Keeping Your Social Media Content Fresh When You Have a Brain Freeze

The social media brain freeze.  We've all been there.  

It's when you go to post something and you dig through your images trying to find one that hasn't been shared before.  And then you need to write a caption and you are 100% completely and totally stuck.  What could you possibly have to say that is NEW, INTERESTING, and that people will want to read, click on, like, and engage with?  

You finally figure it out, you hit that "post" button with a satisfying click... and nothing happens.  Facebook has shown your post to exactly 27 people.  And now you have to do it all again later this afternoon, and tomorrow, and the next day because if you don't keep on top of your social media game, Facebook (and Instagram, and Pinterest) will stop showing your posts to anyone at all.

Social media has become this crazy game for business owners where you're constantly trying to figure out the algorithms to get more views, grow your audience, and find the best time of day to post. It's a game where the rules are endlessly changing, and one where you always feel like you're lagging behind everyone else with their curated feeds and their perfectly gorgeous content.  

So for those days when you have an absolute brain freeze and you don't know what to post, I'm sharing some helpful little tips to keep your content fresh on social media!  There are enough ideas here for AN ENTIRE MONTH of content, so print them out and keep them handy!

Tips to Keep Your Social Media Content Fresh
When you Have a Brain Freeze

1. Share a behind the scenes picture of your work space.
   

2. Photograph your studio (props, products, decor) and do a series of posts giving a little peek into your professional space!
   

3. Keep track of your birthday babies, and share their images one year later! Even better, share their blog post to bring more traffic to your website!
   

4. Pay attention to the upcoming holidays, and curate your feed to focus on those. Hint, hint: Mother's Day and Father's Day are coming up, so start saving those images in a folder to post in the coming weeks!
   

5. Celebrate a client's milestone or achievement!
   

6. Share a picture of your client's product order. Not only will they love the sneak peek of their album and canvases before delivery, but it will get your other potential clients excited about the products they can create from their session with you, too!
   

7. If your clients are bloggers or business owners, cross-promote each other and share posts from their page that your audience would find relevant!
   

8. Turn a review into a pretty graphic to share on your page!
   

9. Give a few tips for what to wear to your session, and include a few well-dressed families in the images!
   

10. Outtakes always make people laugh. Share the crying pictures!
    

11. Take a selfie of you at your workspace! Whether you're in yoga pants and a topknot editing on the couch, or you just got spit up on at a newborn session... share the real life moments! People want to see more than just perfectly curated images!
    

12. Tease a new set you're working on with some close-ups of your decor!
    

13. Share an interesting article that your audience would find relevant, and tell they why you found it interesting! Some of my highest-ranked posts have been from sharing articles that weren't even my own, but they brought more followers and more engagement to my page!
    

14. Invite your followers to follow you on a different platform.
    

15. Do a quick introduction for your new followers, and include a headshot!
    

16. Share a recent project you're proud of.
    

17. As you're tackling your to do list, tell your audience what's new with your business this week or this month!
    

18. What are the most common questions you get asked? Create a series of posts educating your clients on this so that they know the answer before ever having to ask you again!
    

19. Every time you get a new prop for the studio, share a pretty image of it with ideas on how they can use it in their session! This will make more clients truly want to spend time with you and hire you for their portraits!
    

20. Talk about the babies, their milestones, their personalities, and something cute that mom or dad said during the session. When in doubt, just share real stories of real life. That is going to get more love than anything else because it's heartfelt!
    

21. Ask their opinion about something! It can be as simple as "Color or B&W?", but get them engaged so that they want to comment on your post.
    

22. Post a before & after image to show the amazing transformations in post-processing that you are proud of! And then talk about the benefits of hiring a professional photographer. ;o)
    

23. State your core brand beliefs. Tell them why you do what you do.
    

24. Get personal. Share a glimpse into your life. Whether it's a peek into your daily life, a hobby or habit you have, a vacation, or a special anniversary or birthday. Your clients want to know that they are hiring a real live person, and they want to connect with you. Let them connect with you by getting to know you!
    

25. Videos. They are your friend!
    

26. Do you have limited dates available for sessions? Share a graphic with the dates! This creates a sense of urgency and you will watch your inbox be flooded with emails from families wanting to grab a session on one of those last dates on your calendar!
    

27. Give an expert tip for something THEY can do at home to take better pictures of their children. After all, the best camera is the one in your hand!
    

28. Direct followers to check out specific content on your website. Are you really proud of your cake smash gallery? Send them there! Want to show them your studio updates? Give them the link so that they check it out!
    

29. Turn your social media followers into newsletter subscribers. Make it easy for them to sign up, and remind them to sign up every now and then!
    

30. Share a behind the scenes picture or video from your session!
    

31. Make a quick little slideshow video for an animated portfolio!

So, there you have it.  31 tips to keep your social media content fresh when you have a brain freeze, and enough ideas to post one every day for a month!  

I hope you've found these helpful, and I can't wait to share more ideas with you to grow your baby photography business!  Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive tips & inspiration to grow your business right in your inbox!

A Lifestyle Newborn Session in the South End

Oh my goodness!  Going back through this family's images is the perfect way to start my day.  Lifestyle newborn sessions at home have my heart, and I love everything about these tender & intimate peeks into a family's life during their first few days at home with their baby.

Charlie's mom & dad were absolutely glowing with joy as they cuddled their baby boy, rocked him to sleep, fed him halfway through the session, and sang him a few songs that were playing on Pandora during our morning together.  They were not frazzled parents of a newborn baby, but calm & mindful, relaxed & happy.  It was such a refreshing hour together, and I loved this little peek into their lives at home!

One of my favorite things about their condo in the South End of Boston were these great big windows overlooking the city.  Windows like these are a photographer's dream, and it was the perfect backdrop for their family portraits.  

During their session they told me that the moment they saw those windows when they were house hunting, they were sold and they knew that this was their future home.  Well, the moment I saw those windows when Charlie's mom sent me a few pictures of their home in an email, I was also sold and I knew that our session would be absolutely perfect in their home!

Our lifestyle sessions are relaxed and easy as we drift from the nursery, into the living room, and into the master bedroom to capture natural and unposed moments with your baby.  They are going to spend countless hours feeding their baby on the couch, cuddling up in the master bed, and looking out the windows to show their baby boy the cars, trucks, and trees below.  This space will hold so much meaning for their family, and I love that we get to capture these moments for them in this exact same space where Charlie will grow up.

This image below was one of my favorite moments from our morning together.  While I was taking some individual portraits of baby Charlie, I noticed his parents' reflection in the bedroom mirror.  They were looking at him with so much love, awe, and admiration that I couldn't help but sneak them into the photograph, too!

If you loved Charlie's lifestyle newborn session in Boston,
check out a few of my favorite lifestyle sessions on the blog, too!

A Beautiful In-Home Session with Twins

Let Me Call You Sweetheart: A Lifestyle Newborn Session

A Light & Airy Session at Home with Lucas

Waiting for Baby Luca | Boston Maternity Photographer

Sweet baby Luca...

Long before she held you in her arms, your mama loved you.  She held a special place in her heart just for you, and she ached for the day you would be placed in her arms and she would enjoy her first cuddles with you. 

Maternity sessions are always filled with anticipation, joy, and eager excitement.  I love capturing these calm, quiet moments celebrating what is yet to come.   I love it when these radiant mamas walk into the studio and are eager to celebrate their little one and to embrace their pregnancy and this beautiful stage of motherhood.  

Maternity sessions are quickly becoming one of my favorite types of sessions at the studio.  Many moms get their hair & makeup done before coming to the studio, and then they get to select a few gowns from the studio collection for their portraits.  The gown collection is steadily growing with beautiful, lightweight, floor-length gowns that fit all mamas-to-be, and they flatter you in a way that you can't help but feel gorgeous!  Seriously, put on a lace gown and tell me you don't feel beautiful... no way, you can't do it!  ;o)  

These backlit images (against the clean white backdrop) are always some of my favorites because they lend such an ethereal quality to your images, and they make you & your baby bump the focus of the session with nothing to distract from what is most important in the session -- the two of you!

Maternity sessions are typically done between weeks 32-36, though they can be done up to week 38 of your pregnancy -- we just don't schedule too close to the due date because you never know when your little one will make an appearance!  Many moms book their maternity session during the second trimester, and that gives us plenty of time to plan wardrobe & location together!  

Studio Newborn Session in our Fine Art Album: Boston Newborn Photographer

Every family has a story, and every story is a reason to celebrate.  

I was so honored to be invited to capture Blake Vivian's first days with her family.  They are the absolute sweetest, and I loved our studio newborn session together at the Attleboro studio.  

My most favorite keepsake from their session is this album.  I can just picture Blake at age 2, sitting with her daddy on the couch and pointing out "mama", "dada", and "baby Blake".  I imagine her at age 6, curled up on the couch with her mom and asking her to tell her "just one more time" about the day she came home from the hospital with her parents, and what she was like as a baby.  I like to imagine her 30 years from now, looking through the album to find similarities between herself as a newborn and her own little baby in her arms.

This is why I treasure my job and the moments with these families.  I feel so lucky to be invited into their lives to capture these moments and create heirlooms for them to enjoy throughout their lifetimes.

Enjoy a little peek into a few of my favorite pages of Blake's fine art album -- the colors from her session make my heart do a little happy dance every time I look at them all together!

Why Work with a Mentor? : A Guest Blog Post by Jessi Metzger of Lovebug Photography

I always love opening up our little piece of the internet to guest bloggers, and this week I am so happy to welcome a fellow photographer to the blog!  I first met Jessi Metzger of Lovebug Photography last summer, and today she is sharing her heart on the blog!  

Jessi is a cheerful, colorful, inspiring mama of two; an incredible photographer whose heart is in her lifestyle sessions; and over the past year she has become such a great friend in the industry!

When I asked Jessi if she'd like to write a guest blog post about her mentoring experience last summer, she was all over it!  Actually, she suggested it before her mentoring day had even come to an end last summer.  Throughout the past year, I've loved our FaceTime calls and watching her business evolve to fit her family's lifestyle while feeding her artistic passions, so I am thrilled to share her experience with you today!  Enjoy her post!

**All images in this post are copyright of Lovebug Photography, Rochester, NY.**

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Tell us a little about you and your family.  

I’m Jessi Metzger, the lady behind the lens at Lovebug Photography. I specialize in creating warm, authentic and playful portraiture for babies, kiddos, and families in the Rochester, NY area. Mama bear to my two loves, Clark (4) and Rosie (almost 2!!) and married to my handsome honey, Steve, for almost seven years. Those are my kiddos in the photos below!  I love me some coffee, the ADKs, nerdy novels, playing with my family, watching The Bachelor (haha- don’t judge me!), Children’s ministry and relationship building.  

Tell us about your business, and your favorite types of sessions or client experiences. 

I love my photography business. Deep friendships have been formed because of it. I have been entrusted with journeying through life with precious families. I absolutely adore and treasure my wonderful clients!

Every time I do a session that genre is suddenly ‘my favorite!’ But if I had to step back and choose just one- I’d say lifestyle newborn sessions have my heart. There is something so intimate and precious about capturing a growing family’s first few days home with their beautiful new baby. That sweet time passes so quickly, and I find myself treasuring these sessions. 

What were the key areas in your business you wanted to improve before your mentoring sessions?

Like most, I started my photography business out of a deep love for capturing life’s fleeting moments, and a desire to make that love a profitable income for my family. I remember when I first started building my portfolio I charged $20 a session (yes, seriously…) and felt guilty taking even that. I realize now that $20 barely even paid for the gas to get to and from the session. I slowly started looking around at what other local photographers were charging and priced myself accordingly without really knowing my numbers and cost of doing business.  "$150 for a session? Well, that’s better than $20!"  But I had a horrible wakeup call the first year tax season came around.

All those hours away from my babies? The added stress I added to my family’s schedule? The research, practice, marketing, advertising and countless hours editing? I had barely broken even. Forget about a profitable income- I was donating my time to photograph these sessions.

I felt frustrated and overwhelmed. How could I have worked so hard and have nothing to show for it? I internally battled with myself: no matter how much I loved photography I couldn’t justify the commitment if it wasn’t benefiting my family.  I knew that I needed help in the areas of time management, organization, sales techniques and brand recognition to really allow my business to grow and be beneficial to my family’s day to day life.  That was why I looked into a one-on-one mentoring experience.  

Talk a little about your mentoring experience.

Nicole and I did two mentoring sessions together — first an online mentoring through FaceTime, followed by an in-person mentoring session.  During our first meeting we created a detailed plan of how to jumpstart my business with practical steps to put them in place. I felt confidence for the first time ever since starting my business. I still had a lot to learn, but I suddenly felt as if I had a knowledgeable friend walking along side me, helping to show me the way!

I was blown away by what a skype consultation held, but the in-person mentoring was nothing short of phenomenal. We dove deep into what seemed like every aspect of my business to unearth where I was struggling and why. Nicole was amazingly open about sharing her steps for success, passing along numerous guides, layouts and forms. I didn’t stop scribbling notes the entire time I was with her.  

How has your business & your personal life changed because of what you've been able to implement since your mentoring experience?

My confidence in myself and my business has soared. I know I’m offering my clients a beautiful, high-end experience and confidently stand behind my pricing (which is now done appropriately to account for my cost of doing business!) My branding flows well and my social media presence is much stronger. I feel much more like a successful businesswoman than a mom-with-a-camera-hoping-for-the-best. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m proud of myself. Truly proud of how far I’ve been able to come. 

What advice do you have for photographers who are looking to make some big changes happen in their business, and who are seeking out education opportunities? 

Find a mentor whose style and business model reflects your own. I knew I wanted to offer a full-service, high-end experience to my clients so I sought after a mentor who offered that to her clients. Once you find a mentor you want to work with, GO FOR IT! Nothing has been more encouraging to me than having a business cheerleader who I know has my back and wants to see me succeed. 

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Thank you so much for sharing your heart and telling us a little more about your business, Jessi!  

Are you looking to make some big changes happen in your business this year?  I'm now offering 4 unique mentoring opportunities, both online and in-person.  I'd love to chat with you to see if this might be a good fit for your business this year!

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

Product Feature: Wooden Keepsake Box of Fine Art Prints from our Saratoga Springs Boutique Baby Photography Studio

One of the things that I love the most about being a baby & family photographer is helping families enjoy their artwork in their homes, and creating keepsakes for them that they will pass down to their children one day.

Sure, you could hand your child a USB drive many years from now and say, "Good luck finding a way to view these photos with today's new technology!"  Or you could spend the next 20 years looking through albums together while curled up on the couch and creating new memories together in those quiet moments at home.  You could enjoy your favorite moments on the walls of your living room and creating a path down your hallway leading to your bedrooms.  You can point to a photo in your home and say, "Look how much we loved you from the very beginning."  You can give your children a strong sense of belonging when they see their faces on the walls of their home every single day.

One of my most vivid memories growing up was sitting in the living room with my sister, tucked away behind these big white chairs and poring through photo albums and boxes of pictures.  Whenever we wanted a quiet moment, we'd open those albums and look at the photos of when we were younger, places we'd traveled, trips our parents had gone on pre-children, and lots and lots of baby photos.

That is why I want to give families more than just digital files.  I want to create artwork for you that you'll enjoy every single day, and heirloom products that fit your lifestyle and your home.  I want to give you products that are meant to be seen, touched, and enjoyed.  It is from that desire that our Wooden Keepsake Box was born.

This is one of our most popular products for our sessions, both lifestyle & studio.  Many families with young children are not in their "forever home" just yet, and they're hesitant to invest in large artwork that may not fit in their next home.  The keepsake box is a gorgeous way to enjoy your memories every day, and make them work for your space.

The lid of each keepsake box is printed with one of the beautiful images from the session, and it slides off to reveal ten of your favorite images inside.  Each 5x7 print is mounted on durable matboard (which means it will stand alone on an easel without curling, and it can be handled easily by the tiniest hands in your family).  They are then coated with a lustre coating that protects against fingerprints, so they are kid-friendly and perfect to look at with your children.  This isn't something that needs to sit on a shelf and never be touched -- it is meant to be enjoyed with your family.

You can display the prints on one of the wooden easels that is tucked away in the box, or you can keep them inside the box on an end table or shelf like a loose album.  Later when you decide you'd like to see them on the wall, hang your 5x7 prints in 8x10 frames with mats and create a gorgeous wall display.

The best part?  The box itself is such an amazing keepsake that your children are going to love for years to come.  You can put their first tooth inside when it falls out, the first curl from their haircut, their first letter to Santa Claus.  Use it to collect all of your favorite mementos from their childhood that hold sentimental meaning to you, but that don't quite fit on the pages of their baby book.

So please, print your memories.  You will never regret it.

Did you love exploring one of our favorite products?  Check out our Fine Art Albums in these two blog post features!

A Fine Art Album of an In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Session

A Fine Art Album with a Cake Smash Session

Why I Decided to Invest in My Baby Photography Business

Exactly three years ago I opened an email from a photographer that I absolutely admired, and this is what I read that made my heart skip a beat:

“What would you do if you weren't afraid?  What would you do if money didn’t matter?  What feels so effortless, time slips by unnoticed? 

When does peace and joy and inspiration rush through you?  That is what you have to give the world.  That is what you were born to do.”

I wanted to be unafraid and inspired.  I wanted to take a risk and let my creativity shine.  I wanted to do what I was born to do.  Just in those couple of sentences, she got me.

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The first time I ever decided to truly invest in my photography business was when I saw this photographer whose work I had been following for years was hosting a two-day workshop at her studio.  Even before reading the description and the testimonials from other workshop attendees, I just knew that I had to be there.  Her style was gorgeous, her business was crazy successful, she had such an open and giving personality, and I knew that I needed to learn from her.  I knew that this opportunity would open so many doors for me. 

This workshop was the Boutique Baby Workshop with Heidi Hope Photography.  It was a huge investment for me.  Up until that time, I’m not sure that I truly knew what I needed to do to set my business up for success.  Although I had big dreams, I had no clear plan to reach them. 

When I signed up for her workshop (you can bet I purchased my seat the same day I read that initial email!), I had to wait ten more months for the workshop date to arrive.  Besides my wedding, I don’t remember ever counting down to an event with such excitement and anticipation!  I decided to take those ten months and truly dedicate myself to set my business up for success by making as many changes as I could before then in preparation for all that I knew I would learn and take away from the workshop.

That summer I made some changes to the types of sessions I offered, and I made some pretty big changes to my product line and the way that I presented my clients with their images (Helloooooo, IPS!).  I started refining my style and taking on more of certain types of sessions and less of others.  I loved the changes that I was seeing with happier clients, more artwork in their homes, and of course a greater profit from each session.  I couldn't believe that people were paying me to do this thing that I loved so much!  

Those ten months flew by, and before I knew it I found myself sitting in Heidi’s studio surrounded by other photographers.  This was my very first time meeting other photographers, learning about their businesses, and sharing our art together.  Can you believe it?  Strangely, up until that time I had found photography to be a very lonely hobby.  I was a first grade teacher, and I knew exactly ZERO photographers — it’s hard to grow as a photographer and business owner when you have ZERO people in the field to turn to for advice, to share ideas with, and to look up to!  Only a few years later and I can’t even begin to count the number of close friends I have made through this industry, and the number of professional connections and relationships that have blossomed through owning my own business.  

But back to the workshop -- I loved it.  I loved every single second of it.  I went to the workshop with a brand new notebook, just like a kid on the first day of school.  And I filled every. single. page.  Session tips, decor, wardrobe advice, marketing, website development, album design, studio layout, product offerings, welcome magazines, sales techniques, set design, technical camera settings, newborn posing, client interaction…  This was all a whole new world for me!  Up until then, I was just a girl with a camera trying to figure it out on my own.  There was no Rising Tide Society yet.  There were no Tuesdays Together groups.  I didn’t even have photographer friends to tell me that all sorts of groups and communities existed on Facebook for photographers to share, ask questions, and get together.  This workshop opened my eyes, not only to all of these amazing new changes that I was ready to introduce in my business, but to this great big community of other creatives.  I finally found my tribe!

Heidi & Shaun made me feel like anything was possible, and that if I could dream it, I could do it.  After two days at their studio, I came home with a notebook full of ideas and a head full of dreams.  I remember going on and on about all of these big ideas and these amazing revelations that I had experienced at the workshop.  My husband (then fiancé) was an absolute saint and he had my back through all of this.  When I came home and told him that I wanted to shake things up, he didn't even blink.  He told me that he knew this would happen: he knew that I would come home and be inspired to make huge changes to my business and to our lives, and that there was absolutely no reason to wait any longer to do this!  

It was he who suggested the very first change: Let’s turn our living room into a photography studio.  We rented a tiny Boston apartment, so this was a pretty big deal.  I remember tossing the idea around all weekend — “Wait, we couldn’t actually do that… could we??”  But we decided that yes, let’s do it!  After all, what did we have to lose?

That workshop inspired me to open my very first studio in my home.  I finally had a place to welcome my clients that was clean & professional, and I no longer had to fill my car with backdrop stands, seamless paper, my newborn beanbag, and props every time I wanted to take on another session.  Oh my goodness, the amount of time it saved me was tremendous!  Plus it gave me the ability to start being wildly creative with my sets, knowing that I could set them up in advance and not have to worry about transporting them to my clients’ homes.  My first studio cake smash happened that winter, and soon after that my first hand-drawn backdrop was used for a session.  I was in heaven!

Another huge change came that weekend.  A huge, life-altering change and the biggest risk I have ever taken professionally.  Before attending the workshop, I was a first grade teacher with big dreams of doing something with her little photography business.  Heidi gave me the encouragement and business tools that I needed to make the leap and give my business a chance.  When the weekend was over, I went into work and put in my notice that I would be leaving at the end of the year.  I took a one-year leave of absence from work, and while technically a job would be waiting for me at the end of that year, I knew and my husband kept reminding me that I would need much more than one year to give this dream a true chance at survival. 

And just like that, I left my teaching job to take the leap and become a full-time business owner and photographer!

Because of a two-day photography workshop, my whole life changed.  I know that sounds so cheesy, but it is so true!  I am now almost two years into being a full-time business owner (and five years into running my own photography business!), and I can’t even believe the doors that have been opened because of this opportunity.  I wouldn’t change this path I’m on for the world. 

I never imagined that I would get to make my own schedule, cuddle babies for a living, spend my mornings creating backdrops & editing photos.  I never imagined that I would teach DSLR workshops, organize a Facebook group for cake smash photographers, and take on commercial shoots.  I never imagined that I would have such a gorgeous website (a huge thanks for my designer, Refinery Original!) and that I would have a consistent and beautiful brand that I love so much today.  I never imagined that I would have so many friends in the industry that I used to admire from afar, and that I would now be able to turn to for ideas & advice, vacations & coffee dates.  

That workshop taught me that investing in your business is always a good business plan.  Having a solid foundation and education is always going to help you grow, dream bigger, and achieve more.  After that first experience I began taking more workshops, both online and in-person.  I joined and became an active participant in more photography forums, and I started meeting other peers in the industry when the Rising Tide Society was formed that summer.  Later that year I attended the Creative @ Heart Conference in Charleston, SC, and I’ll never forget the feeling of walking into that room and feeling my heart fill with joy because I felt like I had finally found “my people”.  This was my place, this was my tribe, this was what I was meant to do.

If you’ve been thinking about making some changes to your business or even to your life — today’s the day!  Step out of your comfort zone, take a risk, and do what you were born to do.  Set some big goals for yourself, and watch as you absolutely crush them this year, achieving far more than you ever thought possible.  If you're feeling alone and lost like I was, connect with a friend, find a business buddy, or reach out to a mentor that you admire!  You'll grow so much more when you're together than when you're apart.

The best thing you can possibly do for yourself is to invest in your business.  Trust me, I've never learned anything so well as I've learned that lesson.  Tell yourself that you are serious about this dream, and you are serious about making big things happen.  Find a mentor that inspires you to do better & dream bigger, and then work together with that person to create a plan that will keep you moving forward every single day.  

Be inspired.  Be motivated.  Be amazing.
 

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Guest Blogger: Samantha Boulay on Enjoying a Healthy Pregnancy & Postpartum

Did you know that our newborn sessions are often 2-3 hours long in the studio?  When we're posing a baby for a studio session, it takes lots of extra time to get them settled "just so" into a pose on the beanbag or in a basket, so that means I get to spend plenty of time chatting with the new mom & dad.  I always love the extra opportunity to get to know these new families better, and oftentimes we make amazing connections that go beyond the session that day!

When Samantha Boulay came to the studio for her daughter's newborn session this winter, I learned that she is a fitness trainer and all-around healthy living motivator in Boston.  We talked a lot about her pregnancy, and she told me about her fitness routine and her quick 21 MINUTE delivery!  

I had followed her on Instagram before the session and saw her 38-week pregnant photos teaching workout classes in Boston, and I was amazed by her determination and strength even at the end of her pregnancy!  I knew that she'd be the perfect guest blogger to share more about a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience, and to give a little bit of encouragement to other moms who are looking to take care of themselves while also taking the very best care they can of their babies.  

With our guest bloggers, I love to break away from just the photography-related posts and also share helpful little tidbits written by local moms, for local moms.  I hope you enjoy Samantha's feature on the blog today!  

Be sure to check out her website, and you can follow her on social media on her Facebook page and Instagram, too!  

Tell us a little about you, your baby, and your family.

My name is Samantha Boulay (Burke) and I am a certified Group Fitness Instructor & Trainer and owner/founder of "B Fit with Samantha." In addition to teaching, I am also a wife & new mommy to a beautiful baby girl, Blake Vivian (and I can't forget my four legged kids - Sammie & KC - 2 adorable Springer Spaniels). I've lived in Southie for just about 8 years & have been teaching at several of the top gyms in and around the Boston area for a little over 6 years. 

Tell us about your work and how you encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle.

Teaching and training is my "job," but I am extremely fortunate to love what I do so much, that it never feels like "work." As a fitness instructor, I strive to motivate people to work out and be their best self. My goal is to teach my students and clients how to change their outlook on fitness, how to achieve goals, get results, and most importantly have fun! 

If you can find a workout that you like, that is fun, and fits your lifestyle, then working out will no longer be a "chore," but it will become something you look forward to. I believe in challenging yourself & stepping outside of your comfort zone - it's the only way to see change! Big or small, whatever your goal is, you CAN do it. 

What was your workout routine like before you were pregnant?  How did that change when you were pregnant?

I'm a pretty competitive person! I grew up playing sports, so I think I've always had that competitive edge. I'm kind of "go big or go home" with my workouts! I like a challenge. When I workout, I like to sweat (the dripping down your face kind of sweat). You can find me in any Bootcamp, Spin, Boxing, or HIIT class. 

Once I found out I was pregnant, I definitely had to slow down a bit & listen to my body. I worked out & taught my classes through the 8th month of my pregnancy, but made modifications along the way. Everybody is different & every pregnancy is different.  I was fortunate enough that I felt pretty healthy and was able to continue my workouts throughout my pregnancy. It wasn't until the last month of my pregnancy that I had to really slow down. Just listening to my body was super important  to me - if doing burpees one day felt good, I did them, and if the next day they didn't feel good, I modified them or did something else. I also incorporated yoga & pilates into my workout routine. Slowing things down, stretching, and clearing my mind was super important to me and helped prepare me for the big day!

How do you believe your workout routine helped you in the last weeks of your pregnancy and during your delivery? 

I believe staying physically active helped me in a lot of ways - both mentally & physically. Working out and teaching is my happy place, so it helped me to feel good about myself, kept me focussed, and connected to my body. I wanted to be as healthy as I could be not only for myself, but for my baby girl! This might be TMI, but my delivery time was only 21 minutes, and I think it's safe to say a lot of that came from staying active and strong throughout my pregnancy.  

Do you have any tips for fitting in a fitness routine with a baby at home?  

This is where it gets challenging! Any new mom can tell you theres not enough time in the day to get things done! Coupled with the fact that you are probably running on zero sleep, can make finding time to get a workout in pretty tricky! Here are a few tricks to help you stay focused & squeeze in your workout either at home or at the gym: 

1. Write down your workout in your "to do" list & check it off when you are done. Something about checking things off your "to do" list is so satisfying and makes you feel accomplished!
2. Squeeze in your workout when your little one naps. Even if your sweet angel only naps for 20 minutes, get up off the couch and get your heart rate up. 
3. Keep it simple & realistic. If you can't get to the gym and don't have equipment at home (which most people don't), keep your workouts simple. Give yourself some time to heal after having a baby, so start small & slow (i.e. basic squats), and when you are feeling better & cleared by your doctor, step it up (i.e. add a jump to those squats). 
4. Get outside. I know winter in Boston isn't ideal, but when there is that rare 50-60 degree day, get outside with your little one and go enjoy a nice long walk. Summer is almost here so once it's nice out, throw on those sneakers and shades and enjoy the sunshine! 
5. Try a mommy and baby class. There a lots of mommy and baby classes in and around the city. Go online or talk to your gym about classes they might offer. It's a great way to bond with your little one, stay healthy and active, and meet other new moms who are in the same boat as you are! 

Before having a baby, I use to just get up & go to the gym whenever I wanted. If I saw a class I wanted to go to, I just walked out the door and went. Now my life is scripted and I have to schedule my workouts & plan around child care.

Make sure to schedule your workouts into your week. Work out a schedule with your husband, your mother, a babysitter, or whoever you have to help with your little one. It's extremely important, both mentally and physically, to take time for yourself (even if it's only 30 min a few times a week). If you're happy, your husband is happy & your baby is happy! 

What advice do you have for new & expecting moms regarding taking care of themselves during and after their pregnancy? 

As I mentioned before, every pregnancy is different & every woman's body is different. My advice for every expecting mom is continue to do what feels right for you & stick to the plan that you & your doctor have discussed.  If you like running & your doctor gives you the green light to continue running, then go girl! If you feel run down, tired, and/or sick throughout your pregnancy then dial it back, maybe keep to a brisk walk or lots of stretching & yoga a few times a week. 

To all the new moms out there, you rock!!!! Having a baby is a lot of work & stress on the body, so give yourself time to heal & please remember to be patient - that's the hardest part! Losing the baby weight is hard & can be very challenging. I was in such great shape before my pregnancy & stayed active during my pregnancy, and everyone told me "oh, the weight will just fall off of you" or, "you will bounce right back." Well, I'll be honest it's tough - tougher than I thought. A lot of people think you can just bounce back to your old self, and for some woman that's true (thanks Gisele), but for most women (including myself), it takes time and hard work.

Look at it this way, it takes 9 months to make a baby, so give your body about the same time to get back to where you want it to be. Get your workouts in where & when you can, eat a balanced diet, and have patience!!! You can do it, I promise. Be kind to yourself and just take care of yourself & your beautiful new baby :) 

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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!   

A Springtime Milestone Session for a Baby Girl in our Saratoga Springs Studio

Oh my goodness, you guys!!  Just look at Hazel!  Isn't she the cutest bright-eyed baby girl?

Baby Hazel came to the studio for a beautiful springtime session.  I am so excited to finally bring out the pastel colors, all of the flowers, and a few adorable new outfits now that winter is over and we're getting ready for lots of springtime loveliness here in our Saratoga Springs portrait studio.  

This sweet baby girl absolutely rocked her portrait session with her Sweet Ivie headbands and our Photographer Rising Lavender Fields backdrop, painted by the talented Heidi Hope.  

At seven months old, she is at one of my favorite ages to capture on camera.  The sitter stage is full of personality as babies are sitting independently, discovering their toes when laying on their backs, and not quite crawling away from the camera yet.  In a few months she'll be crawling and walking around the room, but this stage of discovery and awe is always such a fun one to capture on camera since it is so fleeting.

As I get ready for spring here in the studio, I am loving finding new ways to incorporate greenery into our sessions.  This beautiful eucalyptus garland with blush pink roses is my favorite addition to our prop closet, and I love it against the cream wall and floors.  

Plus, doesn't Hazel look amazing with the Sweet Ivie headband that coordinates so perfectly with her dress and backdrop?

We are now booking springtime sessions here at our Saratoga Springs studio!  We have plenty of outfits, headbands, diaper covers, and wraps for your baby to enjoy a fully-styled session with Nicole Starr Photography!

4 Essential Props for a Baby Photography Studio

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

My prop closet isn't huge.  It isn't overflowing with baskets, crates, and wraps.  Every time I add a new item, it's usually right after I've taken away two or three other items that I just don't use, don't love, or they don't fit the way my style has evolved.

When you're just getting started, you usually think that the very first thing you need to do is get lots of props for your sessions.  I still remember going basket shopping before my very first newborn session almost 5 years ago, thinking that was all I needed to prepare for my session -- haha, boy was I wrong!  We've all been there, thinking that these wraps and this stool and that fancy carriage is going to transform your artwork.  

There are some photographers that have a gorgeous style and produce stunning artwork, and their prop closets are bigger than my bedroom!  That works for some people, and they are so good at what they do!  But if you're just getting started or you're leaning towards a more minimalist style like I do, this blog post will be so helpful for you as you find the essential props for your baby photography studio.

When I moved my studio from Boston to New York last year, I had to carefully choose which items were my absolute favorites and which ones I wanted to use in my new studio.  Narrowing down my props was a blessing in disguise, and it helped me weed out the items that I never used anymore and find new homes for the ones that were too bright and colorful for my style.  I was able to focus on which materials really spoke to me (ALL of the natural wood tones, lace, and hand knit items!) and refine my collection to include just the essentials.  

Looking back at my images from the past year, I notice a few props that I use over and over again in almost every single session.  For me, these are the essential items that every baby photographer should have in their studio because the ways in which you'll use them are truly endless.  Read on for more details!

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A White Bed

I adore how a bed immediately creates portraits that are more relaxed, intimate, and cozy.  Babies are able to roll, crawl, and explore safely on a soft surface.  Families sink into each other and cuddle up even closer than they would if they were standing next to one another.  Toddlers cuddle, jump, and play.  It's the perfect spot for all of your sessions in the studio!  

Add some crisp white bedding (I like this one from Amazon and this one from Target), and it will give you a clean and classic backdrop that reflects so much light back onto your subjects.

Whether you use an air mattress that you can pack away when not in use, or a futon that folds down into a bed during your sessions, both of these are simple & beautiful solutions for your studio!  I've even seen a few photographers place the duvet covers and pillows on the floor for a faux bed.  While it's not as soft and cozy, it still gives you that bedroom look for your images!

A Cream Flokati

Alright, where are all my Savage Seamless fans at?  Bone is my favorite.  I buy it in bulk since I'm always using it my sessions, and I even painted a wall in my studio to match the bone seamless.  

A flokati was one of my very first prop purchases before I even had a studio, and it's still one of my most-used items.  Because I am a bit more minimalistic in the studio, I do not have flokatis in every color of the rainbow (though Luneberry has so many gorgeous colors that are very tempting!).  Occasionally I will change the color in post-processing, but more often than not I just adore the creamy combination of the flokati against the bone seamless for a classic and clean look!

If you're just starting out, Rugs USA often has 70% off sales and you can score a flokati there at a fraction of the price!  They're not as high quality as Luneberry, but they still photograph exceptionally well!

A (few) Wooden Stools

Okay, moment of truth...  Mayyyyybe I have two wooden stools and a few crates that I love to use as a seat for little ones during their sessions.  These are so versatile and I use them indoors and on-location as well.

The curved bench from Mr. & Mrs. and Co was definitely a stool that I had my heart set on for a solid year before purchasing it.  Best prop decision ever!  It can be used for newborns, sitters, toddlers, and preschoolers during their session.  

Then I have a three-legged stool from Hobby Lobby in natural wood tones that I love for a little bit of a "pop" against the flokati or wood wall.  Stools are perfect for first birthday sessions because the babies stay still a little bit longer when they're focusing on their balance, allowing you a few extra seconds to capture the shot before they crawl away from your set-up!  

Plus, if you get a sturdy stool with wide legs or a solid crate, you can flip it upside down and use it as a step stool in newborn sessions to give a big brother or sister a little boost when standing up in the family portraits!

A Wooden Bowl

This is another one that you may collect a few different versions of, but to start you really only need one!  I love using bowls for our newborns to capture them all curled up and snuggly in the bowl.  Then they are perfect for sitters who need a little help to maintain their balance by holding on to the edges.  And when you have a baby on the go, the bowl keeps them in one spot a little bit longer before they crawl away from you!  For safety, be sure to only use bowls that will not break (no plastic or glass around babies!), and check all wooden bowls for splinters, nails, and sharp edges before each session.  

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That's it!  Four essential props for your baby photography studio, and a great start to your prop collection.  Remember, don't get overwhelmed by or envious of the full prop closets that you see in other photographers' studios, and know that you can create gorgeous images with just a few key items in your prop stash.  

What else do you consider essential?  Leave a comment below and let me know!

A Sparkly Simple Studio Session in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

As we move further into 2017, I love that my style is evolving to include even more soft, airy & whimsical session designs.  Give me all of the creams, whites, blush pinks, florals, flowing fabrics, chiffon, and a little bit of sparkle and I am one happy photographer.  Add in an adorable baby and a twirling little girl, and it's pure bliss here in our Saratoga Springs portrait studio.

When Kahini and Aarnya joined me for their spring portraits here at the studio, I was thrilled to use a few of our sparkly dresses & rompers from the studio wardrobe collection, as well as these beautiful new headbands from Sweet Ivie.  

If you have not heard of Sweet Ivie yet, you must check them out!  The owner of this Etsy boutique lovingly creates the most beautiful felt flower headbands I have ever seen.  Each one has the perfect combination of colors, and they are so wonderfully made that they will quickly become a favorite for special occasions and day-to-day hair accessories for your little girl.  Plus, the nylon headband is super comfy and will stay put on your little one's head without sliding off, and it's stretchy enough to fit all sizes and ages!  Seriously, I kind of want to start wearing their headbands...   ;o)  

Look at that sweet little twirl!  Kahini looks like a flamenco dancer with the swirl of her skirt and a flower in her hand, don't you think?  

While baby sister Aarnya was a little unsure of the camera, we found a few songs and snacks to keep this little girl happy during the session.  You never know how your baby will react during their portrait session, and I always suggest parents come prepared with an easy snack (puffs, cheerios, a bottle) and a favorite song ready to go on their phone.  It does the trick every time to keep babies in a happy mood as they get used to their new space!

We are now booking springtime sessions at our Saratoga Spring boutique portrait studio.  The studio is fully stocked with dresses, rompers, diaper covers, headbands, backdrops, and adorable little props to complement your little one's session while not overpowering the star of the show -- your child!  Contact me today at hello@nicolestarrphotography.com and let's plan your session!

Emily: Saratoga Springs & Boston Maternity Portrait Session

The joy of motherhood comes in moments like this one.

It comes in looking down and anticipating all of the many ways that your life will be changed once your baby arrives.  Wondering who he or she will look like, what their first word will be, what their laugh will sound like, and who they will grow up to be one day.  

Maternity portrait sessions are all about the ANTICIPATION.  This is such an exciting time in your life as you wait & wonder about this tiny little person that is going to come into the world and change your life in more ways than you can possibly imagine.  

Emily came to our Saratoga Springs studio for her maternity portrait session, and we had such a wonderful afternoon together showcasing her gorgeous baby bump and celebrating this incredible time of eager anticipation.  She just radiated joy and grace, and I loved watching her glow with confidence and happiness as she tried on one gown after another from our studio wardrobe and completely rocked her maternity session.

Backlighting has become my absolute favorite element to incorporate into maternity sessions.  This style of dreamlighting is so airy and beautiful, and it gives such a gorgeous glow to the mamas.  It allowed Emily to truly shine during her session at the studio!

And this one, my favorite image from the entire session.  Though I love every single image that we captured this one stands out to me in the way she casts her gaze down with those soft curls framing her face and her hands gently holding her bump.  This one encapsulates everything that I love so much about maternity sessions, and I cannot wait to welcome more expecting mamas into the studio for their sessions in the coming months!  

Please email me at hello@nicolestarrphotography.com or use the CONTACT tab above, and let's plan your session!  These are best between weeks 30-36, and we often start planning maternity sessions during the second trimester to save a spot on the calendar for you.  

Now booking at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and at our Attleboro portrait studio.  Plus, if you've been dreaming of maternity portraits on the beach this summer, let's talk and plan a session on Cape Cod for sunset to show off that beautiful baby bump! 

Alexis Noelle: A Birth Story with Saratoga Springs Albany Birth Photographer

There is nothing quite like being on call to photograph your very first birth story.  

Your camera bag has to be packed with gear, snacks, and a change of clothes.  Batteries must be charged and memory cards cleared.  Gas tank full at all times.  And your schedule has to be more flexible than it's ever been because you might have to change your plans in an instant when your client calls to tell you she's in labor.

For nearly two weeks leading up to delivery day, every single time my phone would beep, ring, light up, or buzz I would run across the room to check the screen.  Even my husband started being hyper-aware of where my phone was at all times, handing it to me mid-sentence "because it might be your client!" even when it was just a Facebook notification popping up on the screen.

And then on Saturday, February 25, I got a text message at 7:00 in the morning exactly 12 days before Danae's due date.  Today was (probably...almost certainly...very likely...hopefully...) going to be the day!

Danae and I stayed in touch all day long, checking in every couple of hours to see how her labor was progressing at home.  Since her contractions were only mild and not consistently spaced out, she and Cory chose to stay at home rather than head in to the hospital too early.  As I later learned, they had a relaxed day of cleaning, organizing, spending time with their daughter, a haircut for the new dad, and a nice walk around the neighborhood before leaving for the hospital.  Their little stroll did just the trick!  

Danae's water broke in the car on the way to the hospital, and they arrived to Bellevue Woman's Center just in time, a little after 8:30pm.

When I arrived to the hospital at 8:54pm, Danae was completely in the zone moving through her contractions with the help of her husband, Cory, and her doula, Erica DeBie.  Her nurse, Kelsey, was in and out of the room checking her stats and helping her get more comfortable.

This wasn't going to be a long night, or a long labor.  Danae's baby definitely didn't want to wait any longer to meet her mother, and within minutes Danae was pushing as the doctor rushed to put on her gloves and get the space ready for the baby's arrival.  

After only about a minute of pushing (thank goodness for the timestamp on my camera keeping track of just how quickly everything unfolded!), Danae & Cory's little girl made her way into the world at 9:02pm, exactly 8 minutes after I stepped into the delivery room to photograph her birth.

Danae & Cory were so excited to meet their second daughter, and they couldn't take their eyes off of their daughter.  While the medical team moved in and out of the room, they were in their own little world with just the three of them, completely mesmerized by their brand new baby girl.

World, meet Alexis Noelle.

A beautiful baby girl with a head full of dark hair, she was

8 pounds, 6 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

Marking her first footprints, listening to her first heartbeat, and hearing her very first cry.  It truly was an incredible experience, and such an honor to witness this baby be brought into the world.  Danae & Cory did an absolutely fabulous job together, and their daughter is perfect in every way.  

Congratulations to the new parents!

Thank you for trusting me to capture the beginning of your daughter's beautiful life for you!

Family Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Studio

While I spend most of my time in the studio with sleepy little newborns, birthday babies enjoying their first taste of cake, and toddlers who are filled with curiosity & excitement, every now and then I have a family visit me whose children are grown and they want to capture this new stage that their family is in.

The D. family came to me for a family portrait session while both daughters were home from college on break, and I was excited to welcome the girls, their mother, and their grandfather in for a fun and relaxed portrait session together.  Being a small family, they share such a close bond and it was so beautiful to see.  We spent an hour together and they regaled me with stories of innocent pranks the girls used to play on their mother, adventures they've had together, and so many moments that had us all laughing.

Their grandfather was so excited to tell me all about his daughter & granddaughters, and he was happiest when surrounded by these three beautiful women that he helped raise and shape.  He truly was beaming the entire time, though my favorite story of him came after our session when I received this message about the first time he saw his family's photographs:

"I went out to visit Dad for the long weekend, and you would have gotten a kick out of him.  Jossie texted the images to us while we were at lunch at a restaurant, and he was nearly in tears over them.  But he quickly recovered, and began practically tackling people -  from our waitress to the folks at church and store clerks  – so he could show them the photos on his phone!"  

That just made my day!  

Thank you for such a wonderful session together, D. family!  I hope your family will enjoy these memories up on the walls of your home for many, many years.

5 Tips to Refresh Your Photography Business This Spring

Hey there, photographer friend!  

Wow, the Open Letters to a Newbie Photographer were a huge hit!  (Did you read them?  Catch Part 1 and Part 2 here!)  

After publishing those two posts, I received countless messages, emails, and even a few phone calls from friends about how much they connected with what was written there.  It was truly amazing to hear your feedback, and I find it so valuable to know that you’re finding inspiration here in between my keystrokes on the computer.  So thank you!

A few people asked me to continue writing to the newbie photographers, and I have a few ideas in mind to make this a regular series on the blog.  But today’s post is for EVERYONE, not just the newbies.

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So…  It’s the end of February, and you have officially made it to the end of the notorious “slow season” for baby photographers.  Your studio may have been a little quieter than usual, but if you followed the 12 Tips to Grow Your Baby Photography Business in the Slow Season, then you still enjoyed a productive couple of months! 

Now that spring is coming, it’s time to refresh your business.  Keep reading for a few simple ideas to get your baby photography business ready for spring!

1.  Plan ahead for Mother’s Day sessions.  

Did you know that Mother’s Day is only 11 weeks away?  In order to run an effective marketing campaign for your Mother’s Day sessions, I recommend starting to plan at least 8 weeks in advance.  This ensures you will have enough time to put all of your sign-up and ordering systems in place, gather inspiration for your set design, shop for your set, style and photograph your model sessions, plan your promotional materials, and prepare your clients. 

Now is the time to get started, so plan ahead this year so you’re not scrambling to pull something together on May 1.  

2.  Create a new backdrop with a hint of spring, just for fun.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a huge fan of crafting.  I make more trips to A.C. Moore and Hobby Lobby than I do to the gas station.  I have countless boxes, shelves, and bags filled with cardstock, tissue paper, fishing wire, glitter, fake flowers — you name it!  

Spring is the perfect time to spend a day creating a beautiful new backdrop with some soft spring colors.  I love flowers, and they are one of the most requested backdrop items in my sessions.  Check out this helpful tutorial to make your own paper flower backdrop, or grab a bunch of faux greenery and blooms at the store this week and play around in the studio to see what you come up with.

3.  Bring some flowers into the studio.

Nothing says “Oh hello, spring!  Nice of you to finally make an appearance!” like a bouquet of fresh flowers decorating your studio.  Even better, you can incorporate these fresh blooms into your portraits! 

I’ve been known to bring real (or fake) flowers into the studio for our portrait sessions, and my husband has even caught me picking apart a bouquet he gave me to find the perfect stem to adorn some product photos.  Totally worth it!

4.  Do some spring cleaning with a destash!

Every spring I always have this strong desire to open the windows, let in some fresh air & sunshine, and declutter!  You’ve been cooped up in your studio all winter, looking at the same four walls and the same collection of props.  It gets boring, doesn’t it?  Now is the perfect time to do a destash to get rid of the props you no longer use.

Instead of just bringing them all to your nearest thrift store, you can sell your props to other local photographers and make some money back on your investment to purchase new props for the studio.  Photograph all of your props for sale.  Skip the cell phone shots and take a few extra minutes to pull out your DSLR.  Style the props, bring those photos into Photoshop for a little brightening, and then write their prices right there on the image.  

Post an album of your props in a local photography group, on your business page if you have other photographers following you, or start a separate destash group if you’ll be selling a lot of items. 

5.  Fill up your calendar with birthday babies!

Follow up with your newborn clients from last spring and talk to them about booking their baby’s birthday session with you.  Offer a returning client discount or include a special gift for them when they return to you for the birthday session.  Then, have fun styling new sets and capturing some very sweet birthday memories for these babies that you’ve held and snuggled since their very first days in the world.  

Need some inspiration for your cake smash sessions?  Join our Cake Smash Inspiration for Baby Photographers group on Facebook!

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A few more ideas to get your business ready for spring:

-Refresh your client gifts & client experience.

-Update the images on your studio walls and website.

-Step away from the computer for a coffee date with a business owner friend.

-Head outside to take some new head shots for your website & social media.

-Take a day off and just enjoy the changing weather and signs of spring where you live!

The One with All of the Tears | A Collection of our Favorite Crying Cake Smash Images

Alright, let's be real...

I talk with families every single week that are so excited to celebrate their baby's first birthday.  Most moms & dads seem to have this vision of how the cake smash will go.  Of course, this is based on all of the happy babies they see on Pinterest that are smiling, enjoying their birthday cake, and having a grand old time. 

But like I mentioned above...  We're going to get real here in today's blog post because sometimes THIS is what might happen during your cake smash. 

And you know what?  It's totally normal.  Actually, I love it when this happens just as much as I love it when we have giggling babies that are fascinated with their cake.    (P.S.  I personally think that this is the cutest image I captured of these twins in their entire first year of portrait sessions!)

Crying babies are absolutely adorable, and these are definitely the moments that you want to capture on camera to look back at one day (along with the smiling ones, of course!).  

10, 20, 30 years from now you can look back at these moments with all of the cuteness and none of the noise, and you'll laugh when you remember how your baby reacted to their first birthday cake!

Think about your baby's first year.  There were probably A LOT of tears.  

Too hot, too cold, too hungry, too messy, too tired, too bored, too overstimulated.  You know that there are so many reasons that might cause your little one to shed a few tears, and you know that this is just their way of communicating with you before they have the words to take the place of crying.  

Sometimes during their cake smash session, babies just want to tell you that something is a little different and unknown for them.  

Maybe they've never touched something the texture of frosting.  

Maybe they don't like getting messy & sticky.  

Maybe they can't figure out why they're sitting on the floor to eat rather than in their high chair.  

Maybe they want more puffs or cheerios, or maybe they just want another hug.

Oftentimes, the tears only last a few short minutes or seconds.  A quick little distraction is all a baby needs to turn their mood around, so we bring in a new snack, a favorite toy, or sing a song.  We start dancing, play peek-a-boo, or take a little walk around the studio to look out the windows.  And we get the happy babies back, and your gallery is filled with smiling images!

No, really!  Go see these same babies smiling during their
cake smash sessions in this other compilation blog post here!

But I embrace the tears, the temper tantrums, and the fits when they happen.  I always make sure to snap a few quick shots of these moments because 30 years from now when you remember your first few years of parenting, you will remember the moment you held your baby in your arms for the first time.  You'll remember their first smile, their first Christmas, the first visit to Grandma's.  You'll remember those squishy cheeks and what it felt like when they wrapped their tiny hand around your fingers.  You'll remember the sleepless nights, the potty-training, the birthday celebrations.  

And you'll remember the tears, mixed in with all of the good things you'll remember what were the moments that really brought on the waterworks.  

Plus, it's not very likely that your grown child will face plant in her birthday cake when she cries 30 years from now, so you really want some proof to show her that this happened once upon a time...

Are you wondering why I'm sharing this post with you today?  I want you to know that all portrait sessions (and all cake smashes!) are unique.  We go with the flow and work around your little one's schedule and mood.  There are many tricks that I use in every session to keep babies happy and bring out their vibrant personalities, and we always capture images of your baby smiling and laughing at every single session.  

But if you're really lucky, we might even capture some teary images that will make you smile every time you remember their first birthday.  

By knowing this ahead of time, you'll be prepared for absolutely anything to happen during your session.  We really do go with the flow.  Trust me to capture all of these beautiful moments for you as they unfold.  In the end, you will create memories that make up part of your family's story, and you'll have heirloom portraits to show your children one day.  

Besides, most of the families wind up framing the crying portraits more than the smiling ones anyways, so at least they have my same sense of humor when it comes to working with the littlest of clients in our studio!

So if your cake smash doesn't quite go like you thought it would, please know that IT IS OKAY.  It is completely normal, and we will love every single image no matter how your baby reacts to their cake.  This session is all about celebrating your little one and showcasing their multifaceted personality, and no matter what happens in your session, we will let their personality shine!

Now that you've enjoyed all of the fussy babies, head on over to this blog post to see these same babies with the biggest smiles during their cake smashes!

Ready to book your cake smash session to celebrate your little one's first birthday?  I'd love to chat with you to plan the perfect session for your baby!  

Please email me at hello@nicolestarrphotography.com and let's celebrate 365 days of your amazing baby together!

A Butterfly Cake Smash with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

With all of the snow outside, I am more than ready for a little bit of spring here in our Saratoga Springs portrait studio.  When Victoria's mom told me that she was thinking of a butterfly cake smash for her daughter, I knew that we had to plan the most magical & whimsical session for this baby girl.  After all, this sweet little girl has spent her entire first year growing up inside of a favorite local toy store, and her hashtag on Instagram is #toystorebaby.  So of course, I was very excited to create some magic for her first birthday portraits!  

Plus, she was my very first cake smash baby to come celebrate with me at the studio on the very same day that she turned one!

I just love how she's lounging here with her purple birthday cake!

Every first birthday session at the studio also includes some classic baby photos on a simple cream backdrop.  These are always some of my favorites!  I have a collection of adorable little outfits and headbands, and here Victoria is using our studio wardrobe.  I love that it just adds to her sparkling personality!

Remember my famous paper flower backdrop?  It's back in action, this time on the floor rather that on the wall!  What do you think of this new angle?  (P.S.  You can purchase this backdrop from Baby Dream Backdrops to use in your own photo sessions, too!)

And of course, our family photos are always some of the most treasured memories that our families enjoy after their sessions.  One day these two will show these portraits to their baby girl and tell her about the day she turned one, and they celebrated with lots of cuddles, tickles, and laughter before bringing out a very special birthday cake for their daughter.

Happy birthday, baby girl!  You light up so many lives.  Keep on shining!