When we moved back to New York City, it was Central Park I’d missed the most. The parts you don’t see in your friends’ typical NYC photos. The parts of the park you have to take time to find, explore, and appreciate.

I missed the wild flowers in the Shakespeare Garden, the quiet of the North Woods, and the blooming of the Conservatory Gardens. I missed the people watching on 86th street and the crazy things I see in the park on any given day.

Just the other day, I was walking back from the photography session (see below for those gorgeous pictures) at Bethesda Terrace and the park was busy with so many activities. Two guys were throwing javelins right next to a little kids’ birthday party. A wedding was unfolding on a quiet hill. A man was rollerblading on what looked like skis. And I walked past so many dogs frolicking and having the time of their lives.

The more I’ve thought about how much I love this park, the more I’ve wanted to share it with others.

The park is gorgeous and designed for enjoyment. But for me, having sessions in the park is about sharing it’s quirky present and historic past. People take pictures at Bethesda Fountain without knowing it’s historic significance to the city it was designed for one hundred and fifty years ago— it was made to represent healing to a city who had lost so many people to cholera because of unclean drinking water.

I see tourists and locals move quickly from one location to the next without appreciating the intentional design of every corner of the park. The Mall is the only straight line in the Park, did you know? Bow Bridge is named for an Archer’s bow. There’s a Canon at the north end of the park that was accidentally loaded with gunpowder and a cannon ball up until 2013. There’s so much I want to share with people while they look fabulous taking their pictures.

That’s why I created the Central Park Sessions. To share and to photograph and share the joy of one of my favorite places in this crazy city.

While I’ve been a photographer for years now, this was my first session in the park. I appreciated my time with these Barnard gals because they rarely visit this part of Central Park! I loved hearing their “Oooohhhs” every time we saw something new. We walked the Mall, they bought some candy nuts, they threw leaves, and we watched an engagement proposal go slightly awry. It was a joy to photograph a group of friends and I hope when and if they move away from the city and college, they can look back on these and appreciate their time together.

Book your own Central Park Session (especially if you want Autumn Leaves) now.