Baby Elito | New York Newborn Photographer

January 22, 2020 in Baby, Newborn, Family, Kids, Lifestyle

I absolutely love working with repeat clients — and the C family is no exception! Last time I worked with them, Juliet was a brand new baby and Emmy was still a squishy little toddler! Now these two beautiful girls are big sisters and absolutely in love with their new baby brother!

We had a fun morning — the girls flitting around the apartment while baby Elito calmly took it all in (between naps, of course). Mom and Dad made coffee as the girls got ready. I got the sense that, while they were in the midst of the crazy newborn phase, there was a sense of calm within the family. This new chaos of three kids was exactly what this family had wanted — they were now complete.

Thank you to the C family for sharing this moment with me — I can’t wait for the next time we meet!

Fall Mini Shoots 2019 | New York Family Photographer

November 14, 2019 in Family, Kids, Lifestyle, Mini Shoots

Fall mini shoot time is one of my favorite times of the year! It’s so much fun getting to photograph a bunch of different families heading into the holiday season, when everyone is gearing up for family gatherings and all the fun the holidays bring!

This year we headed over to the Nature Preserve of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe, a cute little park nestled between Bronxville and Tuckahoe, and bordered by quiet streets. You can find lots of cute little vignettes in this park and the kids can feel free to run wild without anyone worrying too much about where they might run off to. It’s perfect for family photos — complete with an incredible climbing tree!

I hope you enjoy this selection of shots from each of this year’s minis — along with a few at-home mini shoots that we squeezed in before the holidays. I loved taking them and loved spending time with each of these families!

The L Family was the first group I was lucky enough to photograph this day. We had such a fun time with sweet Lexie and her parents! She was a little shy at first, but some gentle silliness brought her out of her shell and made for a great session!

After a beautiful photo shoot with Baby JJ over the summer, I was delighted when the H family decided to sign up for one of my fall mini shoots! We had so much fun running around and exploring the park. The hardest thing about this mini session was getting this crew to stand still long enough to capture them — but I think their amazing energy shows through in these sweet photos.

The H family came prepared for this shoot — complete with football for Will, streamers for Emmy and just a great attitude all around! They had so much fun playing and posing — the joy was infectious!

In my experience, kids always have more fun when they’re with their cousins — and this was definitely the case with the C and S families! Now, getting them all to look at the camera on the other hand…

…and you know I can’t resist this little face! I love it when families include their pets in photos — especially if they are black labs!

You wouldn’t know it, but it was absolutely FREEZING during this shoot with the H family! Thankfully they toughed it out and made it work, because we could not have had more gorgeous light that afternoon! And it doesn’t hurt to have striking red hair for a fall photo shoot… this was definitely one for the portfolio!

It was a pleasure meeting the K family for this mini shoot, along with brand new baby Charlotte and rambunctious big brother James! We had a great time goofing around in their backyard and James particularly enjoyed showing off his sweet pup Dakota to me — which coincidentally is our dog’s name too!

I was able to squeeze in one final mini shoot with sweet Sammy and the C family before the holidays! They were a great family to work with and a wonderful way to wrap up a crazy fall!

I hope I will get a chance to work with all of these families again next year! Minis are such a fun way to get to know families and photograph little kids. If you’re interested in getting on my mailing list for upcoming mini shoots, please don’t hesitate to reach out at tullakowski@gmail.com!

Welcoming Baby B #2 | New York Newborn Photographer

September 20, 2019 in Newborn, Family, Baby, Lifestyle, Kids

At my last shoot with the B family, I talked with the dad for a while about their upcoming arrival and whether he wanted a boy or a girl. (They were waiting until she was born to be surprised!) It was clear from the way he looked at and talked about his oldest daughter that, while he would be very happy to have a boy, what he really wanted was another girl. It was such a joy to hear that they had in fact had another girl and to meet her just days after her arrival!

As expected, R was already settling into her role as big sister very well — helping to make sure the baby was happy and relishing in her new elevated position. It was so much fun to see these sweet sisters together and imagine how they would grow up as constant companions. Both mom and dad seemed over the moon with their newest addition! They had quickly adjusted back to newborn life and seemed like old pros this time around! It was a pleasure to see how happy they all were now as a family of four.

Thank you to the B family for inviting me into another big moment in your lives! And congratulations on your growing family!

Baby JJ | New York Newborn Photographer

August 19, 2019 in Newborn, Kids, Family, Baby, Lifestyle

A singleton is a term you only hear very specific people use — parents of multiples. When the parents of Baby JJ learned that they were expecting again (after have one singleton and a set of twins) they were thrilled to learn that they were again expecting just one baby — the perfect way to complete their family.

I had the lucky opportunity to spend the morning with the oldest and youngest siblings of this sweet family, shortly after JJ’s arrival. It was wonderful to get to see these two singletons interact with each other and I imagine they will always have a strong bond. Older brother L was so sweet with JJ, wanting to show us where to take pictures, how to hold the baby and wanting to be a part of everything! He even helped take a few of the pictures! Baby JJ happily acquiesced, curiously watching his big brother jump about and be silly. It was a really fun morning and a beautiful glimpse into the special relationship between these brothers.

I look forward to watching you two grow together — along with the rest of your beautiful family!

I can’t resist sharing a second version of shot. I just love these two!

Baby Biglin on the Way -- Take 2!

August 18, 2019 in Maternity, Family, Kids, Lifestyle

One of the best perks of my job is getting to know my clients, watching their kids grow up and their families expand. I have been so lucky to work with the Biglin family on several occasions — including a previous maternity session, newborn session and 1st birthday. They’re such a sweet family and I feel like we just jump back in where we left off each time I see them!

For our most recent photo shoot, we met up at the Robert Moses State Park, which connects to the Fire Island National Seashore and the Fire Island Lighthouse via a beautiful boardwalk that meanders through dunes spotted with deer. It’s a stunning location and perfect for a family photo shoot! (And thankfully the weather cooperated better for this maternity session than our last one together!) Little Riley had fun running up and down the boardwalk, and we were lucky enough to spot a mother deer and her fawn stopping to get a drink of water toward the end of our walk.

Riley was super excited to become a big sister in just a few weeks, and they were all eager to find out if they were having a boy or a girl! I love sharing in these exciting moments with my clients and I can’t wait to meet Baby B #2 very soon!

Thanks for spending this gorgeous day with me!

Welcoming Baby Tristan | New York Family Photographer

August 11, 2019 in Family, Baby, Newborn, Lifestyle

I met the W family a few years ago when they won a photo shoot I auctioned off for Minds Matter, and I was thrilled when they invited me back to photograph their growing family this summer! It was amazing to see how much their little girl had grown up since the last time I saw her, and to meet gorgeous little baby Tristan!

We had a lot of fun, checking out all the toys in big sis’ playroom, exploring their new home and goofing around in the front yard. Tristan was happy to just snuggle in his mom’s arms and watch his spirited big sister run, climb and bounce all over the house! You can tell these two are going have an incredibly joyful childhood together.

Thanks for sharing the day with me!

Bundles of Joy Headquarters | New York Photographer

June 17, 2019 in Business, Non-Profit

One of the most wonderful parts of my job is that it allows me to give back to my community in a very meaningful way. I’ve had the privilege of working with Bundles of Joy on a number of occasions and was thrilled when they asked me to photograph their beautiful new headquarters this summer.

Adrienne, the founder of BoJ, has been on the search for a space to collect donations and assemble their signature baby bundles ever since founding the company out of her home several years ago. When she found this space in Bronxville, she knew that with a little TLC it could be the perfect place to spread joy! It was so much fun to get a sneak peek of their new home and to help be a part of its debut.

Bundles of Joy New York is a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides essentials to babies, toddlers and new parents in critical need. Find out more at: http://www.bundlesofjoyny.org/

Spring Fundraiser for a Great Cause | New York Event Photographer

May 11, 2019 in Event, Non-Profit

The Reformed Church Nursery School (RCNS) held its annual spring fundraiser, RCNS in Bloom, at the Bronxville Field Club this spring. I had the pleasure of photographing this special event for RCNS, one of the highlights of the season for this close knit community.

According to My Hometown Bronxville, “Two hundred members of the school community gathered to celebrate, and the event netted over $80,000 thanks to the generosity and commitment of the school’s parents. This money will be used to fund a new 3s playground, professional development opportunities, and a dynamic reading and writing curriculum from Columbia’s Teachers College.”

The event was enjoyed by all, thanks in large part to the excellent RCNS staff and tireless parent volunteers. And luckily the anticipated rain held off until all were inside for the dinner and auction portion of the evening. It was a wonderful evening and I look forward to next year’s event!

Multi-Generation Family Holiday Photos | New York Family Photographer

December 01, 2018 in Family, Kids, Lifestyle

You know you’ve found a special town when three siblings who grew up there all end up moving back! That was the case with my latest clients for whom I did a family holiday photo shoot. It was so much fun to work with this group and see all the sweet connections between the families — especially between the cousins, who had lots of fun playing together in the newly fallen leaves and chasing each other about. There was also a lot of eagerness about the newest members of the family, both newly born and soon-to-be, and you could tell the whole group was excited about the growing generation.

It’s always fun working with families, but I particularly love those that are a bit wild and silly! Thank you for sharing yours with me, S and C families — I look forward to working with you again!

Friends in the Fall | New York Family Photographer

November 05, 2018

Every now and then you get one of those beautiful days that make you look around and ask “Do I really live here?” On one such recent day, a few friends and I decided we should get the kids out and take advantage of the picture-perfect setting. These are the pictures that came out of that afternoon — pure, silly fun! And a couple gorgeous fall photos. :)

Baby Elizabeth's Naming Ceremony | New York Family Photographer

October 08, 2018 in Baby, Family, Event, Lifestyle

A Jewish naming ceremony is a service where a child's Hebrew name is introduced and they are welcomed into their new community. Much like a bris ceremony for boys, this is the baby's first official welcoming celebration and it is a joyous occasion for family and friends.

I was honored to be asked to photograph baby Elizabeth's naming ceremony this fall. We captured photos of the little star of the show, as well as her family and cousins, before heading to the gathering room for the ceremony. Her parents spoke about choosing her name and how they were driven by both religious customs, as well personal connections to the family members that inspired their choice.

It was a sweet ceremony, with her brother and cousins periodically jumping into the arms of their parents and peering over to see what all the fuss was about. Little Elizabeth stirred here and there, but seemed generally content to snooze in her dad's arms while the grownups spoke on her behalf. It was clear that this little girl has a strong family and community to help guide her through life -- and a fun group of little boys to make her laugh and learn a bit of mischief from...

Thank you for including me in this special day and for introducing me to your sweet girl. Welcome Elizabeth!

Moosehead Lake

September 01, 2018 in Travel, Lifestyle, Landscape

It’s been a while since I posted about a personal trip… I’m the classic photographer who spends hours photographing and meticulously editing my client’s photos, while my own pile up on my computer under the “to be sorted and edited someday…” banner.

BUT sometimes you go somewhere so breathtaking, it’s impossible to put the camera down and impossible to NOT share the photos. Moosehead Lake was one of those places for me. We spent a week exploring this massive and unbelievably tranquil lake this summer. It really is a hidden jewel — right in the middle of “Vacationland.” This expansive and under-developed shoreline is dotted with rustic cabins and very few real inns. Despite this being a 40-mile long, 20-mile wide lake, the only real shopping and nearly all the restaurants and bars are centered around Greenville, a small town at the base of this massive body of water. Most of the area is accessible by former logging roads (newly paved, thankfully) which people drive ~50 mph during the day and ~25 mph at night, looking out for moose in the road — and with good reason, my in-laws hit one themselves on the trip up several years ago. It really is one of the most special and unique places to visit in Maine!

We were lucky to enjoy a perfect week on the lake, with comfortable temperatures and sunshine nearly every day. We spent most of our days out on the water or in it — particularly the labs, Dakota and Millie, who enjoyed morning, afternoon, evening and even twilight swims off the dock. We didn’t sight any moose this trip, although our attempts to spot them certainly stuck in our daughter’s head — she now likes to shout out “I see a moose!” or “I see mama moose — she’s big!” (should I take that personally?) from the back seat while we drive around the suburbs. Needless to say, it was a memorable trip and we will definitely be back!

The sunset on the lake was different — and gorgeous! — every night of our trip. Some nights pink and clear, others misty and grey… It was a time I looked forward to each evening. Thankfully my husband supported my absolute NEED to be outside with my camera during these hours and took care of getting the baby to bed.

A hike up Mt. Kineo is a must if you’re visiting this area. It’s a stunning mountain, right in the middle of the lake and only accessible by boat. When you approach from the south, you come straight up to the cliff face or this gorgeous mountain — I wish I had a picture of this, but a crowded boat + toddler + lab = no pictures this time. Just trust me, it’s impressive. The view from the top provided us with stunning views of the lake with hardly a boat in sight, despite this being August — prime vacation time in Maine.

The train tracks that cut through the landscape are still in operation, although you don’t see many trains along them. Passenger service to the area ended more than half a century ago and the logging industry, which used to drive much of the economy in this area, has long since slowed. The result, as you can see below, are these beautiful, well maintained, yet incredibly quiet train tracks — here pictured, crossing over the Kennebec River, which rises from Moosehead Lake. You’re more likely to catch a fly fisherman passing over these tracks, than a train.

We look forward to coming back Moosehead — hopefully before these little munchkins grow up too much!

Huckleberry and Jackson | New York Pet Photographer

July 28, 2018 in Pet, Lifestyle, Family

You could not find two sweeter pals than this little pup Huckleberry and his big brother Jackson. As a huge dog person (especially labs!), you can imagine how thrilled I was to be asked to photograph these beautiful boys as an anniversary gift for their dad.

Jackson has had to fight a lot of health problems in the last few years — though you wouldn’t know it, but for the shavings on his legs. He was a joy to work with — sticking closely by all of us and clearly loving the new addition to their family (little Huck). In typical lab fashion, he had not lost any interest in people, food or balls in his later years — even if his catching skills might be a bit rusty.

Little puppy Huck did his best to bound along with us for the walk, although the smells and sights in Central Park were often too much for him to resist! He was incredibly sweet — one moment trying to get into the creek in the ramble, then next curling up in his mom’s lap and smothering her in kisses. Just pure lab puppy. Irresistible!

It was such a pleasure to spend a day with these sweet pups!

Next stop leash training… :)

Dapper and Sophie | New York Dog Photographer

May 31, 2018 in Pet, Lifestyle, Family, Kids

When two new puppies join your extended family — and come to stay with you on their way to their forever homes — you have to squeeze in a photo shoot!

Meet Dapper and Sophie, two absolutely scrumptious and extremely spunky Boston Terrier puppies. I hope you enjoy their little squishy faces as much as we did!

And of course my own sweet girl, Dakota, had to get into some of the pictures! How could I resist this face? #foreverpuppy

Baby Tala | New York Newborn Photographer

March 10, 2018 in Newborn, Baby, Family, Lifestyle

Tala seems a fitting name for such a striking young girl as this.

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful baby just days after she was born. Her parents were overjoyed with their little girl and seemed so content in this new role. And you could tell that love and contentment was felt by little Tala, who immediately calmed at her parents’ touch.

That’s not to say we had a completely calm photo shoot, as this little one tested us — and the carpet! — with a fun surprise when we tried to get some un-swaddled pictures. But thankfully we are all pro parents here — including these newbies. ;)

Thank you so much for sharing these precious — and hilarious — moments with me!

Little Lara | New York Family Photographer

February 03, 2018 in Baby, Family, Lifestyle

There’s no bigger compliment than being asked to come back and photograph a family for a second time. I got to meet this charming little lady when she was only a few days old. Coming back 6 months later to photograph her and her family was such a joy! She’s sitting up and has filled out with the most scrumptious little baby cheeks you ever saw! She is even more curious now than she was as a newborn, but ever as charming!

It is incredibly cool to watch this little girl grow and to be able to capture these special moments for her family. I hope I get the opportunity to work with more of my clients as their families grow and kids get bigger. They change so much, sometimes just in a matter of months! I feel so lucky to be a part of this time in your lives.

Baby Margaret | New York Newborn Photographer

January 20, 2018 in Newborn, Lifestyle, Baby, Family, Pet

As you’ve probably already guessed, photographing newborn Margaret was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding photo shoots I’ve been lucky to be a part of! You may recognize these sweets pups from a previous shoot, before welcoming their sweet sister into the world. It was so much fun to see them again and to be a part of documenting this growing family. It was especially amazing to see how comfortable they all were with each other already!

Margaret is a delightful little girl, with a calm disposition — no doubt influenced by her confident and warm parents. She watched me carefully throughout the morning, curious about this new person and clicking camera. But it didn’t seem to phase her! Nor did the gathering crowd outside her window — as we captured these pictures, the Women’s March was processing down CPW, only steps from their building. I couldn’t help but wonder if the strength and energy of all those strong women (and men) just outside was somehow influencing this content little girl… I can’t wait to see who you become little Margaret!

Juliet and Emmy | New York Family Photographer

January 13, 2018 in Family, Newborn, Lifestyle, Baby

I know I’ve mentioned how cool it is to be welcomed into these precious early moments with families — from the first days at home with a newborn to birthday parties, engagement shoots and maternity shoots — but this particular session with the newly minted “Big Sis” Emmy and her beautiful “Baby Sis” Juliet was a first for me.

It was incredibly special to witness this brief period where Emmy was just learning what it means to be a big sister — and to know that for the rest of her life, she would not really remember a time without her. It’s a challenging and exciting transition for any kid, but I get the feeling that this bubbly little girl is going to excel in her new role. She fawned over her baby sister, delighted in being able to hold her and essentially whirled around the apartment the whole shoot — keeping us all laughing throughout the morning!

Thank you for sharing this moment with me. And welcome sweet Juliet!

Little Avvie in the Big City | New York Family Photographer

November 01, 2017 in Family, Lifestyle, Baby, Kids

Living in New York City is no joke — you deal with tiny apartments, crazy high prices, crowds everywhere you go, every day of the week, dirt and grime and so many crazy people! But if you want to get an idea of why so many people love this city and love to raise their kids here—despite how hard it is—you should start by taking a look at this sparkling little girl.

Avvie is the epitome of the New York City kid — full of spirit, adventurous and inquisitive, as if soaking up the energy and opportunity of the city around her. She danced around Washington Square Park on this recent photo shoot, as her mother and I hurried to keep up with her. She owns this city in a way that those of us who moved here in adulthood will never be able to fully claim—and credit to her, because she really makes it her playground!

Thank you for allowing me to see this city through your eyes, Avvie — it was a true pleasure!

Laura & Jack | New York Engagement Photographer

November 01, 2017 in Engagement, Lifestyle, Pet

Picture this: Upper West Side, New York City, the stoop of a Brownstone; it’s fall and the leaves are just starting to turn; you arrive to take the engagement photos of a beautiful, newly engaged couple and out they walk with a gorgeous, dark red golden retriever — it does not get more picturesque than this!

I always love taking engagement photos — in fact, it’s where I first started building my business. To be included in this short space of time when a couple is embarking on a lifetime together, is such an amazing experience. There are nerves for sure — and most couples I’ve worked with are not used to being in front of a camera like this — but there is an excitement and joy in the moment that is just infectious! Such was the case with Laura and Jack, whom I had the pleasure of working with this fall. We were lucky to capture Central Park in one of its best moments — just changing from Summer to Fall, with both stunning red and orange leaves on The Mall, but also still lots of beautiful greenery throughout The Ramble and by The Lake. It was a beautiful day and I loved getting to spend it with this lovely couple. Congrats on your engagement, Laura & Jack! I hope the wedding is wonderful!