2022 TD Five Boro Bike Tour - Sponsored By Bike NYC

Combining My Two Favorites

I finally got to photograph the world famous TD Five Boro Bike Tour after last year was rained out and the prior year was cancelled due to COVID. Photographing the Bike Tour was an amazing experience combing my two passions, photography and bikes. I worked very closely with Bike NY developing a strategy of how we would efficiently and effectively document the 40 mile ride touching every borough.

How to photograph a large scale NYC event involves planning and some amount of prior experience.

This year, several highly skilled professional photographers were selected to photograph the 2022 bike tour. While there are several dozen photographers capturing the tour, the majority are focussing on capturing photos of just the riders. My goal was to capture the city with rides in it. To tell the story of the day and make the city, New York City, the main character.

Each photographer was assigned a specific section or borough, along with a designated list of key photos to capture. Some of the photographers were assigned specific spots, which they’d walk, while other were assigned large areas only doable by bike. My list was originally just Brooklyn, but it was quickly expanded to the whole route with a focus on Brooklyn. Yes, I biked the whole tour (42 miles and plus some) with my cameras.

Client: Bike New York

When Is The Perfect Time for Central Park Cherry Blossom Family Photos?

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 Manhattan’s Upper East Side to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. I have a ton of fun recommendations and suggestions for great family photo sessions. When clients ask “When and where is the best fall foliage in NYC?” or “When and where can we take family photos with the cherry blossoms?” a professional will know these answers. Other common questions and considerations are crowd size, view or no view, morning light vs afternoon light etc.,.

My favorite place for Spring time family photos is hands down Central Park.So, when is the best time for Cherry Blossoms in New York City? While the answer to that question changes every year, typically April 20th - May 1st is the best time.

An Experienced NYC Family Photographer

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.

LET’S BOOK A NYC FAMILY PHOTO SESSION TODAY!

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.

LET’S BOOK A NYC FAMILY PHOTO SESSION TODAY!

Pascal's Spring Proposal at Gantry Plaza LIC

Pascal planned a surprise proposal at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City during spring. He and his partner were visiting from Germany, and this was their first time coming to Gantry. To make sure everything went smoothly, Pascal and I prepared in advance — I sent him a map showing the route, marked where his partner would walk, and showed examples of where their proposal moment could happen.

The Proposal Story

We met at Gantry Plaza before sunset. With daylight still good and spring foliage starting to show, the walk along the waterfront was calm. Pascal waited for the right spot — a pier with a view of the skyline and water. When his partner arrived, he proposed. Photographs included wide shots showing the skyline and river, medium frames to focus on the couple, and close-ups to capture emotion. Because we planned the location ahead, we had time to choose angles and prepare without rushing.

Why Gantry Plaza State Park Is a Good Proposal Location

  • Offers clear views of major NYC skyline landmarks (Empire State Building, United Nations, etc.)

  • Waterfront setting allows for reflections in the water, adding depth to images

  • Multiple vantage points (piers, walkways, gantries) give flexibility to move depending on light and composition

  • More privacy compared to many Manhattan spots, especially in spring evenings before crowds peak

Tips for Planning a Gantry Spring Proposal

  • Plan ahead: look at maps, pick your route, decide where the proposal moment will be, especially if your partner hasn’t seen the location before

  • Time the proposal close to golden hour (late afternoon / just before sunset) so light is soft and flattering

  • Arrive early to check light, explore possible spots, and avoid surprise obstacles

  • Dress in season-appropriate attire and colors that work well with skyline + waterfront backdrops

  • Use a photographer experienced with waterfront light and reflections

BOOK NOW!

Kosciuszko Foundation 85th Annual Fundraiser

This year's Kosciuszko Foundation Gala supported Ukrainian refugees. The evening was held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City and successfully raised nearly 1.5M dollars for Ukraine.

Photographing a Fundraiser Gala in NYC

A professional photographer should be able to summarize the event they photographed in as few photos as possible. It is a photographers job to capture the Who, What, Where, and Why of the event. Tonight I photographed all of the event main moments with posed and candid photos.