I’ve lived in New York for 21 years now. And yet every time I am in the city, I still feel like a tourist. That feeling of being a girl from a small town in Indiana in the big city never gets old.
PREVIOUS NYC LOCATIONS
Working with my fabulous clients has given me the opportunity to explore NYC in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise. Every year for the past six years, we have chosen a different place in the bounds of their hometown, NYC. Together we have hit some pretty great locations. First it was Gentry Plaza for the stunning Manhattan skyline. They introduced me to the little known Conservatory Gardens of Central Park which you can see here. The unique gem of a neighborhood Stuyvesant Town was a total surprise. And the revitalized and colorful World Trade Center session was super cool I promise you I would never have seen Stuy-town without this family; the Conservatory Gardens has become a favorite spot because of them.
THIS YEAR’S HOT SPOT
This year, we visited the South Street Seaport. This spot is quintessential NYC. Is it touristy? Sure, but unlike other well visited NYC spots like Times Square or the Empire State Building, Wall Street locals must love this destination for socialization and family time. It’s a great spot to just hang out, dine al fresco, grab a drink with friends, and of course the waterfront and Brooklyn Bridge views never ever get old. This is definitely the kind of place that warrants repeat visits. In fact, as soon as the weather gets nice, I am insisting on a date night there.
But the true start of the show is this family. I just can’t get enough of them. The kids are so smart and so cute. I love to give them artistic control and have them set up shots. We have the best time.
Check out the final product and if you like the idea of this location, hit me up and let’s plan something special.
GEAR AND SETTINGS
Sony A7 iv 24-70 2.8 – Nikon D750 70-200 2.8 Kept my ISO at about 800 as it was an overcast day -kept aperture at 3.2 for whole family and 2.8 for single person and adjusted shutter speed accordingly.
Hey, I'm Leslie, and in all my years as a photographer, the number one thing that makes or breaks a photoshoot has nothing to do with the camera. It's something most photographers never tell you.
Most people think bad photos happen because of how they look. So they blame their face. They blame their body. They go home feeling worse than when they came. And that is not their fault. Nobody tells them the truth.
The secret is this. The photographer controls the light, the angle, and the pose. A good photographer can make anyone look amazing. If your photos look bad, it is not you. You just need a photographer who knows what they are doing.
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Hey, I'm Leslie, and in all my years as a photographer, the number one thing that makes or breaks a photoshoot has nothing to do with the camera. It's how you pose.
Most people freeze the moment they step in front of a lens. They go stiff, they force a smile, and the photos end up looking nothing like them. And that's not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to pose.
But a few simple shifts in how you stand, where you look, and what you do with your hands can completely change how you show up in photos.
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After 13 years and thousands of shoots, here's what I've learned actually separates photographers who get referrals from photographers who get ghosted:
1. How you make people feel before the shoot
Your job starts the second they walk in, not when you pick up your camera.
2. How well you direct, not just pose
Telling someone where to put their hands is posing.
Getting them to forget their hands exist is direction.
One creates a photo. The other creates a moment.
3. How much trust you build in real time
The photographers clients rave about obsess over experience, not gear.
Because your client doesn't remember your lens.
They remember how you made them feel.
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If we haven’t met yet, hi helloooo I’m Leslie 🤍
I’ve been behind the camera for 13+ years, and I’ve learned this the hard way
I photograph families for a living and this is my number one rule
If it feels stiff, it looks stiff
The best photos don’t come from perfect posing
They come from movement, connection, and letting people be themselves
I guide my clients, but I don’t control them
That’s where the magic actually happens
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POV: I don’t know how to pose my clients…
If we haven’t met yet, hi helloooo, I’m Leslie 🤍
After 13+ years behind the camera, one thing I’ve learned is that most clients aren’t expecting to walk into a session knowing exactly what to do.
And honestly, they shouldn’t have to.
They’re real people who might feel a little nervous, awkward, or unsure of where to put their hands.
That’s where direction comes in.
Posing isn’t about placing someone into a stiff position and hoping it looks natural. It’s about giving simple prompts, creating movement, and helping your clients relax enough for their real personality to come through.
A few things I always keep in mind:
– give clear direction instead of saying “just be natural”
– focus on small adjustments that make a big difference
– use movement to help clients feel less stiff
– make the session feel comfortable before worrying about the perfect pose
Because the best photos happen when your clients stop thinking about the camera and start feeling like themselves.
Posing is more than knowing a few go-to prompts.
It’s knowing how to make someone feel confident in front of your lens.
💬 DM “POSE” if you want the client-directing prompts I use during my sessions.
