There is nothing better than watching kids grow in through the lens of my camera, in my studio. I’ve been photographing Elliana multiple times a year since she was a newborn, and recently, her mom brought her in for a Little Loves session to celebrate her turning 5. This session felt extra special because five is such a huge milestone. It bridges that gap between little kid and big kid. Five is often the age you start school, lose your first tooth, start to read, and learn so many amazing new skills. I loved celebrating this milestone with her!

Elli was SO cute in my studio this year. She was all giggles and big smiles, showing off her sweet personality. Mom chose the sweetest light blue and white dress - paired with the cutest white bow - for her photos. Sometimes, with Little Loves sessions, the final images are presented in black and white - but I think the color option was perfect to celebrate Elli and her bright personality. She is so sweet! We captured so many fun little moments, which is even easier since I’ve been part of her life for the last five years. We eased right into our shoot and were able to celebrate this milestone together.

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I also loved sitting with her parents, going through the gallery together after their session, too. We’ve sat at their kitchen counter so many times over the past five years going through their galleries and choosing their favorite portraits of their two children, and this time we kept reminiscing – “Doesn’t it feel like we were just in the studio doing her newborn session?” “Remember when we did her milestone portraits with the flowers?” “How sweet was she last fall in the field with her brother?!” And now this. Five.

It is always an honor when families trust me to capture their children’s milestones year after year. I love that so many families come to me for their newborn session, fall in love with the experience, and return to me year after year with their little ones. I never take this job for granted, and I am so lucky to work with the most amazing families year after year.

blonde girl in blue and white flower dress with white sandals and white bow in her hair twirls in Saratoga Springs studio during 5th birthday session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

blonde girl in blue and white flower dress with white sandals and white bow in her hair sits with her hands in her lap on a bench in the studio during 5th birthday session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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blonde girl in blue and white flower dress with white sandals and white bow in her hair dances in the studio during 5th birthday session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

blonde girl in blue and white flower dress with white sandals and white bow in her hair makes a silly face in the studio during 5th birthday session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

blonde girl in blue and white flower dress with white sandals and white bow in her hair sits on a stool grinning in the studio during 5th birthday session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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blonde girl in blue and white flower dress with white sandals and white bow in her hair sits with her hands in her lap in Saratoga Springs studio during 5th birthday session photographed by NY children’s photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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A Little Loves portrait session to celebrate turning 5 photographed by Saratoga Springs Child and Family Photographer Nicole Starr Photography

If you’ve been around the blog, you know that I LOVE my Little Loves portrait sessions. These classic and simple portraits are a wonderful way to document your little ones - as they are, right now, forever. I truly believe that there is never a bad time to take photos, and as your kids grow there is never going to be a time when you wish you hadn’t taken more photos. My Little Loves sessions are all about freezing this moment in time for your family to cherish forever.

Do they still have softly curved baby cheeks? Take the photo.

Do they have their baby teeth? Take the photo.

Have they lost a tooth? Take the photo.

Have they grown three inches this year? Take the photo.

Do they still like to snuggle you and hold your hand? Take the photo.

Are they almost taller than you? Take the photo.

New braces? Take the photo.

No matter what changes they are going through, it is such a gift to slow down time and document this stage they are in right this very moment. That’s one of the things that I absolutely love about our Little Loves sessions.

I’ve been photographing this family ever since Kayden’s first birthday, and now he is so grown! We had so much fun capturing these personality portraits during their Little Loves session. Both Kayden and Karina brought their A-game, and I love how their unique personalities shine: silly, serious, sweet, playful, strong. Because there’s nothing but your baby and a simple studio setup, we really have a chance to photograph what makes this stage so unique and meaningful for you all.

I repeat: there’s never a bad time to photograph your child. Capturing milestones and memorizing all of the little details that will change as their children grow, and imprinting this on your hearts truly matters to me.