Lifestyle newborn portraits at home in the South End | Boston Newborn Photographer

Since moving to New York I definitely spend less time in Boston, and I miss it like crazy!

I was so excited when this sweet family reached out to plan their newborn session at their apartment in the South End. I have worked with families all over the city in spacious condos and tiny apartments, with lots of natural light and with teeny tiny windows. Every time I am invited into a family’s home is an adventure, and I always love watching the moments that unfold.

You really don’t need a lot of space to photograph a family welcoming their baby home, and I love finding creative new ways to work with the space in the master bedrooms, living rooms, and nurseries.

We captured the most beautiful portraits of sweet baby Julia and big brother George. He was so excited to hold his little sister, and we definitely got so many cute expressions from him!

Cozy family portraits in front of the windows are my fave!

I love everything about this cozy, close up portrait of miss Julia being showered in love.

This chair has traveled with Julia’s mama from apartment to apartment after she inherited it from a previous owner, and it now sits in a sunny corner of their living room. I love that it has such a rich history, and that the beautiful fabric was the perfect backdrop for their baby girl!

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Welcoming Baby Georgia Home - Lifestyle newborn photographer in saratoga springs

Ohhhhh my goodness! This lifestyle newborn session in Saratoga Springs absolutely stole my heart, and now I am 100% obsessed with newborn portraits on front porch swings.

I mean, can’t you see why?????

I loved literally every frame of this session with Baby Georgia, and watching her mama and daddy love on her right in their cute little home was so perfect. We usually do our lifestyle newborn sessions in the nursery & master bedroom, but when I saw their front porch with golden light brushing the ferns hanging from the ceiling, I knew we had to do a few family portraits on the porch, too!

Then we headed indoors to this sweet baby girl’s nursery.

I love how tiny she looks in her daddy’s arms!

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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.  

A Lifestyle Newborn Session at home with 3 big sisters

Sweet little Shiloh is a lucky baby girl. She was welcomed home by her three big sisters, and her first days at home were filled with love and cuddles.

I was invited into this adorable family’s home for a lifestyle newborn session, and I loved getting to document this intimate peek into their lives at home with their newest addition to the family. They live in a beautiful old home filled with so much charm, and it truly was the perfect backdrop to their story.

One of my favorite parts about our lifestyle sessions is that the fur babies get to join in on our portraits! Do you have a dog you’d love to incorporate into your newborn session? A lifestyle session might be perfect for you!

What to Wear to Your Newborn Session - Parent and Sibling Wardrobe Inspiration

So, you scheduled your newborn session and you listened to me say that you don’t need to worry about the baby’s outfits —our Saratoga Springs studio is stocked with wraps and cute handmade outfits that will be perfect on your little one.

But then a moment of panic sets in….. what are YOU going to wear?!?! What is going to fit one week postpartum? What’s your spouse supposed to wear? What looks good on camera?

Sooooooo many questions, and you’re not alone! All new moms and moms-to-be ask me the exact same questions. That’s why I’m here to make it easy for you as you figure out what to wear to your newborn portrait session.

Whether we’re photographing your newborn session at the studio or in your home, these tips apply to all families. Read on for lots of great ideas!

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Wear a gown from our studio wardrobe, or a maxi-length dress like the one from your baby shower!

Long dresses are super flattering on new moms, and we have tons of them available at the studio. They elongate your body and are very elegant and classic in portraits. I suggest sticking to soft, flowy fabrics that are not too clingy around your midsection. We have lots of dresses in the studio’s Mama Wardrobe that you can choose from, and you are welcome to bring your own, too!

Always stick to white, cream, and other light neutrals on top. AVOID BLACK AT ALL COSTS.

While everyone always says that black is the most slimming color to wear, it’s really the least flattering option when we’re doing newborn portraits in my light & airy style. Because you’ll be holding your baby on your chest, a dark color is going to make the baby’s skin appear rough, red, and shadowy. Stick to light colors that bounce lots of light back on the baby to really illuminate their complexion, and yours!

Lace details are gorgeous! So are any other PRETTY little details on your outfit.

Lace has such a beautiful texture in photographs, and other lightweight fabrics photograph beautifully, too.

Keep in mind the STORYTELLING DETAILS in your portraits. Have a favorite necklace or a ring with sentimental value? Wear those to your session, and you’ll tell your child the story behind the jewelry for many years as they look back at their portraits.

What about the dads?

The most popular colors I see for dads are white, light blue, and gray. These go great with your neutral top or dress, and they coordinate beautifully with any colors that might be in the outfits, too.

If dad is a fan of button down shirts, wear one! Roll the cuffs to be a little more casual because he doesn’t need to look like he just came from the office for portraits with his new baby.

If he’s a laid back kind of guy, I love the look of a long-sleeved henley or a solid tee for portraits.

What should the kids/siblings wear?

I love helping with outfits for the big brothers and sisters! I always recommend sticking with neutrals like white, cream, gray, blue, beige, blush pink. Clothing can have patterns on it, but nothing too loud and crazy, and definitely no words or characters/cartoon pictures. The most classic portraits are ones where the outfits don’t compete for your attention, but they’re subtle enough that you can focus on the sweet moments between the new siblings. Look at how the outfits just blend in below and instead your eye is drawn right to the smiles & connection!

As for shoes, barefoot is always my favorite for the kids!

Whatever you wind up wearing, ultimately you want your family’s portraits to feel classic, timeless, and easy. I love being able to provide families with outfit ideas and items from my baby & mama wardrobes - making it even easier for you to relax and enjoy your newborn portraits!

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Welcome Home, Emily Ann! Lifestyle Newborn Portraits in Boston

Walking into this sweet family’s home was a moment of deja vu. I felt like I was just there for Connor’s newborn session, and then I blinked and he became a big brother! I loved meeting his new sister Emily and watching this little family become a family of four. Plus it was so amazing to see Connor now as a toddler & big brother. He was so sweet and gentle with his sister, and I adore all of the amazing sibling shots we were able to capture during their lifestyle newborn session at home.

Checking out those itty bitty baby toes!

Emerson's Lifestyle Newborn Session

Stepping into this family’s home was like stepping into a model home that Chip & Joanna Gaines had styled for Fixer Upper. This beautiful home had Magnolia-style written all over it from the farmhouse accents, scripted and rustic word art on the walls, boxwood wreaths, and black & white accents.

I loved everything about it, and it made their lifestyle newborn session even more special because they will get to show their baby girl one day the house that they moved into right before she was born, and the house that they got ready just in time to snuggle her as a newborn baby.

Sweet little Emerson’s nursery was the softest blush pink with beautiful floral accents, and I loved getting to photograph some adorable family cuddles in there!

We always do a few family portraits on the master bed, and this might have been my favorite space in the whole home. It made for some amazing quiet moments of this whole family together, snuggling up with Emerson and getting to know this sweet baby girl that they just welcomed home a few days ago.

Aren’t baby yawns the cutest?

A Lifestyle Newborn Session in Jamaica Plain, Boston Lifestyle Photographer

Lifestyle sessions will always have my heart. These newborn sessions are such a special time in a new family’s life, and I love being invited into a family’s home to celebrate their baby’s arrival with them.

These first few days pass by in a blur. They are some of the hardest days you’ll ever experience, and oddly enough, they are also the days that you’ll barely be able to remember. These first days are filled with quiet moments that happen in between the chaos and exhaustion — the long nights, trying to figure out their cries, working on getting them eating enough, so many diapers, and wondering how in the world a tiny little baby can go through SO. MUCH. LAUNDRY.

But the quiet moments in between all of that are where the magic happens. Watching your little one’s chest rise & fall. Feeling their tiny fingers wrap around and grip your own. Tracing their perfect little hairline. Watching their sleepy eyes flutter open and a little half smile cross their lips. Those are the moments that you won’t ever want to forget.

Lia’s newborn session was filled with so many magical moments. Tiny sleepy stretches. Wide eyed stares. The most amazing whirls of hair on her perfect little head. Lots of cuddles in the nursery that her mommy & daddy spent months putting together for her arrival. Everything was just perfect!

A Lifestyle Newborn Session for Baby Ella with Delmar NY Newborn Photographer

Do you remember Ashley's beautiful lifestyle maternity session?  Well, her baby girl Ella is finally here, and we celebrated with a newborn session in their home.  It was pretty special to be able to have Ashley stand in the same little alcove where she stood pregnant a few weeks ago, this time holding her sweet little girl in her arms.  

We always take a few family portraits and individual portraits of the baby on the master bed, and I brought a little gray wrap and headband for a few unposed portraits showing Ella just stretching, looking around, and checking out this great big world.  

My favorite part was when their two dogs joined us for a few family portraits.  This moment was pure luck, but doesn't it look like the dogs are kissing?

We finished up in the nursery with some beautiful close-ups that are perfect for the birth announcements, and one of our favorite family photos that show the perfectly decorated "night sky" wall in the nursery.

A Lifestyle Newborn Session in a Dreamy Nursery in Rexford, NY

Oh my goodness!  Can I just live in this beautiful nursery?  I fell in love with the great big windows and the sunlight streaming in, plus everything was decorated so beautifully and serene.  

Little Luciano's newborn session was an absolute dream.  This tiny little sweetheart was wide-eyed and curious, checking out everything going on around him, resulting in some beautiful awake portraits.  

These backlit family portraits are always my favorites during our newborn sessions, and Luciano seemed to know this and decided to give amazing eye contact during his family portraits.  Just look at how alert he is!

He enjoyed all of the snuggles with mom and dad, and their two dogs (Romeo & Juliet) even joined in for a few portraits!

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Did you love this session? 

Check out Baby Harry's lifestyle newborn session with his two dogs, too!

Saratoga Springs Lifestyle Newborn Session with Big Sisters

Baby Harry was welcomed home by the cutest big sisters, and I love the excitement that they brought to our lifestyle newborn session in Saratoga Springs!  

This very special family moved into their new home just in time to welcome home a tiny little brother.  It was all blank walls and huge windows with lots of natural light streaming through, perfect for capturing these moments and newborn cuddles on camera!

Little Sister Ruthie took a little convincing to get in the photos (it's tough becoming a big sister and realizing you're not the baby anymore!), but once she did, she had the BIGGEST smile on her face and was so excited to love on her baby brother!

Big sister Havah was such a little mother, and she melted all of our hearts when she cuddled up to Harry to tell him how much she loved him.  

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Did you love this lifestyle newborn session?
Check out Ronan's session with his adorable big brother here!

Ronan's Lifestyle Newborn Session at Home in Charlestown | Boston Newborn Photographer

This newborn session was one of my FAVORITE ones of the entire summer.  I spent months looking forward to welcoming this baby boy home, and it was so amazing to finally meet him and watch his family love on him.

That's because sweet baby Ronan's mama and I were roommates in Boston in our twenties.  I was there when she met her husband, and now we both have little baby boys that we're excited to watch grow up and play together! 

Ronan has a big brother, Holden, who absolutely adores him.  He covered him in kisses our entire session, and he couldn't stop talking about his "baby brudder". 

My little baby Grayson came to their session, and when Holden saw Grayson he was a little concerned that there were not one but TWO babies in his house now.  We had to reassure him that don't worry, this other baby would not be staying and would be going back to his own house soon.   ;o)  

But back to Ronan.  Just look at how tiny he looks asleep on the bed!  I love his little hands!

Brotherly love!

I love watching my friends become mamas, and seeing how they love their little ones is purely magical.  

I've been doing a few "unposed" shots at the end of every lifestyle newborn session lately, and they are often my very favorite ones!  I love how Ronan just stretches, covers his eyes, and gets comfortable.  He really is such a sweetheart!

A lifestyle newborn session at home with Andres James | Saratoga Springs NY Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Our lifestyle newborn sessions steal my heart every single time.  It's always such an honor to be invited into a family's home to capture their new baby, and I love watching all of the love unfold within those walls. 

These sessions are simple and sweet, without too much formal "posing" and really with just a little bit of guidance to cuddle up closer, lean in, and soak in the moment with their little ones. 

Plus, I love getting to photograph all of the different nurseries!  This nursery for Baby Andres is elegant, classic, and clean without any frills to distract from this beautiful family loving on their new baby boy.  (P.S.  Look at that chandelier!!!!!)

Big sister wasn't so sure about this new little baby, just like most toddlers are, but she got nice and close and loved looking at him through his crib.

I adore this parent portrait -- don't they look so well-rested with two under 2?!?!  And I love how tiny Andres is all curled up in their arms.

A close-up of this sweet baby boy with his head full of hair and those perfect little lips...

Toddlers always make these sessions so much fun!  We laugh, play games, share lots of tickles, and really get them giggling.  With a new baby at home that needs so much attention, they love getting to be the star of the show for a little bit during their portrait session, and sweet little Aria was full of so much personality and really enjoyed getting playful with us!

Did you love this session?  Check out these gorgeous nurseries:

A Rustic Woodland Nursery

A Floral Nursery Inspired by Little  Unicorn Designs

Baby Starr's Nursery

After months of planning, painting, and decorating, Baby Starr's nursery is finally finished!  It's a calm and serene space with blues and grays, and a hint of a "twinkle twinkle little star" theme -- because honestly, with our last name that was just a given!

This is officially my new favorite room in the house, and it was definitely a labor of love pulling it all together in the months leading up to Grayson's arrival.  The morning that we were sent to the hospital to be induced (which was a surprise 3 weeks early!), I spent an hour photographing the nursery and editing the images.  It was the calmest part of a very chaotic week, and I loved it!  For some reason, that little bit of nesting was something that ***just had to be done*** and hanging up the wooden G on the wall even made it onto Jeff's to-do list in those final hours before heading off to the hospital.

Most of the items in the nursery were either handmade (the curtains), refinished vintage (the bureau was originally green!), scored during a Black Friday sale (the crib and glider chair), found during date night trips to HomeGoods (the rug, baskets, and footstool), or some of my Ikea favorites that have found their way into many rooms of our home for the past 5 years (those shelves!).

Plus there are a handful of personal touches like a watercolor painting of a photograph from a beach during the vacation where we got engaged, a Buffalo Bills hat to match daddy's for this future fan, a stuffed animal we picked out during our babymoon, and one of his first ultrasound pictures to remind us how tiny he started out!   A gallery wall will be coming soon with some of Grayson's newborn and baby photos, too!

Welcome Home, Barratt | A Lifestyle Newborn Session in Saratoga Springs

These lifestyle newborn sessions steal my heart every single time.  It is such a privilege to be invited into a family's home to celebrate their little one's arrival with them, and I truly adore every moment that we spend together taking a peek into their lives at home with their brand new baby.  

World, meet Barratt.  And, start drooling over his perfectly styled nursery with just the right amount of personal touches.

This little sweetheart has two "fur-brothers" at home, and the family's dogs made themselves right at home in the nursery during our session.  I always love incorporating pets into our portraits, and lifestyle shoots are the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family together (including those four-legged family members!).

With a full head of hair and those sparkling, steel blue eyes, this little heartbreaker sure melted our hearts!  These next portraits made it onto his birth announcements and the cover of his linen keepsake album.  How cute is he?!?!

We have had SO MANY lifestyle newborn sessions lately, and they make my photographer heart so happy!  Check out a few favorites on the blog!
 

A "Little Unicorn" Inspired Floral Nursery | Boston and South Shore Lifestyle Newborn Photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Have you heard of the brand Little Unicorn?  Most likely you've seen their gorgeous watercolor muslin swaddles, blankets, and crib sheets in your newsfeed, and you've shopped their products in local baby stores. 

They are truly breathtaking, so when I walked into this nursery and found that it was perfectly decorated with Little Unicorn crib sheets, and that this mama of two had a collection of swaddles and coordinating headbands for her two little girls, I was in photographer heaven!

World, meet Blair and her big sister, Quinn.

These two girls are going to grow up sharing a bedroom that encourages their imaginations to run wild with so many whimsical dolls, stuffed animals, and books around them.  I've got the feeling they're going to be the best of friends!

Most toddlers are a little hesitant about bringing home a new baby, but Quinn jumped right into her role of big sister during our photo session with just a little bit of encouragement.  She shared her bed with her baby sister, learned how to hold her safely, practiced shush-ing her when she was fussy, and was oh-so-gentle with Blair the entire time. 

Her mama told me that after I left, she spent the rest of the week asking to hold the baby by herself and reminding her mother what she had to do and where she had to place her arms to keep the baby safe!  How adorable is that?!?!

These lifestyle newborn photo sessions are always so magical as we watch the love unfold for the new baby.  I truly adore watching moms and dads cuddle up with their new addition, talking to them, singing to them, and marveling at every little thing. 

With older babies, the best part is watching the babies respond to mom and dad, making amazing eye contact and calming right down with just a simple touch or the sound of their voice.

Wondering if a lifestyle newborn session is the right fit for you?  Learn more here!

Bringing Home Baby | Luke's Lifestyle Newborn Session in Saratoga Springs with Nicole Starr Photography

Are you ready to see the most adorable baby boy, with an absolutely dreamy nursery that was designed especially for his family?

Meet Luke.  

His parents are head over heels in love with this handsome little boy, and we celebrated his arrival with a lifestyle newborn portrait session at home in Saratoga Springs, NY.

This was the first lifestyle session I've done where the crib was hand-built by the family.  Luke's dad wanted to build his son's first bed, so he bought all of the tools and the wood, and he learned how to build a rustic, barn door style crib for his baby boy's nursery!

The nursery was decorated with a hand-painted mural of a farm scene, which was perfect for this family since Luke's mother works at a farm in VT.  When you look closely at the walls, you'll see a big red barn, fields of carrots, an airplane flying overhead that will have Luke's name written on the banner, and a little dog peeking out from behind the glider that looks just like this family's fur baby, Toga.  

Speaking of Toga, this is their dog!  This 3-year old puppy was one of the most camera-friendly dogs I have ever encountered on a photo shoot.  He always wanted to be in the shot, and would come and position himself right in the middle of everyone and turn towards the camera (most dogs turn away from the camera, haha!). 

I've got the feeling that Luke & Toga are going to be the best of friends as they grow up together.  What a lucky little boy!

Wondering if a lifestyle newborn session is the right fit for your family?

An in-home lifestyle newborn session for Baby Ricky | Albany Lifestyle Newborn Photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Bring me all of your babies!  Or, let me come to you and photograph them at home with one of our lifestyle newborn sessions!   ;o)

Meet Ricky Eugene.

His parents created the most beautiful nursery to welcome him home, and I had such a great time cozying up with them on a snowy winter day in Albany for his newborn session. 

Our lifestyle sessions are a relaxed peek into your life at home as you get to know your newborn.  We often shoot these sessions in the nursery and master bedroom, where you will spend most of your time with your brand new baby.  I love all of the care & details that go into the babies' rooms during the 9+ months you are waiting for your little one to arrive, and it's so special to be able to capture that space for families to show their children many years from now, telling them, "THIS is the space we created just for you.  THIS was your first bedroom in your very first home.  THIS is how much we loved you."

They had the most beautiful windows and natural light pouring into the master bedroom, which made for some gorgeous backlit portraits of mom & dad with the baby.  And of course, their fur baby wanted to join in on the fun, too!

These tiny little details area always my favorite.  Just look at those itty bitty fingers, and the sweet curve of his cheeks!  Doesn't he just melt your heart?

Wondering if a lifestyle newborn session is the right fit for you?  If you're not sure if you like the relaxed session at home, or props in the studio, check out this helpful blog post to help you decide!
 

Welcome home, Trudie Jean | An in-home session with Boston Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Can we start off by giving a little shout-out to old fashioned names that are wildly unique and hold lots of meaning for the family?  

Meet Trudie Jean. 

This sweet baby girl was named after her grandmother, and she was an absolute dream to work with during her lifestyle newborn session at home in Boston.  She's all cheeks with a peaches and cream complexion, and she has the finest blonde hair, all coming together to make up one really adorable baby girl.

I love being invited into a family's home to take a peek into their life at home with a newborn, and it's always so magical to just let the little moments unfold as they cuddle up with their brand new baby.

Even their fur baby wanted to join in on the celebration!  It can always be tricky to get dogs to cooperate during our photo shoots, and often they're especially hesitant or skittish around newborn babies.  However, we always try to encourage pets to get in for a few shots, and the results are worth it!

I loved their Jenny Lind-style crib so much!  It was perfect in their gender neutral, woodland nursery.

We had a baby boom here at Nicole Starr Photography in January!  Be on the lookout for so many more adorable newborn sessions coming to the blog soon.  In the meantime, check out a few other recent favorite newborn sessions here:

Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborn Sessions

Vivian Jane: A Saratoga Springs Newborn Portrait Session

John Aldrich: A Lifestyle Newborn Session in Boston

Best of 2017 Lifestyle Newborns | Saratoga Springs NY and Boston MA Newborn Photographer

If you’ve ever talked with me about our newborn sessions, you know that our lifestyle newborn sessions steal my heart every. single. time. 

I am always so honored when parents invite me into their home to capture their little one’s first days at home with their family.  Magic unfolds as they cuddle up with their brand new baby in a space that is filled with their family’s personality, a space that tells the beginning of this next chapter in their family’s story.

We typically shoot these sessions in the nursery, master bedroom, and living room.  But I’ve been known to be a chaser of light, and if I see an amazing pocket of light in your hallway, dining room, or even a corner of your bathroom, you can bet we’ll go there for some great shots!

My favorite product to showcase these sessions at home is definitely our fine art album.  These gorgeous linen-covered books are keepsakes that you will enjoy looking through with your children for the next 30 years, passing down to your kids one day when they have babies of their own.  These books take all of your images and weave them together to tell a story, YOUR STORY.  And there’s nothing better than the story of your family at home, in the place where every story begins.  

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog.  Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable newborn photos at home from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Family Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
 

Welcome Home, Vivian Jane: A Lifestyle Newborn Session with Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Lifestyle sessions always steal my heart.  There is something so magical about being invited into a family's home to capture their quiet moments together as they welcome their brand new baby into the family, and I love visiting them in their space and documenting these moments for them to show their children one day that THIS is the space we brought you home to when you were born. 

Even if they change houses and move states, there is something so amazing about that first home that holds so many newborn memories for them.  The first cuddles, the first smiles.  So many late night feedings, and quiet moments just watching your baby breathe in and out when they're (finally!) asleep.  The walls are filled with stories, and it's always an honor to be invited into their space to capture the beginning of this new love story for their family.

Vivian Jane's house was filled with natural light, and we started off in the bedroom with a simple wrap and a knit blanket that I brought from the studio.  Her mom bought a few headbands before the session for a sweet girly touch.  

Family portraits are always my favorite during our lifestyle newborn sessions at home.  Tina & Curtis cuddled up on the bed with their baby girl, and we captured some quiet moments of the three of them together.  

Are you wondering where in your house we might capture a few portraits?  If you have a sliding door, there's a pretty good chance we'll go there for lots of natural light to flood your portraits!  I love these moments we captured in their living room that show their beautiful bond with their new daughter, and a hint at their style with their furniture and decor showing in the background. 

Check out a few recent lifestyle sessions for some at-home newborn inspiration!

John Aldrich
Connor James
How to Know if a Lifestyle Session is Right for You