Classic black and white personality portraits with Saratoga Springs child photographer

Little Loves sessions were such a blast this year! I offer these limited edition portraits a few times a year and they’re always a big hit. Our Little Love sessions are classic and full of lots of smiles - and laughs. Throughout each session, I work with your little one to capture all of their unique personalities - from all sides: fun, silly, shy, quiet, sweet, curious, loud, thoughtful. I provide prompts to help them show different faces and expressions. Once they warm up and feel relaxed, I can just see them start to enjoy themselves!

The results of these sessions are always so timeless. I love a good classic black and white portrait! I know that each family will treasure these portraits as a little glimpse into their sweet babies and their fun personalities. And, I love dreaming about how they’re displayed in each home!

classic black and white personality portraits with Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits for boy with glasses photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits for girl in lace dress laughing photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits for boy with dark hair in striped shirt photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits of girl with pony tail playing with wooden camera photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits of young toddler playing with wooden car on wooden stool photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits of boy hugging stuffed dog and pet photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio

During Little Loves portrait sessions, I always take the time to capture a few new portraits of siblings together. They’re some of my favorite moments because they’re often unprompted. These kids always want to hug and laugh together. I love watching them just be the friends that they are. I know they wind up being their parents’ favorites, too!!

classic black and white personality portraits of two siblings hugging photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits of two siblings hugging photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits of brother whispering in younger brother’s ear photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality portraits of sisters playing photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio
classic black and white personality siblings hugging photographed by Saratoga Springs NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography in studio

Save this post for later!

Classic black and white personality portraits in studio with Saratoga Springs NY children's photographer Nicole Starr Photography.

Fun and Laid-Back Fall Family Portraits in Saratoga Springs

Just look at these two brothers! Aren’t they the cutest, most adorable little guys you’ve ever seen?!?!

We had so much fun during this fall family portrait session in Saratoga Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. It was unseasonably warm and the family had to swap out their sweaters and boots for short sleeves and sandals that afternoon, but we still captured so many fun and cozy moments of this beautiful family together!

Brothers hug in park during casual Saratoga Springs family portraits photographed by Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

My favorite thing about this session? The minion shoes! In typical toddler fashion, little brother decided that he only wanted to wear his brand new yellow minion shoes that day, so they made an appearance in their family portraits! I love that this will be a part of their story forever!

young son sits on bench during family photos in New York photographed by Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
son claps during family photos with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four poses in park during fall family photos with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad lifts up son during family photos in Saratoga Springs park during portraits with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom hugs sons during fall family photos in Saratoga Springs photographed by Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

One of my favorite ways to get kids to cuddle up and smile during a portrait session is to get them really close together and have them take turns telling jokes, tickling each other, and trying to squeeze a laugh out of the other one. It works every time!

This portrait session really was so much fun. It was filled with laughs and giggles, and so many games! The boys had a blast and they were surprised when we were all done! Wondering how to make your family session this easy? Check out the link for more tips!

Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography photographs brothers hugging during Saratoga Springs NY family photos
dad holds toddler son during fall family photos in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four poses by wrought iron gate in Saratoga Springs park with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four walks through Saratoga Springs park with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
son poses in white collared shirt during fall family photos with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
son laughs during fall family photos in Saratoga Springs park with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
kid laughs during family photos with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography in Saratoga Springs Park
toddler sits on sidewalk with minion shoes on during family photos with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays during fall family portraits with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four poses in park during Saratoga Springs fall family photos with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Love this fall session? Pin this image or any from the post above for inspiration!

Casual fall family portraits in Saratoga Springs with Delmar NY and Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

First Birthday Portraits with a Camping Theme

When your family loves camping, you do a camping theme for your first birthday portraits! Ryder celebrated his first birthday in style with a studio session that highlighted his family’s favorite summer hobby. We used buffalo plaid, birch trees, a campfire, and a camping lantern to create the perfect whimsical setup for their little boy.

milestone first birthday portraits for little boy with camping theme photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
camping inspired cake smash with Delmar NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Ryder did such an amazing job and he was so happy the entire time. Such a little sweetheart!

red and black camping theme cake smash photographed by Loudonville NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
first birthday portraits and cake smash with camping theme in studio photographed by cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

This little guy was all smiles, especially by the time we pulled out the bathtub!

baby boy plays in bath tub after camping inspired cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
tub time after camping inspired cake smash with New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
campefire inspired cake smash photographed by Delmar New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
one year old chews on rubber duck during bath time after cake smash in Saratoga Springs with NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Every birthday session includes family portraits, and we went to the nearby Spa State Park for some family portraits at sunset with Ryder’s three big sisters. I’ve been photographing them for years, and it was wonderful seeing how comfortable and excited they were in front of the camera.

big sister laughs during family portraits with New York family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
big sister poses in field after brother’s cake smash photographed by New York family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
three sisters play in woods during Saratoga Springs family portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler puts finger over mouth and smiles for family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
three sisters sit in the woods photographed by Clifton Park NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
three sisters hold baby brother after cake smash photos photographed by family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

And then when the camera was turned back around to Ryder, he was thrilled!! He is one lucky little brother to be so loved by all of his sisters.

one year old in suspenders and newsboy cap poses in the woods photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
milestone portraits for one year old photographed by Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family portraits in Loudonville New York photographed by family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

The sunlight was perfect streaming through the trees. We really had the best sunset that evening, and it gave these portraits a beautiful golden glow.

classic family portraits in Saratoga Springs NY with family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family with four children poses in Saratoga Springs with family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad lifts one year old during family photos in New York with Delmar NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
casual family portraits in teh woods in Saratoga Springs NY with family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Inspired by this fun camping theme cake smash? Pin this image or any from the post above for inspiration!

First birthday portraits with a camping theme photographed by New York cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography

A Sparkly Simple Studio Session in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | studio session | child's photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | Children's photographer

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

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | family photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | Boston MA photographer | children's photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | Child portraits
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | Boston MA photographer | child's photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs, NY | family photographer

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

Family Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Studio

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

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

Upstate NY family photographer, family photographer, Boston family photographer, family portraits
Upstate NY family photographer, family photographer, mother and daughter photographer

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

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

That just made my day!  

Saratoga Springs family photographer, Upstate NY family photographer, family photographer, Boston family photographer
upstate NY family photographer, NY family photographer, MA family photographer, family photographer
Saratoga Springs family photographer, Upstate NY family photographer, family photographer,
Boston family photographer, Albany family photographer, family portraits

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

Boston family photographer, family portraits, Upstate NY family photographer
Upstate NY family photographer, family photographer, family portraits, Boston family photographer