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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Why Most Newborn Portraits are of Sleeping Babies

Have you ever wondered why most newborn portraits are of sleeping babies? It's not just because photographers are pros at getting babies to sleep. There's actually a whole science and reasoning behind it!

When they babies are sleepy, they are:

-more relaxed

-easier to pose

-safer to pose

Sleeping babies make our job easier and safer. As you know, a baby’s safety is always my priority in the studio or at home, so any time we can allow baby to sleep during our portraits, everyone feels a bit better! (Of course, it’s okay if your little one doesn’t sleep, too!!).

Newborn babies tend to sleep more than they’re awake.

All babies are different, but most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake -- even though sometimes it doesn't seem that way to new parents! Most often in those first few weeks, the only times they are awake are when they are eating or getting changed, and it's rare to have many moments when they are awake and relaxed at the same time. This means that in order to find those moments of peace for our session, we want baby will be asleep and therefore relaxed during our session!

Some poses just aren’t safe to do if baby isn’t sleeping.

The first priority in every newborn session is the baby's safety, and some poses are just not safe to do with a newborn while they are awake. For example, tummy poses are not safe for an awake baby because they can kick their legs and wiggle off the posing bed or prop. In other poses, the babies have their heads carefully balanced on their arms or hands, and even though this is done in a very safe manner to distribute their weight evenly and keep their bodies balanced, an awake baby is too wiggly to attempt this safely.

We work to create a relaxing atmosphere for your baby!

Since we want your baby to sleep (so they’re relaxed and even safer), newborn photographers work hard to get babies to relax during their session. That is why we crank up the heat in the studio, swaddle and rock the babies, use white noise, and use gentle repetitive motions such as patting and stroking to soothe them. Our goal is to get babies as relaxed as possible so that they will fall asleep and be easy and safe to pose for their portraits. Plus we are able to capture the most variety in images and poses while they are sleeping, too!

But what happens when a baby just won't sleep?

Honestly, this happens fairly often, so if your baby is one of those ones that just won't settle, don't stress! Usually it's a digestive issue. Some babies have upset tummies and they're trying to work out some gas or a BM. Others are affected by caffeine in breastmilk, or maybe a new formula just doesn't sit well in their tummies. Some had a stellar night's sleep last night and they're just not tired right now (but you know the second you leave they're going to drift off to dreamland!).

Newborn portraits are about photographing your baby!

No matter what happens (or doesn’t), we'll figure it out and work around it to capture beautiful portraits while you're in the studio. Typically newborn sessions last 2-3 hours, and most babies would struggle to stay awake for such a long period of time in those early weeks. We keep their tummies full and use all of the tricks to help them relax and stay happy. While they're awake, we swaddle them up and capture those big bright eyes and funny little expressions. I looooove photographing awake babies because they are so expressive, and those wide-eyed shots always make it onto the front of their birth announcement cards. Eventually they all fall asleep and they give in to the heat and the white noise, but some babies just take a little longer than others.

When should you schedule newborn portraits?

For the traditional posed newborn session, we usually schedule those for between 7-15 days old. The ideal time to reserve your newborn session is before the baby is born to ensure a spot on the calendar. After the two week mark babies are often much more alert and wiggly.

I love photographing older newborns, too, but the type of images we create in those sessions is more about interactions and expressions while they are relaxed and awake. Older newborn sessions are less posed and they are usually done with babies 4-8 weeks old.

Ready to get your session on the calendar?

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Beautiful Newborn Portraits at our Saratoga Springs Baby Photography Studio

Our latest Baby Planner has arrived, and she is oh-so-sweet!

Meet Elliana. She visited me at the studio and was the most cuddly little baby. I love that we captured these portraits of her resting in her mommy & daddy’s arms to show just how small she was when she was born!

Looking over dad’s shoulder is always one of my favorite angles to capture during a newborn session. This is the view you’re never going to forget when you think back on holding your daughter in those first few weeks, and seeing this image twenty years from now will bring you right back to feeling the weight of her in your arms and the way she made her happy little newborn sighs when she settled in comfortably.

Can you find the hidden hearts in the portrait below?

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

Product Showcase - A Lavender Linen Album for a Studio Newborn Session

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Pin this image or any from the post above for design inspiration!

Carter Daniel's Newborn Session with a Very Special Coal Miner's Helmet

Sleepy little babies are the best!

I love starting off our newborn sessions at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio with a few sleepy, unposed portraits of the baby in a plain white onesie on the studio bed. These are natural and raw moments of your little one sleeping, stretching, and yawning. Basically, they’re just being a baby! They are always some of my favorite unposed images from the entire session!

Carter decided that he was going to be wide awake for (almost) his entire newborn session, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of the camera! It led to some truly beautiful family portraits and individual ones of this sweet baby boy, too!

He’s getting sleepy! The heat & the white noise are working!

I love, love, love when the grandparents come for a few three generation portraits during the newborn session! These are always extra meaningful. This family especially loved it because Grandma lives with Mom & Dad and is helping take care of baby Carter!

Carter’s great grandfather was a coal miner, and his parents brought his original helmet to their session to honor the family’s history. This was such a unique sentimental item, and I was so happy they brought this with them because there is just such an incredible story behind it.

Carter finally fell asleep and we were able to capture all of his squishy baby rolls! I love how he just curled up so comfortable and cozy!

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If you liked this session, you’ll love Oliver’s neutral newborn session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio!

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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.  

Pretty Florals for Amelia's Studio Newborn Session

Spring has sprung here in the studio, and flowers are EVERYWHERE! I absolutely love getting to incorporate beautiful blooms into our sessions, and I was thrilled to welcome Amelia to the studio for some cute portraits with peonies.

But first, check out her adorable family portraits! This sibling pic melts my heart. What an incredible big brother!

This little miss was wide awake for part of her session, so we captured those beautiful, sparkling eyes of hers!

Gorgeous Mama and Baby Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Studio

I am 100% head over heels in love with this session! We did some stunning mama and baby portraits in the studio to celebrate Sebastian’s arrival, and new mama Kate wore a few of the gowns in our studio closet. (By the way, have you seen the new Mama Wardrobe yet? Go check it out and borrow a dress or two for your session!)

I love how peaceful and serene these portraits are, and she looks so elegant in these gowns! My favorite thing about the studio wardrobe is how classic the styles are, and how flattering they are on all body types — even postpartum bodies! Trust me, all mamas feel GORGEOUS when they step into these dresses!

Not to be left out, Sebastian even slipped into one of our newborn outfits from the Baby Wardrobe at the studio. I love these blue stripes!

Whether you’re planning a maternity session, newborn session, family portraits, or a cake smash — mamas, if you don’t know what to wear and you’re worried that nothing in your closet looks just right, then come ask me what we can do with the outfits here at the studio. I would love to help you pick out the perfect one for your session!

Newborn Portraits for Penelope James

Little miss Penelope is another one of our Baby Planners, and I am so looking forward to watching her grow this year! It feels like only a few weeks ago that we enjoyed her mama’s maternity session here at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and then in no time at all they were back with their baby girl!

We chose plenty of neutrals for Penelope’s newborn session — white, cream, and blush pink are always timeless favorites for baby girl sessions!

Don’t you just love this little smile that peeked out?!?!

This little sweetheart was awake almost her entire session, which is rare and usually makes newborn sessions rather tricky because newborns have more relaxed facial expressions and they are much easier to pose when they are asleep. Penelope kept looking around, wanting to take everything in with her soulful eyes. She made a few funny little faces, but so many adorable ones, too! I just adore these awake parent portraits!

Holden's Newborn Session with his Big Brothers

Our newest Baby Planner baby is here! Holden Patrick joined me at the Attleboro studio for his newborn session, and I had such a wonderful time celebrating his arrival with this sweet family! Holden’s big brothers are both so excited and helpful with their newest sibling, and they did an amazing job during the session.

Funny story…. when the big brothers were getting dressed at the beginning of the session, one of the boys slid his arms into his button-down shirt and his thumbs got caught on the button at the cuff. He exclaimed, “Cool! Thumb holes!” and immediately loved the shirt because he thought it was like those athletic shirts that have the slits for the thumbs. His mom and I couldn’t stop laughing and then we had to break it to him that he wouldn’t be using the “thumb holes” during portraits. We convinced him that rolled cuffs were way cooler, and he was excited to wear his fancy shirt. Too funny!

Aren’t they the best big brothers you’ve ever seen?!?!

He doesn’t seem to mind giving up his title as the baby of the family one bit!

Both big brothers had nautical inspired newborn portraits done when they were born, and it was really important to the family to do a matching portrait with white starfish and white layers. I love what we came up with, and it will look perfect as a canvas on the wall with the boys’ portraits!

And of course, the nautical-inspired session wouldn’t be complete without some blue and white stripes!

Product feature | Our New Deep Matte Linen Album

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baby Starr | Grayson's First Month

Sweet little Grayson is one month old!

How did that happen so quickly?!?!  If you missed his newborn portraits, check them out here.  And you can enjoy a peek into his nursery here on the blog, too!

This adorable little guy has truly brought so much joy to our lives over the past month, and I can't even begin to imagine how amazing the next year (and all of those after that!) are going to be.  Jeff and I keep saying over and over again how lucky we are to have such a perfect, happy, healthy, and mellow little baby. 

He  truly has a very chill personality, and we adore his alert time because it really showcases his relaxed mood.  It happens 2-3 times a day right now, and he spends it looking around, taking everything in with those great big eyes of his.  He's very quiet when he's studying everything around him, and he lights up with the sweetest smiles and these really cute "o" faces when he purses his lips.  

Of course, like all babies, Grayson can get a little fussy at times.  We've discovered that he calms right down with music, and we're always saying, "Alexa, play Top Pop radio."  (Which, by the way, we bought an Alexa right before he was born and it's been so amazing to have something hands-free when our hands are filled with a baby!)  Ten seconds in to a song with a good beat, he is as happy as can be!  I'm attributing that to the countless hours I spent in the car with the radio on driving back and forth between Boston & Saratoga during the pregnancy -- we have a music lover on our hands!

These photos below were taken at 10 days old, and Grayson looked so tiny in his "coming home outfit" on our bed.  It's hard to believe that just a few weeks later, he's now outgrown that adorable sweater and I'll be packing it up in a box along with his hospital bracelet and footprints!  

This month was filled with firsts for Grayson! 

His first photoshoot was a Fresh 48 session in the hospital with Lauren Kirkham Photography.  He rocked it, and we've already shown his album off to all of our family members and found a special place for it on the shelf with our other albums.  I can't stop looking at it though!

With the weather warming up, he enjoyed his first visit to an ice cream shop.  We took him to Martha's Dandee Creme in Queensbury, our favorite! 

He finally discovered that he LOVES bathtime.  We put on some lullabies and he just zones out while laying in the water.

His first trip to Target was for more diapers.  Of course. 

He slept through his first walk through Spa State Park with a new baby friend. 

To celebrate Daddy going back to work at the end of the month, G-man slept 6 hours at night for the very first time!  We're hoping that continues and becomes a nightly tradition... eventually!

And he spent lots of time with the grandparents, and his aunt and little cousin who also came over to visit! 
 

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Because our phones are now filled with baby photos, and because the very best camera you can have is whichever one is in your hand right this moment, here are a few favorite cell phone shots from Grayson's first month!  We're pretty much obsessed with his smiles, his cuddles, and all of his funny little expressions that melt our hearts when he's awake!

The Modern Day Brag Book - Our Mini Accordion Albums Make the Perfect Gifts for Grandparents!

Look at how adorable this little accordion album is!  Every time I pull it out to show families, they oooohhhhh and aaaahhhhh, and they are so excited to hold it in their hands and unfold the pages, watching the images spread out before them.  

Our mini accordion albums are a petite album, and they are perfect gifts for grandparents!  These miniature brag books fit right in Grandma's pocketbook, and opened up they are a beautiful display on an end table, mantle, or shelf.

At 3x3", they hold eleven of your favorite images from your session.  Though they're petite, they make a BIG impact!

These sweet little albums are available with all of our sessions in sets of 3, giving you multiple copies to share with family, or to keep one for yourself!

I truly love creating beautiful heirloom products for the families that I work with.  I want you to see & enjoy your images every single day, and I love helping families realize that printed memories are so much more powerful than little JPEGs lost on a hard drive somewhere.  
 

Check out a few of our other Signature Products that are available with all of our sessions!

Our Fine Art Linen Album
Our Custom Image Cover Album
Our Keepsake Wooden Box

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome, Kona - A Neutral and Minimalist Studio Newborn Session - Boston Newborn Photographer

Many years ago, I remember thinking that white, cream, and beige were "boring."  I lived in an apartment with all white walls, and I couldn't wait to get out of there so that I could paint all of my rooms different colors.

Flash forward, and nowadays there is nothing I love more than neutrals.  Give me all of the whites, creams, and grays, and my heart is happy.  Especially with our newborn sessions -- these babies are so fresh & pure, and these soft neutral colors are the perfect complement to truly showcase how beautiful these new little ones are on their own.  There is nothing to distract from their perfection!

Kona visited me at our Attleboro studio with her big sister Kailani.  Her mom requested all neutrals, because just like me, her heart goes all pitter-patter when she sees those whites & creams together.  Kona's skin was so creamy and beautiful, and her dark hair perfectly framed her face, making her pop against our simple backdrops.

This sleepy little girl wanted to see what was going on, and while she resisted sleep for awhile, she eventually gave in and closed those beautiful sparkling eyes of hers.  Not before we got some great wide-eyed shots first, though!

It's always unpredictable with toddlers and newborns, and Kailani took awhile to warm up to the idea of being in a portrait with her baby sister.  Later in the session, she decided now would be the perfect time and she walked on over and kissed Kona right on her forehead without prompting.  She's already becoming such a good big sister!

Love what you see?  Check out these neutral newborn sessions at our studio, too!
 

A Pumpkin Spice Inspired Newborn Session at our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio - Saratoga Springs, NY Newborn Photographer

I just love everything about fall -- pumpkins, plaid, cider donuts, sweater weather, homemade chili, and so much fall baking that my kitchen smells amazing for the entire month of October.

That's exactly why I was thrilled do bring just a touch of fall into a recent newborn session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio with sweet little Teagan.  How adorable is she all wrapped up for the sweater weather season?

Every time I'm able to catch a smile during one of our newborn sessions, I tell the parents just how lucky we were to capture that fleeting moment.  Teagan's smile is so beautiful, and she looks so happy to be all snuggled up with those sunflowers.  Did you notice the little matching headband?  That was created especially for this set-up!

Of course I am all about the creamy white pumpkins.  I've never been a huge fan of orange and red, but if you can find fall decor in neutral colors, then I am all over it!  I picked up these pumpkins at the local Sunnyside Gardens here in Saratoga Springs.  They had so many varieties of pumpkins besides just big round orange ones, and I love these petite ones that were just perfect for our newborn session props.

Are you looking to add a touch of seasonal decor to your upcoming newborn session? We've incorporated twinkle lights, greenery, and candy canes for the holidays; penguins, puffy white snow, and fuzzy hats in the winter; a hint of hearts for Valentine's Day; tulips and other dainty flowers in the springtime... the possibilities are truly endless!  Let's chat about planning a creative little set-up for your upcoming session!  

A Fine Art Album for Newborn Quinn Madlina | Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Imagine curling up on the couch with your little one, pulling out their favorite book, and telling them the story of when they came into your family. 

Imagine their tiny little fingers turning the pages and pointing out "mama," "dada", and "baby", hovering over a sleeping newborn photo of your tiny little baby all wrapped up and cozy.  

Imagine passing this album down to them 30 years from now when they have children of their own, showing them just how small and how loved they were, and giving them a glimpse into your life as a new parent as they are about to embark on their own journey into parenthood.

That's why we create our Fine Art Albums.  That's why they are my FAVORITE heirloom product for families to enjoy from our sessions.  That's why I have a growing collection of them in my own home -- they are gorgeous keepsakes that will quickly become your most treasured posessions, telling your family's beautiful story through images.

The very first time I spoke on the phone with Quinn's mother, she told me right away, "We're album people.  We're definitely going to want to create an album after her newborn session."  They have albums from all of their family milestones, filling their shelves with memories.  So of course we created the most beautiful album of all to celebrate their baby girl's arrival.

The pages are printed on photo paper and are truly breathtaking -- you have to see them in person, and the quality will blow you away! 

I also give my clients durable and kid-friendly products that will fit their lifestyle.  Don't worry about keeping it in a box to keep it perfect.  The lustre coating on the pages protects against tiny fingerprints, and if your baby drools on it you can just wipe it off with a cloth without worrying about damage.  This heirloom will hold up over the years and it will stay looking as beautiful as ever as your child grows.

My favorite thing about our albums is that we weave together all of your session images to tell a story, YOUR STORY.  Just look at the excitement on these new parents' faces!  That's what you want to remember years from now as your baby grows up and doesn't fit so perfectly curled up in your hands.  

Check out a few of our other favorite albums on the blog!
 

Is a Studio Newborn Session the Right Fit for You? - Studio Newborn Photographer

With so many options in the newborn photography world, how do you know which is the right fit for you?  Today we're talking all about studio newborn portrait sessions, and how to know if that's the right style for your family.

I offer three types of newborn sessions -- studio sessions, lifestyle sessions in your home, and Fresh 48 sessions at the hospital.  Each one tells a different story, and gives you a different style of images.  Some families choose to do just one session, others do a combination of two (typically Fresh 48 and then either lifestyle or studio), and still others do all three!

Fresh 48 sessions are natural, raw, and filled with emotion.  They are a peek into your first hours meeting your newborn baby, and they are filled with some of the most magical moments I ever have the pleasure of photographing.  Sure, the hospital decorating choices might leave a little to be desired, and you're going to be exhausted because you just delivered a baby the day before, but these are moments you will never get back and you will always cherish.  Check out our blog post about why you might want to consider hiring a Fresh 48 photographer.

Lifestyle sessions are a relaxed, intimate peek into your lives at home in the first few weeks of bringing home your baby.  They are unposed, and we capture you just as you are in your home.  We also take care to capture all of the details of the nursery that you carefully planned for 9 months, and give you portraits that you'll be able to show your child as they grow and tell them all about the house they came home to when they were born.  Check out our blog post about lifestyle sessions to see if this might be the best fit for you!

But today, it's all about the studio sessions!  How do you know if they are the right fit for you? I get asked this question all the time by expecting parents, and here are a few things to keep in mind.  If these facts resonate with you, then a studio session is probably the best fit for you!  

1.  You love those classic family portraits against a clean background, where everyone is looking at the camera.  

In the studio we capture shots with mom & dad, siblings, and everyone alone with the baby.  If you love the more "posed" style of family portraits, book your studio session!

2.  You can't get enough of those adorable little bowls, baskets, and crates that we pose babies in!

The studio is stocked with simple, classic props that won't detract from your baby's beauty.  All of my props are natural wood, driftwood, or painted white.  Wraps and other items are all natural materials that are perfectly soft against baby's delicate skin.  If you love those shots of baby wrapped and curled up in bowls and baskets, a studio session is the right fit for you!

3.  You love those newborn poses of babies on a blanket, with their head on their hands.

Newborn photographers are trained in newborn safety, and they know how to safely position your little one in those sweet little poses that melt every parent's heart.  We use a posing beanbag in the studio covered in blankets to give your baby a safe cushion, and we know just how to prop them up and support them to get them into those curly little positions.  If you adore clean & uncluttered backgrounds, this is perfect for you too since these poses are not something that can be achieved at home on your bed.

4.  Your heart skips a beat when you see those tiny little headbands and hand-knit newborn outfits, and you love a perfectly coordinated set.

We have headbands, bonnets, basket stuffers, and perfectly sized outfits that are 1,000,000 times cuter and more classic than anything you'll find at Target.  Trust me on this one: use the cute little accents that your photographer has in the studio because they are created to be photographed, and they will look so classic on your newborn baby.

5.  You have a prop that you'd like to use.

If you have a special item that is sentimental or a family heirloom, please bring that to your session!  We typically only have time to incorporate 1-2 additional items into your baby's setups, and it's nice to not let your little one be overpowered by too many props.  But if you have something small that is related to your family (your grandmother's quilt, a bracelet you wore as a baby, an item related to mom or dad's career or how you first met), let's incorporate it into your session!  It is always so much fun to breathe a little personality into your portraits, and they're guaranteed to be images that you love for years to come.

But what would I recommend not bringing?  

Well, you know those little crocheted outfits of animals sold on Etsy?  They're typically made with low-quality yarn and the baby's skin gets irritated when rubbing up against them, plus the baby almost always overheats in those hats and diaper covers.  A sweaty baby is an unhappy baby, and we won't be able to soothe them to get the shot.  

I also wouldn't recommend bringing a shot list from Pinterest -- discuss any inspiration with your photographer ahead of time, but remember that you hired them because you trust their style and their artistic vision.  

Leave the fluffy flower headbands from the baby store at home, as well as all of those cute little newborn onesies and shoes -- they're often too large on the baby anyways, so they're swimming in sleeves that don't fit and shoes that keep falling off.  (Baby toes are adorable -- let's showcase them!)  Plus when your baby is all curled up and sleepy you can't see the text/design on the onesies very well.  Save them for visits with family and cute cell phone pictures of them in their car seat.

6.  Finally, if you love those sleepy newborn shots of the baby perfectly posed or wrapped up to show how small they are, the studio is the perfect place to capture that!  

I have dozens of wraps, blankets, and faux furs in the studio to pose your baby on, and I love finding new combinations to keep every session fresh.  At the studio it's easier to get the baby to sleep because we keep it a toasty 80 degrees with white noise in the background, allowing us to pose your baby naked, or wrapped up snugly in a swaddle to get them to sleep.  If you love those sleepy shots, a studio session is for you!

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So, a studio newborn session feels like the right fit for you!  What's next?

Get in touch with your photographer while you're still pregnant to schedule your newborn session.  Most moms reach out during the second trimester.  Newborn sessions are penciled in on the calendar based on your due date, and photographers only accept a certain number of due dates each month to give each family the flexibility in scheduling that they deserve.  

Then as soon as your baby arrives, tell your photographer so that they can set a date for your session!  It's important that studio sessions take place (ideally) within the first two weeks of the baby's arrival, so don't delay!

Welcome Lola! A Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session at Home | Boston Lifestyle Photographer

Honestly, I feel so lucky every time I walk into a new house for a lifestyle session!  My clients have the most beautiful homes and such unique styles, and I adore all of our lifestyle newborn sessions where we get to take a peek into their lives at home!

Meet Lola.

This little sweetheart is already so, so loved.  Her mama & daddy waited a long time for her arrival, and her big sister is over the moon excited!  Big sister Stella loved showing me the nursery, and snuggling up close to Lola in her crib.  She told me how it used to be her room when she was a baby, and her mama showed me all of the sweet little details that went into the decorations -- including a teddy bear that was hers more than 30 years ago when she was born!

When we do our lifestyle sessions, I look for beautiful pockets of natural light in your home.  This settee was in the hallway, and it was the perfect spot for this family of four to cuddle up together with their new baby girl.

Lola fit perfectly in her mama's arms, and she enjoyed so many snuggles from all of her family.  She slept through almost the entire session, but when she did open those sparkling eyes it was pure magic!

Did you love this lifestyle newborn session?  Check out a few more favorites on the blog!

Connor's Light & Airy Lifestyle Newborn Session

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: A Dreamy Nursery

Harrison's Coastal Lifestyle Session

Abigail's Newborn Session at our Attleboro Portrait Studio | Boston Newborn Photographer

Oh, little miss Abigail.  I don't think they come any sweeter than you!

Abigail joined me at the studio for her newborn session, and we used all of the classic girly details to complement her Victorian-style nursery -- pearls, lace, silk, blush pink, the softest fabrics, and flowing wraps.  The end result?  I am in love with the beautiful images we captured of this sweet little girl!

Abigail's big brother, Oliver, was so excited to hold his baby sister.  He did a phenomenal job, cuddling her in close, singing her a song, and giving her lots of kisses on her forehead.  

I love the soft blues in their family portraits.  They live in a coastal town in Massachusetts, and these will look amazing up on the walls of their living room!  Seriously, this family portrait of the four of them can't get any more perfect -- Ollie just has the most adorable expression here!  So, so in love with this sweet family's session!

Camille's Studio Newborn Session with Big Sister Lydia - Boston Baby Photographer

We are in the middle of a BABY BOOM around here, and I am so excited to share all of our recent studio newborn sessions and lifestyle newborn sessions.  Let's start it off with sweet little Camille's session at our Attleboro portrait studio.  

Filled with soft fabrics and whimsical colors, this session was a dream to photograph!  I particularly loved watching Camille's big sister Lydia with her new baby sister -- so many adorable moments together!

Plus, who doesn't love baby back rolls?  Squishy newborns are my favorite! 

While I don't typically do a lot of black & whites, I just love the simplicity of this white-on-white image, and now I'm eager to do more in this style!  The little lace headband was perfect on Miss Camille.

We have a new chair in the studio.  It's a linen and whitewashed wooden chair that I have spent months searching for, and I'm so happy with how beautiful it is in sibling and parent shots for our newborn clients!  The chair arms made it the perfect spot for big sister Lydia to sit securely with her new baby sister, and I love this adorable moment shared with her mama!

Every single newborn session includes family portraits as we celebrate your baby's arrival together.  These ones were just so adorable, and I have so many favorites from this session!  Just look at how excited she is about her new baby sister!

If you loved this session, you're going to ADORE these other newborn sessions at our studio!
Emerson's Blush Pink Session

Matthew's White & Cream Studio Session

Brynley's Newborn Session with Tulips