Studio newborn portraits for twin brothers | Saratoga Springs portrait studio

Enzo and Ethan joined me in my Saratoga Springs portrait studio for their newborn portraits and they are simply the sweetest! They’re simply adorable and I was so happy to have twins in my studio to start the year. Fun fact about me: I’m an identical twin! I’ve had the joy of photographing many sets of twins since starting my business back in 2012. Each set is special and I always enjoy my time capturing parents with their babies. Enzo and Ethan were sleepy, happy to curl up with each other or their parents the entire time we were together. 

Every pair of twins that I photograph always brings me back to my very first newborn session with twins. There was a magical moment when they were wrapped up together, and as they lay there their breaths synced and their tiny little chests rose and fell as one. Now I watch for that in every session with twins, and it’s truly incredible to see that deep connection in the babies who are so used to always having their partner there beside them.

While I love photographing newborn twins, it can be challenging too! One of the challenges of a newborn session with twins is keeping them straight and making sure that we capture the same amount of portraits (and the same/similar setups) of each baby, and then knowing in editing who is who. With boy/girl twins or twins where there is a pound or more difference between the babies, it’s not very hard to remember who is who, but when they are identical or nearly the same weight, it’s much trickier! 

One of the tricks I’ve developed is to keep post-it notes with their names and start a new setup with the name label in the photos, and then edit that out later. Another trick is to use certain colors on each baby, like we did with Enzo and Ethan, which are the same colors their parents use at home for the boys. Whatever you’re doing at home can absolutely be brought into the studio. This is definitely fun too, because it means your final portraits will fit in perfectly in your space after your session! 

Welcome to the world, Enzo and Ethan. You are so loved and as a twin myself, I have to say you’re pretty lucky too! 

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Welcome Baby Henry: An Adorable Newborn Session in Saratoga Springs

Welcome home, Baby Henry! This sweet little guy arrived right around the holidays and I welcomed him and his parents to my Saratoga Springs studio for their newborn portraits. Henry’s parents wanted to keep their session simple and neutral, so we used a few pops of sage and muted teal to bring just a little color into the setups without taking away from their precious new little boy! Of course, because of the holidays, we planned a setup with Christmas ornaments to celebrate his first Christmas. I think it was adorable and the perfect nod to the holidays! 

As with all of my newborn sessions, we create setups for your little love to sleep and curl up in. After their portraits alone, it’s time for family portraits. Whether it’s new parents with their first baby, or a full studio with big siblings, it’s always a special time in my studio. Watching Henry and his parents was no different. They are so in love with their little boy and it makes me emotional as a mother and photographer to capture these sweet moments in the studio. 

I love that families adore their candid family portraits, and without fail always choose their sweet interactions looking down at their baby as some of their favorite portraits from their session. There’s something so magical and awe-inspiring as you look at their expressions of wonder and joy looking down at their brand new baby, and it’s an honor to be invited in to document this on camera for them. I always recommend at least one more traditional portrait with everyone looking at the camera (that’s what the grandparents love to see!), but those candid ones will tug at every mama and dada’s heartstrings, now and many years from now!

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The Difference Between Lifestyle and Studio Newborn Photography

Choosing what kind of newborn photography is right for your family can feel like a pretty big decision. For my families, I capture either lifestyle newborn sessions in their homes or a studio newborn session in my Saratoga Springs studio. I’ve also captured Fresh 48 sessions in the hospital for families, too. All sessions are equally beautiful, culminating in gorgeous timeless portraits to celebrate your little one’s arrival. But, they are certainly different too, and this guide will help you decide which style of newborn session is the best fit for your family.  

Studio Newborn Sessions in Saratoga Springs 

Studio newborn sessions are a bit more posed, and we'll capture family portraits on a neutral background, with minimal props. I’ve carefully cultivated a studio space that is relaxing and timeless, filled with simple props and adorable outfits, headbands, and wraps for your new baby. Your baby’s safety is of the utmost importance to me, so posing is baby led and I don’t do anything that might put your little one at risk. Capturing your family together for the first time with their newest member is the highlight of these sessions. Studio newborn sessions produce gorgeous classic imagery that is perfect in any home decor for display. I have everything ready and available for you (even an outfit for Mama or big sibling, too!), so they tend to be stress-free for the families in the studio. 

Lifestyle Newborn Sessions at Home 

Lifestyle sessions are a relaxed and intimate peek into your lives with a new baby at home.  I won't pose you, but I will guide you -- sit together on the bed, move in close, look down at your baby girl. My goal is to capture our family in the most relaxed setting to them: their home.  At home, a swaddle is our best friend and most of the images of your baby will be wrapped up snugly so that they sleep.  I won't be positioning them into any particular poses, and we'll really treat it as a very natural and unposed session. Lifestyle newborn sessions are also a great way to capture the space your baby is coming home to: their nursery, your living room, and special spaces you curated for them during your pregnancy. 

Still not sure which option sounds best for you? Here’s a few more questions to consider! 

We have a dog! Can he be in our session?

Definitely! Fur babies are a part of your family, and I know how important it is to include your fur baby alongside your new baby. I’ve found that pets are usually most comfortable at home, and I recommend a lifestyle session when we want to incorporate dogs into the portraits. This way they have easy access to head outside, burn off some energy, and then come back inside for portraits, and curl up in their safe space when they’re done.

My house is a mess. We can’t do lifestyle portraits there, right?

Don’t worry! Houses are meant to be lived in, and I tell all of my families that I fully expect to see dishes in the sink, burp rags on the tables, and laundry piled up somewhere. Life with a newborn is chaotic, and that naturally spills over into your home. You absolutely do not need to have everything pristine for your portrait session. Tidy up the nursery before I arrive, make the bed in the primary bedroom and clear off the nightstands, and if you have another spot in your home where you’d like to do photographs (maybe by a window that gets great light, or an interesting little nook in your home where you love the decor), tidy up that little corner. It doesn’t matter how much clutter is outside of the frame of the camera. We’ll capture you just as you are, and remove any distracting elements from the frame.

On the other hand, a lot of families love coming to the studio for exactly that reason! They know that cleaning their house is one less thing to worry about with a newborn, and I have everything in the studio to keep you comfortable and happy.

How old should my baby be for a studio or lifestyle newborn session?

We typically photograph babies in the studio around 2-3 weeks, and at home between 2-4 weeks. However, I am one of very few Saratoga Springs newborn photographers who also LOVE photographing older newborns, and I encourage families to come in with their babies that are 5-10 weeks old, too. At the older stage, your baby will be more alert and interactive, and less able to curl up in those sleepy poses, but we’ll still capture beautiful portraits celebrating your little one’s arrival into your family.

Now that you know which newborn session feels right for you, what's next?

Get in touch with your newborn photographer while you're still pregnant to schedule your newborn session. Most moms reach out during the second trimester. Newborn sessions are penciled in on the calendar based on your due date, and photographers only accept a certain number of due dates each month to give each family the flexibility in scheduling that they deserve. Then as soon as your baby arrives, tell your photographer so that they can set a date for your session!  Congratulations, this is such an exciting time! 

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Pretty Little Details: Newborn Portraits with Saratoga Springs Photographer

I loved celebrating this sweet family’s daughter’s arrival with them. We first met when they were pregnant with their son 4 years ago, and now Aadvik is a big brother! He loved holding his little sister, snuggling up and giving her hugs and kisses, and we captured the most adorable sibling portraits during their Saratoga Springs studio newborn portraits. 

To celebrate Aarya, the whole extended family joined us, including their maternal grandparents and mama’s twin sister’s family. We even captured a cousins portrait of the three little ones together! What’s extra special is that I have done newborn portraits for all three of those babies in the cousins picture. It truly filled my heart with joy and gratitude to realize how many special moments I’ve been a part of for this incredible family. 

After all of the family portraits, it was time to capture sweet Aarya. Her parents chose simple pastel colors and setups for her portraits. They felt so darling and feminine. During the session, I used a new floral combination on my rattan stroller featuring lavender plants. I was so pleased with how the garland looked wrapped around the stroller’s edge. It came together perfectly! 

I am so excited to watch Aarya and her brother Aadvik grow - and I’m so happy that Jaana reached out about capturing these truly special memories for her family! It is such an honor to watch families grow and change year to year like this. 

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Tiny Toes and Tender Smiles: Best Newborn Sessions of 2024 in Saratoga Springs

Welcome 2025! One of my favorite traditions here on the blog at the start of a new year is to share my “best of” blog posts from the year prior! I’m kicking things off with our best of 2024 newborns - featuring many studio newborn sessions and a few lifestyle portraits! 

Newborn sessions might just be one of my favorite things to photograph. We always capture a mix of family and sibling portraits, along with individual portraits of the baby during our sessions. If you know me, you know that keeping things simple is at the heart of what I do. I aim for simple timeless setups in my all-white studio, featuring soft muted colors for accents, natural props and accessories. The focus of your portraits should be on your new little one - and the love and awe of your family! 

Every time a family brings their new baby to the studio, I feel such an immense sense of gratitude. Trusting me with your little one is an honor I hope to never take for granted. Choosing a newborn photographer can be difficult! You want to find someone with the experience to keep your baby safe, while capturing the images you will treasure forever. You should also consider what they offer when your portraits are done. The products and artwork available to you should fit into your lifestyle and home decor. 

Capturing your newborn session is about more than just snapping a photo for me. I truly want my families to feel welcome and prepared for the process. It should be as stress-free as possible (you just had a baby!) and the end results should fit into your home beautifully so that you can enjoy your family. 

Looking back on these sweet 2024 babies, I feel so lucky that this is my job. There is no greater honor than being able to capture your baby’s first portraits - sometimes even your first family portrait - in my studio (or your home).  It is so meaningful and such a beautiful process. Thank you to all of these families for trusting me with your sweet babies!

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Newborn portrait session with big sister

I absolutely adore Lauren and Tim. They’re our neighbors, and I’ve had the joy of photographing their maternity sessions for both daughters - and now the newborn sessions, too! It’s been so special to not only document their first portraits for each of the girls, but it’s also been a meaningful walk beside them as our children grow up together. Welcome to the world, Macey Jayne! I’m so happy I got to welcome you to the studio and the neighborhood. 

Macey’s big sister, Anna, was so excited to snuggle up with her new baby, and I was thoroughly impressed with how well she did during the session. At 22 months, she posed herself better than most toddlers that I work with, and it was all so natural and smooth for her. I am completely in love with the sibling portraits we created of these two sisters! They’re always some of my favorite moments in newborn sessions like this. But, they don’t always happen organically - it takes work and focus so the new big sisters and brothers feel special. Having a new baby can change the family dynamic - and this is a great chance to involve them in the process! 

A newborn session with a toddler isn’t always easy, but I try to make big siblings feel like a big part of the session!  I show them the toys in the studio, I let them pick out the snack they’re going to enjoy after they finish, show them my camera and the little toys that I use to help me take their pictures – monkey on my camera lens, a Cookie Monster puppet, squeaky toys. I give them options: “Do you want to start with just you and baby, or should we have everybody all together first?” This helps them feel in control, and they love having some say in what’s going to happen. I like to give them special jobs, and often they’ll take one of my wooden cameras and use it to take pictures of their parents when we’re going some photos of mom or dad with the baby. Even though these portraits are for the baby, we want your toddlers (or older siblings) feel like a big part of the process! 

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Older Newborn Portraits with an 8 week old

Welcome to the world (and Saratoga Springs!), Aidan! This sweet family traveled to Saratoga with their 8 week old and booked a newborn session while they were in town! Visiting Saratoga is becoming an annual tradition for them, and they were excited to document their son’s first portraits while on vacation. I love our little town, so it was special to hear about their tradition and how special this year’s visit would be. 

We started Aidan’s newborn session with updated family portraits on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. It’s such a beautiful and classic downtown, and I love that we were able to make these happen with an early morning session before Broadway became too busy (as it does in the summertime with the tourists in town for track season!). No matter what kind of portraits we’re capturing, I want to document what is special for you. It makes me so happy that we could include this spot that Aidan’s parents love in their first official portraits with their baby boy! We ended their session in my studio - with a white and grey palette for Aidan’s portraits. They feel so classic and timeless! Since Aidan was about 8 weeks old during our portraits, we captured some special moments of him with his parents - featuring his wide and beautiful open eyes. You can already start to see his sweet little personality coming out! 

Aidan’s newborn session was wonderful for all of us. Bringing an older newborn to the studio is perfectly okay! I know that many new parents worry about the “perfect” time to schedule their newborn session, but I’m here to tell you that there is no perfect time. Don’t worry if you were in a newborn haze and missed the traditional 2-3 week window for newborn portraits. Older newborn sessions are actually one of my favorites, and I love this stage when babies are more alert and interactive with their parents. They begin smiling socially around 6 weeks, and we’re able to capture smiles and eye contact, and a lot more engagement with the world around them. 

We still work hard to keep them calm and happy, while also capturing more of their personality. Some older newborns still curl up into the little sleepy poses, and others are a little more stiff and won’t curl up like those early babies, but there are so many beautiful ways to pose them and document the very stage that they are in right now. As you can see from Aidan’s portraits, they’re still just as magical and meaningful, no matter how old your new baby is! 

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Newborn portraits at 5 weeks old for a NICU warrior

Brooks Michael, I am so happy I had the chance to meet you and photograph your sweet newborn portraits in my Saratoga Springs studio! This darling little guy was born 7 weeks early and turned out to be a true fighter. He was out of the NICU within a matter of weeks! He was actually the second of two newborns who came to my studio who arrived 7 weeks early in the spring - and both were delivered on the SAME DAY in Albany! How wild, right?!  

Anyway… Back to Brooks! We waited for Brooks to settle in at home and made sure he was strong and healthy before his newborn session at the studio. Because of that, Brooks was 5 weeks old at the time of his session. As a newborn photographer, I care less about how many days or weeks old a baby is when they come into my studio. Instead, it’s more important that they (and their families) are ready for their session, particularly when they’ve had a NICU stay, like Brooks did! There’s never any rush to get them into my studio within that traditional 2-3 week window post birth. I am a photographer that loves older newborn sessions, and we have so many tricks to still get those sweet sleepy poses (plus plenty of awake interaction sometimes, too!) with those older babies. I’d rather everyone involved feel healthy, strong, and comfortable with our time together. 

Brooks was a champion, and we captured so many adorable poses of this sweet boy. His family photos are my favorite, and I love the dress mom chose to wear. We leaned into a simple palette of light blue and white for his studio portraits. I even got to pull out one of my favorite baskets for him to snuggle in!! Brooks was absolutely perfect. I’m so happy I had the chance to work with him. 

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Classic blue and green newborn portraits for baby boy

Welcome to the world, Eamon! This sweet baby was born on St. Patrick’s Day, so it was important for us to include some green in his newborn portraits as a nod to his special birthday and heritage. In addition to the green, his parents loved our light blue romper and tiny teddy bear hats. I absolutely LOVED the romper on him! He was absolutely adorable the entire session and so easy to work with! 

Before newborn sessions, I help prepare my parents with a few tips to help their newborn session to be as successful as sweet Eamon’s was. One of the most important is to keep baby awake for an hour before the session. This helps ensure they’re ready to snuggle and sleep during our work together. I also encourage parents to give their babies a bath in the morning before coming to my Saratoga Springs studio so they’re awake but also relaxed! My studio is kept warm, helping babies drift into sleep as we swaddle and hold them. I always have my white noise going and we’ll take our time until your little one is ready (and if they don’t sleep, that’s okay!). Finally, plan for a full feeding right before our session. All of this will comes together for a happy, calm, easy to pose baby just like this little guy.

I truly loved baby Eamon and his parents. After our session, we sat down to pick out their favorite portraits for their beautiful heirloom album. I can’t wait for them to be able to flip through it together - and as Eamon grows up, too. What a special memory!

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Putting Your Trust in a Photographer to Capture Baby’s First Portraits

I had the absolute honor of welcoming Maizie Elizabeth to my studio for her first portraits ever during her newborn session in Saratoga Springs. I adored working with Maizie and her parents. It was such a compliment to me as an artist and such a show of trust when mom said to me, “I love everything in your portfolio! You can pick the colors and the headbands and the setups! I trust you!” Of course I was a little nervous, and I told her to please let me know if I pulled something that she wasn’t a fan of, but in the end the family was thrilled with the session and they were over the moon with their daughter’s portraits. I can’t express how happy all of this process made me! 

Maizie was one of the most smiley newborns that I have had in the studio in a long time, and this sweet girl gave us multiple smiles during family and individual portraits, too. She was super sleepy and I loved watching those smiles form on her face throughout the different setups I planned. Some of my favorites have to be with the tulips - I absolutely love flowers in my newborn setups!! 

I just want to express my thanks again to Ashley and her husband for trusting me to plan a session they would love. Every time a family books me for a newborn session still feels like such an honor. These are once-in-a-lifetime memories and I get to capture them for you! It’s so important to me that families feel comfortable with the entire process of a newborn session, as I want it to be special and stress-free! Building that trust takes time and as we plan your newborn portraits, I’m going to be with you every step of the way. We have phone calls and planning emails to work out details and I pride myself on sharing exactly what to expect with your newborn portraits - from before you ever step foot in the studio to the moment your heirloom artwork is delivered. All of this helps parents feel 100% comfortable during their portrait experience. I never take for granted what a special moment this is and I truly hope that all of my clients feel supported through the whole process! When they do, magic like Maizie’s session is possible.

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