About Us - arthouse images

Ilir Bajraktari

Co-founder / Principal Photographer

Principal photographer ilir Bajraktari holds a Masters degree in Photojournalism from Boston University. His work has been published nationally and internationally in New York Magazine, People, NY Daily News, The Tower, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, LensCulture, Periskopi, and others. He has extensive experience in photojournalism, portraiture, event photography, stock photography, food photography, darkroom processing, and digital printing. His documentary work can be seen at ilirb.com.

Nancy Chen Bajraktari

Co-founder / Photographer and Marketing Strategist

Photographer Nancy Chen Bajraktari is a self-taught photographer who left medical school after falling in love with photography and embarked on a career after working extensively under well-known wedding and portrait photographers. She manages the arthouse website, writes the blog posts, handles social media, and photographs on occasion.

Art Bajraktari

Muse, Pianist, Photographer

Art is our 10-year-old kid and inspiration for life. Arthouse Images was born as his namesake. He occasionally takes photos of us and things that he likes. Art plays chess, piano, cello, ping pong, basketball, and football (soccer). He also loves mushroom hunting, but most of all, he loves learning new things.

Dawn Cline

October 29, 2023

Very happy with our pictures from our anniversary! We have worked with Arthouse at a few events as well and Ilir is professional and truly an expert at creating great shots. Anytime we need pictures done near the city, he is our top pick!

Dorothy

February 11, 2023

Professional, patient, and artistic intuition

Danielle Hart

November 29, 2022

Ilir did a fantastic job with our family photos in Central Park. We couldn't be any happier! He was so wonderful with our toddler and just an overall joy to work with. We will definitely be using arthouse again in the future for our photography needs!

Cassidy

November 15, 2022

I cannot say enough good things about Ilir and Arthouse Images! My introduction to him was through professional event photography, and more recently he did a gorgeous lifestyle shoot for our young family. It was a genuinely great time - Ilir is fun and easygoing, and had such a knack for engaging with our baby - these photos are going to be treasured forever!! In both event and lifestyle photography, he has a real gift for composition and for capturing these fleetingly beautiful moments. Very grateful to know him and can't wait to work with him many times again. Thank you Ilir!

Ryan Lee

November 7, 2022

Arthouse is amazing! Ilir somehow manages to create a story with every photo he takes. His photos make my 2 and 5 year old look like models, especially compared to the very awkward (but endearing) school picture. Ilir's patience with my family shows his experience with working with younger families and his desire to seek the perfect location and perfect lighting shows his detail in the finished photos.

Emily Smith

February 16, 2020

Arthouse Images is always such a pleasure to work with! Even making my cranky toddler smile for photos; it’s truly impressive! Such great talent. I recommend them to everyone!

Todd Schultz

November 30, 2019

Ilir did an amazing job with our family photos. He has a great eye and did a fantastic job with our three kids. The pictures turned out perfect! Thank you!

Lauren Cregor

November 22, 2019

The BEST family photos we've ever taken!!! I am convinced Ilir is a magician. There's no other explanation for how perfectly he captured the personalities, dynamics, and spirits of all of us in the most gorgeous light and colors imaginable. His ability to meet kids exactly where they are in order to draw out their best for the camera is unparalleled. No doubt his endless patience and infinitely calm demeanor go a long way to make that happen! It is clear that he loves his work, and that comes across not only in the session, but in the masterpieces he then sends your way. Truly the best gift any family could give itself.

Carolyn Ismach

September 25, 2019

We’ve worked with Arthouse Images several times now, including a newborn photo shoot, and I am always so thrilled with the results. Ilir is fantastic with little ones. He makes them feel comfortable, doesn’t force anything and goes with their flow. He gets the images back to you so quickly and they are natural and relaxed, truly capturing the personality of our family. Can’t say enough good things!

Kim Christofel

September 10, 2019

We have a beautiful album of photos to share w/ our family thanks to Arthouse Images. Ilir went above and beyond to make sure we captured an array of backdrops for us to choose from. He was wonderful to work with and captured hundreds of smiles from my little cranky toddler who didn't sleep well the night before : ) Highly recommend if you are in the LIC neighborhood!