Best of 2024: My favorite portraits from this year’s Rose Garden family portrait sessions

This year, I found the most beautiful location in Schenectady for family portraits: the Central Park Rose Garden. If you’ve been around the blog in the last few months, you probably saw how many times I visited this summer. I loved every single one and I’m so excited to be sharing my favorite portraits from all of those sessions today! This is such a beautiful spot for family photos, especially June through October. I hope that this post convinces you to consider having your family session here next year! I plan to offer exclusive dates for family photos here next year, which I can’t wait to share more about soon!! 

Like I said, the garden is always gorgeous - but from June to October, it’s stunning. Roses are staggered to bloom all season long so that you always have a burst of color and fresh roses. Every family that came to the rose garden had a moment of awe when they first glimpsed the beauty there, and they all said to me, “I never knew this was here!” It’s truly a hidden gem. 

While your family’s connections and authentic joy will always be the most important thing for me to capture in your portraits, a beautiful location never hurts! I can’t wait to plan exclusive dates for next year’s family sessions, and I hope you’ll be joining us! In the meantime, enjoy scrolling through my favorite moments from this year’s sessions, and start dreaming about what your family’s portraits might look like, too!! 

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Top 10 Tips for Clients Before their Holiday Mini Session

I’m so excited to be welcoming families to the studio in just a few short weeks for our holiday and Santa sessions. They’re some of my favorite magical moments as a photographer and I love being able to create an atmosphere that is fun and joyful. While there is a lot that falls on me to create that space for the children (and families) that enter my space, there’s a few things that parents can do to help us have a holly jolly good time together during their holiday mini session! Below are my top 10 tips for planning, scheduling, and enjoying your holiday mini session!  

1. Schedule wisely around your children’s nap times.

Timing matters!  Schedule your session for a time when your children will be well-rested.  If your photographer is offering morning sessions, the earlier time slots usually work out best for little ones when they’re still coming off of a good night’s sleep.

2. Fill those bellies up with snacks & a full meal before the session.

Hungy kids are cranky kids, but full bellies will yield lots of smiles and cooperation!  Trust me on this one.  ;o)

3. Keep your phone (and any apps or Youtube videos) hidden during the session.

Mini sessions are short & sweet, and your photographer has a whole arsenal of tricks to capture your child’s attention and get the very best smiles from them.  Pulling out the phone to put on their favorite song or video often leads to more time spent trying to get the phone away from them than actual smiles in front of the camera.  Tell the photographer ahead of time if your child has a favorite song they respond to, and your photographer can cue it up on their phone or on the Alexa in their studio.

4. Coordinate your outfits.

Choose outfits that complement each other without being completely matchy-matchy.  Stick to a cohesive color palette.  For holiday sessions, I am a huge fan of neutrals, deep forest green, gold, silver, navy, a hint of red (but not with Santa because he will be all in red!).  You may even consider unexpected and rich jewel tones for a fresh take on holiday portraits.

5. Try on everyone’s outfits ahead of time.

From shirts and dresses, to tights and shoes.  Try on every piece of clothing and give every accessory a test-run so that your children can be comfortable in them.  Particular “pain points” that I’ve had families experience who have not tried everything on are: sweaters or tulle dresses that are too itchy (put a layer underneath them to protect the skin); baby pants that are too tight on the waist so they cannot sit up comfortably (most common on babies 6-12 months); forgetting to plan for shoes in the dressy portraits (barefoot is fine for holiday pjs).

6. Think ahead for holiday cards.

If you have a certain template that you love, keep in mind the layout of the card when choosing your favorite family portraits for the card.  This is especially important if all of your favorite portraits are horizontal/landscape orientation, but your template is vertical/portrait orientation.  Be flexible, or let your photographer know ahead of time that you mostly want a particular orientation of family portraits.

7. Be prepared.

Arrive a bit early to get everyone settled. Bring snacks, water, and any comfort items for younger kids. Consider packing a change of clothes for little ones in case of spills. Being prepared will help everyone relax and enjoy the experience.

8. Keep it fun.

The most important part of a mini session is to have fun! Keep the mood light and playful. If kids are involved, don’t stress if they’re not posing perfectly—some of the best moments happen when they’re just being themselves. A bit of silliness can result in some truly memorable photos.

9. There is so much more that you can do with these photos than just holiday cards!

Ornaments, framed prints that you display every winter, a keepsake album to look through every year as your children grow, and gifts for family are just a few ideas.  Just remember that the possibilities don’t stop with a 5x7 card.

10. Enjoy the moment.

Finally, remember that this is a time to celebrate your family.  Take a moment to breathe, enjoy the time together, and focus on each other rather than just the camera.  Your love and connection will shine through in the photos, making them even more special and treasured.

I can’t wait to welcome you to the studio! If you still need to book your holiday session, check out all the details here! 

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A playful family portrait session for Down Syndrome Awareness Month | Saratoga Springs special needs photographer

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month! If you know me, you know that Down syndrome awareness and advocacy is something near and dear to my heart. I’m so excited to be sharing a few sessions that I photographed to celebrate World Down syndrome Day back in March with you this month! World Down syndrome Day takes place on 3/21 - for the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome and I always love a chance to connect with local families whose children rock an extra chromosome. Each year, I am given the chance to photograph some incredible children and learn more about their story! Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to Brennan, his sister Ellie and his brother Parker. They joined me in my Saratoga Springs studio for new family portraits! 

I actually met Brennan before our session this year. The first time we crossed paths was when he was a toddler in NYC for the National Down Syndrome Society photoshoot. Take a peek and see if you can find Brennan, a little rockstar! Here’s a quick hint: look for Elton John! I can’t believe how much more grown up Brennan is now. It feels like just yesterday when I met him and his family! But, it was so good to see him and hear about how everything is going for him. 

When I spoke with Brennan’s family, they described him as having a very chill and loving personality. I have to agree! His mom even told me that she admires “his ability to see the good and the love in all things. I often wish that I had his confidence in life to just live my life with no worries.” When I look back at these portraits of Brennan and his two siblings, I’ll always remember the love that was in the room. It truly was special to witness the way they’re all drawn to each other, the way they take care of each other, and the way they make each other laugh.

Brennan’s session really made me think about why I started this passion project - photographing and telling the stories of children with Down syndrome. It’s hard to believe he’s been a part of this almost 10 year journey with me. Back in 2015, I began this inspiring project in honor of my best friend’s son, Zach. And now I feel like the lucky one to have met and connected with so many incredible little ones and their families over the years. I hope that I always have the chance to help raise awareness about living with Down syndrome!

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Rose Garden Sibling & Family Portrait Session with Schenectady Family Photographer

I loved photographing another family portrait session at the beautiful Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady this summer! And what a treat it was to photograph this family once again! Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this garden from spring through early fall, and it has been so fun to watch the blooms transform through the seasons. For this session, in late summer, the garden was vibrant with color, offering the perfect backdrop for Nicole and her family’s portrait session.

This family has been longtime clients of mine, and it’s always such a joy to capture their portraits year after year. The kids, Elli and Colton, have grown up in front of my camera, and they just get more adorable each time! Nicole always does an incredible job coordinating the family’s outfits—each session looks effortlessly polished and timeless. I especially loved this session’s outfits - particularly her pink dress. The kids and her husband’s outfits all coordinated around her gown. They all looked amazing! 

While the kids played (and even hugged each other without a fight for me!), we found plenty of spots throughout the garden to mix up the portraits. The Rose Garden really works well for portraits - providing options like the lush rose beds and quiet nooks surrounded by greenery. This session truly highlighted the beauty of summer and the sweet connection this family shares. I can’t wait to see them again soon!

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Playful Family Portraits at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs

This year I’ve had many clients who are visiting Saratoga Springs from out of state and booked a family portrait session to remember their time in our adorable little town. It is SO special to me that they trust me to document such an exciting time during their vacation, and as a mom, I truly love the idea of bringing home some special portraits as a souvenir from a trip! This fun family spent the summer in Saratoga before returning home to Florida, and I had a wonderful time capturing family portraits for them at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs. 

The Surrey-Williamson Inn is a gem of a location that’s part of Skidmore College, and I maintain an annual permit to photograph there. The back of the inn reminds me of an old European villa, and I love this pathway for portraits! The inn provides a great combination of gorgeous gardens, stone walkways, and a gorgeous backdrop of the building. I love locations like this because we can quickly capture a large variety of portraits all within one spot.

I had so much fun with this family during their session. Their children, Ryan and Arielle were fantastic - and shared lots of laughs with me while creating beautiful new portraits for this family to enjoy in their home. We leaned into the silly vibes - with lots of jokes, and plenty of snuggles - which I think is the best way to capture any family. Oh, and the other thing I loved about this family’s portraits?! Their outfits! The navy and light blue palette was perfect against the tan building and greenery of the lawn. Absolutely stunning! 

Thank you again to this beautiful family for trusting me to document your special memories. I hope to see you in Saratoga Springs again soon!

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Rose Garden Portraits with Toddlers in Schenectady

I absolutely loved this gorgeous session at the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady! This is definitely my new favorite location from the summer and I’m thrilled I had the chance to host another family here. Although it’s a drive from Saratoga Springs, I 100% believe it’s worth the time and effort. Roses bloom from June to September in every single color imaginable and it’s truly a beautiful backdrop for special moments. This family’s portraits were a dream come true! 

For this session, I got to work with two little boys and their parents. Cole is 4 and his little brother, Chase, is 1.5. Both boys are full of their own personalities and I loved watching them come out in front of the camera as they got more comfortable. They were also so sweet together - hugging and enjoying their time with mom and dad around the gardens.  

Young toddlers are always tricky during a portrait session because they never sit still for long, but we play games and keep everything moving to keep them engaged and happy in their portraits, plus lots of breaks and snacks help, too. I’ve been doing this for many years, and have two littles of my own, so I definitely bring a lot of experience - and patience - to my family sessions. I’m all about letting your little ones lead so that they can feel comfortable and confident. It really changes the atmosphere so that your portraits are more enjoyable and relaxed. When you choose a family photographer, particularly with young children, look for one with the experience and patience you know you'll need! 

Thank you again to this wonderful family for spending the evening with me at the Central Park Rose Garden. It was so much fun (and I love all of the pink and tan palette you chose to complement the blooms) and I hope that you did too! 

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Rose Garden Family Portraits with Saratoga Springs Family Photographer

I am so excited to be sharing this beautiful family portrait session at the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady with you! This was my first session here and it’s truly an absolute hidden gem of a location!!! I will definitely be back - it’s certainly become one of my top 5 favorite locations in the Capital Region! A huge thank you to this darling family for exploring this gorgeous garden with me! 

Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better spot for this summer family portrait session. There were roses everywhere - in every color imaginable. The blooming season lasts from June to October, so we were graced with plenty of blooms. For this session, I spent a lot of time in the red and white roses. They were just so pretty! But, the bottom line is that the Central Park Rose Garden offers a true variety that means you have even more options for your family portrait session! 

This family is simply the sweetestI loved getting to laugh and explore with mom, dad, Bradley, Savannah and Jules. All three kids were amazing for me - willing to play and enjoy our time together. Having all of my fun prompts and games ready to pull out during our sessions is always a great backup, but these three were naturals! I also really loved the color palette and outfits that mom chose. Her blue dress is definitely one of my favorites so far this year! The girls wore cute pink dresses - complimentary but not matching. Bradley and his dad rounded out the look with their button downs. All five outfits looked amazing among the roses and greenery of the gardens. Beautiful options! 

I hope that this family enjoys their summer portraits for years to come. They’re so beautiful and I can’t wait to see how you choose to display them in your home! 

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Best Buds: Saratoga Springs family portraits with two brothers in Congress Park

I can’t believe that the last time I saw this sweet family was for Ezra’s newborn portraits - and now he’s running around with his brother, Elliot! This spring, we met up in Congress Park, one of my favorite spots in Saratoga Springs NY for outdoor portraits. We had the most beautiful morning with soft colors and blooms everywhere you looked. It really turned out to be the perfect day to capture new family portraits for these boys and their parents. 

Having photographed them before, it was extra special to see Elliot and Ezra’s bond now that they’re both a little bit older. They have such a playful relationship! It was important for me to capture that as we created new memories and portraits. With their energy in mind, we played lots of games, encouraged many tickles, and I loved watching them run around. Capturing candid and real moments between your family members is always the best part of any family portrait session! 

I have to admit, keeping up with everyone running around can be a lot - especially as the weather warms up. But, sessions pass in a blur and we always capture the most incredible smiles and moments with kids because we’re letting them be who they are at this stage of life. It’s amazing and SO so worth it! Thank you to this beautiful family for trusting me to capture your memories again! It was wonderful seeing you this spring.

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Classic personality portraits for toddler and baby

While I love photographing all sessions in my Saratoga Springs studio, personality portraits really hold a special place in my heart. There’s just something so wonderful about documenting little ones as they are at this exact moment in time. For these two brothers, Mom planned on portraits of her boys as a surprise for her husband for Father’s Day, and I can’t imagine a better gift than unwrapping these two adorable faces smiling back at you. I loved that these were going to be a gift for dad, but also the entire family really!! 

I know that in the busyness of life, it can be easy to say that family portraits can wait. It’s so simple to push them off, until you realize that years have gone by without you documenting what’s special about your little ones at this moment in time. Trust me, there’s something about this stage of life that you’re in right now that you’ll want to remember. Maybe it’s their smile, their freckles, the curve of their soft arms, or their rounded cheeks. As they get older, you want to freeze time with smiles that show the gaps in their teeth documenting how many visits the Tooth Fairy has made. Their personalities will grow and having something tangible to look back on as years go by is one of the best things that you can do for your family. 

It’s never too late for photos. Slow down time, don’t let the little details fade from your memory. This family will forever be able to look back on the special relationship their two boys have together. Not only that, but now they've documented their sons’ silly smiles and bright eyes. Can’t you just imagine having heirloom artwork to hang in your home or flip through as a family for years to come to look back on these special little details? That’s why family portraits or sessions in the studio, like these personality portraits, really matter. 

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Take the photo: why right now is the perfect time for a portrait session

If you’ve been around the blog, you know that I LOVE my Little Loves portrait sessions. These classic and simple portraits are a wonderful way to document your little ones - as they are, right now, forever. I truly believe that there is never a bad time to take photos, and as your kids grow there is never going to be a time when you wish you hadn’t taken more photos. My Little Loves sessions are all about freezing this moment in time for your family to cherish forever. 

Do they still have softly curved baby cheeks? Take the photo.

Do they have their baby teeth? Take the photo.

Have they lost a tooth? Take the photo.

Have they grown three inches this year? Take the photo.

Do they still like to snuggle you and hold your hand? Take the photo.

Are they almost taller than you? Take the photo.

New braces? Take the photo.

No matter what changes they are going through, it is such a gift to slow down time and document this stage they are in right this very moment. That’s one of the things that I absolutely love about our Little Loves sessions.

I’ve been photographing this family ever since Kayden’s first birthday, and now he is so grown! We had so much fun capturing these personality portraits during their Little Loves session. Both Kayden and Karina brought their A-game, and I love how their unique personalities shine: silly, serious, sweet, playful, strong. Because there’s nothing but your baby and a simple studio setup, we really have a chance to photograph what makes this stage so unique and meaningful for you all. 

I repeat: there’s never a bad time to photograph your child. Capturing milestones and memorizing all of the little details that will change as their children grow, and imprinting this on your hearts truly matters to me.

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6 Tips for an Evening Family Portrait Session

As a family photographer, summertime means one thing: SUNSET SESSIONS GALORE! And you know what that also means? Late bedtimes for your kids - and late photo sessions in the evening!

I absolutely love capturing family portraits in the golden hour when the last rays of sunlight make the whole world glow. This is usually in the hour or so before sunset, and as you know, the sun goes down awfully late in the summer time! This can be so tricky with little ones, and I completely understand.

As a mom of two littles, I know what those meltdowns look like when my kids are overtired, and how quickly those meltdowns can come on, too! I’ve been there with planning my own family portraits, and I absolutely understand your hesitation when it comes to booking a family portrait session at that coincides with your normal dinner and bedtime routine. I promise it’s 100% worth it for the dreamy summer light, though!

So today, I’m also here to share a few tips with you that will make it soooooo much easier for everyone, and I can promise you we’ll still capture smiles, laughs, and adorable moments shared between everyone in your family.

These are my top 6 tips for an evening family portrait session with kids - as both a mom and a family photographer!

1. Plan on a late nap.

For the longest time, my son was religious about napping. We couldn’t skip a nap because he needed that time midday to rest and recharge. When you know you’re going to be going to bed a little later than normal, plan to bump your nap a little later in the afternoon, or if your baby is young enough, do an early nap and then a catnap later in the day, too. If you know your child will inevitably fall asleep in the car, leave a little earlier than necessary for your session and drive around while your little one sleeps in the backseat. They’ll wake up and be refreshed and ready to play!

2. Pack snacks.

Have snacks handy, because hungry kids are grumpy kids and we want to avoid that. ;o) I recommend everyone eat dinner before the session, and bring a little snack for the car in case they need it. Avoid messy foods like chocolate and juice, and opt for cheese, crackers, dry cereal, fruit, a pouch, etc. Be sure it’s a food that won’t stain their teeth and tongue. Basically, gummies and oreos are a bad idea because they will be stuck in their teeth in every. single. photo.

3. Bring their PJs and change into them when we’re all done.

This will make bedtime even easier when you get back home. Toss those pajamas in the car and they’ll be ready when we finish photographing your family. I’m all about working smarter, not harder - and this is one of my favorite hacks for late-in-the-day sessions.

4. Don’t underestimate the power of a bribe.

And don’t feel like you need to apologize for it, either! I know from photographing my own kids just how well a bribe can work to get him to listen and smile for a short period of time, and I fully support whatever you choose and I will help get the kids excited about it during their session, too!

I have created a prize box this year, and after the session your little ones will get to choose a prize! It’s filled with all sorts of goodies, and there’s nothing quite like a good bribe to help them power through. My old classroom skills are starting to come out - but I promise, it’s all in the name of beautiful portraits for your family!

5. Pack bug spray

Summer nights are notoriously filled with bugs who want a little snack! If your session is going to be on the beach or in one of the fields around Saratoga Springs, you’re definitely going to want that bug spray! It’s a simple thing but one that will help your little ones (and big ones!) feel more comfortable during our time together in the evening. 

6. The most important one: relax and have fun.

This is key. If you’re stressed, the kids will sense it and they will feed off of the vibes and be unwilling to cooperate and enjoy themselves. Relax. Take a deep breath. Let go of expectations, and enjoy the moment! Have fun loving on your little ones, and remember that these are the memories you want to look back on when they are grown. Portrait sessions are meant to be fun and joyful - not full of stress. Try to enjoy your evening together as a family and I’ll do the rest. 

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Our 2024 Client Appreciation Event: Gorgeous Motherhood Portraits with Spring Florals

This summer, I’ll be celebrating 12 years of running Nicole Starr Photography - and the last 8 of those years have been here in New York. None of the last 12 years would have been possible without my incredible clients. The last few years, I’ve held a Client Appreciation Event in my Saratoga Springs studio because each of my clients is worth celebrating. I want each and every one of them to know how deeply I appreciate them. Being their chosen family and newborn photographer is a gift - not just because I get to do what I love, but because I genuinely enjoy working with each of them and building relationships as we see each other over the years. Watching their children grow and being able to document more special memories is something I will never take for granted.

My Client Appreciation Event really started as a way to celebrate and thank the mamas. I wanted to thank them for choosing me but also, I wanted to pamper them! As mamas, we’re often the last one to be taken care of or spoiled. Thus, this event was born. My mamas are invited to my studio for motherhood sessions. The #1 goal is for them to feel pampered, loved, and update portraits with their little ones, creating artwork I hope they will treasure forever. It’s so much fun! We have a hair stylist at the studio and they have full access to my Mama Wardrobe to choose a beautiful dress to wear for their portraits. On top of that, they get to leave with an incredible swag bag filled with goodies from local businesses I love! 

While I always document families with their babies when they come in for newborn or milestone sessions, I think it’s important for these mamas to have a chance to be photographed with their babies. It’s special to see them shine with their little ones. I know as a mama myself, we’re always behind the camera, and so rarely in photos with our little ones. But these are the photos that our kids are going to want to look back on when they are grown, and they are the ones that tug at our own mama hearts now and many years from now. My favorite photos in our home are the ones with my babies, and I will cherish them for many, many years. I hope these mamas do, too. These portraits are super special to me and I hope that my clients love them as much as I love making them possible! 

I just want to give a huge shout out of thanks to all of the amazing Saratoga Springs vendors who made this year’s Client Appreciation Event possible with their contributions to our setup or goodie bags for our mamas! Without them, I would not have been able to celebrate and spoil the families who support my small business every day. 

Make sure you check out these amazing businesses! 

Samantha Nass Floral Design
Jessica Lee, A Saratoga Stylist of LaLume Salon
Simply Stated NY
Cookie-tastic
Slice of Saratoga
Advanced Dentistry of Clifton Park - Dr. Katie Tonkin
House of Colour Saratoga Springs
Fit4Mom Queensbury-Saratoga Springs
Glampover Events
The Hair Fairy at Hive Salon
Festivefetti

Thank you again to every business that contributed - and to every client that has worked with me in the last 12 years. I literally couldn’t do this without you! Enjoy a peek into our Client Appreciation motherhood portraits this year! 

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My favorite time of year for outdoor portraits is coming!

In Saratoga Springs, New York we begin shooting portrait sessions outdoors again at the beginning of May, and it is my absolute favorite time of year for portraits! Everything is starting to bloom, the colors are soft and beautiful, the trees are fluffy, and it’s not too hot out yet (so no one is sweating or red-faced in their portraits!). Plus, we can finally break out the gorgeous summer dresses and the cute little rompers and shorts for the kiddos. It is literally a dream and the spring provides the perfect backdrop for portraits - milestones and family sessions alike. 

I love this season for family portraits so much that I have already scheduled my own family’s portrait session for May! I can’t wait to capture some sweet portraits of the four of us just as the seasons are beginning to change. To be honest, I will always, always opt for spring and summer portraits over fall portraits for my own family because the colors are so much softer and they are more year-round for displaying in my home. 

Our home is filled with neutrals and blue accents, and the red and orange leaves of fall just don’t look quite right on our walls. But the muted greens, soft pinks, and whites of spring fit right in (and then of course the blues of the ocean during our time on Cape Cod every summer are perfect for our decor, too!). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with fall colors and for many families, the palette works better for their home and life! But if you’re someone who loves neutrals and pastels, springtime portraits are going to look beautiful in your home! 

If you’re like me and lean towards spring colors for your portrait session, reach out today! I have limited available dates in May and June, when the colors are soft and the weather is warm. I can’t wait to see some of my favorite faces and many new families this spring - I hope you’ll be among them.

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Beautiful & playful family portrait session in Saratoga Springs

Spring is coming - and it happens to be one of my favorite times of year for family portraits in Saratoga Springs. The light is beautiful, the grass is green, and flowers are blooming everywhere you look. In upstate New York, our outdoor portraits begin in May so that we have the most gorgeous natural backdrops. You might notice more outdoor sessions on the blog over the next few weeks, because I just love capturing family portraits outside under the sunlight and in the fresh air! 

Today, I’m sharing the beautiful Evans family. I’ve created portraits with them for many years now - since their first daughter’s first birthday, actually. It’s been so amazing to watch them grow and come into their personalities over the years. I can’t believe how big Wesley, Julia, and David are. This session took place in the fall, but it’s definitely one of my favorites in this spot. The light is always so gorgeous and the open fields give the kids plenty of places to run and play throughout our session together. I just want to say a huge thank you to Kat and her family for trusting me with another beautiful portrait session together! 

Like I said, this path is one of my favorite locations in Saratoga Springs, and it’s perfect in the hour or so before sunset! I can’t wait to bring more families here this spring when the trees start to blossom. It’s going to be so beautiful in the springtime. I can’t wait to see everything in bloom! 

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Family portraits with toddlers in our Saratoga Springs studio

I was so excited to welcome Andrea’s family back to my Saratoga Springs studio this winter! Now that the family has welcomed Valerie, it was time for new family portraits! Her children, David and Valerie, are simply the sweetest. They were amazing for me the entire session - smiley and happy to cuddle each other! I couldn’t have asked for better models. The family even brought their sweet dog to the session, too! I’m all about including EVERY family member - including your furry ones! Our session was joyful and simple, really focusing on the interactions between the kids and their parents. 

In fact, the portrait of Andrea and her daughter looking over her shoulder is my absolute favorite. As a photographer, there are portraits from every session that speak to me, and my goal every time I pick up my camera is to capture a moment that takes your breath away and makes you feel something when you look at it. This photo does that for me, and it is such a gorgeous depiction of motherhood that I hope Andrea will enjoy looking back on for many years to come. 

After their session, I went to Andrea’s home to complete their ordering session! I loved going to their house and seeing all of their family portraits from our previous session (2 years ago!) on the walls. They were thrilled to update their family portraits now that they have welcomed a new baby into their family, and it was a joy choosing their favorites to display at home. There’s not much more that excites me than knowing my families are displaying and enjoying their artwork every single day. 

Andrea, thank you for asking me to document your beautiful family again! I loved seeing all of you - and meeting Valerie. I hope we’ll get to work together again soon! 

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Best of 2023 Family Portrait Sessions in Saratoga Springs NY

2023 was truly an amazing year here at Nicole Starr Photography. This year, I had the honor of working with many repeat families for their new portraits as well as lots of new faces! Every time I show up to a family session, I am humbled and overjoyed that these families trust me to document their memories. I am so grateful to each and every one of them for believing in me to capture the best moments for their families. 

While I will never take this honor for granted, I also love how much fun I have every day at work. My family portraits are never boring! I’m all about laughing and finding genuine moments of connection between everyone. This year was filled with lots of tickles, games, and silly prompts to help bring out the belly laughs! I even brought some fun tricks along with me - like squeaking dog toys - to capture a toddler’s attention. Worked like a charm! 

In 2023, I captured my families all over the Saratoga Springs and Cape Cod areas. From beaches to parks, from benches to picnic blankets, and the city sidewalks… I loved every moment exploring with my 2023 families. This year brought some new locations to me and I am so happy that we have even more options for the future now, too! It’s important to me to find a location that feels authentic and genuine to each and every family I work with.

While I’m thankful for all of the fun and all of the beauty we found, I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to help all of these families create beautiful heirloom albums that they will be able to enjoy for years. Our albums and heirloom artwork are so important to me. I want to create something tangible and meaningful that my families will enjoy for decades to come with their children. It’s such a huge honor to be a part of creating something so important. 

All of our 2023 clients will be invited to our second annual Client Appreciation Event in a few months, and I look forward to seeing them for this extra special celebration to capture some new portraits for them to enjoy! Thank you again for trusting me to document your family and I hope that I’ll see many of you again in 2024!! 

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Our 2023 Holiday Portrait Sessions in Saratoga Springs

I always look forward to our holiday portrait event, and this year was no exception! Each year, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have so many families that come to the studio year after year for their holiday portraits! It’s always a joy getting to catch up with them and see how their kids have grown. Plus, it’s so much fun coming up with our setups each year! Honestly, I really do look forward to these holiday portrait sessions each winter. 

For this year, I wanted to create something really special! When I first saw these golden arches I knew that they would be incredibly versatile and that they would look gorgeous with garland & some sparkly ornaments. I love how this turned out! I think it’s such a classic holiday look. It was the perfect spot for kids to warm up to me and get ready for more portraits!

We always create two setups in the studio for families to have some variety in their holiday portraits, and you know I’m a big fan of neutrals because of how timeless they are. This year I found the perfect stockings with little pearl accents, and I love the simple & luxurious touch that they added to our setup alongside my simple Christmas tree. 

To every family that came to celebrate the holidays with me this year, thank you! It was so special to have you in the studio and I hope you have a wonderful season with your loved ones! 

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Fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park

I absolutely adore little Maverick! We met up recently for fall family portraits in Congress Park as part of our Collective Membership program. Maverick and his family get to enjoy 4 sessions over 18 months, along with other perks for our members. I’ve already photographed their studio maternity and lifestyle newborn portraits, so it was fun to see them again for Maverick’s 6 month portraits! 

I love it when families come back for more sessions, and it makes it easier on everyone because they know what to expect, feel comfortable with me and that shows in front of the camera! Maverick already recognized me a little bit and his parents were more relaxed and confident in their session. After the portraits are easier too, as my families are familiar with the products and already have a plan for their portraits before we begin, and they get to enjoy consistency with beautiful portraits on their walls that all match for a cohesive style. But, perhaps the most obvious perk of working with me for multiple sessions is getting to capture all of their favorite milestones and documenting these memories while their little one grows so fast! 

Our session in Congress Park was a joy! Maverick matched his dad in a cozy knit sweater for the fall portraits. It was adorable - and if this is a new trend in fall outfit attire for family portraits, I’m here for it! I shouldn’t be surprised because Stephanie and Matt always look amazing in their portraits. They chose a really fun classic white t-shirt and jeans look for her maternity portraits, and they truly nailed their fall choice for these new family portraits. I’m in love with Stephanie’s beautiful orange dress! It was a great option with all of the foliage at Congress Park. 

Stephanie, Matt, and Maverick - I can’t wait for our next portrait session together! I’m excited to see what Maverick’s up to next and see you all again. 

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Fall family portraits with a toddler in Saratoga Springs

Daniel, Shannon, and Isla are adorable! We captured a fall family portrait session for them in Saratoga Springs. It was actually the first family portrait session with the three of them, which made it all even more exciting for me. From the start, Daniel and Shannon shared that they were thrilled to put some beautiful new canvases up on the walls of their home and to send some gifts home with Isla’s grandmother who was coming to visit from South Africa.

For their portrait session, Isla wore the most adorable pigtails and inspired me to go home and try pigtails on our daughter for the first time the very next day! She was so cute! I even loved the cute little fall dress she had on. It was adorable, and the perfect little nod to the season. As a girl mom, I have to admit I get extra excited seeing such cute outfit options! Isla was just full of pure joy, which made her so fun to photograph. She loved playing with her parents and was always excited about each of the games I played during our session, which meant we captured so many neutral moments between them all. 

Isla was full of personality and really playful. She especially enjoyed the little squeaky toys I’ve started to use to help with the toddlers… so much so that she hid one under her foot to stomp on it. That resulted in the most adorable expressions! Daniel and Shannon, thank you so much for trusting me with these beautiful family portraits. I hope that your family will treasure them forever! 

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Celebrating a 5th anniversary with fall family portraits in Congress Park - Saratoga Springs family photographer

Emily and Chris came up to Saratoga from Brooklyn to celebrate their fifth anniversary and brought along their sweet baby boy, Bennett. Bennett is already 4 months old and was so adorable our entire session! Their portrait session coincided with the last week of Emily’s maternity leave, and they wanted to celebrate all the things that had been going on recently for their little family, and slow down time with some gorgeous family portraits.

We met up for their family portraits in Congress Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. It’s one of my all-time favorite spots in Saratoga Spring! The day of our session, we had the coziest green colors throughout the park and it was a little grey… but honestly, it worked for the vibe of Emily, Chris and Bennett’s outfits. 

Speaking of… I love the outfits that Emily planned for everyone! The matching cable knit sweaters on Chris and Bennett were too cute. Her dress gave off the perfect fall vibes, and her loose waves were gorgeous on camera (and in person!). I love that she chose a beautiful patterned dress and the boys had more solid colors - everything looked amazing together on camera! The fall weather also led to lots of cuddles with Bennett, which was super sweet. 

I hope that Emily and Chris will always look back on these portraits with fondness and that they captured this special time for this beautiful family! 

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