“We listen to our clients. We understand what they want. We guide them through each step of the process. After meeting with us for the first time, they leave not only being more informed, but also more at ease and excited.”
The Fred Marcus Experience
01. Planning
Behind every great photograph is a team of meticulous planners. From start to finish, we handle each job with care and precision, offering guidance, support, and creative input every step of the way. Through personal, in-depth consultations, shot lists are tailor-made to suit each client’s individual needs, and our Event Coordinator works fluidly with vendors and party planners to ensure a seamless experience on the day of the shoot.
02. The Day Of
When our photographers, videographers, and crew arrive, they are already familiar with key guests and well-versed on the venue. Careful planning leading up to the shoot means clients can be relaxed and present on the day of, while we capture the magic.
03. Post-shoot
Following the shoot, our production team walks clients through post-production options: choosing the right images, making video edits, and designing custom albums and galleries. We pride ourselves on delivering powerful, timeless visual storytelling that’s as personal to us as it is to our clients.
Services
Albums & Production
Custom Albums
We offer a full line of heirloom albums for every occasion. From fine art archival paper to handcrafted leather and linen covers, we use only the best, hand-selected materials to craft timeless albums that last for generations.
Custom Framing
We offer individualized wall design services for your open spaces and a wide array of custom framing options to complement any photograph.
Studio Tour
In 2019, after more than 75 years in our Upper West Side location, we found a new home in Columbus Circle. This modern, 2,500-square foot space offers ample room for client consultations, studio photography, photo retouching, and video editing.
Our History
1939
At 29 years old, Fred Marcus escaped the Holocaust in Germany, fled to Cuba, and supported himself by photographing other immigrant families there. When many of his clients began relocating to New York, Fred soon followed suit.
1941
In 1941, Fred established Fred Marcus Studio on Manhattan’s West 72nd Street. People remembered his skillful portrait photography from their time with him in Cuba, and began hiring Fred to photograph their family events in New York.
1960s & ’70s
Fred held his craft to the highest standards and, over time, became known for doing the finest work in Manhattan. In 1963, Fred’s 13 year-old son Andy began working alongside him every weekend as his assistant. Once Andy graduated from college, he started working in the studio full time.
1980s & ’90s
Despite a tough recession from 1981–82, the studio came back thriving. The ’80s and ’90s saw huge events with lavish decor and catering. Fred and Andy photographed the weddings of many celebrities including Forest Whitaker, Mary Tyler Moore, and Eddie Murphy. The studio was written up in New York Magazine and Newsday, and the phones were always busy.
2001
Over a long life, Fred built a wonderful business and reputation. In 2001, at 91 years old, he passed away. From him, Andy learned the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity — principles that inform how Fred Marcus Studio operates to this day.
2003
Brian Marcus, Andy’s son, joined the business in 2003, bringing new energy and ideas while upholding the studio’s reputation for quality and incomparable customer service.
2019
After almost 80 years on 72nd Street—in a three-floor space with a library of negatives dating back almost 40 years—Fred Marcus Studio relocated to West 58th Street. The new location provides a more productive setting, allowing the team to work together in one space. While the decor is more modern, the team honors the same traditions and approach that the studio’s reputation was built on.
2022
Today, we’re still going strong. Our energetic team coordinates and shoots over 180 events every year, with the personal touch that the Marcus family has brought to its clients since the very beginning.
“There is a magic that happens when you have someone from the Fred Marcus team document one of your life’s most significant moments. They are a part of the experience with you ... they are part of the family. The energy, the excitement and happiness they share is authentic. They care. The quality of their work is unparalleled and their team of professionals never cease to amaze me!”