Creating family heirlooms from your portrait session

If there’s one thing I’m passionate about as a family and newborn photographer, it’s printing photos and creating beautiful heirlooms from your portraits. In a digital age, it’s tempting to let our images live on our devices. And believe me, as a busy mom… I understand why. But, there’s something so powerful about seeing our images where we live and grow as a family. That’s why creating heirloom products together is a service I provide to every family that I work with, and it's why we get together in person after the session to choose your favorite portraits that you want to print and enjoy.

matted print from studio motherhood session photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Choosing the Perfect Spot for Your Portraits

My favorite part about helping you create heirloom products from your portraits is determining the perfect spot for your portraits in your home! Strategically placed portraits will bring a smile to your face every time you see them, and that is what’s so special about them!

One of the spots I always recommend a family or sibling portrait is at the top or bottom of the stairs, or outside of the bedrooms. This is because after a long day with a baby or toddlers, you tuck them into bed at night and close the door and let out an exhausted sigh just thinking about the day, but seeing that portrait of their smiling faces will help you reset and bring you so much joy.

framed deckled print of baby holding camera sits on studio sofra photographed by NY baby photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Wall Art and Self-Esteem

Believe it or not, there is power in showing your children that they matter through portraits and photos hanging on the walls or on display in your home. Giving them a place where they feel like they are valued and where they belong is so important. I actually read the article linked below years ago, and I come back to it time and time again thinking about how powerful it is for children to see themselves up on the walls with their families.

woman holds canvas print of siblings in studio of NY family and baby photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Heirloom Albums

Albums have the same impact on my son, and he pulls our family albums off the shelf at least weekly to turn the pages and talk about the photos and stories that he sees there. He now keeps our most recent annual album in his bedroom, and it's one of his favorite quiet time activities to enjoy! There’s nothing that brings me more joy than watching him thumb through our albums. It’s so special to all of us!

album rests by pink peonies in studio photographed by NY family and baby photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Heirlooms for Gifts

After we’ve finished deciding what’s best for your family, I always like to talk about gift options! Grandparents love our mini accordion - well, really anything that shows off their sweet grandchildren or family. I love giving out photos of my son to our family for the holidays. Everyone loves updated portraits and I love knowing that what they’re being given is beautiful, sturdy, and truly an heirloom to enjoy for years! Beyond our accordion albums, our collection boxes with matted portraits are often so popular for gifts (or for gallery walls!).

black and white accordion from studio family portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
matted prints sit on boho chair in studio photographed by family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
woman hangs deckled print on wall of studio in Saratoga Springs NY photographer
black and white grid of images on sofa in New York studio photographed by family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

No matter what combination of heirlooms you choose to create from your portraits, my goal is the same. I want you to celebrate your family every single day and enjoy their faces on display in your home. Days go by quickly with our babies, and I know for myself, seeing portraits of my son lining our walls always brings me so much joy. I hope it will for your family too!

round wooden print rests on table in studio photographed by NY photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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