A 6 month milestone session for baby Ella

Ella is one of our Baby Planners, and I loved seeing how much she has grown when she came to the studio for her 6 month milestone session! It’s always amazing to watch these little babies during the first year as they begin to master new skills and really come into their personalities, and Little Miss Ella was no exception. This girl is so happy & smiley, and she truly rocked her portrait session!

Ella LOVED hanging out on this tiny bed that we just added to the prop closet. Her favorite part was using it as a teething toy, hahaha! Once she realized she could fit the wooden rails in her mouth she didn’t want to let go, and it had us all cracking up watching how excited she was!

Then we did a few portraits on our big girl bed (a.k.a. the white fluffy adult sized bed!). Ella’s mama packed the cutest white onesie with lace eyelet sleeves, and I love how simple and classic it looked in this all white set up. The lace ruffles really made it special!

Have a favorite toy or doll? Be sure to bring it to your baby’s milestone session! These cuddle + kind dolls have been making an appearance in many of our sessions for the past year or two, and I love it when they’re the same size as the babies!

Ella’s mama and daddy’s favorite portraits were in this chair with the mauve romper from our studio closet. We probably only spent about 2 minutes in this set up, but Ella brought out all of the smiles and belly laughs for so many adorable portraits! Here are just a few favorites!

Baby Outfit Ideas | Wardrobe Inspiration for Your Baby's Milestone Portrait Session

You’re so excited!!! You just booked your baby’s milestone session and you can’t wait to capture their little smile, that tiny curl of hair, and those adorable chubby legs that you love to cover in kisses. These portraits are always some of my favorites

But wait a second… what does a baby wear to a milestone session?!?!

This is probably your first time dressing your baby for portraits (after all, they just wore a swaddle in their newborn photos!), but I’ve dressed hundreds of babies for their portrait sessions and I have plenty of ideas to make it easier for you.

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OUTFIT INSPIRATION FOR YOUR MILESTONE SESSION

Flaunt those itty bitty baby features that you love so much.

Babies are only this little for a little while, and their elbow dimples, chunky thigh rolls, and puffy little tummies are the cutest things ever about this stage. Show it off! I recommend avoiding dresses that cover the legs — instead, choose rompers for baby girls to give them room to move their legs and find their toes. For boys, wearing just a pair of pants to show that cute baby belly is so classic. Plus, you’ll see those photos and just want to smooch that perfect little belly!

There’s nothing more classic than a simple white onesie.

I did my son’s monthly photos in a white onesie, and I always suggest clients go for this look when they want a few simple and extremely classic portraits. They make some cute ones with ruffles and eyelet lace details on the sleeves for baby girls if you’re looking for something a little special, too!

Go for a pop of color against our all white studio!

Pale blue, lavender, aqua, and pink all look amazing against our white walls, couch, and bed!

Make sure baby can move freely.

Opt for fabrics with a little stretch so baby can reach, crawl, and wiggle. After all, they’ve been practicing all of these new skills so let them use their whole body and show us what they can do!

Go barefoot.

Yes, baby shoes are cute, but they don’t look cute in photographs because you can only see the soles of the feet. Let’s show off their toes instead!

Show some skin.

When they’re this little, baby boys & baby girls are oh so sweet with their cute little baby bellies and soft arm rolls. Don’t be afraid to have one of their “outfits” be just a diaper, diaper cover, or a pair of knit pants! We can always use a soft blanket to cover up, too — and to play peek-a-boo!

Ruffles & lace.

Both beautiful options in photographs. You can’t go wrong with these sweet feminine details.

Consider fabric textures and your baby’s sensitive skin.

Remember when you were a kid and your mom dressed you in a scratchy tulle dress or itchy wool tights? You were miserable. Let’s give your baby the best shot at a happy session by making sure they are cool, comfortable, and content. Use soft fabrics that won’t irritate their skin. Opt for knitted fabrics (think sweater knit, not jersey knit) for a truly beautiful texture in photographs.

Avoid anything crocheted for the best portraits — even though sweet Aunt Sally was so excited to give you that crocheted turtle outfit, I’ve found that these are usually made with cheap yarn that cause the babies to sweat and immediately get a red heat rash on their skin. Then they’re crying and inconsolable the rest of the session. Nobody wants that! Plus, crocheted items don’t usually fall right on their little bodies the way clothing that is knitted can hug them beautifully. Thank your dear Aunt Sally, snap a cell phone pic, and share that with her. ;o)

Neutrals never go out of style.

Avoid anything too busy, bold, or neon. Neutrals look amazing with details like stripes, lace, eyelet lace, smocking, buttons, and knitted textures.

Still not sure what to wear? Check out our studio closet filled with beautiful options for your little one! If you’re thinking of wearing a studio outfit, let me know ahead of time what size your baby is and which outfits you have in mind and I will let you know if they’ll fit and get them ready for you ahead of time. Plus, be sure to ask me what’s new in the closet because we’re always adding new pieces for families to enjoy!

Nora's Six Month Milestone Session

Six month old babies are definitely at the top of the list of my favorite things to photograph.

Nora came to our Saratoga Springs portrait studio for her milestone session, and she was all about showing off those two adorable new teeth! This sweet baby girl was right on the brink of learning to crawl when we did her portraits, and she was happiest on her tummy while moving her little arms and legs as if she were swimming.

Nora’s mama chose a few outfits from our studio wardrobe for her session — did you see that WE HAVE AN ENTIRE BABY CLOSET FILLED WITH OUTFITS for your little one’s portraits? You can show up with just your diaper bag and we’ll do the rest to help you create beautiful portraits with outfits and a style you’ll love!

Nora’s big brother Greyson joined us for a few sibling portraits, and he did such a great job getting his baby sister to smile. He is such an amazing big brother!

A 6 Month Studio Session for Baby Charlotte

Charlotte is one of our Baby Planners, and she came to the studio for her 6-month milestone session with the cutest outfits and the most adorable smile!

I love this age so much! Once babies start sitting up they really start showing off their personalities, and Charlotte was such a gem. She is a very playful baby and she showed us so many different smiles & expressions. It was hard to choose just a few favorites from her gallery!

I always love including these shots with mom or dad’s hands reaching in to catch or help support the baby. While some photographers might edit that out or throw the shot away, I love capturing this little moment that shows how you were always there for your baby. You have their back, you always catch them, and you’re watching right over their shoulder as they slowly start to gain independence and try out new skills, ready to help if they need it.

A 9 Month Milestone Session for Elias with Saratoga Springs Family Photographer

You know what is an often-overlooked age for milestone sessions, yet it’s one of my FAVORITE ages ever to photograph?

Nine month olds who are in the sitting & crawling stage. These are the happiest babies, and they’re into everything but they can’t run away yet. ;o)

Elias joined me at the studio for his nine month portraits, and I loved getting to play with this smiley little guy who loved showing off his brand new teeth!

At this age, many babies are pulling themselves up and they can balance pretty well when holding on to something. This makes for some adorable shots of them standing on the sofa or holding on to a stool!

He came with a traditional Moroccan outfit to honor his family’s heritage, and while he was more interested in eating the shoes than in wearing them, he definitely looked cute doing it!

We finished Elias’s milestone session with a bathtub splash — they’re not just for cake smashes, you know! He loved the soap bubbles, and I loved that you could see all of his adorable rolls on his arms and legs. What a little cutie!

A 9 Month Milestone Session with a Sunflower Milk Bath | Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

I just love our Baby Plan sessions!  I've been following along on Evvie's journey her whole first year, starting back last summer with a maternity session and seeing her every few months for new milestones.  She came to the studio for her 9 month/sitter session, and we decided to sneak in a few family portraits on a beautiful summer morning.  

I love this red and white checked dress on her.  Evvie's daddy picked it out.  Isn't she adorable?

Since Evvie has been coming to the studio all year for her milestone sessions, we like to get creative with one set up each time.  This time we did a cute little beach session, and I love the waves and starfish that go perfectly with her seersucker swimsuit.

Evvie is a breastfeeding champion, and her mama has worked hard with Evvie this year to continue their BF journey for so long.  She wanted to celebrate with a milk bath in the studio, and Evvie loved it!  We added some sunflowers for a nice little touch of summer.

Evelyn's Six Month Milestone Session at our Saratoga Springs Studio | Saratoga Springs NY Photographer

I always have such a special time with our Baby Plan families.  I love getting to watch their little ones grow all the way through their first birthday (and beyond!), and little miss Evvie is no exception.  I'm so lucky that she comes to see me at the studio every few months for her milestone portraits!

I first met Evvie's family when her mama was pregnant, and we did a maternity session, Fresh 48 session and lifestyle newborn session.  She came to the Saratoga studio for her Christmas portraits, and I got to see her for her 6-month portraits right before my maternity leave began! 

It's been amazing watching this baby girl grow and change, develop a personality, hit her milestones, and hearing all about her first year.  I'm already looking forward to her 9-month portraits this summer!

We used our boho floral hoops for a fancy set-up at the end of her session.  How sweet is she?!?!

A Soft & Cuddly Milestone Session for Abigail | Saratoga Springs NY Milestone Photographer

Look who is all grown up!  Abigail came to me for her  n e w b o r n  s e s s i o n  last summer, and I was lucky enough to see her again to celebrate her 8 month milestone this spring!  This little sweetheart is sitting up, smiling all the time, and super playful.  A week after she came to the Attleboro studio she started crawling!  I'm already looking forward to her cake smash this summer, and I bet she'll be walking (or running after her big brother!) by then!

I am officially obsessed with the way her sparkly blue eyes just POP with the gray and white in these images, and I seriously just want to kiss those cheeks of hers!  Such an adorable little cutie!  

Wild hair, don't care!

This is one of my favorite set ups ever.  I love how classic and simple it is with the bone seamless paper, that dusty rose blanket, and the cutest baby you ever did see.  I just melt when I look at these sweet photos -- this baby girl clearly LOVES the camera!

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Love this session?

Check out another milestone session with this pretty teepee and a beautiful baby girl, here on the blog!

Vivian Jane's 3 Month Milestone Portraits | Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

With the launch of our new Baby Plan & Milestone Sessions in 2018, I am so excited to see so many of my newborn clients return to the studio for their milestone portraits throughout their baby's first year!

I first met Vivian Jane during her at-home lifestyle newborn session.  Her parents mentioned then that they would be doing a traditional 100 day celebration for their daughter, and so of course we started planning her 100-day portraits!  We added a bit of sparkle to this sweet girl's session to fit the mood of the celebration, and her sweet smiles just lit up the room!

Her mama brought the cutest little knit outfit & beret, and this sweet 3 month old looked like a little French girl with that beret perched on her head just so!  The white bed is always a classic look in our milestone sessions, and I love how simply it complements this adorable baby girl.  

So, what is a good milestone to photograph?  Honestly, the first year flies so quickly and you're going to want to remember all of them!  Here are a few of my favorites to photograph during our milestone sessions:

• Tummy time
• Smiling
• Before the first teeth come in
• Celebration of the first tooth
• Discovering their toes 
• Sitting up unassisted
• Crawling
• Standing
• Walking

Floral Crowns and Teepees | A Milestone Session for Everleigh | Saratoga Springs NY Baby Photographer

Usually we go for a super simply & classic look in our milestone sessions here at our Saratoga Springs baby photography studio, but sometimes it's fun to add a little bit of flair & whimsy.  That's exactly what we did for little miss Everleigh, who joined me for her 8 month milestone session.  

In planning her session, I told her mama that I had everything available at the studio for her baby girl, including outfits.  She showed up with just her baby & a diaper bag, and left the rest to me!  We used a beautiful floral crown with a simple diaper cover from the studio closet, and later a blush pink and lace romper and a fluffy beige tutu -- also from the studio closet!

And Everleigh was one happy little girl!  She loved sitting up, crawling, and showing off her clapping skills, and she giggled the entire time!  I was excited to use our boho teepee (check out this DIY tutorial to make your own -- it's one of the most popular and most pinned post on our blog!) with the perfect pink and peach floral crown.  

The studio bed is another favorite for our milestone sessions, and Everleigh loved having a soft space to cozy up on and crawl around!  Plus, the moment she had those pearls in her hand she was smiling, laughing, and shaking them all over the place!

Thinking of a milestone session for your growing baby?  Let's chat!  

Gianna's Pink and White Milestone Session | A Milestone Session at the Nicole Starr Photography Studio

I first met sweet little Gianna for her Christmas photos last fall, and I fell in love with this sweet little girl with those big, sparkly eyes.  She came back for her 6-month milestone session, and we planned the perfect boho floral session for this happy baby girl!  Her mama showed me photos of her nursery, and we coordinated the colors to match perfectly with her blush and cream decor.

Twinkle lights are quickly becoming my favorite item to add to our backdrops, and I love how they lend a little bit of magic to our studio sessions!

Of course, it wouldn't be a milestone session without capturing all of the little details!  Baby feet, chunky baby thighs, and those little finger & elbow dimples are some of those fleeting hallmarks of infancy, and I love celebrating them in our milestone portraits!

The classic white bed is always a favorite set-up during these sessions, and I loved showcasing this beautiful little girl in the simplest set-up.  She's such a little doll, and she rocked tummy time!  

Curious about our milestone sessions?  Learn more about our Baby Plan to document your little one's entire first year through gorgeous, professional portraits!
 

Celebrating 6 Months | Lila's Floral & Hearts Milestone Session with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

Lila's mom & dad wanted to celebrate her first 6 months with a perfectly whimsical & girly session filled with pretty little details, soft colors, flowers, and hearts.  Of course, they came to just the right photographer because I LOVE creating sets like that here in our Saratoga Springs studio!

This sweet baby girl was so happy to show off her new sitting skills, and she loved playing with the hearts in our little Valentine's set-up.  We also created this set-up to honor CHD awareness and her personal medical victories, and I love that we were able to incorporate something so special that meant a lot to her parents during the session.

But the very best part of Lila's session?  These SMILES!  Only her mama was able to get her to laugh like this, and this beautiful baby girl couldn't take her eyes off of her mom.  She adores her, and that shows so clearly in her expressions in these portraits!

Our Baby Plan is the perfect way to celebrate your baby's milestones throughout the first year!  Come to the studio for the first smiles, tummy time, sitting up, crawling, the first tooth... there are truly so many possibilities!  

Oscar & Miles: Simple Studio Portraits with Brothers | A Milestone Session at the Nicole Starr Photography Studio

We have been celebrating so many baby milestones in the studio since launching our new Petite Milestone Sessions and Baby Plan for 2018!  Oscar came to the studio to celebrate his first 6 months, and his big brother Miles joined him to celebrate his second birthday! 

I saw Miles last year for his first birthday cake smash, and again in the fall for family portraits when his brother was still teeny-tiny, so it was especially nice to watch the two interact now that they've gotten to know each other for the past 6 months.  One thing is clear: little Oscar ADORES his big brother, and when he's nearby he can't take his eyes off of him!

Milestone portrait sessions at 6 months are some of my favorites.  Usually between months 6-8, babies are sitting up solidly on their own.  They have great neck strength and can rock tummy time, enjoying it just as much as they do laying on their backs and playing with their little toes.  Babies are truly perfect, and you know I don't use a lot of props to distract from this perfection.  We keep the focus on the baby and create truly timeless portraits that let your little one's personality shine!

And boy, did their personalities shine!!!  :o)  

Have you been wondering if a milestone session is right for you?  Check out more of our milestone sessions here:
 

A Simply Baby Milestone Session with Elena, 7 months

Sweet little Elena flew all the way across the country for her milestone session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio! 

Elena's mama wanted to capture these portraits before her teeth grew in, and we fit her in just in time as her first tooth was starting to come in right around the same time as her session.  Teething was no problem for this happy little girl, and she was an absolute dream during her session -- filled with personality, sparkling eyes, and so much curiosity!

I love our Milestone Sessions because the babies get to be the star of the show.  We don't need a lot of props and clutter because I believe that your baby is absolutely perfect, and I want their personality to shine through in their portraits. 

We use our simple white wood backdrop, our fluffy white bed, and our cream colored couch for most of these milestone sessions.  Sometimes we'll use bump blankets or scarves for a hint of color, or my natural wood or woven props like baskets, benches, stools, and crates to give baby something to sit on or climb on.  The soft furry rug is always a favorite and babies love sitting on it, the soft texture calming them down immediately.  But that's it!  We keep it simple so that your baby can truly shine.

Our baby milestone sessions are all about the details.  The ones that you don't want to forget 15 years from now. 

The little dimples on their elbows. 

Those rolls on their baby thighs. 

The way your baby played with her toes for hours and hours. 

The way she turned her head just so to look at you, with her tiny little chin turning up towards your face.

The way her fine baby hair curled at the nape of her neck, just barely brushing her collar in soft wisps.

One of my favorite milestones to capture in baby's first year is when they're sitting up on their own unassisted.  This is usually between months 6-9.  But another favorite is around months 3-4 when they're rocking tummy time, smiling, and holding their head up on their own! 

Check out Quinn's 3 month session here on the blog for an entirely different stage of milestones, and then let's plan your baby's next portraits here at the studio!

Quinn's 3 Month Milestone Session | Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

I love watching our Baby Plan babies grow!  Quinn Madlina first visited me in the studio a few months ago for her newborn session, and then she came back for her three-month milestone portraits!
 

This sweet baby girl is such a beauty, and I loved seeing how much she had grown!  She's getting so strong and really rocked her tummy time, but her favorite and most comfortable spot was laying on her back and looking up at her daddy, who got all the best smiles from his little girl! 

We used the same headband from her newborn session and a soft pink blanket that was so beautiful on her.

Of course, I love all of the creams & whites with our milestone babies because they are so classically beautiful and simple.  Quinn cozied up in one of our handmade knit rompers, and her tiny new earrings stole the show with just a hint of sparkle in her ears.

Milestone sessions are the perfect opportunity to capture a few seasonal portraits, and we used a nice holiday plaid for Quinn to celebrate the season!

Milestone sessions are best around 3-4 months (tummy time & back), 6-10 months (sitting up unassisted, clapping, smiling, and crawling), and of course the birthday cake smash between 10-13 months!

Samantha's Sparkly 5th Birthday Session in Downtown Boston | Boston MA Children's Photographer

Samantha's 5th birthday session was the stuff of so many little girls' dreams.

A sparkly dress.  Pretty shoes.  Twinkling city lights.  And all eyes on her with a photographer giving her her undivided attention.  
 

I loved helping Samantha's mom come up with an outfit and a location that would celebrate her daughter's spunky personality with a bit of whimsy, right in downtown Boston. 

We met up in the Seaport District with the beautiful Boston skyline sparkling in the sunset, and it was absolutely perfect.  Samantha enjoyed running up and down the walkways of Fan Pier Park, playing a few different games with me and showing off her ballerina twirls.  

The silver "5" balloon was the perfect prop for the birthday girl, and it was nearly as big as her!  Thankfully we didn't have too much wind to deal with that evening, and Samantha was able to hug that balloon tight and wave it around.  

When our sessions focus just on your little one, we always have time for an outfit change!  Samantha changed into a classic plaid dress and we headed on over to the blue bridge that is famous in this part of the city. 

It was filled with pedestrians leaving work, coming and going in all directions, but Samantha stole the show and carved out her own little space on the sidewalk.  Many of the city-goes stopped to exclaim how adorable she was, and of course she soaked up all of the attention with a great big smile!

I love planning sessions that celebrate your little one's personality.  These "Simply Me" sessions are the perfect way to showcase childhood wonder.  From the outfit to the location, we'll have so much fun bringing your vision to life. 

With the winter here, we're now planning sessions through March at your child's favorite indoor locations -- the skating rink, baking cookies in the kitchen, the library, a pretty lobby of your favorite hotel in the city, their favorite burrito shop, or Target.  You name it, and we'll make it happen!

A Springtime Milestone Session for a Baby Girl in our Saratoga Springs Studio

Oh my goodness, you guys!!  Just look at Hazel!  Isn't she the cutest bright-eyed baby girl?

Baby Hazel came to the studio for a beautiful springtime session.  I am so excited to finally bring out the pastel colors, all of the flowers, and a few adorable new outfits now that winter is over and we're getting ready for lots of springtime loveliness here in our Saratoga Springs portrait studio.  

This sweet baby girl absolutely rocked her portrait session with her Sweet Ivie headbands and our Photographer Rising Lavender Fields backdrop, painted by the talented Heidi Hope.  

At seven months old, she is at one of my favorite ages to capture on camera.  The sitter stage is full of personality as babies are sitting independently, discovering their toes when laying on their backs, and not quite crawling away from the camera yet.  In a few months she'll be crawling and walking around the room, but this stage of discovery and awe is always such a fun one to capture on camera since it is so fleeting.

As I get ready for spring here in the studio, I am loving finding new ways to incorporate greenery into our sessions.  This beautiful eucalyptus garland with blush pink roses is my favorite addition to our prop closet, and I love it against the cream wall and floors.  

Plus, doesn't Hazel look amazing with the Sweet Ivie headband that coordinates so perfectly with her dress and backdrop?

We are now booking springtime sessions here at our Saratoga Springs studio!  We have plenty of outfits, headbands, diaper covers, and wraps for your baby to enjoy a fully-styled session with Nicole Starr Photography!

A Cute Baby & A Pretty Hat: Eliana's 7 Month Milestone Session (Upstate New York Baby Photographer)

Every now & then there is a knock on the door and a family walks in carrying the cutest baby I've ever seen... actually, "every now and then" feels more like "every couple of days" when your job is a baby photographer.  I feel so lucky to be able to cuddle with so many adorable babies every day, and when the next potential Gerber baby model comes into my studio for a session, I absolutely love it!  Sessions like this one remind me that I truly do enjoy the best job ever.  :) 

Eliana came to the studio for her 7 month milestone session.  This is such a beautiful age that I love capturing on camera.  Babies are sitting more comfortably, they are smiling and engaged with the camera, they love playing with their toes, and they enjoy being the center of attention for being so adorable.  Babies this age are champs at tummy time, have the best giggles, and have so many sweet expressions to add variety to your photographs.  

We did a little photo series of Eliana wearing the sweetest cream-colored bonnet that I have in the studio.  I just love the way it framed her face and made those blue eyes sparkle!  

I love our Petite Milestone sessions because the focus is all about your baby.  We keep it simple with neutral backdrops, natural colors, and minimal props to focus on your little one, their personality, their developing milestones, and their innocence.  We capture natural moments that are so precious in this fleeting stage of infancy, and I can guarantee that these classic images will hang in your home for many, many years without ever looking dated.

Want to learn more about our Petite Milestone sessions?  Read about them here, and then contact me today and let's plan the perfect session to celebrate your baby's budding milestones this spring!