Classic Newborn Portraits with Family Heirloom Knits

Ten little fingers and ten little toes. The most adorable little baby girl came to the studio, and we captured so many adorable portraits of her!

Wynn was wide awake when we started her session, and I loved capturing her curious eyes and wide-eyed stare in portraits. However, all newborns fall asleep eventually and Wynn did, too! We were able to capture some really adorable sleepy portraits of this sweet girl, and I love how beautifully they turned out with all of the neutral layers and headbands!

This one is my favorite. The bonnet and beige blanket were handmade family heirlooms passed down for generations. It was so special getting to incorporate them into her photographs! I love it when families bring sentimental items like these ones!

Of course, we couldn’t pass up the chance to do some pumpkin portraits for this fall baby! Blush pink and cream kept it fresh and girly.

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Best of 2019 Newborn Sessions with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

Every year I love going through all of my sessions and compiling a collection of favorites for a huge blog post, and this year I am so excited to share the “Best of 2019” newborn sessions!

I was truly honored to welcome so many babies to the studio and celebrate their arrival with their families. It really is the best job in the world to be invited into their lives to cuddle their newborns and photograph their first days with their new baby. I will never get tired of those new baby yawns, their cute little back rolls, and those tiny toes. Newborns are pure magic, and it’s such a joy to document this stage on camera!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our favorite portraits from the year!

We had the most amazing big brothers & sisters in the studio this year, and it was beautiful to see how sweet and cuddly they were with their new babies.

And baby makes three! So many beautiful moments for these brand new parents!

It’s always extra special when three generations join us at a newborn session, and I love capturing that special bond with all of the baby’s loved ones.

This year we really simplified the studio’s colors to keep the focus on the baby with clean, timeless portraits. I find white to be an absolutely beautiful color for brand new babies, and we started many of our sessions off with the baby in a clean white onesie just laying on a blanket, unposed and settling in to however was comfortable for them. Those were some of my favorite candid moments of the year!

And of course, swaddled up tight with whites & creams will never go out of style! Just look at these perfect little babies!

Let’s not forget our lifestyle sessions, which steal my heart every single time! I always love getting to photograph a family at home with their brand new baby. These sessions are a relaxed peek into their lives at home and we photograph the new family in the nursery, master bedroom, and any other spot with beautiful light! One of my absolute favorite spots this year was a wooden porch swing in the summertime.

As always, I am so incredibly grateful for all of the families that entrusted me with their most precious treasures this year. Thank you for inviting me into your lives to document this special time, and for letting me snuggle your little one in the process, too! :o)

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Olivia's Newborn Portraits with her Siblings - Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Let’s talk about how cute these brothers & sisters are together!!! Can you even believe how much adorableness fits into one photo?!?! I cannot!

I love that their mama printed this as a large wooden wall art to hang above the couch. This is going to put such a huge smile on her fave everyday to see her babies all cuddled up together!

Little Miss Olivia is surrounded by love, and we captured so many beautiful moments with her family during their studio newborn portrait session.

She had the most beautiful creamy skin, and every color looked amazing on her! I adore this pop of lavender!

I’m always adding to the flowers that we have in the studio, and I was excited to try out this new garland of gardenias. They’re perfectly fluffy and feminine, and they made such a beautiful wreath around Olivia!

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Beautiful Newborn Portraits at our Saratoga Springs Baby Photography Studio

Our latest Baby Planner has arrived, and she is oh-so-sweet!

Meet Elliana. She visited me at the studio and was the most cuddly little baby. I love that we captured these portraits of her resting in her mommy & daddy’s arms to show just how small she was when she was born!

Looking over dad’s shoulder is always one of my favorite angles to capture during a newborn session. This is the view you’re never going to forget when you think back on holding your daughter in those first few weeks, and seeing this image twenty years from now will bring you right back to feeling the weight of her in your arms and the way she made her happy little newborn sighs when she settled in comfortably.

Can you find the hidden hearts in the portrait below?

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Gorgeous Mama and Baby Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Studio

I am 100% head over heels in love with this session! We did some stunning mama and baby portraits in the studio to celebrate Sebastian’s arrival, and new mama Kate wore a few of the gowns in our studio closet. (By the way, have you seen the new Mama Wardrobe yet? Go check it out and borrow a dress or two for your session!)

I love how peaceful and serene these portraits are, and she looks so elegant in these gowns! My favorite thing about the studio wardrobe is how classic the styles are, and how flattering they are on all body types — even postpartum bodies! Trust me, all mamas feel GORGEOUS when they step into these dresses!

Not to be left out, Sebastian even slipped into one of our newborn outfits from the Baby Wardrobe at the studio. I love these blue stripes!

Whether you’re planning a maternity session, newborn session, family portraits, or a cake smash — mamas, if you don’t know what to wear and you’re worried that nothing in your closet looks just right, then come ask me what we can do with the outfits here at the studio. I would love to help you pick out the perfect one for your session!

What to Wear to Your Newborn Session - Parents and Sibling Wardrobe Inspiration

So, you scheduled your newborn session and you listened to me say that you don’t need to worry about the baby’s outfits — the studio is stocked with wraps and cute handmade outfits that will be perfect on your little one.

But then a moment of panic sets in….. what are YOU going to wear?!?! What is going to fit one week postpartum? What’s your husband supposed to wear? What looks good on camera?

Sooooooo many questions, and you’re not alone! All new moms and moms-to-be ask me the exact same questions. That’s why I’m here to make it easy for you as you figure out what to wear to your newborn portrait session.

Whether we’re photographing at the studio or in your home, these tips apply to all families. Read on for lots of great ideas!

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Wear a gown from our studio wardrobe, or a maxi-length dress like the one from your baby shower!

Long dresses are super flattering on new moms, and we have tons of them available at the studio. They elongate your body and are very elegant and classic in portraits.

Always stick to white, cream, and other light neutrals on top. AVOID BLACK AT ALL COSTS.

While everyone always says that black is the most slimming color to wear, it’s really the least flattering option when we’re doing newborn portraits. Because you’ll be holding your baby on your chest, a dark color is going to make the baby’s skin appear rough, red, and shadowy. Stick to light colors that bounce lots of light back on the baby to really illuminate their complexion, and yours!

Lace details are gorgeous! So are any other little details on your outfit!

Lace has such a beautiful texture in photographs, and other lightweight fabrics photograph beautifully, too.

Keep in mind the STORYTELLING DETAILS in your portraits. Have a favorite necklace or a ring with sentimental value? Wear those to your session, and you’ll tell your child the story behind the jewelry for many years as they look back at their portraits.

Lightweight cardigans or kimono tops look amazing on new moms with a tank top underneath, plus they’re super comfy! Choose a neutral, or one with a pretty pattern like the floral one below.

What about the dads?

The most popular colors I see for dads are light blue and gray. These go great with your neutral top or dress, and they coordinate beautifully with any colors that might be in the outfits, too.

If your guy likes button down shirts, wear one! Roll the cuffs to be a little more casual.

If he’s a laid back kind of guy, a solid gray t-shirt looks really nice in photos.

What should the kids/siblings wear?

I love helping with outfits for the big brothers and sisters! I always recommend sticking with neutrals like white, cream, gray, blue, beige, blush pink. Clothing can have patterns on it, but nothing too loud and crazy, and definitely no words or characters/cartoon pictures. The most classic portraits are ones where the outfits don’t compete for your attention, but they’re subtle enough that you can focus on the sweet moments between the new siblings.

And barefoot is always my favorite for the kids!

Quinn Emerson's Watercolor and Blush Newborn Portraits

You know what we need to brighten up these chilly and long winter days?

A nice pop of springtime colors, and a whole lot of baby cuteness!

Meet Quinn.

This little sweetheart stole my heart — and her parents’ — during her newborn session here at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio. This sleepy baby girl was absolutely perfect, and I adored her smiles and cozy cuddles during her session.

Just look at those perfect and tiny newborn fingers!

My absolute favorite portraits from Quinn’s session were with this gorgeous watercolor swaddle that her mama brought to the session. It coordinated perfectly with our mint green bump layer, and the colors remind me of spring. Such a joyful combination!

Newborn Portraits for Penelope James

Little miss Penelope is another one of our Baby Planners, and I am so looking forward to watching her grow this year! It feels like only a few weeks ago that we enjoyed her mama’s maternity session here at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and then in no time at all they were back with their baby girl!

We chose plenty of neutrals for Penelope’s newborn session — white, cream, and blush pink are always timeless favorites for baby girl sessions!

Don’t you just love this little smile that peeked out?!?!

This little sweetheart was awake almost her entire session, which is rare and usually makes newborn sessions rather tricky because newborns have more relaxed facial expressions and they are much easier to pose when they are asleep. Penelope kept looking around, wanting to take everything in with her soulful eyes. She made a few funny little faces, but so many adorable ones, too! I just adore these awake parent portraits!

Holden's Newborn Session with his Big Brothers

Our newest Baby Planner baby is here! Holden Patrick joined me at the Attleboro studio for his newborn session, and I had such a wonderful time celebrating his arrival with this sweet family! Holden’s big brothers are both so excited and helpful with their newest sibling, and they did an amazing job during the session.

Funny story…. when the big brothers were getting dressed at the beginning of the session, one of the boys slid his arms into his button-down shirt and his thumbs got caught on the button at the cuff. He exclaimed, “Cool! Thumb holes!” and immediately loved the shirt because he thought it was like those athletic shirts that have the slits for the thumbs. His mom and I couldn’t stop laughing and then we had to break it to him that he wouldn’t be using the “thumb holes” during portraits. We convinced him that rolled cuffs were way cooler, and he was excited to wear his fancy shirt. Too funny!

Aren’t they the best big brothers you’ve ever seen?!?!

He doesn’t seem to mind giving up his title as the baby of the family one bit!

Both big brothers had nautical inspired newborn portraits done when they were born, and it was really important to the family to do a matching portrait with white starfish and white layers. I love what we came up with, and it will look perfect as a canvas on the wall with the boys’ portraits!

And of course, the nautical-inspired session wouldn’t be complete without some blue and white stripes!

FAQ's for Baby Photographers | Saratoga Springs NY and Boston MA Newborn Photographer

I’ve been a baby photographer since 2012, and I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of adorable babies & children in New York & Massachusetts.  Before every session I schedule a pre-consultation with my clients, and it’s usually a simple phone call to answer any questions and give them a feel for what the session involves. 

Over the years I’ve answered the same questions dozens of times, so I thought I would compile them into a helpful FAQ post for new clients!

Have a question that I haven’t answered here?  Drop me an email to hello@nicolestarrphotography.com and I would be happy to chat with you!

What is the best age to photograph?  I’m worried my baby is too young — or too old!

Our newborn sessions typically take place during the first two weeks after a baby is born.  I usually like to see babies at the studio after day 5 because they’re getting the hang of eating by then, and if your baby had a circumcision he’ll be healed and comfortable on his belly by then.

BUT WHY SO YOUNG?  Well, during those first two weeks your baby is still getting used to life outside the womb.  They are very sleepy and flexible, allowing me to achieve many of those adorable and cozy poses with them all curled up tight.  After two weeks their limbs become more rigid and less flexible, and they are often much more alert as they begin to stretch and explore the space around them.  Baby acne usually arrives between weeks 3-4, so ideally we’ll plan your session before then. 

For milestone sessions, around months 3-4 is perfect because your little one is smiling, reacting to the world around them, and getting used to tummy time with better neck control by then.  I also love love LOVE milestone sessions between months 6-9 when your baby is sitting up unassisted.  When babies are upright they are so happy and content, and their personality just shines.  This is my favorite age to photograph!

For birthday sessions, we schedule these between months 10-13 depending on how soon before the first birthday party you would like your finished artwork!

Help!  I have no idea what I want to do with my photos!

I hear this all the time, and many families originally think, “I’ll just get the digitals and decide later on.”  But you know what happens 90% of the time when families do this?  Those JPEGs sit in a file on their computer and never get looked at.  Life gets in the way and the images never get printed for a year, two years, three years.

That’s why I make it a priority to schedule your gallery reveal and ordering appointment within two weeks of your session.  We set aside an hour together to go through your gallery, see what products there are, and find which possibilities are the very best fit for your family!  I want to help you enjoy your images & artwork right away, and to find the best way for your images to fit into your lifestyle. 

Here are a few popular possibilities for what to do with your images besides lose them on a hard drive somewhere:
-Create birth announcements, birthday party invitations, or thank you cards to mail to family & friends
-Enjoy a linen-covered album from your session, or from your baby’s entire first year!
-Decorate the walls of your nursery.  We can even plan your session style to coordinate with the nursery theme and colors.  
-Grandparents love photo gifts.  Let’s give them some beautiful new artwork!
-Hang a large family portrait in a  place that will put a smile on your face every day.

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Where do your sessions take place?

Most of our portrait sessions are in the studio.  Lifestyle newborn sessions and lifestyle family sessions take place at home — these are relaxed and generally unposed, and I don’t bring props or complicated set-ups with me.  These sessions showcase real life happening in real spaces in your home. 

I love shooting outdoors in the warmer months.  Here in the northeast, that generally means May through October, but for really young babies who are sensitive to temperature changes, I would recommend scheduling between June and September if you’re hoping to head outside.    Warm babies are happy babies, and happy babies make for great photographs!

What do you have in your studio?

Lots of simple backdrops, neutral colors, a few classic props, faux fur rugs, plenty of wraps and blankets, headbands, and handmade tiny outfits.  I do use one studio light for all of our sessions, so you’ll see a big umbrella with a light in it, too.  During our newborn sessions we turn the heat WAY up in the studio so that your little one is comfy, and it’s very toasty in there with our fake fireplace going strong.

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I’m so worried that my child is going to be fussy or cranky!  What happens then?  

Kids and babies are so unpredictable, and I am used to their changing moods.  Most babies act differently on photo day because they’re in a new space, with a new person, and they can sense that their parents are stressed or nervous.  First, I recommend that you stay calm and trust me to capture beautiful images of your baby.  Know that we will go with the flow and do everything possible to keep your baby in a cheerful mood.  If your baby senses that you are anxious, they will feed off of your anxiety, so stay calm!

I have so many tricks for newborns to create an environment that will lull them into a relaxed state.  You’ll see me use heat, wraps, shushing, rocking, and other little tricks to put them right to sleep.

Older babies are easily distracted and I’ll use songs, games, and toys to grab their attention.  If they start to get fussy, a quick distraction with a new toy or song will engage them and make them forget whatever it was they were fussing about in the first place!  Some babies need a break for fresh air, a walk around the studio, a favorite snack, cuddles, or a song on your phone.  That’s okay!  I am always generous with time, and if your little one needs a few extra minutes to settle in we’ll take our time.  Follow my lead, and we’re going to have a great time together!

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What if my child is sick the day of the session?

Tell me right away!  Healthy babies are happy babies, and I’m usually able to reschedule your session.  Ideally you’ll tell me as far in advance as you are able (48 hours before is perfect if you notice your little one is coming down with something), but we don’t want to force a baby through a session when you know that he’s cranky because he has a fever.

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This is kind of embarrassing, but I’m worried my baby might pee (or poop!) on something in the studio…

It wouldn't be the first time that has occurred!  Poop happens, and it’s nothing to worry about. 

We keep wipes on hand to clean everything up quickly, and everything gets washed and sanitized after the session.  Don’t be embarrassed, and please don’t apologize a million times.  I expect a little mess to happen with every session, and if we get a baby who doesn’t soil something during their session, I consider it a fluke and we were very lucky that day!

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What should my baby wear? 

For studio newborn sessions, you don’t have to bring a thing!  I have everything you need in the studio.  Your images will be classic and timeless with a simple wrap, bare skin, or one of my unique hand-knit outfits that are so tiny and perfectly sized for your baby.

For lifestyle newborn sessions, we’ll also use wraps or pretty swaddles that you have at home.  A classic white onesie is always perfect — the smaller the better.  Because newborns are so tiny, they are swimming in most newborn clothes and all that extra fabric never photographs well, so be sure to try their outfit on ahead of time to ensure that it’s snug and not too baggy.

Milestone sessions are a little bit different.  For 3-4 months we’ll generally just do a few wraps and simple rompers that I have in the studio.  If you have a snug knit outfit (so many cute options at Zara Baby!), send me a picture ahead of time.

For 6 months and up, there are so many cute options for your baby.  Check out Etsy for adorable rompers and overalls in knit fabrics.  Look for neutral colors that aren’t too busy or distracting for the most classic look.  Details like lace, pockets, stripes, texture, and embroidery are always fun, too. 

A note on headbands — babies have tiny heads.  Let’s not overwhelm them with huge puffy flower headbands.  I have petite tiebacks that are the perfect size to complement your baby’s perfect features without being too distracting.  If you’d like to bring something, the smaller the better. 

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How about those cute crocheted outfits I see at big box stores and on Etsy?

Okay, I’m going to be really honest with you here….  No.  Don’t do it.  Those crocheted turtles, foxes, and firemen outfits are never the proper size for a newborn baby.  They are always much too big and leave gaping holes when you put them on the baby, plus the crochet stitch doesn’t lie as smoothly to hug a baby’s curves like knitting does. 

Plus I have found that the yarn is usually a very poor quality that causes the poor little babies to overheat, and nearly 100% of the time when you put a baby in one of those hats and diaper covers they get itchy and hot.  They’re fussy and inconsolable within seconds.  I’m sorry to say it, but as cute as they are on the hanger they’re not that cute on a fussy, crying, sweating baby. 

Instead, we can do a tiny prop or accent in your set-up to represent that turtle, fox, fireman (or whatever other theme it is you loved!).  I’ve had babies holding their dad’s police badge, posed on a fireman’s helmet, and snuggling up with a tiny felted animal like a teddy bear or a penguin.  I’ll use the outfits we have in the studio that are high-quality fibers that allow your baby’s skin to breathe, and that are sized perfectly to their tiny bodies.  

An Awake Newborn Session with Nora Jude in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

Not every baby is a sleepy little newborn, and sometimes we get the tiniest clients who are also the most alert despite all of my efforts to lull them to sleep (heat, swaddles, white noise, a full belly, gentle rocking, and so many more tricks that usually work for 90% of our newborn sessions!).  

Nora Jude was the tiniest, most perfect little baby girl, and she wanted nothing more than to watch everything that was going on during her newborn session.  At 13 days old, she didn't want to miss a thing, so we went with the flow and captured plenty of wide-eyed shots of this brand new baby.  I just love all of the different expressions she gave me during our little staring "show-down"!

I eventually won the staring contest, and this sweet 6-pound girl drifted off to sleep so that we could capture some adorable, sleepy poses.

Of course, a subtle Christmas set-up was a must for this winter baby!

As I was looking through my viewfinder to take this family portrait, I remember saying, "Oh my gosh, this is definitely a new favorite family portrait!  I just love this pose!"  Mom, dad, and baby look so cozy together, and you can really tell how small their daughter is all curled up in dad's hands like that.  This is definitely a family pose that we will see more of in the studio!

If you loved Nora's session, you're going to adore these next two on the blog!
Emma Adele
Quinn Madlina

Did you know that we are now booking newborn sessions through March 2018?  Most moms reserve their session in the second or third trimester to save a flexible date on the calendar for their little one's arrival.  Let's chat!

Booking a Safe Newborn Photographer - Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Sleepy Newborn Photos - Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

Ask any newborn photographer -- there is nothing we love more than a sleepy, cuddly newborn baby!  Those little baby yawns that come right before they slip into what we lovingly call a "milk drunk" state of sleep are the best!  

So why do photographers love sleepy newborn babies so much?  Well, they are much easier to settle into a pose without stretching or startling themselves awake.  For a baby that is just a week or two old, when they are awake they typically want to eat.  Of course, you didn't hire a newborn photographer to capture dozens of photos of your baby eating, so we like a baby to have a full belly and be nice and settled during their session.

When a newborn baby is in a deep sleep during a studio session, it's easy to move them from the beanbag to buckets and other small props to curl them up inside of.  

This also gives your photographer the chance to really slow down and zoom in on all of the details that you don't want to forget -- their perfect pout, the flaky newborn skin on their hands, their tiny toes, and that thin layer of downy newborn hair on their back.

Plus, sleepy newborn smiles are OH-SO-AMAZING!!!

But do newborn babies need to be asleep during their newborn sessions?
No, of course not!  

I actually love it when they're awake for a few shots so that we can capture their sparkly eyes and intense gaze.  Check out yesterday's blog post filled with so many of
our favorite awake newborn images from recent sessions!
 

Charlotte Rose {A Springtime Newborn Session in Boston, MA}

Charlotte Rose

March 30, 2015

1:52pm

6 pounds, 12 ounces  |  19 inches

The springtime was a whirlwind of opening my new studio, so many sessions with sweet little babies, lots of flowers, and wedding planning.  This explains why I'm a little behind on the blogging, through if you've been following the Nicole Starr Photography Facebook Page you'll have seen many sneak peeks from these gorgeous springtime newborn sessions.

Charlotte is one lucky little girl.  

She has the most amazing big brother that is already watching out for her, a little man who is so kind and thoughtful towards his sisters.  She has an adorable big sister who just loves her to pieces, a toddler who would stay so still when she was in charge of holding and kissing her baby sister.  And she has the most amazing parents who were so happy to welcome her into their home as they became a family of 5.

I just love this picture below!  So big sister Madeline is not looking at the camera?  It's exactly who she is at this toddler stage and it is PERFECT.  And that proud big brother right there?  Amazing.

Newborn smiles are the best.  I absolutely love it when I am lucky enough to catch them on camera.