Newborn Portraits for Penelope James

Little miss Penelope is another one of our Baby Planners, and I am so looking forward to watching her grow this year! It feels like only a few weeks ago that we enjoyed her mama’s maternity session here at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and then in no time at all they were back with their baby girl!

We chose plenty of neutrals for Penelope’s newborn session — white, cream, and blush pink are always timeless favorites for baby girl sessions!

Don’t you just love this little smile that peeked out?!?!

This little sweetheart was awake almost her entire session, which is rare and usually makes newborn sessions rather tricky because newborns have more relaxed facial expressions and they are much easier to pose when they are asleep. Penelope kept looking around, wanting to take everything in with her soulful eyes. She made a few funny little faces, but so many adorable ones, too! I just adore these awake parent portraits!

Studio Newborn Portraits with Baby Jonas

Sweet baby Jonas visited me at the studio for his newborn portraits, and we captured the most amazing moments of him cuddling up with his new parents. I just adore this portrait of Jonas with his mama — it’s so beautiful and tender, and she’ll always remember how he was so tiny and curled up right in her arms like that.

He had a head full of dark hair, and it’s the softest baby hair you can imagine. So many babies wind up having more hair when they’re born than they do the whole rest of their first year, so I always love capturing that on camera for the parents to remember.

He was such a sleepy little sweetheart, and he settled right into the poses. I love how comfy he looks resting on the blankets and knits!

Tiny newborn smiles are my favorite!

A Newborn Session for Austin and Big Sister Avery

You guys aren’t going to believe the adorable sibling portraits we captured during Austin’s studio newborn session.

This handsome baby boy has the sweetest big sister, and she was AMAZING during his portrait session. I love every single photo of the two of them together.

We turned one of their portraits into a 24” circle wooden wall art piece, and when I pulled it out of the box I literally gasped. It truly took my breath away with how beautiful it was, and I’m so excited for it to be hanging in Austin’s nursery.

I loved the beautiful neutral set-ups that just let this sweet baby’s creamy skin and dark hair POP. He was so sleepy and angelic, and it really was a dream session!

Doesn’t he look so sweet in navy and white stripes? This is one of our studio outfits, and I love how perfectly it fits sweet little Austin! The way he crosses his tiny feet just melts my heart, too!

FAQ's for Baby Photographers | Saratoga Springs NY and Boston MA Newborn Photographer

I’ve been a baby photographer since 2012, and I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of adorable babies & children in New York & Massachusetts.  Before every session I schedule a pre-consultation with my clients, and it’s usually a simple phone call to answer any questions and give them a feel for what the session involves. 

Over the years I’ve answered the same questions dozens of times, so I thought I would compile them into a helpful FAQ post for new clients!

Have a question that I haven’t answered here?  Drop me an email to hello@nicolestarrphotography.com and I would be happy to chat with you!

What is the best age to photograph?  I’m worried my baby is too young — or too old!

Our newborn sessions typically take place during the first two weeks after a baby is born.  I usually like to see babies at the studio after day 5 because they’re getting the hang of eating by then, and if your baby had a circumcision he’ll be healed and comfortable on his belly by then.

BUT WHY SO YOUNG?  Well, during those first two weeks your baby is still getting used to life outside the womb.  They are very sleepy and flexible, allowing me to achieve many of those adorable and cozy poses with them all curled up tight.  After two weeks their limbs become more rigid and less flexible, and they are often much more alert as they begin to stretch and explore the space around them.  Baby acne usually arrives between weeks 3-4, so ideally we’ll plan your session before then. 

For milestone sessions, around months 3-4 is perfect because your little one is smiling, reacting to the world around them, and getting used to tummy time with better neck control by then.  I also love love LOVE milestone sessions between months 6-9 when your baby is sitting up unassisted.  When babies are upright they are so happy and content, and their personality just shines.  This is my favorite age to photograph!

For birthday sessions, we schedule these between months 10-13 depending on how soon before the first birthday party you would like your finished artwork!

Help!  I have no idea what I want to do with my photos!

I hear this all the time, and many families originally think, “I’ll just get the digitals and decide later on.”  But you know what happens 90% of the time when families do this?  Those JPEGs sit in a file on their computer and never get looked at.  Life gets in the way and the images never get printed for a year, two years, three years.

That’s why I make it a priority to schedule your gallery reveal and ordering appointment within two weeks of your session.  We set aside an hour together to go through your gallery, see what products there are, and find which possibilities are the very best fit for your family!  I want to help you enjoy your images & artwork right away, and to find the best way for your images to fit into your lifestyle. 

Here are a few popular possibilities for what to do with your images besides lose them on a hard drive somewhere:
-Create birth announcements, birthday party invitations, or thank you cards to mail to family & friends
-Enjoy a linen-covered album from your session, or from your baby’s entire first year!
-Decorate the walls of your nursery.  We can even plan your session style to coordinate with the nursery theme and colors.  
-Grandparents love photo gifts.  Let’s give them some beautiful new artwork!
-Hang a large family portrait in a  place that will put a smile on your face every day.

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Where do your sessions take place?

Most of our portrait sessions are in the studio.  Lifestyle newborn sessions and lifestyle family sessions take place at home — these are relaxed and generally unposed, and I don’t bring props or complicated set-ups with me.  These sessions showcase real life happening in real spaces in your home. 

I love shooting outdoors in the warmer months.  Here in the northeast, that generally means May through October, but for really young babies who are sensitive to temperature changes, I would recommend scheduling between June and September if you’re hoping to head outside.    Warm babies are happy babies, and happy babies make for great photographs!

What do you have in your studio?

Lots of simple backdrops, neutral colors, a few classic props, faux fur rugs, plenty of wraps and blankets, headbands, and handmade tiny outfits.  I do use one studio light for all of our sessions, so you’ll see a big umbrella with a light in it, too.  During our newborn sessions we turn the heat WAY up in the studio so that your little one is comfy, and it’s very toasty in there with our fake fireplace going strong.

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I’m so worried that my child is going to be fussy or cranky!  What happens then?  

Kids and babies are so unpredictable, and I am used to their changing moods.  Most babies act differently on photo day because they’re in a new space, with a new person, and they can sense that their parents are stressed or nervous.  First, I recommend that you stay calm and trust me to capture beautiful images of your baby.  Know that we will go with the flow and do everything possible to keep your baby in a cheerful mood.  If your baby senses that you are anxious, they will feed off of your anxiety, so stay calm!

I have so many tricks for newborns to create an environment that will lull them into a relaxed state.  You’ll see me use heat, wraps, shushing, rocking, and other little tricks to put them right to sleep.

Older babies are easily distracted and I’ll use songs, games, and toys to grab their attention.  If they start to get fussy, a quick distraction with a new toy or song will engage them and make them forget whatever it was they were fussing about in the first place!  Some babies need a break for fresh air, a walk around the studio, a favorite snack, cuddles, or a song on your phone.  That’s okay!  I am always generous with time, and if your little one needs a few extra minutes to settle in we’ll take our time.  Follow my lead, and we’re going to have a great time together!

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What if my child is sick the day of the session?

Tell me right away!  Healthy babies are happy babies, and I’m usually able to reschedule your session.  Ideally you’ll tell me as far in advance as you are able (48 hours before is perfect if you notice your little one is coming down with something), but we don’t want to force a baby through a session when you know that he’s cranky because he has a fever.

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This is kind of embarrassing, but I’m worried my baby might pee (or poop!) on something in the studio…

It wouldn't be the first time that has occurred!  Poop happens, and it’s nothing to worry about. 

We keep wipes on hand to clean everything up quickly, and everything gets washed and sanitized after the session.  Don’t be embarrassed, and please don’t apologize a million times.  I expect a little mess to happen with every session, and if we get a baby who doesn’t soil something during their session, I consider it a fluke and we were very lucky that day!

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What should my baby wear? 

For studio newborn sessions, you don’t have to bring a thing!  I have everything you need in the studio.  Your images will be classic and timeless with a simple wrap, bare skin, or one of my unique hand-knit outfits that are so tiny and perfectly sized for your baby.

For lifestyle newborn sessions, we’ll also use wraps or pretty swaddles that you have at home.  A classic white onesie is always perfect — the smaller the better.  Because newborns are so tiny, they are swimming in most newborn clothes and all that extra fabric never photographs well, so be sure to try their outfit on ahead of time to ensure that it’s snug and not too baggy.

Milestone sessions are a little bit different.  For 3-4 months we’ll generally just do a few wraps and simple rompers that I have in the studio.  If you have a snug knit outfit (so many cute options at Zara Baby!), send me a picture ahead of time.

For 6 months and up, there are so many cute options for your baby.  Check out Etsy for adorable rompers and overalls in knit fabrics.  Look for neutral colors that aren’t too busy or distracting for the most classic look.  Details like lace, pockets, stripes, texture, and embroidery are always fun, too. 

A note on headbands — babies have tiny heads.  Let’s not overwhelm them with huge puffy flower headbands.  I have petite tiebacks that are the perfect size to complement your baby’s perfect features without being too distracting.  If you’d like to bring something, the smaller the better. 

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How about those cute crocheted outfits I see at big box stores and on Etsy?

Okay, I’m going to be really honest with you here….  No.  Don’t do it.  Those crocheted turtles, foxes, and firemen outfits are never the proper size for a newborn baby.  They are always much too big and leave gaping holes when you put them on the baby, plus the crochet stitch doesn’t lie as smoothly to hug a baby’s curves like knitting does. 

Plus I have found that the yarn is usually a very poor quality that causes the poor little babies to overheat, and nearly 100% of the time when you put a baby in one of those hats and diaper covers they get itchy and hot.  They’re fussy and inconsolable within seconds.  I’m sorry to say it, but as cute as they are on the hanger they’re not that cute on a fussy, crying, sweating baby. 

Instead, we can do a tiny prop or accent in your set-up to represent that turtle, fox, fireman (or whatever other theme it is you loved!).  I’ve had babies holding their dad’s police badge, posed on a fireman’s helmet, and snuggling up with a tiny felted animal like a teddy bear or a penguin.  I’ll use the outfits we have in the studio that are high-quality fibers that allow your baby’s skin to breathe, and that are sized perfectly to their tiny bodies.  

An Awake Newborn Session with Nora Jude in our Saratoga Springs Portrait Studio

Not every baby is a sleepy little newborn, and sometimes we get the tiniest clients who are also the most alert despite all of my efforts to lull them to sleep (heat, swaddles, white noise, a full belly, gentle rocking, and so many more tricks that usually work for 90% of our newborn sessions!).  

Nora Jude was the tiniest, most perfect little baby girl, and she wanted nothing more than to watch everything that was going on during her newborn session.  At 13 days old, she didn't want to miss a thing, so we went with the flow and captured plenty of wide-eyed shots of this brand new baby.  I just love all of the different expressions she gave me during our little staring "show-down"!

I eventually won the staring contest, and this sweet 6-pound girl drifted off to sleep so that we could capture some adorable, sleepy poses.

Of course, a subtle Christmas set-up was a must for this winter baby!

As I was looking through my viewfinder to take this family portrait, I remember saying, "Oh my gosh, this is definitely a new favorite family portrait!  I just love this pose!"  Mom, dad, and baby look so cozy together, and you can really tell how small their daughter is all curled up in dad's hands like that.  This is definitely a family pose that we will see more of in the studio!

If you loved Nora's session, you're going to adore these next two on the blog!
Emma Adele
Quinn Madlina

Did you know that we are now booking newborn sessions through March 2018?  Most moms reserve their session in the second or third trimester to save a flexible date on the calendar for their little one's arrival.  Let's chat!

Booking a Safe Newborn Photographer - Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Camille's Studio Newborn Session with Big Sister Lydia - Boston Baby Photographer

We are in the middle of a BABY BOOM around here, and I am so excited to share all of our recent studio newborn sessions and lifestyle newborn sessions.  Let's start it off with sweet little Camille's session at our Attleboro portrait studio.  

Filled with soft fabrics and whimsical colors, this session was a dream to photograph!  I particularly loved watching Camille's big sister Lydia with her new baby sister -- so many adorable moments together!

Plus, who doesn't love baby back rolls?  Squishy newborns are my favorite! 

While I don't typically do a lot of black & whites, I just love the simplicity of this white-on-white image, and now I'm eager to do more in this style!  The little lace headband was perfect on Miss Camille.

We have a new chair in the studio.  It's a linen and whitewashed wooden chair that I have spent months searching for, and I'm so happy with how beautiful it is in sibling and parent shots for our newborn clients!  The chair arms made it the perfect spot for big sister Lydia to sit securely with her new baby sister, and I love this adorable moment shared with her mama!

Every single newborn session includes family portraits as we celebrate your baby's arrival together.  These ones were just so adorable, and I have so many favorites from this session!  Just look at how excited she is about her new baby sister!

If you loved this session, you're going to ADORE these other newborn sessions at our studio!
Emerson's Blush Pink Session

Matthew's White & Cream Studio Session

Brynley's Newborn Session with Tulips

Emerson's Blush Pink Newborn Session | Saratoga Springs NY Newborn Photographer

Bring me all of your baby girls, pretty please?  

I just love these studio newborn sessions filled with soft colors, lace, and floral details.  Emerson's newborn session had all of that, plus some twinkly lights.

Did you know that we like to do our studio newborn sessions within the first two weeks of the baby's arrival?  At this age, babies are still very sleepy and squishy, so it's easier to settle them into those adorable curly poses that parents love so much.  

Sweet little Emerson had the most beautiful peaches and cream complexion, and our blush pinks and creams were the perfect accent to highlight this beautiful baby girl's features.  Before every newborn session we talk about each family's style, the colors in their home, and the colors in their nursery.  Then I pull a few wraps, blankets, and baskets or buckets in coordinating colors to create a beautifully styled and unique session for each baby!

Those tiny little details are always one of my favorite things to capture during our newborn sessions -- tiny toes, fingers with little dimples on their knuckles, and those itty bitty lips blowing sweet little milk bubbles.  Those are the things you're going to want to remember years from now when your baby is all grown up, which is why it's a priority to capture them now in those first few weeks of life!

Every newborn session is a celebration of a growing family, and parent shots are a must-have at every single session.  You'll always want to remember the way your baby curled up in your arms, and the feel of her against your chest with her own breath rising and falling against you.  I love these sweet moments we captured of Emerson with her parents during her session!

Newborn sessions are typically reserved BEFORE the baby is born, and it's best to contact your photographer in the second or third trimester!  We're now booking newborn sessions through December 2017.  What are you waiting for?  

A White & Cream Newborn Session with Matthew | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Ohhhhh, sweet Matthew.  There is nothing I love more than a brand new baby, all squishy & soft against a simple, clean white backdrop.

It's always an honor when a family invites me into their lives to capture their newborn baby's portraits.  What makes it even better is when they come back to me later on with Baby #2.  I first met this sweet family when their first son was born.  (Check out big brother Joey's newborn session here!)  Then when they told me that Baby #2 wouldn't be far behind, I was thrilled to plan their next session with them!

One of the things that left me awe-struck was just how much big brother Joey and baby brother Matthew look like each other.  Heads full of dark, soft newborn hair.  The same eyes and tiny little chins.  They are so adorable and handsome, all rolled up into such a tiny bundle!

One of the (many) amazing things about working with families who return to the studio with each baby is witnessing the tiny changes that only I would notice in their family & parent images.  The way that their expressions change from surprise/awe/wonder with the first baby, and settle into an easier, contented joy with the second baby.  You can see it in the way they relax their eyes, their face, their shoulders.  In the way that they are 1,000% more comfortable and natural holding the baby the second time around.  It's like, "Yeah, we're parents now.  We've done this before.  We've got this!"  I love watching that transition!

There is just so much love in these family portraits, and it's multiplied when we bring big brother in to get to know his baby brother!  Family portraits with a toddler and newborn are always tricky, but so, so worth it!

Sleepy Newborn Photos - Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

Ask any newborn photographer -- there is nothing we love more than a sleepy, cuddly newborn baby!  Those little baby yawns that come right before they slip into what we lovingly call a "milk drunk" state of sleep are the best!  

So why do photographers love sleepy newborn babies so much?  Well, they are much easier to settle into a pose without stretching or startling themselves awake.  For a baby that is just a week or two old, when they are awake they typically want to eat.  Of course, you didn't hire a newborn photographer to capture dozens of photos of your baby eating, so we like a baby to have a full belly and be nice and settled during their session.

When a newborn baby is in a deep sleep during a studio session, it's easy to move them from the beanbag to buckets and other small props to curl them up inside of.  

This also gives your photographer the chance to really slow down and zoom in on all of the details that you don't want to forget -- their perfect pout, the flaky newborn skin on their hands, their tiny toes, and that thin layer of downy newborn hair on their back.

Plus, sleepy newborn smiles are OH-SO-AMAZING!!!

But do newborn babies need to be asleep during their newborn sessions?
No, of course not!  

I actually love it when they're awake for a few shots so that we can capture their sparkly eyes and intense gaze.  Check out yesterday's blog post filled with so many of
our favorite awake newborn images from recent sessions!
 

Wide Awake Newborn Portraits - Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

I'm going to let you in on a little secret...

Whether it's a lifestyle newborn session at home, or a newborn session here in my Saratoga Springs studio, it's not always guaranteed that the baby will fall asleep!  

Of course, newborn sessions go much more smoothly (and quickly!) when the fresh new baby is asleep most of the time.  We're able to pose the baby into those adorable little curled up poses, wrap them in swaddles, unwrap them, and move them from one setup to another without disturbing them.  

But sometimes, babies are curious little things and they like to see everything that is going on around them -- I swear they must be wondering who this girl with the camera is!  So when we have awake babies during a newborn session, we go with the flow and capture their sparkling eyes and their powerful gaze.  And we hope that they eventually fall asleep by using the million-and-one tricks that I have up my sleeve as a newborn photographer to get tiny little babies to fall into Dreamland!

I do love it when we get those wide-eyed shots during our newborn sessions, though!  This typically happens more often during our lifestyle sessions at home, and it's a great opportunity to capture some portraits in their crib, and cuddles with mom & dad.  If we're bringing siblings in (especially toddlers) that is always much easier with an asleep newborn, though!

So many beautiful little babies!  Check back on the blog tomorrow for another post with a few of our favorite SLEEPY newborn shots from recent sessions!

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Did you know that the best time to book your newborn session is in the second or early in the third trimester?  We are now booking newborns for August, September, October, and November, and I would love to plan the perfect session with you!  

A Studio Newborn Session with Tulips - Boston Newborn Photographer

You know how some things were just meant to be, and certain paths were meant to lead people together?  I 100% believe in that, and it rang true with sweet little Brynley Marie's newborn session at our Attleboro portrait studio.

Right before her session I headed to the florist to pick up some fresh blooms for Brynley's session.  After a streak of one newborn boy after another, I was excited to bring some pretty florals in for a baby girl.  I knew I wanted tulips, and there were only two colors there that day: pink or yellow.  I went with the pink, and I'm so glad I did!  Read on to hear the full story.  

When Brynley's mother walked into the studio and saw the little setup with our pink tulips, I turned around right as I heard her exclaim, "Oh my god, pink tulips!" 

Although we had never talked about this in our pre-consultation, the fates aligned as Jill told me the story of pink tulips in her life.  When Jill (baby Brynley's mother) was born, her aunt brought her a bouquet of pink tulips in the hospital.  Every year after that, her mother gave her pink tulips on her birthday.  When Brynley was born, the excited new grandmother brought pink tulips into the hospital to welcome her granddaughter into the world.  And then at her newborn portrait session, I coincidentally also had pink tulips for this sweet baby girl!

Truly, it couldn't have been more perfect!

We didn't stop with just tulips!  This springtime baby enjoyed lots of beautiful florals in her session, and I am in LOOOOOOOVE with the portraits that we created in the studio.  Brynley was nice and sleepy, which allowed us to capture these sweet poses all curled up and dreamlike.

Capturing portraits of the new mommy & daddy is always one of my favorite parts of our newborn sessions.  It's so magical to be able to see yourself through someone else's eyes, capturing the swirl of emotions that you're feeling during your first days as a family of three.  These are portraits that you're going to come back to year after year, when your baby no longer curls up in your arms or comes to you asking you to kiss their boo-boo.  

Many years from now when they are all grown up, your baby will have a baby of their own.  And you know what they'll want to see, hear, and know?  What life was like for YOU as a new parent when you welcomed them into your family.  They will want to connect with you and share in this life-changing experience with you.  These family portraits are the very beginning of their story, and they are worth capturing every single time.  

I tell all of the moms & dads that I work with -- get in the picture.  You will never, ever regret it.

Check out a few of our recent studio newborn sessions!  

Killian's Cream & Gray Newborn Session

Blake Vivian's Nautical Newborn Session

We are now booking newborns at our Saratoga Springs & Attleboro studios, and the best time to book is during your second trimester.  Be sure to reserve your spot early as we do fill up quickly!

Rainbow Baby Mateo: A Fresh 48 Hospital Newborn Session

Mateo Rocco
January 31, 2016

Mateo's mom & dad waited a long time to hold their baby boy in their arms.  Mateo's name means "a gift from God," and he truly is a gift to his parents.  He is their rainbow baby, a miraculous gift that made them parents again after they lost their first daughter much too early due to a genetic condition.  

Mateo's parents could not wait to welcome this little boy into their family and to meet their first daughter's little brother.  I've read that some people believe rainbow babies to be handpicked for families by their siblings in heaven.  What a wonderful concept.

When I visited Mateo's family in the hospital for their Fresh 48 session, the powerful love that these new parents shared for their baby boy was breathtaking.  During the moments of calm in their hospital room, they shared the sweetest moments as they got to know their son for the first time.

From the first cuddles to sharing duties and chatting about who does a better job with the swaddle, Mike & Christine were the most calm, relaxed, and chill new parents that I have met.  They were just so happy to bring their baby boy home later that day, and it was clear that the many months anticipation brought them to a moment of pure joy & peace.

Mateo was a sleepy little thing the entire time I visited them in the hospital moving easily from his bassinet to the bed to his parents' arms.

Newborn Baby Tommy: Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Everyone has their ideal client, and you work hard to find them.  But what I'm noticing is that more and more often, my perfect clients are finding ME.  We chat during their pre-consultation, and they mention simple set ups, a focus on baby, soft neutral colors, and the most tender family moments that they want captured on camera.  

Tommy's family was no exception, asking for a pure & simple session with soft grays, blues, whites, and a few nautical touches to tie in with his nursery theme.  I had been dreaming of the perfect nautical image for awhile now, and I was so happy to finally bring it to life!

Tommy's mom is an active member of the local Boston blogging community.  She manages her own health & fitness website and video collection at www.sarahfit.com.  She has shared with the world her personal journey of a healthy pregnancy and continues to share health and fitness tips for the postpartum mom.  

This gorgeous mama came in for their session, and she truly glowed with happiness while holding her brand new baby boy in her arms.

His dad definitely shared a few "proud papa" moments, too.  Watching a new dad with their baby is always the sweetest thing!  I'm so happy we captured these moments for their family.

Finally, is there anything sweeter than itty bitty baby toes?  No, I don't believe there is.  Tommy was such a little charmer, and his parents are lucky to cuddle with this sweet bundle of love every day.

9 Tips for Surviving Life with a Newborn

I am so excited to announce our next collaboration with you!  Over the next few months we will be sharing the blog space with local moms & mompreneurs.  Our guest bloggers will share with you a peek into their personal lives, the moments they were able to laugh about, and their expertise from what they have learned on this journey called motherhood.  

I truly believe that the relationships I love to cultivate with families I work with are about more than just photos.  These relationships are about your stories, the experiences that connect us all together, and the experiences that every single one of you who comes to this blog can relate to.  

With that, I am happy to introduce you to Melanie Venuti, our first guest blogger.  Melanie is a mom to an active little toddler, with Baby #2 on the way.  Through MV Breastfeeding Support (www.mvbreastfeedingsupport.com), Melanie supports families individually through counseling as well as in group classes, sharing her expertise on breastfeeding and parenting success. Melanie is excited to share her 9 tips for surviving the first few weeks at home with your newborn.

As we left the hospital after the birth of my son, my husband encouraged me to sit in the back seat because he said "that's what you’re supposed to do!", he drove slow on the highway and kept the music low so we didn't wake the sleeping baby. Upon arriving home, we walked into the house, placed the car seat down and gazed at our new beautiful baby and each other. They let us leave the hospital and we are now responsible for this tiny human being! What now...? 

 The first six weeks of your baby’s life are a series of ups and downs. But here are some tips and ideas that may make the transition easier for you.

As a new mom, I felt like I needed to do it all to be the best mom, super mom, super woman! But who was I kidding? Boy did I wish I didn’t forbid my husband from laundry that time he washed the white and navy towels at the same time, boy do I wish my friend came over every night with grilled chicken and butternut squash, boy do I wish I took advantage of all my friends and family who said ‘what can we do for you?’. After the birth of your baby, you are responsible for caring for your baby, so allow for your friends and your family to nurture and care for you.

It's ok to mourn the loss of your old life, but laugh about it. Those moments when I would wear the nursing pillow, feed my baby, and attempt to eat my own meal while trying to weed off my dog from stealing my sandwich all at the same time, Hubby and I would look at each other, and say ‘What did we do?’. We laughed about it, and joked about what used to be and how we used to be able to do xyz! Don’t expect perfection, having a baby is a lifestyle adjustment, and you want to do the best you can.

Remember, you are also recovering from delivery and adjusting to life with a newborn, aka a tiny human who consumes your every moment. For the first week or 2, pay attention to what your body is telling you and don’t hesitate to say no to visitors.  

You have probably heard Sleep when the Baby Sleeps, but to be honest, I never found this to be realistic. I could never get into a deep enough, restful sleep during the day, and there are other things that I want to do while baby sleeps…like shower, eat a snack, and/or watch an episode of The Walking Dead. So I think Rest when the Baby Sleeps is a better and more obtainable goal.

You may not have the time to prepare the most balanced meals in the early days, so keeping some easy and healthy grab and go snacks on hand will be a huge help. Things like cheese sticks, yogurt and granola, fruits with nut butters, or other snacks that offer a protein boost will keep you energized.

After your baby is born, and you and your baby are learning to breastfeed together, sometimes it can be a little bit uncomfortable, and this is when you want to ask for help. When breastfeeding is painful, it typically means that something isn’t right with positioning, latch, engorgement, or even water retention or swelling. A Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help! An IBCLC has specialized skills in breastfeeding management and uses a problem solving approach and makes appropriate recommendations as needed to ensure breastfeeding success.

A newborn baby is not born with a handbook, and most certainly is not going to respond to a strict schedule early on. They are born into a world that is very different than their ‘norm’ in the womb. They have to experience things like hot and cold, gravity, lights, the sensation of being hungry, the sensation of having to poop…tough life! It takes them a bit of time to adjust and we want to be able to support that with having realistic expectations for their needs and demeanor.  It will take some trial and error to find a good balance for what works for your baby and for you.

All joking aside, a newborn baby does require quite a bit of sleep, but it may not necessarily be during the times of day that you would like to or are used to sleeping. Help your baby differentiate between day and night early on by doing things like keeping the rooms bright during the day and dim to dark at night, or changing their clothing in the morning to play clothes vs. pajamas which are for night time. I am also a HUGE fan of swaddling a baby for sleep. There is lots of research that supports swaddling being an essential to quality sleep for the first several months of baby’s life. Swaddling a baby with their arms down will help them feel safe, warm, and sleep longer.

Childbirth and new parenthood can trigger a jumble of emotions from joy to extreme fear, as well as something unexpected: depression. About 9-16% of women experience Postpartum Depression (PPD) and up to 80% of women report having some degree of Baby Blues after delivery. Baby Blues may include symptoms of anxiety, mood swings and crying spells, and almost always resolve after the first 2-3 weeks. Some women, however, experience more severe symptoms and this is characterized as Postpartum Depression. If you experience symptoms of Baby Blues or PPD, help is available so talk to your health care provider.
 

My son is now 15 months and we survived, we did it, kudos to me and Hubby! We thought we did such a great job that we are doing it again, Baby #2 arriving this summer. Having a baby is a life altering, scary, joyful, wonderfully exciting and the most fun you will ever have. Although the first few weeks are a bit overwhelming, and perhaps not quite as blissful as the movies make it out to be, you get through it, it’s just a faze, and remind yourself, this too shall pass, you're doing a great job!

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What other tips would you share with new parents about surviving life with a newborn?  We'd love to hear them and help out the new moms & dads that follow our blog.  Leave them in the comments below!  

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Welcome Baby Frankie: A Fresh 48 Hospital Newborn Session

Frank Peter
January 20, 2016

This little boy is already so, so loved.  Baby Frankie (named after his father) arrived on a chilly winter day, and his big sisters rushed to the hospital to shower him in kisses and to visit with mom and dad.  

Although their postpartum room in the hospital was bustling with activity, there was an intense calm that surrounded the family as they "oooohh-ed" and "aaaahh-ed" over their newest addition while the most magical light came streaming through the windows. 

I just love the LOVE captured in these moments.  The way the new mom watches her oldest daughter while she meets her baby brother?  Oh my goodness, it melts my heart!  This has got to be one of my favorite stories I have ever captured on camera.

It is such an amazing moment, welcoming a new baby and slowing it all down to meet your new little brother.  You've waited a very long time for this moment, and it is truly magical to hold that little boy in your arms and know that he is all yours.

It took Little Sister a little while to warm up to the new baby, but surrounded by the ones that love her the most, she was definitely intrigued enough to cozy up close and meet this new member of her family.

Watching this family of 5 bask in the happiness and love that comes with their baby's arrival was truly magical.  They are just the sweetest and I had such a wonderful time getting to know them as they celebrated this huge milestone in their family's story.  

Thank you so much, B family, for inviting me into your lives to capture this story for you.  You will truly treasure these moments for the rest of your lives.

And of course, tiny baby yawns and teeny baby toes are my favorite details to capture.  Baby Frankie was no exception, and he makes yawns and toes look oh-so-adorable.  Such a sweetheart!

2015 Year in Review Video by Nicole Starr Photography

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

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

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

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

A Dreamy Session with Newborn Twins | Albany & Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

Sometimes miracles come in pairs.

Finley Grace & Bella James

I love photographing newborns.  Absolutely adore it.  But when you bring newborn twins to me?  Oh my gosh, I'm in heaven!

After arriving one month early and spending some time in the NICU, I was so excited to finally snuggle with these baby girls in the studio.  They are just the sweetest little things, and I adored our session together.  Creamy, dreamy, whimsical & soft are my favorite types of sessions, and this one was no exception!  I love the soft, neutral colors that allow the babies to be the focus of the session, the way we had the most perfect light streaming through the studio windows to illuminate these new parents and their love, and the most peaceful little girls that slept the entire time.

I adore the stunning mama and baby portrait, below.  I recently came across a motherhood quote, and when I read it this photograph immediately came to mind.

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  

She never existed before.  

The woman existed, but the mother, never.  

A mother is something absolutely new."  ~Rajneesh

Love this fun shot of the babies in their daddy's arms!  They won't be that tiny forever, and it's amazing to see and look back on.

The best compliment that you can give a photographer is to have an emotional connection to the portraits that we take and the moments that we capture.  The photo below is the one that brought tears to their mom's eyes during our reveal session.  I just LOVE that a photograph can do that, and I'm truly honored that the photographs I take of your children mean so much.  <3  

And we'll finish with my favorite shot of Finley & Bella, two little twins all snuggled up together.  I love how they just curl up together and mold their limbs together into one tiny little space.  

Check out other newborn twin sessions here, here & here.

Love the clean and organic look of these photographs?  Me too!  View Lucy's clean and simple newborn session.

A Clean & Simple Newborn Session

Photographers are artists, and we find inspiration everywhere.  Our style is constantly evolving, and we are always learning.  I love that I have the opportunity to explore, create, and grow through the sessions and the families that I work with.  I've always been drawn to bright, clean images -- whites, creams, soft shadows, tiny details, and the simplicity that comes with a classic portrait. After being inspired and learning more about minimalist newborn photography in a recent workshop, I decided to go that route with Lucy's newborn session.

Clean & classic.  Simple.  Pure.

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This one below is, perhaps, my favorite image from the entire session.  Her tiny pursed lips, those sweet little back rolls, and those full cheeks just make me want to cuddle right up with her!

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My new macro lens was perfect for these detail shots.  Babies grow so quickly, and capturing these tiny details is always a priority in my sessions!

During Lucy's newborn session, we started with family portraits outdoors and even took a few stunning newborn portraits outside of this sweet new arrival.  Her family's portraits are filled with smiles, kisses, and fall colors.  You can view the rest of her session here in this post.

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I'd love to hear what you think of this new clean & simple style.

Leave a comment below!  Thank you!