Older Awake Newborn Photos With Lots of Smiles

I recently welcomed baby Kiran to my Saratoga Springs studio for his newborn portraits. This little guy was a month old when he and his parents came by, and we were able to enjoy lots of eye contact and adorable expressions during his session because he was a little bit bigger and more awake! I absolutely loved working with Kiran and his family to create their heirloom portraits celebrating his arrival to the world! 

For Kiran’s session, we incorporated lots of neutrals with white. I’m obsessed with their family portraits with everyone in white. They’re stunning! We included a few pops of soft sky blue and sage green, which coordinates nicely with his nursery and their decor at home. I always encourage families to think about where they want to display images when deciding on a theme or color palette. I know Kiran’s portraits are going to look perfect displayed at home! 

My favorite part of working with Kiran and his parents might be that we were able to create a special gallery wall in their home to feature their favorite portraits. I love knowing that they’re going to enjoy these images on their wall every single day as their little boy grows. That’s why I do what I do: I want you to remember these moments and be able to relieve them as time slips away. 

Kiran, thank you for being such a sweet boy for me in the studio! Your session brought me so many new favorite portraits and I hope you’ll always see how loved you truly are in these moments. 

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Welcome Baby Nathan! Newborn Portraits with Big Brother

This blog post comes with a story about your favorite photographer, too many boxes arriving in the mail, and the big reveal of this family’s heirloom album. ;o)

This sweet family ordered an album with all of their favorite newborn portraits, and I placed the order the day before I left for a week and a half on the Cape. For me, a week and a half by the sea is like hitting the reset button, so when I came home I could barely remember what I had done before leaving for the Cape.

When I came back to my studio I had a mountain of boxes waiting for me from my different portrait labs, and opening them felt a bit like Christmas morning because I couldn’t remember what was inside of them. Blame it on the mom brain, or blame it on the salt air.

But then I got to this one box. When I opened it up I saw the gray album box inside, and I remember lifting the cover and thinking, “Who’s album is this one?” Then I saw the sky blue linen and the soft colors in Nathan’s newborn portraits, and honestly I gasped when seeing how beautiful it all was together. This family wound up choosing the most perfect linen to complement their portraits, and the finished product was truly breathtaking. That was my favorite package I opened this summer, and I definitely enjoyed watching the family unwrap it a few days later to enjoy it for themselves!

Big brother Aiden was soooooo excited about his new role as big brother, and he gave us all the smiles! We captured so many sweet portraits of these two brothers together and I love all of the family ones, too. I’ve loved watching this family grow over the past couple of years, and it’s hard to believe that just a few short years ago they were brand new parents bringing their son to my old studio for his portrait session! Check out big brother’s newborn session from almost 3 years ago here!

We used some of the same colors and layers in Nathan’s newborn portraits as we did in his big brother’s a few years ago. I’m a huge fan of blues, grays, creams, and whites in newborn portraits, and I love how seamlessly they all go together!

Nathan’s mama gave me the biggest compliment when she was sitting in the studio during their session. She looked around and told me that the studio was so relaxing to be in, and that nearly three years ago as a new mom she had felt the same way. Despite all of the crazy unknowns of motherhood and the countless things that all of us mamas have to figure out in those first few weeks with a new baby, somehow I helped her feel more comfortable at least during those couple of hours she was here for her session. That made my heart so happy to hear.

Because yes, I want to give you beautiful portraits and artwork that you’re going to enjoy for generations. But more importantly I want you to embark on this journey of motherhood (or the next chapter of it if you’re welcoming baby #2 or #3!) and feel a little more confident, a little more understood, a little more prepared to take on the crazy unknowns. I’m a mom, too. I’ve literally gone through this exact same journey, and whatever it is you’re feeling, you’re not alone. That’s why I try so hard to connect with all of the families that I work with to see how they’re doing and offer any little tidbits that might make those first few weeks at home a little easier with the new baby.

Because your newborn session is not just about the photographs. It’s also about taking your baby out of the house for maybe the first time besides the pediatrician appointment, and connecting with another mama who has been in your shoes who can help you feel a little less lost and a little less alone.

Wondering what to expect in your newborn session? I’ve done this hundreds of times and my job is to make it as easy and stress-free as possible for you as a new parent! Check out this blog post for what to expect!

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Studio Newborn Portraits for Baby Jacob

I’m always so honored when families bring their new babies to me for their newborn portraits, and I especially enjoy when those babies grow up and become big brothers & sisters who visit the studio with their brand new sibling.

I’ve been capturing portraits for Jonas’s family since he was born, and now he’s a big brother! He visited the studio with Baby Jacob and we captured the most adorable family portraits. Just look at how mom & dad look at their boys!!

This sweet baby boy was a dream to pose. He was so sleepy and cuddly, and he curled right up into the sweetest poses. We used a mix of cream, white, blue & gray to match big brother’s newborn portraits and to complement the decor in their home.

Love this classic newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Vivienne's Older Newborn Portraits

One of the things I love most about this job is connecting with families and watching their little ones grow. This family has trusted me to capture ALL THREE of their babies’ newborn portraits, and they have 24” canvases hanging in their home from each session. I’ve loved watching the boys grow, and I was so excited to celebrate their baby girl’s arrival with them.

We originally planned on capturing newborn portraits for Vivienne, but she was born right when everything started shutting down with the quarantine so we had to postpone. We eventually got into the studio for her milestone session, and we even managed to capture a few sleepy portraits of this sweet girl! She’s starting to show more personality now, and those rolls on her arms and legs are one of the many perks of waiting a bit for her older “newborn” portraits!

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Pretty Mauve Flowers for a Studio Newborn Session

Little Anaís is our newest Baby Plan member, and I loved welcoming her family into our Saratoga Springs portrait studio for her newborn session! We incorporated mauve florals and soft greenery to coordinate with her nursery, and I just love how it all came together for this sweet baby girl. Plus, this new mauve headband from my favorite boutique coordinated perfectly!

I always love wrapping the babies up so that we can see their tiny arms and legs, and Anaís looked so beautiful in this peach wrap against our white blanket. All of these headbands are also from Polka Dot Poppy, which is where I’ve been buying our studio headbands for years! They are all handmade, and I love how the designer incorporates such dainty details and beautiful colors into each one!

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Welcoming Baby Brother - A Studio Newborn Portrait Session with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

I have been lucky enough to create portraits for this sweet family ever since they had only two little ones… and now they have FOUR! I absolutely loved celebrating their SON’S arrival with a studio newborn session. The big sisters were extra excited about their baby brother, whose gender was a surprise until birth, and they showered him in love and kisses the entire time.

We captured the sweetest cuddles with mom and dad, too. Lynsey rocked a flowy white gown from our Mama Wardrobe in the studio, and it looked so beautiful on her! I just love how clean & classic these mommy & baby portraits are in a neutral color palette!

Being their first boy, we had to pull out some blues for his portraits! The studio is stocked with gorgeous handmade knit layers in so many colors, and I love this navy on him.

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FAQ's for Baby Photographers | Saratoga Springs NY and Boston MA Newborn Photographer

I’ve been a baby photographer since 2012, and I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of adorable babies & children in New York & Massachusetts.  Before every session I schedule a pre-consultation with my clients, and it’s usually a simple phone call to answer any questions and give them a feel for what the session involves. 

Over the years I’ve answered the same questions dozens of times, so I thought I would compile them into a helpful FAQ post for new clients!

Have a question that I haven’t answered here?  Drop me an email to hello@nicolestarrphotography.com and I would be happy to chat with you!

What is the best age to photograph?  I’m worried my baby is too young — or too old!

Our newborn sessions typically take place during the first two weeks after a baby is born.  I usually like to see babies at the studio after day 5 because they’re getting the hang of eating by then, and if your baby had a circumcision he’ll be healed and comfortable on his belly by then.

BUT WHY SO YOUNG?  Well, during those first two weeks your baby is still getting used to life outside the womb.  They are very sleepy and flexible, allowing me to achieve many of those adorable and cozy poses with them all curled up tight.  After two weeks their limbs become more rigid and less flexible, and they are often much more alert as they begin to stretch and explore the space around them.  Baby acne usually arrives between weeks 3-4, so ideally we’ll plan your session before then. 

For milestone sessions, around months 3-4 is perfect because your little one is smiling, reacting to the world around them, and getting used to tummy time with better neck control by then.  I also love love LOVE milestone sessions between months 6-9 when your baby is sitting up unassisted.  When babies are upright they are so happy and content, and their personality just shines.  This is my favorite age to photograph!

For birthday sessions, we schedule these between months 10-13 depending on how soon before the first birthday party you would like your finished artwork!

Help!  I have no idea what I want to do with my photos!

I hear this all the time, and many families originally think, “I’ll just get the digitals and decide later on.”  But you know what happens 90% of the time when families do this?  Those JPEGs sit in a file on their computer and never get looked at.  Life gets in the way and the images never get printed for a year, two years, three years.

That’s why I make it a priority to schedule your gallery reveal and ordering appointment within two weeks of your session.  We set aside an hour together to go through your gallery, see what products there are, and find which possibilities are the very best fit for your family!  I want to help you enjoy your images & artwork right away, and to find the best way for your images to fit into your lifestyle. 

Here are a few popular possibilities for what to do with your images besides lose them on a hard drive somewhere:
-Create birth announcements, birthday party invitations, or thank you cards to mail to family & friends
-Enjoy a linen-covered album from your session, or from your baby’s entire first year!
-Decorate the walls of your nursery.  We can even plan your session style to coordinate with the nursery theme and colors.  
-Grandparents love photo gifts.  Let’s give them some beautiful new artwork!
-Hang a large family portrait in a  place that will put a smile on your face every day.

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Where do your sessions take place?

Most of our portrait sessions are in the studio.  Lifestyle newborn sessions and lifestyle family sessions take place at home — these are relaxed and generally unposed, and I don’t bring props or complicated set-ups with me.  These sessions showcase real life happening in real spaces in your home. 

I love shooting outdoors in the warmer months.  Here in the northeast, that generally means May through October, but for really young babies who are sensitive to temperature changes, I would recommend scheduling between June and September if you’re hoping to head outside.    Warm babies are happy babies, and happy babies make for great photographs!

What do you have in your studio?

Lots of simple backdrops, neutral colors, a few classic props, faux fur rugs, plenty of wraps and blankets, headbands, and handmade tiny outfits.  I do use one studio light for all of our sessions, so you’ll see a big umbrella with a light in it, too.  During our newborn sessions we turn the heat WAY up in the studio so that your little one is comfy, and it’s very toasty in there with our fake fireplace going strong.

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I’m so worried that my child is going to be fussy or cranky!  What happens then?  

Kids and babies are so unpredictable, and I am used to their changing moods.  Most babies act differently on photo day because they’re in a new space, with a new person, and they can sense that their parents are stressed or nervous.  First, I recommend that you stay calm and trust me to capture beautiful images of your baby.  Know that we will go with the flow and do everything possible to keep your baby in a cheerful mood.  If your baby senses that you are anxious, they will feed off of your anxiety, so stay calm!

I have so many tricks for newborns to create an environment that will lull them into a relaxed state.  You’ll see me use heat, wraps, shushing, rocking, and other little tricks to put them right to sleep.

Older babies are easily distracted and I’ll use songs, games, and toys to grab their attention.  If they start to get fussy, a quick distraction with a new toy or song will engage them and make them forget whatever it was they were fussing about in the first place!  Some babies need a break for fresh air, a walk around the studio, a favorite snack, cuddles, or a song on your phone.  That’s okay!  I am always generous with time, and if your little one needs a few extra minutes to settle in we’ll take our time.  Follow my lead, and we’re going to have a great time together!

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What if my child is sick the day of the session?

Tell me right away!  Healthy babies are happy babies, and I’m usually able to reschedule your session.  Ideally you’ll tell me as far in advance as you are able (48 hours before is perfect if you notice your little one is coming down with something), but we don’t want to force a baby through a session when you know that he’s cranky because he has a fever.

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This is kind of embarrassing, but I’m worried my baby might pee (or poop!) on something in the studio…

It wouldn't be the first time that has occurred!  Poop happens, and it’s nothing to worry about. 

We keep wipes on hand to clean everything up quickly, and everything gets washed and sanitized after the session.  Don’t be embarrassed, and please don’t apologize a million times.  I expect a little mess to happen with every session, and if we get a baby who doesn’t soil something during their session, I consider it a fluke and we were very lucky that day!

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What should my baby wear? 

For studio newborn sessions, you don’t have to bring a thing!  I have everything you need in the studio.  Your images will be classic and timeless with a simple wrap, bare skin, or one of my unique hand-knit outfits that are so tiny and perfectly sized for your baby.

For lifestyle newborn sessions, we’ll also use wraps or pretty swaddles that you have at home.  A classic white onesie is always perfect — the smaller the better.  Because newborns are so tiny, they are swimming in most newborn clothes and all that extra fabric never photographs well, so be sure to try their outfit on ahead of time to ensure that it’s snug and not too baggy.

Milestone sessions are a little bit different.  For 3-4 months we’ll generally just do a few wraps and simple rompers that I have in the studio.  If you have a snug knit outfit (so many cute options at Zara Baby!), send me a picture ahead of time.

For 6 months and up, there are so many cute options for your baby.  Check out Etsy for adorable rompers and overalls in knit fabrics.  Look for neutral colors that aren’t too busy or distracting for the most classic look.  Details like lace, pockets, stripes, texture, and embroidery are always fun, too. 

A note on headbands — babies have tiny heads.  Let’s not overwhelm them with huge puffy flower headbands.  I have petite tiebacks that are the perfect size to complement your baby’s perfect features without being too distracting.  If you’d like to bring something, the smaller the better. 

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How about those cute crocheted outfits I see at big box stores and on Etsy?

Okay, I’m going to be really honest with you here….  No.  Don’t do it.  Those crocheted turtles, foxes, and firemen outfits are never the proper size for a newborn baby.  They are always much too big and leave gaping holes when you put them on the baby, plus the crochet stitch doesn’t lie as smoothly to hug a baby’s curves like knitting does. 

Plus I have found that the yarn is usually a very poor quality that causes the poor little babies to overheat, and nearly 100% of the time when you put a baby in one of those hats and diaper covers they get itchy and hot.  They’re fussy and inconsolable within seconds.  I’m sorry to say it, but as cute as they are on the hanger they’re not that cute on a fussy, crying, sweating baby. 

Instead, we can do a tiny prop or accent in your set-up to represent that turtle, fox, fireman (or whatever other theme it is you loved!).  I’ve had babies holding their dad’s police badge, posed on a fireman’s helmet, and snuggling up with a tiny felted animal like a teddy bear or a penguin.  I’ll use the outfits we have in the studio that are high-quality fibers that allow your baby’s skin to breathe, and that are sized perfectly to their tiny bodies.  

Lillian Wynne - A Simple Newborn Session at our Attleboro Portrait Studio - Boston MA Newborn Photographer

Blush pink, cream, white, and gray.  These simple & classic colors always come together in the most beautiful way for our studio newborn sessions, and I was thrilled when Lillian's mom asked me to style her daughter's session in these tones.

This sweet baby girl's gender was a surprise.  Since this is their second child and their first daughter, of course Lily's mama was excited to incorporate some girly details into her newborn session like our adorable headbands and bows, and all of the prettiest textures.

Big brother James was so sweet with his new sister, and I love the cozy family portraits that we captured of this family of four.  Family portraits are always a favorite part of our newborn sessions as we get everyone together to cuddle up with their new addition, and adding a toddler into the mix always makes them 10X more fun with the tickles, giggles, and kisses! 

Love this classic & girly studio newborn session? 
Enjoy a few more recent studio newborn sessions here on the blog!

Emma Adele's Newborn Portraits
Kona Helen's Newborn Session
Quinn Madlina's Newborn Portraits

Booking a Safe Newborn Photographer - Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

An Open Letter to a Newbie Photographer: Part 1

Hi, there.  

I see you over there, a newbie photographer who is just getting started.  A girl with a camera and a dream, so excited to get subjects in front of her camera that she’s giving away her time for free.  You’re looking around and seeing so many beautiful posts in your newsfeed, wishing your own images looked like the ones from the photographers that you admire so much.  

You’re eager to do everything you can to become an amazing photographer, so you shoot 1,256 images at every session.  You spend hours every night culling & editing while trying to learn Lightroom and Photoshop, agonizing over which of these fourteen similar images is the very best.  You tilt your camera at just the right angle to make your photos look “artsy” and more creative.  Your camera becomes a permanent extension of your body, and you almost never leave home without it.  You’re in all of the photography groups on Facebook, and whenever someone mentions a prop vendor, a camera bag that you absolutely must have, or a DIY project, you jump right on it.  You are certain that this is the thing will change your life and your business. 

I see you over there, saying yes to everyone and everything that comes your way.  Yes, I’ll do a cake smash for your baby.  Yes, we can do your family’s session at noon on Sunday.  Yes, I’ll shoot your wedding for free because the exposure would be great.  Yes, I would love to take photos of your five dogs in your red living room with one tiny window.  Yes, I’ll give you an extra sneak peek and all of the RAW files and spend hours editing that hair elastic off of your daughter’s wrist in every.single.photo because I forgot to tell her to remove it before the shoot.  Yes, yes, yes.

You’re up at all hours of the night, finishing another gallery and answering another email.  You’re exhausted.  You’re wondering why your images are so grainy and what camera settings you’re supposed to use.  You can’t figure out why the newborns won’t ever sleep for you during their sessions.  But you’re still so excited to call yourself a photographer, so excited to capture these moments for families that will value your artwork.  You are chasing this dream, and you’re loving every minute of it.

I want to tell you something…
YOU ARE DOING JUST FINE.  KEEP AT IT.  CHASE YOUR DREAM.  DON’T GIVE UP.

When I started my business, there was so much I didn’t know.  So much.  Actually, I wasn’t even trying to start a business, but somewhere along the way that happened.  Like every photographer, I have learned so many lessons during my first years in business.  Here are a few, and I hope that they will help you!

Don’t overshoot.  

You don’t need 1,000 images from every session, and your clients don’t need a final gallery of 100 images.  They’ll probably only display 5-10 images in their home, so a gallery of 20-25 is more than enough without overwhelming them.  Get the shot, and then move on to get a new angle, new pose, new location, new outfit.

Don’t overbuy.

That new wrap, basket, bucket, bag isn’t going to make you a better photographer.  Set a budget for your props, and stick to it.  Only purchase items that fit your style, and remember that if it looks cheap, then your photography will look cheap.  To become a high-end photographer, your images and everything in them need to look high-end.  Invest in a few quality pieces and use those in every session. 

Learn posing & safety.

This is especially important for newborn sessions.  Please educate yourself before you start working with newborns.  Most of the images you see online are composites of two or more images woven together in Photoshop to create a final image.  Babies are fragile little beings, and it’s important to know what their bodies can and cannot do.  They are your most precious little clients, so you never want to hang them in mid-air, place too much pressure on their joints, put them in a glass bowl, or place them in any precarious situation where they can tip over and hurt themselves.  Safety first.  

Be fearless with light.

For years I was worried that studio lighting would be too hard to learn, too expensive to invest in, and that it wasn’t the “right” thing to do because other photographers that I loved so much advertised themselves as “natural light photographers."  But you know what?  Making the leap to studio lighting was the best thing I ever did for my photography.  My images are more consistent than ever before, and I am confident to shoot in any situation and environment.  

Learn your gear.

Learn to shoot in Manual.  Learn to shoot and edit RAW images.  Learn to shoot in challenging lighting situations.  Once you can figure it out in camera, you’re going to spend a lot less time editing your images.  You’re also going to be a lot less frustrated when your images start turning out exactly the way you imagined them to be.

Invest in quality gear.

Figure out what you need to create truly beautiful images, and save up for the very best that you can afford — even if it takes a few months to save up enough money, it’s worth it.  Making the switch to a full-frame camera will be a game-changer for your portraits, but only if you know how to shoot in manual (see above: Learn your gear).  Rather than getting cheap lighting off of Amazon, save up for an Alien Bee or an Einstein. You’ll love it the very first time you use it, and it will last you for years with an amazing customer service team that is ready to help, fix, and replace it should anything go wrong.  This goes for your props, too.

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Whew!  Thanks for reading, but that’s just the beginning!  Once I started writing, it just kept flowing and this is only the first half.  Be sure to check out Part 2 on the blog, too!  

Oh, and by the way… remember that camera tilt I mentioned in the beginning of this letter?  Drop it.  It’s not artsy, and your client shouldn’t have to tilt their head at an uncomfortable angle to get a better look at their family’s portrait.  We've all been there, and we've all tilted the camera.  Learn from it, and keep your horizons straight.  Your images will look much more timeless!

With love (and a nice little kick in the pants if that’s what you needed in your business today!),

Nicole Starr

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