Saratoga Springs Lifestyle Newborn Session with Big Sisters

Baby Harry was welcomed home by the cutest big sisters, and I love the excitement that they brought to our lifestyle newborn session in Saratoga Springs!  

This very special family moved into their new home just in time to welcome home a tiny little brother.  It was all blank walls and huge windows with lots of natural light streaming through, perfect for capturing these moments and newborn cuddles on camera!

Little Sister Ruthie took a little convincing to get in the photos (it's tough becoming a big sister and realizing you're not the baby anymore!), but once she did, she had the BIGGEST smile on her face and was so excited to love on her baby brother!

Big sister Havah was such a little mother, and she melted all of our hearts when she cuddled up to Harry to tell him how much she loved him.  

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Did you love this lifestyle newborn session?
Check out Ronan's session with his adorable big brother here!

Baby Starr | Grayson's Fifth Month

Time is flying by, and our sweet baby boy is already five months old!  Each day Grayson grows a little more into his amazing personality, those chunky thighs, and those two very expressive eyebrows!

We have been working so hard on tummy time this month, but our little man has decided he would much rather skip tummy time and go straight to sitting up on his own!  After weeks of sitting on our laps, we tried him out on his mattress without any support last week, and he surprised us by keeping his balance for much longer than we imagined he would!  There have been a few head bumps since, and maybe a face plant or two, but he is LOVING this new perspective! 

His favorite game is sitting in his crib and looking at us through the slats in the crib bars, and when we move to a new angle or up above the railing he follows us with his eyes and starts laughing hysterically.  It's adorable!

Speaking of adorable....  I had way too many favorite photos this month, so we're just going to fill the blog up with all of these cute Grayson moments!

Doesn't he look like he's reaching out for a hug in this one?

He hasn't found his toes yet, but I know that's coming next and I'm sure by next month he'll be playing with his feet non-stop, and even getting those little toes into his mouth.  For now, he is 100% about kicking his legs -- in his stroller, on the floor, while swaddled in his bed.  Those legs are pumping up and down all day long, and he gets so excited about it that he lets out happy shrieks.

This month Grayson spent another week on the Cape with me, and he got in lots of walks to the beach.  He enjoyed so much family time with a full house on the Cape, playing with his cousins Natalie & Nathaniel, snuggling up with my cousin Kori (who put him to sleep every time with her cozy hugs!), and walking up and down the street with Grandma to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine any time he got fussy.

We went to visit Daddy at work, and Grayson dressed up in his little suit to match Dad.  Everyone fell right in love with this little guy!

We had a lot of visitors this month!  We started off with Auntie Kirsten & Uncle Dave, and Grayson pretty much charmed their socks off.  My personal favorite part of the visit was when Dave asked, "Wait, so you haven't had 6 consecutive hours of sleep since April?!?!"  And Jeff chimed in that it was likely more like since December!   ;o)  

Travers Weekend has always been a special weekend for me & Jeff, and we don't even go to the track!  It's always the last weekend of the summer that we love enjoying downtown Saratoga Springs, and it happens to be the very first weekend we ever got together in 2012 when we started dating.  This year our little man put on his most dapper outfit and hat and charmed all of the ladies downtown.  

Then our friend Wendy came to visit with Addie (6) and Zack (8).  This was the highlight of Grayson's month and he looooooved watching these two kids.  Zack was obsessed with Grayson and kept asking me when he could give him a bath, so of course we sudsed right up on the kitchen counter and played "Splish Splash" on the radio.  We had many playground adventures, enjoyed lots of cuddles on the couch with Addie reading books to the boys, and got in lots of snuggles with Wendy every chance he got. 

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A few milestones this month...

• Baby G, you've discovered your voice!  You babble nonstop, and you've recently discovered this fun little shriek that you enjoy making over and over again.  Your face lights up when you "talk", and it's really amazing to watch and listen to.
   
• You've graduated to a "big boy stroller", and you no longer need the car seat in the stroller when we go for walks.  Of course, you're very excited about this new perspective and your legs kick like crazy when we're out and about now.
   
• We're still waiting for teeth, and those hands are constantly in your month.  You grab anything you can reach to put it in there and chomp down -- our fingers, my wrist, our water bottles, your toys.  Nothing is out of your reach!
   
• You went to your first wedding!  Katie McIntosh & Jeff Torch got married in central NY, and you came to the ceremony.  We were excited that you were asleep in the pews, and we thought we were sooooo lucky that you would sleep the whole time.  We jinxed it, and you woke up right in time to start babbling during the vows.  
   
• We started taking you to a chiropractor to help with your (lack of) sleep and your (excessive) reflux.  You loooooove visiting her, and you get so calm and smiley in her office.  Now let's keep crossing those fingers that this works because we are desperate for sleep and clean clothes!

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And some of our favorite cell phone shots from Grayson's Fifth Month!

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Watch him grow!

Grayson's Newborn Photos
Grayson's First Month
Grayson's Second Month
Grayson's Third Month
Grayson's Fourth Month

Simple Studio Portraits with Sisters | Saratoga Springs NY Family Photographer

Camille & Lydia joined me in the Attleboro studio for a milestone session, and these two sisters brought all of the cuteness and cuddly hugs with them!  I had so much fun capturing them together, and I can't believe how much they've grown since Camille's newborn session last summer.  It was wonderful to see them again, and I love that we used this same chair in their newborn session and again now that they've grown!

Our milestone sessions are simple & classic with set-ups that showcase your little ones without too much "fluff" in the background.  A cream wall and rug, or a soft white bed are all that you need!  Add the babies and kids, and they bring the cuteness!

Doesn't she look like she's getting ready to conduct an orchestra here?  Camille has SO MUCH PERSONALITY, and she was an absolute blast to photograph!

A Tea Party Cake Smash for Abigail with Saratoga Springs, NY Cake Smash Photographer

When Abigail's mom told me that she's more of a vintage lace & pearls kind of girl than a glitter and glam kind of girl, I was so excited to create the perfect session for her birthday girl. 

We went with a tea party theme and used lace doilies, teacups, and the most beautiful dresses that looked like vintage china patterns.  They did the same theme for Abigail's birthday party, and many of the decorations they actually used at their wedding a few years ago!  How perfect to be able to use them again to celebrate their little girl turning one!

When we photographed Abigail's newborn session last summer, we captured a few sweet moments of her big brother Oliver holding her in this chair.  I'm so glad we recreated this for her first birthday!  Click on the link to see how much they've both grown!  

No tea party is complete without fresh flowers & cake!  These purple hydrangeas came from the front yard on my way to the session that morning, and they were the perfect addition to really make the decorations pop.  Add in a sweet little birthday girl, and it's magical!

We wrapped up her session with a little bathtub splash, and Abigail soaked everything in sight. This girl LOVES her baths, and she had so much fun splishing and splashing in the tub.  

Sunset Beach Family Session with Cape Cod Family Photographer

When THIS is the very first photo captured during our one-hour session together, you know it's going to be an amazing evening at the beach!

I have never laughed so much as I did with this fun family at the beach.  We had such a great time at Corporation Beach in Dennis for their Cape Cod portrait session, and I just love how much personality the boys brought to the shoot.  These brothers were joking around, playing games, and having way too much fun -- I loved every moment of it!  It made for a very entertaining session, and so many beautiful portraits.

For me, the beauty of our beach sessions is that they are about so much more than just the blue ocean.  The sand dunes, sea grass, and rock jetties are beautiful parts of the landscape that I love to showcase as the background of our portraits, and this is one of my favorite beaches with a little bit of everything.

We're still going strong with so many beach sessions this summer!  More to come on the blog soon!

Ronan's Lifestyle Newborn Session at Home in Charlestown | Boston Newborn Photographer

This newborn session was one of my FAVORITE ones of the entire summer.  I spent months looking forward to welcoming this baby boy home, and it was so amazing to finally meet him and watch his family love on him.

That's because sweet baby Ronan's mama and I were roommates in Boston in our twenties.  I was there when she met her husband, and now we both have little baby boys that we're excited to watch grow up and play together! 

Ronan has a big brother, Holden, who absolutely adores him.  He covered him in kisses our entire session, and he couldn't stop talking about his "baby brudder". 

My little baby Grayson came to their session, and when Holden saw Grayson he was a little concerned that there were not one but TWO babies in his house now.  We had to reassure him that don't worry, this other baby would not be staying and would be going back to his own house soon.   ;o)  

But back to Ronan.  Just look at how tiny he looks asleep on the bed!  I love his little hands!

Brotherly love!

I love watching my friends become mamas, and seeing how they love their little ones is purely magical.  

I've been doing a few "unposed" shots at the end of every lifestyle newborn session lately, and they are often my very favorite ones!  I love how Ronan just stretches, covers his eyes, and gets comfortable.  He really is such a sweetheart!

A Gray and Cream Neutral Newborn Session for Dylan | Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Dylan Shiloh was 8 pounds, 4 ounces of squishy perfection.

This sweet baby boy was so cuddly at our Saratoga Springs studio for his newborn session.  We captured the sweetest parent portraits and I know his family will love looking back on these many years from now and remembering just how tiny he was, and how he curled up in their arms to snuggle in close.

His mama requested all neutrals for his session, and creams and grays were the perfect palette to match their decor at home.  

These tiny newborn details get me every time!  I just adore their little fingers and toes, and the way their brand new skin flakes on their wrists and ankles.  

The best thing about 8 pound babies?  Those BACK ROLLS!!!  Dylan had rolls for days, and I loved being able to capture those on this perfect little baby.

Willem's Nautical Inspired Cake Smash | Saratoga Springs Cake Smash Photographer

Oooooh baby!

Willem is ONE!  We celebrated this little cutie's first birthday with family portraits in downtown Saratoga Springs, and a nautical cake smash back at the studio.  I just love this little spot in Saratoga for family photos, and it was the perfect tree-lined street for their portraits.  

Right on the brink of toddlerhood, this little man is testing out his independence and learning to do things on his own.  It's hard for mom & dad to let go, and that's why I adore this photo with his dad's arm reaching for him as he takes a few unsteady steps down the sidewalk.

This tiny sailor was so much fun for his cake smash!  I love the little nautical outfit that mom picked out for the birthday boy, and he had so much fun with the hat that his family brought in, too!

Willem even tested out his standing skills with his cake!  We were certain he was going to topple over on top of the cake, but he stood strong and instead used his spoon as a sword to swat at his cake!

Lifestyle Maternity Session with Saratoga Springs NY Maternity Photographer

When Ashley & Tyler reached out to me to plan their maternity session, they knew they wanted something a little different.  Something a bit more relaxed.  Something cozy.  I suggested a lifestyle maternity session in their home with their dogs, everyone all cuddled up together on the couch, on their bed, and in the nursery.  They were so excited, and I just love how their entire session turned out!

Waiting for baby is an absolutely magical time, and I love capturing these baby bumps and mamas glowing with anticipation, eager to meet their little ones in a few short weeks.  

Ashley was truly radiant, and so eager to meet her baby girl.  I adore these quiet, backlit moments in this light-filled corner of their home.  When I saw the light streaming through the windows in this alcove, I **may** have asked Tyler to move the dog crate and an end table out of the way.  Definitely worth it for these beautiful portraits!

They designed the most beautiful nursery with stars and a moon on the navy blue walls, and the furniture was Ashley's when she was a little girl.  

All of our maternity sessions have time for an outfit change, which is a great opportunity to do two very different "looks" in your portraits.  I love the more casual tunic and leggings that Ashley chose to wear in the bedroom, and the cozy portraits that we captured of this sweet family of **three**!

Check back soon for their sweet baby girl's newborn portraits!

Boho Floral Cake Smash | Saratoga Springs NY Cake Smash Photographer

Our cake smash sessions are a whole lot of fun, and as much as I love watching babies try their birthday cake for the first time, I also ADORE the sweet cuddles and giggles during the family portraits that we do at the start of every cake smash session.

This summer has been so much fun as we start all of our family portraits outside.  Gianna's family was absolutely wonderful to work with, and I love how playful they were with their one year old baby girl.  Plus, the light in this little spot in downtown Saratoga Springs is absolutely dreamy!

Gianna's mom brought a big pink balloon to their session, and I was so excited to capture these sweet moments with the birthday girl.  Just look at her striking a little pose!

Those first steps are such a momentous milestone for every family, and I always enjoy capturing these little babies as they start to test out their walking feet at this age!

We went back to the studio for Gianna's boho floral cake smash.  This is a very popular theme at the studio, and I love challenging myself as an artist and finding new ways to design each set.  We did a floral wall for Gianna, and it was perfectly soft and whimsical.  She loved it!!

A little help from mom...

Baby toes in the cake!

We finished Gianna's birthday session with a bathtub splash at the end.  This is always a fun way to capture more smiles and so many adorable expressions, and Gianna absolutely loved it!

Baby Starr | Grayson's Fourth Month

I can't believe that our little baby boy is now FOUR MONTHS OLD!  

Grayson, you charm us every single day with your sweet personality, your bubbly laugh, and those round rosy cheeks that we seriously can't help but squish and kiss all day long!  

Your personality is coming out more each day, and you really are a chill, mellow, happy baby who loves to relax.  You're very observant and you take in everything around you through those bright blue eyes of yours, and now you're starting to interact with your surroundings more now that you've discovered all the cool things you can do with those hands & feet that, as it turns out, ARE ATTACHED TO YOUR BODY!  Seriously, that was the best discovery ever for you when you realized you could make things happen simply by waving your hand through the air!

You've become a super vocal baby, and you're always testing out new sounds when we leave you by yourself on your play mat or in your crib.  It's not uncommon to hear a sudden "Whooooaaaa!" emerge from your corner of the room, and all sorts of little shrieks. 

You love "talking" to anyone that will talk back to you, and the cutest thing ever this month was when you sat on Grandpa Schwalm's lap and talked so earnestly to him, back and forth with a whole little conversation between the two of you!  You're so earnest when you're talking, and you pause for us to answer and ask you questions, and your whole face lights up as you babble away.  These photos below are a few of your "talking faces".  ;o)  

You and I spent two weeks on Cape Cod visiting Grandma & Grandpa Schwalm in July.  You were a pro road tripper, and that 5 hour drive was no big deal to you, little man!  It was a pretty big adjustment for you to learn to sleep in a new space (we're still recovering from that one!), but you loved all of the extra cuddles and play time with your grandparents, plenty of fresh air, and you got to see the ocean for the first time!  (Though, the first two visits to the ocean you passed out the second you heard those waves, so you didn't actually "see" it until your third trip there.  Must be all those ocean sounds we listen to at night and during nap time to help you fall asleep -- they really work!!)

This month Daddy taught you how to stick out your tongue as a little game when you're on the changing table, and now you want to do it all the time.  It's pretty adorable.  You're also teething, and while no teeth have poked through yet, you drool like crazy and everything you find goes straight into your mouth.  Your favorite are my fingers, and you've gotten pretty good at chomping on them to massage those little gums of yours.

We've been working hard on tummy time, and while you're not the biggest fan, you've started trying to wiggle out of it.  Most babies roll.  You choose to inch forwards and sideways while on your tummy, as if you can just skip this whole tummy time thing and go straight to crawling.  Slow down, baby boy!

You adore your dad, and your face lights up every afternoon when he comes home from work.  You have the biggest smile just for him, and you're always cuddling up close to him.  You've even started to let him put you to bed at night, which is a nice little treat for you & for me!    Everyone says you look just like your dad, and you're really his little mini-me.  Lucky me, I get to share my house with the two most handsome guys!

This is the smile you give us when we say "I love you."

You really do light up our lives.  Love you lots, little man.

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A few of your firsts this month:

• The big one for you is that you've discovered how awesome sitting upright is. You're still too little to sit on your own, but you love when we pull you up and support you on our laps (or on a table, the floor, the bed -- anywhere that puts your head above your legs!).  You get the biggest smile, and when we hold both your hands you even start to pull yourself up to sit to show us that you want to go up.  
   
• You met Nana for the first time.  She's 91 years old, and she loved getting to cuddle her newest great-grandson, and show you off to everyone that lives in the retirement home with her!
   
• Your first trip to Cape Cod was a success!  We went to mommy's favorite beaches in Dennisport, the ice cream shop where she used to work, and met up with a few friends while on the Cape, too!
   
• You had your first (two!) visits to Urgent Care, where they misdiagnosed conjunctivitis both times.  Oh well!  You're a trooper, little man!
   
• You also had your first official diaper blowout... All over mommy's lap.  It was followed by a string of funny texts to dad letting him know what had happened, including an "Omg!  It's still coming out!  I'm afraid to stand up now!"  Daddy of course said, "Good job, buddy!"
   
• You also had your first trip to the Saratoga County Fair!  You loved the colors and the sounds, but eventually you fell asleep before we made it back to the car.  Mom & Dad's priorities?  Fried dough, play a carnival game, win a toy for the baby.  But really, fried dough.

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Some of our favorite cell phone photos this month...

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Watch him grow!

Grayson's Newborn Portraits
Grayson's First Month
Grayson's Second Month
Grayson's Third Month

Summertime Family Portraits on Beekman Street with Saratoga Springs NY Family Photographer

One of my favorite things about summertime is scouting new locations for all of our family portrait sessions.  (Okay, okay... trips to the Cape, fresh peaches and berries, lots of porch time, and iced chai lattes are also on that favorite things list!)

But seriously, I love finding new spots where the light just comes through perfectly and that make such a beautiful backdrop for portraits.  This little corner on Beekman Street in Saratoga Springs is a new favorite, and so many families have enjoyed this little block with me this summer!

We started Declan's birthday session with some outdoor portraits, and I fell head over heels in love with this tiny little charmer.  Just look at his adorable smile and that little hand wave!

This is always SUCH a fun age to photograph, and having an active baby/toddler takes the pressure off of mom and dad for "how do I stand", "what should I do"?  Instead, you're just playing with your little one, sharing lots of tickles and laughs, and having a grand old time!

Baby on the go!

We're in the middle of family portrait season, and I'm looking forward to lots of gorgeous new locations to be the backdrop for new family memories this summer!  Have a favorite spot?  Let me know!

A 9 Month Milestone Session with a Sunflower Milk Bath | Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

I just love our Baby Plan sessions!  I've been following along on Evvie's journey her whole first year, starting back last summer with a maternity session and seeing her every few months for new milestones.  She came to the studio for her 9 month/sitter session, and we decided to sneak in a few family portraits on a beautiful summer morning.  

I love this red and white checked dress on her.  Evvie's daddy picked it out.  Isn't she adorable?

Since Evvie has been coming to the studio all year for her milestone sessions, we like to get creative with one set up each time.  This time we did a cute little beach session, and I love the waves and starfish that go perfectly with her seersucker swimsuit.

Evvie is a breastfeeding champion, and her mama has worked hard with Evvie this year to continue their BF journey for so long.  She wanted to celebrate with a milk bath in the studio, and Evvie loved it!  We added some sunflowers for a nice little touch of summer.

A Fourth of July Cake Smash with Saratoga Springs Cake Smash Photographer

When you're born on the 4th of July, a red white and blue photo session is definitely in your future!  Oscar's family has been coming to our Saratoga Springs portrait studio since their oldest son turned one, and this summer I got to celebrate their littlest one's first birthday with them, too!  

We started with some gorgeous family portraits outside, and the location matched their wardrobe choices perfectly.  I just love these classic colors in the summertime!

Brothers!!  How cute are they?!?!

This turned out to be one of my FAVORITE cake smash sets.  I especially love how it photographed from up above with all of the stars covering the floor and surrounding the birthday boy.

Seriously, he was SUCH A LITTLE HAM!  Oscar loved the camera, and he couldn't stop smiling and giggling the entire session!

Now that is how you smash a cake!  

We finished Oscar's cake smash session with a tub bath, and he loved splashing in the water and was all smiles for us.  See that wide-open laugh below?  His big brother made THE EXACT SAME FACE during his tub bath after his cake smash session in 2017.  (It was a cookies and milk session, and oh so cute!  Go check it out on the blog!)

Killian's Newspaper Inspired Cake Smash | Saratoga Springs NY Cake Smash Photographer

This sweet little guy came to me for his newborn portraits a year ago, and it's hard to believe that he's already a toddler!   Killian joined me at the studio for his first birthday cake smash session, and we had so much fun with this spunky little boy filled with personality & smiles.

Plus, how dapper does he look in his little newsboy hat and vest?  This was the perfect outfit on Killian, and he absolutely rocked it!

He was all smiles with mama and daddy, and they definitely enjoyed lots of tickles on the couch!

A year ago, Killian's dad brought his police hat to the studio for the newborn session.  We wanted to incorporate this into his cake smash to show how much their baby boy has grown, and Killian was the perfect little model posing with his daddy's hat!

That newsboy hat gave us the idea to use newspapers in his cake smash, and I love how this simple backdrop turned out with the white balloons in the foreground!  Killian was a little hesitant about his birthday cake at first, but once he picked up the most massive hunk of cake and took a bite (and we all exploded in laughter), then he really got into it and had so much fun smashing his cake.

Here is his with that huge hunk of cake...

And right after that first bite when he was deciding whether he liked it or not!  In the end, he decided that it's cake and it's AMAZING, so he dug right into the rest of it!

When he stood up at the end to walk away, and wound up toppling over right onto the cake, that was the most perfect ending!!

Declan's Hot Air Balloon Inspired Cake Smash | Saratoga Springs NY Cake Smash Photographer

Declan is another one of our Summer 2017 babies who came back for their cake smash this year, and I love looking back at his newborn portraits and seeing how much that tiny squish has grown!

His family is planning an "Up!" themed birthday party (like the movie), so a hot air balloon cake smash was the perfect way to complement that theme by using the same pastel colors from the balloons in the movie.   His mom found this aviator hat, and I am in love with it!  I'm going to have to find one for the studio because it is oh-so-adorable!

We had the most perfect cake decorated to look like a sky with puffy white clouds, and it matched the hot air balloon backdrop beautifully.  Plus, it was delicious and Declan definitely approved!

Though he did have the most adorable crying face at the end!

We finished his session with a bathtub splash, and I love the second photo below where he looks like he's in an airplane ready to take flight.  That one is going to hang large in their home, and it's such a fun memory from his first birthday session!

The IPS Series: How to get your clients to love their artwork as much as you do

We’re starting a new series on the blog for photographers all about focusing on giving your clients gorgeous heirloom products that they are going to LOVE. 

You’ve seen the endless discussions and debates in online groups of photographers debating the two most popular business models in the industry— an all-inclusive model with the digital images included in the session fee, or a product-focused model where clients can choose their prints and albums through you and it’s often done as in-person sales (IPS).

I’ve seen photographers have tremendous success with both models, and it really is all about which one fires you up, which one you can get behind 100%, and which one makes you feel like you are providing the very best experience possible to your clients.

Personally, I’ve been using the IPS model for 5 years and it works wonderfully in my business.  I love getting together with my clients for their gallery reveal appointment after the session, playing their video slideshow, and watching them fall in love with the images we created together.  I love to see them get so excited as they choose their favorite images and decide where to enjoy those portraits in their homes.  I absolutely adore their reactions when they unwrap their packages and exclaim that it is so much more beautiful in person than they imagined, carefully turning the pages of their new linen album or unveiling their gorgeous new wall art.  

They come back for their next session, and before we’ve taken a single photo they are already talking about the album that they want to create or the new canvas they want to hang in their living room.  They realize that their portraits bring them so much joy where they can see them every day, and they don’t want to have them get lost on a hard drive somewhere where they will never see them or never get around to printing them.  They value the products and they value the service that comes along with it.  That is why I do what I do.

Whichever model you offer to your clients, you have to love what you sell.  If you love digitals, sell them!  If you love tangible keepsakes that you can see and feel, go with that!  That’s what it is all about.  If you love it and you are passionate about it, they will love it, too.

Me?  I looooooooove albums.  Some of my favorite memories growing up were sitting behind the sofa and poring through boxes of photographs and countless photo albums with my sister.  Now as an adult, I love being able to look through my grandparents’ albums that are many decades old, turning the pages that so many hands have turned and enjoying the stories that unfold on the pages.  So when I start talking about albums with my clients, they get excited right along with me and it makes them love these albums for their families, too.

I offer a few different types of albums to our clients.  These are the exact same albums that I print for my own family, so I really do stand behind their quality and beauty.  There is the fine art album, a beautiful linen album with ultra thick pages printed on photo paper with two different finishes on the pages.  The storybook album is a smaller album with press paper pages.  And finally, for a fun little gift I have added on the mini accordion albums that many families love sharing with grandparents.  

When I share our sample albums with the families that I work with, they get so excited to see the quality of these keepsake books and they immediately start imagining their photographs on the pages of the album.  We talk about sitting on the couch with their little ones, turning the pages and telling them their favorite family stories about when they were little.  These are not meant to be tucked away in a drawer somewhere, but to be enjoyed and to become a part of their daily life.

One of my favorite client stories recently was about Baby Blake.  She came to me for a newborn session, and returned for her first birthday session.  Her mom and dad told me that she was obsessed with babies, and that she loved looking at pictures of babies.  They had an album from her newborn session, and every morning she wanted to look through the book at all of the babies on the pages — she didn’t realize that every single photo was of Baby Blake!  This became her favorite book, and it’s going to become a memory that she has forever as she gets older and continues looking through the pages of her baby album.

I could say that I am so lucky that the families I work with value these products just as much as I do, but honestly, I don’t believe it’s luck.  I talk about our keepsakes all the time.  They are displayed prominently on my website, there are a ton of blog posts with product features, and I share these product photos all over my social media pages.  During the initial inquiry stage and during our first phone call, we start talking about which products will be the best fit for their family and get them dreaming about the new gallery wall they are going to create or the album that they will share with their children now and pass down to them 20 years from now.  They are excited to have tangible keepsakes before they even book their session.  I really do believe that when you are passionate about the experience you offer to your clients, you are going to get the type of clients that value the same things you do in their portrait experience. 

Stay tuned for our next post all about choosing products that complement your brand that your clients will love!

Product feature | Our New Deep Matte Linen Album

I want to share a secret with you.  It's our brand new DEEP MATTE album, and every family that has seen it in person at our gallery reveal appointments has fallen in love with the look and feel of the pages in this heirloom album.

Album details:
10x10 Fine Art Album
Cameo Cut-Out with Photo Cover
Linen color: Tundra
Pages: Deep Matte

Our other albums have a lustre coating on the pages, but this one is toned down with a deep, rich matte finish.  It looks incredible, and it even feels smooth like butter beneath your fingers.  It looks particularly amazing with our newborn sessions, and I personally love it for family session albums as well!

Here is a peek into Barratt Raymond's lifestyle session album.  I love how the rich tones on the pages complement the beautiful and neutral nursery decor for this family's session!

Just like with all of our fine art albums, there are 15 linen cover options to choose from so you'll be able to find the perfect shade to suit your style.  A few of the most classic ones are Tundra (this dark gray shown here), Sand (a beachy beige), and Tusk (a creamy white). 

Lately a few families have been having fun and using a few of our more colorful linens like Summer Breeze (a festive blue), Orchid (the softest lilac), and Peach (just the right shade of a soft peachy blush pink).  Fog is also a new favorite for many families, and the light gray is woven with a silver thread that adds just a hint of sparkle to the cover!

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Curious about our other keepsake products?  We truly believe that you'll enjoy your memories more when they are printed -- check out a few of our options here!

The Wooden Keepsake Box
Heirloom Wooden Wall Art
Accordion Albums
Birth Announcements
Thank You Cards
The Storybook Album

Baby Starr | Grayson's Third Month

Oh, Grayson — we’re three months in!  It’s hard to believe that you are now thirteen weeks, or three months old!  I think we officially need to stop counting weeks and just count the months now because mama is so tired it’s hard to even keep track of what day it is anymore.  

BUT, you are one cute baby and full of smiles!  You're getting really expressive now, and it's so fun to watch.

You continue to make us laugh every single day.  You still have a pretty happy personality, and we can’t stop saying how lucky we are to have such an amazing and easy-going baby.  

You wake up from nap time and you look around your bed and make a few cooing noises, and when you spot my face looking down at you YOU JUST LIGHT UP with the biggest (toothless) smile.  Daddy came home from work last night and the second you spotted him you couldn't take your eyes off of him.  And that toothless smile was so big!  (Though we don’t think you’ll be toothless for long because you are drooling like crazy and we’ve got the feeling that first tooth will be here in the next few months.)  You start chattering like crazy and kicking those legs all over the place, so excited to see your mama and daddy.  It’s the sweetest thing!  We talk back, and you reply, and you really seem to think we’re having an actual conversation because we just go on and on, and you’re as happy as can be!

Tomorrow you're celebrating your first 4th of July, so of course we had to do a picture!

This month we celebrated Daddy’s first Father’s Day.  Your dad is so good with you, and I love watching the two of you together.  He has all of these little games and jokes with you, and the two of you are going to have so much fun as you grow up.  Daddy started flying you up in the air like Superman, and you love being able to see your home from this new angle.  There is so much to take in, and you want to see it all!

You love cuddles, and you’ve fallen asleep in Grandma’s arms more than once when she’s been watching you.  You sleep more soundly there than you do in your own bed!  You also got to meet your Auntie Kirsten this month.  It was love at first sight, and you gave her all of your biggest smiles!  We know you're already looking forward to seeing her again later this summer!

You still absolutely love your swaddle for naps, and once we put on the ocean noises in our bedroom you fall right asleep.  I am so excited to take you to Grandma & Grandpa Schwalm’s house on the Cape in a few weeks so that you can see the real ocean and hear what it sounds like!  Then you’ll be like, “Uhhhh, mom? These aren’t ocean sounds!  What’s that about?!?!”

Your new thing this month is that you have discovered your hands.  You play with the hanging toys on your playmat, and you have the proudest smile when you realize that you made them move with your hands.  You stick them in your mouth and make the loudest sucking noises as you chomp on them, too.  The first time you did that I think you startled yourself, but you’re slowly getting a bit gentler when gnawing on your own fingers. 

Another favorite spot for you is laying in your crib (which you don’t sleep in yet, but you love to hang out there!).  Hanging above your head is a mobile with stars on it, and you get so excited to look up and see them hanging and twirling above your head.  You coo, reach out your arms, and kick your legs excitedly when you see the stars.  I think you’re going to love your bedroom when it’s finally time for you to sleep there!

Now that summer is here, we're doing all of the fun summery things together!  Walking around Congress Park to look at the ducklings, taking your bathtub outside and turning it into a baby swimming pool, and going on lots of walks in the sunshine.  You really love being outside in the baby carrier and snuggling in close, and it's one of my favorite activities to do with you!

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A few of your favorite things this month...

• Dancing with mommy & daddy in the kitchen

• Staring at your crib mobile

• Playdates with your buddy John

• Naps

• Kicking your legs, and discovering what your hands can do

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And of course, we have so many photos on our cell phones of our sweet little Grayson this month!  Sleeping, playing, eating, and smiling seem to be all of his favorite activities!

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Watch him grow!

Grayson's Newborn Portraits
Grayson's First Month
Grayson's Second Month

Product feature | Blake's First Birthday: Our Linen Storybook Album

If you haven't figured it out by now, our albums are my absolute FAVORITE keepsake to create from our portrait sessions.

Album details:
8x8 Storybook Album
Linen color: Tundra
Font color: Gold

Whether it's a first birthday,  a Fresh 48, a family session, or a newborn session, there is nothing sweeter than having all of your favorite memories woven across the pages of a beautiful album that you can hold in your hands, turning the pages and reliving a chapter of your family's story.

With this particular session, one of my favorite memories from this family was when they were telling me that their baby girl is obsessed with babies.  She loves all things baby.  They have an album from her newborn session with me, and she likes to start every day flipping through the pages of the book and looking at all of the baby pictures.   Of course, she doesn't realize that she's looking at Baby Blake on the pages of the album, but it's her favorite book and one that I'm sure she's going to have many memories of looking through as she gets older.

That's what our keepsakes are all about.  Creating memories with your family and enjoying them every single day. 

The storybook albums are petite, 8x8 albums with a gorgeous linen cover.  The pages are printed on press paper, and they are so beautiful in person!  Each book is custom designed to hold your favorite images from your portrait session.

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Our beautiful storybook albums have 5 beautiful linen cover options to choose from, so you'll be able to find the perfect shade to suit your style.  A few of the most classic ones are Tundra (this dark gray shown here), Sand (a beachy beige), and Tusk (a creamy white).   

Plus we can write your baby's name & birthdate on the cover, or your family name & the year if it's a family session.  These can be debossed in gold, silver, or rose gold font.
 

Curious about our other keepsake products?  We truly believe that you'll enjoy your memories more when they are printed -- check out a few of our options here!

The Wooden Keepsake Box
Heirloom Wooden Wall Art
Accordion Albums
Birth Announcements
Thank You Cards
The Storybook Album