What to wear & Where to shop | Cozy outfit ideas for your family portraits this fall

It’s not easy planning for family portraits. You worry about finding the right photographer, choosing the perfect date and a beautiful location. Then you stress about finding something to wear, and you cross your fingers and hope for the best when it comes to your baby’s mood and the weather.

From our very first phone call, I reassure families and I let them know that I will take care of every single one of those worries. We’ll choose a date & time together, and a rain date (just in case!). I’ll share a few of my favorite locations with you that I know are perfect at the time of day we’ve selected, and I’ll also help you find outfits for every single person in your family. You’re even able to wear outfits available at the studio for mamas and babies!

Then during your session I will use every trick up my sleeve to keep everyone in a happy, playful, and relaxed mood. In the end, the whole thing is a piece of cake and you don’t have to worry about a single thing — leave it all to me, and you just relax and enjoy a fun hour with your family!

But of course, the most frequently asked question I always get from families is “What do we all wear?” Read on for tips for cozy outfits for your family’s portrait session this fall.

---

8 things to look for when planning your family’s outfits for a fall photo session

---

Layers

Layers add dimension and personality to any portrait, and they also help keep you warm in the fall when the temperature starts to drop! Cardigans, rolled cuffs peeking out from under a sweater, lightweight jackets, boots layered over leggings or jeans, a lightweight infinity scarf. These are all great ideas to add depth and color to your photos.

PRO TIP: Start with a base layer on the kids for warmth — this can be a onesie or shirt underneath their outfit, something that won’t show. Then add their outfit on top! Warm kids are happy kids!

Rich Colors

Fall is such a vibrant season, and you can add vibrant pops of color to your outfits, too! Plum purple, mustard yellow, navy blue, maroon. These are all gorgeous colors that really pop against other neutrals in your outfits. Plan to use 2-3 colors (including a neutral like white, cream, gray) in everyone’s outfits, and think about what will really pop against the scenery!

PRO TIP: I recommend avoiding neon colors, black, and green.

Plaid

Plaid looks amazing in the fall, and it evokes such a cozy feeling! Plus, if you choose one plaid shirt or dress you can use all of those colors as inspiration for the rest of the family’s outfits.

PRO TIP: I suggest only having one family member with a plaid shirt because two or more can look too busy.

Patterns

Solids look great, but having everyone in solids is boring! Bring in a pattern with a dress or a blouse to add a little more interest and personality to your portraits. Just like with not putting everyone in plaid, don’t put EVERYONE in patterns either because they can clash and just look too busy, taking the focus away from everyone’s beautiful faces. Do a mix of patterns and solids.

Boots

Boots always look amazing in photographs on moms and little girls! For the kids, think beyond their colorful sneakers or casual shoes and find something a little more stylish. You can find lots of cute options at Old Navy and Target in the kids sections, and Gap also has so many adorable ones, too!

Cozy Knits

Sweater knits look amazing in fall family portraits, especially ones with a little texture. They just invite everyone to snuggle up together! Plan on layering a sweater or two on a few people in your family for the picture perfect look.

Jeans

If you’re looking for a more casual look, jeans are perfect. A darker wash is the most flattering, and I’d suggest avoiding distressed jeans if they have gaping holes in the knees so that when you sit on the ground your kneecap isn’t showing through at an unflattering angle. We’ll do a few family portraits sitting on the grass and playing in the leaves, so I want you to be comfortable!

Don’t be afraid to glam it up!

Ruffles, tulle, sequins, a frilly skirt. These all look AMAZING on moms and little girls, and I love when families want to dress up for their portraits! I was so excited when this mama wanted to wear a gold sequin skirt for her session, and it looked incredible against the golden foliage.

PRO TIP: Amazon has a skirt that has become wildly popular for mamas in portrait sessions. Search “chiffon maxi skirt” and you’ll find plenty of colors. The waist is adjustable, and the length changes based on the size. If you’re short, order a Small. If you’re tall, don’t be afraid of ordering the Large or XL for the length. There are tons of colors available, and these look best with a fitted top. Some moms pair it with a white lace long sleeve top (also available on Amazon!). Others like a white t-shirt. Others do a buttoned up chambray shirt tucked into the skirt. Others like a cardigan over a tank top.

---

where to shop

For mom:
Lulus
Amazon
Rent the Runway (rentals)
J. Crew
Loft
Chicwish
Gap
Old Navy

For the kids:
Cat & Jack at Target
Old Navy
Janie & Jack
Crewcuts by J. Crew
Gap Kids/Baby Gap
Zara
H&M
Amazon
Rainey’s Closet (fancy rentals)
Lulu and Roo
Mini Boden
Hanna Andersson

For dads:
Dads have it easy. Layer on a button down shirt, sweater or vest, and jeans. They probably already have all of this in their closet, or they can choose neutrals or a plaid or patterned shirt from their favorite store to coordinate with the outfits selected for everyone else.

---

Pin this image or any from the post above for inspiration for your family’s fall outfits!

---

About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region.  Nicole also works with families year round at her Attleboro, MA portrait studio, and on location May through October in Boston and on Cape Cod.  Nicole has a clean and classic style, and the studio is filled with neutrals and luxe fabrics.  We use very minimal props to keep the focus on your perfect little baby.  Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together (or up to 3 hours for a newborn session!) laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

Stop Putting Off Your Family Photo Session | 10 Excuses to Stop Making Right Now

Read on for the top excuses to stop making about putting off your family portrait session, and why I think now is the best time you’ll ever find for scheduling your family portraits.

---

1. I’m worried my kids will act crazy.

I’ve never met a parent who DIDN’T worry about how their children would behave during a portrait session, but I’m going to tell you the same thing I tell every single family that I work with. I fully expect your kids to act like kids, and your baby to act like a baby. Even if that means running around, asserting their independence, needing a snack break, needing a cuddle, pinching their sister — I get it! I would be shocked if every child came to me and was polite and quiet and posed with great big smiles and did exactly what I asked them to do. Can you even imagine?! That’s why we play games, let the kids run around, tickle each other, and sing songs. I want them to act like kids, and I want to capture their big personalities and this season of life that you’re in.

2. I’m not photogenic. I’m so awkward in front of the camera and I hate photos of myself.

Me too! That’s why I’m usually on the other side of the camera, BUT I do make it a point to get in front of the camera a lot more often since we had our son. (Check out this fun session I did with him to celebrate one year as his mama!)

This might be your first time being in family portraits, but I promise you that it’s definitely not my first time making moms and dads look amazing! I promise to give you guidance to look and feel your best, and to photograph you at the most flattering angles so that you look back at these photos and go, “WOW! Why did I wait so long to do this?!”

3. I need to lose 10 pounds first.

Oh gosh, I hear this one all the time. Sometimes dads reach out to plan a session with me (which I love!), but it’s usually the mamas so I’m going speak to the moms on this one.

So many moms are putting off family photos because they don’t want to step in front of the camera when they’re not feeling like the best version of themselves right now. But you know what? There is never going to be a more perfect time than RIGHT NOW. To your child, you are perfect. You are the center of their world. You are their safe place, the one that kisses them when they fall and cuddles them when they’re sad. They start and end their day with you. You are the most important thing in their entire world.

So you have a few extra pounds around your midsection — who doesn’t? Let me help you find a flattering, flowy top or dress and you can squeeze your babies tight and capture all of the cuddles and kisses on camera without worrying about how you look. Leave that part to me, and I will create portraits for you that show the true love and adoration, and all of the fun that you have with your kids.

Thirty years from now, your kids will have children of their own, and they are going to want to look back at old photographs and see their mom when she was in this stage of life, too. So step in front of the camera, love on your kids, and please stop worrying. You are perfect and you’re going to treasure these photos with your babies.

4. My husband won’t cooperate, and he hates photos.

So does mine. ;o) But you know what? He married a photographer so he knows how important photos are to me and he agrees to go with the flow for a quick one-hour session once a year. Explain to him how important it is for you to step out from behind the camera and see yourself in your family portraits, too. With him, with the kids, having fun and doing what you love together.

I keep our sessions very relaxed and playful. At the beginning of every session I tell the families exactly what to expect and what the plan is so that they don’t feel like we’re wandering aimlessly with no end in sight. This is always especially helpful for dads when they know that we have three spots we’ll go to and then we’re done, helping them “count down” in their heads if they want to.

But it always makes me smile when so many dads finish the sessions and they go, “Wow, that’s it? That was actually fun! Honey, did you want any others? This was a lot easier than I thought it would be!” Seriously, that happens ALL THE TIME.

5. Planning what to wear is too stressful.

Leave that to me, then! My goal is to make your session stress-free and fun, and I have outfit guides, Pinterest boards filled with examples, and tools to help you find the perfect outfits. I’ve even had moms ask me to figure out what everyone should wear, and I’m happy to do that, too!

If you don’t want to find anything new, that’s why we have a studio closet filled with gorgeous gowns for mom and cute little outfits for baby. Please don’t let outfits stand in the way of you not getting in the picture with your children. I know it sounds cheesy, but whatever you wear will take a backseat to the smiles and the love in your photos.

6. I can just take pictures on my iPhone. Come on, have you seen the portrait mode feature?

If you’re like me, you have thousands of photos of your kids sitting on your iPhone. But maybe they’re blurry or dark, and there are 23 similar shots that you have to sort through to find one good one of the baby with his beach bucket. And if you’re like me, you never quite get around to organizing them, printing them, or creating an album because life just gets in the way and it is a very big and daunting task.

That’s why you want to hire a professional photographer to capture your family portraits. You’re hiring someone who knows all the best locations and who knows how to find the best light to make your family portraits dreamy and magical. Someone who will put everyone at ease and help them feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. And you’ll finally be in your family’s portraits without your selfie arm on the side of each picture! ;o)

I will do all the work for you, and you just have to show up, have fun, and kiss your babies! I’ll take the photos, choose the very best ones to edit, design and print the most gorgeous linen album, create all of your wall art and gifts for the grandparents, and more! You just have to show up. It’s that easy.

7. It’s too early for holiday cards.

It’s never too early to cross that task off of your (very long) to do list! November and December are busy enough, so why would you wait until then to take photos, choose your favorites, create your cards, address the envelopes, and mail them? That’s stressful!

Personally, I love when families use their spring & summer portraits on their holiday cards, and not just their fall foliage portraits. Unless you have a very young baby that changes from month to month, you can send out family portraits from earlier in the year and no one will know the difference! Actually, they’ll probably see them and ask about your fun beach vacation or compliment your springy dress because they’ll want to use it next spring in their portrait session!

When you plan a portrait session with a professional photographer, your photographer is also a graphic designer and she will create and print gorgeous cards for your family. Ours even come with the envelopes preprinted with your return address! No more struggling with clunky design software at the photo kiosk or on a website, and no more return labels to keep track of for your envelopes!

8. I’m waiting until our family is complete before we do a family session.

I hear this excuse sometimes, and it makes me a little bit sad because that means your older children won’t have any beautiful portraits that show what life was like they they were the center of your world. There won’t be any photographs of you and your partner as new parents, or of just the three (or four!) of you when your children were very young. By the time you get around to portraits with your whole family, you’ll honestly feel a bit more stressed and tired trying to coordinate 2+ kids, their outfits, their nap schedules, their snacks…. so take the time now and do a fun & calm session with your single child. Celebrate this special season that you’re in, and put those memories up on the walls of your home. Then when your final baby is here, let’s plan a session with your entire family and update that family portrait over the couch!

9. It’s probably too expensive, and I’m worried that I won’t love the portraits.

I have been working with families since 2012, and I’m proud to offer them the very best experience and gorgeous heirloom products that they will enjoy for years.

Family portraits are an investment, but all of the families I work with say that they are worth every single penny. I promise to listen to what it is you want from your session, learn about your children and your family, make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, create a fun & memorable hour together, and help you discover the very best ways to display and enjoy your artwork at home. I promise to give you only the most high quality products that you’ll be able to look at and share with your children for years & years to come. I promise that you’ll be looking forward to your next session as soon as these portraits are hanging up on your wall, and I promise to do everything possible so that you love the experience.

10. Life is too busy, and I just don’t have time right now.

There is never going to be a perfect time to do your family’s portraits, but I can assure you that life will only get busier as the years go by and that now is as good a time as any.

Let’s capture your baby as they’re learning to walk. Let’s capture those little ringlets in your toddler’s hair. Let’s capture your son’s wiggly first tooth and your daughter’s proud smile when she lands the perfect cartwheel. Let’s capture the way your kids fit perfectly in your arms when they’re all curled up on your lap.

Now is the perfect time. What are you waiting for?

What's the difference between a mini session and a regular session? | 2019 Fall Mini Sessions with Saratoga Springs & Boston Family Photographer

Summer & fall are our most popular seasons for family portraits, and every fall my inbox is flooded with families looking for family portraits for their holiday cards and gifts. Trust me, I get it! It’s such a beautiful time of year in the Northeast, and everyone adores the fall foliage and the vibrant colors that we’re lucky enough to enjoy for just a couple of weeks a year. It’s the perfect season for your family portrait session!

One of the most frequently asked questions that I get from families is, “What is the difference between a mini session and a regular session?” So today, I want to clear that up for you and also give you the details about our availability this fall!

---

Let’s start with what is included with each session.

Full Length Family Portrait Session
-client prep guide and wardrobe guide filled with inspiration for your session
-pre-session consultation and design appointment at the studio or on a video call
-complimentary use of studio wardrobe for mamas and babies
-location of your choice within 20 miles of 12866
-up to 1 hour of shooting time
-includes immediate family up to 5 people ($25 per additional person)
-gallery reveal appointment after the session to select your favorite images for holiday cards, wall art, gifts, albums, and digitals

Investment: $225 session fee plus your choice of products after the session.
Many different collections are available to fit all budgets.

Mini Family Session
-welcome email and wardrobe guide filled with inspiration for your session
-one specific location chosen by the photographer
-15-20 minutes of shooting time
-includes immediate family up to 5 people
-images delivered via online gallery within two weeks of the session
-5 digital images available for download, with the option to add on additional images, cards, artwork, gifts, and albums

Investment: $275 - $375 depending on location and session type

Mini sessions are perfect for families that are looking for just a couple of beautiful portraits for their holiday cards and gifts, and maybe one or two for the wall. These sessions are short & sweet, and do not require much of a time commitment.

Our regular (full length) portrait sessions are my personal favorite because I love the opportunity to really get to know the families before & during our session, and then visiting with them after the session for their gallery reveal appointment to plan how they want to enjoy their portraits at home and as gifts. These sessions are longer and allow for more variety in the location and in posing, and we also have plenty of time for the kids to warm up to me and the location when they arrive because we are not pressed for time. If the kids need a break for a snack or a quick cuddle, no problem!

The full length sessions also include more help with wardrobe, including access to the studio closet and my help with finding the perfect outfits for your whole family! So many moms (and sometimes dads!) worry about how to coordinate outfits for the whole family. This is probably your first or second time doing this, but me? I’ve done this literally hundreds of times with all of the families I photograph each year. I’m happy to help make this easier for you so that your session is stress-free and that you adore your family portraits!

Full length sessions are perfect if you’re including Grandma & Grandpa and all of the grandkids because we will capture plenty of variety with all of the different groupings of people.

You also want to consider your plans for your images after the session. Do you want one framed family portrait on the wall? Or a couple for your holiday cards and gifts? Maybe a mini session is right for you!

Are you looking for a gallery wall in the living room, a few more in the office, and a couple in the hallway? Do you dream of turning the pages of one of our gorgeous linen albums filled with beautiful portraits of your family having fun? Definitely go with the full length session.

Here’s a peek at a sampling of images from a mini session and from a full-length session. This is not the entire gallery, it’s just to give you an idea of the variety in images included with each type of session.

---

Let’s talk about timing.

I’ve been photographing families since 2012, and every year I hear families tell me how they really want to take their portraits in the fall when the foliage is so pretty. REMEMBER, IT’S THE MOST POPULAR TIME OF YEAR FOR PORTRAITS. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!

I stop photographing outdoors before Halloween, so plan ahead! By November, most of the leaves have fallen down and been raked up, and the temperature is usually too cool for little ones to be comfortable outside in just a light sweater. This is why we plan our sessions early in the season.

You want to book your session for September or early October if…

September is when we enjoy the beautiful days of early fall. It’s still warm outside, the sunlight is perfectly golden, and the trees aren’t quite so vibrant yet. If you’re planning on decorating your home with your family portraits, think of the color scheme inside your home. If you have a more neutral style or lots of cool colors (gray, blue), then maybe vibrant orange and red won’t coordinate so well like you would get from a late October session. However, a September session lends itself to more neutral tones and would look perfect on your walls! September (and early October) is also perfect for families who have little ones under age 2 who might be too cold outside in late October when the weather has cooled off. If it’s a family with just the parents and a baby, I’d recommend planning for a session earlier in the fall so keep everyone happy!

And mid to late October might be a better fit for you if…

If color makes your heart do a little happy dance, then you definitely want to plan your family portraits for October! The trees are bursting with reds, oranges, and yellows, and the whole landscape looks like the sunset. These sessions are always some of my favorites every year, and I love when the leaves have fallen down and the kids can have fun throwing leaves in the air and jumping in piles of leaves to hear the ::crunch::. Mid to late October sessions are especially great for older kids, or very easy-going little ones who might not mind the slight chill in the air.

---

We’re opening our 2019 fall calendar on Friday, August 23!!!

This is when we’ll begin filling the mini session dates as well as our full length session dates. Our newsletter subscribers will have first dibs on their date & time of choice, and our calendar is already halfway full with previous clients already!

If you’re not on our mailing list, be sure to join so that you can receive early access to our fall session dates! There’s one for our Massachusetts families, and one for our Saratoga Springs/Albany families!

---

Did you find this blog post helpful? Then you are going to love this next one that is filled with tips on what to wear for your family portrait session this fall!

---

Want to save this helpful blog post? Pin this image or any from the post above!

---

About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region.  Nicole also works with families year round at her Attleboro, MA portrait studio, and on location May through October in Boston and on Cape Cod.  Nicole has a clean and classic style, and the studio is filled with neutrals and luxe fabrics.  We use very minimal props to keep the focus on your perfect little baby.  Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together (or up to 3 hours for a newborn session!) laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

Lazy Days of Summer - A Fun portrait session at an ice cream shop!

I always have so much fun photographing this family, and when mom told me she was up for a nontraditional session of her boys this summer, I knew just what we should do:

ICE CREAM!

We’ve done cake smashes and milestone sessions together, holiday portraits and family photos outdoors in the summer and fall. But with two toddler boys, you know what we’ve never done? MADE A REALLY BIG MESS AND JUST PLAYED!!!

I suggested we meet at a playground adjacent to an adorable little ice cream shop, and she loved the idea! This is my favorite local ice cream shop because not only is the ice cream delicious, but the red and white striped umbrellas are picture perfect!

Oscar & Miles were definitely up for the challenge of enjoying their ice cream cones, and they didn’t mind one bit that it dripped everywhere with sprinkles raining down all over their clothes. I couldn’t stop laughing with their mom & dad, and we had such a blast watching these boys enjoy such a carefree summer activity. My favorite part is that they’re going to get to look back on these summertime photos for yearssssss and remember their boys just as they were at this stage, with ice cream dripping down their elbows and sprinkles dotting their tiny fingers.

Are you considering a more relaxed and non-traditional portrait session for your little ones? Let’s chat about what you LOVE to do, and what you want to remember most about this stage of life with your kids!

---

Inspired by this fun summer session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Summer Lovin' - Adorable brother & sister photo session at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs

The Hall of Springs is less than two miles from the studio, and it is one of my favorite spots for quick family portrait sessions! The landscaping is always gorgeous, and the marble floors bounce so much light back up onto the subjects. Plus, there are lots of different areas to enjoy for great variety in the session!

I had so much fun with Austin & Avery during their sibling session at the Hall of Springs in SPAC this summer. They were all smiles and giggles, and we captured so many adorable portraits of this duo!

This one is my favorite! Such a cute little hug!

I love those two little teeth peeking through!

---

Inspired by this sweet sibling session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Boston Family Portraits in Beacon Hill with Nicole Starr Photography

The thing I miss most about living in Boston is getting into the city and enjoying the streets as the backdrop for my photo sessions, but lucky for me I head back there all the time to work with clients and I still get to suggest the most beautiful spots in the city for their portraits!

I especially love Beacon Hill for family sessions. The sidewalks are adorable and they are always decorated with the most beautiful flower boxes, plus the brick buildings, colorful front doors, and quaint shutters are picture perfect! Even better? All of the cutest shops are in Beacon Hill, like this sweet flower shop!

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this adorable family in Boston. The flower stand was perfect for sibling portraits of the two sisters, and their yellow dresses simply popped against the floral background.

We always have so much fun during our family sessions while we play games, tickle, and fly the kids around like superheroes. Just look at those smiles!!

---

Family Portraits at Pleasant Road Beach on Cape Cod

Summer is here, which means our Salt Air Sessions are back on Cape Cod! I look forward to July & August every year when I get to head to the Cape and spend sunsets with the sweetest families. We laugh, play games, run in the sand. I capture giggles, kisses, and smiles, and we have such a great time in the sand and the waves of the beach.

I loved reuniting with this sweet family for a portrait session at Pleasant Road Beach in Harwich. We spent the evening soaking up the last rays of sunlight, and Reed absolutely LOVED the camera and gave me his very best smiles!

---

Love this Cape Cod session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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.

---

Love this in home lifestyle session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Outfit ideas for your photo session at the beach

Our Cape Cod family sessions at the beach should be fun, relaxing, and sandy… just like a day spent dipping your toes in the water and collecting seashells!

However, one of the biggest worries that mamas always tell me is that they have NO IDEA WHAT TO WEAR. That’s where I come in. This might be your first time planning coordinating outfits for a family photo shoot, but lucky for you I have done this hundreds of times and I have a few simple tricks to make it easier for you.

Plus, once you have a few outfits in mind you can always email them to me to get a second opinion on which ones will photograph best together!

---

White looks amazing in the summer.

Everyone looks a little more sun-kissed when they wear white, and it really pops against the scenery at the beach. When in doubt, wear white.

SHADES OF BLUE

Pull inspiration from the colors at the beach. Many shades of blue look incredible by the seashore. I especially love light blue, chambray blue, and other muted shades of blue. Navy blue is classic, too!

HINT: Avoid any overly saturated, super bright blues because it just looks a little unnatural at the beach. Notice how most of the blues in this blog post have a touch of gray in them. That’s perfect.

Use colors you would find in nature.

Think of a sunset at the beach, and plan your colors accordingly. Blues, beiges, white, light pink, lavender, mint green, aqua. These all look incredible at the beach. A faded red also looks really nice (like those classic Nantucket red shorts that are everywhere in New England in the summertime).

PLAID

It’s super classic, and very summery. Also, gingham is very in this year, too!

How to style lots of family members?

If you stick to the tips above, it’ll actually be really easy. When in doubt, tell everyone to wear shades of muted blue with neutrals like white, cream, and khaki. That’s the easiest option when working with extended family and trying to coordinate 3-4 households for a large group portrait.

---

---

Inspired for your session? Pin this image or any from the post above for your session!

---

About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region, and she also works with families at her Attleboro, MA studio and on location in Boston and on Cape Cod. 

Having spent more than 20 summers on Cape Cod, this area truly feels like home when we get together for family photo sessions at the beach. Trust Nicole to capture your family beautifully while having fun out in the salt air!

Holiday Cookie Baking | A Life-Inspired Photo Session in Saratoga Springs

This fall I went to a two-day photography workshop with Emily Lucarz Photography, and I was inspired to incorporate a new style of family session into my work this winter.

Life-inspired portrait sessions

These life-inspired sessions are a guided peek into your lives at home as we capture your family enjoying an activity that you love doing together. We don’t pose and tell everyone to smile at the same time, but we find a fun activity and let the action unfold in front of the camera.

I’m excited to offer so many more of these unique portrait sessions in 2019, and I hope you’ll be excited to jump in front of my camera and document your family’s happy moments together!

We kicked off these new lifestyle sessions with a HOLIDAY COOKIE BAKING SESSION in December. This was SO MUCH FUN and I absolutely loved getting to step into this family’s home. Oscar and Miles love making cookies, so this baking session was natural for them! They had an absolute blast getting to roll out the dough, cut the cookies, and decorate with an overload of sprinkles and colored sugar. Enjoy this peek into their holiday baking session!

White kitchens are an absolute dream to photograph in because they bounce light everywhere. I loved this home!

These sessions are the perfect opportunity to get mom & dad involved, too. I loved shooting low from the children’s angle as they were putting the frosting on their sugar cookies!

Miles kept asking to drive his toy Jeep through the sprinkles, so we finished up by making tire tracks in the sprinkles and it was the perfect ending to our baking experience!

This winter I’m looking for a few more families who love cozying up at home for some fun portraits. Think pancake breakfasts, the kids in a bubble bath, storytime on mom & dad’s bed, making homemade pizza… anything that you love doing, I would truly enjoy documenting for your family to enjoy!

Fall Family Portraits in Downtown Saratoga Springs, NY

2018 was the year I fell in love with shooting family sessions in downtown Saratoga Springs. I stepped away from the more traditional photo shoot locations and instead scouted out some new streets and corners with perfect patches of light to bring families, and it was such a joy!

We wrapped up the fall season with this sweet family session, and I loved getting to play with these brothers on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. We finished up at Congress Park for the fall foliage, and they had a blast playing in the leaves. This was truly such a fun session!

How sweet is this portrait with Alex & Ben and all of the beautiful foliage? We turned this one into a 24” wooden artwork for their walls, and I loooooove how it looks printed large for this family to enjoy!

Look at that great big grin! You wouldn’t ever believe he was shy when we started the session, would you? Ben had a BLAST! Especially when we told him he could throw leaves on his brother (keep scrolling and you’ll see it!).

At the time of our session, Alex was still learning to walk. A week later he was running all over the place. I love that we captured this shot of his whole family supporting him and cheering him on with his first steps!

Sweater Weather Sessions 2018

I love fall.

I love the leaves, the crisp air, the pumpkins, and the spices. I adore the chunky sweaters and leather boots, and it’s one of my favorite times to photograph families cuddling up on a quilt together and getting all cozy for their portraits.

Enjoy a peek at our Sweater Weather portraits from 2018! We did sessions in Boston at Larz Anderson Park, and in Saratoga Springs at Congress Park. Two beautiful days, and lots of amazing families.

Fall Family Portraits at Yaddo Gardens

Believe it or not, this was my first time shooting at Yaddo Gardens and I absolutely loved exploring this beautiful new location with the sweetest family.

When Matt contacted me this summer and asked about planning a surprise portrait session as a gift for his wife, I was all in! I love it when husbands reach out about planning portraits, and it’s always fun to coordinate this gift with them. Because you know what? Moms love photos, and they never, ever get to be in the frame. They deserve to celebrate this stage of motherhood they’re in and have it captured beautifully on camera! So we planned the perfect session for Rebecca and their girls.

Look at these sweet sister cuddles!

Oh my goodness. This one stops me in my tracks. It’s one of those photos that truly bring to life the saying, “If you think my arms are full, you should see my heart.” This is the photo that she’ll come back to thirty years from now and remember what it felt like in those days that flew by when her girls were small.

Discovering new areas of Yaddo was so much fun, and I love the variety in backdrops! The rose garden with this beautiful staircase was perfect for a few casual family portraits.

And of course, what child can resist running up and down the covered path?

A Playful Family Session at the Beach - Harwich, Cape Cod Family Photographer

This was one of my favorite family sessions of the summer! We were waiting for a thunderstorm to roll in on Cape Cod, and we snuck in this portrait session at the beach right before the rain started. The overcast skies made for an incredible backdrop, and these brothers just stole the show!

I first met this family back where Nicholas was only 6 months old, and now he’s a big brother! We did Baby Harrison’s newborn photos, and in the blink of an eye he turned into a toddler who was excited to run all over the beach and point out all of the seagulls flying overhead.

This shot of the boys is my FAVORITE image from the entire session. I love how playful and wild and carefree it is! They framed this one to hang in their beach house, and it’s going to look amazing up on the wall. I wish I could wake up to this photo every day — I would start each morning with a smile just by looking at this!

Their family photos are truly some of my favorites because mom and dad got lost in the moment with their kids, playing and laughing and not worrying about where to look or who to make smile for the camera. They just had fun together, and that joy shows in their portraits!

Family Portraits in the Woods with Boston Family Photographer

Ohhh, sweet little Julia Grace! You steal everybody’s hearts with your smile!

I was so excited to meet up with this family again, and I couldn’t believe how much little Julia Grace had grown since last summer! With her flowing hair and energetic run, this sweet and expressive little girl was no longer a baby! She is at such a fun age right now, and I loved capturing that on camera as she cuddled up with her parents on a very windy day in the woods.

Flying baby! She couldn’t stop laughing while flying with her daddy, so of course he kept doing it again and again and again just to hear that happy little belly laugh!

Little Miss Independent just started walking recently after many months of practice and hard work, so this photo was extra special and a cause for celebration! Plus, look at those matching shoes with mom!

A Sunset Portrait Session on West Dennis Beach with Cape Cod Family Photographer

When the very first photo of the session looks like THIS, you know it’s going to be an amazing hour together!

JJ looked at me and automatically did what his family has coined his “sweetheart pose”, and he rocked it. His big sister Keira loved getting her portrait taken at West Dennis Beach, too, and we had so much fun during their sunset family portrait session on Cape Cod this summer.

This little spot near the Bass River was a new location gem for me this summer, and I love how the seagrass became covered in water as the tide came in. It created the perfect spot for a little dancing with Keira’s flowy dress!

A Wedding Dress Mini Session with Two Sisters | Saratoga Springs NY Family Photographer

What do you do with your dress after the wedding day? So many women keep their wedding dresses for sentimental reasons, and many of them secretly hope that their daughters will want to wear their dress in 25 or 30 years when they walk down the aisle. But chances are that styles will change or they’ll be a different size, so most of those dresses never get worn again!

That’s why I love these wedding dress mini sessions. These are perfect for little girls ages 2+, and they will love playing dress up with mommy’s special wedding dress. These sweet girls had so much fun dancing and twirling, and I adore the images we captured together!

So now, even if they don’t wear this dress to get married in one day, their family will still be able to share these portraits with them now and in 30 years. And if they do get married one day, what an amazing and sweet gift to share with them on their own wedding day! I love how this sentimental session can later be part of the “something old, something new” tradition when the girls are grown.

Plus, honestly, who doesn’t love playing dress up? Especially with the prettiest item in mommy’s closet?

When you Take a Toddler to the Beach - Cape Cod Family Portraits in Harwich

When you take a toddler to the beach, he’s going to want to run and play, jump and sing. He’s going to chase the birds, put his toes in the water, and climb the lifeguard chair. He’ll search for rocks, throw sand, and give you a dozen shells to put in your pocket….. which you’ll forget about until you pull them out of your dryer a few days later. ;o)

When you take a toddler to the beach, you are bound to have SO MUCH FUN. That’s what makes this family portrait session on Cape Cod so memorable — Holden was an absolute blast, and I loved playing with this little guy and watching him cuddle up with his mom and dad against the perfect backdrop of sea & sky.

One things that moms and dads always worry about before their portrait session is — “Oh my god, what if my kids misbehave?????”

And I always remind them that kids will be kids, and that’s exactly what we’re going to capture on camera! The running (sometimes the running away, haha!), the games, the smiles, the shy looks while they’re still warming up to a new person and a new place.

We are capturing their personality, and I never ever ever expect “perfect behavior”, whatever that is anyways! To me, perfect behavior for a kid is being perfectly yourself, and I will play lots of games and have a lot of tricks up my sleeve to get them to listen and guide them in a few of the family shots. But overall, we just have fun together!

And check out how much fun Holden had!! Just look at that smile!

While last weekend were our last beach sessions of the season, I am already missing those sandy toes and dreaming of next summer on Cape Cod. I can’t wait to capture more amazing family memories like these ones!

---

Did you love this session? Check out more beach fun on the blog!

Family portraits at West Dennis Beach

A Low Tide Family Session at Corporation Beach

The Family Beach Session that had me Laughing the Whole Time!

Fun Family Portraits at West Dennis Beach with Cape Cod Family Photographer

I always love when families come back for their portraits year after year, and when I see a family's name in my inbox after a few years it always puts a great big smile on my face as I get ready for another fun session with them, excited to see how much they've grown and changed.  

This is one of those families.

We met when I was a first grade teacher in Massachusetts, and while I never had any of the three kids as my students, we did enjoy a few sessions together and spent a lot of time designing a gallery wall in their home.   When Wendy contacted me this spring and told me she'd love to plan some beach portraits and that she was excited to add to their gallery wall in the living room, I was all in and we started planning their Cape Cod family session!

We met at the very end of West Dennis Beach at the Bass River for their sunset session, and it was the perfect spot for cuddles, tickles, and lots of splashing in the water!

I just love everything about this photo.  They went in for a family hug.  Little sister is hidden on the inside (see that arm sticking out?) and her big brother couldn't resist peeking out with the most amazing smile.

This was truly such a fun evening together, and I can't wait to see what their new gallery wall looks like with these beach portraits on display!

---

Did you love this session?

Check out another fun family session at Corporation Beach in Dennis!

Family Portraits at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Spa State Park

Are you ready for one cute kid, and an amazingly well behaved dog???

Johnny turned one, and we celebrated with family portraits at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. They brought their fur baby, a goldendoodle named Ozzie, and we had so much fun. Going through their portraits afterwards, I had so many favorites and couldn’t even believe how their dog just POSED in a few of the photos! Soooooo cute. Scroll down to see!

These two are going to be best buds…

The most perfect & fun family portrait — with the dog looking right at the camera!

One of the things that I love about this location is that the covered archways make the perfect spot for portraits — on a sunny day, a rainy day, a cloudy day. With a nice roof over our heads and the white marble floors beneath us to brighten everything up, gorgeous brick archways and plenty of greenery just beyond us, it’s such a beautiful backdrop for photos!