2017 Best of Siblings - You've Got a Friend in Me | Saratoga Springs NY Family Photographer

We’re continuing with our BEST OF 2017 blog post series, and today we’re sharing a peek into some of our favorite sibling images from last year. 
 

Brothers & sisters share a special relationship that is part friend, part soulmate.  They know how to make each other laugh and how to cheer each other up.  They know how to tattle on each other to mom & dad, and how to push each other’s buttons and annoy them the most. 

But at the end of the day, they love curling up together and just enjoying each other’s company.

2017 was filled with family sessions, newborn sessions, and cake smashes where the siblings truly stole the show and made for some memorable moments captured on camera.  Digging into their baby brother or sister’s birthday cake, the sweetest newborn cuddles, and tickle fights on the beach were just a few of the top sibling moments of the year!  

Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable sibling moments from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable family sessions from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
Best of 2017 Family Sessions

Welcome home, Trudie Jean | An in-home session with Boston Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Can we start off by giving a little shout-out to old fashioned names that are wildly unique and hold lots of meaning for the family?  

Meet Trudie Jean. 

This sweet baby girl was named after her grandmother, and she was an absolute dream to work with during her lifestyle newborn session at home in Boston.  She's all cheeks with a peaches and cream complexion, and she has the finest blonde hair, all coming together to make up one really adorable baby girl.

I love being invited into a family's home to take a peek into their life at home with a newborn, and it's always so magical to just let the little moments unfold as they cuddle up with their brand new baby.

Even their fur baby wanted to join in on the celebration!  It can always be tricky to get dogs to cooperate during our photo shoots, and often they're especially hesitant or skittish around newborn babies.  However, we always try to encourage pets to get in for a few shots, and the results are worth it!

I loved their Jenny Lind-style crib so much!  It was perfect in their gender neutral, woodland nursery.

We had a baby boom here at Nicole Starr Photography in January!  Be on the lookout for so many more adorable newborn sessions coming to the blog soon.  In the meantime, check out a few other recent favorite newborn sessions here:

Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborn Sessions

Vivian Jane: A Saratoga Springs Newborn Portrait Session

John Aldrich: A Lifestyle Newborn Session in Boston

We're hiring! Join the Nicole Starr Photography team as an associate photographer!

I am so excited to share with you that we're growing our team!  Nicole Starr Photography is hiring an associate baby photographer to be a part of our Massachusetts team in 2018. 

This independent contractor position will begin in March 2018, and the associate photographer will shoot under the Nicole Starr Photography brand. 

Applicants may have their own baby photography business, and this is even encouraged!  We need help covering a few more sessions each month, both at our Attleboro studio and on-location for the occasional lifestyle newborn session or Fresh 48 hospital newborn session.  

If you are interested in this position, or if you have a friend that may be interested, please read the guidelines below.

Thank you, and we cannot wait to hear from you!

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What we are looking for:

-Someone with a natural eye and passion for newborn & baby photography

-Experience shooting in a light & airy style, and the ability to draw out a family or baby's personality through portraits.   You should be open and flexible to learning to shoot in a manner that complements the signature Nicole Starr Photography "look".  

-Someone who loves to learn and is open to feedback on their work

-The ability to work and problem solve independently

-Stellar organization skills, and very reliable. 

-A great personality, and the ability to put young families, children, and babies at ease during a portrait session

-A working knowledge of your DSLR camera, and familiarity with shooting in manual

-Someone with their own gear — a full-frame camera is a must, and Nikon gear is a plus

-Experience with studio lighting, as well as extensive experience shooting in natural lighting situations (ex: hospital rooms for Fresh 48 sessions)

-Occasional weekend and weekday availability, as well as flexibility in your schedule to accommodate the occasional Fresh 48 hospital newborn session

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Important information:

-This is an independent contractor position.  You will be working & shooting under the Nicole Starr Photography brand, and representing Nicole Starr Photography during these sessions. 

-This is an ideal position for someone with their own business.

-You should be available for 1-3 sessions per month on an as-needed basis, with the opportunity to increase the number of sessions per month.  Sessions are in the Boston area, as well as at our Attleboro studio.  We'll discuss your schedule & availability, and only schedule sessions on the days that you are available.

-Payment will be a per-session rate based on experience and session type.  Payment is $100+ per session.

-You will be responsible for setting up for studio sessions, or driving to on-location sessions.  You will interact with the clients during the shoot to put them at ease, and will digitally deliver all unedited, RAW images to Nicole Starr Photography after the session.  Nicole Starr Photography will handle all of the behind-the-scenes parts of the business, including scheduling, editing, and delivering the images to the clients.  

-If you love taking photos but you don’t love the business side of photography, this is the perfect fit for you!  You’ll just shoot, and we’ll handle the rest!

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To apply: 

Please email Nicole at hello@nicolestarrphotography.com.  Please write “Associate photographer” in the subject line, and we'll be back in touch within 2 business days with the next steps!  Thanks -- can't wait to hear from you!

Best of 2017 Beach Sessions | Cape Cod Family Photographer

Honestly, if I could live near the coast and photograph families there every day, I would be one very happy photographer!  Sandy toes, salty windswept hair, the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and always bringing home a little bit of sand in my camera bag are a few of the things that make me smile in June, July, August, and September when we head to the beach for our portrait sessions.

Our beach sessions on Cape Cod in the warmer months are some of my favorite sessions that we do all year, and I love planning these summer vacation sessions with families each spring as they begin the countdown to their trip over the Bourne & Sagamore Bridges to the Cape.  

This year was filled with so many fun families, and I spent the entire second half of July and all of early August on the Cape, heading to a different beach every night with families for their sunset session.  We photographed in Dennis, Yarmouth, Hyannis, Harwich, Falmouth, Mashpee, Eastham, Bourne, and off-Cape in Marshfield.  

2017 was also the year of SO MANY RAIN DATES!  All of the unexpected thunderstorms meant that we took advantage of the backup rain dates we had planned ahead of time for many of these beach sessions.  I was so grateful to all of the families for their flexibility in reserving two evenings of their vacation for their session just in case the weather wasn't cooperating. 

Oddly enough, in 2016 we didn't need to use a single rain date for our beach sessions, but in 2017 we used so many of them!  It all worked out in the end, and those overcast evenings at the beach resulted in the most magical moments that were enveloped in fog & mist.

One of the things I love most about our summertime portrait sessions on Cape Cod is reuniting with families that I have photographed for years, and meeting their friends that they have referred for their own family portraits! 

We have so much fun running across the sand, laughing, climbing on jetties, and exploring the coastline that the hour passes quickly and before we know it, the sun is going down and everyone is heading out for an ice cream treat before bedtime.  

This year the families were not afraid to get wet, and almost every single family ventured into the waves for a few truly beachy photos!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable sandy moments at the beach from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits

Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Hospital Newborn Sessions with Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

You know I love a good Fresh 48 session, and that there is nothing better than being invited into a family’s hospital room just hours after their precious new baby arrives to celebrate their growing family with them.  That’s why I am so excited to share a few of our favorite Fresh 48 images from 2017!

This year the most popular hospitals for these newborn sessions were Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Saratoga Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, and The Snuggery at Glens Falls Hospital. 

So many beautiful babies, magical moments, and the cutest sibling meetings unfolded in those hospital rooms, and they already have me looking forward to all of the hospital newborn sessions we have planned for 2018!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable hospital newborn sessions from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits

Welcome, Lillian Wynne! A Fresh 48 Session at Brigham and Women's Hospital with Boston MA Fresh 48 Photographer

Every time I get a text that says, "The baby is here!", my heart skips a beat and I get so excited to head into the hospital to celebrate this new arrival with the baby's family.

Lillian Wynne was born right on time, and this sweet baby girl was a surprise to her family, who didn't find out her gender until her arrival.  I joined them at Brigham & Women's Hospital for their Fresh 48 hospital newborn photography session in Boston. 

As we do with all of our Fresh 48 sessions, we started off with some individual portraits of Lily and plenty of detail shots of her hands, hair, and feet before moving to family portraits and meeting her big brother, James.  

This family lucked out with a large, light-filled hospital room that had two walls of windows overlooking Boston.  It was one of the best rooms I've been in at Brigham & Women's, and the light in the room that afternoon was gorgeous.  These backlit portraits against the windows are always some of my favorites during our Fresh 48 sessions!

Just look at that beautiful head of hair on sweet baby Lily!

Big brother James came to meet his baby sister for the first time, and we captured the sweetest moments of him coming to check her out in the bassinet and giving her cuddles and kisses. 

Toddlers are often unpredictable during these sessions, so we go with the flow, give them lots of encouragement, and follow their lead to make sure they are comfortable as they meet the baby who is making them a big brother or sister for the first time. 

James was clapping with a huge smile on his face in no time, and he did an amazing job!  (The cookies that his dad had as a reward might have helped just a little bit, too!)  

This is one of my favorite father-daughter portraits, and I love how tiny Lilian looks in her daddy's hands!

If you're thinking of booking a Fresh 48 session for your baby's arrival, be sure to reach out right away!  We only take on two Fresh 48 clients each month and the calendar fills up quickly.
 

Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions | Saratoga Springs and Boston Newborn Photographer

Tiny little fingers & tiny little toes.  Cozy blankets, textured wraps, and natural wood accents.  Lots of whites, creams, grays, and plenty of neutral colors with minimal props.  That’s what our studio newborn sessions are all about.

We are so lucky to have two studio locations to welcome new families for their portrait sessions.  We work with the most adorable newborns at our Saratoga Springs, NY newborn portrait studio, and Boston families in our Attleboro, MA newborn portrait studio. 

These sessions are relaxed and calm as we showcase your tiny little baby in all their newborn perfection.  They are simply amazing just the way they are, and we believe that you don’t need a lot of props or clutter in their portraits.  Just a blanket, a wrap, or a simple hand knit outfit. 
 

Timeless, classic, and clean is the style we shoot for in the studio, with a mix of candid family portraits as well as a few more posed ones with everyone looking at the camera — that’s what grandparents love to hang on their wall, after all! 

In 2017 we welcomed more newborns to the studio than ever before, and it is always such an honor when a family trusts me to capture their tiniest miracle on camera for them.  It’s a big job, and one that I love so much.  I truly have to stop and marvel at it all sometimes, completely in awe that I get to spend my days cuddling these beautiful babies and creating gorgeous artwork for their families.

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog.  Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable studio newborn portraits from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
 

Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborns | Saratoga Springs NY and Boston MA Newborn Photographer

If you’ve ever talked with me about our newborn sessions, you know that our lifestyle newborn sessions steal my heart every. single. time. 

I am always so honored when parents invite me into their home to capture their little one’s first days at home with their family.  Magic unfolds as they cuddle up with their brand new baby in a space that is filled with their family’s personality, a space that tells the beginning of this next chapter in their family’s story.

We typically shoot these sessions in the nursery, master bedroom, and living room.  But I’ve been known to be a chaser of light, and if I see an amazing pocket of light in your hallway, dining room, or even a corner of your bathroom, you can bet we’ll go there for some great shots!

My favorite product to showcase these sessions at home is definitely our fine art album.  These gorgeous linen-covered books are keepsakes that you will enjoy looking through with your children for the next 30 years, passing down to your kids one day when they have babies of their own.  These books take all of your images and weave them together to tell a story, YOUR STORY.  And there’s nothing better than the story of your family at home, in the place where every story begins.  

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog.  Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable newborn photos at home from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
 

6 New Ways to Connect with your Clients through a VIP Facebook Group

Hey, photographers!

It’s officially the “slow season” for portrait photographers, which is the perfect opportunity for you to spend some time working ON your business rather than always working IN your business.  These couple of months are always my favorite time of year because I get to reflect on the past year, figure out what worked & what didn’t work, make goals and plans, and dream big for the 12 months to come! 

One item you might want to add to your business to-do list this winter is to create a VIP client group on Facebook, and to invite your clients to join.  This group is separate from your business page, though you can link it on your main business page so that clients can find it easily. 

A VIP client group provides extra value to your clients.  It enhances your marketing efforts, shows your clients that you value their input, and adds to the high-end experience that your brand has become known for. 

What are a few other reasons to consider creating a VIP client group?

1. A private VIP group has more effective reach than posts on Facebook business pages, Instagram, and even your email newsletter with the way that all of the algorithms prevent people from seeing your posts and messages.

2.  It’s a great way to gather your clients together and make them feel extra special.  Come on, who wouldn’t love being a “VIP” of something really cool?

3.  This is a place to give your clients input on upcoming sessions.  Make a poll and get their opinion!  These private, informal posts will get them involved in helping you decide on a theme, pick dates for special events, and gauge their interest in a new type of session that you’ve been thinking about.

4.  Reward your VIP members by giving them first dibs on booking upcoming events and mini sessions.

5.  Offer your clients booking incentives that are only available for members of the VIP group.  This might take the form of an extra print, a mini accordion album, a product credit, or a print bonus with their session.

6.  Regular posts will help you stay at the front of their minds in between sessions.  When they don’t forget about you, they’ll remember to book their next session!  Happy clients are loyal clients, so use your VIP experience to make them happy!

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Looking for a few more ways to take advantage of the extra time you have in your business this winter?  Click on the photos below for other popular blog posts that will help you take advantage of your time and give you plenty of inspiration for the months ahead!

Elijah's Winter Wonderland Cake Smash - Saratoga Springs NY Cake Smash Photographer

First birthday sessions are always SO. MUCH. FUN!

Elijah is the smiliest one-year old, and he absolutely loved the camera.  This little guy had a short nap right before his session, but that didn't dampen his mood at all and he did such a wonderful job during family portraits, baby portraits, a cake smash, and a bathtub splash at the end!

When I first met his parents, they told me that Elijah's favorite toy is his sock monkey, so of course he had to bring that to the studio for a few portraits!  I always love incorporating a favorite toy or book into our first birthday sessions to give you a beautiful portrait to remember their first favorite plaything, and I was so happy when this adorable sock monkey came along for the session!

We planned a winter wonderland cake smash to go along with his birthday party theme.  Birch trees, twinkly lights, snow, and lots of snowflakes were a beautiful and simple way to create this theme, and I love the final effect!

At first, Elijah wasn't too impressed by his cake.  After a few tries, he really got into it, especially once we gave him a spoon to dig in!

My favorite part was how he decided to show off his standing skills mid-smash.  He braced himself against the floor and slowly (while wobbling!) raised himself up to look at us with the biggest, proudest smile on his face!

We finished Elijah's session with a bathtub splash, which is definitely my favorite way to end a cake smash at the studio.  Most babies love bath time, and this is always a fun opportunity for portraits while also washing off the sugary frosting.  We got lots of smiles from this sweet boy, and he LOVED splashing around in the tub!

Check out Miss Riley's adorable bathtub splash here on the blog, too!
 

Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions | Saratoga Springs and Boston Maternity Photographer

Waiting for baby.  You spend 40+ weeks imagining what it will be like to hold your little one in your arms, dreaming up the perfect nursery, and preparing for life with a baby.  Don’t forget to take time to slow it all down and appreciate this stage you are in right now.  

Pregnancy is an absolutely beautiful time in your life — even if parts of pregnancy don’t feel all that glamorous, you are growing a tiny human inside of you and that little miracle deserves to be celebrated!  This is one of the reasons that I love our maternity sessions so much.  I love working with mamas-to-be, celebrating their bump, and helping them feel glamorous as they get excited to welcome their baby to the world in a few short months.  

All of our mamas have access to our collection of studio gowns for a little splash of something beautiful during their session, and most mothers-to-be radiate happiness and confidence when they look in the mirror and see themselves in one of these long, flowy, perfectly feminine dresses.  With their dress on and a little boost in confidence, they completely rock their session and flaunt their adorable baby bump!  

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog.  Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable baby bumps from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!
 

Did you love this BEST OF 2017 blog post? 
Check out our other top posts on the blog!
 

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
 

Best of 2017 Cake Smashes with Boston & Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

Sugar, sprinkles, and lots of belly laughs!  That’s what our cake smash sessions are all about here at the studio.

Your baby’s first birthday is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it deserves a little celebration!  You’ve survived 365 days of parenthood, and you’re raising an amazing, funny, and loving little child whose smile melts your heart every single day.  

I love our cake smash sessions for this very reason — we freeze time, just for an instant, and we celebrate your baby and your family as you are right this very moment.  Many of my cake smash babies I saw as newborns when they were just a few days old, and it’s always amazing to me to see how much they’ve grown in the past year.

Each birthday session is unique and includes family portraits, baby portraits, and a celebration at the end — usually with cake, but sometimes with a different food alternative (donuts, pie, cheerios, so many possibilities!).  Plus, some families like to add a bathtub splash to their session after the cake smash!

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog.  Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable birthday babies from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Did you love this BEST OF 2017 post?
Check out our other top posts on the blog!
 

Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
 

Family Fall Portraits with Grandma and Grandpa - Boston & Saratoga Springs Family Photographer

Three generation sessions are always so much fun!  Grandma & Grandpa always bring a whole new level of excitement to our family sessions, and I love watching them interact with their grandchildren. 

In these sessions we always make sure to capture the more traditional "looking at the camera" shots (because that is what grandparents are always looking for!), and then we add in lots of playful candid moments as well!

Josslyn has been coming to me for her portraits since her first birthday, and this was the first time I watched her with her grandparents!  She loved cuddling up with them, and she was a huge fan of tickling them to make them laugh for the camera.  We definitely shared a lot of laughs during their fall family session!

Welcome Home, Vivian Jane: A Lifestyle Newborn Session with Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Lifestyle sessions always steal my heart.  There is something so magical about being invited into a family's home to capture their quiet moments together as they welcome their brand new baby into the family, and I love visiting them in their space and documenting these moments for them to show their children one day that THIS is the space we brought you home to when you were born. 

Even if they change houses and move states, there is something so amazing about that first home that holds so many newborn memories for them.  The first cuddles, the first smiles.  So many late night feedings, and quiet moments just watching your baby breathe in and out when they're (finally!) asleep.  The walls are filled with stories, and it's always an honor to be invited into their space to capture the beginning of this new love story for their family.

Vivian Jane's house was filled with natural light, and we started off in the bedroom with a simple wrap and a knit blanket that I brought from the studio.  Her mom bought a few headbands before the session for a sweet girly touch.  

Family portraits are always my favorite during our lifestyle newborn sessions at home.  Tina & Curtis cuddled up on the bed with their baby girl, and we captured some quiet moments of the three of them together.  

Are you wondering where in your house we might capture a few portraits?  If you have a sliding door, there's a pretty good chance we'll go there for lots of natural light to flood your portraits!  I love these moments we captured in their living room that show their beautiful bond with their new daughter, and a hint at their style with their furniture and decor showing in the background. 

Check out a few recent lifestyle sessions for some at-home newborn inspiration!

John Aldrich
Connor James
How to Know if a Lifestyle Session is Right for You

 

Our 2017 Holiday Card Showcase! | Saratoga Springs and Boston Family Photographer

Everyone loves getting mail, right? 

Every year, one of my favorite traditions is opening my mailbox in December to find it filled with red and white envelopes, handwritten addresses, and lots of festive holiday stamps.  The envelopes are always filled with holiday cards with adorable family portraits, the cutest little babies, and notes & letters about the year.  I hang them up on a garland in the entryway of our home, and whenever we walk in the door we're greeted by those smiling faces and cheerful messages.  

That's one of the reasons I love designing holiday cards for my clients so much.  I know that this becomes just one more thing added to your never-ending holiday to-do list, and I like to take that off your plate for you so that you can focus on much more important things this holiday season -- like decorating a tree and finding the perfect recipe for your cookie party!

Every session (even the summer beach sessions!) has the option to add on custom card design during their gallery reveal appointment.  We choose your favorite images for the front and back of the card, plan your message, and then I get to work designing the perfect card for your family!

This year our clients sent out hundreds and hundreds of holiday cards to their loved ones.  Here are a few favorites from our 2017 holiday card designs!  Did one of these land in your mailbox?  Comment below which design is your favorite!

A Bathtub Splash after the Cake Smash - Saratoga Springs NY Baby Photographer

We have the most adorable new prop in the studio, and I think you're going to LOVE it!  It is simple, classic, and just perfect for our littlest clients! 

Just look at this adorable baby-sized bathtub.  Riley LOVED using it after her cake smash session for a little SPLASH (with a rubber ducky, of course)!

At this age, I love capturing all of the little details that make your baby so beautiful and unique.  Thick eyelashes.  Beautiful curls that are just starting to take shape.  Perfect little lips.  Finger dimples.  And those adorable leg rolls that you just want to squish and cuddle.

Many babies spend the happiest part of their day splishing & splashing in the bathtub.  For them, it's a playground filled with so many giggles and the biggest smiles.  Riley, of course, adored her bath time and she made the biggest splash!  

Huge smiles.  Lots of happy squeals.  And non-stop laughter as she played with her rubber duckies.  

Are you ready to book your SMASH & SPLASH?  What about a petite session with just a baby bath?  Email me and let's chat to plan your baby's perfect session together!
 

An Awake Newborn Session with Nora Jude in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

Not every baby is a sleepy little newborn, and sometimes we get the tiniest clients who are also the most alert despite all of my efforts to lull them to sleep (heat, swaddles, white noise, a full belly, gentle rocking, and so many more tricks that usually work for 90% of our newborn sessions!).  

Nora Jude was the tiniest, most perfect little baby girl, and she wanted nothing more than to watch everything that was going on during her newborn session.  At 13 days old, she didn't want to miss a thing, so we went with the flow and captured plenty of wide-eyed shots of this brand new baby.  I just love all of the different expressions she gave me during our little staring "show-down"!

I eventually won the staring contest, and this sweet 6-pound girl drifted off to sleep so that we could capture some adorable, sleepy poses.

Of course, a subtle Christmas set-up was a must for this winter baby!

As I was looking through my viewfinder to take this family portrait, I remember saying, "Oh my gosh, this is definitely a new favorite family portrait!  I just love this pose!"  Mom, dad, and baby look so cozy together, and you can really tell how small their daughter is all curled up in dad's hands like that.  This is definitely a family pose that we will see more of in the studio!

If you loved Nora's session, you're going to adore these next two on the blog!
Emma Adele
Quinn Madlina

Did you know that we are now booking newborn sessions through March 2018?  Most moms reserve their session in the second or third trimester to save a flexible date on the calendar for their little one's arrival.  Let's chat!

Samantha's Sparkly 5th Birthday Session in Downtown Boston | Boston MA Children's Photographer

Samantha's 5th birthday session was the stuff of so many little girls' dreams.

A sparkly dress.  Pretty shoes.  Twinkling city lights.  And all eyes on her with a photographer giving her her undivided attention.  
 

I loved helping Samantha's mom come up with an outfit and a location that would celebrate her daughter's spunky personality with a bit of whimsy, right in downtown Boston. 

We met up in the Seaport District with the beautiful Boston skyline sparkling in the sunset, and it was absolutely perfect.  Samantha enjoyed running up and down the walkways of Fan Pier Park, playing a few different games with me and showing off her ballerina twirls.  

The silver "5" balloon was the perfect prop for the birthday girl, and it was nearly as big as her!  Thankfully we didn't have too much wind to deal with that evening, and Samantha was able to hug that balloon tight and wave it around.  

When our sessions focus just on your little one, we always have time for an outfit change!  Samantha changed into a classic plaid dress and we headed on over to the blue bridge that is famous in this part of the city. 

It was filled with pedestrians leaving work, coming and going in all directions, but Samantha stole the show and carved out her own little space on the sidewalk.  Many of the city-goes stopped to exclaim how adorable she was, and of course she soaked up all of the attention with a great big smile!

I love planning sessions that celebrate your little one's personality.  These "Simply Me" sessions are the perfect way to showcase childhood wonder.  From the outfit to the location, we'll have so much fun bringing your vision to life. 

With the winter here, we're now planning sessions through March at your child's favorite indoor locations -- the skating rink, baking cookies in the kitchen, the library, a pretty lobby of your favorite hotel in the city, their favorite burrito shop, or Target.  You name it, and we'll make it happen!

Your New Favorite Storybook - A Peek into our Newborn Albums - Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Did you see last month's album blog post?  Click to see why these fine art albums are my absolute favorite keepsake that we offer with our sessions, and check out this beautiful baby girl's album, too!
 

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Today I'm excited to share another fine art album from one of our recent newborn sessions.  Declan James came to our Saratoga Springs studio and we did a classic neutral session with a few nautical elements incorporated into his portraits.  This sweet little boy loved being swaddled, and we captured so many gorgeous images of him with his proud parents. 

These albums tell such a beautiful story, and they are truly a special way to celebrate your baby's arrival.  I love how we weave all of his portraits together in an album that they will pass down to him one day when he's older!

While I love a sleepy newborn all curled up in a little pose, there's nothing I adore more than parent shots.  Look at the awe and pride on these new parents' faces as they hold their baby boy!  It's truly magical to witness.

Oh, sweet boy.  You're going to melt so many hearts with those soulful eyes of yours!

Did you know that the best time to book your newborn session is in the second trimester?  Read more about our newborn sessions here, and contact us today to start planning your baby's portrait session!  
 

Family Portraits on Saratoga Lake with Saratoga Springs Family Photographer

I always love checking out new locations for our family portrait sessions, and when Nia reached out to me and told me that she lives on Saratoga Lake, I knew that we would find the perfect spot for her family photos!  The lake did not disappoint...

Baby Blake was the most handsome little guy, and he gave us about a million different smiles during our hour together, each one unique.  At 8 months old, he is filled with personality and it's so clear that he brings so much happiness to his parents' lives.  I love all of the adorable moments we captured of the three of them!  

This is the family's dock on the lake where they spend so much time in the warmer months, and it was the perfect spot to document their baby's first fall portraits.  Imagine returning to the same spot throughout the year to document their family's life, and what that will look like 10 and 15 years from now! 

That's the thing about photographs. 
They are a part of your family's legacy.