A Family Session & a Cake Smash in Downtown Boston

Even though we've moved to Saratoga Springs, I find myself going back to Boston more than just a little bit to visit with clients and capture some beautiful memories for them.  Boston has always had my heart, and I can't even begin to count how many hours I have spent wandering the streets of that city with my camera in hand.  It is such a BEAUTIFUL city that I truly can never get enough of.  Because of that, I still love every chance I get to head downtown for a portrait session, and this one was no exception!  

This family session in Downtown Boston was one of my favorite sessions lately.  We stepped out the family's front door and we were in the heart of Newbury Street, and only one block away from the tree-lined Parkway on Commonwealth Avenue.  This was the perfect backdrop for their family photos, capturing the hustle & bustle as well as the beauty of their neighborhood, and I love the images that we were able to capture together.  These ones here in the park are some of my favorites, especially with their little dog, Bojangles!

After their sun-dappled family photos outside, we went indoors for Brodie's cake smash to celebrate his first birthday.  His parents wanted to tie in their love for Boston with Brodie's dad's Scottish background, so we found the perfect balance of the two: a Make Way for Ducklings cake smash with a plaid Scottish kilt, and a cake from Jennifer Lee's Bakery on Hanover Street in Boston.  

Brodie wasn't quite sure what to think of his cake, which happens sometimes during our cake smashes!  Some babies dig right in, loving the mess and the sweetness, while others are a bit more hesitant and would rather keep their fingers clean.  ;o)  Brodie was a little trooper, and he kept going back for another taste time and time again.  Now that he's had his first few bites of cake, I bet he will love his cake at his party now after sampling frosting for the first time during his smash!! 

JUST A REMINDER TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  

We're planning stunning holiday sessions this year, and I can't wait to share all of the details with you.  Sign ups for our Limited Edition Holiday Sessions will be released on October 3, and if you subscribe to our newsletter you will have priority access to scheduling your family's session.  Trust me, these are going to be SO GORGEOUS and you don't want to miss this!  Join our newsletter list today!

SESSION DATES:
OCTOBER 29 & 30, ATTLEBORO, MA
NOVEMBER 5 & 6, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

A Saltwater Family Portrait Session on Cape Cod

The email started a little something like, "Hey Nicole!  We're going to Cape Cod in July.  We'd love to have you come join us at the beach for a photo session.  Are you free then?"

Without missing a beat, I was 100% in!  I absolutely love photo sessions on the beach, creating beautiful sandy & salty memories for the most amazing families.  Plus, I was thrilled to see this family again.  We first met last winter for baby Amalia's newborn session, and we've stayed in touch throughout the year planning more opportunities to capture some gorgeous memories for their family.  I was so happy to join them at the beach for a large, extended family session when all of their family would be in the same state, and when I learned the meaning behind this session I loved it even more.  Read on...

Many years ago, when their own children were little and before they were known as "Gigi and Grandpa" and were instead just "Mom and Dad", this grandmother was in her dentist's office when she saw a beautiful family photo taken on the beach.  Her kids grew up going to Corporation Beach in Dennis every summer, driving there in their sandy beach buggy every day to splash in the waves, dig in the sand, and soak up the sun.  Right then she knew that she wanted to do a photo session like that of her own family one day, but the years passed and her children grew, and eventually they had children of their own.  And still, no photo session.

So this summer they decided to make it happen.  Both of their granddaughters would be back in Boston at the same time, and all three of their children would be here.  They decided to bring the whole family to the Cape for a fun vacation and a gorgeous session together, and this grandmother FINALLY got her portrait session on the beach that she had first dreamt of twenty years ago.

I'm heading back to the Cape next week for a few more family sessions.  Will you be joining me on the beach?  I can't wait!!

A Rustic Family Photo Session with the Perfect Blue & White Wardrobe

Wondering what to wear for your family's portrait session?  Look no further than this family's stylish post!  

I was completely in awe of the beautiful styling that this mom pulled together to coordinate outfits for her family of five, and I love the shades of blue and complimentary patterns that really make her photos pop.  All families receive a what to wear guide before their session with helpful wardrobe tips, and they can also view this post for inspiration.  This mom pulled it off flawlessly, and I love how the colors look so amazing against our rustic scene, too!

This mom is always behind the camera capturing amazing photos of her children, and like many moms out there, she is rarely in those photographs with her kids.  I always encourage moms (and dads!) to get in the frame with their children and capture some special moments of all of them together.  Your children are going to look back on these photos in 20, 30, 40 years and they are going to love seeing how loved they were, how beautiful you are, and how happy everyone is together.  Plus, doesn't she look like a supermodel with the wind gently blowing her hair just so?  ;o)

Finally, I just love the personality that shines through from the big brother in this image!  Watching Jack & Lily with their baby sister was so beautiful, and seeing how they took care of her, watched out for her, and knew just what to do to get a smile out of her was absolutely amazing.  They truly are such a beautiful family, inside and out.

2015 Year in Review Video by Nicole Starr Photography

2015 has truly been an incredible year, and I want to thank all of you for sharing so many magical moments with me!  

Enjoy this beautiful little video of some of our favorite images from the year.  I look forward to another beautiful year of storytelling in 2016!

To every family that asked me to tell their story: thank you.
To every mom who let me cuddle her newborn baby: thank you.
To every dad that wanted to surprise his wife with a keepsake gift: thank you.
To every creative entrepreneur that connected, laughed, shared, asked, taught, and learned with me this year: thank you.

And to every single person that connected with the stories in my photographs, commented on my images, shared their own stories with me, and let these beautiful families into their hearts through the images that I shared with you: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

A Sunkissed Family Session at Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina

Pure inspiration. That's what the Creative at Heart conference was for me.  I spent 5 days in the quaint and colorful city of Charleston, SC this November.  I'll share a full post on this later, but it was an incredible experience connecting with, learning from, and sharing my heart with other creative entrepreneurs.

One of these amazing women that I met was Lauren Nievod, the owner of Lauren Nievod Photography in Baltimore, MD.  Lauren is a wedding and portrait photographer, and her style is light, airy & authentic.  She's also a little bit whimsical with a focus on the sparkly details, and as you know, whimsy is totally my thing!  ;o)

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Lauren is simply the sweetest, and she has the most adorable family.  When I reached out to our group of conference attendees about doing a family session in this gorgeous city that I adore, I was thrilled when Lauren told me she'd be coming to town with her husband and her two little ones for our Creative at Heart weekend.  With kids this adorable, it's impossible not to get over-the-moon excited about photo day!

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I adore this family photo taken at Rainbow Row.  This is actually their very first family photo with all four of them together in the frame, and I'm so honored to have captured this moment for their sweet family.

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Aubrey was such a little ham during our session, and she warmed right up to me after discovering that she could make the biggest echo in the entryway of one of the homes on Rainbow Row.  She has the most beautiful sparkling eyes, and an adorable little smile with those teeny-tiny baby teeth peeking through.  She's already a wonderful big sister, and did such a great job with her baby brother Parker.  And did you notice this outfit of hers?  Definitely the most stylish 2 1/2 year old I've ever met!

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Lauren, a very special thank you to your incredible family.  I am so happy we were able to capture these moments for you while visiting such a gorgeous city.

This wasn't the only photo shoot I did while in Charleston!  Click here to see a cozy anniversary session photographed beneath the Southern live oaks at the College of Charleston.

*****Do you live far from Boston?  Would you love to do a destination photo session with Nicole Starr Photography?*****

I'm always up for a little adventure, and I adore traveling and exploring beautiful places.  I have a handful of faraway visits planned for 2016, and I would love to come to your city or town!  Let me know and we can create some beautiful memories for your family!