No one captures edgy snapshots of city kids quite like Mei Tao, a New York photographer who shoots the fabulous advertising campaigns for Crewcuts, among others. So we asked Tao to share her favorite cityscape backdrops for we parent-photographers who are addicted to taking pictures of our kids.

Lots of Upper East Side families were bummed when the A-ha! play space closed last year. But now the neighborhood is getting something way cooler in its place: Scribble Press opens on April 24th as an art studio where kids and families can make their own books.

Most of us can manage to document our kids’ lives and even capture a few frameable moments with the Auto setting on our own digital cameras. But there are occasions—birthday parties, holiday cards, family portraits—for which it’s simply best to leave the shutter speed, perspective, and aperture to a pro. There are a gazillion talented photographers in New York, but here are five worth considering.

Something about the proliferation of moms with digital cameras has put a fresh spin on old-fashioned portraiture. Commissioned paintings have become cool all over again. So we were pretty excited to discover Sasha Kinens, a truly talented portrait artist who recently relocated to the New York area from Florence, Italy—where they know a thing or two about figurative painting.