Classic blue and green newborn portraits for baby boy

Welcome to the world, Eamon! This sweet baby was born on St. Patrick’s Day, so it was important for us to include some green in his newborn portraits as a nod to his special birthday and heritage. In addition to the green, his parents loved our light blue romper and tiny teddy bear hats. I absolutely LOVED the romper on him! He was absolutely adorable the entire session and so easy to work with! 

Before newborn sessions, I help prepare my parents with a few tips to help their newborn session to be as successful as sweet Eamon’s was. One of the most important is to keep baby awake for an hour before the session. This helps ensure they’re ready to snuggle and sleep during our work together. I also encourage parents to give their babies a bath in the morning before coming to my Saratoga Springs studio so they’re awake but also relaxed! My studio is kept warm, helping babies drift into sleep as we swaddle and hold them. I always have my white noise going and we’ll take our time until your little one is ready (and if they don’t sleep, that’s okay!). Finally, plan for a full feeding right before our session. All of this will comes together for a happy, calm, easy to pose baby just like this little guy.

I truly loved baby Eamon and his parents. After our session, we sat down to pick out their favorite portraits for their beautiful heirloom album. I can’t wait for them to be able to flip through it together - and as Eamon grows up, too. What a special memory!

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Beautiful newborn portrait session in Saratoga Springs

I’m so happy to be sharing Baby Sahana’s newborn session with you today on the blog! This winter, I captured maternity portraits for Shreya and I was anxiously waiting until their baby girl was born so we could plan her studio newborn session. Shreya and her family are part of our Collective Membership, where you can receive 4 sessions over the course of an 18th month period, so we’ve been able to document some special moments for them already. As a reminder, we’re currently  booking membership clients for 2024! This is perfect for your family if you’re planning to do 2 or more sessions over an 18 month period (not just for baby’s first year clients, either!).

For Baby Sahana’s portraits, Shreya wanted a soft and light color palette. She was excited to incorporate my Moses basket, as it was similar to the one Ariya was in when they did her newborn portraits in South Carolina. I was more than happy to include it - creating imagery that connects your sessions is important to me. 

The other great part about these portraits was that Sahana’s grandmother was present. It was really special to be able to capture all three generations in portraits of the women in the family. You can tell she’s enamored with her granddaughters - and I think the feeling is definitely mutual. I hope that she’ll be able to hold onto and treasure these portraits for years to come. Including other family members, like grandparents, is a wonderful way to create truly meaningful portraits to display in your home! 

I am SO happy I got to meet Baby Sahana now that she’s made her entrance in the world. Her session was really special to me, and I hope that her family loves it as much as I do!

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Classic newborn & family portraits in our saratoga springs portrait studio

Welcome to the neighborhood, Kiran! Another beautiful baby was born in our neighborhood this year. We’re now up to SIX babies born within the neighborhood in the last year. I love that these little ones are going to grow up together. This newborn session was also special to me because I photographed Kiran’s big brother’s newborn portraits in 2019, too.

I loved seeing Ravi as a big brother. He was soooo excited and 100% into cuddling up with Kiran and taking pictures of the two of them together. We got the cutest sibling portraits! Amy and Raj also loved watching their boys together. I had a wonderful time catching up and hearing how the adjustment from three to four has been going for this sweet family.

For Kiran’s newborn portraits, we chose a classic setup and color palette featuring white and ivory setups and blue accents. Kiran looked so sweet nestled into all of the blankets and wraps during our portraits. He’s so precious and I adored the chance to meet him in my studio! Congratulations to this sweet family. I can’t wait to watch Kiran (and Ravi!) grow up!

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Springtime newborn portraits with florals and hints of purple

Welcome to the world, Avery Marie! Everything was in bloom at the studio for Avery Marie’s springtime newborn portraits. Since her mom’s favorite color is purple, we decided to lean into the purples and spring season for her setups. I have a funny feeling it will be a favorite color of Avery for years to come.

Purple looked amazing on both Avery and her mom. Her mother chose to wear a lavender gown from our Mama’s Wardrobe, and I’m so glad she did! It was the perfect color on her with her hair and complexion, and it looks amazing against the baby's complexion, too!

Avery’s parents brought a few props for their session that are special to them, including a fun little ice cream movie. They love ice cream, so it was the perfect prop to celebrate that connection they’ll share with Avery one day. Her mom also spent years as a ballet dancer, so we made sure to incorporate a tutu for one of the photos. It was purple, of course!

Avery, you are SO loved and I can’t wait to see you grow this year. You are so lucky to have your incredible parents with you along the way.

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How to successfully capture newborn portraits with a toddler sibling

One of my favorite parts about being a newborn photographer is seeing families come back with their second (or third, or fourth) babies to my studio. I adore watching the toddlers I’ve photographed since they were newborns become big siblings and welcome their new baby brothers or sisters to the world. It’s so special - being able to capture these milestones for families. Not just the new baby, but the transition into siblinghood for the older toddlers, too. But, capturing these toddlers comes with it’s own challenges, and just about every parent I talk to is worried about how their toddler will be with the new baby during our portraits. It’s such a common fear - and I totally get it! But it’s 100% possible to have a beautiful session - with your toddler and new baby. Look at how well Baby Dylan and his big brother Owen did!

When I last saw Owen during their outdoor family portrait session in the fall, he was shy and quiet and only wanted to be held by his dad. This time around, he was excited to introduce me to his baby brother Dylan, and he loved playing with all of the toys in my studio. He eagerly joined the family portraits, and he was all smiles for the camera when he saw the different rattles and bubbles that I brought out for his session. Now, I know that not all toddlers are like Dylan - but over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks about how to help your toddlers feel better in the studio during newborn portraits.

Tips for engaging toddlers:

• Go at their pace, don't rush them - or everyone’s going to have a rough time.

• Make them feel special! It’s hard to understand why you aren’t the center of attention anymore. Start off by talking to the toddler and playing with them, and make it all about them instead of all about the baby.

• Let them feel in control, give them easy choices like "Do you want to start with just you and baby, or mommy and daddy and baby? Do you think we should use the white or the blue blanket?"

• Never underestimate the power of a bribe. I keep my studio snack cart stocked with toddler favorites, and it's amazing to see how hard these kids will keep it together for a promised goldfish or juice box when they are all done!

• Give them breaks. Mix up the family poses so that the child isn't in every single one for long periods of time. Let them go play, have a quick bite, help you find a new toy, etc. while you mix family portraits with mom and baby, dad and baby, sibling portraits, etc.

• Make it fun! Sing songs, blow bubbles, hide toys or snacks with the baby, ask them to find an animal in your camera lens, use rattles, lean in for little tickles, etc.

• Remember to keep the baby's safety your top priority and plan all shots around poses that will keep the baby supported and secure. Always have a parent or two nearby to spot the baby, and give the toddler clues or magic words that will let them know when it's safe to get up and move.

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From Click to Delivery and Everything in Between - A Look into our Portrait Process

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with a full-service photographer? Or what in the world that term even means? Today we’re delving deep into the portrait experience to give you the inside scoop about what you can expect when you hire Nicole Starr Photography for your next portrait session. From the very first click of a button all the way through product delivery, let’s dig in!

For most of my clients and potential clients, their very first impression of my business is right here through my website. And here you are — so, welcome! This is where the majority of my clients find me, and also the first place that they head after a friend shares my name with them. And like every small business owner, I love it and sooooo appreciate it when families refer their friends and can’t stop gushing about their amazing portrait experience! If you’re not sure where to get started on the website, check out our different session types on the tab at the top of this page. Look through some BLOGS for inspiration, and take a peek at the gorgeous ARTWORK options here as well. Then head over to the INVESTMENT PAGE and finally click on CONTACT and let’s chat!

After I receive your contact email, we set up a time for a quick phone call. I love this part! This is when we get to know each other a little more, and you tell me all about your baby, your family, and what you’re looking for in your portrait session. I fill you in on the portrait experience (much like we’re doing in this blog post today) and then we set up a time for a planning call.

Our planning call is a pre-consultation done over Zoom. This is when we talk in more detail about colors, theme, location, outfits, must-have shots, etc. I show you examples of all of the beautiful artwork so that you can start picturing them in your home, and we go over any and all questions before booking the session.

From there we set a date for your portrait session. If it’s a newborn session, we mark a flexible date on the calendar surrounding your due date and finalize the date once the baby arrives. If it’s an outdoor session, we plan TWO dates — a session date and a rain date so that we have both blocked off in case in it rains on the first day. 

Then the countdown begins and we excitedly await the day of your family’s portrait session!

All of our sessions are relaxed and we’re flexible with timing so that we can work around your baby or child’s mood to keep them comfortable and happy. We capture a variety of portraits and looks/setups, and we have a blast while doing so!



After that you’ll enjoy a sneak peek on social media within a week of your session, and then we’ll set a time for your ordering appointment. This is another part of the portrait experience that I love sooooo much. I come to your home, or we can do the appointment over Zoom, too. We spend about an hour together going through your gallery and choosing your favorite portraits that you want to enjoy at home.



Here’s why I do this in your homes. Think back to your wedding photos. If you’re like 90% of the moms that I talk to on the phone, you got your photos back from your wedding photographer and never did anything with them, right? Maybe you hung one or two. Mayyyyyybe you had an album included with your package. But most of the families I talk to tell me regretfully that they haven’t been able to enjoy their wedding photos because they haven’t had the time to go through them yet. 

That is exactly why we set aside an hour to go through the portraits from your session together. We look at your walls and figure out the best locations and sizes for your portraits. We talk about albums and collection boxes to see which feels like the best fit for your home. We figure out gifts for family members and we design holiday cards and birth announcements, checking so many to-dos off of your list for you. And it only takes an hour. All of the printing and design is done for you, making it so easy and stress-free for you to enjoy gorgeous heirloom artwork in your home that is going to put a smile on your face every single day!



After that, I go through and finish editing your images. I send all of your images off to my professional labs and they return as beautifully printed and handcrafted artwork. We set up a time for me to deliver everything to you, and then it’s time to enjoy your portraits at home!

It’s that easy. Pretty sweet, right?

So if you’re ready to take all of the stress out of your next portrait session, what are you waiting for? Let’s chat today and get started!

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A Checklist of What to Bring to Your Newborn Session

Preparing for your newborn session shouldn’t be a stressful experience! One of the reasons I love offering in-studio newborn portraits at my Saratoga Springs studio is that I’m able to take care of so much for my families. I want their newborn session to be something joyful, low stress, and enjoyable. So today, I’ve put together a quick checklist of what you should bring to your newborn sessions! You might be surprised that it’s just a few items…

Here’s what to bring to your newborn session:

A zip-up sleeper. Dress your little one in a zip-up sleeper (no snaps) so that it is easy to undress them when you arrive.

Pacifiers… Avoid a wub-a-nub or any pacifier with a stuffed animal attached to it, and just bring a plain pacifier. I like the Soothies brand, the green ones that the hospital uses because they’re easy to use and won’t leave any marks around baby’s face as they’re using them!

Milk! Be prepared to nurse or feed a bottle during the session, and bring whatever you need to be comfortable.

Comfy clothes for mom & dad to change into after we finish family portraits. I recommend light layers because we keep the studio toasty for the baby, who is used to a constant 98 degrees inside of you!

Diapers. Most babies go through 2-3 diapers during their portrait session. Sometimes less, sometimes more. I keep newborn diapers in the studio that you are welcome to use, but it doesn't hurt to keep your diaper bag is well-stocked, too.

Patience. We work around the baby's mood and if they need breaks to eat, get changed, and be soothed, we take our sweet time and keep your little one comfortable. Some babies calm more easily than others, and some babies need a little extra time and attention to settle into the poses. Eventually all babies give in to the white noise, the shushing, the heat, and the power of a good swaddle, and I guarantee you that we will capture the most beautiful portraits of your little one even if they need a little longer to feel comfortable. Be patient and just remember that your baby is in good hands!

That’s it - that’s all you need to bring to your newborn session. I have everything else on site that you might need including both a baby and mama wardrobe, carefully chosen props and setup pieces, and even spaces for families to rest during our portraits. Being a new parent can be hard, but having a successful newborn session is easy!

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10 questions newborn photographers want you to ask before booking a session

Expecting a baby is such an exciting time for families - and planning your newborn portraits is always a lot of fun, too. But it can be overwhelming if you’re not sure who to hire or where to take your newborn baby. As a newborn photographer who’s been photographing babies for many years now, I’ve come to realize that there’s some important topics you should discuss with your newborn photographer before ever booking a session.

1. What safety training do you have with photographing newborns?

This is the most important question you can ask the photographers that you are considering for your little one's first portraits. Newborn photography requires specialized training, and you don't want to trust just anyone with a camera when it comes to your baby that is only a few days or weeks old. You want to hire someone who has in-depth safety training and who knows how to safely handle and pose a newborn -- because posing a newborn safely is much different than handling a newborn in your day-to-day life at home. There are many opportunities for newborn photographers to learn these skills both in-person and online. I have done a variety of workshops and even mentored other photographers, and I continue my newborn education every year with new workshops and trainings. I've photographed hundreds of newborns since 2012, and their safety is my #1 priority in every single session. Safety trumps a cute pose every single time.

2. How many newborn sessions do you schedule a month?

Some photographers run a high volume studio, which means they take on dozens of clients each month. I run a low volume, high service business so that I can devote more time and attention to each client. This also allows me plenty of flexibility in scheduling newborn sessions depending on when each baby arrives. I take on a limited number of newborn clients each month so that I can be sure to fit everyone on the calendar with plenty of wiggle room for babies who are early and late arrivals.

3. Is the studio cleaned and sanitized between sessions?

This has always been important to me as a business owner, and now more than ever we are paying extra attention to all of the ways to make our studio safe for our littlest clients. Every hard surface is disinfected before a session, and every fabric and soft prop is sanitized as well. Read more about our Covid policies here on the blog.

4. What happens during a newborn session and how long is it?

There's nothing more stressful than becoming a new parent. There are so many unknowns in the first few weeks, which is why I like to prep families ahead of time for their newborn session so that they know exactly what to expect. My studio sessions typically last 2-3 hours, and you can read more about what to expect from start to finish here.

5. Do you have a newborn session prep guide?

I give every family a welcome packet upon booking their session, and it includes a prep guide with tips on what to do and what to expect before, during, and after their portrait session! I tell all families that this may be their first time, but I've done this literally hundreds of times, so I do whatever it takes to make their experience easier and less stressful.

6. Is family posing included?

Not every newborn photographer includes family and sibling portraits in their sessions. If the first family portrait is something that is important to you (I know it is to me!), then look for a photographer that includes this. I encourage all families to jump in front of the camera for a few portraits at the beginning of their session because I can guarantee you that these are the memories you'll want to look back on one day -- just how tiny your baby was all curled up in your arms and the way your toddler looks at their new sibling before leaning in for a kiss. See some of my favorite family moments captured during newborn sessions in this Best of 2021 Newborn Portraits on the blog!

7. What happens if the baby cries or won't settle?

This happens. And actually, speaking of things that happen during a newborn session, so does poop. And you know what? We just go with it! I wrap and swaddle the baby, rock and gently bounce the baby, turn up the heat, play white noise or a shusher, and use a few baby whisperer techniques that I've picked up over the years that calm even the fussiest babies. I tell all families that all babies settle eventually, and we just go with it knowing that once they settle we'll be able to capture the most beautiful portraits of your little one. In the meantime, I love a good awake newborn portrait and these are a great opportunity to capture their wide variety of expressions and interaction with family members. No time is ever wasted, but we also take our time and don't rush through anything.

8. What should we wear? Do you offer a client closet?

This is one of my FAVORITE questions, and if clients don't mention this to me on our phone call then I 100% make sure to bring it up! I have lots of tips for families to make choosing an outfit simple, and I even provide a closet filled with dresses for moms to borrow for their portraits. I know what it's like as a new mom when you're not sure what is going to fit right after delivering your baby. That is why I have carefully selected a variety of long dresses in flowy, neutral fabrics and flattering styles that look amazing on new moms. You're welcome to borrow one for your portraits when you book your newborn session with me! Find more tips for what to wear on the blog, including for dad & siblings!

9. Can you come to our home?

Some photographers offer lifestyle portrait session in the client's home. I love these sessions, and they are a beautiful and relaxed peek into your lives at home with your new baby. If you want the convenience of a photographer that comes to you, this might be something to consider! These sessions look and feel quite different from a studio session, so be sure that they're the right fit for you before booking.

10. What is included in the price?

This is going to be different for every photographer. There are some photographers that sell only prints, and others that sell only digital images. There are photographers that will design your birth announcements and albums, and help you select wall art that will be perfectly sized and will complement the decor in your home. There are other photographers that will send you an online gallery and leave the rest up to you to figure out. Find the photographer whose process fits your needs. Are you looking for photos to post on Facebook? Or are you looking for beautiful artwork to enjoy at home and keepsakes to pass down to your children?

Over the past decade of working with families, I have found that most new parents are overwhelmed with life at home with a new baby, and that is why I offer a full-service experience that includes an in-home ordering appointment where I help them select their favorite images. I print everything for them from my professional labs, and bring them artwork that is ready to hang and enjoy. When working with me, families don't have to worry about when they'll have the time to log into a gallery, figure out which images are their favorites, determine which sizes will fit on their walls, make sure the ones they chose look good together, find a decent lab to send everything to print, design an album, make and print their own cards, etc. It's literally all done for them while they get to soak up those first few weeks with their brand new baby and not have to worry about anything else.

I realize that everyone has a budget in mind when scheduling their portrait session, however, I also believe that you shouldn't choose your newborn photographer based on price alone. These are memories that you are going to treasure for the rest of your life, and the birth of your child is one of the most important milestones your family will ever celebrate. You want your portraits to reflect that, and you want your printed products to stand the test of time so that you can pass these keepsakes down to your child one day when they are grown.

Make sure you choose a photographer whose style you love. Look carefully at their work and see if you can imagine it hanging in your home. Learn about the service they provide and the products they will create for you, and think about the ways they can make your life easier as a new parent when it comes to enjoying your portraits.

Are you expecting a little one? Reach out today and let's chat about how I can create a memorable portrait experience for your family!

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Classic Studio Newborn Portraits for Baby Boy

Sibling portraits are some of my favorite images to create during newborn portrait sessions in my Saratoga Springs portrait studio. I absolutely adore watching toddlers in their new role as big brother or big sister as the cuddle up with their family’s newest addition. They always have the biggest, proudest smiles!

But sometimes, those are often the hardest portraits to capture of the entire session! Toddlers are wildly unpredictable and their attention moves so quickly from one thing to the next, so I have lots of tricks up my sleeve to get those portraits that melt mama’s heart of her two babies together, and to get them as quickly as possible so that big brother or big sister can get back to the important things in the studio — toys and snacks!

Big brother Elliott turned out to be one of the easiest big brothers I have had in the studio this summer! He was ready with the cutest smiles, and he loved hugging his new baby brother. He knew he was doing a great job, and he thoroughly enjoyed being the star of the show and getting to cuddle his new baby. We couldn’t stop laughing when he came over, let me click the shutter exactly one time with the most perfect smile, and then ran off to play some more. Hey, as long as we get that one perfect shot, we’re good! ;o)

Did you know that sibling portraits with young toddlers are often composites? This means that two photos are blended together in Photoshop. The number one reason I do this is for the baby’s safety!

Every newborn portrait session also includes family portraits, and cuddles with mama and dada are always the sweetest! Plus, I’m still obsessed with the soft clean light in the studio!

Wondering if a studio session is the right fit for you? Go to this blog post for a simple checklist to see if studio or lifestyle portraits are more your style!

Ahhhhhh, this one in dad’s hands is my fave!!

A newborn session wouldn’t be complete without sleepy portraits of the new baby! Ezra gave the cutest little yawn. I can’t decide which is cuter: newborn yawns or newborn smiles?

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Welcome Baby Nathan! Newborn Portraits with Big Brother

This blog post comes with a story about your favorite photographer, too many boxes arriving in the mail, and the big reveal of this family’s heirloom album. ;o)

This sweet family ordered an album with all of their favorite newborn portraits, and I placed the order the day before I left for a week and a half on the Cape. For me, a week and a half by the sea is like hitting the reset button, so when I came home I could barely remember what I had done before leaving for the Cape.

When I came back to my studio I had a mountain of boxes waiting for me from my different portrait labs, and opening them felt a bit like Christmas morning because I couldn’t remember what was inside of them. Blame it on the mom brain, or blame it on the salt air.

But then I got to this one box. When I opened it up I saw the gray album box inside, and I remember lifting the cover and thinking, “Who’s album is this one?” Then I saw the sky blue linen and the soft colors in Nathan’s newborn portraits, and honestly I gasped when seeing how beautiful it all was together. This family wound up choosing the most perfect linen to complement their portraits, and the finished product was truly breathtaking. That was my favorite package I opened this summer, and I definitely enjoyed watching the family unwrap it a few days later to enjoy it for themselves!

Big brother Aiden was soooooo excited about his new role as big brother, and he gave us all the smiles! We captured so many sweet portraits of these two brothers together and I love all of the family ones, too. I’ve loved watching this family grow over the past couple of years, and it’s hard to believe that just a few short years ago they were brand new parents bringing their son to my old studio for his portrait session! Check out big brother’s newborn session from almost 3 years ago here!

We used some of the same colors and layers in Nathan’s newborn portraits as we did in his big brother’s a few years ago. I’m a huge fan of blues, grays, creams, and whites in newborn portraits, and I love how seamlessly they all go together!

Nathan’s mama gave me the biggest compliment when she was sitting in the studio during their session. She looked around and told me that the studio was so relaxing to be in, and that nearly three years ago as a new mom she had felt the same way. Despite all of the crazy unknowns of motherhood and the countless things that all of us mamas have to figure out in those first few weeks with a new baby, somehow I helped her feel more comfortable at least during those couple of hours she was here for her session. That made my heart so happy to hear.

Because yes, I want to give you beautiful portraits and artwork that you’re going to enjoy for generations. But more importantly I want you to embark on this journey of motherhood (or the next chapter of it if you’re welcoming baby #2 or #3!) and feel a little more confident, a little more understood, a little more prepared to take on the crazy unknowns. I’m a mom, too. I’ve literally gone through this exact same journey, and whatever it is you’re feeling, you’re not alone. That’s why I try so hard to connect with all of the families that I work with to see how they’re doing and offer any little tidbits that might make those first few weeks at home a little easier with the new baby.

Because your newborn session is not just about the photographs. It’s also about taking your baby out of the house for maybe the first time besides the pediatrician appointment, and connecting with another mama who has been in your shoes who can help you feel a little less lost and a little less alone.

Wondering what to expect in your newborn session? I’ve done this hundreds of times and my job is to make it as easy and stress-free as possible for you as a new parent! Check out this blog post for what to expect!

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Classic Newborn Portraits with Shades of Blue

I love it when families come back to my studio with their second babies for their newborn sessions, and I truly love watching their families grow. From bringing their first baby home to watching that little one become a big brother or sister, it really is such an honor to be invited into their lives to document these moments for them.

This sweet family joined me at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio with Baby Colton to capture his newborn portraits. We captured a variety of family portraits to complement their photos from daughter Elliana’s newborn session two years ago, and I love the variety and the joy that their toddler brings to these family portraits. Just look at her adorable little grin and how proud she is to be a big sister in these images!

Wondering what to expect during your newborn session? I’m here to walk you through every step of the way and make it an easy & enjoyable experience for you and your family. Check out the blog post below to learn what to expect!

We used classic blues and grays for Colton’s individual portraits, and this sleepy boy was such a gem. He even wore one of our new one-piece rompers, and I love how it turned out.

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Neutral Gray and White Newborn Portraits for Baby Easton

Little Baby Easton was a cuddly, snuggly little baby and I absolutely loved capturing his newborn portraits during his session at our Saratoga Springs newborn portrait studio. We used a mix of neutrals with mostly white and gray to match their home decor, and I love how everything came together so beautifully in these classic newborn portraits. These are a few favorites that his family chose to print for their home, and I know they’re going to love their new gallery wall with a mix of family portraits and baby portraits.

Want to know more about our printing options? From fine art prints and albums to matted prints and collection boxes, there are so many possibilities for how you can enjoy your artwork at home!

For many of my clients, this is their very first time doing a newborn session and they’re not quite sure what to expect. What do we wear, what if the baby cries, when do we feed the baby, what if he poops on everything…. I get it! There are so many questions before the session!

I reassure my clients that I have done this literally hundreds of times over the years, and it is my job to take the stress out of it for them and make it a seamless and enjoyable process for everybody.

That is why I spend so much time helping families know what to expect before their newborn session even begins, and then the day of I walk them through exactly what we will do to help everyone be comfortable. I’ve compiled a whole blog post filled with what to expect at your newborn session, and you can check it out here!

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Newborn Portraits for Eloise with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

There’s nothing I love more than family portraits in neutral colors where the focus is on the family, the love, and all of that sweet emotion! Just look at those smiles, those cuddles, and the cute little kisses. This is one that will hang on the wall for many years!

This sweet mama brought her second daughter to our Saratoga Springs portrait studio for her newborn session, and I absolutely loved capturing these portraits for their family. It’s hard to believe that exactly two years ago we were documenting their first daughter’s arrival, and now here she is a big sister!

Eloise was absolutely perfect in every way. We captured a variety of portraits with blush pink and cream to match her big sister’s newborn portraits, and we incorporated a hint of greenery, too! I love the layering and textures it provides, don’t you?

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The Cutest Newborn Session with a Dragon and a Smile

When this family told me that their second baby boy had arrived, I did a little happy dance in my studio! I captured portraits for them throughout their oldest son’s first year, so of course we got to know each other during that time while documenting their first year as parents. Their oldest son, Jackson, was always such a joy and I loved the variety that we captured for him with his milestone sessions & cake smash session. I was so happy to hear that they had welcomed another little baby into their family, and especially excited to watch Jackson as a big brother with his new little sibling!

Welcome to the world, Xander Draco!

His middle name means “dragon,” so we used that for a few adorable set-ups and I love how they came out! Keep scrolling to see!

Seriously with this big brother pose?!?! I just adore this portrait, and I still can’t believe that Jackson did so well with his baby brother. He isn’t even two yet, and he did better than some of my 2 and 3 year olds! This is one of our safest poses that we do with toddler siblings. Read more about why hiring a newborn photographer who focuses on safety should be at the top of your list!

Love these snuggly family portraits!

The dragon portraits that you’ve been waiting for! I found this cute little felted dragon on Etsy, and it was perfect for Xander’s portraits! I love how it popped with the blue.

His parents brought this little hat & tail, and we combined it with the felted dragon for a burst of color against our neutral backdrop.

We finished Xander’s newborn session with some more neutrals, always a staple in my studio! Love these? Check out a few of our favorite newborn sessions from 2019 here on the blog!

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Inspired by this fun and classic newborn session for a baby boy? Pin this image or any from the post above for inspiration!

Mint, Navy & Cream Newborn Portraits for Baby Gabriel

Is there anything more beautiful & classic than a baby wrapped simply on a white blanket?

No, I don’t think there is!

I love embracing simplicity in our newborn portrait sessions. These brand new babies are so perfect, and I want to showcase their tiny fingers, the curve of their cheeks, those little wisps of hair, and their sleepy little movements & yawns. That is why we use simple backdrops in neutral colors, and clothing recommendations for mom and dad that won’t distract from their new bundle of joy. The focus is always on the baby.

We incorporated some pops of blue and mint into Gabriel’s newborn session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and I love how these colors look together!

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Inspired by this classic newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Quinn Emerson's Watercolor and Blush Newborn Portraits

You know what we need to brighten up these chilly and long winter days?

A nice pop of springtime colors, and a whole lot of baby cuteness!

Meet Quinn.

This little sweetheart stole my heart — and her parents’ — during her newborn session here at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio. This sleepy baby girl was absolutely perfect, and I adored her smiles and cozy cuddles during her session.

Just look at those perfect and tiny newborn fingers!

My absolute favorite portraits from Quinn’s session were with this gorgeous watercolor swaddle that her mama brought to the session. It coordinated perfectly with our mint green bump layer, and the colors remind me of spring. Such a joyful combination!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Fine Art Album: Baby Jack's In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Session

Our Fine Art Albums are my absolute FAVORITE heirloom product that we offer to families during our gallery reveal appointments.  They are simply stunning, and they weave together all of your favorite images from your portrait session.  I love that they are a keepsake that will preserve your family's memories for many, many years.  

The albums are breathtaking in person, and I have had countless families gasp when they finally hold their books in their hands for the first time, tearing up as they turn the pages.  I like to believe that this is because they know they are holding their most cherished family heirloom.  

It's a book that their children will grown up turning the pages of and pointing out all the little details of their family's story.

It's a keepsake that they will pass down to their children in 25 or 30 years when they have little ones of their own.  

That's why I am so excited to share the album from Jack's newborn session with you today.  I joined his family in their home for a relaxed lifestyle newborn session, and we cozied up in the nursery, master bedroom, and living room for some sweet little moments together.  

During every lifestyle newborn session, I take 5 minutes and photograph all of the little details that you so carefully planned in your baby's nursery -- the crib, the mobile, the artwork on the walls, the perfectly styled bookshelves, the little gifts from friends & family.  You spent 9+ months planning for your baby, and so much love goes into those preparations.  

It is so important to capture the tiny details of your baby's first room, because those will be the items that surround your baby and shape their childhood.  As you'll see in the pages below, the antique rocking horse will be loved for years, and Jack will grow up wearing his Red Sox cap while eating his favorite foods off of his hand-painted plate.  He will read the board books hundreds of times, and his parents will stub their toes on his wooden train a time or two while walking through the nursery in the dark.  ;o)

I absolutely love that this family chose an album with their collection.  These storybooks are the perfect way to weave together all of those little details and tell your story.  Enjoy a sneak peek into this adorable family's life, and leave a comment below to tell me which was your favorite spread in their album!

Want to see more of life beyond the JPEG?  
Take a peek at our other breathtaking keepsakes here on our Signature Products page!  

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A Nautical Newborn Session at Home: Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

Oh, hey there, little baby.  Aren't you just the cutest thing ever?

Meet Marcelino Patrick.

This little boy was as sweet as can be for the majority of his in-home lifestyle newborn session, and we captured so many adorable photos together!  I just love these two images above with one of the newest hats that I recently added to my collection.  Marcelino has the most perfect profile with his little button nose, and I loved showcasing that in his photos.

Marcelino's mom & dad are head over heels in love with their little boy.  I loved being able to watch them soak up his newborn smell, fawn over his tiny smiles, and cuddle up with him in the nursery that they created just for their little nautical baby boy.

One of the many things that I love to capture when clients invite me into their homes for a lifestyle newborn session is the nursery.  So much time and love goes into preparing this space for your baby's arrival, and it deserves to be documented!  

You have spent nine (plus!) months preparing for your little one's arrival, and countless hours sitting in the nursery and dreaming of what he'll be like once he is here.  This is the room where you will rock him to sleep, read him endless bedtime stories, and watch him grow into a tiny little human right before your very eyes.  This room will be the setting for so many stories in your family's tapestry -- it's worth capturing that on camera.  Plus, let's be honest here... never again will the baby's room be as clean as it is today!

Congratulations on your sweet little boy's arrival!

Thank you for inviting me to capture these beautiful moments for your family.