Classic personality portraits for toddler and baby

While I love photographing all sessions in my Saratoga Springs studio, personality portraits really hold a special place in my heart. There’s just something so wonderful about documenting little ones as they are at this exact moment in time. For these two brothers, Mom planned on portraits of her boys as a surprise for her husband for Father’s Day, and I can’t imagine a better gift than unwrapping these two adorable faces smiling back at you. I loved that these were going to be a gift for dad, but also the entire family really!! 

I know that in the busyness of life, it can be easy to say that family portraits can wait. It’s so simple to push them off, until you realize that years have gone by without you documenting what’s special about your little ones at this moment in time. Trust me, there’s something about this stage of life that you’re in right now that you’ll want to remember. Maybe it’s their smile, their freckles, the curve of their soft arms, or their rounded cheeks. As they get older, you want to freeze time with smiles that show the gaps in their teeth documenting how many visits the Tooth Fairy has made. Their personalities will grow and having something tangible to look back on as years go by is one of the best things that you can do for your family. 

It’s never too late for photos. Slow down time, don’t let the little details fade from your memory. This family will forever be able to look back on the special relationship their two boys have together. Not only that, but now they've documented their sons’ silly smiles and bright eyes. Can’t you just imagine having heirloom artwork to hang in your home or flip through as a family for years to come to look back on these special little details? That’s why family portraits or sessions in the studio, like these personality portraits, really matter. 

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Simple and candid family portraits in our Saratoga Springs studio

Lyndsay, Niral, and Ari come to me every year to capture portraits around his birthday. It’s hard to believe that Ari is already 4! It seems like I just met this beautiful family yesterday.  Lyndsay and Niral love documenting their sweet boy’s personality and celebrating each new stage as a family, and I always adore our sessions together. Whenever they leave my studio, my heart feels so full and I feel beyond grateful for another session together. 

We’ve done sessions in gardens and fields, pathways and parks, but it had been awhile since we had done family portraits in the studio. So when the endless rain wasn’t working in our favor this fall, Lyndsay sent me some photo inspiration and told me she wanted really candid, simple portraits with minimal color. Basically like our Little Loves portraits, but for the whole family. I was absolutely on board with the idea. If you’ve been around at all, you know that I believe less is more when it comes to portraits - whether it’s your baby’s milestone photos or family photos in the studio. 

Lyndsay, Niral and Ari kept their outfits very minimal so the focus would be on their interactions with each other, and on Ari’s adorable expressions. I feel like they were definitely channeling a 90s vibe with the matching white button downs and jeans, and it looked amazing on them! Simple and sweet, and it totally works to show their personalities here. Sometimes the simplest ideas really do pay off. 

Lyndsay, Niral, and Ari: thank you for letting me capture another beautiful session for you. I am so grateful to get to work with you year after year and watch Ari grow up! I’m already counting down to next fall!! 

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Family portraits at Empire Plaza in Albany

When your baby turns one, it’s definitely time for updated family portraits - and that’s exactly what Luke’s family planned! Luke recently turned one and he and his parents celebrated with family portraits at the same spot his parents were married at a few years earlier: Empire Plaza in Albany, NY. It was a beautiful spot for their portraits! We had a gorgeous sunset the day of their session that worked in our favor. The sunset gave us beautiful light, and the light color of the building reflected so much of it back on these three. It made my job so easy!

Luke started walking just a few weeks before our session and he was so excited to be showing off all over the New York State museum grounds. I can’t believe how big he his now - I still picture him as that little baby in his newborn portraits a year ago!! He’s such a fun handful now and I know his parents are excited to be watching him grow and change.

I love that the Underwood family wanted their portraits at the place they were married - it’s such a special way to see how your family changes over time, and honor a place that means a lot to you. I’m always open to sentimental locations for your portraits, especially if they’re as beautiful as this spot in Albany!

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Family Portraits in Saratoga Springs with Fall Foliage

Aren’t these two the most adorable brothers you ever did see???

I loved meeting up with this sweet family at Saratoga Spa State Park for their family portrait session this fall. We had the most beautiful golden evening and the leaves rustled and sparkled on the trees for a picture-perfect scene. The session was filled with laughs, storytelling, and cuddles for baby brother, and we captured so many memories on camera for them to enjoy.

I love the outfits they chose for their session, and the colors coordinated perfectly without being too matchy-matchy. Find more tips for what to wear to your fall portrait session here!

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Stop Putting Off Your Family Photo Session | 10 Excuses to Stop Making Right Now

Read on for the top excuses to stop making about putting off your family portrait session, and why I think now is the best time you’ll ever find for scheduling your family portraits.

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1. I’m worried my kids will act crazy.

I’ve never met a parent who DIDN’T worry about how their children would behave during a portrait session, but I’m going to tell you the same thing I tell every single family that I work with. I fully expect your kids to act like kids, and your baby to act like a baby. Even if that means running around, asserting their independence, needing a snack break, needing a cuddle, pinching their sister — I get it! I would be shocked if every child came to me and was polite and quiet and posed with great big smiles and did exactly what I asked them to do. Can you even imagine?! That’s why we play games, let the kids run around, tickle each other, and sing songs. I want them to act like kids, and I want to capture their big personalities and this season of life that you’re in.

2. I’m not photogenic. I’m so awkward in front of the camera and I hate photos of myself.

Me too! That’s why I’m usually on the other side of the camera, BUT I do make it a point to get in front of the camera a lot more often since we had our son. (Check out this fun session I did with him to celebrate one year as his mama!)

This might be your first time being in family portraits, but I promise you that it’s definitely not my first time making moms and dads look amazing! I promise to give you guidance to look and feel your best, and to photograph you at the most flattering angles so that you look back at these photos and go, “WOW! Why did I wait so long to do this?!”

3. I need to lose 10 pounds first.

Oh gosh, I hear this one all the time. Sometimes dads reach out to plan a session with me (which I love!), but it’s usually the mamas so I’m going speak to the moms on this one.

So many moms are putting off family photos because they don’t want to step in front of the camera when they’re not feeling like the best version of themselves right now. But you know what? There is never going to be a more perfect time than RIGHT NOW. To your child, you are perfect. You are the center of their world. You are their safe place, the one that kisses them when they fall and cuddles them when they’re sad. They start and end their day with you. You are the most important thing in their entire world.

So you have a few extra pounds around your midsection — who doesn’t? Let me help you find a flattering, flowy top or dress and you can squeeze your babies tight and capture all of the cuddles and kisses on camera without worrying about how you look. Leave that part to me, and I will create portraits for you that show the true love and adoration, and all of the fun that you have with your kids.

Thirty years from now, your kids will have children of their own, and they are going to want to look back at old photographs and see their mom when she was in this stage of life, too. So step in front of the camera, love on your kids, and please stop worrying. You are perfect and you’re going to treasure these photos with your babies.

4. My husband won’t cooperate, and he hates photos.

So does mine. ;o) But you know what? He married a photographer so he knows how important photos are to me and he agrees to go with the flow for a quick one-hour session once a year. Explain to him how important it is for you to step out from behind the camera and see yourself in your family portraits, too. With him, with the kids, having fun and doing what you love together.

I keep our sessions very relaxed and playful. At the beginning of every session I tell the families exactly what to expect and what the plan is so that they don’t feel like we’re wandering aimlessly with no end in sight. This is always especially helpful for dads when they know that we have three spots we’ll go to and then we’re done, helping them “count down” in their heads if they want to.

But it always makes me smile when so many dads finish the sessions and they go, “Wow, that’s it? That was actually fun! Honey, did you want any others? This was a lot easier than I thought it would be!” Seriously, that happens ALL THE TIME.

5. Planning what to wear is too stressful.

Leave that to me, then! My goal is to make your session stress-free and fun, and I have outfit guides, Pinterest boards filled with examples, and tools to help you find the perfect outfits. I’ve even had moms ask me to figure out what everyone should wear, and I’m happy to do that, too!

If you don’t want to find anything new, that’s why we have a studio closet filled with gorgeous gowns for mom and cute little outfits for baby. Please don’t let outfits stand in the way of you not getting in the picture with your children. I know it sounds cheesy, but whatever you wear will take a backseat to the smiles and the love in your photos.

6. I can just take pictures on my iPhone. Come on, have you seen the portrait mode feature?

If you’re like me, you have thousands of photos of your kids sitting on your iPhone. But maybe they’re blurry or dark, and there are 23 similar shots that you have to sort through to find one good one of the baby with his beach bucket. And if you’re like me, you never quite get around to organizing them, printing them, or creating an album because life just gets in the way and it is a very big and daunting task.

That’s why you want to hire a professional photographer to capture your family portraits. You’re hiring someone who knows all the best locations and who knows how to find the best light to make your family portraits dreamy and magical. Someone who will put everyone at ease and help them feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. And you’ll finally be in your family’s portraits without your selfie arm on the side of each picture! ;o)

I will do all the work for you, and you just have to show up, have fun, and kiss your babies! I’ll take the photos, choose the very best ones to edit, design and print the most gorgeous linen album, create all of your wall art and gifts for the grandparents, and more! You just have to show up. It’s that easy.

7. It’s too early for holiday cards.

It’s never too early to cross that task off of your (very long) to do list! November and December are busy enough, so why would you wait until then to take photos, choose your favorites, create your cards, address the envelopes, and mail them? That’s stressful!

Personally, I love when families use their spring & summer portraits on their holiday cards, and not just their fall foliage portraits. Unless you have a very young baby that changes from month to month, you can send out family portraits from earlier in the year and no one will know the difference! Actually, they’ll probably see them and ask about your fun beach vacation or compliment your springy dress because they’ll want to use it next spring in their portrait session!

When you plan a portrait session with a professional photographer, your photographer is also a graphic designer and she will create and print gorgeous cards for your family. Ours even come with the envelopes preprinted with your return address! No more struggling with clunky design software at the photo kiosk or on a website, and no more return labels to keep track of for your envelopes!

8. I’m waiting until our family is complete before we do a family session.

I hear this excuse sometimes, and it makes me a little bit sad because that means your older children won’t have any beautiful portraits that show what life was like they they were the center of your world. There won’t be any photographs of you and your partner as new parents, or of just the three (or four!) of you when your children were very young. By the time you get around to portraits with your whole family, you’ll honestly feel a bit more stressed and tired trying to coordinate 2+ kids, their outfits, their nap schedules, their snacks…. so take the time now and do a fun & calm session with your single child. Celebrate this special season that you’re in, and put those memories up on the walls of your home. Then when your final baby is here, let’s plan a session with your entire family and update that family portrait over the couch!

9. It’s probably too expensive, and I’m worried that I won’t love the portraits.

I have been working with families since 2012, and I’m proud to offer them the very best experience and gorgeous heirloom products that they will enjoy for years.

Family portraits are an investment, but all of the families I work with say that they are worth every single penny. I promise to listen to what it is you want from your session, learn about your children and your family, make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, create a fun & memorable hour together, and help you discover the very best ways to display and enjoy your artwork at home. I promise to give you only the most high quality products that you’ll be able to look at and share with your children for years & years to come. I promise that you’ll be looking forward to your next session as soon as these portraits are hanging up on your wall, and I promise to do everything possible so that you love the experience.

10. Life is too busy, and I just don’t have time right now.

There is never going to be a perfect time to do your family’s portraits, but I can assure you that life will only get busier as the years go by and that now is as good a time as any.

Let’s capture your baby as they’re learning to walk. Let’s capture those little ringlets in your toddler’s hair. Let’s capture your son’s wiggly first tooth and your daughter’s proud smile when she lands the perfect cartwheel. Let’s capture the way your kids fit perfectly in your arms when they’re all curled up on your lap.

Now is the perfect time. What are you waiting for?

What's the difference between a mini session and a regular session? | 2019 Fall Mini Sessions with Saratoga Springs & Boston Family Photographer

Summer & fall are our most popular seasons for family portraits, and every fall my inbox is flooded with families looking for family portraits for their holiday cards and gifts. Trust me, I get it! It’s such a beautiful time of year in the Northeast, and everyone adores the fall foliage and the vibrant colors that we’re lucky enough to enjoy for just a couple of weeks a year. It’s the perfect season for your family portrait session!

One of the most frequently asked questions that I get from families is, “What is the difference between a mini session and a regular session?” So today, I want to clear that up for you and also give you the details about our availability this fall!

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Let’s start with what is included with each session.

Full Length Family Portrait Session
-client prep guide and wardrobe guide filled with inspiration for your session
-pre-session consultation and design appointment at the studio or on a video call
-complimentary use of studio wardrobe for mamas and babies
-location of your choice within 20 miles of 12866
-up to 1 hour of shooting time
-includes immediate family up to 5 people ($25 per additional person)
-gallery reveal appointment after the session to select your favorite images for holiday cards, wall art, gifts, albums, and digitals

Investment: $225 session fee plus your choice of products after the session.
Many different collections are available to fit all budgets.

Mini Family Session
-welcome email and wardrobe guide filled with inspiration for your session
-one specific location chosen by the photographer
-15-20 minutes of shooting time
-includes immediate family up to 5 people
-images delivered via online gallery within two weeks of the session
-5 digital images available for download, with the option to add on additional images, cards, artwork, gifts, and albums

Investment: $275 - $375 depending on location and session type

Mini sessions are perfect for families that are looking for just a couple of beautiful portraits for their holiday cards and gifts, and maybe one or two for the wall. These sessions are short & sweet, and do not require much of a time commitment.

Our regular (full length) portrait sessions are my personal favorite because I love the opportunity to really get to know the families before & during our session, and then visiting with them after the session for their gallery reveal appointment to plan how they want to enjoy their portraits at home and as gifts. These sessions are longer and allow for more variety in the location and in posing, and we also have plenty of time for the kids to warm up to me and the location when they arrive because we are not pressed for time. If the kids need a break for a snack or a quick cuddle, no problem!

The full length sessions also include more help with wardrobe, including access to the studio closet and my help with finding the perfect outfits for your whole family! So many moms (and sometimes dads!) worry about how to coordinate outfits for the whole family. This is probably your first or second time doing this, but me? I’ve done this literally hundreds of times with all of the families I photograph each year. I’m happy to help make this easier for you so that your session is stress-free and that you adore your family portraits!

Full length sessions are perfect if you’re including Grandma & Grandpa and all of the grandkids because we will capture plenty of variety with all of the different groupings of people.

You also want to consider your plans for your images after the session. Do you want one framed family portrait on the wall? Or a couple for your holiday cards and gifts? Maybe a mini session is right for you!

Are you looking for a gallery wall in the living room, a few more in the office, and a couple in the hallway? Do you dream of turning the pages of one of our gorgeous linen albums filled with beautiful portraits of your family having fun? Definitely go with the full length session.

Here’s a peek at a sampling of images from a mini session and from a full-length session. This is not the entire gallery, it’s just to give you an idea of the variety in images included with each type of session.

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Let’s talk about timing.

I’ve been photographing families since 2012, and every year I hear families tell me how they really want to take their portraits in the fall when the foliage is so pretty. REMEMBER, IT’S THE MOST POPULAR TIME OF YEAR FOR PORTRAITS. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!

I stop photographing outdoors before Halloween, so plan ahead! By November, most of the leaves have fallen down and been raked up, and the temperature is usually too cool for little ones to be comfortable outside in just a light sweater. This is why we plan our sessions early in the season.

You want to book your session for September or early October if…

September is when we enjoy the beautiful days of early fall. It’s still warm outside, the sunlight is perfectly golden, and the trees aren’t quite so vibrant yet. If you’re planning on decorating your home with your family portraits, think of the color scheme inside your home. If you have a more neutral style or lots of cool colors (gray, blue), then maybe vibrant orange and red won’t coordinate so well like you would get from a late October session. However, a September session lends itself to more neutral tones and would look perfect on your walls! September (and early October) is also perfect for families who have little ones under age 2 who might be too cold outside in late October when the weather has cooled off. If it’s a family with just the parents and a baby, I’d recommend planning for a session earlier in the fall so keep everyone happy!

And mid to late October might be a better fit for you if…

If color makes your heart do a little happy dance, then you definitely want to plan your family portraits for October! The trees are bursting with reds, oranges, and yellows, and the whole landscape looks like the sunset. These sessions are always some of my favorites every year, and I love when the leaves have fallen down and the kids can have fun throwing leaves in the air and jumping in piles of leaves to hear the ::crunch::. Mid to late October sessions are especially great for older kids, or very easy-going little ones who might not mind the slight chill in the air.

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We’re opening our 2019 fall calendar on Friday, August 23!!!

This is when we’ll begin filling the mini session dates as well as our full length session dates. Our newsletter subscribers will have first dibs on their date & time of choice, and our calendar is already halfway full with previous clients already!

If you’re not on our mailing list, be sure to join so that you can receive early access to our fall session dates! There’s one for our Massachusetts families, and one for our Saratoga Springs/Albany families!

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Did you find this blog post helpful? Then you are going to love this next one that is filled with tips on what to wear for your family portrait session this fall!

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region.  Nicole also works with families year round at her Attleboro, MA portrait studio, and on location May through October in Boston and on Cape Cod.  Nicole has a clean and classic style, and the studio is filled with neutrals and luxe fabrics.  We use very minimal props to keep the focus on your perfect little baby.  Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together (or up to 3 hours for a newborn session!) laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

Oscar & Miles: Simple Studio Portraits with Brothers | A Milestone Session at the Nicole Starr Photography Studio

We have been celebrating so many baby milestones in the studio since launching our new Petite Milestone Sessions and Baby Plan for 2018!  Oscar came to the studio to celebrate his first 6 months, and his big brother Miles joined him to celebrate his second birthday! 

I saw Miles last year for his first birthday cake smash, and again in the fall for family portraits when his brother was still teeny-tiny, so it was especially nice to watch the two interact now that they've gotten to know each other for the past 6 months.  One thing is clear: little Oscar ADORES his big brother, and when he's nearby he can't take his eyes off of him!

Milestone portrait sessions at 6 months are some of my favorites.  Usually between months 6-8, babies are sitting up solidly on their own.  They have great neck strength and can rock tummy time, enjoying it just as much as they do laying on their backs and playing with their little toes.  Babies are truly perfect, and you know I don't use a lot of props to distract from this perfection.  We keep the focus on the baby and create truly timeless portraits that let your little one's personality shine!

And boy, did their personalities shine!!!  :o)  

Have you been wondering if a milestone session is right for you?  Check out more of our milestone sessions here:
 

What to Wear for Your Family Portrait Session this Spring

Do you have a portrait session coming up this spring or summer, and you're wondering what to wear?  OR, have you been putting off a portrait session because you're worried you'll never find matching outfits for everybody?  

Stop worrying, and let me help you!

Long gone are the days of matchy-matchy outfits -- come on, you know what I'm talking about!  White button down shirts and blue jeans on every member of the family, or black tops and khaki pants on every single person.  That style is incredibly dated, and it's no fun at all!  That's not how you normally dress in real life, so why should that be how you dress in your portraits?

When we plan a custom portrait session together, I want to create images for you that reflect who you truly are.  I want to show your personality, your unique style, and to give you artwork that will complement your home decor so that you can proudly hang your favorite memories over the sofa or in your hallway.  I want your portraits will blend in seamlessly and complement your space & your decor.  

This post is filled with ideas on what to wear, and you can find many more looks including easy ways to shop what you see in the images over on our Pinterest board.     Looking for even more ideas, along with some photo inspiration?  Check out this blog post from 2015 to see perfectly styled sessions with some of my favorite clients!

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Choose 2-3 colors, including a neutral color, and use a little bit of it in everybody's outfit!  Here we're selecting from shades of blue and gray to coordinate everyone's clothing.

Keep your fabrics similar!  If mom is wearing a linen sundress, then you don't want dad to be in a sweater and heavy jeans!  Actually, have you noticed that none of these inspiration boards include jeans?  Fitted dress pants look great on dads, and they definitely give your portraits a much dressier, classier look!  Try shaking things up with a look that's a little bit different from your everyday jeans, and you might just love it!  Layers also look amazing in portraits -- a vest on your son will be so adorable over a button down or a T-shirt!

While I don't recommend everyone wearing solid white, it's a nice addition to any wardrobe compilation!  Here the texture on the dress keeps it interesting, as does the pattern on the little sister's leggings.  Play with patterns and texture to give your wardrobe more personality -- the more you have, the more you will love your images!

Think of the location we're going to be shooting in, and also think of your complexion & hair color.  Choose a color palette that flatters you and that you feel comfortable and confident in.  Blush and cream doesn't suit everyone, and some women look stunning in vibrant jewel tone colors!  Go with what works for you, and let me know how I can help you pull all of the outfits together!

Be daring!  Have a little fun with patterns.  Spring is the perfect time to incorporate floral patterns into your outfits for a family portrait session, and there's nothing I love more than seeing a mom completely rocking it in her floral print dress.  If you love it, wear it!  Then choose a few colors from that design and base the other family members' outfits on those colors to coordinate.  Below, we chose the coral, gray, and white from the dress to use in everyone else's outfits.

Last but not least, if we're going to be shooting outside anywhere other than the beach, don't forget the shoes!  Your perfectly styled outfit will look just a little bit "off" when your son's everyday-wear fluorescent green light-up sneakers are paired with his gray & blue vested outfit.  Simple, neutral shoes are best to protect your feet during the session, but be sure everyone tries their shoes on and wears them around for at least 1-2 hours before the day of your session to ensure that they fit comfortably.

After all of that beautiful inspiration, are you ready to book your family portrait session?  We're now booking for the spring and summer, and I would love to capture some gorgeous memories for your family -- perfectly styled, of course!  
 

A Sparkly Simple Studio Session in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Studio

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

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

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

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

That just made my day!  

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

Meet Robyn: Nicole Starr Photography's Newest Spokesmama

YOU GUYS!!!!  I've been keeping a secret... a very huge & exciting secret that I dreamt up almost a year ago and that has taken nearly twelve months of planning, designing, connecting, and searching... And today's the day for the big reveal!  

I would love to introduce you to Robyn Racheotes, Nicole Starr Photography's newest Spokesmama.  (WAIT, WHAT'S A SPOKESMAMA?!?!  READ MORE HERE.)

Robyn and I met last spring at our Celebrating Motherhood Event.  She was the first mom to arrive that day, and we hit it off over makeovers and baby cuddles.  

We connected again last summer for a family session on the beach in Harwichport, which coincidentally turned into a pregnancy reveal session when Robyn discovered that she was 8 weeks pregnant at the time we got together.  

After spending a few hours together during her gallery premiere talking about all things babies, pregnancies, gallery walls, interior design, and blogs (she is an amazing blogger with a focus on style, design, and motherhood), I knew that I had finally found the perfect fit for our very first Spokesmama!

Read on to learn more about Robyn & her family!

Tell us a little about you & your family.  

We are currently a little family of three, soon-to-be four. We spend our weekdays in Boston, but most weekends we can be found on Cape Cod. We love being by the ocean and we are currently working on updating a little home by the ocean. It’s been a fun project and I can’t wait to share our home with friends and family next summer. 

Nicholas is a fun and busy 15 month old and we have another little boy due in early April. Life is about to get really fun, not to mention hectic. 

What do you enjoy most when you get some mommy-time all to yourself?  

Even though my alone time is very limited these days, I try to carve out moments throughout the day where I focus on my passions and what I enjoy, which includes photography, blogging and searching for interior design inspiration. There are days when I’m not able to slip away, but it’s important to me that I still focus on what I love and my passions. 

Share a favorite image from one of our sessions together, and the story behind what you love about it.

My first photoshoot with Nicole, and when we met, was so special because it was a mother’s day session. The shoot documented my first mother’s day as a mom and I will never forget that session.

The smile on my son's face, his excitement and me realizing that even though I’m not perfect, I’m still doing a great job in my new role as “mom”. 

Share a favorite image from your personal family photos, and the story behind what you love about it.

There are so many great memories in this photo. I was 8 weeks pregnant in this picture and hadn’t shared the news with family and friends yet. We didn’t know the gender and I hadn’t had my first appointment yet. Looking at this picture, our first as a soon-to-be family of four truly holds a special place in my heart.

This picture was also taken on the beach near our home that we had recently purchased. It’s also the beach that my husband grew up going to as a kid and there are so many fond memories of this beach. I look forward to creating new ones as our family continues to grow. 

After visiting your family’s home, I fell in love with the many gallery walls throughout your house.  Why is it so important to you to surround yourself with these memories?  Do you have any tips on creating the perfect gallery wall in your home?

Pictures, similar to a song, can bring you bring back memories and the exact emotion felt in a moment, at event or point in your life. I also think there is beauty in the everyday moments in life and capturing your life through photos can truly tell a story. 

My approach to gallery walls isn't precise or calculated. I play around with different frames, colors and textures and try to mix it up so that it feels natural and not too perfect. Pick a variety of layouts, mix and match and select pictures that you will enjoy looking at daily. I also think making it easy and using companies like Framebridge for custom framing can help pull together a personal gallery wall to fit any décor preferences and style. 

Can you share any tips for other moms to make it easy to print their artwork and get their photos off of their hard drives?  

I am obsessed with printing photos and think that printing is just as important as taking the picture. I love apps like Timeshel where you can commit to have iPhone photos printed and shipped monthly (they also remind you to upload your pictures every month). These keeps you from storing great moments on your phone. The print size is also great for a baby book or scrapbook and they are perfect for framing and gifting photos of your little ones.

I also use Shutterfly as the app is easy to order prints, gifts and make albums. I also enjoy Artifact Uprising and their clean and simple approach to prints. And lastly, Chatbooks because it’s so easy to make a photo book from your phone and it’s the perfect way to pull together a collection, a year in review or gift photos from a special event.

In addition to working a full-time job and being a mom & wife, you also find time to write a blog, www.amodestlife.com!  Tell us a little about your blog, your mission, and the inspiration behind your website that focuses on “Navigating Motherhood with Style”.  Also, I hear that there are some exciting new changes coming for A Modest Life… What’s up next?  

I started my blog back in 2008 (yes, that long ago) and it was right around the time that blogs were starting to take off. I started it with the intent of posting daily and focusing on fashion. I was very committed and would only post occasionally.

I decided that the content was marginal and as my personal life shifted (I got married, had a baby) I thought the content and focus need to be adjusted to reflect my new reality. I decided to rebrand and redesign my blog to include a focus on motherhood.

I’ve been working at slowly over the last few months and I’ve really enjoyed coming up with new content. I have some great posts on the horizon and I look forward to growing my following of moms. 

Interested in learning more about our Spokesmama program?
We're currently accepting Spokesmama applications in
the Saratoga Springs/Albany area, and the Boston area.

Click on the Spokesmama tab above, and email us at
hello@nicolestarrphotography.com.
We'd love to chat to see if this would be the perfect fit for you!  

Colorful Fun at the Fair with Saratoga Springs Family Photographer, Nicole Starr Photography

I am a huge fan of summertime, and also of the amazing and colorful moments all woven together that just scream, "This is what childhood is made of."  Magical, colorful, innocent memories that bring you right back to that summer evening when you were little.  Lemonade stands, carnivals, swimming lessons, sprinkler days, ice cream trucks... the list goes on and on! 

So when Jessi of Lovebug Photography in Rochester, NY, came to visit me for a mentoring session the same week as the Saratoga County Fair, and she told me that her kids would be traveling with her, I knew that we had to spend an evening exploring this amazing space.

Just look at Clark.  Clearly, he was a huge fan of the fair!!

We had so much fun finding little pockets of quiet amidst the chaos, capturing these beautiful moments with such a colorful backdrop.  

Clark & Rosie ran around with hundreds of lights sparkling overhead, the smell of fried dough drifting across the fairgrounds, and fluffy cotton candy tempting us around every turn.  We met a few amazing carnival workers who let us take photos at their game booths, and even got Clark involved in an exciting game or two.  

Plus, aren't their outfits adorable?  Their mom was on point in selecting their wardrobe for this shoot, and I just love how well they combine with our fairgrounds backdrop!

As the new girl in town, I am discovering that fairs are such a huge thing here in New York, and I am so excited about that!  I'm looking forward to joining many more families in this classic & colorful setting that is perfect for family photos and childhood memories, and I can't wait to check a few more fairs out this summer!

Interested in a photo session at your local fair?  Use the contact tab above and send me a message.  I would love to chat and plan the perfect memory-making session for your family!

A Musical First Birthday Cake Smash

Her name is Melody.  She loves music, singing, and dancing.  Of course we were going to do a musical themed cake smash for her first birthday photo session!

There are about a million and one reasons why I love cake smash sessions.  Cute babies, cake & creativity top the list.  I had this idea for a backdrop of floating hearts created from sheet music, and it came out just as beautiful as I had imagined it would.  I love when that happens!

music musical notes first birthday cake smash

pink, teal, and gray cake smash

It wasn't long before Melody knocked the entire cake right off of the cake stand.  Let the smashing begin!  She really got into it -- just check out her toes in these next few photos!  I just love it when the babies get so into the smashing that it is all they can focus on.  So sweet!

music musical notes first birthday cake smash

pink, teal and gray cake smash

pink and teal cake smash session

baby cake smash birthday photo session

The end of the smash always gives us the most comical reactions from the babies -- "What do you mean that cake's all gone?  And you want to wash me?  No way!!!"

music musical notes first birthday cake smash

Want to see the birthday girl in action?   Check out this adorable video clip!  I'm pretty certain that Melody LOVED her birthday cake!!

[video width="320" height="576" mp4="http://nicolestarrphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/30-3380-post/video-1446218810.mp4.mp4"][/video]

Happy birthday, baby girl!

View the rest of Melody's birthday session & family photos here.

A Beacon Hill Family Session

Sometimes, I find myself so caught up in capturing the newborns, the sitters, the crawlers, toddlers, and pre-schoolers that I forget how amazing sessions are with older children.  I actually LOVE these sessions with teens and pre-teens.  I feel so lucky to be able to capture these amazing young adults on camera, learn a little about their lives, listen to their big dreams, and have such a fabulous time exploring and capturing beautiful photographs together!

Meet Chloe & Hannah.

We got together in Beacon Hill for a beautiful sunset session with these gorgeous girls and their mom.  The four of us wandered through the Public Garden and walked the streets of Beacon Hill while soaking in those last sparkling rays of summer sunshine.  I loved listening to their stories about traveling around the globe, adding Morocco to my list of must-see travel destinations.

I introduced them to the famous Acorn Street, the most photographed street in America nestled among the brick homes and cobblestones of Beacon Hill.  They loved how quaint it was, and this portrait became a framed 16x20 that is waiting to find a place in their home.

This blue store front was one of my favorite spots that we found to photograph by.  How absolutely gorgeous do Hannah & Chloe look against the blue, the sparkling glass, and the bright pops of color in the background?  I just love this section of the city, and I'm so happy we chose to do their session downtown!

Would you love to see another senior-style session?  Check out Simi's ballet-inspired session in the woods here!

Cameras & Cupcakes: Our DSLR Camera Workshop for Moms

This morning when I woke up, my heart was full and my creative spirit was oh-so-happy.

Last week was a whirlwind of session prep and workshop prep as I pulled together all of the final details for my first workshop in the Nicole Starr Photography studio.  Emails, ribbons, notebooks, gift bags, labels, workbooks, thank you notes, reminders, cupcakes, paper napkins, slideshows, and Facebook groups filled the week up in the best way possible.  But look at how it all came together for our first DSLR Camera Workshop!

Yesterday I converted our studio into a hands-on classroom for 8 moms and moms-to-be who joined us with one shared goal: master that DSLR camera and get off of "Auto" mode.  They drove to the studio from all over the eastern part of the state, and I am so honored and grateful that they chose to join us in this experience.

These women came into the studio, and at the beginning of our workshop many of them had no idea what was waiting for them inside of their camera bags.  Literally!

"I have a Nikon something-or-other with numbers after it."  

"What's all the writing on the lens?"  

"Why are there so many numbers inside my viewfinder?"  

"Wait, where's the viewfinder?"

Honestly, this is so common.  I have talked with so many moms over the past couple of years that invested in a really nice camera because they wanted to take better photos of their children.  And nearly every single one of those moms has told me that she's frustrated with the photos and that the quality doesn't match what she knows is possible.  She has told me that she either leaves the camera in Auto all of the time and doesn't know how to use it, or (even worse) she leaves the expensive camera in her camera bag and only shoots with her iPhone.

After hearing similar stories from so many moms, I knew I wanted to start a workshop to help others master their DSLR cameras and get off of Auto mode.  Everyone has to start somewhere, so this workshop is all about learning the basics about light, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to see how that makes a huge difference in their photos and how this impacts the exposure of their photos.

So we got together and went step-by-step through everything they needed to know to take better photos right away.  Everyone learned about the modes on their camera, what the little dials do, what this button and that button do, and why there are so many numbers all over the place.  We went outside and practiced shooting, pulling together all of the skills we'd been learning.  I watched so many women have their "Aha!" moments, getting so excited to try out a new skill and getting even more excited when they saw that it actually WORKED.  There were happy dances and celebrations of small victories, and it was amazing.

My favorite part was meeting all of these fabulous women, hearing their stories, and helping them take huge steps in their photography journeys (I so wish I had remembered to take a group photo to share on here, but in all the excitement it totally slipped my mind!).

A few other favorite things?  The details!  Anyone who knows me and my style knows that it's all about the small details that have a huge impact.  I poured so much of myself into this workshop, and I absolutely love how it all came together.

Inside of our gorgeous gift bags was a wealth of information, and the most beautiful camera straps that were lovingly handmade by Casie Marie Photography, a small business owner from Florida that I connected with through the #risingtidechallenge and The Rising Tide Society.  I just love how she made each one with the colors, lace, and details to perfectly match my whimsical and dreamy brand.  Aren't they gorgeous?  I can't wait to see these mamas put them to good use on their cameras!  (Photo from the @nicolestarrphotography Instagram page.)

My heart has always been in teaching.  I started working in classrooms when I was 16 years old, a teenager with big dreams and a desire to teach.  There's just something so magical about connecting with others and helping them learn, grow, and discover.  So it was only natural that after leaving the classroom (Did you read that very personal post yet?  Go and check it out!) I would find a new way to weave teaching into my photography career.

And friends, let me tell you something... I LOVE IT!

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I am so excited to launch another workshop next month.  I can't wait to connect with more moms (and dads, teens, sisters, grandmothers...) and get them started on their photography journey.

Our next DSLR workshop will be on Saturday, October 24th.  This will be the last one of the year, so if you'd like to join us in 2015 be sure to get in touch right away since we are already nearly HALFWAY SOLD OUT just from our waiting list attendees alone.

More details will be coming to our newsletter readers tomorrow, but email me at nicolestarrphotography@gmail.com to reserve your spot now.  You can also click on the "Newsletter" tab on the top left of the screen and sign up to receive our newsletter updates!

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Did you attend our workshop yesterday?

I'd love to hear what you thought of it!

Say "hello" in the comments below, and I look forward to continuing to connect with you in our private Facebook group.