A lifestyle newborn session in a mountain-themed nursery

Welcome to the world,  Maverick Henry! I’m so happy to have been able to meet Stephanie and Matt’s sweet new baby boy. They recently came to my studio for maternity portraits, and I was so excited for their lifestyle newborn session. We knew that we wanted to capture Maverick’s newborn portraits at home, in the coziness of his nursery. 

One of the reasons that we wanted to plan a lifestyle session is because Matt is a painter. He hand-painted the incredible mountains on the walls by hand. Stephanie and Matt’s inspiration for the nursery came from the Adirondacks, which is perfect since we live so close! Maverick’s entire nursery was simply beautiful, full of blues and greens. It’s definitely a wonderful space to welcome their first baby boy home to. 

During their lifestyle newborn session, I also got to meet Cash and Cleo, Stephanie and Matt’s two fur babies. They were so precious and very interested in their new little brother. I loved watching them want to be nearby, and hang close during our portraits. Adding your fur babies into your portraits is always a fun perk of a lifestyle session!! 

Maverick, it’s clear you are very loved. Your mom and dad absolutely adore you, and so do your fur siblings. I can’t wait to watch you grow, little guy! 

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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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Newborn portraits in a beautiful mauve and floral nursery

Reagan Ann has made her appearance in the world! Alexandra, Dan, and Baby Lincoln are over the moon with their newest family member - and I don’t blame them. When I had the chance to meet her during their lifestyle newborn session, I was instantly in love. This sweet baby girl is SO loved and can we just talk about her nursery?! Her nursery was just gorgeous! Alexandra and Dan chose a mauve and gold color scheme with floral accents and it’s beautiful. I’m so happy we were able to do her portraits in their nursery. What a special memory!

Lincoln’s not quite sure about being a big brother yet but he loved getting to hug mama and look at his little sister. These early moments at home are so precious. I’m thrilled I was able to capture these newborn portraits for Reagan Ann and her sweet family!

Can’t get enough of them? Check out Alexandra’s maternity portraits below!

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Welcoming Baby Home - A Cozy Lifestyle Newborn Session in Saratoga Springs

There is nothing sweeter than an in-home lifestyle newborn session, and I loved every second with Baby John’s family as they welcomed their sweet boy home and showered him with love and kisses. His two big sisters adore him, and it was beautiful to watch them interact with their new brother and with each other. We had such a wonderful time and I truly enjoyed spending the morning with this family capturing and intimate peek into their lives at home with their new baby.

The crib is always one of my favorite spots for newborn portraits, and when it’s filled with creamy neutrals like this one, it’s truly the perfect spot to capture all of that newborn sweetness while still keeping the focus on the baby.

What a proud big sister! She was so excited for her new role as “big sister,” and I know she’s going to love her baby brother soooooo much!

Besides a few swaddles, I don’t bring any props to a lifestyle newborn session. We work with what you’ve got, which usually means incorporating your rugs and bedding as “backdrops” in your portraits. Here the three kids laid down on the nursery rug for this portrait, and later I posed the baby on the blue rug in the master bedroom. Simple & sweet!

This special pillow was made from their grandfather’s shirt, and it was extra sentimental to incorporate it into Baby John’s portraits.

No lifestyle newborn session is complete without a few little monkeys jumping on the bed!

Wondering if a lifestyle newborn session is the right fit for your family? Check out the helpful tips in this blog post to see if this might be just what you’re looking for in your portrait session!

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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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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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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!

Welcome Home, Emily Ann! Lifestyle Newborn Portraits in Boston

Walking into this sweet family’s home was a moment of deja vu. I felt like I was just there for Connor’s newborn session, and then I blinked and he became a big brother! I loved meeting his new sister Emily and watching this little family become a family of four. Plus it was so amazing to see Connor now as a toddler & big brother. He was so sweet and gentle with his sister, and I adore all of the amazing sibling shots we were able to capture during their lifestyle newborn session at home.

Checking out those itty bitty baby toes!

Emerson's Lifestyle Newborn Session

Stepping into this family’s home was like stepping into a model home that Chip & Joanna Gaines had styled for Fixer Upper. This beautiful home had Magnolia-style written all over it from the farmhouse accents, scripted and rustic word art on the walls, boxwood wreaths, and black & white accents.

I loved everything about it, and it made their lifestyle newborn session even more special because they will get to show their baby girl one day the house that they moved into right before she was born, and the house that they got ready just in time to snuggle her as a newborn baby.

Sweet little Emerson’s nursery was the softest blush pink with beautiful floral accents, and I loved getting to photograph some adorable family cuddles in there!

We always do a few family portraits on the master bed, and this might have been my favorite space in the whole home. It made for some amazing quiet moments of this whole family together, snuggling up with Emerson and getting to know this sweet baby girl that they just welcomed home a few days ago.

Aren’t baby yawns the cutest?

A Lifestyle Newborn Session for Baby Ella with Delmar NY Newborn Photographer

Do you remember Ashley's beautiful lifestyle maternity session?  Well, her baby girl Ella is finally here, and we celebrated with a newborn session in their home.  It was pretty special to be able to have Ashley stand in the same little alcove where she stood pregnant a few weeks ago, this time holding her sweet little girl in her arms.  

We always take a few family portraits and individual portraits of the baby on the master bed, and I brought a little gray wrap and headband for a few unposed portraits showing Ella just stretching, looking around, and checking out this great big world.  

My favorite part was when their two dogs joined us for a few family portraits.  This moment was pure luck, but doesn't it look like the dogs are kissing?

We finished up in the nursery with some beautiful close-ups that are perfect for the birth announcements, and one of our favorite family photos that show the perfectly decorated "night sky" wall in the nursery.

A Lifestyle Newborn Session in a Dreamy Nursery in Rexford, NY

Oh my goodness!  Can I just live in this beautiful nursery?  I fell in love with the great big windows and the sunlight streaming in, plus everything was decorated so beautifully and serene.  

Little Luciano's newborn session was an absolute dream.  This tiny little sweetheart was wide-eyed and curious, checking out everything going on around him, resulting in some beautiful awake portraits.  

These backlit family portraits are always my favorites during our newborn sessions, and Luciano seemed to know this and decided to give amazing eye contact during his family portraits.  Just look at how alert he is!

He enjoyed all of the snuggles with mom and dad, and their two dogs (Romeo & Juliet) even joined in for a few portraits!

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Did you love this session? 

Check out Baby Harry's lifestyle newborn session with his two dogs, too!

Saratoga Springs Lifestyle Newborn Session with Big Sisters

Baby Harry was welcomed home by the cutest big sisters, and I love the excitement that they brought to our lifestyle newborn session in Saratoga Springs!  

This very special family moved into their new home just in time to welcome home a tiny little brother.  It was all blank walls and huge windows with lots of natural light streaming through, perfect for capturing these moments and newborn cuddles on camera!

Little Sister Ruthie took a little convincing to get in the photos (it's tough becoming a big sister and realizing you're not the baby anymore!), but once she did, she had the BIGGEST smile on her face and was so excited to love on her baby brother!

Big sister Havah was such a little mother, and she melted all of our hearts when she cuddled up to Harry to tell him how much she loved him.  

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Did you love this lifestyle newborn session?
Check out Ronan's session with his adorable big brother here!

Ronan's Lifestyle Newborn Session at Home in Charlestown | Boston Newborn Photographer

This newborn session was one of my FAVORITE ones of the entire summer.  I spent months looking forward to welcoming this baby boy home, and it was so amazing to finally meet him and watch his family love on him.

That's because sweet baby Ronan's mama and I were roommates in Boston in our twenties.  I was there when she met her husband, and now we both have little baby boys that we're excited to watch grow up and play together! 

Ronan has a big brother, Holden, who absolutely adores him.  He covered him in kisses our entire session, and he couldn't stop talking about his "baby brudder". 

My little baby Grayson came to their session, and when Holden saw Grayson he was a little concerned that there were not one but TWO babies in his house now.  We had to reassure him that don't worry, this other baby would not be staying and would be going back to his own house soon.   ;o)  

But back to Ronan.  Just look at how tiny he looks asleep on the bed!  I love his little hands!

Brotherly love!

I love watching my friends become mamas, and seeing how they love their little ones is purely magical.  

I've been doing a few "unposed" shots at the end of every lifestyle newborn session lately, and they are often my very favorite ones!  I love how Ronan just stretches, covers his eyes, and gets comfortable.  He really is such a sweetheart!

A lifestyle newborn session at home with Andres James | Saratoga Springs NY Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Our lifestyle newborn sessions steal my heart every single time.  It's always such an honor to be invited into a family's home to capture their new baby, and I love watching all of the love unfold within those walls. 

These sessions are simple and sweet, without too much formal "posing" and really with just a little bit of guidance to cuddle up closer, lean in, and soak in the moment with their little ones. 

Plus, I love getting to photograph all of the different nurseries!  This nursery for Baby Andres is elegant, classic, and clean without any frills to distract from this beautiful family loving on their new baby boy.  (P.S.  Look at that chandelier!!!!!)

Big sister wasn't so sure about this new little baby, just like most toddlers are, but she got nice and close and loved looking at him through his crib.

I adore this parent portrait -- don't they look so well-rested with two under 2?!?!  And I love how tiny Andres is all curled up in their arms.

A close-up of this sweet baby boy with his head full of hair and those perfect little lips...

Toddlers always make these sessions so much fun!  We laugh, play games, share lots of tickles, and really get them giggling.  With a new baby at home that needs so much attention, they love getting to be the star of the show for a little bit during their portrait session, and sweet little Aria was full of so much personality and really enjoyed getting playful with us!

Did you love this session?  Check out these gorgeous nurseries:

A Rustic Woodland Nursery

A Floral Nursery Inspired by Little  Unicorn Designs

Welcome Home, Vivian Jane: A Lifestyle Newborn Session with Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Lifestyle sessions always steal my heart.  There is something so magical about being invited into a family's home to capture their quiet moments together as they welcome their brand new baby into the family, and I love visiting them in their space and documenting these moments for them to show their children one day that THIS is the space we brought you home to when you were born. 

Even if they change houses and move states, there is something so amazing about that first home that holds so many newborn memories for them.  The first cuddles, the first smiles.  So many late night feedings, and quiet moments just watching your baby breathe in and out when they're (finally!) asleep.  The walls are filled with stories, and it's always an honor to be invited into their space to capture the beginning of this new love story for their family.

Vivian Jane's house was filled with natural light, and we started off in the bedroom with a simple wrap and a knit blanket that I brought from the studio.  Her mom bought a few headbands before the session for a sweet girly touch.  

Family portraits are always my favorite during our lifestyle newborn sessions at home.  Tina & Curtis cuddled up on the bed with their baby girl, and we captured some quiet moments of the three of them together.  

Are you wondering where in your house we might capture a few portraits?  If you have a sliding door, there's a pretty good chance we'll go there for lots of natural light to flood your portraits!  I love these moments we captured in their living room that show their beautiful bond with their new daughter, and a hint at their style with their furniture and decor showing in the background. 

Check out a few recent lifestyle sessions for some at-home newborn inspiration!

John Aldrich
Connor James
How to Know if a Lifestyle Session is Right for You

 

A Lifestyle Newborn Session in Downtown Boston | Boston Newborn Photographer

Of course there is nothing I love more than being invited into the homes of new parents to celebrate their baby's arrival with them.  As a Boston newborn photographer, these lifestyle sessions always steal my heart and I love watching a family that just grew +1 as they welcome their baby into their lives.

I was lucky enough to join Baby John's family at the hospital for a Fresh 48 session soon after his arrival, and just a few weeks after that I was invited to their beautiful light-filled home in Boston overlooking the Boston Common for a lifestyle newborn portrait session with mom, dad, and grandma.

John, of course, wanted to see what all the fuss was about and he was alert & curious the entire time!

I always encourage grandparents to join us for our lifestyle sessions, and we were so fortunate that John's grandma was able to visit from NY in time for his newborn session!  Three generation portraits are so magical, and a great keepsake to look back on to showcase your family's legacy.

Every lifestyle session we try to create your family portraits in three main areas of your home -- the living room, the nursery, and the master bedroom.  Of course, depending on the lighting and the space, we may not be able to do all of those spaces and we'll instead choose another area of your home with great light and that shows character in the decor. 

Nursery portraits are always some of my favorite lifestyle shots because we get to focus on all of the little details that you so lovingly selected during your pregnancy -- the crib, the mobile, the artwork, the rocking chair that you're going to spend hundreds of hours in with your baby.  This particular nursery had no windows, but you wouldn't know it with how light & airy we were able to make it for the baby's first photoshoot!

My job is a photographer is to seek out amazing pockets of light in your home.  I immediately fell in love with the light and architectural details in this hallway, so of course it was the perfect spot for a few family portraits.  Don't you just love how the archway frames them so beautifully?

Our lifestyle newborn sessions have become incredibly popular, and the calendar is filling up for the winter months!  We're now booking through March 2018, and I would love to celebrate your baby's arrival with you as your bring your baby home.  Let's chat about documenting your family's legacy today!
 

Bringing Home Evelyn - A Lifestyle Newborn Session with Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer - Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

I love going into a family's home for their lifestyle newborn session, and visiting sweet Evelyn's family was no exception.  It's always magical to be invited into a family's space to watch those beautiful moments unfold as they get to know their brand new baby.

We spent an hour together with the most alert baby girl who wanted to observe everything that was going on around her.  Most newborns tire out after a short while, especially with so much activity going on around them, but Evelyn was determined to show off her sparkling eyes in all of her newborn portraits.  I'm so glad she did -- look at how beautiful she is!!

One of the things that ALL families worry about before a lifestyle newborn session is -- what if my house is a mess????

Many times before their session, I reassure the new moms and dads that I 100% expect to see laundry, clutter, dozens of baby items, food, and other evidence of their life around the house.  Honestly, that's what life at home with a new baby looks like! 

But I understand that you might not want to always remember the laundry, so I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make every single home look magazine-worthy.

While our lifestyle sessions looks so perfectly clean and organized, you have to remember that just what's in the frame is magazine-worthy.  There are always mountains of laundry, bulky bassinets and diaper genies, and a couple of pairs of shoes in the corner behind me.  And what's in the frame is pure perfection.

You don't need a lot of space or great big windows to capture beautiful lifestyle images at home with your newborn.  All you need is a tidy little corner of your home, a little bit of good light, and an outlet nearby for me to plug in my studio light -- that's all it takes!  As long as you don't mind when we rearrange a couple of things to pull them out of the camera's frame to keep the focus on YOU & YOUR BABY, we're going to have gorgeous images of your little family together.

Want to see my FAVORITE blog post about seeing a home through a photographer's eyes?  Check it out here, and see how a crowded lime green bedroom became a gorgeous neutral space for this family's session.