8 Tips to Prepare for your Newborn Portrait Session | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

I know this whole "planning a newborn session" thing can feel a little overwhelming—after all, it’s your first time and there’s so much to think about! But don’t worry, you’re in good hands. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding hundreds of families through their newborn portraits over the past 12+ years in my Saratoga Springs studio. I’m here to make this as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. From choosing the right outfits to prepping your little one (and yourself) for the session, I’ll walk you through every step. Here’s my top tips to prepare for your studio newborn session so that you can enjoy this truly special process! 

Before Your Session

Plan your outfits for the family portraits before the baby is here. 

Once you’re home with a newborn, you’re not going to have time to run to the store and try a bunch of tops or dresses on. Figure out what everyone is going to wear ahead of time to make it that much easier when it comes to the week of your session. I recommend considering working with a photographer who offers a client closet where moms can choose from gorgeous dresses in flattering cuts and fabrics that look amazing on postpartum mamas. Being able to make your session even more stress-free is one of the main reasons I love being able to offer my baby and mama wardrobes! 

Preparing Your Baby for Portraits

Your little one is the star of the show, so we want them to be comfortable during your time in the studio! To help them stay cozy, I wrap newborn babies in the variety of wraps, hats, and headbands I have in the studio. But there’s a few things you can do at home to help your little one feel sleepy and ready to curl up for us:

Give your baby a sponge bath before our session. Don’t forget the lotion after you’re done! I recommend dressing your little one in a onesie that has a zipper or snaps up the front, so we don’t have to disturb them if they’re asleep when you arrive. 

What to do 2-3 Hours Before Your Session

A few hours before your session, it is essential that you help your baby get sleepy enough to pose for us. Feed your little one 2-3 hours before arriving for your session. Keep your baby awake and alert during that time too. Try not to bundle your baby up or they’ll fall right asleep! Once you arrive, plan to give your baby another feeding. They should be ready to slip into the famous “milk coma” once you’re done and nice and sleepy for our posing! 

Bring a Pacifier

Even if you don’t plan to use a pacifier regularly at home, I recommend having one on hand for your newborn session. “Soothies” (the green pacifiers) are great for newborns! They can work wonders for soothing your baby during portraits, so consider grabbing one one for your time in the studio. 

During Your Newborn Portraits 

Sit back & relax

As soon as your little one is asleep, I will ask to take over with your baby. Sit back, relax, and just enjoy some quiet time. Don’t worry about anything! One of the reasons I ask to take over moving your little one is because babies can smell their moms, which can unsettle them. They pick up on stress, so it’s important to just take a deep breath. I’m a mom of two and have been photographing babies for over 12 years, so I promise I know what I’m doing! The reality is that babies will fuss and cry during our time in the studio. Clients have dubbed me “the baby whisperer” and I’ll use my many techniques to help soothe and calm your little one. 

Your little one’s safety is my top priority and I will never put your baby into an unsafe position - just for a portrait. I may ask you to help hold their head or support them. It’s a fun opportunity for us to create images you’ll treasure forever. 

Cleanliness

Pee and poop will happen during your newborn session. It happens and I’m always prepared for it. Please don’t be embarrassed! It’s natural and I promise you, I’m ready for it. 

Leave your cameras at home

To ensure that I can capture the best images for your family, I respectfully ask that you leave your cameras at home. Trust me to capture your portraits - and the ones that will beat any cell phone photo you could take. I truly want you to be able to relax in our warm and cozy studio while I document your precious little baby! (PS. The studio WILL be warm! I keep it nice and toasty for your little one so they’re comfortable - so just be prepared!).

After Your Session

If you know me at all, you know that I love the part after your session most of all, because going through your baby’s portraits is a truly magical process! I love seeing how we’re going to turn in whatever we captured into heirloom artwork that your family will treasure forever. You can expect a sneak peek online within a few days of the session. Please feel free to share it and tag me - but do not screenshot or alter the image in any way. 

Within 2 weeks of your session, I will come visit you at home. Together, we’ll design your birth announcements, as well as any heirloom keepsakes you’ve chosen. I love helping you figure out where you might want to display your new portraits! 

I hope this guide has helped take some of the guesswork out of planning your newborn session! Remember, this is a special time, and I’m here to help make sure you have beautiful, timeless images to cherish for years to come. There’s no need to stress about the little details—I’ve got the experience to make sure everything runs smoothly so you can focus on your sweet baby. If you have any questions or need any additional tips, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to capture these precious moments for you and your family!

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Classic blue and green newborn portraits for baby boy

Welcome to the world, Eamon! This sweet baby was born on St. Patrick’s Day, so it was important for us to include some green in his newborn portraits as a nod to his special birthday and heritage. In addition to the green, his parents loved our light blue romper and tiny teddy bear hats. I absolutely LOVED the romper on him! He was absolutely adorable the entire session and so easy to work with! 

Before newborn sessions, I help prepare my parents with a few tips to help their newborn session to be as successful as sweet Eamon’s was. One of the most important is to keep baby awake for an hour before the session. This helps ensure they’re ready to snuggle and sleep during our work together. I also encourage parents to give their babies a bath in the morning before coming to my Saratoga Springs studio so they’re awake but also relaxed! My studio is kept warm, helping babies drift into sleep as we swaddle and hold them. I always have my white noise going and we’ll take our time until your little one is ready (and if they don’t sleep, that’s okay!). Finally, plan for a full feeding right before our session. All of this will comes together for a happy, calm, easy to pose baby just like this little guy.

I truly loved baby Eamon and his parents. After our session, we sat down to pick out their favorite portraits for their beautiful heirloom album. I can’t wait for them to be able to flip through it together - and as Eamon grows up, too. What a special memory!

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Newborn portrait sessions with handmade pearl headbands

Welcome to the world Baby Vivienne! I’m so happy that I had a chance to bring this beautiful family back to my Saratoga Springs studio. 5 years ago, I captured  big sister Madeleine’s newborn portraits. Now she’s a big sister! It was very special to see how much she’s grown and to watch her bubbly personality shine through as she showed off her new baby sister.

This newborn session feels very springlike to me! We captured a few portraits inspired by Madeleine’s portraits a few years back - including the overhead circle bowl shot. It was special to recreate beautiful memories for this family. I’ve also added a bunch of new headbands including some with pearl details to the studio, which Vivienne’s mother chose for her daughter’s session. I love them so much and I’m so thrilled to see them being used. 

Many of my newborn clients fall in love with the soft colors and my natural style of newborn posing. I always choose to use minimal props to keep the focus on the baby. Pure and sweet, minimal is my focus - so I can capture the connection between family members. These sibling portraits of the girls are some of my all-time favorites, and the colors in the family’s outfits were perfect for the studio. Everything about Vivienne’s session just fit perfectly with my style and I’m so thrilled to be sharing it with you today! 

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A Checklist of What to Bring to Your Newborn Session

Preparing for your newborn session shouldn’t be a stressful experience! One of the reasons I love offering in-studio newborn portraits at my Saratoga Springs studio is that I’m able to take care of so much for my families. I want their newborn session to be something joyful, low stress, and enjoyable. So today, I’ve put together a quick checklist of what you should bring to your newborn sessions! You might be surprised that it’s just a few items…

Here’s what to bring to your newborn session:

A zip-up sleeper. Dress your little one in a zip-up sleeper (no snaps) so that it is easy to undress them when you arrive.

Pacifiers… Avoid a wub-a-nub or any pacifier with a stuffed animal attached to it, and just bring a plain pacifier. I like the Soothies brand, the green ones that the hospital uses because they’re easy to use and won’t leave any marks around baby’s face as they’re using them!

Milk! Be prepared to nurse or feed a bottle during the session, and bring whatever you need to be comfortable.

Comfy clothes for mom & dad to change into after we finish family portraits. I recommend light layers because we keep the studio toasty for the baby, who is used to a constant 98 degrees inside of you!

Diapers. Most babies go through 2-3 diapers during their portrait session. Sometimes less, sometimes more. I keep newborn diapers in the studio that you are welcome to use, but it doesn't hurt to keep your diaper bag is well-stocked, too.

Patience. We work around the baby's mood and if they need breaks to eat, get changed, and be soothed, we take our sweet time and keep your little one comfortable. Some babies calm more easily than others, and some babies need a little extra time and attention to settle into the poses. Eventually all babies give in to the white noise, the shushing, the heat, and the power of a good swaddle, and I guarantee you that we will capture the most beautiful portraits of your little one even if they need a little longer to feel comfortable. Be patient and just remember that your baby is in good hands!

That’s it - that’s all you need to bring to your newborn session. I have everything else on site that you might need including both a baby and mama wardrobe, carefully chosen props and setup pieces, and even spaces for families to rest during our portraits. Being a new parent can be hard, but having a successful newborn session is easy!

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Newborn Session with Blush and Cream Pumpkins

Meet Evelyn Marie, or "Evie" as her parents like to call her! This sweet little girl graced my studio recently for her fall inspired newborn portraits. From pumpkins to neutral colors in her setups, this session was a dream come true for fall lovers! You might recognize her parents because they were just featured on the blog during their maternity session. Evie decided to come 3 weeks early so they came back to the studio pretty quickly for their newborn session… but it was great to see them all again so soon!

One of my favorite parts about Evie’s newborn session was that we replicated some of the portraits we put together for their maternity session. It was really sweet to see the commonalities between their portraits! I know they’re going to look amazing together in their heirloom album. Patty and Jared were so much fun to work with for both their maternity and newborn session with Evie. I absolutely adore them both and I hope to see them again more over the next few years!

Enjoy this look into their fall newborn session to celebrate sweet Evie!!!

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Elselina's Newborn Portraits with Tulips

Elselina Alice and her family are so special to me. I photographed her big brother, Willem, throughout his whole first year. We captured his newborn, fresh 48 and cake smash sessions. When their mama reached out about capturing her maternity and newborn portraits for Elselina, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I just LOVE these four.

Mama wore one of our gowns from the studio wardrobe. She looked absolutely stunning in it, too! I love knowing that my mamas have one less thing to worry about by using the client wardrobe. It’s all about making your newborn portraits a stress-free experience. Willem was the proudest big brother! He couldn’t wait to show off Elselina!

While planning their session, Elselina’s mama told me that the pineapple has become a universal symbol for families struggling with infertility. The fruit reminds women to "stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside." It's a symbol meant to give women strength and solidarity when they are going through a difficult journey on their way to adding to their family. I love that this sweet family wanted to include pineapples to celebrate their miracle baby’s journey.

Since both Amy and her husband are Dutch, we also incorporated tulips to honor their heritage. They’re also Amy’s favorite flowers. I loved the touch of spring they brought to Elselina’s newborn portraits in the studio.

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Your Newborn Portrait Session: What to Expect

As a first-time mom, I know how overwhelming the idea of taking your brand new baby to a studio for a newborn portrait session can be. You just had a baby, you’re still recovering and you probably still feel a little sore and puffy, and you haven’t slept in what feels like months. The only place you’ve ventured out has been the pediatrician’s office, and even that felt like the big adventure for the day. And now you’re getting ready to go to the photography studio for your newborn session, and you’re not quite sure what to expect.

That’s where I can help make that all a little easier for you, mama.

I’ve been in your shoes as a brand-new mom, and I know exactly what you’re going through. Here on the blog I’m sharing a peek into what your newborn session will look like so that you can feel prepared and a little more confident as you head in there because you’ll now know what to expect. Here we go!

Choose a photographer that has plenty of experience posing newborns.  

Let’s start with the very first & most important thing. If you haven’t chosen a photographer yet, be sure to keep this in mind because all I want is for your little one to be comfortable and safe during their session, and for you to feel at ease the entire time.

While you may have loved your wedding photographer, if they are not specially trained in the art of newborn photography then they may not be the best fit when it comes time to handle your tiny and fragile 6 to 8 pound baby.  The same thing goes for your neighbor who just bought a fancy camera and who offered to try it out on your baby. 

A photographer who has been trained in newborn posing knows how to keep the baby comfortable, how to ensure that their airways are never obstructed, and how to ensure that blood is still circulating to all of their limbs even when they are wrapped up in a swaddle.  They are careful not to overextend their wrists and ankles when posing them, and they know just the right spots on their skull that they can touch to help reposition their head. They know how to get your baby to sleep and how to calm them when they are fussy.  They understand how to read a baby’s cues when they are uncomfortable, gassy, or hungry, and they know how to react to every possible scenario.  All of that is before they even pick up their camera.

If you choose a photographer who specializes in newborn photography and posing, then you will be able to sit back and relax during your little one’s session as the photographer takes gentle care of your little one while capturing their portraits.

When you arrive at the studio…

When families come to my studio I have them take their shoes off at the door to keep the floors clean for the babies & toddlers that we have in our space.  I let parents settle in on the studio sofa and I show them where the snacks and drinks are, and if big brother or sister is there we spend a little time in the toy corner to help them get acclimated to the new space.


Parents can change into their outfits for their portraits while I swaddle the baby. Sometimes baby will need a little more milk to be topped off before the session begins, and that’s okay!  We have plenty of time and we are never in any rush when it comes to your newborn baby’s portraits.

I invite parents to choose a few swaddles, headbands, hats, and layers for their baby’s portraits.  It helps to see all of the colors lined up for you to choose your favorites.  Then I make a pile of those and I work my way through them when we are doing your baby’s individual portraits later on in the session.  

The heater is on in the studio year-round to keep it nice and toasty for your little one, so be prepared to be a little warm while you’re here.  After we finish your family portraits you can get changed back into your comfy clothes, so dress in light layers and you’ll be all set!

What to expect during your newborn session with Saratoga Springs NY newborn photographer Nicole Starr Photography

First up come family portraits!

We start with mom first, and I pose baby in her hands.  Then we add in her partner and then big brother/sister join, too.  I try to move the baby as little as possible between groupings, so we’ll do a variety of portraits with mom holding the baby, add in dad and siblings, then switch to dad holding the baby and we’ll add in mom and siblings again.  

Because of the transitions and moving from one pair of hands to another, the baby is swaddled for the family portraits to help him or her stay calm and sleepy.  A sleepy baby is easy to pose, and that way we can pay more attention to things like getting big brother to look at the camera or kiss his new sister, moving mom’s hair out of her eyes, or fixing dad’s cuff on his shirt so that it falls just right in the portraits.

Then it’s baby’s turn!

After the family portraits you can sit back, relax on the couch, and help yourself to a snack.  Your baby will still be swaddled and I will start with a few classic portraits of baby in a classic neutral white/cream setup before moving on to the layers and swaddles that you selected at the beginning of the session.  

Sleepy babies are easier to pose.  However, I love it when babies are awake and we can capture some wide-eyed shots of them, but they usually wind up falling asleep with the combination of white noise, heat, and the swaddle.  We work with what we’ve got to keep baby comfortable and happy through out the session, so whether baby is awake or asleep, we will still capture beautiful portraits of them!

As the baby settles into a deeper sleep I begin re-wrapping them, gently pulling their little arms and legs out to pose them just so, moving them onto their tummy for the head-on-hands pose, and wrapping them in the womb pose where their legs are tucked up against their belly and we can see their legs, arms, and belly all curled up and cozy.  

If baby wakes up we read their cues to see if they are hungry or if they need a new diaper.  We usually need to take a break to feed baby during the session, and you can be ready to nurse or give a bottle during the session.  


Let’s talk about the messy stuff.  Pee & poop & spit up — it happens!  Everything in the studio is washable (including the couch!) and everything gets cleaned after every session anyways, so don’t worry too much about it.  I’m a mom and I’ve seen it all!  Plus, if you’re a first time parent I can usually give you some tips to make all of that messy stuff a little easier for you guys at home, too!  

After we have captured a variety of portraits of your little one, we are all done!  You have time to change & dress your baby, and if you need to feed them again before getting in the car you can absolutely do that, too.

After the session

If you’re comfortable with a sneak peek on social media, I usually share that 3-4 days after your session.  Then we will get together about 2 weeks later for your ordering appointment! 

We’ll design your birth announcements, choose your favorite family and baby portraits to hang on your walls, and select your favorite images for an album or a collection box.  This is always my favorite part when families fall in love with the images we created of their new baby!  

Once I send everything to print you’ll get it back between 2-6 weeks — certain products take closer to the 4-6 week mark, but prints, albums, and cards are always ready much, much sooner.  When everything is ready I will either come drop it off or put it in the mail to you, and you’ll start enjoying your images right away at home!

Any questions?  I’d be happy to chat with you about your little one’s portrait session. 
Click on the button below and let’s connect!

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Studio Newborn Portraits for Baby Jacob

I’m always so honored when families bring their new babies to me for their newborn portraits, and I especially enjoy when those babies grow up and become big brothers & sisters who visit the studio with their brand new sibling.

I’ve been capturing portraits for Jonas’s family since he was born, and now he’s a big brother! He visited the studio with Baby Jacob and we captured the most adorable family portraits. Just look at how mom & dad look at their boys!!

This sweet baby boy was a dream to pose. He was so sleepy and cuddly, and he curled right up into the sweetest poses. We used a mix of cream, white, blue & gray to match big brother’s newborn portraits and to complement the decor in their home.

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Henry's Newborn Portraits with Adorable Big Sister

I always love capturing family portraits during our studio newborn sessions. I love seeing how tiny the baby is in his parents’ arms, and the happy cuddles as everyone cozies up with the new baby. It’s always exciting when there is a big brother or sister and we can capture those adorable interactions, too!

Choosing what to wear is so important for studio newborn sessions. Neutral colors help the baby be the star of the show, and they are also classic so that they look amazing on your walls for years to come! More outfit tips here on the blog.

Henry’s newborn session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio was absolutely perfect. We captured the cutest family photos and plenty of individual portraits of their baby boy, too. Just a few years ago we were photographing Emma’s newborn session, and now here she is with a baby brother!

Want to know what my favorite part about this session was? Big sister Emma.

She was sooooo excited to be in photos with her baby brother, and even more excited when I placed him into her arms (for the very first time ever!). The joy on her face was unforgettable, and she kept giggling and looking to mom and dad with the proudest smile. It was so sweet!

Her first time holding her brother! Just look at that huge smile!

This pose of baby in dad’s hands is always a parent favorite!!

Sleepy little yawns are always fun to capture on camera! Especially in tiny striped outfits like this one!

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Older Newborn Portraits with Twins Lillian and Liam

What do you get when nearly 3 month old twins come to the studio for their newborn session? SMILES LIKE THIS!!!

I am absolutely obsessed with older newborn sessions now that we have had so many post-quarantine. I love that we’re still able to capture beautiful portraits of these babies while they are still tiny and new, even if they are a little older than the traditional 2-week old newborn session.

Lillian and Liam were such a joy in the studio, and I loved seeing these twins interact with each other (and with the camera!) during their older newborn session. You just don’t get expressions and eye contact like this with a baby who is only a few days old!

These babies spent the entire session switching off between who was awake and who was asleep. It made for some very engaging portraits! I especially loved these ones of them cuddled up in their parents arms. Plus, aren’t the parents’ outfits perfect? So beautiful and classic.

This mama is Super Mama! Her heart has grown to fit these two babies, and the love just shines in her expression!

Their nursery has a star and moon theme, and you know I love anything with gold stars in it! I really enjoyed creating this magical “twinkle twinkle little star” setup for the twins. And my new star headband from Polka Dot Poppy was perfect for Lillian!

The twins’ mama really wanted a blush & blue setup, so we made a sweet little heart for her babies. This was one of the family’s favorite portraits at their ordering appointment!

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Studio Newborn Portraits for Baby Boy & Big Sister

When this sweet family reached out to plan their older newborn session, I knew we were going to capture the most adorable awake portraits of their sweet baby boy with his big sister. What I didn’t expect was how little Matteo would absolutely blow me away with his many expressions! He melted my heart, and I loved capturing his portraits.

So many families have had to delay their newborn portraits due to the closures during covid, but there are actually so many advantages to working with an older newborn for their first photo session. Matteo was a perfect example by giving us a mix of relaxed alert time, and also some deep sleep that allowed for easy posing and those classic sleepy newborn photos.

We chose lots of neutrals and blues to match this family’s decor at home, and these portraits are going to look amazing up on their walls for them to enjoy every day!

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Why You Should Hire a Newborn Photographer that Focuses on Newborn Safety

Hiring a newborn photographer can sometimes feel like a daunting task.  You are looking for someone who is going to hold and handle your brand new baby in the first few weeks of their life.  Someone who will spend a few hours with your family as you navigate new territory with your first baby (or second! or third! or fourth!).  Someone who will treat your family with care, walk you through the portrait experience with ease, and deliver heirlooms that you will treasure for decades.  

One of the most important things to consider when hiring a newborn photographer is the photographer’s training and experience photographing and posing newborns.  Whether you are considering a Fresh 48, lifestyle, or studio portrait session, safety is such a huge consideration.

Why is this so important? 

• Newborns cannot hold their head up on their own, and they must be posed with care to not put any stress on their joints, their circulation, or their airways.

• Newborns are not able to tell you when they are uncomfortable, so an expert in posing will gently guide the baby into comfortable positions, including baby-led posing options that keep the baby’s comfort and mood as the #1 priority.

• Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature, so an experienced photographer will know just how warm to keep the room and how to keep the baby cozy and comfortable while posing them.

• Newborns have fragile immune systems, and a photographer that puts safety first will have systems in place to protect the health of all of their littlest clients.

There are many poses that you see online that are actually composites, which means the photographer brings 2-3 images together in Photoshop to create one final image.  This is because some of those cute little poses are not safe for baby to do on their own (for example, the popular “froggy” pose where baby rests their head on their hands while laying on their belly).  Other poses require a parent to support the baby’s head to prevent it from leaning uncomfortably to the side, and their fingers are edited out in Photoshop later on.  

Another huge aspect of newborn safety to consider is posing the baby with siblings. Children are unpredictable, which can put many parents on high alert around the baby as they worry that an impulsive action might hurt their new baby. An experienced newborn photographer will only pose siblings with baby in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the siblings — whether that is laying down on a soft blanket, sitting on a bed, or in mom & dad’s lap where they can lean in to baby while being fully supported by mom and dad. Parents are always nearby spotting the baby, and the photographer will keep the siblings engaged in a fun and interactive way while also letting them know how to be safe around the baby.

Often in our studio we pose the siblings laying down on a rug like this. I lay down first with big brother or sister to show them what to expect, and then I place a pillow in their arms and have them pretend to hug it like they will hug the baby. We make up a safe word together that will be the magic word to mean “all done” — usually it’s something silly like “hot dog” or “unicorn”, and we remind them that they cannot move or get up until we say the magic word. Finally, we lay a sleepy baby in their arms after all of those safety steps have been taken. Usually it takes just a few seconds to capture the perfect sibling portrait, and that’s because we spent a few minutes first prepping for it!

Another favorite sibling portrait is actually a composite (remember, that’s where 2 images are stitched together in Photoshop). Sometimes toddlers are hesitant to get too close to the baby, and we will pose baby all by herself first in a crate or a basket. Then we will take baby out and mom or dad can hold her, while the toddler poses with the same crate or basket. Then the two images are brought together to create one beautiful sibling portraits! We don’t always need to use this technique, and sometimes the toddler will snuggle up with baby in the basket, but it’s a nice little trick to have on hand in case we need it!

Please, please, please. Whatever you do in your search for the perfect newborn photographer, please be sure to communicate your expectations and your concerns to your photographer. Ask they about their experience and training in safety, and make sure you are 100% comfortable putting your baby in their care during your portrait session. Your baby is your most precious gift, and you want to be sure to find a photographer who will take care of your little one like they would their own baby.

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Mint, Navy & Cream Newborn Portraits for Baby Gabriel

Is there anything more beautiful & classic than a baby wrapped simply on a white blanket?

No, I don’t think there is!

I love embracing simplicity in our newborn portrait sessions. These brand new babies are so perfect, and I want to showcase their tiny fingers, the curve of their cheeks, those little wisps of hair, and their sleepy little movements & yawns. That is why we use simple backdrops in neutral colors, and clothing recommendations for mom and dad that won’t distract from their new bundle of joy. The focus is always on the baby.

We incorporated some pops of blue and mint into Gabriel’s newborn session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio, and I love how these colors look together!

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Best of 2019 Newborn Sessions with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

Every year I love going through all of my sessions and compiling a collection of favorites for a huge blog post, and this year I am so excited to share the “Best of 2019” newborn sessions!

I was truly honored to welcome so many babies to the studio and celebrate their arrival with their families. It really is the best job in the world to be invited into their lives to cuddle their newborns and photograph their first days with their new baby. I will never get tired of those new baby yawns, their cute little back rolls, and those tiny toes. Newborns are pure magic, and it’s such a joy to document this stage on camera!

Enjoy a peek at a few of our favorite portraits from the year!

We had the most amazing big brothers & sisters in the studio this year, and it was beautiful to see how sweet and cuddly they were with their new babies.

And baby makes three! So many beautiful moments for these brand new parents!

It’s always extra special when three generations join us at a newborn session, and I love capturing that special bond with all of the baby’s loved ones.

This year we really simplified the studio’s colors to keep the focus on the baby with clean, timeless portraits. I find white to be an absolutely beautiful color for brand new babies, and we started many of our sessions off with the baby in a clean white onesie just laying on a blanket, unposed and settling in to however was comfortable for them. Those were some of my favorite candid moments of the year!

And of course, swaddled up tight with whites & creams will never go out of style! Just look at these perfect little babies!

Let’s not forget our lifestyle sessions, which steal my heart every single time! I always love getting to photograph a family at home with their brand new baby. These sessions are a relaxed peek into their lives at home and we photograph the new family in the nursery, master bedroom, and any other spot with beautiful light! One of my absolute favorite spots this year was a wooden porch swing in the summertime.

As always, I am so incredibly grateful for all of the families that entrusted me with their most precious treasures this year. Thank you for inviting me into your lives to document this special time, and for letting me snuggle your little one in the process, too! :o)

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Ethaniel's Newborn Session & Family Portraits | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer

I love starting our newborn sessions with the baby dressed in a white onesie, fresh out of the carseat and laying on a white blanket.

Many babies are awake at the start of their session, and we capture such amazing expressions & eye contact! I absolutely loved how alert Ethaniel was when we began his newborn portrait session. This little cutie made so many adorable faces, and it’s hard to choose a favorite!

All of our newborn sessions include family portraits, and I love watching mom and dad snuggle up with their baby. The babies always look so tiny in their arms, and these portraits are perfect to look back on and remember just how small your little one started out, and just how perfectly they fit in your arms.

Sometimes Grandma & Grandpa join for a few quick portraits, and I always love watching them so in love with their new grandchild! Plus, we make it a point to capture a three-generation portrait when they’re there, too!

Sweet little Ethaniel slept soundly for his individual portraits, and we captured so many cozy moments for his family. I love all of the soft colors and layers, and the texture of the basket, too!

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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.  

Beautiful Newborn Portraits at our Saratoga Springs Baby Photography Studio

Our latest Baby Planner has arrived, and she is oh-so-sweet!

Meet Elliana. She visited me at the studio and was the most cuddly little baby. I love that we captured these portraits of her resting in her mommy & daddy’s arms to show just how small she was when she was born!

Looking over dad’s shoulder is always one of my favorite angles to capture during a newborn session. This is the view you’re never going to forget when you think back on holding your daughter in those first few weeks, and seeing this image twenty years from now will bring you right back to feeling the weight of her in your arms and the way she made her happy little newborn sighs when she settled in comfortably.

Can you find the hidden hearts in the portrait below?

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Welcoming Baby Brother - A Studio Newborn Portrait Session with Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

I have been lucky enough to create portraits for this sweet family ever since they had only two little ones… and now they have FOUR! I absolutely loved celebrating their SON’S arrival with a studio newborn session. The big sisters were extra excited about their baby brother, whose gender was a surprise until birth, and they showered him in love and kisses the entire time.

We captured the sweetest cuddles with mom and dad, too. Lynsey rocked a flowy white gown from our Mama Wardrobe in the studio, and it looked so beautiful on her! I just love how clean & classic these mommy & baby portraits are in a neutral color palette!

Being their first boy, we had to pull out some blues for his portraits! The studio is stocked with gorgeous handmade knit layers in so many colors, and I love this navy on him.

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Classic Newborn portraits in our saratoga springs portrait studio

Lately I’ve been starting all of our newborn sessions off with UNPOSED portraits of the baby in a simple white onesie. When the family arrives we chat, gently take the baby from the carseat, and place the baby on our posing beanbag in the onesie they arrived in for a few captures of them just being themselves. I love these moments of unposed perfection, and the sweet little details that we are able to capture! Even more, I adore when the family joins in.

Then we swaddle the baby up for some gorgeous family portraits.

Why the swaddle? Newborns are accustomed to being tucked in nice & snug (after all, they just spent nine months curled up in a tiny little space!). The swaddle helps to keep them calm & content, and it also reduces their startle reflex. Usually the babies fall right to sleep and we’re able to move them around and capture a variety of portraits before slowly working their limbs out of the swaddle and carefully moving them into different positions.

These are some of my FAVORITE family portraits. Isn’t baby Isla just the cutest? Her little smile melts my heart!

Clearly baby sister gets her cuteness from her big brother! He did such an amazing job and I love these sibling portraits that we captured during their session.

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Carter Daniel's Newborn Session with a Very Special Coal Miner's Helmet

Sleepy little babies are the best!

I love starting off our newborn sessions at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio with a few sleepy, unposed portraits of the baby in a plain white onesie on the studio bed. These are natural and raw moments of your little one sleeping, stretching, and yawning. Basically, they’re just being a baby! They are always some of my favorite unposed images from the entire session!

Carter decided that he was going to be wide awake for (almost) his entire newborn session, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of the camera! It led to some truly beautiful family portraits and individual ones of this sweet baby boy, too!

He’s getting sleepy! The heat & the white noise are working!

I love, love, love when the grandparents come for a few three generation portraits during the newborn session! These are always extra meaningful. This family especially loved it because Grandma lives with Mom & Dad and is helping take care of baby Carter!

Carter’s great grandfather was a coal miner, and his parents brought his original helmet to their session to honor the family’s history. This was such a unique sentimental item, and I was so happy they brought this with them because there is just such an incredible story behind it.

Carter finally fell asleep and we were able to capture all of his squishy baby rolls! I love how he just curled up so comfortable and cozy!

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If you liked this session, you’ll love Oliver’s neutral newborn session at our Saratoga Springs portrait studio!

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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.  

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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