Sweaters & Fall Leaves | Family Portraits at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline

As we wrap up the busy fall season filled with outdoor family portrait sessions, I am so excited to share a peek into this sweet family's session at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline. 

Jessica, Danny, and their son DJ were so much fun to work with, and I love how natural and easy they were in front of the camera.  They spent the hour together just loving on their son, making him laugh, and clapping for all of the skills that he showed off for the camera.  They were truly a joy to photograph, and I am so lucky that this job introduces me to such amazing families. 

DJ was so happy that afternoon, and he was in such a relaxed and playful mood the entire time.  I love how handsome he is with his adorable red glasses on, and those tiny hands clapping for himself are the sweetest thing! 

Peek-a-boo!

This little series with his mama makes my heart so happy.  It is so clear to see that DJ bring so much JOY to their lives, and I was thrilled going back through my images from that day to see that we captured these huge smiles and real laughs shared between the two of them.

We may have wrapped up our outdoor family sessions for the year, but we're still inviting families to come visit us at our Attleboro, MA and Saratoga Springs, NY studios for the sessions this winter!  Contact us today to plan your next portrait session!
 

Fall in New England: Fall Family Portraits at Monument Square in Charlestown with Boston Family Photographer

Joanna & I have known each other for EIGHT years -- honestly, even typing that I have no idea how so many years have passed since we first met moving boxes into an apartment one summer!  We were roommates in Boston in our twenties, and we enjoyed so many adventures together with the other girls that we lived with. 

Now she's on a whole new kind of adventure with her husband and their handsome little toddler in Charlestown.  When she suggested a family portrait session at Monument Square in Charlestown, I was so excited to get to explore this beautiful location in their neighborhood that they visit every night with their son Holden to tire him out before bedtime.  

She wanted a perfectly New England vibe, with sweaters, flannel, beautiful foliage, and a hint of glamour with a gold sequined skirt from Rent the Runway that looked AMAZING on her!

Holden, of course, was such a little flirt and he loved posing on my tiny wooden stool and smiling for the camera.  How adorable is he with those rolled cuffs peeking out of his sweater?!?!

One thing about toddlers during portrait sessions is that they are always in the "Energizer Bunny Mode".  We went up and down the hill, chasing Holden all around the monument as he was on the lookout for all of the puppies out for their evening stroll.  This little boy is obsessed with puppies, and they were the only thing that made him slow down and smile -- so cute!

I just LOVE this family shot of Joanna, Matt, and Holden all together at the base of the monument.  Thank you for such a wonderful session!  

A Peek at our Sweater Weather Family Portrait Sessions - Saratoga Springs, NY Family Photographer

We may have spent most of the summer at the beach, but that means we're spending the fall surrounded by beautiful foliage at local parks!  I'm falling back in love with my 85mm lens with the gorgeous soft backgrounds that it's creating in our outdoor portraits this fall.  The greens, yellows, oranges, and reds are so dreamy, and I am loving all of these fall family sessions in Saratoga Springs and in Boston!

We enjoyed two days of Sweater Weather sessions at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs, and at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline.  I got to catch up with so many families that have visited me at the studio over the years, and I loved seeing how their children had grown and developed these amazing personalities!  I also loved getting to meet many new families for the first time, and it was so much fun getting to create these memories with them at the park.

Plus, we had GORGEOUS weather on both days!  Perfectly clear skies, lots of sunshine, and enough warmth to avoid the jackets and scarves!

These fall portraits were our last big "HURRAH" for outdoor sessions until the spring, and I am so excited to share these beautiful portraits with these lovely families.  They're going to have the best holiday cards this year, don't you think?

As we move indoors for the cooler months, the calendar is filling up with maternity, newborn, Fresh 48, milestone, and birthday sessions.  We're now booking through March 2018, and I would love to see your little ones in the studio this winter!  Please email hello@nicolestarrphotography.com and let's plan your baby's next portrait session.

A Cape Cod Family Portrait Session at Bass River Beach in Yarmouth - Cape Cod Family Photographer

What's a little wind matter when your family is this adorable?

Baby Sophia and her family joined me at Bass River Beach (Smuggler's Beach) in Yarmouth for a family portrait session.  With summer coming to an end, it was a windy evening and we had the beach all to ourselves.  It was such a perfect evening!

I have spent the past 15 years coming to this beach since it is close to my family's home in Dennisport, but this was my first time shooting a portrait session there and I fell in love with the landscape.  There's beautiful seagrass, a gorgeous jetty, a boardwalk and a fishing pier, and it overlooks West Dennis Beach and the Bass River.  The sand dunes protected us from the wind, and also gave us a little extra shade as the sun was setting.  

Sophia didn't mind the breeze in the least, and she was happiest when her hair was blowing all over the place!  This little sweetheart loved the sand, and of course she kept trying to eat everything in sight.  

Grandma joined us for a few family portraits, and she told me that this is the beach that her children grew up going to.  This is their family beach, and it'll be the same one that is home to so many summertime memories for Sophia as she gets older.  

Just look at her!  She is already a beach baby!

We enjoyed SO many family sessions at beaches all over Cape Cod and the South Shore this summer and fall, and I'm already looking forward to creating even more sandy & salty memories next year!

A Pastel Cake Smash at our Massachusetts Studio - Boston Cake Smash Photographer

Mia's pastel cake smash at our Attleboro studio was the perfect way to celebrate this sweet girl's first birthday!  

We brought in all of the whimsical elements with twinkle lights, a sparkly dress, a handpainted backdrop, and a "unicorn swirl" cake -- what a fun name for those colorful swirls, right?

Mia brought the adorable expressions and so much excitement!  Seriously, how cute is she?!?!

Some babies don't love getting their fingers all messy, and a spoon makes all the difference!  Mia wanted two spoons, and before we knew it she was digging in and making a great big mess with her chocolate cake.

Her big brother Tai wanted to join in, and he did such a great job showing her how to eat her cake instead of just swirling it around.  Tai was a HUGE fan of the cake, and kept coming back for more!

Two miles from the studio is a beautiful park with so many options for family portraits.  I love going here at the beginning of our cake smash sessions to start with family portraits, giving the kids space to run and explore while warming up to the idea of having a photographer take their portraits.

We found a cozy little spot underneath a low-hanging tree, and the dappled sunlight against the leaves was the perfect backdrop for this sweet family.

Before our session Tai's mom told me multiple times that he really doesn't like having his picture taken, and that we'd be lucky if we got one good image of him.  So many parents worry about this, and it is a completely normal concern to have before your session.  BUT, my goal is to make everyone feel comfortable and capture your true selves together.

With room to play, lots of tickles, and some silly games, this sweet boy warmed right up and showed us his playful personality!  We captured so many beautiful laughs and giggles, and I just love how animated he was during the family portraits!

SUPERMAN!

Did you love this playful session?  Check out some more fun family sessions here!
 

An Extended Family Session at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs NY - Saratoga Springs NY Family Photographer

Let's bring together all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, and grandparents and CELEBRATE YOUR FAMILY.

Extended family sessions are always a lot of fun, and when this family reached out to me about a session with 17 family members, I knew that we were in for a very memorable evening together!

The grandkids were so much fun and they had us running all over Congress Park chasing the ducks.  During these sessions we always capture portraits of the grandkids all together, with their grandparents, and individual portraits, too!

This session was a special gift to the grandparents to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  In 50 years, they have created this huge and loving family.  That's pretty amazing that they are all together today all because two people fell in love 50 years ago!

So playful!  These brothers kept me on my toes and we had a lot of fun and shared a lot of laughs during their family's portraits.  And every time that Connor, the littlest one, wasn't looking at me?  It's because he was looking at the ducks!  Ducks are clearly much more interesting than photographers.   ;o)  

Alexzandra was home from college and joined us for their session.  She was also the professional cousin wrangler a few times during the shoot!

These boys just blew me away with their compassion.  When I asked what his favorite thing was about his brother, one of them replied "I think his best quality is that he's always very complimentary.  He makes everyone feel good."  What an insightful young man, who completely melted my heart with that comment!

Thinking of a family session for mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and the grandkids?  How about some cousins, aunts, and uncles?  Let's get together and plan your session today!  
 

Family Portraits with Twins at Rexhame Beach | Boston Family Photographer

Another beautiful family portrait session at Rexhame Beach in Marshfield!  I just love this expanse of beach, and it's a new favorite spot for our sessions in the summer and fall.  

I have been photographing Finley & Bella since they were teeny-tiny 4-pound newborns.  These girls have come to me every few months for portraits, and I have loved watching them grow into happy, playful toddlers!  At the same time, I have such a hard time believing that they are growing up so quickly and that they're already running around and starting to talk!

This little ticklish moment below is my absolute favorite portrait of them -- those chunky little toddler legs peeking out from their dresses, their smiles, the nose wrinkles, and the way they stick their tongues between their teeth.  Perfection.  This one shot makes me fall so in love with this stage of toddlerhood!

The girls were all about the TICKLES.  They loved tickling each other and receiving tickles from mom and dad.  Bella even started tickling herself and cracking up, which of course sent all of us into peals of laughter!

Beautiful Finley.  We couldn't tear her away from the water, and later in the evening she sat down in the waves and let them wash right over her!  Once she was wet, she was happy and kept going back to get even more soaked.  Thankfully we captured a lot of photos BEFORE she was wet & sandy!

Bella wasn't as much a fan of the water, and every time her mom tried to lower her toes into the waves she would pick her legs up the second the water came near.  She loved the sand, though -- give her some sand to sift through her fingers and a few rocks to collect, and she was a happy girl!

Watch Finley & Bella grow!  Check out a few of their other sessions in the links below:

Playful Family Portraits on Cape Cod | Cape Cod Family Photographer

Because I'm not ready for summer to be over yet, let's keep sharing more of our Salt Air portrait sessions from Cape Cod beaches on the blog!  

I absolutely adored Kara's family.  They kicked off my beach season this July and we had such an amazing time at Corporation Beach in Dennis.  Her kids have the biggest personalities they cracked all of us up with their dancing, their jokes, and their silly faces.  

No one wants to go take awkward family photos where you have to pose a certain way and be very still -- instead, we embrace the chaos, the hugs, the laughter, and the natural moments that unfold with your family.  These sessions really are SO MUCH FUN.

Cole is a riot.  He's a ball of energy, and he loves being the "clown" and making everybody laugh.  But when you catch his serious side, it's pure magic.  What a sweetheart!

Riley is the wisest little four-year old, and she seems to be years beyond her age.  Plus, she gives the best cuddles with both of her parents!

We were right in between high tide and low tide, and I love how the water came up into the seagrass.  This was definitely my favorite spot on the beach, and I'm so happy we captured a few playful portraits here of the whole family!

At the end of their session we captured the last rays of sunlight right as the sun was going down -- I am obsessed with the golden light and the magical feel of this portrait!  

Relaxed Family Portraits at Popponesset Beach in New Seabury | Cape Cod Family Photographer

I just love this family!  I've been following them on their journey of parenthood since before Lizzie was even born -- from maternity portraits to newborn sessions & cake smashes, we have captured so many memories together over the years!

This was our first time doing an outdoor session with the kids, and Lizzie & Gavin had so much fun running around Popponesset Beach and playing in the sand.  It was an overcast evening, which made for the perfect misty backdrop for this family's memory-making session.  Plus, the beach was almost empty and we had the entire stretch of sand to ourselves!

Our family sessions at the beach on Cape Cod are always playful and relaxed.  See a lifeguard chair?  Climb it!  Want to run on the board walk?  Go ahead!  Fan of collecting rocks?  Have at it!  Kids can be themselves -- curious explorers who can't help but laugh and chase each other, and we capture so many real memories for your family!

The first time I ever met Kate she had just gotten engaged, and now she's a mom of two amazing little kids with such big personalities!  I really do love getting to develop these amazing lasting relationships with the families that I work with while watching their kids (and families!) grow!

Gavin loved the sand, and of course he figured out that if he threw himself face-first into the sand we would all start laughing.  So it happened again and again, and we got the best smiles out of him!  Such a carefree and fearless kid!

As the weather cools off, I'm already feeling nostalgic for our beach sessions!  Thankfully we'll continue beach sessions on Cape Cod through October, so there is still time for some salt air memories!  Plus, beach portraits on your holiday cards are so refreshing.  Email us to book your session today!  

A Large Family Portrait Session at Sagamore Beach - Cape Cod Family Photographer

Summer vacations are a time for family.  

They're a time for cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to all cozy up together in the same house, cramming way too many kids into a bedroom with limbs and pillows taking over every inch of the space.  

Summer vacations are a time for leisurely dinners, brushing the sand off in the outdoor shower, and popsicles after the beach.  

You're busy making all of these memories with your family, which makes summer vacation the perfect time to slow it all down with a family portrait session and celebrate the fact that you're all together.  Grandma, Grandpa, all of their kids, and all of their grandkids.  This never happens often enough, and it's definitely a time you'll want to remember with your children many years from now.

I love it when families tell me they're planning a session with all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  We choose a beautiful location outdoors, and we just have fun together!  We capture some great shots of the entire group, and then break off into smaller families, siblings, cousins, and all of the other combos for lots of variety in your gallery.

Of course, the kids always steal the show!  These girls were no exception!

It was another misty evening at the beach, which is my favorite kind of evening at the beach.  Everything is bright and airy, and the landscape is naturally blurred out in the mist, making the families really pop in their portraits!

Plus, we always embrace a little extra humidity, salt, and wind at the beach.  Beach hair, don't care!

The four cousins were such a blast, and they loved running all over the beach, picking each other up, and playing games during our session.  So happy we were able to capture these portraits for them to enjoy for years!

A Salt Air Session in Eastham | Cape Cod Family Photographer

I always feel so lucky that I get to do this job every single day.  I get to hang out with families, play on the beach, enjoy lots of baby cuddles, and watch families grow and change over the years -- from babies to toddlers, from kids to teenagers. 

I first started photographing families in 2012, and that is when I met the G family!  Five years ago we enjoyed a session at the beach near their summer home in Eastham on Cape Cod.  Their youngest, Lulu, was a tiny little preschooler back then.  This year she was missing a few teeth, telling me all about how she's going into 4th grade next year.  And her oldest brother is a teenager now!  That, of course, made me feel quite old!  All of the kids must be a foot taller than they were when we first met, and they're all turning into such interesting young adults!  

We started their session off on the same private pathway leading to the beach that we did last time, winding our way through the sand dunes and sea grass to the beautiful expanse of beach at the end.

I absolutely LOVE working with this family!  They're all so close and playful, and it makes for a very easy-going session filled with laughter.

The kids ended the evening splashing in the saltwater, and the best surprise was when their dad joined in!

A Colorful Family Photo Shoot on the Beach | Cape Cod Family Photographer

Family photo sessions at the beaches of Cape Cod are one of my favorite things about summer.  They're right up there next to porch nights, flip flops, and ice cream cones.  

And that's because these sessions are the perfect way to end a fun-filled day on Cape Cod -- head to a beach a little bit before sunset, run around in the sand, laugh with your family, do a little splashing in the shallow water, and create so many new memories with your kids.  

While not every evening at the Cape is bathed in golden sunlight, these misty and foggy sessions at the beach are always some of my favorites because the families just POP against that dreamy backdrop.  Samantha, Shaun, and their two children Harper & Hudson were so much to run around and play with at the beach.  Plus, their outfits were perfectly styled and looked incredible against the misty landscape!

Hudson is Mr. Independent, and he wanted to climb to the top of the lifeguard chair all by himself!  I just love his determination, and the way those tiny baby curls float in the breeze.

Harper was a ball of energy and she loved running across the sand, splashing in the water, and dancing with her mama.  She did an amazing job and was such a sweetheart with her little brother.

Summer may be coming to an end soon, but that doesn't mean our beach sessions have to come to an end, too!  I'll be on Cape Cod in September and October, and I absolutely love sweater weather at the beach.  

These sessions have such a unique feel in the "off season," and we'll have the beach all to ourselves as the sky turns from blue to gray.  Plus, they are the perfect sessions for your holiday cards!  Check out this session for some chilly beach inspiration, and contact me today to plan your beach portraits this fall!

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!
 

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

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!

What to Wear for Your Family Portrait Session this Spring

Do you have a portrait session coming up this spring or summer, and you're wondering what to wear?  OR, have you been putting off a portrait session because you're worried you'll never find matching outfits for everybody?  

Stop worrying, and let me help you!

Long gone are the days of matchy-matchy outfits -- come on, you know what I'm talking about!  White button down shirts and blue jeans on every member of the family, or black tops and khaki pants on every single person.  That style is incredibly dated, and it's no fun at all!  That's not how you normally dress in real life, so why should that be how you dress in your portraits?

When we plan a custom portrait session together, I want to create images for you that reflect who you truly are.  I want to show your personality, your unique style, and to give you artwork that will complement your home decor so that you can proudly hang your favorite memories over the sofa or in your hallway.  I want your portraits will blend in seamlessly and complement your space & your decor.  

This post is filled with ideas on what to wear, and you can find many more looks including easy ways to shop what you see in the images over on our Pinterest board.     Looking for even more ideas, along with some photo inspiration?  Check out this blog post from 2015 to see perfectly styled sessions with some of my favorite clients!

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Choose 2-3 colors, including a neutral color, and use a little bit of it in everybody's outfit!  Here we're selecting from shades of blue and gray to coordinate everyone's clothing.

Keep your fabrics similar!  If mom is wearing a linen sundress, then you don't want dad to be in a sweater and heavy jeans!  Actually, have you noticed that none of these inspiration boards include jeans?  Fitted dress pants look great on dads, and they definitely give your portraits a much dressier, classier look!  Try shaking things up with a look that's a little bit different from your everyday jeans, and you might just love it!  Layers also look amazing in portraits -- a vest on your son will be so adorable over a button down or a T-shirt!

While I don't recommend everyone wearing solid white, it's a nice addition to any wardrobe compilation!  Here the texture on the dress keeps it interesting, as does the pattern on the little sister's leggings.  Play with patterns and texture to give your wardrobe more personality -- the more you have, the more you will love your images!

Think of the location we're going to be shooting in, and also think of your complexion & hair color.  Choose a color palette that flatters you and that you feel comfortable and confident in.  Blush and cream doesn't suit everyone, and some women look stunning in vibrant jewel tone colors!  Go with what works for you, and let me know how I can help you pull all of the outfits together!

Be daring!  Have a little fun with patterns.  Spring is the perfect time to incorporate floral patterns into your outfits for a family portrait session, and there's nothing I love more than seeing a mom completely rocking it in her floral print dress.  If you love it, wear it!  Then choose a few colors from that design and base the other family members' outfits on those colors to coordinate.  Below, we chose the coral, gray, and white from the dress to use in everyone else's outfits.

Last but not least, if we're going to be shooting outside anywhere other than the beach, don't forget the shoes!  Your perfectly styled outfit will look just a little bit "off" when your son's everyday-wear fluorescent green light-up sneakers are paired with his gray & blue vested outfit.  Simple, neutral shoes are best to protect your feet during the session, but be sure everyone tries their shoes on and wears them around for at least 1-2 hours before the day of your session to ensure that they fit comfortably.

After all of that beautiful inspiration, are you ready to book your family portrait session?  We're now booking for the spring and summer, and I would love to capture some gorgeous memories for your family -- perfectly styled, of course!  
 

A Stylized Portrait Session for Mom & Four Children - Saratoga Springs Photography Studio

Do you know what's coming up this weekend?  Our Celebrating Motherhood event in Boston!  

I am so excited to capture lots of beautiful, candid, and truly breathtaking moments shared between moms and their little ones.  I'm looking forward to pampering them with hair & makeup by Tiffany Cantin, HMUA of Six Bay Road Salon.  I can't wait to watch moms, babies & grandmas come together for three-generation memory-making.  And I'm truly looking forward to watching the REAL moments unfold...

Like this one: 

Baby Sister knows that all eyes are on her and she is the star of the show!

April came to the studio for her Celebrating Motherhood session with her four children.  She's also a photographer, but has very few portraits of her with all of her babies, and she was thrilled at the opportunity to capture them all together in this moment.  I just love the way her daughter snuggled up against her, and the way her oldest son was so serious when the camera came out, turning those soulful eyes towards me.  Her younger son was an absolute blast, so funny and full of energy.  And baby girl was just so happy, knowing that everyone in her family was going to give her cuddles, tickles, and sweets throughout the session.

The pink gown that Mia wore is an absolute favorite of mine.  I rented it just for this session, and now I'm scouring websites to find one to add to our studio collection.  It's the perfect twirling dress, don't you think?

Mom and her boys.  One day they will tower over her.  One day their voices will be deep and melodic, and she'll no longer be able to fit them on her lap.  One day they'll be scooping her up into great big hugs in their strong arms.  But today, she's enjoying every bit of their childhood while it lasts!  

This last little outtake is a favorite of mine from their session!  Are you ready for the story behind the image?  

Our Saratoga Springs studio is on the whole first floor of our home.  April's family was in the studio in the late afternoon, and I heard the front door open and close when my husband Jeff came home from work.  I called him downstairs, and he popped his head in to say hello.  Before he came in, baby sister was all over the place in typical toddler fashion.  But the moment Jeff walked into the room, she stopped, completely mesmerized.  We were able to capture the image above within seconds of him coming into the studio, and when he went to leave, the image below is what happened next!  She didn't want him to leave, and ran towards him with her arms wide open searching for a hug!  ;o)   It's definitely my favorite outtake of 2017!

Just a few spots left for this weekend's Celebrating Motherhood portrait sessions!  I'll be in Attleboro on May 6, and in Saratoga Springs on May 20.  Click below to reserve your session!

Did you love this motherhood session?  
Check out a few more recent favorites on the blog, too!

A Springtime Mommy & Me Session

Portraits of Motherhood

A Springtime Mommy & Me Session in our Saratoga Springs Studio

This sweet little family was so much fun for their springtime session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio!  If you haven't noticed, I have been loving all of our spring sessions lately.  I'm shaking off the winter blues by incorporating lots of flowers, greenery, and pastel colors.  Plus, these adorable little headbands from Sweet Ivie are my new favorites, and they're part of a new collaboration I'm doing with the designer!

This family has been living abroad for a few years, and they just moved back to the U.S., so it was the perfect time to capture some sweet memories of this gorgeous mama and her little ones!

Federico had the most amazing curls, and such a spunky personality!  He is an adventurous little guy who brought his big imagination into the studio.  The moment he saw my curved bench he decided that it was (of course!) a racetrack, so he pulled his toy cars out and started racing them up and down the seat of the bench!  Love his creative little mind!

Daphne was the sweetest little thing, and she loved pretending to feed the birds on our new hand-painted Lavender Fields backdrop by walking over to them with flowers in her hands and letting them have a little nibble.  She spent the second half of our session bonding with the birds, and we were able to capture so many adorable images of her and those sparkling blue eyes!

Love her dress?  Me, too!  It's from Nellystella, and you can rent the same one from Rainey's Closet for your upcoming session!  You'll be seeing a lot more of Rainey's Closet on our website in the coming months because their dresses are so soft & whimsical, and absolutely the best quality out there for unique looks for your session!

Love the backdrops?  Check out a few other recent spring sessions at the studio!

Hazel & the Lavender Fields Backdrop

Two Sisters with their Sweet Ivie Headbands

Book your Celebrating Motherhood Portrait Session!

This unique event has been designed just for the mothers and their children as we gather together to celebrate YOU.

You are amazing.  You are strong.  You are wonder woman.  You are beautiful.  You have the hardest and the most rewarding job in the world.  You are raising these tiny humans filled with compassion & love, and you are doing a spectacular job. You deserve this.

We believe that moms are beautiful.  We believe that the love that a mother shares with her babies is the most breathtaking thing in the world.  We believe that you deserve to be pampered, you deserve to feel gorgeous, and you deserve to have stunning memories captured on camera with your little ones.

We believe that these moments should be enjoyed and shared with your children over the next many, many years.  Rather than always hiding behind the camera, it is your turn to step in front of it and capture this amazing love you share together. Document it, cherish it, and show it to your children when they are grown.

What is the Celebrating Motherhood Event?

If you've been following my page for awhile now, you're familiar with the most popular event that I host all year!  This is the third year hosting the motherhood event, and my very first year bringing it to mamas in two states!

Join me at the studio for some portraits and pampering!

Attleboro  |  May 6

Saratoga Springs  |  May 20

Arrive early and treat yourself to our complimentary hair & makeup services to make you feel and look your best.  Sip on a mimosa from our mimosa bar and enjoy a sweet treat while our team gets you ready for your portrait session!

This year we're really creating an unforgettable experience with:

• Hair & Makeup for mom
• Boutique gowns available for little girls
• Swag Bags filled with goodies from our favorite small businesses
• Gorgeous portrait keepsakes
• A three-generation package to include grandma, too!

Your children will only be this little for a little while, so capture them in this beautiful & fleeting stage that they're in.  Give them memories to look back on with you 20 years from now.  Let them see how happy they made you as a mother, how you gave the very best cuddles, and that they got their smile from you.  

As a mom, be sure to get in the picture because you will never, ever regret giving your children these memories with you to look back on one day.

This is my favorite event and I love watching mamas and their babies, taking the time to make them feel beautiful and so amazing about this incredible job they're doing with their little ones.  You are ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL, and I would love to celebrate that with you!

A very special thank you to our team of vendors that is making this day happen!

Tiffany Cantin, HMUA (Attleboro)

Brianna Nichols, Makeup Artist (Saratoga)

Laura Graver, Hair Stylist (Saratoga)

Simply Made

Sweet Ivie

Butterfly Baby

Merry Go Sweets

Crown City Bread Company

Coconut Crowns

Rainey's Closet

Portraits of Motherhood: Slowing Down to Capture the Moment (Saratoga Springs & Boston Family Photographer)

I just love our motherhood sessions.  Every time that I am so lucky to capture a mama and her babies in front of the camera, it's my absolute favorite experience!  So often moms hide behind the camera, shying away from stepping in front of the lens, focusing instead on just their children and saying that another day, another time, another month, then they'll get in a picture with their children.  For so many moms, it just isn't a priority right now.

But I like to think otherwise.  

I think that motherhood is such a beautiful journey (even the tough bits!), and that you deserve to capture this on camera.  I believe that getting moms in front of the camera with their babies is one of the most amazing gifts that you can give to your children.  

During every single phone call I have with moms before their sessions, I always tell them how they will be so grateful they spent a few minutes capturing a handful of portraits with their babies, because soon their little ones will grow up.  They won't cuddle up in your arms anymore.  They will no longer fit on your lap.  You'll forget how their cheek felt rested against your shoulder, and the way their tiny hands wrapped around your fingers for comfort.  They'll go out into the world as independent children, then teenagers, then adults.  And that is the moment when you'll be so grateful for these images that take you back in time.  

These images freeze a moment and bring you back to the early days of motherhood filled with chubby baby cheeks, melodic giggles, and that amazing baby scent that you'll be so nostalgic for when they are grown.  These images will remind you of sticky fingers, goldfish cracker crumbs, and boo-boos covered in colorful bandaids.  You'll recall the way they sang their favorite songs in a high-pitched voice, making up the words to the parts they didn't know yet.  You'll remember the way they held their baby brother and sang lullabies while giving their new sibling a kiss on the forehead -- you'll even remember the part where the kiss turned into a toddler tackle because... well, toddlers!!  

And then one day, when your babies have babies of their own, you will give them these portraits of the two of you.  You'll show them just how tiny they were, how loved they were, and how much happiness they brought into your life.  They will see a glowing and confident mom who was proud to be in a photo with her little one, a mom who put herself first sometimes and made it a priority to capture these beautiful moments with her baby rather than always hiding behind the camera.  

And they will understand, and treasure these portraits that much more when they have a glimpse of you as a new mom.

If you've been hesitant about getting in the picture, giving a long list of reasons why you shouldn't be in front of the camera right now... stop.  And think of the even longer list of reasons why you SHOULD step in front of the camera.  

Or, just think of the one reason why, the most important reason in the world: your child.

Motherhood is a crazy beautiful journey, and you're doing an incredible job.  Celebrate it!

Our popular Celebrating Motherhood Sessions will be on May 6 (Attleboro) and May 20 (Saratoga Springs).  I would absolutely love to see you there!  

Registration opens on April 3, and spots are expected to fill very quickly as this event always sells out within a couple of days.  Be sure to join our newsletter for more info, and follow our Facebook page for announcements and links when registration is open!