New York Public Library Photoshoot
I met Nick and Leana amidst the quiet bustle of the New York Public Library—yes, even libraries have their own kind of chaos. Their vision for this shoot was clear: capture their final chapter in New York City before Leana wraps up law school and the couple begins their next adventure together.
Having met in college and weathered years of long-distance, they’re now engaged and getting married this fall. For this session, they wanted something timeless, authentic, and elegant—a love letter to NYC before they move on.
I had never photographed in this kind of location before. There's been a lot of buzz around museum photo shoots lately, but with The Met no longer allowing professional photography, we opted for the New York Public Library instead. The space is absolutely stunning—grand staircases, vaulted ceilings, historical details—but the lighting? It was rough. The interior is dark and ambient, so I cranked up my ISO and leaned on editing tools to denoise and balance everything out.
We arrived in the morning to beat the crowds, but in a place like this, you really only need one moment of stillness to get the shot. There’s no time to dilly-dally or hesitate—it’s about being ready when that second of calm hits.
There were three key spots I wanted to hit:
The iconic staircases leading up to the second floor, framed perfectly by the dramatic painting in the background. I positioned myself on the opposite staircase to capture the symmetry and energy of the space. I wish I had walkie-talkies to direct them from across the room, but Nick and Leana were naturals. I ran them through some poses ahead of time, and they nailed the in-between moments—my favorite kind.
The lettered wall, which felt like a hidden ballroom. I wanted the vibe to be candid and romantic, like they were slow dancing in a museum while I quietly observed from a distance. After experimenting with a variety of angles, I landed on some final shots that felt both grand and intimate.
Spontaneous stops throughout the library—balconies, benches, artwork—wherever inspiration struck. We were literally creating art in front of art, and that’s the kind of freedom I love most during a shoot.
One of my favorite surprises? Nick and Leana brought along their custom save the date newspaper—a personal touch that made everything even more special. Coincidentally, the library’s current exhibit was dedicated to The New Yorker magazine. It felt perfectly synchronous: a love story in front of the publications that celebrate storytelling.
We wrapped outside the library in a quiet corner that caught beautiful soft light. After working through so many difficult lighting situations indoors, it felt like a reward to photograph them in natural light. These outdoor portraits have such a relaxed and radiant quality.
Somehow they found me on Reddit, and we ended up creating magic together. Nick and Leana were not only stunning to photograph, but also incredibly fun and intentional with their vision. That’s the beauty of shooting in New York—no beaches or mountains, but countless historic landmarks where love stories like theirs can come to life.
