By bridge or by ferry, just south of Manhattan lies Staten Island, the most unique of the five boroughs of New York.

Staten Island has a long, rich history stretching far back with the Lenape Native Americans, who European settlers met on the island in the sixteenth century. The island’s name comes from the Dutch “Staaten Eylandt” (“States Island”) after Henry Hudson explored the area in 1609. The name was changed to the current Staten Island after it was taken over by the English later that century. At the turn of the 20th century was consolidated into the City of New York and rapidly grew as a primarily residential area of the city.

Although it is the smallest of the five boroughs by population, Staten Island has a lot of unique elements that help it stand out from the rest of the city, including some interesting natural features. At 410 feet, for example, the summit of Todt Hill is the highest elevation in the city. Staten Island is also home to the largest area of green space in New York City, with thousands of acres of local, state, and federal parks.

Staten Island also boasts the largest proportion of Italian Americans in its population in the entire country, and also has a large Irish and growing Russian population as well.

The arts have always been an important part of the local culture, due to a combination of its close proximity to Manhattan and its affordable living space. Many famous people were born, raised, or got their start in Staten Island, including Christina Aguilera, Alyssa Milano, Guy Fieri, the Wu Tang Clan, and television’s Impractical Jokers. Additionally, many movies have been filmed or even set in Staten Island, including The Godfather, Goodfellas, School of Rock, and Crospey. In addition to the numerous parks mentioned previously, attractions in the area include Sailors’ Snug Harbor, the Postcards 9/11 Memorial, Historic Richmond Town, and the National Lighthouse Museum.

Home to individuals from all walks of life, white and blue collar, artists, musicians, and everything in between, Staten Island has something for everyone. Its easy access to Manhattan means residents can commute to the city for work or play, but the borough provides enough food, entertainment, and culture to enjoy a fun or quiet night right at home.

If you’re from Staten Island and have a new family, you’re going to want to capture all the excitement in pictures, and Tanya Buran is the best photographer to help you do just that. Tanya Buran has years of experience photographing newborn babies and new families, and can calm even the most restless of infants. Most importantly, Tanya caters to all the residents of Staten Island, and can come directly to you!

For more information about Tanya Buran’s Newborn Photography sessions, please visit the Newborn Photography section.