Playful Family Portraits at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs

This year I’ve had many clients who are visiting Saratoga Springs from out of state and booked a family portrait session to remember their time in our adorable little town. It is SO special to me that they trust me to document such an exciting time during their vacation, and as a mom, I truly love the idea of bringing home some special portraits as a souvenir from a trip! This fun family spent the summer in Saratoga before returning home to Florida, and I had a wonderful time capturing family portraits for them at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs. 

The Surrey-Williamson Inn is a gem of a location that’s part of Skidmore College, and I maintain an annual permit to photograph there. The back of the inn reminds me of an old European villa, and I love this pathway for portraits! The inn provides a great combination of gorgeous gardens, stone walkways, and a gorgeous backdrop of the building. I love locations like this because we can quickly capture a large variety of portraits all within one spot.

I had so much fun with this family during their session. Their children, Ryan and Arielle were fantastic - and shared lots of laughs with me while creating beautiful new portraits for this family to enjoy in their home. We leaned into the silly vibes - with lots of jokes, and plenty of snuggles - which I think is the best way to capture any family. Oh, and the other thing I loved about this family’s portraits?! Their outfits! The navy and light blue palette was perfect against the tan building and greenery of the lawn. Absolutely stunning! 

Thank you again to this beautiful family for trusting me to document your special memories. I hope to see you in Saratoga Springs again soon!

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Lifestyle Newborn Session in Nursery

Welcome to the world, Carter August! To document his arrival home, Carter’s parents and I planned a lifestyle newborn session in his nursery at home. This little boy’s nursery is simple and sweet, full of neutral colors and darling accents. It was the perfect space to photograph him, his parents, and his big fur brother! No matter how many times I capture a lifestyle newborn session, it will always feel so special to me. 

Photographing newborns in their nursery is super meaningful. Parents put so much energy, time, and love into preparing the nursery while they wait for baby! You’re creating the very first space that your baby will know as “home” and that’s magical. Families take the time to select the furniture, paint the walls, and decorate with special little details all for their new love. 

Alyssa, Carter’s mama, made a beautiful felted mobile with black labs and stars, knowing that her son’s first best friend was going to be their black lab, Lincoln. She spent months lovingly working on this and dreaming about her sweet baby boy. How special is it now to see her holding him and rocking him in this very nursery, while he watches the shapes of his mobile swirl overhead? 

Carter August, you are so incredibly loved. Thank you to his trio for welcoming me to your home. It was beautiful and your session was wonderful! I’m so happy for you all! 

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Lifestyle newborn portraits for baby #3

Three years ago, I photographed this beautiful family in their home when their middle daughter, Sloane, arrived. It was so special to return back to their home to capture the arrival of their newest little girl, Baby Blake! I could hardly believe how big Sloane and big brother Jack were, too. Time truly does fly by! 

This family’s home has such a neutral and boho inspired vibe. I absolutely love photography in this space. It’s got the best light and the space truly makes my job easy! One of the things mom wanted to do while I was there was recreate some portraits from Sloane’s session with Baby Blake. I’m always a huge fan of families doing this - it creates such a unique connection between portrait sessions. But, I don’t think that she nor I were quite ready for how emotional it would make us, seeing both of her big siblings loving on Baby Blake! 

While we spent most of their lifestyle newborn session in their living room, we also spent a little time in Blake’s nursery. I adored their beautiful Moses basket - it’s a favorite for me in the studio, so I was pleased to see theirs in the nursery! We also captured some sweet photos of Blake and her big siblings in her crib. One of my tricks for creating a new “sheet” in the crib is to add your favorite swaddle blanket, tuck it around the edges, and I’ll clone in the rest later on. This is such a great trick to be able to keep your little one swaddled and show off your favorite blankets during this time! 

To the sweet T family, thank you for asking me to capture these beautiful moments for your growing family. I loved meeting Baby Blake and seeing all of your sweet babies. I hope that you’ll treasure these portraits forever - I know that they’ll hold a special spot in my heart.

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An in-home lifestyle newborn session with two big brothers

Welcome to the world, ‌Ella Kate! This sweet girl is so loved and we marked her arrival with an in-home lifestyle newborn session. I’ve been photographing this family since her big brother Miles turned one, and I love capturing portraits for this sweet family year after year and seeing the boys grow into their roles as big brothers. This session was extra special for all of us, too, because Ella is their rainbow baby. She is SO loved and so celebrated. 

We focused on capturing a lot of her portraits in the nursery. Since she’s their rainbow baby, they made the nursery so vibrant and beautiful. I loved all of the rainbow touches, from the tassels on the curtains to the abacus to the sheets and the watercolor mural on the wall. It's so beautiful and a wonderful way to honor their journey with this sweet girl. 

While I loved the nursery, I think I loved the moments with Miles and Oscar even more. They were both so gentle with their new baby sister, as they held her and snuggled near the crib. There’s just something so wonderful about watching new siblings be together. 

If you’re welcoming a new baby this year, consider a lifestyle newborn session! 

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In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Portraits at Christmastime

World, meet Lucas.

This sweet baby boy is proof that miracles really do happen. His mama is one of my closest friends, and we all waited and wished and hoped for his arrival for a very long time. After working as a newborn photographer for over a decade, I truly have such respect and awe for each family’s unique journey to parenthood. For so many families, mine included, the road is long and rough and filled with some twists and turns that break your heart. But when it ends with a sweet little bundle like this boy right here? It makes it all worth it.

Katie and I have known each other for about 15 years. We worked together when I was an elementary teacher in Massachusetts, and then fate brought us back together as roommates in Boston a few years later. We both wound up marrying Jeffs, and you can often hear us refer to “my Jeff” or “your Jeff” in conversation to keep it from getting too confusing. ;o)

We had many conversations about their journey to parenthood, and a few years ago I told Katie that I had had a dream about her the night before. She and I were sitting in front of a Christmas tree holding a baby. I couldn’t tell from the dream whose baby it was or whose lap the baby was on, but I felt certain that it was hers and we took it as a positive sign. For years, that dream kept popping up in both of our minds and gave her a glimmer of hope that good things happen around Christmastime.

And then one day she told me she was pregnant and due at the end of November. She was having her Christmas tree baby!

Katie’s sweet baby boy did not want a November birthday, so he held on until the wee hours of December 1 to start making his arrival into the world known. From the very beginning, or even before the very beginning, he was destined to be a holiday baby.

But the funny thing about that dream is how I couldn’t tell whose baby it was that we were holding. Because as I sat in front of my own Christmas tree holding my own little six-month-old girl while looking at a photo of Lucas that Katie had just texted to me, I realized that it was BOTH OF US with our babies in front of that tree.

I went out to visit Katie & Jeff to document this milestone for their family with a lifestyle portrait session in their home. My little Adelaide came along as my “assistant” and she got to meet her new friend Lucas. Katie and Jeff’s Christmas decor was up, which was the perfect touch to bring this story full circle. I love how you can even see a hint of a window wreath in the nursery portraits! After we finished their portraits, we sat in front of their tree with our babies and we just savored this long-awaited moment.

It’s funny how life works, isn’t it?

Enjoy a peek into this cozy at-home newborn session with this sweet family!

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Lifestyle newborn portraits for baby brother in Saratoga Springs

There’s nothing I love more about this job than working with a family year after year as they grow and welcome new family members. I remember when these sweet parents were pregnant and expecting their first baby. Now, they’ve got a new baby boy and are about to sell their gorgeous home to move to Texas. It’s not an exaggeration to say I’ll miss them, but I’m glad we were able to capture their first weeks as a family of four in their house!

It was so special to welcome Brooks William home, especially because just 2.5 years ago, we did a session in this house with his big sister, Georgia. We photographed her and her parents on their front porch in the summer. I love knowing that they will always have portraits of their babies in their first home!

Brooks William was a joy to photograph. He is such a sweet baby and definitely wanted to be awake a lot of his session - so much to look at! Everyone got a chance to cuddle with him, especially Georgia - who was excited to show me her new baby brother! We worked in his nursery, his parents’ room and made sure to photograph everyone (and their dog!) on the porch, too. I’m so happy I had the chance to see everyone again before they head to Texas!!

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A Boho Lifestyle Newborn Session

Lifestyle newborn sessions are always some of my favorites. I love being invited into a family’s home to enjoy a peek into their first few weeks at home with their baby. The moments we capture are so intimate and cozy, just quiet little moments that unfold as you get to know your little one.

These sessions are especially beautiful when there is a new big brother or sister! Just look at Jack and the sweet curiosity he has around his baby sister Sloane!

This family’s home was an absolute dream to shoot in. This was the father’s childhood home, and the family has completely redone it with new flooring & white paint, adding in their mix of boho & midcentury modern furniture for a light and airy look — perfect for photographs!

These cuddly shots of Sloane in the crib with her big brother were some of my favorites!

The master bedroom is always a favorite spot for family portraits, and this one with the white bedding & high ceilings was just dreamy!

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Teagan's Lifestyle Newborn Session with Big Brother Cameron

Lifestyle sessions make my heart skip a beat every single time, and it’s all because of beautiful moments like this one.

I love being invited into a family’s home to watch their first weeks at home with their brand new baby unfold. There’s something so magical about capturing these memories for them in their very own space, and knowing that they will show these to their baby one day and tell her that “This is where we brought you home to. This is what your first bedroom looked like that we prepared just for you before you were even born.”

The lighting in Teagan’s nursery was truly golden, and I loved this little nook with the sun shining through the window to illuminate mom & dad with their sweet baby girl! Plus, how in love are you with that mirror and the wall color? Gorgeous!

Cameron is such a proud big brother, and he loved cuddling his little sister! He was so excited to bring his sweet baby sister home and to show me all of his favorite toys.

Our lifestyle newborn sessions at home are always such a joy, and we always have so much fun! From jumping on the bed to cuddles & kisses, they are filled with memories these families will never forget.

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At Home with Baby | A Lifestyle Family Portrait Session in Saratoga Springs

Have you noticed more and more of your friends’ portrait sessions take place in their home? And not in their home with a flimsy backdrop set up, but on their couch, cuddled up on their bed, playing on the floor in the nursery, or sharing a snack at the kitchen counter.

You might be asking yourself, what’s the deal? Are these lifestyle sessions just trendy right now?

But no. They’re not trendy, they’re timeless.

These portraits show your family at home, in your space that is so uniquely you, cuddled up together and just loving on your children. These are family portraits that show you relaxed and having fun, and personality is infused into everything from the decor and the outfits to the tickles and the smiles. These sessions make my heart skip a beat because they are just so much fun, for families AND for me!

I absolutely loved being invited into this sweet family’s home to capture the three of them loving on their little girl at almost 12 months old! Little miss Avery truly lights up their world, and there was so much joy in watching her smile, giggle, and push herself.

Plus, my favorite thing about going into a family’s home for a lifestyle portrait session is finding beautiful little corners of their home with gorgeous light, and this family’s home was filled with amazing spots for them to cuddle up for portraits!

Ahhhhh, just look at those bright, sparkly eyes! What a beauty!

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Best of 2019 Newborn Sessions with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

Every year I love going through all of my sessions and compiling a collection of favorites for a huge blog post, and this year I am so excited to share the “Best of 2019” newborn sessions!

I was truly honored to welcome so many babies to the studio and celebrate their arrival with their families. It really is the best job in the world to be invited into their lives to cuddle their newborns and photograph their first days with their new baby. I will never get tired of those new baby yawns, their cute little back rolls, and those tiny toes. Newborns are pure magic, and it’s such a joy to document this stage on camera!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our favorite portraits from the year!

We had the most amazing big brothers & sisters in the studio this year, and it was beautiful to see how sweet and cuddly they were with their new babies.

And baby makes three! So many beautiful moments for these brand new parents!

It’s always extra special when three generations join us at a newborn session, and I love capturing that special bond with all of the baby’s loved ones.

This year we really simplified the studio’s colors to keep the focus on the baby with clean, timeless portraits. I find white to be an absolutely beautiful color for brand new babies, and we started many of our sessions off with the baby in a clean white onesie just laying on a blanket, unposed and settling in to however was comfortable for them. Those were some of my favorite candid moments of the year!

And of course, swaddled up tight with whites & creams will never go out of style! Just look at these perfect little babies!

Let’s not forget our lifestyle sessions, which steal my heart every single time! I always love getting to photograph a family at home with their brand new baby. These sessions are a relaxed peek into their lives at home and we photograph the new family in the nursery, master bedroom, and any other spot with beautiful light! One of my absolute favorite spots this year was a wooden porch swing in the summertime.

As always, I am so incredibly grateful for all of the families that entrusted me with their most precious treasures this year. Thank you for inviting me into your lives to document this special time, and for letting me snuggle your little one in the process, too! :o)

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Lifestyle newborn portraits at home in the South End | Boston Newborn Photographer

Since moving to New York I definitely spend less time in Boston, and I miss it like crazy!

I was so excited when this sweet family reached out to plan their newborn session at their apartment in the South End. I have worked with families all over the city in spacious condos and tiny apartments, with lots of natural light and with teeny tiny windows. Every time I am invited into a family’s home is an adventure, and I always love watching the moments that unfold.

You really don’t need a lot of space to photograph a family welcoming their baby home, and I love finding creative new ways to work with the space in the master bedrooms, living rooms, and nurseries.

We captured the most beautiful portraits of sweet baby Julia and big brother George. He was so excited to hold his little sister, and we definitely got so many cute expressions from him!

Cozy family portraits in front of the windows are my fave!

I love everything about this cozy, close up portrait of miss Julia being showered in love.

This chair has traveled with Julia’s mama from apartment to apartment after she inherited it from a previous owner, and it now sits in a sunny corner of their living room. I love that it has such a rich history, and that the beautiful fabric was the perfect backdrop for their baby girl!

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Welcoming Baby Georgia Home - Lifestyle newborn photographer in saratoga springs

Ohhhhh my goodness! This lifestyle newborn session in Saratoga Springs absolutely stole my heart, and now I am 100% obsessed with newborn portraits on front porch swings.

I mean, can’t you see why?????

I loved literally every frame of this session with Baby Georgia, and watching her mama and daddy love on her right in their cute little home was so perfect. We usually do our lifestyle newborn sessions in the nursery & master bedroom, but when I saw their front porch with golden light brushing the ferns hanging from the ceiling, I knew we had to do a few family portraits on the porch, too!

Then we headed indoors to this sweet baby girl’s nursery.

I love how tiny she looks in her daddy’s arms!

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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.  

A Relaxed Family Session at Home

This lifestyle session in the S family’s new home in Saratoga Springs was so perfect! I absolutely loved capturing the four of them together in the space where they are most comfortable — at home!

We started off playing in big brother’s room, and he was so happy to show me his little tent and play peek-a-boo with his baby brother.

My favorite room in the house was the nursery. There was a wall of windows, and it was perfect for lots of family cuddles and kisses! Big brother Henry was so sweet with baby Charlie, and I loved watching these two adorable brothers together!

Like all of our in-home family sessions, we always love cozying up in the master bedroom and capturing the whole family together on the bed.

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A Lifestyle Newborn Session at home with 3 big sisters

Sweet little Shiloh is a lucky baby girl. She was welcomed home by her three big sisters, and her first days at home were filled with love and cuddles.

I was invited into this adorable family’s home for a lifestyle newborn session, and I loved getting to document this intimate peek into their lives at home with their newest addition to the family. They live in a beautiful old home filled with so much charm, and it truly was the perfect backdrop to their story.

One of my favorite parts about our lifestyle sessions is that the fur babies get to join in on our portraits! Do you have a dog you’d love to incorporate into your newborn session? A lifestyle session might be perfect for you!

Holiday Cookie Baking | A Life-Inspired Photo Session in Saratoga Springs

This fall I went to a two-day photography workshop with Emily Lucarz Photography, and I was inspired to incorporate a new style of family session into my work this winter.

Life-inspired portrait sessions

These life-inspired sessions are a guided peek into your lives at home as we capture your family enjoying an activity that you love doing together. We don’t pose and tell everyone to smile at the same time, but we find a fun activity and let the action unfold in front of the camera.

I’m excited to offer so many more of these unique portrait sessions in 2019, and I hope you’ll be excited to jump in front of my camera and document your family’s happy moments together!

We kicked off these new lifestyle sessions with a HOLIDAY COOKIE BAKING SESSION in December. This was SO MUCH FUN and I absolutely loved getting to step into this family’s home. Oscar and Miles love making cookies, so this baking session was natural for them! They had an absolute blast getting to roll out the dough, cut the cookies, and decorate with an overload of sprinkles and colored sugar. Enjoy this peek into their holiday baking session!

White kitchens are an absolute dream to photograph in because they bounce light everywhere. I loved this home!

These sessions are the perfect opportunity to get mom & dad involved, too. I loved shooting low from the children’s angle as they were putting the frosting on their sugar cookies!

Miles kept asking to drive his toy Jeep through the sprinkles, so we finished up by making tire tracks in the sprinkles and it was the perfect ending to our baking experience!

This winter I’m looking for a few more families who love cozying up at home for some fun portraits. Think pancake breakfasts, the kids in a bubble bath, storytime on mom & dad’s bed, making homemade pizza… anything that you love doing, I would truly enjoy documenting for your family to enjoy!