the children’s ages, the family’s personality, the look and feel you want to achieve, likes/dislikes, where are we photographing, the time of year, and the time of day we are photographing.

Living in NYC offers countless opportunities. However, one of my favorite locations for outdoor photography time and time again is Central Park. I’ve worked as a Central Park family photographer in every season and every weather condition imaginable. Each location within the park, each time of the day, each time of the week, and each time of the year offers its very own unique look and feel.

Joel's Morning Central Park Family Session

NYC weather in the Spring is … unpredictable.

Joel reached out back in February to schedule a Springtime NYC Family Photo Session in Central Park. His family would be visiting NYC for the very first time and they chose the second week of May. Being from Florida they wanted a warmer weekend for their visit and they hoped to get a glimpse of the cherry blossoms.

This trip was going to be special. It was his daughters’ first big trip out of Florida and the family photo session was his children’s Mother’s Day gift. Now that the girls were older, both Joel and his wife Samantha wanted professional, quality family photos to print and hang around their home. With a busy schedule, a keen focus on good lighting, and an effort to avoid crowds we chose a Sunday morning. Warm it was not (38*F), however everyone powered through it.

On my Central Park family photo sessions I like to select 2 main areas for us to take photographs. My go to location on the East side of Manhattan is the Model Sailing Boat Pond. This part of Central Park is quiet, as most tourists venture to the Bethesda Fountain and the southern part of the park. After the pond, we venture West to several fields where the kids can be kids.

A Central Park Cherry Blossom Family Photo Session

Central Park in the Spring is a favorite for Family photos

Spring seems to arrives a bit late in New York City compared to other parts of the US, and it doesn’t always seem to stick around all that long. However, when Spring does show up in NYC, it comes ready. New Yorkers, and tourists alike, take full advantage of the warm longer lasting days, the sounds of nature, and Central Park’s beautiful Cherry Blossoms. This Spring, with Mother’s Day approaching, Guatam chose a family photo session as the perfect gift for his wife while on their family vacation in New York from Australia.

Family Photo Sessions are for the whole family, not just mom and dad

I love when family photo sessions invite the whole family. It adds a whole new dynamic to the mix besides offering different poses, it also brings out a different energy to the kids, parents, and overall atmosphere. On todays Central Park Family Session, the families uncle who lives in Connecticut came in to the city for the photo session. Everyone was so excited to see him, to hear about what’s new in his life, and to spend time together. Getting this group to smile was a walk in the park.

Tim and Amanda's Central Park Family Photo Session

Family photoshoots in New York City are one of my favorite sessions to photograph. My approach to a NYC Family Session is to include candid photos of real moments to help everyone get comfortable in front of the camera, and then offering up some of the classic poses. Throughout the session, I always offer up suggestions and tips; move your hand here, take a step back, tell him/her a funny joke.

What does a professional NYC Family Photographer offer that my iPhone does not?

As a New York City photographer, I’ve worked all over New York, from Long Island’s beaches to upstate NY’s vineyards and lakes, and from the Upper East Side to Prospect Park. I have a ton of fun recommendations for great family photo sessions based upon foliage, cherry blossoms, crowd size, view or no view, lighting, etc.,. However, one of my locations for outdoor photography is Central Park. I’ve worked as a Central Park family photographer in every season and every weather condition imaginable. Each location within the park, each time of the day, time of the week, and time of the year offers its very own unique look and feel.

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Photographing a Late December Family Session

One of my favorite places to photograph family sessions in Central Park is the Model Boat Sailing Pond

As a NYC family photographer, I have a lot of different options as to where I can photograph and when. When choosing a location for family photos I always like to pick a place that is convenient for you, provides different looks to your photo session, and has good lighting for that time of the day.

My top 5 tips for a successful family photo session with children:

  • Snacks - Snacks are a great mood booster for little kids. Sometimes all it takes is some sugar to turn a frown upside. And other times, snacks act as a good-ole-fashioned bribe.

  • Toys. I love having toys on photoshoots because the best thing a kid can do is play, and just be a kid. Not all of our photos have to be posed “look here and smile” type photos. Candids make the best photos!

  • Relax - There’s instagram and then there’s reality. Not every photo will be perfect.

  • Time of day - Think about when your child/children are the most attentive

  • Don’t rush - Let’s take our time.