Family First
At Big Apple Portraits, family has always been the heart of our business.
Big Apple Portraits is an experienced newborn, child, and family photographer in the Upper West Side studio. We are a no session fee photographer.
At Big Apple Portraits, we guarantee you will love your portraits or you do not have to make a purchase. There is no upfront fee. Our package pricing is all-inclusive instead. Your session is free and you purchase the package that fits your needs. We know kids are kids and families do not always function as planned. We want to take away the risk and stress to make sure that the smiles are the highlight of your session – not the fee.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or special requests.
Email: info@bigappleportraits.com Call or Text: 212-600-4457
Meet Our Photographers
Our photographers adore children and families alike. They enjoy capturing special moments and memories and creating heirloom artwork that with stay with your family for generations.
Kim Brooks
Owner & Photographer
Kim started Big Apple Portraits with her dad, Bob in 2008, a huge change from her previous career. Kim wanted to offer a one of kind studio experience understanding that kids are allowed to be kids.
Kim and her husband, Pete, have 2 girls- Asher & Amelia. They have also recently added 2 cute little kittens to the family
Harmonie Soyk
Photographer & Studio Manager
Harmonie has been with the studio since opening in 2008 in various positions before settling into her role as studio manager and main photographer. Harmonie is the creator of most of our fantastic sets for every holiday season and loves making some of props too.
Harmonie, a Wisconsin transplant, has no tiny humans of her own but has 3 fur babies(cats)- Sinatra, Shakira & Bane and lives in the Bronx with her boyfriend, Freddy.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Seriously gets the kids laughing naturally and then actually gets the shot! Fantastic personality and amazing with children. Beautiful work. I def recommend this place.
I have been going here with my daughter for 6 years. They always get the best smiles and laughs from her. These photos will be treasured by us forever. I highly recommend Big Apple Portraits. The staff is wonderful to deal with.
Had a great first time photo studio experience with my 5 year old daughter. The photographer put her at ease immediately and got some great shots! Definitely will be back again!
We had our daughters 1 year cake smash here (first professional pics). Harmonie and her team at Big Apple Portraits are phenomenal. Extremely accommodating, friendly, very informative and transparent. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish and the photos were beyond awesome and captured my baby girl’s personality so beautifully. My baby is not the easiest photo subject and even with masks on they got her to feel comfortable and smile lots! My friend had her maternity photos done here as well and they came out beautifully. Highly, highly recommend!
I had a tremendously positive experience today and in fact began writing this review before even seeing my photos. First off, Harmonie is wonderful. I had to take a graduation photo and she was able to fit me in last minute the day before my graduation. What I love is that she also suggested doing a professional headshot in addition to the graduation photo. What a great idea as any new graduate would presumably need one as they enter the workforce! Harmonie made me feel comfortable and confident and we had lots of good photos to choose from. Highly recommend bringing your business here!
I loooove this studio, they are Amazing! My daughter’s Easter photos with Chicks & Bunnies came out Beautifully! We have been back so many times.
We loved working with you all and the pictures came out amazing. We love them so beautiful. You guys were so kind.
They professionally handled a group of 20 that was super late. They were really great about the delay and made what was a potential disaster into an amazing father’s day gift that my dad loved. We will definitely be returning there for all our picture taking needs.
We love this place. Been coming since kids were tiny. Best photos ever. Super natural shots! We especially love the baby chicks and Santa.
Nice place for family portraits. Specially for children. The photographer is a very child friendly person. Bring out the best of a child to capture the moment. I have not seen the pictures yet but the photo shoot session was good. Waiting for the pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions
We answer almost every question you can think of about taking photos in our studio.
What is the pricing for your sessions?
Big Apple Portraits is a no session fee photographer. This means you do not pay an upfront fee. Our non-specialty appointments are 30 minutes. You will come in for your session and then return for a reveal appointment. At the reveal we you pick your package. Throughout the year, we do offer different sessions for holidays or events but our most common session is our 30 minute no fee sessions. Mini sessions are typically available for most holidays. You can find all the details and pricing here.
**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online reveal sessions will be made available via Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom.
How do the sessions work?
Two appointments are required for every session: the portrait sitting and the reveal appointment.
During the portrait sitting our experienced photographers shoot with a hand held digital camera, giving them the freedom to move and interact with everyone on a personal level. While we carefully set up a pose, we understand that children are children and we let them do what they do best while still capturing that genuine smile or laugh or frown. During the shoot we may make funny noises, sing, or do goofy things to make your child smile. If your child has noise sensitivities please let us know in advance.
At the reveal session you will watch a slideshow and choose your package. You only need to choose the images you love – the beauty of no session fee. Please note: since we do not charge a sitting fee, reveal appointments are REQUIRED for all our of sessions. Please plan for 2 appointments.
**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online reveal sessions will be made available via Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom.
Have you made changes to your safety and health procedures since COVID19-/Coronavirus?
Yes, absolutely. The safety and health of all of our clients and staff is extremely important. We have changed up our shooting schedule to accommodate complete cleaning between sessions and more. You can view all of our new updated procedures here.
Do you shoot outdoor sessions?
YES! With the ever changing environment due to COVID-19, we are now offering seasonal outdoor photo shoots.
What promotions and specialty appointments do you offer?
Often, we have specials and promotions for holidays or specialty sessions. Join our mailing list for promotion alerts.
Specialty sessions include our famous live chicks and bunnies & our ‘believable’ Santa. Santa joins us for a couple days each fall. He comes in November so that families can include Santa pictures on their holiday cards. Live chicks and bunnies come to the studio the month preceding Easter. NEW for 2021, we have introduced Monthly Mini Sessions at a special price.
How do I schedule an appointment?
There are two ways to schedule an appointment at Big Apple Portraits. You can view our calendar and request a time online at http://bigappleportraits.com/book or call or text us at 212-600-4457.
Is it possible to add additional time to our 30 minute appointment?
Unfortunately no. We have more than 10 years of experience photographing families and children. That experience taught us that kids really have about 20 minutes before they are no longer interested in the session. We want the session to be fun and exciting so we move things along very quickly. It’s like a playdate! In 30 minutes we will shoot at 2-3 backdrops and give you 20-30 poses for you to choose from. 30 minutes is the perfect amount of time for warm-up, performance, and a good time.
Is it possible to pick my package online instead of attending the reveal session?
No, reveal sessions are required. We do not charge an upfront fee so please plan to attend a reveal session if you book a session with us. We are very accommodating with schedules and will work with you to find a time that works best.
**Due to COVID-19, online reveal sessions will be made available via Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom.
What if I want to add more items on to my package or the grandparents want to purchase photos too?
While we always encourage all decision makers to be present for reveal sessions, we know that is not always possible. After you have made your initial purchase, we will load an online proof gallery to order additional images or products. It is shared via email and you can feel free to share the link with friends or family.
What props and sets are provided?
During your 30 minute session we will shoot at least 3 different setups. Our style is mostly modern. We will always shoot close-ups on a solid color backdrop that coordinates with your choice of clothing AND the white backdrop which is simple and clean. Our goal is always to focus on your child and the smiles instead of the props. We do however try and stylize our holiday sessions during November and December, then again for chicks and bunnies. No matter what type of session, we have a closet full of props. If you are looking for something particular, please call 212-600-4457 and we can discuss it with you.
What should we wear?
Anything you want. However, to offer some more helpful advice:
For newborns/toddlers: tighter fitting clothing rather than looser for example a onesie or cute diaper cover. If you have a favorite outfit feel free to bring more options and we will help you decide. Any special, handmade or monogrammed items are also encouraged. During your session we will also take a few nude shots which will require absolutely no clothes at all.
Little kids: A favorite outfit of the moment always looks cute– jeans and a button down, a little sundress. Bring a few options and we can help you decide – it’s good to have a solid color outfit and one patterned option. Don’t hesitate to allow the child to choose what they would like to wear for their photoshoot.
Older kids: Either let them decide or something simple, a t shirt and jeans. Don’t force your teenager into anything they do not want to be wearing. We also welcome all coming-of-age celebratory outfits.
Adults: Simple and clean cut – button downs, polos, anything with a nice neckline. We usually recommend solids for a more consistent look. Patterned clothing tends to stand out more than solids.
Group shots: All families are different. Some ideas for group shots: all jeans and white or black shirts; all jeans and different kinds of shirts in shades of the same color (ie. light blue, royal blue, dark blue shirts); not matching at all – all members of the party wearing anything they want; girls in pink, boys in blue; or the same shirt on each child in different primary colors.
Please note that for children 2 and under we will ask that shoes and socks come off – this includes tights in most situations as well. The reason is that socks do not photograph well and bare feet look much, much cuter.
Please check out our Pinterest for more details.
When is the best time to schedule a session?
Always think about the age of your children and the time of day that works before for them. Young children sessions are almost always best in the morning, based on the best time around their nap. Even if your one year old is beaming and happy at 6pm when you or your spouse come home from work, we have found that this is not the best time in the studio. Older kids are great in the afternoon if they are not exhausted from school or sports & activities. Remember, no matter what age – everyone is always happier well fed.
Do you include parent or sibling shots?
All of our sessions include as many combinations as your child will tolerate. We always shoot individuals, siblings together, children alone with each parent, and the entire family. The sessions are fast paced and we have a rhythm to capture all of those moments. We always encourage parents to join in, so please come prepared. The best part…. If you do not like how you look in the photo, there is no obligation to purchase that image. But your children will cherish the images of you in their session in years to come. We do ask however that you restrict the amount of people in your party to limit everyone’s possible exposure to COVID-19.
Grandparents are also welcome to join. If there are more than 6 people in the session (children included) we do require you book a large group session. At this time, large group sessions are suspended until further notice.
My child has a small scratch/bruise or their face, is that ok?
We know kids at this age are on the move! Lots of falling and tripping. If you child has a small mark on their face, do not worry as we are able to touch it up in post.
What if my child is sick?
A healthy child is a happy child. Please let us know within 24 hrs of your session if your child is sick, has a runny nose, or cough, or anyone in your family has been exposed to Coronavirus so we can reschedule your session. We never charge a sitting fee just for this reason. We want the best and biggest smiles possible. Thank you for keeping us and our families healthy too!