Welcoming Baby Home - A Cozy Lifestyle Newborn Session in Saratoga Springs

There is nothing sweeter than an in-home lifestyle newborn session, and I loved every second with Baby John’s family as they welcomed their sweet boy home and showered him with love and kisses. His two big sisters adore him, and it was beautiful to watch them interact with their new brother and with each other. We had such a wonderful time and I truly enjoyed spending the morning with this family capturing and intimate peek into their lives at home with their new baby.

The crib is always one of my favorite spots for newborn portraits, and when it’s filled with creamy neutrals like this one, it’s truly the perfect spot to capture all of that newborn sweetness while still keeping the focus on the baby.

What a proud big sister! She was so excited for her new role as “big sister,” and I know she’s going to love her baby brother soooooo much!

Besides a few swaddles, I don’t bring any props to a lifestyle newborn session. We work with what you’ve got, which usually means incorporating your rugs and bedding as “backdrops” in your portraits. Here the three kids laid down on the nursery rug for this portrait, and later I posed the baby on the blue rug in the master bedroom. Simple & sweet!

This special pillow was made from their grandfather’s shirt, and it was extra sentimental to incorporate it into Baby John’s portraits.

No lifestyle newborn session is complete without a few little monkeys jumping on the bed!

Wondering if a lifestyle newborn session is the right fit for your family? Check out the helpful tips in this blog post to see if this might be just what you’re looking for in your portrait session!

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Best of 2020 Newborn Sessions - Saratoga Springs Newborn Portrait Photographer

Wrapping up our Best of 2020 posts, I’m excited to share a peek at some of my favorite newborn portraits from last year! I was lucky enough to photograph so many sweet little babies, and I loved celebrating each one’s arrival with their family. Of course, the best part was the sweet little cuddles! More than 8 years into running this business, and I can still hardly believe that this is my job!

2020 was a little different because we were closed for three months in the spring at the start of the pandemic, but that gave me the opportunity to welcome so many older babies into the studio for their older newborn portraits in the summer! I loved working with these older babies. Their eye contact was amazing, they gave the sweetest smiles, they interacted with their parents, and they had gained a few pounds so those cheeks were beyond adorable! I fell in love with older newborn sessions, and I will definitely continue offering them for babies of all ages!

Loving the colors & the outfits in this blog post??? Me, too! Check out our wardrobe inspiration for newborn sessions here!

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Inspired by these newborn portraits? Pin this image or any from the post above for inspiration!

A Boho Lifestyle Newborn Session

Lifestyle newborn sessions are always some of my favorites. I love being invited into a family’s home to enjoy a peek into their first few weeks at home with their baby. The moments we capture are so intimate and cozy, just quiet little moments that unfold as you get to know your little one.

These sessions are especially beautiful when there is a new big brother or sister! Just look at Jack and the sweet curiosity he has around his baby sister Sloane!

This family’s home was an absolute dream to shoot in. This was the father’s childhood home, and the family has completely redone it with new flooring & white paint, adding in their mix of boho & midcentury modern furniture for a light and airy look — perfect for photographs!

These cuddly shots of Sloane in the crib with her big brother were some of my favorites!

The master bedroom is always a favorite spot for family portraits, and this one with the white bedding & high ceilings was just dreamy!

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Inspired by this boho lifestyle newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Teagan's Lifestyle Newborn Session with Big Brother Cameron

Lifestyle sessions make my heart skip a beat every single time, and it’s all because of beautiful moments like this one.

I love being invited into a family’s home to watch their first weeks at home with their brand new baby unfold. There’s something so magical about capturing these memories for them in their very own space, and knowing that they will show these to their baby one day and tell her that “This is where we brought you home to. This is what your first bedroom looked like that we prepared just for you before you were even born.”

The lighting in Teagan’s nursery was truly golden, and I loved this little nook with the sun shining through the window to illuminate mom & dad with their sweet baby girl! Plus, how in love are you with that mirror and the wall color? Gorgeous!

Cameron is such a proud big brother, and he loved cuddling his little sister! He was so excited to bring his sweet baby sister home and to show me all of his favorite toys.

Our lifestyle newborn sessions at home are always such a joy, and we always have so much fun! From jumping on the bed to cuddles & kisses, they are filled with memories these families will never forget.

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Inspired by this lifestyle newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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

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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Inspired by this gorgeous in home lifestyle session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

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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 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!