Oh. My. Goodness! This is one of the most fun blog posts I publish all year because it is FILLED with laughter, tickles, mama cuddles, splashing in the ocean, little kids flying in daddy’s arms, and all of my favorite moments that unfolded during our family portrait sessions in the past 12 months.

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog. This year was unlike any other, and it was filled with more smiling families than I can even begin to count. I had so much fun getting to know (and reuniting with some of my very favorite!) families in Saratoga Springs, Boston, and Cape Cod.

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Family Photographer | Boston Family Photographer | Upstate NY Family Photographer | Family Photographer

Our family sessions are very popular during the warmer months from May through October, and we see a few families at the studio during the winter and spring, too. I love spending time outside during our family photo shoots. The best location is always somewhere where we have a lot of space to let the kids roam and play — a park, a field, or a beach are always a lot of fun and photograph beautifully. You know that I’m a coastal girl at heart, so our sessions at the beach are always my favorites and I have so many beaches that I love on the Cape — if you’re looking for the perfect spot for your family’s photo session on Cape Cod, just ask!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable family sessions from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits

Even though we've moved to Saratoga Springs, I find myself going back to Boston more than just a little bit to visit with clients and capture some beautiful memories for them. Boston has always had my heart, and I can't even begin to count how many hours I have spent wandering the streets of that city with my camera in hand. It is such a BEAUTIFUL city that I truly can never get enough of. Because of that, I still love every chance I get to head downtown for a portrait session, and this one was no exception!

This family session in Downtown Boston was one of my favorite sessions lately. We stepped out the family's front door and we were in the heart of Newbury Street, and only one block away from the tree-lined Parkway on Commonwealth Avenue. This was the perfect backdrop for their family photos, capturing the hustle & bustle as well as the beauty of their neighborhood, and I love the images that we were able to capture together. These ones here in the park are some of my favorites, especially with their little dog, Bojangles!

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After their sun-dappled family photos outside, we went indoors for Brodie's cake smash to celebrate his first birthday. His parents wanted to tie in their love for Boston with Brodie's dad's Scottish background, so we found the perfect balance of the two: a Make Way for Ducklings cake smash with a plaid Scottish kilt, and a cake from Jennifer Lee's Bakery on Hanover Street in Boston.

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Brodie wasn't quite sure what to think of his cake, which happens sometimes during our cake smashes! Some babies dig right in, loving the mess and the sweetness, while others are a bit more hesitant and would rather keep their fingers clean. ;o) Brodie was a little trooper, and he kept going back for another taste time and time again. Now that he's had his first few bites of cake, I bet he will love his cake at his party now after sampling frosting for the first time during his smash!!

JUST A REMINDER TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

We're planning stunning holiday sessions this year, and I can't wait to share all of the details with you. Sign ups for our Limited Edition Holiday Sessions will be released on October 3, and if you subscribe to our newsletter you will have priority access to scheduling your family's session. Trust me, these are going to be SO GORGEOUS and you don't want to miss this! Join our newsletter list today!