From Click to Delivery and Everything in Between - A Look into our Portrait Process

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with a full-service photographer? Or what in the world that term even means? Today we’re delving deep into the portrait experience to give you the inside scoop about what you can expect when you hire Nicole Starr Photography for your next portrait session. From the very first click of a button all the way through product delivery, let’s dig in!

Saratoga Springs NY family photographer hangs artwork in studio

For most of my clients and potential clients, their very first impression of my business is right here through my website. And here you are — so, welcome! This is where the majority of my clients find me, and also the first place that they head after a friend shares my name with them. And like every small business owner, I love it and sooooo appreciate it when families refer their friends and can’t stop gushing about their amazing portrait experience! If you’re not sure where to get started on the website, check out our different session types on the tab at the top of this page. Look through some BLOGS for inspiration, and take a peek at the gorgeous ARTWORK options here as well. Then head over to the INVESTMENT PAGE and finally click on CONTACT and let’s chat!

Saratoga Springs studio for family and newborn photographer

After I receive your contact email, we set up a time for a quick phone call. I love this part! This is when we get to know each other a little more, and you tell me all about your baby, your family, and what you’re looking for in your portrait session. I fill you in on the portrait experience (much like we’re doing in this blog post today) and then we set up a time for a planning call.

Our planning call is a pre-consultation done over Zoom. This is when we talk in more detail about colors, theme, location, outfits, must-have shots, etc. I show you examples of all of the beautiful artwork so that you can start picturing them in your home, and we go over any and all questions before booking the session.

From there we set a date for your portrait session. If it’s a newborn session, we mark a flexible date on the calendar surrounding your due date and finalize the date once the baby arrives. If it’s an outdoor session, we plan TWO dates — a session date and a rain date so that we have both blocked off in case in it rains on the first day. 

Then the countdown begins and we excitedly await the day of your family’s portrait session!

All of our sessions are relaxed and we’re flexible with timing so that we can work around your baby or child’s mood to keep them comfortable and happy. We capture a variety of portraits and looks/setups, and we have a blast while doing so!



setup for clients in full-service photography studio in Saratoga Springs NY
pastel wraps and headbands for newborn sessions in Saratoga Springs NY newborn photographer

After that you’ll enjoy a sneak peek on social media within a week of your session, and then we’ll set a time for your ordering appointment. This is another part of the portrait experience that I love sooooo much. I come to your home, or we can do the appointment over Zoom, too. We spend about an hour together going through your gallery and choosing your favorite portraits that you want to enjoy at home.



Here’s why I do this in your homes. Think back to your wedding photos. If you’re like 90% of the moms that I talk to on the phone, you got your photos back from your wedding photographer and never did anything with them, right? Maybe you hung one or two. Mayyyyyybe you had an album included with your package. But most of the families I talk to tell me regretfully that they haven’t been able to enjoy their wedding photos because they haven’t had the time to go through them yet. 

That is exactly why we set aside an hour to go through the portraits from your session together. We look at your walls and figure out the best locations and sizes for your portraits. We talk about albums and collection boxes to see which feels like the best fit for your home. We figure out gifts for family members and we design holiday cards and birth announcements, checking so many to-dos off of your list for you. And it only takes an hour. All of the printing and design is done for you, making it so easy and stress-free for you to enjoy gorgeous heirloom artwork in your home that is going to put a smile on your face every single day!



framed deckled print rests in chair in studio photographed by Nicole Starr Photography, full-service portrait photographer in Saratoga Springs NY
matted portraits shared by Nicole Starr Photography, full-service portrait photographer in Saratoga Springs NY
box of matted prints on chair in studio photographed by Nicole Starr Photography, full-service portrait photographer in Saratoga Springs NY

After that, I go through and finish editing your images. I send all of your images off to my professional labs and they return as beautifully printed and handcrafted artwork. We set up a time for me to deliver everything to you, and then it’s time to enjoy your portraits at home!

Nicole Starr Photography, full-service portrait photographer in Saratoga Springs NY holds canvas print in studio

It’s that easy. Pretty sweet, right?

So if you’re ready to take all of the stress out of your next portrait session, what are you waiting for? Let’s chat today and get started!


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