Hello and Welcome!
I am a photographer, handpainter, educator, and mentor based in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York — on a lifelong mission to share my passion for photography and visual storytelling. My work blends fine art, portrait photography, and teaching, all rooted in a deep love for light, color, craft, and human connection.
Fine Art & Photopaintings
I began my career as a fine art photographer, blending my love of painting and photography through handpainting — a historic technique I helped bring back to prominence with my best selling book The Art of Handpainting Photographs and my continued work on this artful process.
I continue to create and exhibit one-of-a-kind Photopaintings, and I also offer this unique art form to portrait clients and art buyers. If you are interested in a acquiring a handpainted landscape or portrait, please contact me for purchase details or visit my store.
Portrait Photography
If you are looking for a portrait or family session, you are in the right place. I am a seasoned professional with a loyal, longtime clientele, known for creating natural, honest portraits and distinctive photo products created with artistic integrity and care.
I am the author of The Art of Photographing Children and Photographing Children Naturally, two highly regarded books on portrait photography.
My portraits have appeared in publications and campaigns for clients including:
Epic Records, Travel Magazine, Random House, The New York Times, Hamptons Magazine, Newsday, The Southampton Press, The Jewish Week, Niche Media.
I offer a full range of portrait sessions — families, children, three-generation sessions, milestone celebrations, and special events — all approached with warmth, artistry, and thoughtful guidance.
Educator and Mentor
I have been teaching photography for over 30 years and have guided more than 1,000 students of all ages — from young children discovering the camera for the first time to seniors refining their artistic voice. While I teach classes and workshops, my deepest work happens through mentoring and one-on-one instruction, (whether online or as a Hamptons Photo Instructor) where I tailor lessons, assignments, and creative strategies to each photographer’s individual goals and experience level.
I have taught Adobe Lightroom to photographers worldwide and in college classrooms for nearly a decade. My university teaching career began in 1994, and I hold the rank of adjunct Full Professor, having taught at LIU Post, Suffolk County Community College, and Southampton College. Courses taught include digital photography, darkroom photography, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Interior Design Portfolio Assessment, and BFA/MFA thesis mentoring.
My long-standing Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice deeply informs my teaching style. It allows me to bring presence, patience, and compassionate clarity to each student, creating a space where personal expression can unfold. Many students describe our work together as a form of “photo therapy” — a process that nurtures confidence, creativity, and emotional connection through the art of seeing.
Speaker & Lecturer
I regularly lecture on photography, art, color, and visual storytelling. Past talks and appearances include ASMP NY, B&H Photo Event Space, This Week in Photo (TWIP), The Garden Club of America (national and local chapters), Photo Expo NY, and The Maine Media Workshops.
Professional affiliations include ASMP, Getty Images, Canon Professional Services (CPS), and Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
Additional biographical information is available Wikipedia.
Personal
I am a proud mom of two amazing daughters, a loving wife, an adoring grandma, and a devoted friend. My three granddaughters are a constant source of beauty and inspiration, reminding me daily of the magic of seeing the world with fresh eyes. When I’m not working, you’ll find me reading, walking (always with a camera), swimming, or exploring nature, light and color.
What’s Next
I’m glad you found me. Call or email, and we can explore how I can be of service to you — as a photographer, handpainter, educator, or mentor.
516-528-4293
cheryl@cherylmachatdorskind.com
