Creating Holiday Magic: A Studio Portrait Experience with Santa Claus

The holiday season is such a wonderful and special time for me personally. I love being the magic maker in my family, and getting to extend that to my clients is such an honor, and one that I don’t take lightly! This year, for the second time, we welcomed Santa Claus to the studio for our annual portrait event! I absolutely adored having the big guy with us and truly enjoyed watching all of the little ones interact with this magical fellow.

Part of our Santa experience extended beyond the studio doors. The children each received letters from Santa and I loved being the one to create and seal them with the official “Santa Claus” wax seal. I can only imagine the absolute magic it created for our little guests. In the studio, I set to gathering everything for the gift bags, planning the cookies with Saratoga’s talented cookie artist, Kelly from Cookie Tastic and planning just the right tasks and activities and prompts for the kids to fully enjoy their visit with Santa Claus. It was important to me that this experience was more than just a chance for a photo with Santa. The portrait experience is about so much more!

This year the children helped Santa Claus polish his sleigh bells so that the reindeer could wear them on Christmas Eve. They read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and found their names on the Nice List scroll. The children also looked inside his official leatherbound book (where they were written in magical ink that only Santa and the elves can see!). Beyond that, each child had the chance to sing and laugh with Santa, too. It was so special to watch each interaction unfold right in front of our eyes. One of my other favorite parts was that each child received an official “Santa’s Helper Certificate” after helping Santa get everything ready. It was truly an unforgettable experience, and I loved seeing all of the families that joined us at the studio for this event.

Thank you to the following Saratoga Springs businesses who helped bring this magical holiday experience to life:

Cookies: Cookie Tastic
Garland: Journey Decor
Santa: Wilton Santa John

---

Save this post for later:

Elegant Holiday Portraits: Our Favorite 2024 Holiday Portraits in Saratoga Springs

So many amazing families joined us for our annual Deck the Halls holiday portrait event in our Saratoga Springs studio this year and I’m thrilled to be sharing some of my favorite moments with you here on the blog. These sessions are near and dear to my heart. It’s special to see my longtime clients each holiday season, and to meet a few new families each year, too! We always have such a wonderful time in the Saratoga Springs studio - listening to holiday music and enjoying a chance to capture new portraits for these sweet families! 

This year, I leaned into creating elegant and timeless holiday setups. I wanted it to feel like Christmas without being too over the top. With that in mind, I chose plaid, flocked trees, velvet bow, a hint of gold, evergreen garland, and red berries to decorate the studio with. These simple setups allowed my families to be the center of attention. We could focus on their personalities, and their interactions - which is how I always want my family portraits to feel. I captured some sweet moments this year, including some first time holiday season smiles and lots of sweet laughs among the kids! 

Holiday portraits are one of my favorite mementos and things to display during the holiday season. I help each of our families decide how they want to showcase these priceless memories in their home after our session! One of my favorite ways is our beautiful silver snowflake ornaments and I always love our heirloom albums (the velvet is my favorite!). Being able to pull these special items out each winter always makes me smile in my own home and I hope that each of my clients feels the same way as they look back on their holiday portraits - filled with their little ones round cheeks, baby teeth, and sweet giggles. These sessions are another way to freeze time and capture the magic of the holiday season for years to come. 

Thank you to every family who trusted me to create a little holiday magic in our studio. It was so special and I’m beyond grateful to each and every one of you!

---

Save this post for later:

Party of Five: Newborn Studio Session with Two Adoring Siblings

Baby Lillianna has joined the party! I had the absolute privilege of welcoming Lillianna, her big sister Annabella and big brother Antonio (and their parents, of course!) to my Saratoga Springs studio recently for her newborn portraits. Lillianna’s newborn portraits are a beautiful combination of special family portraits, incredibly sweet sibling moments, and special family heirlooms. It was perfect! 

I started Lillianna’s session with her family’s new portraits first. Her brother and sister were so sweet - they just wanted to keep snuggling up with her! In fact, Antonio was not about putting his new sister down! When I asked him if he wanted to get up so Mommy could have a turn holding Lillianna, he said he wasn’t done and wanted to keep holding her. So he did! It was so special and it’s clear he’s fascinated by his newest little sister. Don’t worry - we did eventually get a portrait of mama with her new baby girl too! 

Bethany, Lillianna’s mom, mentioned that she’d been working on a handmade blanket and asked if we could incorporate it into Lillianna’s portraits. I was thrilled to use this sweet pink and white blanket as part of her setups, and it inspired the rest of her session too! We leaned into the soft pinks, sage green, and white accents for her setups and everyone’s outfits. It created a soft and feminine vibe for this precious little girl! 

Welcome to the world, Lillianna! I’m so happy to have met you and captured these first portraits for you in the studio. You have the sweetest family and I know you are so very loved!!

---

Save this post for later:

The Cuties Next Door - Group Portrait of our Adorable Neighborhood Baby Boom

Ever since our daughter was born in June 2022, our little neighborhood has experienced a baby boom! We are so lucky to be in this neighborhood that is experiencing a turnover with lots of new, young families moving in, and plenty of little ones for our children to grow up around. Now it’s walks, play dates, cookouts, trick or treating. Later it will be bus rides, school parties, dances. We continuously feel grateful that we are able to be in this season of life with some incredible families and little ones. 

In 2023 we got all of the babies together and took a group photo right in the middle of our sun-dappled street covered in autumn leaves.

We did it again this year, and now it’s officially a tradition. We were missing a few babies this year, and we added a few more over the past 12 months but, I absolutely love this little series of photos!

It is wild to see how much they’ve all grown over the past year, and how they’ve come into their personalities. We love watching the kids run up to each other on the street, shrieking each other’s names, and stopping to play. I can’t wait to see how their friendships develop as they grow! I’m so happy that each of our neighborhood families wanted to be a part of this new tradition. It feels so wonderful to watch these little ones grow up! 

---

Save this post for later:

Quiet Grace: Capturing the Beauty of Intimate Maternity Portraits

Taylor and Brian’s maternity session was truly one of my favorite maternity sessions of 2024. I loved this studio session, and I felt so creatively inspired working with this couple. Taylor wanted a more intimate maternity session to embrace the beauty of her changing body as they awaited the arrival of their baby girl. We planned a more bare-bones style session with simpler outfits and flowy fabrics. Taylor and I love how it turned out!

When mamas-to-be go through pregnancy, there are so many changes in their bodies that can unearth many emotions. From feeling amazing, confused, inspired, awesome, jarred, and even exhausted - the experience can be overwhelming and so special. One of the things I love about maternity sessions is being able to embrace all of those feelings in their portraits. My goal with every session is to help mamas feel incredible and inspired by what their bodies are building and to embrace the beautiful changes as they get ready to welcome their babies. I know it can be so much, but I love when mamas like Taylor aim to document and showcase what’s so special about this journey. 

Before their ordering appointment, Taylor told me she was a little nervous to view her portraits. I was thrilled to be able to help her turn those nerves into excitement and awe.She later shared with me how grateful she was and how beautiful the session made her feel as an expecting mother. I’m so happy I got to work with you, Taylor and Brian. Thank you for trusting me with this special experience!

---

Save this post for later:

8 Tips to Prepare for your Newborn Portrait Session | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

I know this whole "planning a newborn session" thing can feel a little overwhelming—after all, it’s your first time and there’s so much to think about! But don’t worry, you’re in good hands. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding hundreds of families through their newborn portraits over the past 12+ years in my Saratoga Springs studio. I’m here to make this as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. From choosing the right outfits to prepping your little one (and yourself) for the session, I’ll walk you through every step. Here’s my top tips to prepare for your studio newborn session so that you can enjoy this truly special process! 

Before Your Session

Plan your outfits for the family portraits before the baby is here. 

Once you’re home with a newborn, you’re not going to have time to run to the store and try a bunch of tops or dresses on. Figure out what everyone is going to wear ahead of time to make it that much easier when it comes to the week of your session. I recommend considering working with a photographer who offers a client closet where moms can choose from gorgeous dresses in flattering cuts and fabrics that look amazing on postpartum mamas. Being able to make your session even more stress-free is one of the main reasons I love being able to offer my baby and mama wardrobes! 

Preparing Your Baby for Portraits

Your little one is the star of the show, so we want them to be comfortable during your time in the studio! To help them stay cozy, I wrap newborn babies in the variety of wraps, hats, and headbands I have in the studio. But there’s a few things you can do at home to help your little one feel sleepy and ready to curl up for us:

Give your baby a sponge bath before our session. Don’t forget the lotion after you’re done! I recommend dressing your little one in a onesie that has a zipper or snaps up the front, so we don’t have to disturb them if they’re asleep when you arrive. 

What to do 2-3 Hours Before Your Session

A few hours before your session, it is essential that you help your baby get sleepy enough to pose for us. Feed your little one 2-3 hours before arriving for your session. Keep your baby awake and alert during that time too. Try not to bundle your baby up or they’ll fall right asleep! Once you arrive, plan to give your baby another feeding. They should be ready to slip into the famous “milk coma” once you’re done and nice and sleepy for our posing! 

Bring a Pacifier

Even if you don’t plan to use a pacifier regularly at home, I recommend having one on hand for your newborn session. “Soothies” (the green pacifiers) are great for newborns! They can work wonders for soothing your baby during portraits, so consider grabbing one one for your time in the studio. 

During Your Newborn Portraits 

Sit back & relax

As soon as your little one is asleep, I will ask to take over with your baby. Sit back, relax, and just enjoy some quiet time. Don’t worry about anything! One of the reasons I ask to take over moving your little one is because babies can smell their moms, which can unsettle them. They pick up on stress, so it’s important to just take a deep breath. I’m a mom of two and have been photographing babies for over 12 years, so I promise I know what I’m doing! The reality is that babies will fuss and cry during our time in the studio. Clients have dubbed me “the baby whisperer” and I’ll use my many techniques to help soothe and calm your little one. 

Your little one’s safety is my top priority and I will never put your baby into an unsafe position - just for a portrait. I may ask you to help hold their head or support them. It’s a fun opportunity for us to create images you’ll treasure forever. 

Cleanliness

Pee and poop will happen during your newborn session. It happens and I’m always prepared for it. Please don’t be embarrassed! It’s natural and I promise you, I’m ready for it. 

Leave your cameras at home

To ensure that I can capture the best images for your family, I respectfully ask that you leave your cameras at home. Trust me to capture your portraits - and the ones that will beat any cell phone photo you could take. I truly want you to be able to relax in our warm and cozy studio while I document your precious little baby! (PS. The studio WILL be warm! I keep it nice and toasty for your little one so they’re comfortable - so just be prepared!).

After Your Session

If you know me at all, you know that I love the part after your session most of all, because going through your baby’s portraits is a truly magical process! I love seeing how we’re going to turn in whatever we captured into heirloom artwork that your family will treasure forever. You can expect a sneak peek online within a few days of the session. Please feel free to share it and tag me - but do not screenshot or alter the image in any way. 

Within 2 weeks of your session, I will come visit you at home. Together, we’ll design your birth announcements, as well as any heirloom keepsakes you’ve chosen. I love helping you figure out where you might want to display your new portraits! 

I hope this guide has helped take some of the guesswork out of planning your newborn session! Remember, this is a special time, and I’m here to help make sure you have beautiful, timeless images to cherish for years to come. There’s no need to stress about the little details—I’ve got the experience to make sure everything runs smoothly so you can focus on your sweet baby. If you have any questions or need any additional tips, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to capture these precious moments for you and your family!

---

Save this post for later:

Cozy lifestyle family portrait session at home

I’ve been photographing his family every year since Ari was born. It’s hard to believe he’s already 5. We always love doing a family session in the early fall around his birthday, and his mom always has the best ideas to keep it fresh & unique to their family. 

This year they asked to do their session in their home to incorporate their dog, Winnie, and in the field behind their home. We enjoyed an early morning session before school and captured the sweetest portraits of Ari cuddled up with his four-legged sibling, and headed over to the field for some outdoor family portraits as well. I’m so happy that everyone was so cheery for an early morning session, but it worked out beautifully! 

Ari has the best smile - and working together for 5 years has made it even easier for us to capture his natural and authentic self in our portraits! He looked adorable in his little blue button up that paired perfectly with mom’s floral dress and his dad’s matching shirt. I love that they leaned into an elevated outfit, even with their session being in their living room. It’s such a great way to elevate your portraits!! 

Thank you again to this beautiful family for trusting me with your memories for another year. I can’t wait until next year’s portraits - it’s such an honor to watch these little ones grow up. 

---

Save this post for later:

Best of 2024: My favorite portraits from this year’s Rose Garden family portrait sessions

This year, I found the most beautiful location in Schenectady for family portraits: the Central Park Rose Garden. If you’ve been around the blog in the last few months, you probably saw how many times I visited this summer. I loved every single one and I’m so excited to be sharing my favorite portraits from all of those sessions today! This is such a beautiful spot for family photos, especially June through October. I hope that this post convinces you to consider having your family session here next year! I plan to offer exclusive dates for family photos here next year, which I can’t wait to share more about soon!! 

Like I said, the garden is always gorgeous - but from June to October, it’s stunning. Roses are staggered to bloom all season long so that you always have a burst of color and fresh roses. Every family that came to the rose garden had a moment of awe when they first glimpsed the beauty there, and they all said to me, “I never knew this was here!” It’s truly a hidden gem. 

While your family’s connections and authentic joy will always be the most important thing for me to capture in your portraits, a beautiful location never hurts! I can’t wait to plan exclusive dates for next year’s family sessions, and I hope you’ll be joining us! In the meantime, enjoy scrolling through my favorite moments from this year’s sessions, and start dreaming about what your family’s portraits might look like, too!! 

---

Save this post for later:

Newborn portrait session with big sister

I absolutely adore Lauren and Tim. They’re our neighbors, and I’ve had the joy of photographing their maternity sessions for both daughters - and now the newborn sessions, too! It’s been so special to not only document their first portraits for each of the girls, but it’s also been a meaningful walk beside them as our children grow up together. Welcome to the world, Macey Jayne! I’m so happy I got to welcome you to the studio and the neighborhood. 

Macey’s big sister, Anna, was so excited to snuggle up with her new baby, and I was thoroughly impressed with how well she did during the session. At 22 months, she posed herself better than most toddlers that I work with, and it was all so natural and smooth for her. I am completely in love with the sibling portraits we created of these two sisters! They’re always some of my favorite moments in newborn sessions like this. But, they don’t always happen organically - it takes work and focus so the new big sisters and brothers feel special. Having a new baby can change the family dynamic - and this is a great chance to involve them in the process! 

A newborn session with a toddler isn’t always easy, but I try to make big siblings feel like a big part of the session!  I show them the toys in the studio, I let them pick out the snack they’re going to enjoy after they finish, show them my camera and the little toys that I use to help me take their pictures – monkey on my camera lens, a Cookie Monster puppet, squeaky toys. I give them options: “Do you want to start with just you and baby, or should we have everybody all together first?” This helps them feel in control, and they love having some say in what’s going to happen. I like to give them special jobs, and often they’ll take one of my wooden cameras and use it to take pictures of their parents when we’re going some photos of mom or dad with the baby. Even though these portraits are for the baby, we want your toddlers (or older siblings) feel like a big part of the process! 

---

Save this post for later:

Six Month Milestone Portraits with Maizey

Maizey is one of our Collective Membership babies! Her family joined so that they could enjoy 4 sessions over an 18 month period, and this was Maizey’s second session! I love our Collective Membership families. It’s so fun to get to know them over those months, and watching their little ones grow. Maizey came in for her 6 month milestone for her second session, and it was a great time with this grinning little girl! 

As you’ve heard me say a million times, this is one of my favorite stages to photograph when babies are smiley, giggly, and starting to sit up on their own. They’re happy on their tummies, they grab at their little toes when on their backs, and they’re proud to be upright (with a parent’s hand nearby for safety!) when practicing their newly acquired sitting skills. Maizey showed off her sitting skills and even got to snuggle with her momma, who looked beautiful in a pastel pink gown! 

For Maizey’s session, we used soft colors - pinks, peaches, and ivory. We even used a few of the same layers from her newborn session to have that cohesiveness across her portraits from the first year. That’s one of my favorite things to do with Collective Membership babies. All of the portraits will hopefully be displayed together in your heirloom album or through your wall art, so using similar colors and vibes across the 4 sessions. 

---

Save this post for later:

Maternity Portrait Session with Toddler Big Sister

My wonderful neighbors Lauren and Tim are expecting their second baby. When they reached out to me about maternity portraits to celebrate this special waiting period, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. Their daughter Anna is 5 months younger than our daughter, so we’ve been going through phases of parenthood together - and have been celebrating their second baby girl’s arrival with so much happiness, too. 

Lauren and Tim decided to keep their portrait session simple - with maternity portraits in my studio (super convenient in the neighborhood, ha!). Anna got to be a huge part of their session, too, which I always love to see. She was absolutely adorable - wanting to hold and kiss her mama’s belly. Lauren and Tim asked to recreate some moments from their first maternity session with me, and I couldn’t wait. I love when families think about how their images will all mix together over the years. 

Some of my favorite portraits turned out to be the backlit and silhouette portraits. They’re elegant, yet simple. I know they will be treasured for years to come! It’s always fun to find new ways to capture similar moments for my couples - like posing with her cardigan and updating a similar photo with their daughter now. Lauren and Tim, congratulations and thank you for trusting me again to capture your maternity portraits. I can’t wait to share your newborn session soon!  

---

Save this post for later!

A Little Loves portrait session to celebrate turning 5 | Saratoga Springs Child and Family Photographer

There is nothing better than watching kids grow in through the lens of my camera, in my studio. I’ve been photographing Elliana multiple times a year since she was a newborn, and recently, her mom brought her in for a Little Loves session to celebrate her turning 5. This session felt extra special because five is such a huge milestone. It bridges that gap between little kid and big kid. Five is often the age you start school, lose your first tooth, start to read, and learn so many amazing new skills. I loved celebrating this milestone with her!

Elli was SO cute in my studio this year. She was all giggles and big smiles, showing off her sweet personality. Mom chose the sweetest light blue and white dress - paired with the cutest white bow - for her photos. Sometimes, with Little Loves sessions, the final images are presented in black and white - but I think the color option was perfect to celebrate Elli and her bright personality. She is so sweet! We captured so many fun little moments, which is even easier since I’ve been part of her life for the last five years. We eased right into our shoot and were able to celebrate this milestone together. 

I also loved sitting with her parents, going through the gallery together after their session, too. We’ve sat at their kitchen counter so many times over the past five years going through their galleries and choosing their favorite portraits of their two children, and this time we kept reminiscing – “Doesn’t it feel like we were just in the studio doing her newborn session?” “Remember when we did her milestone portraits with the flowers?” “How sweet was she last fall in the field with her brother?!” And now this. Five.

It is always an honor when families trust me to capture their children’s milestones year after year. I love that so many families come to me for their newborn session, fall in love with the experience, and return to me year after year with their little ones. I never take this job for granted, and I am so lucky to work with the most amazing families year after year.

---

Save this post for later…

Top 10 Tips for Clients Before their Holiday Mini Session

I’m so excited to be welcoming families to the studio in just a few short weeks for our holiday and Santa sessions. They’re some of my favorite magical moments as a photographer and I love being able to create an atmosphere that is fun and joyful. While there is a lot that falls on me to create that space for the children (and families) that enter my space, there’s a few things that parents can do to help us have a holly jolly good time together during their holiday mini session! Below are my top 10 tips for planning, scheduling, and enjoying your holiday mini session!  

1. Schedule wisely around your children’s nap times.

Timing matters!  Schedule your session for a time when your children will be well-rested.  If your photographer is offering morning sessions, the earlier time slots usually work out best for little ones when they’re still coming off of a good night’s sleep.

2. Fill those bellies up with snacks & a full meal before the session.

Hungy kids are cranky kids, but full bellies will yield lots of smiles and cooperation!  Trust me on this one.  ;o)

3. Keep your phone (and any apps or Youtube videos) hidden during the session.

Mini sessions are short & sweet, and your photographer has a whole arsenal of tricks to capture your child’s attention and get the very best smiles from them.  Pulling out the phone to put on their favorite song or video often leads to more time spent trying to get the phone away from them than actual smiles in front of the camera.  Tell the photographer ahead of time if your child has a favorite song they respond to, and your photographer can cue it up on their phone or on the Alexa in their studio.

4. Coordinate your outfits.

Choose outfits that complement each other without being completely matchy-matchy.  Stick to a cohesive color palette.  For holiday sessions, I am a huge fan of neutrals, deep forest green, gold, silver, navy, a hint of red (but not with Santa because he will be all in red!).  You may even consider unexpected and rich jewel tones for a fresh take on holiday portraits.

5. Try on everyone’s outfits ahead of time.

From shirts and dresses, to tights and shoes.  Try on every piece of clothing and give every accessory a test-run so that your children can be comfortable in them.  Particular “pain points” that I’ve had families experience who have not tried everything on are: sweaters or tulle dresses that are too itchy (put a layer underneath them to protect the skin); baby pants that are too tight on the waist so they cannot sit up comfortably (most common on babies 6-12 months); forgetting to plan for shoes in the dressy portraits (barefoot is fine for holiday pjs).

6. Think ahead for holiday cards.

If you have a certain template that you love, keep in mind the layout of the card when choosing your favorite family portraits for the card.  This is especially important if all of your favorite portraits are horizontal/landscape orientation, but your template is vertical/portrait orientation.  Be flexible, or let your photographer know ahead of time that you mostly want a particular orientation of family portraits.

7. Be prepared.

Arrive a bit early to get everyone settled. Bring snacks, water, and any comfort items for younger kids. Consider packing a change of clothes for little ones in case of spills. Being prepared will help everyone relax and enjoy the experience.

8. Keep it fun.

The most important part of a mini session is to have fun! Keep the mood light and playful. If kids are involved, don’t stress if they’re not posing perfectly—some of the best moments happen when they’re just being themselves. A bit of silliness can result in some truly memorable photos.

9. There is so much more that you can do with these photos than just holiday cards!

Ornaments, framed prints that you display every winter, a keepsake album to look through every year as your children grow, and gifts for family are just a few ideas.  Just remember that the possibilities don’t stop with a 5x7 card.

10. Enjoy the moment.

Finally, remember that this is a time to celebrate your family.  Take a moment to breathe, enjoy the time together, and focus on each other rather than just the camera.  Your love and connection will shine through in the photos, making them even more special and treasured.

I can’t wait to welcome you to the studio! If you still need to book your holiday session, check out all the details here! 

---

Save this post for later!

Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Family Portraits with Toddlers

If you saw the blog last week, then you know that October is Down syndrome awareness month. It’s a chance to celebrate the many abilities and tell the inspiring stories of children and individuals living with Down syndrome. Earlier this year, on World Down Syndrome Day (3/21 for 3 copies of the 21st chromosome!),  I was able to connect with a few families in the Saratoga Springs area whose children have Down syndrome. One of those children is Theo and I gifted him (and his family) a portrait session so we could capture what makes Theo so incredible and unique! 

Theo is just 20 months old but he is already bringing so much joy and happy energy to his family. He was born at 32 weeks and spent two weeks in the NICU. A little warrior, he wound up hospitalized again just 2 weeks after he left the NICU for RSV. This guy has been through a lot! When we met, he was working so hard on reaching his next big gross motor milestones, and his family called him “The Maniac” because of how excited and motivated he was to stand and crawl. He loves hugs from his big sister Adelina (what a beautiful name!!), and he was just the most cuddly little guy.

Although Theo isn’t quite two yet, you can already see the incredible bond that he and his sister have. He loves being near her and they are so sweet together! She is kind and patient with him, and I know that all of the challenges he’s already faced has brought this family even closer. I truly couldn’t stop smiling while they were in my studio. Theo brought ME so much joy and for that, I will always be grateful. 

To Theo and his family, thank you for sharing your story with me. I am in awe of what this little guy has been through - and the happiness he continues to exude. I know that he will continue to grow into his personality. He honestly reminds me a lot of my best friend’s son, Zach, who inspired this passion project to document and capture what makes children with Down syndrome special! I am so lucky to have this honor for so many sweet families.

---

Save this post for later:

A playful family portrait session for Down Syndrome Awareness Month | Saratoga Springs special needs photographer

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month! If you know me, you know that Down syndrome awareness and advocacy is something near and dear to my heart. I’m so excited to be sharing a few sessions that I photographed to celebrate World Down syndrome Day back in March with you this month! World Down syndrome Day takes place on 3/21 - for the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome and I always love a chance to connect with local families whose children rock an extra chromosome. Each year, I am given the chance to photograph some incredible children and learn more about their story! Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to Brennan, his sister Ellie and his brother Parker. They joined me in my Saratoga Springs studio for new family portraits! 

I actually met Brennan before our session this year. The first time we crossed paths was when he was a toddler in NYC for the National Down Syndrome Society photoshoot. Take a peek and see if you can find Brennan, a little rockstar! Here’s a quick hint: look for Elton John! I can’t believe how much more grown up Brennan is now. It feels like just yesterday when I met him and his family! But, it was so good to see him and hear about how everything is going for him. 

When I spoke with Brennan’s family, they described him as having a very chill and loving personality. I have to agree! His mom even told me that she admires “his ability to see the good and the love in all things. I often wish that I had his confidence in life to just live my life with no worries.” When I look back at these portraits of Brennan and his two siblings, I’ll always remember the love that was in the room. It truly was special to witness the way they’re all drawn to each other, the way they take care of each other, and the way they make each other laugh.

Brennan’s session really made me think about why I started this passion project - photographing and telling the stories of children with Down syndrome. It’s hard to believe he’s been a part of this almost 10 year journey with me. Back in 2015, I began this inspiring project in honor of my best friend’s son, Zach. And now I feel like the lucky one to have met and connected with so many incredible little ones and their families over the years. I hope that I always have the chance to help raise awareness about living with Down syndrome!

---

Rose Garden Sibling & Family Portrait Session with Schenectady Family Photographer

I loved photographing another family portrait session at the beautiful Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady this summer! And what a treat it was to photograph this family once again! Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this garden from spring through early fall, and it has been so fun to watch the blooms transform through the seasons. For this session, in late summer, the garden was vibrant with color, offering the perfect backdrop for Nicole and her family’s portrait session.

This family has been longtime clients of mine, and it’s always such a joy to capture their portraits year after year. The kids, Elli and Colton, have grown up in front of my camera, and they just get more adorable each time! Nicole always does an incredible job coordinating the family’s outfits—each session looks effortlessly polished and timeless. I especially loved this session’s outfits - particularly her pink dress. The kids and her husband’s outfits all coordinated around her gown. They all looked amazing! 

While the kids played (and even hugged each other without a fight for me!), we found plenty of spots throughout the garden to mix up the portraits. The Rose Garden really works well for portraits - providing options like the lush rose beds and quiet nooks surrounded by greenery. This session truly highlighted the beauty of summer and the sweet connection this family shares. I can’t wait to see them again soon!

---

Save this post for later:

What makes our Santa Experience Stand Out: Saratoga Springs Holiday and Santa Photo Sessions

I can’t believe it’s already time to start talking about our Santa experience, but at the same time, I can’t complain at all… I LOVE Christmastime! Over the last few years, I’ve worked so hard behind the scenes to create a truly magical and special Santa experience in my Saratoga Springs studio. As a mom, this time of year has also been special in my personal life and watching the magic come to life in my own two children’s eyes is more meaningful than anything else. Honestly, it’s the reason I love our Santa sessions so much!  We truly are bringing that magic to life, and watching kids' faces light up with joy and wonder. There’s nothing else like it! 

Today, I wanted to talk about what makes our Santa experience so special each year. Part of making magic is about creating a full experience - that starts before your family ever steps foot inside my Saratoga Springs studio. Here’s what happens:

The week leading up to the session they receive a letter in the mail from Santa Claus. That letter is addressed to your child inviting them to come and meet Santa. The elves make sure to use special North Pole stationary and stamps, finished off with a hand-poured wax seal. This sets the tone for an unforgettable experience for your child. 

Last year they were invited to the studio to help Santa finish painting nutcrackers that the elves forgot to finish. The kids had a blast using magic paint that appeared in their favorite colors! It was incredible to watch them light up as they worked alongside the big guy! Many of our little ones also wanted to sing carols with Santa and tell him some jokes! 

While sitting with Santa, each child has the chance to help check the Nice List - you can never be too careful, right? Watching the wonder in their eyes when they found their name on the Nice List was amazing! 

Of course, each child will also have the chance to share their wish list or letter to Santa with him. I don’t know if there’s any moment more meaningful than that to me as a parent! 

My own son decided all by himself he needed to bake Santa cookies last year, and he brought him homemade cookies to share! He even wanted to give Santa a gift, and he picked out a chocolate orange (his favorite thing to receive in his stocking every Christmas) and gave it to Santa because he thought he would like to receive one, too. I love that the interactions we create with this Santa experience are so personal and relaxed. It’s really about your child and what they want or need at the moment. 

I know that planning holiday sessions can be stressful for parents. They never know how their child will react and they worry it will impact the session. Perhaps the biggest concern: Will they cry? Here’s the truth: Some kids might. But honestly, most do not! 

Last year my daughter (age 1.5) was the only child all day who shed a tear all day, and that was likely because she just wanted to be with mommy who was shooting the session! I have a whole workflow planned out to capture happy photographs before the kids even spot Santa Claus in the room, and then we move through some more portraits together using songs, toys, and distraction to keep little ones happy who might otherwise be afraid. Santa has years of experience with little ones, and we employ endless patience to create the most adorable portraits of your children and to give them a beautiful, happy experience with Santa.

I promise you, creating a magical experience for your little one is the most important thing to me. I want them to remember these special moments for many holidays to come - and that comes from creating a positive and inspired environment where they can be who they want to be - all while visiting with Santa!

---

Save this post for later:

Cape Cod Family Portraits with a Blue and White Color Palette

After hearing me talk about Cape Cod for years and seeing photos of my kids and other clients' kids at the beach, this sweet family decided that this was the year they would make the trip to my favorite beach town! Honestly this summer, we had a number of long-time NY clients make the trip this year, and I’m beyond honored that each and every one has formed that connection with me over the years and trusted me so much that they planned their vacations and their portrait sessions with me! It was truly such a fun summer because of all of these sweet beach sessions - and the fact that they were made up of my long-time clients made it even more special.

I met Johnny (now 5!!)  and his family at Corporation Beach in Dennis, MA. It’s one of my favorite spots for Cape Cod portrait sessions. I love this beach in the evenings, and I often find myself bringing my own kids there to play in the surf as the sun dips below the sand dunes. It’s where we captured their portraits too! 

Johnny was filled with giggles and he loved exploring the beach, playing in the sand, and cuddling with his family. It made my own heart so happy to see him enjoying himself in a place I so personally love. I also adored his mama’s beautiful hairstyle, and I was blown away when she told me that she did it herself! The prettiest braid with blue and white flowers woven through the strands. It was perfect for her portraits! I think it was such a smart idea, too, being on the beach with the wind lightly blowing - it kept it out of her face in an elegant way. Complementary light blue outfits brought their session look together. 

Thank you all for trusting me with such a special moment on your vacation! I’m thrilled you loved the Cape as much as I do and I’m so happy we were able to capture your first tip there with these special portraits. It’s a memory I will treasure forever! 

---

Save this post for later!

Modern Branding Session for Dentist Office | Clifton Park Headshot and Branding Photographer

I am just thrilled to be sharing this modern branding session with you today! Dr. Katie Tonkin and her family have been longtime clients of mine, so when she reached out about new headshots and branding photography for her business, I was so excited. The day of Katie’s session, I headed to her dentistry practice in Clifton Park. 

I loved working with this all-female team, and the energy in the office the morning of the session was so fun, creative, and collaborative. We started off with headshots of the whole team, followed by small and large group shots and plenty of branding portraits to showcase the whole patient experience so that the patients could really get an idea of what to expect during their appointments. My favorite part was going into the new lab that they built and seeing the incredible new technology available now. It’s important to me that branding sessions really create connections with a business and showcase what makes them unique. I am so happy that Katie and her team stepped up to show me just that! 

While I was there, Katie and I talked about what she hoped to use her branding portraits for. This is a super important conversation to have with every business owner I work with - as it impacts how I photograph what I’m capturing. She mentioned that they’ll be updating their website and social media (I can’t wait to see!) and making slideshows for every patient room in the clinic. I think all of those are fantastic options and ways to make the most of her session!

---

Save this post for later!

Playful Family Portraits at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs

This year I’ve had many clients who are visiting Saratoga Springs from out of state and booked a family portrait session to remember their time in our adorable little town. It is SO special to me that they trust me to document such an exciting time during their vacation, and as a mom, I truly love the idea of bringing home some special portraits as a souvenir from a trip! This fun family spent the summer in Saratoga before returning home to Florida, and I had a wonderful time capturing family portraits for them at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs. 

The Surrey-Williamson Inn is a gem of a location that’s part of Skidmore College, and I maintain an annual permit to photograph there. The back of the inn reminds me of an old European villa, and I love this pathway for portraits! The inn provides a great combination of gorgeous gardens, stone walkways, and a gorgeous backdrop of the building. I love locations like this because we can quickly capture a large variety of portraits all within one spot.

I had so much fun with this family during their session. Their children, Ryan and Arielle were fantastic - and shared lots of laughs with me while creating beautiful new portraits for this family to enjoy in their home. We leaned into the silly vibes - with lots of jokes, and plenty of snuggles - which I think is the best way to capture any family. Oh, and the other thing I loved about this family’s portraits?! Their outfits! The navy and light blue palette was perfect against the tan building and greenery of the lawn. Absolutely stunning! 

Thank you again to this beautiful family for trusting me to document your special memories. I hope to see you in Saratoga Springs again soon!

---

Save this post for later: