5 Tips for an Easy Sunset Portrait Session with Young Kids

As a family photographer, summertime means one thing: SUNSET SESSIONS GALORE!

I absolutely love capturing family portraits in the golden hour when the last rays of sunlight make the whole world glow. This is usually in the hour or so before sunset, and as you know, the sun goes down awfully late in the summer time! This can be so tricky with little ones, and I completely understand. My 3 year old has had a firm 7pm bedtime since he was an infant, and I know what those meltdowns look like when he gets overtired, and how quickly those meltdowns can come on, too! So I get it. I’ve been there with planning my own family portraits, and I absolutely understand your hesitation when it comes to booking a family portrait session at that coincides with your normal dinner & bedtime routine.

But I’m also here to share a few tips with you that will make it soooooo much easier for everyone, and I can promise you we’ll still capture so many smiles, laughs, and adorable moments shared between everyone in your family. Read on for more tips for an easy sunset portrait session with young children!

1. Plan on a late nap.

For the longest time, my son was religious about napping. We couldn’t skip a nap because he needed that time midday to rest and recharge. When you know you’re going to be going to bed a little later than normal, plan to bump your nap a little later in the afternoon, or if your baby is young enough, do an early nap and then a catnap later in the day, too. If you know your child will inevitably fall asleep in the car, leave a little earlier than necessary for your session and drive around while your little one sleeps in the backseat. They’ll wake up and be refreshed and ready to play!

2. Pack snacks.

Have snacks handy, because hungry kids are grumpy kids and we want to avoid that. ;o) I recommend everyone eat dinner before the session, and bring a little snack for the car in case they need it. Avoid messy foods like chocolate and juice, and opt for cheese, crackers, dry cereal, fruit, a pouch, etc. Be sure it’s a food that won’t stain their teeth and tongue. Basically, gummies and oreos are a bad idea because they will be stuck in their teeth in every. single. photo.

3. Bring their PJs and change into them when we’re all done.

This will make bedtime even easier when you get back home. Toss those pajamas in the car and they’ll be ready when we finish photographing your family.

4. Don’t underestimate the power of a bribe.

And don’t feel like you need to apologize for it, either! I know from photographing my own son just how well a bribe can work to get him to listen and smile for a short period of time, and I fully support whatever you choose and I will help get the kids excited about it during their session, too! I can’t even begin to count how many sessions we’ve talked about “So, what kind of ice cream will you have when you’re all done?” to get a little one to smile and excitedly tell me their favorite flavors, and it makes them happy to chat, smile, and interact when they have something to look forward to afterwards.

5. The most important one: relax and have fun.

This is key. If you’re stressed, the kids will sense it and they will feed off of the vibes and be unwilling to cooperate and enjoy themselves. Relax. Take a deep breath. Maybe have a glass of wine before heading out the door. Let me coax the smiles out of your children, and you just worry about loving on them and making some memories together. And you can guarantee that those cuddles and memories will be oh-so-beautifully documented for you to enjoy for many, many years!

Check out more tips for a meltdown-free session with young children!

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8 Tips for your Family Photo Session at the Beach - Cape Cod Family Photographer

Summer is almost here, and I am so excited to welcome so many families to Cape Cod for their family portrait session on the beach!

I have been spending my summers on the Cape for more than 20 years, and I have so many favorite beaches, bike paths, ice cream shops, and more that I love sharing with my clients when they schedule their Cape Cod photo shoot. I love that I know this area inside and out and can give them an inside scoop on where to go, what to do, and what to pack!

So with that in mind, today’s blog post is filled with tips for your family photo session at the beach. Read on for lots of great ideas, plus plenty of beautiful outfit inspiration for your family!

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Plan accordingly for traffic.

If you’re coming to the Cape, Saturday and Sunday are typically the heaviest traffic days coming over both bridges. Plan to come early in the morning and make a day of it!

Baby’s first trip to the beach?

The beach can be a sensory overload for some babies.  Get them used to the sand by letting them play with and sit in sand a few times before your session.  Make sure they have bare legs and feet so that they get used to the feeling of the sand on their skin.  Bring a blanket (neutral colors look best!) if they might need a layer to sit on.

What to wear

Colors that you would find at the beach look incredible in portraits — shades of blue, khaki, linen, white, cream, blush pink, lavender, teal, mint, aqua, and gray are my favorites.  We have many helpful blog posts with outfit ideas — check them out here! 

Keep these in the car…

Sunglasses, hair elastics, cell phone, wallet (bulky things that show in your pockets), stroller, diaper bag, baseball caps or visors.

Always have a rain date.

I will let you know 4 hours in advance if we’ll have to reschedule due to the weather, but even on cloudy days we can get some great portraits!  This session actually wrapped up minutes before the sky opened up in a thunderstorm!

Protect your skin.

Try to avoid a sunburn the week of your session.  Especially on your face and nose!

Barefoot is best! 

We’ll leave our sandals at the entrance to the beach so we can walk in the sand easily.

Embrace the sand & the water, and don’t be afraid to get wet!

I love finishing the session in the water.  Let’s be adventurous and walk in the waves or let the kids splash around a bit.  Bring a towel or a change of clothes for the kids just in case they get a little too excited at the opportunity to splash!  

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region, and she also works with families at her Attleboro, MA studio and on location in Boston and on Cape Cod. 

Our Cape Cod sessions occur from June through September at beaches all over the Cape. Be sure to reach out early to plan your family’s portrait session as these always fill up early in the season!

A Classic Maternity Session with Saratoga Springs Maternity and Newborn Photographer

I just love it when husbands plan portrait sessions as a surprise gift for their wives! It’s extra thoughtful, and really the best gift!

Zach reached out to me to book a maternity session for his wife when she was 13 weeks pregnant. He was so excited about their little one’s upcoming arrival that he wanted to surprise Katie with portraits of her pregnancy, and we started planning this top secret session months before we would actually take their portraits to give that baby bump some time to grow. :o)

They came to our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and basically won the award for cutest and most in love couple ever. How sweet are these two?!?!

Katie wore a few of the gowns from our Mama Wardrobe, and she was absolutely breathtaking! This mama has such a calm presence about her, and really has the sweetest personality. I’m so excited to capture her with her baby boy soon!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What about the dads?

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

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

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

What should the kids/siblings wear?

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

And barefoot is always my favorite for the kids!

6 Tips to a Successful Portrait Session with Babies & Young Children {Boston Family Photographer}

baby girl doing tummy time with a floral backdrop

Vivian is quite possibly the smiliest baby girl that I have had the pleasure of photographing in the studio.  This little girl did not stop smiling for even a second of our session, and that gummy smile stretched from ear to ear with sparkling eyes and the sweetest little giggle.  Happy and curious, she loved the camera.  Just look at those sparkling eyes!

baby girl pink and flowers

However, not all babies come to their sessions ready to bust out a smile, and there are so many tips that I give families to help their little ones be comfortable here in the studio during our portrait sessions.  Our sessions are light, playful, and fast-moving to keep the little ones' attention and capture the most beautiful memories of your family.

On top of the games, songs, silly dances, and fun little toys that I like to pull out during our sessions, there are a few things that parents can do to help their child have a fantastic experience, too.  Read on for a few ideas before your session, and enjoy more of Vivian's sweet little smile.

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

It's hard looking cute for an hour!  Bring a bite-sized snack or a drink that won't stain their lips or tongue, and take a few moments between shots to cuddle with your little one.  Puffs, cheerios, and goldfish are perfect for a quick little pick-me-up between photos, and they even fit right into the baby's hard so we don't see them in the photo!

baby with stuffed animal lovies

Babies crave familiarity.  Bringing a lovie, a blanket, their favorite toy, or a cherished book can do just the trick.  Plus, it's a great way to incorporate their favorite things into the photographs!

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

For toddlers and other young children, tell your child that we are going to a special place where we will play lots of games and have fun together.   Nicole (that's me!) will be there and will play with us, too, and sometimes she will take pictures when we are having fun.  

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

Throughout the week before your session, practice different expressions in the mirror with your child (ages 2+).  Have them show you their sad face, silly face, happy face, kitty cat face, excited face, puppy dog face, etc.  Kids are still learning how to create a natural expression on their faces, and sometimes they see a camera and go a little overboard with the smile.  We want their most natural expressions that show who they are inside, truly showcasing their personalities.  When they do a smile that is particularly adorable, praise them and point it out to them.  Then try saying, "I love your happy face!  Can you show me that one again?"  Repeat this throughout the week and they will be comfortable in front of the camera when we get together.

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

Sometimes a child can have TOO many people tell her what to do, where to look, how to act.  Take a break and wander off for a few minutes, leaving me with your child.   A lot of the time they loosen right up and their true personalities really shine when left alone with just the photographer.  This little girl's mom went off to "check her phone", and right away her daughter was laughing, twirling, and making silly faces with me.  Then this little guy wanted to show me his favorite spot in his yard, and once we were behind these stunning yellow bushes he told me all about his secret fort and why he loves it there.  Sometimes kids just need a little space.  Let's give them that during the session for a few minutes to help them become more comfortable to open up to the camera.

boston rustic photography farms

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

Most importantly, remember to HAVE FUN during our session.  I'm talking to you, mom and dad!  ;o)  Don't stress out if your little one isn't cooperating.  Trust me, we are still capturing beautiful moments on camera.  Besides, children can pick up on the stress in adults and will feel it themselves, causing their behavior to be even less than ideal.Simply follow my lead as we redirect the children, keep the session light and playful, and move on to the next set-up if this one is not working.  We can always come back to it later in the session.  By remembering to have fun, we will create memories that are truly stunning and you will love these photographs for many years.  Aren't these photos of moms and dads interacting with their children so much more lovely, dynamic, and emotional than the stiff poses of years past with everyone looking straight ahead at the camera?  YES!  There's connection, laughter, and excitement shining through in every single portrait.  Let's create some memories for your family.  What are you waiting for?  Click on the "CONTACT" tab above and let's chat.