Falling in love with fall - Prospect Park family photo session

I love spring and I love summer. I love gorgeous sunny days hanging out at the park or the beach. I love long evenings when it's still light out. For me, summer means freedom and light clothing and the sun on your face.

This year, though, I've fallen in love with fall as I've come to realize it's not just about the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. The light is different in the fall - softer, more diffuse, more subtle.

Fall has always been a gorgeous season but for me has brought the dread of cold and windy and grey winter days. Those days are pretty much upon us (it was COLD last night!) but I'm actually kind of looking forward to exploring the winter light as well. I love the slightly wintery look of some the photos from my session a couple of weeks ago in Prospect Park with Lindsay, Rafa and their adorable two year old son Leo.

The good thing was that it wasn't yet very cold so coats could be dispensed with. There was running and chasing and laughing and giggling... and even a little bit of baseball. What's a fall afternoon in the park without a little baseball, after all?

This photo is one of my favorites - spontaneous joy!

Thank you Lindsay, Rafa and Leo for a fun afternoon in the park!

You can see the full slideshow here.

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Beautiful family beautiful light - Prospect Park family session

The weather last Friday was beautiful - a little humid perhaps, but a gorgeous "indian" summer afternoon in late September. Faith was the second prize winner in my giveaway last spring, and as she couldn't make the portrait party on Sunday I arranged a special mini-session for her and her family.

Faith and Andrew knew each other in college but reconnected at a wedding. They now have a beautiful 15 month old son, Lian, who is already being exposed to English, Mandarin and French - wow!

The moment Lian looked up at me from his stroller with his big wide eyes, I knew my job was going to be easy. Andrew beamed proudly as I exclaimed over him and Faith and I instantly bonded over motherhood stories.

Faith was well prepared for our session with different outfits, toys and snacks, and Lian was delightful from the start, playful, curious and even willing to trust met to hold his hand as we ran down a hill. It was a beautiful afternoon in the park with gorgeous weather and I really enjoyed just hanging out with this family.

Faith, Andrew and Lian - thank you so much! You can view the slideshow here.

With everyone's different schedules, I have actually ended up scheduling all the portrait party sign-ups as private mini-sessions - we are off to a great start!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

OMG I'm a parent!

I love being a mom. I've always enjoyed being around kids, and while it hasn't always been my focus (in my twenties, having a kid was definitely NOT a priority), it's a big part of who I am now.

However, I don't often think of myself as a PARENT. I guess I think of parents as having children. You know, big children. Who have homework to do and stuff. I don't have a child, I have a baby!

In fact, I can count on one hand the times I've felt like a parent.

1. While wiping Liam's nose.


2. Sitting in the front seat of the car next to my husband while Liam sits in the back. (We only started doing this a few months ago. Before, he faced backwards and I sat next to him in the back to administer to his every need, which mostly entailed an endlessly repeated rendition of "itsy bitsy spider" complete with hand actions. As much as I love my son, I really like being a grown-up and getting to sit in the front again!)


3. The other night, when my husband and I started discussing pre-school (which we have to start applying for now even though he won't be going for another year!)... and elementary school... and middle school... and high school... and college... and OMG WE HAVE A CHILD!!!

I mean look at him. He kinda looks like a little baby teenager! Yeah, I guess he's not a baby any more.

What makes you feel most like a "parent"?!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Sweet/bittersweet

One of the fun things about seeing the babes turn into toddlers is to see them start to interact with one another. Look at this sweet and totally spontaneous goodbye hug. So sweet. And bittersweet. Awwwwwww. We miss you Claire.

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Is this boy adorable or what?! - Prospect Park photo session preview

We've hit a rainy spell here in NYC but last week was gorgeous - I had so much fun with this adorable thirteen month old at his session last week on a beautiful spring afternoon. Come back sunny days!

nyc baby, child and family photographer alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn and specializes in contemporary, natural light portraiture. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!