8 Gratitude Ideas for Every Business Owner

As we move into the holiday season and start looking forward to Thanksgiving in just a few days, now is the perfect opportunity for us to pause and reflect on the businesses we run and the relationships we are building.  Today on the blog we’re talking all about showing GRATITUDE in your business.

You have the best job in the world.  Seriously now, think about it for a second…  

You have been so lucky to work with all of these amazing families this year.  They have invited you into their lives, handed you their babies — their most precious gifts, and asked you to capture their story in a way that only you know how.  You have fostered relationships with these people who are not just clients, but now your friends.  You have so much to be thankful for!  Have you slowed down to acknowledge that this year?

Today I want to share a few ways that you can show gratitude in your business every single day.  These are small steps that you can implement, but that will have a big impact on how you perceive your business, how you perceive the work you are doing, and how your clients perceive the experience they are receiving from you. 

In the end, the most important thing is that they feel valued and appreciated.  Here are a few tips to make that happen!

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Never underestimate the power of a thank you.

I was raised on handwritten thank you notes, and I am so glad that it’s something I have continued doing all these years.  Everyone loves receiving mail, and it’s so much nicer to open a beautiful notecard with someone’s heartfelt note scrawled inside than it is to open a stiff, typed form letter.  

Build it into your work flow to send every client a handwritten thank you note.  This can be after they sign their contract and book their session with you, letting them know how excited you are to work with them in a few weeks.  Or it can be included with their print order, thanking them for such a wonderful experience and telling them how much you hope they enjoy their new artwork. 

Buy thank you cards that match your branding, or get them printed in bulk through your lab.  Use a nice pen, and your very best penmanship.  But most importantly, put your heart into it and send them a meaningful note.

Surprise your clients with a gift.

Whether you’re giving a new mom flowers at her newborn session, bringing a swaddle to the hospital for their Fresh 48 session, gifting them a mounted print at their gallery reveal appointment, or getting little onesies made for all of the babies your work with, do something to make your clients go, “WOW!” 

These are small gestures that don't cost much, and you can build the cost into your session fee.  Show them that you’re thinking of them.  Show them that they matter to you and that you appreciate them inviting you into their lives for this photo shoot.  

Show your clients that you’re listening, and that you value them & their story.

If they mention what they do for work, where their favorite vacation spot is, or that this is the first granddaughter in their family in 26 years — remember that!  Bring these connection points up in conversation when you’re with your clients and show them that you care about their family and their story.  Mention small details in their blog post or social media posts, and they’ll be surprised that you remembered something that they only mentioned in passing.  When you show them that you're listening, you're showing them that you appreciate them choosing you as their family photographer.

Comment on their social media posts.

If your client reposts your images, leave a nice comment about what a great experience you had working with them!  Become friends on Facebook or Instagram, and interact with their day to day posts.  You’ll stay at the front of their mind, and they’ll feel like you’ve become a small part of their lives and that they matter to you — they weren’t just another customer or another paycheck to you.

Thank your referred clients, and the ones that referred them!

When you give your clients an amazing experience, they will want to tell their friends.  Implement some type of referral program with rewards.  Surprise them with a little thank you gift when they send someone your way -- a print from a recent session, product credit, or a mini session at the studio are all just a few ideas of ways that you can thank them when their friend books with you!  Never take word of mouth marketing for granted, and always show appreciation that they are helping your small business grow.
 

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There are many facets to being a business owner.  One of them is, of course, how you present yourself to your clients and your potential clients.  Another is how you present yourself to your peers. 

Just as you take care to put your best foot forward with the clients that are paying your bills, make sure that you’re also putting just as much effort into the relationships you’re building with your peers in the photography industry.  Remember that they are just that — PEERS.  Not competition, not enemies.  We’re a community and we’re here to help each other and build each other up.  Here are a few ways to show gratitude in this other side of your business.

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Respond to messages & questions from other photographers.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and we all have questions.  If someone reaches out to you in an email or with a comment on social media, don’t leave them hanging!  Take a moment to send them a quick reply and answer whatever it is they’re asking. 

I have made wonderful connections all across the country (and even around the world!), and I am so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to “meet” these amazing business owners all because one of us asked the other one a question.  This truly fosters a sense of community, and soon you’ll see that you’re all helping each other out and sharing each other’s names and business pages in groups where people are asking questions, looking for a photographer, or needing inspiration for a session.  We all have something to offer — what will YOU offer to others this season?
 

Be active in the photography groups online!

Don’t be a lurker!  You have something to share with others, so get out there and help them!  Start commenting on posts and asking questions.  Share your tips, images, positive CC, and inspiration online.  We all learn from each other, and we all have so much to give to help others. 

Just remember one rule that applies to all groups — if you want CC, ask for it and humbly accept whatever advice you get.  And if someone didn’t ask for CC, don’t be the one that gives unsolicited and unwelcome advice!
 

Choose positivity.

Embrace a positive mindset in all areas of your business. This is one of the best ways for you to be thankful for what you have, and for what you have achieved.  

So you don’t have the fanciest equipment or the biggest studio?  That’s okay — make it work with what you’ve got!  You can still create beautiful images that reflect your unique style.  

Maybe you aren’t booking as many sessions as you’d like just yet?  Take this extra time to love on the clients that you do have, giving them an unparalleled experience and paying extra attention to them.  It will pay off in the end when they can’t stop talking about you to all of their friends!

Swamped in work with the busy season?  Just slow down and appreciate how far you’ve come, and how amazing it is that so many families are trusting you to capture these moments for them right now.  This busy season will pass soon enough.

Is the slow season looming ahead this winter and completely freaking you out?  Running a business is cyclical — there are seasons when you’re so busy you can’t even catch your breath, and then in between there are moments of rest.  Take this time to work ON your business rather than work IN your business.  Revamp your website, update your workflow, create email templates, design a welcome guide, create new props or backdrops, start a newsletter, or catch up on your blog posts.  Be grateful for the extra time to focus on the things in your business that always get pushed to the back burner when you’re busy.  Embrace the slow season!

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In this season of gratitude & reflection, be thankful. 

Show others that you value them and appreciate them. 

Be grateful for what you have achieved, and for the lofty goals you're setting for yourself to achieve next year. 

Be positive in all areas, and make an effort to focus on connection & interaction rather than just automation and workflow.  
 

In the comments, share a little bit of your heart!
What are YOU thankful for in your business????

Behind the Lens: A Photography FAQ with Nicole Starr Photography!

Hey, photographer friends!

I’ve compiled a list of some of the questions that I get asked most often by other peers in the industry, and I wanted to share them on the blog today!  Enjoy a peek into some of my favorite things!

What’s in your camera bag?

I shoot with a Nikon D750.  I’m a huge fan of prime lenses, and over the years I’ve sold off all of my zoom lenses because I just didn’t use them often enough.  My favorite lens for outdoor sessions is the 85mm 1.4, and for my indoor sessions I often use the Sigma Art 35mm.  The 35mm comes with me to all of my Fresh 48 and lifestyle sessions, too!

A few unexpected items in my camera bag are a little rattle to catch babies’ attention, a stash of Smarties candies for a quick little bribe, and I can usually find slips of paper with everyone’s names written on them from past sessions so that I don’t forget anyone’s name!

My camera bag is a Kelly Moore bag that I've had for YEARS!  It's beautiful, durable, and it fits everything that I need.  Usually it carries 2 bodies, 2-3 lenses, and a few other odds and ends.

What studio lighting do you use?

I started using studio lighting two years ago, and it was a total game changer in my studio.  I use an AB400 with a PLM, and I sync it up with Cyber Sync triggers.  I highly recommend the studio lighting course, “Illuminate” by The Milky Way for anyone who is just getting started with studio lighting.

How do you get babies to look at the camera?  

Seriously, guys, I finish my sessions completely winded and exhausted after working so hard to get the babies to look my way!  I have a little rattle that I love using, and I also use a couple of squeak toys to get little ones looking my way.  If they’re on the floor, I’ll get down to their level and tickle their toes and chin, leaning back to catch their reaction on camera.  If mom and dad are in the room, I ask them to stand right over my shoulder to be sure the baby is looking towards me and not away from me.  Sometimes I have to resort to holding mom or dad’s phone above my lens with their favorite song playing on Youtube.  I avoid giving the phone to little ones at all cost because let’s face it — you’ll never get it out of their hands, and you don’t want to edit it out of every single image!

What are your favorite props?

I’m a bit of a minimalist when it comes to props (which is rare for a baby photographer, I know!).  I recently shared this blog post that lists the props I consider most essential in my studio.  I hope you find it helpful!  Just remember that these babies are so perfect just the way they are, and they don’t need to be surrounded by clutter that overwhelms the photo and takes away from the real focus of the portrait — them!

What are your favorite places to shop for DIY backdrop materials?

For my newborn sessions, I love buying jersey knit fabric by the yard at the fabric store.  Get something with a good amount of stretch, and buy at least 2 yards for the beanbag.  If you’re making your own wraps, you can do a 1/4 yard in a pretty fabric with good stretch.

I get all of my seamless paper through Amazon because of their Prime shipping.  Savage Seamless is truly the best.

For cake smash decor, become very familiar with the scrapbook paper aisle at the craft store.  I have bought nearly every color to create bunting, banners, hanging garlands, and elaborate backdrops for our birthday sessions.  Invest in one of those 12x12 plastic cases to store the extra paper in, and after each session you can fold the garlands up and store them in clear plastic bags for easy access next time.  The more you can reuse, the more profitable your sessions become, plus the less time you’ll have to spend making new decor each time!

How do you edit your images?

I spend most of my time in Lightroom doing adjustments to the images. I started out with LR years ago, and it's just the software that I'm most comfortable with and that works for me!  I've created a few presets that I use on nearly every image, and batch editing helps to speed up the process. 

In every session there are a few images that need to be taken into Photoshop for cloning, backdrop extension, headswaps, liquifying, or general cleaning up.  I do light retouching in Photoshop on these images, and then bring them back into LR to save them.  I find that I mostly use Photoshop for graphic design purposes, and I love it for that!  

When a Photographer Forgets to Print Her Own Photos.... Or, happy second anniversary!

I debated for awhile on the title of this post.  I wasn't sure if I should make it more about celebrating our second wedding anniversary, or keep it photography-related and tell you how it took me almost TWO YEARS to design & print our wedding album.

So I chose to do both.

You see, I'm just like you and every other person who has countless files of digital images from their own lives.  Tiny JPEGs sitting in a folder on their hard drive, rarely seen and never enjoyed.  And just like you, I had no time to print them.  

But wait, you're a photographer!  Your job is to print photos!

That's true.  I spend my weeks designing albums for other families, ordering boxes & boxes of prints from my photo lab, wrapping up custom birth announcements, and receiving more photo shipments in the mail than I can possibly count.  The UPS guy knows me by name, and I recognize the sound of the delivery truck pulling into my driveway like a dog recognizes their owner's car coming down the street.  

Yet it took me more than a year and a half to finally sit down and design our wedding album after our perfect wedding day in 2015.  Why?  Time.  Indecision.  Distractions.  Procrastination.  Not wanting to begin the task of narrowing down the hundreds and hundreds of photos in our gallery to choose a few favorites to feature in our album.  You know, all the same reasons it takes you forever to print your own photos, right?  

But I finally did it.  And now we have a leather-bound keepsake of our beautiful day surrounded by our closest family & friends on a brick patio with twinkly lights and rustling leaves overhead.  It is so perfect, and as Jeff & I celebrate our second wedding anniversary today, you can bet we'll be flipping through the pages of our wedding album to relive the day we said "I do."  

A huge thank you to Hope Taylor Photography for capturing our day so beautifully.  P.S.  I know you didn't offer albums to your clients two years ago, but I'm so happy that you do now because this is definitely a task that all newlyweds should leave to their photographer so that they can enjoy their heirloom albums right away!  

Print your photos, friends!  #printsnotpixels

A Sparkling Anniversary Session in Charleston, SC

Make it happen. That was one of the underlying themes of the November Creative and Heart Conference in Charleston, SC.   This was a conference for the creatives, the boss ladies, the hustlers, the small business owners, the entrepreneurs, and the big dreamers.  One of the (many!) things I loved about C@H was the opportunity to connect with so many other creatives from across the country.  Not just photographers, but artists, planners, crafters, designers, and more!

One of these lovely ladies was Erin of Erin Padgett Events.  She is the owner and lead planner of a boutique event planning company in Charlotte, NC, and her bubbly personality and sparkling spirit truly shine through in her work and in her everyday interactions with those around her.  This girl truly makes it happen every.single.day.  She just opened a new office space for her business, and she is an inspiring boss lady with big dreams!

Erin & Jonathan were the cutest!  They arrived to Charleston just in time for their sunset session at the College of Charleston.  This location was a photographer's dream come true.  The Spanish moss blanketed the Spanish live oak trees above our heads.  We were surrounded by old brick pathways, colorful houses with wooden shutters, wide porches & winding staircases.  So many stunning options for this couple's photos!

I just adored the old columns of this building, and I love how we incorporated the clean lines into their photos.  And look at Erin's adorable expression!  See, I told you -- a sparkling personality!   ;o)  These two were playful and so in love the entire session, and I love these moments that we captured for them during their visit to Charleston.  Such sweethearts!

The light that night set the sky on fire, and it sparkled through the tree tops in the most beautiful way.  I always adore some good bokeh in my photos, and this location did not let me down!  Seriously, now.... can I just move here?!?!?!?!

Erin & Jonathan, thank you for such a fabulous session together!  I truly loved capturing your relationship on camera, and I'm thrilled to share these beautiful memories with you.

This wasn't the only photo shoot I did while in Charleston!  Click here to see a colorful family session at Rainbow Row in Historic Downtown Charleston with another photographer's family!

Are you celebrating a special milestone with your significant other?  Ask me about our anniversary sessions, the perfect way to document your love for each other!

*****Do you live far from Boston?  Would you love to do a destination photo session with Nicole Starr Photography?*****

I'm always up for a little adventure, and I adore traveling and exploring beautiful places.  I have a handful of faraway visits planned for 2016, and I would love to come to your city or town!  Let me know and we can create some beautiful memories for your family!

A Dr. Seuss Cake Smash | Boston & Albany Baby Photographer

JJ's cake smash was extra special. It wasn't just the Dr. Seuss theme that I created to match his nursery, or the sweet little outfit that his mom found on Etsy with the most adorable bow tie. It's the story behind what you see in these photos.

I first met JJ in October as a part of our gift sessions to local families for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. With his 1st birthday coming up, his mom knew she wanted to celebrate with a photo session in December. When we first talked about celebrating with a birthday session for JJ, I could tell how important this was to her to give her son this amazing and fun experience that is so typical for one-year olds.  

Though she did have one lingering question -- What about the cake?  JJ receives his nutrition through a feeding tube, and he is a healthy and happy little boy thanks to an amazing team of doctors and two loving parents.  Because he has Down syndrome, JJ may take a little longer to reach certain milestones such as sitting and eating on his own, but he is still their little baby who is turning one later this week, and it was so important that we document this milestone by adapting our cake smash to meet his needs.  His mom really wanted the cake, the messy frosting, the whole experience. So of course, we made it happen!

JJ's cake is actually filled with two pieces of styrofoam that I then decorated to look just like a giant cupcake. His frosting is extra squishy for those little fingers to explore.  I went out searching for the perfect vintage high chair to support him comfortably in a seated position, and I found it at a new antique & gift shop in Sudbury, Laurel Grove. These were two easy little tweaks that allowed this handsome baby to enjoy his cake smash.  JJ got to celebrate his first birthday with a birthday cake & a sugar high, just like his big sister did 5 years ago when she turned one.

So while the photos are oh-so-sweet, it's the story behind the images that truly speaks to my heart, and I hope to yours as well! Leave this birthday boy a little loving below in the comments, and tell us what you liked most about his session!

And of course, these photos of JJ pre-cake smash (and pre-blue frosting!) are too cute not to share.  I love how he is just chilling in the first one!  Such a cutie!

Would you like to see more photos of JJ?   Check out our post from Down Syndrome Awareness Month that features this little guy and so many other heart warming stories from local families.

Finally, want to learn more about Nicole Starr Photography's photo sessions in the Down syndrome community?  Read this amazing post about our collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society for a series of rockin' photo shoots in NYC earlier this month!

Chasing Chickens at a Rustic Photo Session

Sometimes, you just have to chase the chickens... Brinn's late-fall photo session at a local farm had a few unexpected visitors sharing the frame with her in her images -- chickens!  The chickens were wandering all over the farm the day we were there, and five-year old Brinn loved it!  She went chasing after them, calling out to them to "Come back this way, Chicken", trying to lead them towards seeds and worms to eat.  It was absolutely hilarious, and her mom and I couldn't stop giggling while watching this determined little girl try to herd the chickens during her photo shoot.

One of the things I love most about returning to a location for my sessions is finding new ways to photograph families there.  As a photographer, I know that there are a million different ways to look at any one place or thing.  I love it when, with a little bit of imagination, I can create completely new images at a much-loved location to complement a family's personality.

Brinn is a sweet little girl filled with so much personality, curiosity, and wonder.  I love these sweet images we captured here that showcase her cowgirl boots and her charming little expressions.

Ready for a little more sass?  Give the girl a dance floor in front of a barn door, and she will bring the party!

Finally, it's hard to believe it was late fall when these photos were taken.  The vibrant green grass seems to hint at summer or spring, as does the white fluffy dandelion puff!  I just love how sweet, innocent, and magical this next photo is, and the way those little puffs trail across the image as they float away across the farm.

I absolutely loved capturing this spunky girl's sparkling personality on camera, and I just know her mom is going to treasure her keepsake box of images for many years.

Behind the Scenes at Rockin' NDSS Studios

UPDATE:  Our Rockin' NDSS Studios project has been featured in an article on The Mighty!  Check it out here.

Last week's photo shoot at the National Down Syndrome Society in NYC was so much fun!  It was a heart-warming, eye-opening, incredibly collaborative experience that left us all with full hearts, happy souls, and tired bodies.  Overall, it was a huge success and I am truly honored to have played a small part in making this dream become a reality!

You can read my full blog post by clicking here to learn more about these extra special photo sessions, what we're going to do with the photos next spring, and see every single one of our lovely & talented models who rock that extra chromosome.

Here I am sharing many of our behind-the-scenes photos from our two days at the NDSS offices.  We turned their staff's offices into dressing rooms, their hallways into makeup studios and hair salons, and their conference room into a photo studio.  A little imagination goes a long way, and this amazing team of organizers, hair stylists, makeup artists, moms, dads, grandparents, cousins, siblings, models, and photographers truly showed what amazing things can happen when we all work together.

Enjoy a peek into our #rockinNDSSstudios adventure!

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Three photographers excited for sessions to begin: me, Sherri Harnisch and Wendy Zook.

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Joey, our Slash model out on the streets of New York City!  He really mastered the hard-core rocker look, tattoos (sleeves) and all!!

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Lady Gaga and Joan Jett in the makeup studio!

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A little bit of windblown fan action on our very own Mariah Carey!

Sibling love!

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Katelynn celebrated her 5th birthday by coming to our photo session as Scary Spice!  What a cutie!

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Kelly Clarkson and her twin sister.  As a twin myself, you know I always have a special place in my heart for twins on camera!

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Wendy really got our little Pat Benatar to rock out.  We had a full-on dance party in the studio to Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" to get this little one in the spirit, and it truly worked!  Her photos are phenomenal!

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Our Usher had all the moves once we put on his favorite song.

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Isn't she the most adorable Tina Turner?  I love the missing front teeth!

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Our Buddy Holly was a little uncertain about the camera at first.  His sisters started a dance party with his guitar, and before we knew it, he was rocking out all by himself.  We couldn't resist a few fun photos of his whole family's jam session first, though!

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Sara's presidential duties at the NDSS also include custom makeup application.  This little guy was an amazing band member for KISS!

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Fist bump with Bob Dylan!

Rock on!

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Mason didn't want to have all the fun by himself, so he pulled his big sister out onto the dance floor at the end of the session.

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More KISS band members and their family's dance party!

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Oh my goodness.  This Elvis impersonator was seriously impressive.  Mickey owns multiple costumes, he performs all around town, and he is REALLY, REALLY GOOD at what he does.  I loved watching him when he was totally "in the zone" as Elvis during his shoot with Wendy.

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Teaching his sister and father how to groove.

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The sweetest sisters!

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Runaway baby!  Johnny Cash and June Carter.

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Grace was our youngest model, only 11 weeks old.  I insisted that we capture a few images with her gorgeous mama, and I am sure she is going to treasure these forever!  (Don't worry -- we'll send you a copy of the photos, Celine!)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  From the bottom of our hearts.

A huge thank you to every single person that made this event possible, turning it from a dream into a reality.  It was a labor of love, and these two days spent sharing stories, making new friends, and bringing dreams to life were so incredibly worth it.  This was most definitely the most rewarding professional experience of my year, and it's all because of the incredible individuals that came together to make it happen.

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Now that you've had a behind the scenes look at our NYC experience, don't forget to check out our full blog post here on the Nicole Starr Photography page, too!

To see more of this journey, visit blog posts by fellow photographers Wendy Zook Photography and Sherri Harnisch - Picture Taker.

Rock Star Sessions with the National Down Syndrome Society in NYC

UPDATE:  Our Rockin' NDSS Studios project has been featured in an article on The Mighty!  Check it out here.

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little "extra".  

Oh my goodness!  My heart is so full right now!  I am wrapping up 2015 with what has truly become one of the highlights of my year -- and this has been an amazing year already, so that's saying something!

I've spent the past week going through my photos and reliving the brief but incredibly satisfying two days I spent in New York City doing photo shoots for the National Down Syndrome Society.  It was an amazing experience, and I'm still so overwhelmed with all of the smiles, laughter, and bonding that we fit into the little hallways and makeshift dressing rooms and studios of the NDSS offices.

This photo sums it up for me.  It's a behind the scenes look from my dear friend, Wendy Zook Photography, and I love the emotion captured in this moment.  There was so much laughter and so much connection between everyone involved.  In the end, we truly are more alike than different, and I LOVED getting to know each and every person that was involved in our sessions.  (Right here is when Judy told me, "Of course, sweetheart! Don't worry -- I got this!" when I showed her the Mariah Carey look we were going for in her shoot.  Such a doll!)

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When the National Down Syndrome Society first contacted me about joining them in NYC for an extra special photo shoot, I was speechless and so, so honored.  They had this crazy dream of bringing together a bunch of individuals with Down syndrome, dressing them up as rock stars, and having two days of photo shoots to recreate famous album covers that would be used as posters at their spring gala, their biggest fundraiser of the year.

They wanted me, Wendy Zook Photography of New York, and Sherri Harnisch - Picture Taker of Nebraska to help them bring this dream to life.  For two days, we worked with an incredible team of photographers, organizers, hair stylists, makeup artists, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and models who all came together for our amazing Rockin' NDSS Studios photo sessions.

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Our models ranged from 11 weeks new to 50 years old, and came in from all across the state and the country for these once-in-a-lifetime sessions.  They shared their stories, their dreams, their struggles, and their goals.  They taught us about their lives, what they were working hard for, and how much fun they were having in the process.  They studied hard to come prepared with the look, the moves, and the music of their idols.  We watched them make new friends in the group photos, shaking hands and sharing hugs while their families rushed to share their phone numbers to set up a get together.  We had dance parties in the studio, and we definitely rocked out to "Shake It Off" a time or two with our cameras snapping to loosen the models up.

It was SO.MUCH.FUN.

These photos are still a work in progress, and will be turned into posters for the NDSS Gala's fundraising auction next March.  We'll get to see these life-sized rock stars on display at B.B. King's Blues Club in Times Square.  I can only imagine how amazing that nightclub will look filled with all of these smiling rock stars' faces.  :o)  I can't wait to see it in person in March!

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And now, here are the photos you've been waiting for!

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Carter as Justin Bieber

Ben as Buddy Holly

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Caryn as Carole King

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Carson as Janis Joplin

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Auren as Usher

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Emely as Beyonce

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Riley as Marky Mark

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Brennan as Elton John

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Lucas as Kenny Chesney

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Anthony, Race, Sammy & Matthew as The Beatles

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Ryan as Bob Dylan

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Kailani as Tina Turner

Gabriel, Taegon, Luciano & Mason as KISS

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Judy as Mariah Carey

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Kayla as Madonna

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Francesca & Robby as June Carter and Johnny Cash

Grace as Aretha Franklin

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Luke as Billy Joel

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Joey as Slash

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Amber as Ginger Spice

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Katelynn as Scary Spice (This photo was taken on her 5th birthday!)

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Elena as Joan Jett

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Ameliah as Gwen Stefani

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Janissa as Diana Ross

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Evelyn as Pat Benatar

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Christopher as Elvis Costello

This is one of a three-part perspective on the #rockinNDSSstudios experience. To see more of this journey, visit blog posts by Wendy Zook Photography and Sherri Harnisch - Picture Taker.

And, because I couldn't possibly fit all of my photos into one post, be sure to check out some of our behind-the-scenes photos and fun family moments captured that day at the #rockinNDSSstudios by continuing on to this post.

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Love the photos?   View our original photo project for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month with Nicole Starr Photography right here with our local Massachusetts families.

Making Spirits Bright | Our Studio Holiday Sessions

Fa la la la laaaaaa, la la la laaaaaa. As I type this post, my studio smells like a Christmas tree, tiny lights are twinkling behind me, a peppermint marshmallow candle glows on the table, and Ella Fitzgerald is singing Christmas carols on Pandora.   There are presents to be wrapped, cookies to be baked, and cards to be mailed.  And there's definitely a mug of hot chocolate waiting for me somewhere.  It's mid-December, and our holiday cheer is officially at 100%.

I love the holiday season.  Could you tell?  ;o)   The lights, the traditions, the scents, the cozy foods, the gatherings with friends & family.  There is nothing better than those first few weeks of December when the world is a truly magical place.  These are the weeks when everyone is talking about their elves, Santa, and flying reindeer.  The tree in your living room inspired breathtaking wonder, and the colorful lights in your neighborhood fill your evenings with cheer.  The magic of childhood is more tangible than ever.  That same magic that I adore capturing all throughout the year is on full display this month, and I feel so, so lucky to be able to preserve that for the families that I work with.

We hosted our first in-studio holiday sessions, and I had so much fun creating the perfect dreamy set up for our little ones.  We turned the studio into a winter wonderland, a soft cloud-like space where children sat beneath golden stars and told me all about their wishes for Santa and what their elves had been up to lately.  There were giggles, jingle bells, Christmas jammies, candy canes, and songs.

Our holiday sessions were short and sweet, and allowed just enough time for a simple rustic set up, too!  After all, I acquired a vintage sled from another photographer over the summer, and I couldn't let a holiday season pass without using it for some adorable photos!

Wishing you all a magical holiday season!  Take the time to slow down, create memories, and start a new tradition with your family.

Create magic, and inspire wonder.  After all, that's what childhood is all about!

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.

6 Tips to a Successful Portrait Session with Babies & Young Children {Boston Family Photographer}

baby girl doing tummy time with a floral backdrop

Vivian is quite possibly the smiliest baby girl that I have had the pleasure of photographing in the studio.  This little girl did not stop smiling for even a second of our session, and that gummy smile stretched from ear to ear with sparkling eyes and the sweetest little giggle.  Happy and curious, she loved the camera.  Just look at those sparkling eyes!

baby girl pink and flowers

However, not all babies come to their sessions ready to bust out a smile, and there are so many tips that I give families to help their little ones be comfortable here in the studio during our portrait sessions.  Our sessions are light, playful, and fast-moving to keep the little ones' attention and capture the most beautiful memories of your family.

On top of the games, songs, silly dances, and fun little toys that I like to pull out during our sessions, there are a few things that parents can do to help their child have a fantastic experience, too.  Read on for a few ideas before your session, and enjoy more of Vivian's sweet little smile.

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

It's hard looking cute for an hour!  Bring a bite-sized snack or a drink that won't stain their lips or tongue, and take a few moments between shots to cuddle with your little one.  Puffs, cheerios, and goldfish are perfect for a quick little pick-me-up between photos, and they even fit right into the baby's hard so we don't see them in the photo!

baby with stuffed animal lovies

Babies crave familiarity.  Bringing a lovie, a blanket, their favorite toy, or a cherished book can do just the trick.  Plus, it's a great way to incorporate their favorite things into the photographs!

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

For toddlers and other young children, tell your child that we are going to a special place where we will play lots of games and have fun together.   Nicole (that's me!) will be there and will play with us, too, and sometimes she will take pictures when we are having fun.  

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

Throughout the week before your session, practice different expressions in the mirror with your child (ages 2+).  Have them show you their sad face, silly face, happy face, kitty cat face, excited face, puppy dog face, etc.  Kids are still learning how to create a natural expression on their faces, and sometimes they see a camera and go a little overboard with the smile.  We want their most natural expressions that show who they are inside, truly showcasing their personalities.  When they do a smile that is particularly adorable, praise them and point it out to them.  Then try saying, "I love your happy face!  Can you show me that one again?"  Repeat this throughout the week and they will be comfortable in front of the camera when we get together.

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

Sometimes a child can have TOO many people tell her what to do, where to look, how to act.  Take a break and wander off for a few minutes, leaving me with your child.   A lot of the time they loosen right up and their true personalities really shine when left alone with just the photographer.  This little girl's mom went off to "check her phone", and right away her daughter was laughing, twirling, and making silly faces with me.  Then this little guy wanted to show me his favorite spot in his yard, and once we were behind these stunning yellow bushes he told me all about his secret fort and why he loves it there.  Sometimes kids just need a little space.  Let's give them that during the session for a few minutes to help them become more comfortable to open up to the camera.

boston rustic photography farms

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

tips to a successful portrait session boston family photographer

Most importantly, remember to HAVE FUN during our session.  I'm talking to you, mom and dad!  ;o)  Don't stress out if your little one isn't cooperating.  Trust me, we are still capturing beautiful moments on camera.  Besides, children can pick up on the stress in adults and will feel it themselves, causing their behavior to be even less than ideal.Simply follow my lead as we redirect the children, keep the session light and playful, and move on to the next set-up if this one is not working.  We can always come back to it later in the session.  By remembering to have fun, we will create memories that are truly stunning and you will love these photographs for many years.  Aren't these photos of moms and dads interacting with their children so much more lovely, dynamic, and emotional than the stiff poses of years past with everyone looking straight ahead at the camera?  YES!  There's connection, laughter, and excitement shining through in every single portrait.  Let's create some memories for your family.  What are you waiting for?  Click on the "CONTACT" tab above and let's chat.

Powerful Love: A beautiful in-home session with newborn twins

Lifestyle photography.

It's exactly what it sounds like.  A private glimpse into your life to capture those moments that happen behind closed doors.  Sometimes those moments are loud and colorful, and sometimes those moments are quiet and calm.  These are moments that are shared with your family.  They shape you and your loved ones, and they are the ones that you'll remember many years from now as some of the happiest and most fulfilling moments of your life.

A cuddle with your newborn baby.

A quiet glance over to your husband, admiring him in this new role as a father.

Reaching down to stroke the soft wisps of hair atop your baby's head.

Sitting back, looking around, and falling in love with this life you've created together.

Kati & Pete dreamed of their babies' arrival for many, many months.  They prepared a beautiful space to welcome their newborn twins home with the most thoughtful touches -- a rustic wooden wall, sweet and simple quotes, pictures from their favorite children's book, photos from their travels around the world, the cutest little elephants, and an adorable handmade mobile.  Their twin sons were born on July 21, 2015.  After spending a little extra time with the doctors and nurses, both boys finally arrived home and they were welcomed with so much love.

One of my favorite experiences of being a newborn photographer is capturing the way that new parents look at their babies.  It's a mix of awe, wonder, and overwhelming love.  It truly is the most incredible moment to capture on camera.

Birth.  Nailed it.  (Cutest onesies ever!)

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Max & Owen were the sweetest little boys, and being exactly one month old (our session was held on their original due date), they were wide-eyed and wanted to take in everything going on around them.

Is there anything cuter than a little baby yawn?  No, I didn't think so either...

One of the meaningful benefits of a lifestyle newborn session in your home is that it allows us to showcase your family, your love, your personality, and YOUR HOME.  That gorgeous space you've created together that tells your story becomes a living and breathing part of your photos, and it is pure magic.  I absolutely adored this gallery wall in Kati & Pete's home, and the moment I saw it I knew we needed to use it as a backdrop for their family photos.  This wall tells their story, and now their sons will find a spot right there among all of their other memories and loved ones.

Congratulations, Kati & Pete!

What a beautiful family and a beautiful life you are creating for yourselves.

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Are you eagerly anticipating your little one's arrival?  Send me an email by clicking on the "Contact" tab and I'd love to chat with you to plan your baby's newborn session.  We'll talk and discover if a studio session or an in-home lifestyle session is the best fit for your family.

Read more about our newborn sessions here.

Organic Motherhood Sessions

Celebrating Motherhood Event

with Nicole Starr Photography & Little Lovage Club

Come join us at the Little Lovage Club in the South End for a day of pampering, photos, and love.  This unique event has been designed just for the mothers and their children as we gather together to celebrate YOU.

You are amazing.  You are strong.  You are wonder woman.  You are beautiful.  You have the hardest and the most rewarding job in the world.  You are raising these tiny humans filled with compassion & love, and you are doing a spectacular job. You deserve this.

We believe that moms are beautiful.  We believe that the love that a mother shares with her babies is the most breathtaking thing in the world.  We believe that you deserve to be pampered, you deserve to feel gorgeous, and you deserve to have stunning memories captured on camera with your little ones.

We believe that these moments should be enjoyed and shared with your children over the next many, many years.  Rather than always hiding behind the camera, it is your turn to step in front of it and capture this amazing love you share together. Document it, cherish it, and show it to your children when they are grown.

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What is the Celebrating Motherhood Event?

On October 18, join us at the Little Lovage Club for a day of pampering, enjoying the little luxuries in life, and an organic motherhood session with your little one(s) with Nicole Starr Photography.

Arrive early and treat yourself to our complimentary hair & makeup services to make you feel and look your best.  Sip on a mimosa from our mimosa bar and enjoy a sweet treat while your little one is off being entertained by one of our fabulous babysitters.  It's time for mama to have a little me-time!

Then enjoy a 20-minute photo session focused on capturing that sweet love and the special bond you share with your little ones.  Soft fabrics, neutral colors, and beautiful spots to cuddle up together will be the perfect backdrop to let your love shine in the photographs.

After the session you'll have access to a digital gallery of 10 final images, and you'll select your 5 favorites to download, print, and enjoy in your home.  Additional images, print products, albums, and keepsake boxes are available and samples will be at the LLC that day for you to enjoy.

Every mom will also receive a beautiful gift bag with a little treat inside just for you!

Are you ready to feel beautiful?

Do you want gorgeous keepsake photographs that showcase your love for your children?

Treat yourself.  You deserve this.

Reserve your spot now: http://littlelovageclub.com/schedule/mini-photo-sessions/

*Please plan to arrive 40-60 minutes before your scheduled session to allow sufficient time for hair & makeup. **Please note that in the schedule, photoshoots for babies 0-6 months are designated from 10am-12pm.  Please reserve this time block only for babies this age.  Thank you.

Photography: Nicole Starr Photography Venue & Event Planning: Little Lovage Club Makeup: Follain Hair: Tiffany Cantin Babysitters: Sensible Sitters Gift Bags: Alli Russell Other Sponsors: MV Breastfeeding Support

A Personal Post | Leaving the Classroom to Chase My Dreams

Let’s get personal…

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For many families across the country, this week and next are all about sending the kids back to school.  The end of summer signals the end of late nights and lazy mornings, days without fixed schedules, and that sense of freedom that comes with sunny days and warmer weather.  Back to school means back to routines, appointments, activities, and alarm clocks.  No more flip flops, popsicles, beach towels, and sandy toes.  Bring on the backpacks, lunch boxes, permission slips, and homework folders.

Oddly enough, this is the first year in 25 years that I am not preparing to go back to school.  From age 5 until now, the end of August has always been about that change in routine, the cooler nights that signal that my days are about to be vastly different.  Elementary school, high school, college, grad school, and my job as a first grade teacher.  Twenty-five consecutive years of classrooms.

But this is the year that I won’t step foot into a classroom, MY classroom.  I won’t prepare my beautiful bulletin boards, put names on the cubbies, or organize my library.  I won’t put up students’ photos, fill up my plan book for the first few days, make so many photocopies, or sharpen countless pencils (I always was the worst at keeping our pencils sharpened, and the first day of school was the best shape our pencil jar was probably ever in!).  I won’t run up to my colleagues, give them a hug, and ask about their summer — always hearing the expected “but it was too short” in every conversation.

This year, while all of my former colleagues sit in meetings and welcome-back orientations, I will be on a completely different path.  This year I will be working from my photography studio, surrounding myself with two backdrop stands, rolls of seamless paper, countless blankets, sequined dresses, teeny-tiny hats and bonnets, and pinwheels.  I will organize my proofs, edit 3 more galleries, shoot 4 sessions and a photo booth event, and network with local small business owners as we plan for my first workshop and another huge event this fall.  Instead of answering emails from my students’ parents until 11pm, I will be eagerly writing to my new friends from the #risingtidechallenge, prepping my clients for their upcoming session, and planning wardrobe for that family of 5 coming to see me next week.

Do I miss it?  I’m sure I will.  But do I love the opportunity that is here right now?  Most definitely.

I feel so fortunate to be able to pursue a career that I absolutely love.  I worked so hard for three years to build this business up while working as a full-time first grade teacher.  Three years of editing until 11pm, packaging my clients’ photos after dinner, filling my weekends with sessions, and constantly trying to stay up to date with the emails, contracts, marketing, and galleries.  For three years, I was only able to take my business to a certain point.  I did not have the time to grow it past that point, no matter how much I wanted to.  There were never enough hours in the day for me to roll out my big plans and to act on my big dreams.

Launching full-time has been the best decision I could have ever made as a career woman, as a creative, and as an individual.  I am finally finding BALANCE in my life, something that has not existed for three solid years.  I am proud to say that I now run a full-service photography boutique with excellent customer service, beautiful signature products, and unique and stunning sessions with our signature style that NSP has become known for.  Opening our studio has truly opened the doors to infinite possibilities, and our sessions are an entirely different creative offering than they were when I shot on-location and part-time.  Last week I hand-painted a canvas backdrop for an upcoming event, designed a cake smash set, baked and decorated a ruffled cake for a first year session, got together with another photographer to exchange head shots on the beach, met with a City of Boston coordinator about women entrepreneurs, increased my Instagram following by 25%, tried my hand at a lifestyle newborn session with twins, gained an impressive amount of likes on my Facebook page by targeted marketing, publicized my DSLR workshop and Fresh 48 sessions, participated in the Rising Tide Challenge on Instagram, and put my head together with so many local small business owners about collaborating and supporting each other’s businesses.  All of that on top of sessions, ordering appointments, and emails… the things that used to be the only things I had time for in the week.  Before, I never would have had time for any of that!  Now, I am so fortunate to be able to MAKE the time for those things that I love, explore new paths, and enjoy the many creative aspects that come with this business.

After last week, I have never felt more fulfilled as a creative and as a professional.  I came home every night (well, sometimes I walked from the studio into the kitchen, but still, that's what coming home from work looks like these days!) and I exclaimed to my husband Jeff how far we were getting with this, how amazing these opportunities were, and how happy and balanced life finally was.  Looking at the week ahead, I am thrilled about all of the opportunities that I have created to really find my place in this community of creative individuals with big dreams.  We believe in community over competition.  We believe in encouraging others, educating others, and elevating the industry.  We believe in hard work and fairy dust.  We believe in chasing our dreams and making them a reality.  We believe in providing the best experience possible for our clients, in exceeding their expectations, and in giving them something to say “Wow!” about.  We believe in living life, loving life, and creating memories.  We believe in dreaming, and then dreaming even bigger dreams.

This is it.  I am living my dream, and I absolutely love it!

Photos courtesy of the talented Cassandra Lauren Photography.

Thank you for the gorgeous head shots and for a very fun evening at the beach, Cassie!

Magical & Whimsical Snow Day Session

I'm in Boston, and we've been snowed in for weeks.  It's hard to look past the mountains of snow piling up outside our windows (or covering the windows, in some cases).  But from a photographer's viewpoint, all of that snow is like a giant reflector at sunset with perfectly diffused light and a clean, fresh, magical blank canvas in front of you. So, I choose to look on the bright side (spring will be here soon, right?!?!) and turn our snow days into photo shoot days.  I've been wanting to do a whimsical snowy session for awhile, and when the opportunity presented itself on a warmer snowy day at sunset, it was on!

Savannah and Sean were my little models, and their mom and I pulled the shoot together in less than 24 hours.  I shared an inspiration board on Pinterest with her, she pulled together the most perfect outfits (seriously, she could be a stylist for all of my sessions!), and I made a gorgeous floral crown for our perfectly whimsical shoot.

(Did you know that I love crafting and DIYing?  I have made so many little props for my shoots.  Don't be afraid to be creative and share a new idea with me!  I'd love to make it happen for your session!)

Just look at these two little cuties!!!  Savannah & Sean, thank you for being SUCH fabulous models.  They were so cooperative in the snow, despite the chill in the air.  An absolute pleasure to work with.

Are you interested in a snow session for your little ones?  Contact me and let's chat!

A few things to keep in mind:

*These are spontaneous sessions, and we'll finalize them one day in advance.

*Sessions are shot at Millennium Park in Dedham, in the last half-hour before sunset.  (Around 4:15pm)

*You should gather items for the wardrobe selection ahead of time.  Bulky coats and nylon mittens don't make for the classic and magical look, so dressing in warm layers and textures will keep the kids warm.  We'll have blankets and coats handy, too.

*It must be more than 32 degrees out so that the little ones don't freeze.

*These are not for infants.  Children must be three years or older if alone, two years or older if they are with older siblings.

*Mini sessions are about 20 minutes long, but it all depends on the kids' good spirits, warmth, and cooperation.  A set number of photos is not guaranteed -- the longer we last outside and the more cooperative the children are, the more gorgeous photos we'll be sure to capture of your little ones.

*All mini sessions come with an in-home ordering appointment within two weeks of the session.

Ready to plan your snow day session?  Please get in touch with the "Contact" button at the top of this page, or email me at nicoleschwalmphotography@gmail.com.   Thank you & stay warm!

Welcome Caleb & Logan, a lifestyle newborn session with twins

I had the honor of meeting these two little cuties on a snowy day in January for their photo session. Caleb & Logan are the sweetest little boys and I absolutely adored capturing these tiny, brand-new brothers on camera together.  The more I photograph newborn twins, the more I'm seeing how much they love being snuggled up together.  These boys didn't want to be apart from each other, and they were so happy being wrapped up together with their limbs all intertwined.  One of our favorite moments was when they were curled up together in the basket, and one of the babies started sucking on his brother's fingers!  So cute.

We were able to capture so many cozy shots of these brothers together.  I just love the blend of textures in these photos.  The blue background is the rug in the family room -- using elements of your home in your family's portraits is like discovering a hidden gem, because once you hang this artwork up on your walls not only will it coordinate beautifully with your decor, but you'll also look at that rug and remember the precious photo shoot we did with your boys when they were only two weeks old.

I love capturing these sweet mommy and daddy moments:

Welcome to the world, Caleb & Logan!  Thank you for such a wonderful session together.  

Blogiversary 2

It's the 2nd Blogiversary for Nicole Schwalm Photography! And ooooooooooooooh, what an amazing 2 years it has been...

For the past few years, April has been a time of change, regrowth, and reflection for me.   Two years ago I hit the <<pause>> button, looked around, and realized that I needed more creativity and beauty in my everyday life.  So I picked up my camera, intent on making something beautiful of this wild and precious life I'd been given.

For as far back as I can remember, I have had a camera in my hand.  I've always loved photos and the stories that they tell.  Most of all I've loved the stories that you can search for deep within a photo, the ones that not everyone will notice right away.  It started as a kid, grabbing snapshots on my mom's Olympus during our family outings.  Then at 6 or 7 I started using my own Instamatic Mickey Mouse camera from the Disney store.  Later there were a slew of film cameras, and after many rolls of film came an early version of a digital camera with these grainy photos and a tiny screen on the back.    Quite a few cameras (and advances in technology) later, and here I am:  a DSLR camera-weilding, photo-loving, light-seeking, capturer of magic.  

So with the goal of making something beautiful of this one life, I decided to give back and capture these precious moments and showcase the love within families.  These two years have changed me, and they've brought more creativity and beauty into my life than I could have imagined.  There are so many inspiring artists whose work brightens my Facebook feed every day.  So many blogs that I lose myself in for hours at a time, inspiring me, teaching me.  Books that call to me and beg me to just devour their colorful pages.  I spend my nights editing photos, learning new software, branding my business, creating packaging materials, DIY-ing new props.  I've gotten into this habit of leaving a shoot, hopping into my car, and excitedly calling up my best friend (also a photographer) and exclaiming to her about the amaaaaaaazinggggggg session that just happened, so excited to tell someone about the magic that unfolded in front of me, thrilled and honored to capture it on camera for this beautiful family.

Somewhere along this incredible journey, I found myself.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  :o)

Year 2 has been a beautiful year.  What started out as a hobby has now become a huge part of my life.  I've completely redesigned my website and my branding.  I have bar mitzvahs and weddings under my belt, with more filling my calendar in the upcoming months.  I'm looking forward to my first set of mini sessions this weekend, as well as my new Simply Baby sessions for babies 3-9 months this summer.  I've discovered my niche in newborn and baby photography and I adore capturing that tiny newness and that immense love on camera -- so many newborn sessions to look for on the blog in the coming weeks!  The best part?  I've connected with so many incredible families who enjoy my artwork and who find the value in hitting the <<pause>> button so that they can freeze time for an instant and remember their children and their love just as it is right this very moment.  The best part?  It's YOU.

So a huge THANK YOU to all of the NSP families that I've had the privilege of working with these last two years.

Enjoy the memories we've captured on camera, and remember to hit the <<pause>> button every now and then and to enjoy this one wild and precious life you've been given.  Better yet, capture it on camera.  Your children will thank you for it one day.

Check back soon for the scoop on my new referral program.  Telling your friends about Nicole Schwalm Photography and showing off your pictures of your beautiful children has never been more rewarding.   ;o)

Spring Fling Mini Sessions!

I am so excited to announce the limited spots available for my Spring Fling Mini Sessions.  Two spring days.  Two gorgeous locations.  Sixteen beautiful families.  And a whole lot of fun, laughter, and memories to create and share.

WHERE TO GO

On Saturday, May 4 we'll meet at Cushing Park in Framingham.  If you're not familiar with the location, it's a beautiful area that just comes alive in the spring.  There are so many backdrops right there to incorporate into your photos -- vast expanses of green grass, tall sweeping pine trees, the stone walls of the chapel, a gazebo, benches, and right across the street some of my favorite clusters of trees standing tall before a pond.  Check out a Cushing Park mini session here.

But I'm going to make it even better.  For my Framingham sessions I'm going to have a stylized shoot set up.  The theme will be "Family Picnic".  I'll bring a great big colorful quilt, my vintage picnic baskets, some fun classic toys for the kiddos (pinwheels, anyone?), and some other colorful picnic props.    The idea is to have a fun, colorful, classic background for your family pictures and to capture some real and raw moments with your family or of your kids.

On Sunday, May 5 we'll meet at the Boston Public Garden.  Please, somebody, tell me that they're bringing their littlest kids to get some adorable pics by the bronze ducks from Make Way for Ducklings.  There's that gorgeous bridge over the pond, the stone arches underneath the bridge, the weeping willows, the pathways and flowerbeds.  The options are truly endless and I can't wait to meet all of the families there for some stunning photos.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

The mini session is just that -- mini.  If you've been hoping to book another session with Nicole Schwalm Photography, if you've been waiting for a special offer to afford a session, if you'd like to give a session as a gift to the grandparents, if you'd like some fresh springy photos on your walls to shake off the winter... then this is it!  The mini session is a taste of what my full sessions are like, and they're a great way to "try it on for size."

What are my full sessions like? Check out the testimonials page for some rave reviews from NSP families!

Sessions are 20 minutes long.

You can bring up to 5 people.

You'll have access to an online gallery for viewing, sharing, and ordering.

You'll receive 5 fully retouched digital images with printing rights.

You'll also get a special 30% off your print order and have access at an unbelievably low price to my high-quality and stunning lab prints and canvases -- trust me when I tell you that these are way above and beyond what you'll get at the drug store or hour photo lab!  What a great way to showcase your family and artwork on your walls!

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

When you refer a friend, your session fee will be lowered from $125 to only $99.  You still get all the great benefits of the mini session, only at a lower price!

FOR THE MOMS

If you want your pics in time for Mother's Day, just let me know and I can get the retouched gallery to you by Monday evening.  If you order prints right away (prints, not canvases), I'll have them ready for you to come pick up by the Friday before Mother's Day.  What perfect timing!  Grandma is going to LOVE this.

ARE YOU READY TO HAVE SOME FUN?

Let's create some memories together!  Email me by clicking the "Get in touch" button on the right hand side of my page and let's reserve a spot for your session.   Please tell me:

Your name

A little something fun about your family

Number of people and ages

Location

Time preference

Then I'll get right back to you and we'll be counting down the days till our spring fling mini session!  There are limited spots available, and they are going FAST.  (I emailed my previous clients last week, and a mere 4 minutes later had already booked the first slot!)  You'll want to jump on this!  And at this price, how could you pass it up?

**Please note that the mini sessions are not  appropriate for newborns since I cannot give newborns the full attention they need.  They are ideal for families with babies that are older than 3 months along with older siblings, or single babies that are 6 months (sitting up stage) and older.  If your baby is too young, contact me and I'd be happy to chat with you about how else we can work out a session for your little one!