Maternity Portraits in Downtown Saratoga Springs | New York Maternity Photographer

July & August are filled with newborns this year, and I'm currently waiting on this little one to make his appearance later this summer!  As we count down the days until baby, let's enjoy his mama's beautiful maternity session in Congress Park & Downtown Saratoga Springs!

Meg & Dan were SUCH a joy to work with!  We had the perfect summer evening in Congress Park, and the golden light was the perfect backdrop sparkling through the trees.  These two are absolutely adorable together, and so very much in love.  I loved hearing all about their adventures, and their plans for their baby boy's arrival!  

Congress Park is one of my favorite spots in Saratoga for maternity & family portrait sessions because there is so much variety in such a small little area.  The double staircase built by the Trasks, the gorgeous fountains and stone columns, lots of ducks for toddlers to chase around, so much variety in the greenery, fresh flowers that change with the seasons, beautifully carved stone benches -- the options really are endless for a very fun session and so much variety in your final gallery!

Looking for a family photographer or newborn photographer in Saratoga Springs?  I'd love to chat and plan the perfect session for your family.   Email me at hello (at) nicolestarrphotography.com or click the link below to get in touch!

Behind the Scenes of our "Three of Hearts" Cake Smash | Down Syndrome Awareness

Three babies.  Three cakes.  And one very special cake smash.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek into our "Three of Hearts" cake smash with Mae, Harper, and Catherine.  This was such an amazing session with three beautiful babies, that we couldn't help but share a peek into the making of their cake smash images!  Check back later this week for the full cake smash gallery to see the stunning & hilarious moments that we captured together with the birthday girls!

The full story will be coming to the blog later this week, but these three little girls all happened to celebrate their first birthdays three days in a row, and they all underwent lengthy hospital stays and surgeries due to heart complications when they were born in Boston last summer.  These heart warriors pushed through and were all able to successfully breastfeed this year, too!  They also happen to have Down syndrome, and they met for the first time at our photoshoot with Julia's Way in June, just a few short days before they all turned one!

Of course, these little heart warriors rocked their Julia's Way onesies before the cake smash got underway.  Just look at how excited Harper is to show off her stylish onesie!

We had all three moms in the studio for this session, plus the founder of Julia's Way, Ella Cullen, with her little girl Julia Grace.  A huge thank you to our behind-the-scenes photographer and my good friend Jamie of Koss Photography for capturing the event for us!

When designing a setup for these little heart warriors, of course we went with a heart theme!  Catherine, Harper, and Mae rocked the most beautiful tutus and pearl necklaces that perfectly framed their heart scars on their chests.  

The girls all LOVED the camera, and they did such an amazing job during their session!  I went in fully aware of the possibility of three meltdowns, but we didn't have any -- well, at least until the very end!!  Their curiosity & sweet personalities all shone through, and it was such a joy to capture them individually and together on camera!

So what happens when you put three cakes in front of three babies?  

Some babies love it, others hate it.  Some are curious and cover their whole body in frosting -- Harper!!  Others think about face planting into the cake and rock their body back and forth to get their mouth closer and closer to the cake -- Mae!  And others are much more interested in playing with their pearls than actually getting any frosting on their fingers -- Cate!

Follow us on social media to see the first sneak peeks later this week, and we will update this blog post with a link to the gallery post as soon as it goes live!
 

A Greenhouse Maternity Session with Amy & Lo | Saratoga Springs Maternity Photographer

Sometimes things just come together perfectly, like these two:

Amy & Lo met at the Saratoga racetrack a few years ago on Travers Weekend, and they've been inseparable ever since.  They got married last fall, and reached out to me about planning their maternity & newborn sessions as they eagerly wait for their baby boy to arrive later this summer.

When they mentioned finding a location with a more natural feel, I suggested that we do their session in a greenhouse.  Well, as things just come together perfectly, luck would have it that Amy's family owns a local greenhouse and she grew up planting seedlings and watering the flowers right here in this building.  So of course we decided it would be the perfect location for their maternity session!  

Don't you agree?  I'm in love with the soft, diffused light and the beautiful flowers & greenery!  But of course, the real stars of the show are Amy, Lo, and her adorable baby bump!

They both have family in Holland, so we had to incorporate these vintage wooden shoes into their session.  I love it when families bring a beautiful & meaningful family heirloom to their sessions for us to use in their portraits!

Wondering what to wear for your maternity session?  I have a growing collection of gowns in the studio, like this slate blue one below.  These are perfect for our studio mamas, and I am always happy to let you come visit and try a few on beforehand to choose the ones that you'd like to wear during your portrait session!

Amy absolutely rocked the blue gown, and it looked incredible on her.  I love the way it showcases her baby bump and complements her hair & skin.  She's definitely radiant!

Maternity sessions are best done between weeks 28-36.  If you're expecting a little one, I would love to chat with you about adding a maternity session on to your newborn package!  

Enjoy a few more recent maternity sessions on the blog:

Emily's Backlit Maternity Session in the Studio

Waiting for Baby Luca: A Studio Maternity Session

Breastfeeding Babies with Down Syndrome | Saratoga Springs and Boston Baby Photographer

Sometimes the stars align and you find yourself exactly where you were supposed to be, surrounded by people that are going to inspire you & change you.

That is exactly what happened when Ella Gray Cullen, the founder of the nonprofit Julia's Way, contacted me and together we organized this session on the beach with 10 strong mamas and 10 warrior babies.  

But here's the catch -- all of these babies rock an extra chromosome and happen to have Down syndrome, and we gathered on the beach to celebrate their journeys in nursing and their mamas' journeys in breastfeeding.

I loved every minute of this evening together -- cuddling the cutest babies, hearing their stories, and laughing together as the babies were just being their sweet little selves!  

From Ella Gray Cullen, enjoy a little peek into the heart behind the photo session that has since begun to inspire a movement to help others reimagine life with Down syndrome, and check out her full blog post here.....

"I was disheartened by hearing from women who had been told that their babies likely wouldn't nurse. Some were told by their doctors or other medical professionals that they shouldn't even bother. My breastfeeding relationship with my daughter is one of the greatest treasures I have and I felt sad to hear women say they felt they couldn't have that just because their child had Down syndrome.

Many, if not most, babies with DS can breastfeed and for those that can, and whose mothers would like to do it, the benefits are immeasurable. Feeding your child is always a personal choice, but some of these women didn't have a choice because of their medical professionals. Somehow, my vision of posting a photo of myself nursing my daughter on my personal Facebook page to create awareness spawned a non-profit dedicated to reimagining life with Down syndrome and suddenly we had 10 women who volunteered their time.

These women nursed their babies and children despite challenges most people could never have imagined including months' long NICU stays, heart failure, open heart surgery, pulmonary hypertension, duodenal atresia, leukemia, prematurity, and hypothyroidism. These women came together to give a gift to new and expectant moms, something many of them feel that they didn't have enough of: encouragement from real moms, like themselves, who struggled through the early and difficult days and eventually met success, usually when they least expected it. We want to say you can do it! We are here cheering you on! and go, mama, go! "

You know the most amazing thing that has come out of this evening on the beach?  

It's not that the story has started going viral online, but it's the reaction that so many mamas have had to our posts.  The comment sections have been filled with mothers sharing their own personal journeys, telling us about their little ones with Down syndrome, and giving a glimpse into their breastfeeding journey.  What we love the most is hearing other mothers tell us that they are advocating for their little ones and doing everything possible to open a whole world of possibilities for their babies.  Keep it up, mamas!  You're doing an amazing job!

A huge thank you for all of the shares on our posts, including:
La Leche League USA
Love What Matters
PopSugar Moms
Hanover Wicked Local

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JULIAS WAY has big plans to continue the momentum we've gained from the shoot, and part of this advocacy involves an informational video, publishing a book, and spreading the word in medical offices across the country.  Please consider donating to support this cause!

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A White & Cream Newborn Session with Matthew | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Ohhhhh, sweet Matthew.  There is nothing I love more than a brand new baby, all squishy & soft against a simple, clean white backdrop.

It's always an honor when a family invites me into their lives to capture their newborn baby's portraits.  What makes it even better is when they come back to me later on with Baby #2.  I first met this sweet family when their first son was born.  (Check out big brother Joey's newborn session here!)  Then when they told me that Baby #2 wouldn't be far behind, I was thrilled to plan their next session with them!

One of the things that left me awe-struck was just how much big brother Joey and baby brother Matthew look like each other.  Heads full of dark, soft newborn hair.  The same eyes and tiny little chins.  They are so adorable and handsome, all rolled up into such a tiny bundle!

One of the (many) amazing things about working with families who return to the studio with each baby is witnessing the tiny changes that only I would notice in their family & parent images.  The way that their expressions change from surprise/awe/wonder with the first baby, and settle into an easier, contented joy with the second baby.  You can see it in the way they relax their eyes, their face, their shoulders.  In the way that they are 1,000% more comfortable and natural holding the baby the second time around.  It's like, "Yeah, we're parents now.  We've done this before.  We've got this!"  I love watching that transition!

There is just so much love in these family portraits, and it's multiplied when we bring big brother in to get to know his baby brother!  Family portraits with a toddler and newborn are always tricky, but so, so worth it!

Telling a Story through your Cake Smash Session Images

I am a storyteller with a camera. 

As a cake smash photographer in Saratoga Springs & Boston, I am all about telling the story of my littlest clients’ first birthday celebrations.   Personally, I love doing this in a classic way with a first birthday cake smash session.  

But it’s not just about making a mess out of the cake.  

As a photographer, your job is to discover and tell a story.  There is an entire story that unfolds when you place a cake in front of a baby, and today’s post will help you discover the key elements so that you can capture the full story in your next cake smash session!

START AT THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY

While you can’t exactly have the words “Once upon a time” to obviously clue us in that this is the beginning of your cake smash, there are so many other ways to visually portray the start of the session and the beginning of the baby’s birthday story. 

I like to start my cake smash sessions with a pull back shot of the entire setup BEFORE the baby is even in the frame.  Capture the cake, the decor, and close ups of the little details.  Capture the perfection before the mess that occurs later on!  I do this while parents are getting the baby ready, and I tell them that I’m just testing out my light — which is true!   Sometimes I take a few test shots while waiting for the family to arrive as well, just to make sure there are no other adjustments I want to make to the setup.

After those couple of quick shots, the focus is no longer on the decor, and it’s 100% on the baby.  Forget about the decor and watch the story unfold!
 

Get ready for the action

Next we’re ready for the baby!  I explain to the parents where they will place the baby in the setup.  I ask them to place the baby behind and off to the side of the cake just a little bit.  This way, the baby can crawl or walk towards the cake, showing off their new gross motor skills.  It also gives you a great opportunity to capture the excitement, interest, and curiosity on the baby’s face as they see their colorful cake for the first time!

You are on camera duty, and the parents are on baby-chasing duty.  If you keep getting up to position the baby, you are going to miss a lot of incredible shots, so I make sure the parents know that they’ll bring the baby back into the set if the baby crawls (or walks!) away.
 

WATCH THE STORY UNFOLD

It’s all about the angles!  Start from far away and move in with your camera to capture the entire scene, and then close ups of the baby.  I like to get really close and capture the frosting on their feet, the little pieces of cake that they’re putting into their mouth, and those tiny fingers grabbing the cake.  

One of my favorite angles to capture in the middle of the shoot is the bird’s eye composition.  I grab my step stool and shoot from up above with my 35mm lens.  I sing, clap, and do anything I can to get the baby looking up at me.  It’s my favorite shot every single time showing those wide and sparkling eyes, their beautiful outfit, and the messy cake that they’ve enjoyed all in one shot.
 

FIND A NATURAL ENDING

The image that you use to represent the end of the session may be the very last frame that you capture that day, but I find that the image I choose to show the end often isn’t the very last frame, but one from earlier on when the baby was just over it.  

Maybe they’re crying or crawling away from the cake.  Maybe their big brother or sister came in for a few photos and for a taste of the birthday cake.  Maybe mom’s arms are reaching into the frame to pick up the baby at the end.  Maybe the baby is signing “all done” with their hands all covered in frosting.  Whatever it is, there’s your shot to show the end of the story!

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Some cake smashes last for 20 minutes, and others last for 5 minutes. If you prepare the family to expect this ahead of time, it will be no big deal if the sessions goes a little short because the baby is not feeling it.  Nevertheless, you can still capture a beginning, middle, and end to the story through your images by changing your angles, composition, and looking for storytelling transitions that occur naturally in the session.


Think they're all perfect and filled with smiling, happy babies?  No way!
If your next cake smash session doesn't go as planned, don't worry!  
Check out my favorite blog post that's a compilation of so many recent sessions: 

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After the Session

Don't let the story end with that last photo!  Take it to the blog to share behind the scenes pictures, details about planning the session, and tell your readers a little more about what happened in between frames to tell the full story of baby's first birthday cake smash!

What to Wear for your Beach Family Portraits | Cape Cod Family Photographer

The 4th of July means that summer is officially in full swing!  I am looking forward to spending some time on Cape Cod later this month, where I can't wait to get together with so many families for their family portrait sessions!  But of course, there is always that one popular question...

What should we wear for our photoshoot on the beach?

Since our Spring Wardrobe blog post was such a hit, I've decided to share some wardrobe inspiration for your beach session this summer!  Enjoy lots of visual inspiration, plus a couple of simple tips to make choosing outfits for your family session a breeze!

Keep it simple.  

Choose 2 colors plus a neutral and weave those into everyone's outfits.  Above you'll see that light blue, navy, and white pull all of the outfits together!

You can't go wrong with stripes.

I am a huge fan of stripes for our Salt Air sessions on the beach, and I love how classic and New England-y (we're just going to pretend that's a word!) they look.  When choosing stripes, choose ones that have only 2 colors so that the pattern isn't too busy and distracting -- white & blue are so classic!

Enjoy a little pop of color!

Teal & coral go really well together, and they are such eye-catching summer colors that are perfect for a photo session in the warmer months.  Tie the outfits together even more with matching accessories -- a coral bowtie on the baby, or a hat with a teal band on dad.

Leave the jeans at home.

At the beach, you want to lighten up and relax.  Heavy and dark jeans just don't make sense in such a relaxed and airy setting.  Choose lightweight fabrics (khaki, linen, cotton) rather than heavier ones.  Shorts are great, too!

Glam it up!

If you really want to make it a special experience, check out Rainey's Closet for your daughter (we have an entire post about this incredible rental service for little girls' dresses).  For your own dress, Rent the Runway has fabulous options, and you can also purchase beautiful dresses on Lulu's and even Amazon -- yay for 2-day shipping!  I have a growing collection of gowns in the studio as well -- ask me about it, and I'm happy to bring a dress or two for you to borrow!

Choose colors that complement your home decor.

These portraits are going to be proudly displayed on the walls of your home.  Make sure you keep your colors in mind as you plan your wardrobe so that they flow seamlessly into your decorating, enhancing the space rather than looking out of place!

Now, wasn't that easy?  Comment below and tell me what's your family's favorite activity to do on the beach!  

A Family Portrait Session in Saratoga Springs Spa State Park - Saratoga Springs & Albany Family Photographer

Oh my goodness, this family is the absolute sweetest and it was such an honor to capture them all together for a family photo session in Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs!

I first met Kaley a few months ago at a get-together for local photographers in the Capital Region.  We connected again at a coffee shop where we spent hours talking life, business, and everything in between.  She told me about how her little boy, Remi, took her on a date to Red Robin, got all dressed up, put on a bowtie, told her to put on something pretty, and held the door for her at the restaurant.  He even insisted on paying for the meal.  I mean seriously, how cute!!!!  I fell in love with her adorable son and his amazing mannners on the spot, and I knew that the rest of her family would charm me as well!  

Then we started talking about capturing some family portraits before her exchange student, Daniel, returned to Mexico at the beginning of the summer.  When I was about the same age as Ellis and Remington , my family hosted three exchange students for three straight years.  Then in college I went to live with a family in Argentina, which kicked off a decade of international travel for me!  So of course I have a special spot in my heart for families that take on an exchange student and welcome another family's child into their home like one of their own.  

We got together for a very fun session at sunset in Spa State Park, right next to SPAC in Saratoga Springs.  It was the perfect summer evening for a relaxed and playful session together, and I loved every moment with this sweet family!

Aren't their outfits just perfect?

I always help families plan their outfits before their portrait session, and like most moms, Kaley messaged me and said, "Help!  I have nothing to wear!"

A half hour later she magically pulled together the most beautiful collection of outfits that were already in their closets, and that held so much meaning for their family!  Remi's shorts & suspenders were handmade and belonged to his grandpa, while the floral dress that Ellis is wearing was made by her great grandmother!  

Are you ready to capture some beautiful & light-hearted memories with your family?  Let me do all the work and plan a worry-free session for your family this summer!
 

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!
 

Wide Awake Newborn Portraits - Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

I'm going to let you in on a little secret...

Whether it's a lifestyle newborn session at home, or a newborn session here in my Saratoga Springs studio, it's not always guaranteed that the baby will fall asleep!  

Of course, newborn sessions go much more smoothly (and quickly!) when the fresh new baby is asleep most of the time.  We're able to pose the baby into those adorable little curled up poses, wrap them in swaddles, unwrap them, and move them from one setup to another without disturbing them.  

But sometimes, babies are curious little things and they like to see everything that is going on around them -- I swear they must be wondering who this girl with the camera is!  So when we have awake babies during a newborn session, we go with the flow and capture their sparkling eyes and their powerful gaze.  And we hope that they eventually fall asleep by using the million-and-one tricks that I have up my sleeve as a newborn photographer to get tiny little babies to fall into Dreamland!

I do love it when we get those wide-eyed shots during our newborn sessions, though!  This typically happens more often during our lifestyle sessions at home, and it's a great opportunity to capture some portraits in their crib, and cuddles with mom & dad.  If we're bringing siblings in (especially toddlers) that is always much easier with an asleep newborn, though!

So many beautiful little babies!  Check back on the blog tomorrow for another post with a few of our favorite SLEEPY newborn shots from recent sessions!

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Did you know that the best time to book your newborn session is in the second or early in the third trimester?  We are now booking newborns for August, September, October, and November, and I would love to plan the perfect session with you!  

Using Rainey's Closet Dress Rentals for my Portrait Studio Wardrobe

Can I let you in on a little secret?  It's the way that every little girl can feel like a princess for her portrait session.  It's called Rainey's Closet.  

Every photographer (and mom!) wants to find the perfect outfit for their portrait sessions.  You want something unique, fun, and just a little bit whimsical.  Something a little bit fancier than your everyday clothing, because photo sessions are a time to have a little fun and experiment with something new!

But that can get a little expensive, especially if you're just going to wear it once, and even more so if your little girl will outgrow it in no time at all.

The solution?  Rent the perfect dress for your session!

Rainey's Closet is a boutique rental company, similar to Rent the Runway, but with couture dresses and adorable little outfits for babies, little girls, and even some items for little boys!  Their website is filled with the most popular brands that photograph so beautifully -- Tutu Du Monde, Dollcake, Nellystella, Well Dressed Wolf, Joyfolie...  The list goes on and on!

I adore this service because for about $35, you can rent the most perfect dress that will truly make your session that much more magical.  A dress that is perfect for twirling, with little hints of sparkle and lots of movement that looks amazing on camera.  

I have discovered so many gorgeous brands and gowns through this website, and it's definitely a favorite resource of mine that I recommend to all of the families I work with.  Planning a beach session this summer?  Rather than spending $30-40 on a dress at the store that you may or may not love, and one that may or may not photograph nicely, rent one from Rainey's Closet that will look STUNNING for your session and that will make your little girl feel like a princess.

I would love it if you'd use my unique referral code
when you rent from Rainey's Closet!  

It's 141372.

Many moms like to send me pictures of the outfits they are thinking of before the session, and then it's so easy to pick one of the dresses from Rainey's Closet to coordinate.  Their colors are soft with lots of neutral tones that will go well with every combination you could possibly dream up.  I have marked dozens of their dresses as favorites, and pinned even more on our wardrobe inspiration boards on Pinterest.  Stuck on outfits?  Start with Rainey's Closet and the rest will come together beautifully!  

For more wardrobe inspiration, check out these helpful links!

Pinterest: Spring Wardrobe Inspiration for Family Portrait Sessions

Pinterest: Beach Wardrobe Inspiration for Family Portrait Sessions

Blog: What to Wear for your Family Portrait Session

Connor's Lifestyle Newborn Session - Boston South Shore Lifestyle Photographer

World, meet Connor.

This sweet little boy has the most soulful eyes I have ever seen on a newborn. He was wide awake during his lifestyle newborn session at home, and his curiosity got the best of him as he wanted to see everything that was going on around him.  I'm so glad, because it allowed us to capture so many beautiful wide-eyed shots of this handsome baby boy!

Baby toes are my favorite!  Especially when framed by a white crib in a nursery with such delicious & airy light streaming in.  

The family's fur baby, Mack, joined in on the fun.  I always love when we can incorporate pets into our lifestyle sessions at home because they are such an important member of your family.  While most dogs take some time to adjust to a new baby at home, we always try a little extra hard to get a few shots of the two together.  Those will definitely be the images you are so happy to have many years from now when your baby and your dog are the best of friends.

Decor & style is such a huge part of our lifestyle sessions, though they of course take a back seat to the emotions that are bubbling over as your family grows from 2 to 3 (or from 3 to 4!).  I love that these sessions take place right in your home, and they show so much of your family's personality as we capture the space that you first brought your baby home to.  The banister on the staircase in this family's home made the perfect frame to shoot through for a few cozy moments in the living room.  

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - A Lifestyle Newborn Session in the South End, Boston Baby Photographer

Can we please fill all of the nurseries with twinkling stars?  Pretty please?

I just loved visiting Baby Chance's family at home for a lifestyle session to celebrate their little boy's arrival.  Their South End apartment in Boston was the perfect mix of industrial and modern, with sweet little touches like the wooden doves on the wall and the light-up stars in the nursery.  We had so much fun together capturing some quiet moments at home as the new mom & dad cuddled up with their baby boy.  

Older babies may not be as easy to pose, but they sure are expressive!  Chance is the happiest baby, and he had so many smiles and giggles for us!  Just look at how joyful and handsome he is!  Even their dog, Tessie, was curious about this little baby that had come into their home.

I always love parent shots like this one when we are doing a lifestyle session at home.  Pure & simple, it shows what your life is like as a new mom.  These are true, everyday moments that you will live thousands of times, and look back on them to show your child one day how you used to cuddle him in the chair by the window, giving him gentle face massages to help him relax.  

One happy family -- though their dog is still trying to figure out if she's happy about this new addition!  

We have enjoyed so many lifestyle sessions lately!  Be sure to check out a few of our favorites on the blog for inspiration for your own newborn session at home.  

Harrison: A Lifestyle Family Session with Blogger of A Modest Life

Catherine: A Lifestyle Session in Charlestown, Boston

Charlie: A Lifestyle Session in the South End

Happy Father's Day! | Boston & Saratoga Springs Family Photographer

Happy Father's Day weekend!

This weekend, I want to give a shout out to all of the dads who are absolutely rocking this whole parenthood thing.  I meet so many amazing families every single week, and I love being able to capture these sweet moments between dads and their little ones.  These little babies are going to grow up and have such a special bond with you, unique from every other relationship in their lives.  Enjoy every second of it, because they won't be this tiny to curl up in your arms forever!

For today's post, enjoy a peek at a collection of some of our favorite images from dads celebrating their first (or second, or third!) Father's Day this year.  Happy Father's Day to all of these amazing men.  Enjoy the weekend!

A Family Session on the Charles River Esplanade - Boston Family Photographer

Ohhhh, springtime in Boston.  I truly don't believe that there is anything my photographer heart loves more.

Did you know that spring in Boston was how my photography journey first began?  When I first moved to Boston at age 22, I spent all of my free time wandering around the city for hours and hours with my camera in hand.  Spring, summer, fall, and winter.  I wanted to walk every street of that city and capture all of its beauty through my lens.  I can remember so many days spent in the Public Garden, on the Esplanade, and walking through Beacon Hill & Downtown Crossing while finding interesting little stories to capture -- a flower vendor on the sidewalk, a couple waiting outside of a bakery, a reflection in a glass window.  That's how it all started, and how I fell in love with photography!

Ruoxi's family contacted me about planning a family session to celebrate the end of their year living in Boston before moving back to Singapore.  She really wanted an album filled with gorgeous & classic Boston portraits before their big move.  I was thrilled to be able to spend a fun morning with this family on the Charles River Esplanade, right across the river from the MIT campus where the husband had studied all year.  Plus, all the trees were in full bloom, making this one of my favorite sessions in the city this year.

Big brother Lucas was so adorable, full of spunk & energy and ready for a big adventure!  His little brother Elliott was eager to do everything that his big brother was doing, and I just loved hanging out with this fun family.  

Aren't the tulips in front of the Hatch Shell the perfect backdrop?

Of course we had to wander over to the docks, my favorite spot on the Charles River.  I just love that gray-blue of the water in these images!  The wind in the boys' hair makes for some fun energy, too!

Who ever said portrait sessions are all about being serious?  A little fun & games makes it memorable!

Did you enjoy this session?  Check out these other sessions in Boston!

A Family Session on Newbury Street

A Mom & Her Girls in Beacon Hill

Looking for a family photographer in Boston?  We're now booking through October!  Use the contact tab above and let's chat!

The Branding Series - Part 2 | Discovering your brand style with Guest Blogger Refinery Original

Welcome to the second post in our Branding Series, geared towards helping creative entrepreneurs delve into the story of why they do what they do, and discover the heart behind their brand so that they can make the best first impression on their potential clients.

Did you miss the first post in our branding series featuring my favorite designer of all time, Erica Clayton of Refinery Original?  Start there!

This week we're talking all about discovering your brand.  Let's be real for a minute...

At one point, every new business owner thinks that a pretty logo and some colors makes up a brand, right?  A few years ago, I was right there with you thinking, "I just need a pretty logo and two colors."

But oooooh, how quickly we learn that your brand is about so much more than that!  Your brand is far from simple -- it is a complex, living, breathing being.  Your brand is who you are.  It is the heart & soul behind your business.  It is your story, and your carefully crafted "why".  It is the first impression you give potential clients -- do you want it to be warm, welcoming, edgy, bold, whimsical, modern, moody?  Your brand can do all of those things, and trust me -- it takes a whole lot more than a logo and some pretty colors to do that!

When I first hired Refinery Original to help me with my rebrand 18 months ago, she had me start gathering visual inspiration for an inspiration board.  I pinned it all on a secret Pinterest board, from fashion to home decor, nursery details, paint chips, and fonts.  

Today on the blog, Erica Clayton of Refinery Original is sharing her tips for creating your own inspiration board to discover the heart behind your brand!  Read all the way to the end for the link to download a PSD template to build your own inspiration board!

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The process of discovery is huge in the design process, one that is often only touched on the surface but holds more weight than any other point in the process. The goal is to capture who you are, what motivates you as a photographer and why you choose to do this day in and day out. With the everyday demands of entrepreneurship, establishing the heart behind your brand keeps you focused and gives purpose to the monotony and expectations. This is the very first step in discovering your brand. Do this and everything else will flow naturally.

Now — the pretty things! The visual elements that make up a brand identity. While heart and narrative play massively into a brand, the visual elements bring your it full circle. 

Step 1: Home

Look at the design pieces you bring into your home, after all, your home is your safe place, the unfiltered expression of who you are and contains the things that draw you in. The artwork, paint colors, furniture pieces, decorations, tile choice, wood colors, etc., your style cuts immediately to the heart of you, which in turn defines your brand. 

Step 2: Nature

Get out and adventure. Walk through the places that inspire you whether it be a garden, the beach, downtown. Wherever you find makes your heart jump in excitement, go there and take note of the colors, textures, patterns you see and the emotions you feel. Those are elements that you want to take note of when you design an inspiration board.

Step 3: Pinterest

Now that you’ve honed in on who you are, you can now peruse Pinterest. I always advise my clients to stay away from pinning other logos and inspiration boards because you begin to morph into someone else’s brand rather than creating your own. Take step 1 and step 2 and beginning pinning images that represent these things. Pin to your hearts content, documenting what each pin speaks to you. Also pin typefaces (fonts) that draw you in but the fun comes when those pins come from items like invitations. At the end of the process, you should have 50+ images that outline your brand visuals. 

Step 4: Build Your Inspiration Board

Filter through your new Pinterest board and look for commonality in your pins, colors, textures, patterns, typefaces, etc. Screenshot 12-15 that have a cohesive feel, open up Photoshop and put them in an inspiration board. If an image doesn't fit the feel of your developing brand, find another that will! Be picky when designing your inspiration board. This will act as a filter for your entire brand!

I hope that helps you narrow down your style! Do the hard work now and everything else will flow naturally.

PS. To help, I’ve included a link to a inspiration board template for you to use when building your very own inspiration board. Download and start designing a brand that’s you!

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Now, before you click into a new window and continue with your day... stop whatever you're doing and enter this giveaway!  Refinery Original is celebrating their rebrand & launch by hosting a giveaway through June 23 with over $3000 in prizes, including a full brand experience, an Ona bag, coaching sessions, Showit subscriptions, and an Instax Mini Polaroid. No purchase necessary — enter here!  www.refineryoriginal.com/celebrate

Ready to do some shopping?  Check out their perfectly designed brand experiences, geared to help you tell your story in the most beautiful way!  These website templates will set you up for success in your rebrand, with incredible savings, too!  Save now with the discount code NICOLE, too!  http://shop.refineryoriginal.com/nicole

Salt Air Sessions: Cape Cod Family Photographer

Memorial Day Weekend always signals the start of summer -- longer days, warmer weather, ice cream trucks, sprinklers, and counting down the days until summer vacation!

Looking ahead at the calendar, I am already planning a few weeks spent enjoying the lazy days of summer on Cape Cod.  This year I am excited to offer exclusive dates for our Salt Air Sessions filled with lots of seaside memories.

There are so many gorgeous beaches on the Cape -- let's make some memories together at your favorite beach!  These are perfect for milestone portraits, first birthdays, immediate family, grandparents, or extended family.  

If you don't have a beach in mind, leave it up to me!  I've been enjoying summers on the Cape for more than 20 years and have so many favorite locations that would be perfect for a fun & playful session with your family.

Your salt air session will include a pre-consultation, a one-hour session at the beach, a sneak peek on social media, and a gallery reveal appointment where we will go through all of the images from your session to create artwork for your home!  Your session will also include two 8x10 fine art prints!

Dates are filling up quickly!  At the time this post was published, these are the remaining dates for our salt air sessions this summer:
June 20, 21
July 26, 27, 28
August 8, 9, 10, 11

Ready to plan your family portrait session?  Let's chat!  These will fill up on a first come, first serve basis, and I'd love to save a date for your family.

**All beach sessions begin at 7pm to catch that perfect golden sunset, and it is best that you reserve two evenings in a row so that we have a rain date available in case the weather does not cooperate.**
 

A Pink & Teal Cake Smash in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

One of my FAVORITE things about our cake smash sessions is getting to become fully immersed in the creative side of things while I make each baby's custom birthday set-up.  

When we started planning her daughter's cake smash, Addison's mom told me that she loved our blush pink paper flowers (you know these flowers by now, they're the super popular ones in this post, this post, and this post -- and they're for sale here!).  I wanted to do something unique for her session, and after seeing her inspiration boards that included pops of teal & gold as well as pink, I knew exactly what we would do for a shabby chic cake smash for her baby girl!

Addison LOVED IT.  When the birthday girl first realized that the sugary confection was just for her, she gave us the most awe-filled look that said, "Really?!?!  For me?!?!?"  And then she dug right in!

I first met this sweet family from Rutland, VT a year ago when Addison was only two days old.  I visited them in the hospital for a Fresh 48 session to celebrate her arrival, and we captured some of my favorite Fresh 48 moments ever in their light-filled hospital room.  And now she came to my Saratoga Springs portrait studio one year later, all grown up with the biggest smile and the most bubbly personality.   This little girl is pure sunshine, and I loved capturing these family photos of everyone together.  They adore their baby girl, and she very clearly brings so much light into their lives.  

Thank you so much for joining me at the studio for your first birthday cake smash!  

Did you love this whimsical cake smash? Check out a few of my favorite cake smash sessions here on the blog!

A Butterfly Cake Smash in Saratoga Springs
A Cookies & Milk Cake Smash in Saratoga Springs
"I Love You to the Moon & Back" Cake Smash in Boston
 

When a Photographer Forgets to Print Her Own Photos.... Or, happy second anniversary!

I debated for awhile on the title of this post.  I wasn't sure if I should make it more about celebrating our second wedding anniversary, or keep it photography-related and tell you how it took me almost TWO YEARS to design & print our wedding album.

So I chose to do both.

You see, I'm just like you and every other person who has countless files of digital images from their own lives.  Tiny JPEGs sitting in a folder on their hard drive, rarely seen and never enjoyed.  And just like you, I had no time to print them.  

But wait, you're a photographer!  Your job is to print photos!

That's true.  I spend my weeks designing albums for other families, ordering boxes & boxes of prints from my photo lab, wrapping up custom birth announcements, and receiving more photo shipments in the mail than I can possibly count.  The UPS guy knows me by name, and I recognize the sound of the delivery truck pulling into my driveway like a dog recognizes their owner's car coming down the street.  

Yet it took me more than a year and a half to finally sit down and design our wedding album after our perfect wedding day in 2015.  Why?  Time.  Indecision.  Distractions.  Procrastination.  Not wanting to begin the task of narrowing down the hundreds and hundreds of photos in our gallery to choose a few favorites to feature in our album.  You know, all the same reasons it takes you forever to print your own photos, right?  

But I finally did it.  And now we have a leather-bound keepsake of our beautiful day surrounded by our closest family & friends on a brick patio with twinkly lights and rustling leaves overhead.  It is so perfect, and as Jeff & I celebrate our second wedding anniversary today, you can bet we'll be flipping through the pages of our wedding album to relive the day we said "I do."  

A huge thank you to Hope Taylor Photography for capturing our day so beautifully.  P.S.  I know you didn't offer albums to your clients two years ago, but I'm so happy that you do now because this is definitely a task that all newlyweds should leave to their photographer so that they can enjoy their heirloom albums right away!  

Print your photos, friends!  #printsnotpixels

Luca James | A Lifestyle Newborn Session at Home with Boston Lifestyle Photographer

I will never grow tired of being invited into a new family's home to capture the quiet moments that naturally unfold as they welcome their baby into their family.  Lifestyle newborn sessions are truly magical, and it's always such an honor to be invited into a family's home to cuddle with their new baby and to celebrate this new chapter of their story.  

World, meet Luca James.

He is clearly the coolest baby ever because he has robot sheets.  And also, look at how tiny this little guy is!  Luca couldn't wait to meet his mother, and he arrived early, which meant we got to enjoy his teeny tiny newborn freshness even sooner than planned!

This little corner of Lisa's home was filled with so much beautiful light.  I always love finding spots in families' homes that have gorgeous light and that truly tell their story.  Lisa has done a lot of traveling, and the walls were filled with pictures from her travels and photos of friends.  She has had such an adventurous life, and Luca James is her next big adventure!    

Grandma was visiting, and I couldn't resist snapping a three-generation portrait!  Luca was pretty happy about it, too -- do you see his little wink here?

We've had so many lifestyle newborn sessions lately, and it truly makes my heart happy to capture these intimate moments at home!  Check out a few more favorites here on the blog:

Harrison: A Lifestyle Family Session with Blogger of A Modest Life

Catherine: A Lifestyle Session in Charlestown, Boston

Charlie: A Lifestyle Session in the South End