Our Santa Experience - Holiday Photo Sessions at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio

This was our first year doing Santa sessions in the studio and I had a blast creating a dream experience for every family that came in the door. It was important to me to create a magical Santa Experience for each family - from the moment they arrived to their goodbyes. I’ve never taken on Santa sessions but I’m so glad that we’ve finally broken the seal on this incredible holiday adventure in our Saratoga Springs studio! 

To create a magical Santa experience, I wanted to bring in unique elements leading up to their session date. Each child received a personalized letter from Santa the week of their session, complete with a certified North Pole stamp and a wax seal on the gold-lined envelope. Their letter invited them to the studio to help Santa finish making some toys that the elves forgot to finish. It was so cute and every little one loved it! 

Upon arriving, I wanted to make sure families and children had time to warm up to Santa. I didn’t want anyone to feel rushed. Instead, the kids had plenty of time to discover that Santa was in the studio, warm up to him, ask him questions, find their name on the nice list, help him with the toys, sing songs, and more. It was a beautiful chance to watch interactions unfold naturally. 

My absolute favorite part was seeing the pure magic and innocence on children’s faces. I loved watching their expressions light up when they saw Santa, how they were filled with joy when they saw their names on the Nice List or when they discovered that the “magic paint” on the nutcrackers really worked. The wonder when they sang “Jingle Bells” or “ho-ho-ho-ed” and Santa appeared behind them out of nowhere was special, too. It was incredible.

Thank you to every family who visited my studio to help make these magical sessions possible this winter. I’m so in love with how they turned out and I hope it’s not the last time Santa visits the NSP studio!

Santa approaches two children during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa talks with girl in gold dress during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa talks with girl in gold dress and boy in suit and tan pants during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa talks with girl in gold dress and boy in suit and tan pants during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa poses with family in black and gold outfits during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family sits on sofa together in black and gold outfits during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler and baby brother sit with Santa on white sofa talking during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
boy in green and blue plaid shirt sits on couch during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa tiptoes behind sofa to meet boy in green and blue plaid shirt during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa talks to boy in green and blue plaid shirt during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa reads with boy in green and blue plaid shirt during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa reads with boy in green and blue plaid shirt during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa paints nutcracker with boy in green and blue plaid shirt during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa paints nutcracker with boy in green and blue plaid shirt during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa holds little girl in red and green holiday outfit during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa holds little girl in red and green holiday outfit during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa holds little girl in red and green holiday outfit during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in green sweater crawls on back of couch to reach Santa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in green sweater sits with Santa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in green sweater  and Santa wave from couch during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in green sweater sits on Santa’s lap during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
baby boy in green sweater sits on Santa’s lap during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parent lifts up son in green sweater to high five Santa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa approaches toddler in white and blue sweater sitting on sofa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa approaches toddler in white and blue sweater sitting on sofa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session with Santa Claus photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa sits on sofa with girl in blue dress with red shoes during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa sits on sofa painting nutcracker with girl in blue dress with red shoes and her brother in nutcracker sweater during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa tip toes behind sofa towards two brothers in green shirts with pink ties during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa waves at two brothers in green shirts with pink ties during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa holds toddler while talking to older brother during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa paints nutcracker with boy in green sweater on sofa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa paints nutcracker with brothers in green sweaters on sofa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa poses with brothers in green sweaters on sofa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa holds toddler in green shirt and pink tie during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa poses with brothers in green shirts and parents during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa poses with brothers in green shirts during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa hugs boy in green sweater behind sofa during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa reaches to high five toddler during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Santa hands blue nutcracker to toddler in plaid pajamas during Saratoga Springs holiday studio session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Santa experience during holiday photo sessions at our Saratoga Springs studio with New York family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

The More the Merrier! A Peek at our Holiday Sessions | Saratoga Springs and Boston Family Photographer

I love Christmas.  Every year I look forward to the holiday season because it is filled with twinkly lights, delicious aromas, cozy family traditions, and so much festivity everywhere you look. 

That's why our holiday sessions are always some of my favorite sessions of the year here at our studio.  So many families come and visit, and many are families that I have photographed for years, plus there are always a few new families that I'm excited to meet, too!  This year we did holiday portraits with families in Saratoga Springs and in Boston (at our Attleboro studio), and it was so much fun creating a little holiday magic with these babies and children!

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

Our set-ups were simple & classic this year:

A fluffy red and white bed that was adorable with Christmas pajamas.
And a huge wreath filled with twinkly lights for some family portraits.  

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

CUTENESS OVERLOAD with these adorable twins!!

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

A Family Session & a Cake Smash in Downtown Boston

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!

boston family photo session

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.  

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!

SESSION DATES:
OCTOBER 29 & 30, ATTLEBORO, MA
NOVEMBER 5 & 6, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

christmas mini sessions boston saratoga springs albany family photographer