A return to Boston for a very special family & senior portrait session

There’s something incredibly meaningful about working with a family more than once. I get to see them grow up and capture so many stages of life. When that family has a child who was a former student of mine, everything about our time together becomes even more special. Meet Karyn, Todd, Jenna, and Annabelle!

Jenna was a student in my first grade class back when I was a teacher at a bilingual school in Framingham. We’ve done family portrait sessions together many times over the years, and the last time was on the Cape in 2018. When they reached out a year ago about doing senior photos, I was honored that they wanted to document this special milestone with me as Jenna gets ready to finish up her last year in the Framingham Public Schools! They had been planning to make a trip out to Saratoga for portraits, but it just so happened that I would be in Boston for a prime weekend this fall, and we made it work!

We met up at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, MA. This was one of my all-time favorite spots when I lived in Boston. It’s so beautiful during the fall, especially. The night we met was cloudy with a little bit of mist, so the park was very empty. It was nice to have it all to ourselves!!

Seeing Jenna again after all of these years was amazing. I loved getting to hear her talk about her plans for the future and what she’s thinking of studying in school. She’s come such a long way from that tiny little six year old with a backpack that was half the size of her, and she’s now a poised and multi-talented young woman. It really was so special to get to see them & capture these last family portraits before she heads off to college. This session truly reminded me that your children are never too old for family portraits - and perhaps they even become more meaningful the bigger your kids get.

Thank you for asking me to document this special time in your life, Jenna - and thank you to Karyn, Todd, and Annabelle for working with me. It was so good to see you all again!!

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Fall Family Portraits with Teenagers, Boston Family Photographer

I have been photographing these kids since 2012, the year my business began. I have loved watching them grow up (and grow taller than me!), and I always enjoy seeing them and capturing their family’s portraits. Even their dogs have been making an appearance in their portraits since we started all those years ago, and it is extra special to get to see the whole family now, dogs and all.

One of the best things about using the same photographer year after year (truly making them YOUR FAMILY’S PHOTOGRAPHER, and not just any family photographer) is that your kids feel comfortable in front of that person. The whole family knows what to expect, the kids can joke around and be themselves, and the photographer is truly invested in creating artwork that reflects your family, their personalities, and your style. When you get to know the photographer and the photographer gets to know you, it is easier to create an end product that they know you will love. Plus, the experience is 100 times more enjoyable, too!

This park is right near their home and it was the perfect spot for their fall portrait session. I love how the dappled golden sunlight peeks through the trees and the colorful leaves blanket the ground. This family portrait will look amazing as a 30x40 on their wall, don’t you think?

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Outdoor Family Portraits in Saratoga Springs with a One Year Old

Can we talk about how adorable this family is?!?!

We celebrate Henri’s first year with family portraits at SPAC in Saratoga Springs, and it was so much fun to see how much this sweet boy had grown since his winter milestone session. He is full of personality & big smiles, and he loves walking all over the place! We truly had a blast as we spent the evening laughing and talking, and capturing the most beautiful memories for this family to enjoy on the walls of their home.

Standing up like a big boy! One of the things I miss most from when my toddler was a baby are those chunky baby legs, so we made sure to choose an outfit for Henri that would emphasize those cute baby rolls that will only be there for a little while.

I love that we captured so many portraits that show his tiny front teeth! Soon he’ll have a mouth full of teeth, but for now it’s just those little ones in the front peeking through. So adorable!

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8 tips for a meltdown-free portrait session with your kids

You found the perfect photographer.  You picked a date and rearranged your family’s schedules.  You shopped for the most perfect outfits that coordinate but aren’t too matchy-matchy.  You even know which wall you’re going to hang that new family portrait on after your session.  You are 100% ready for this portrait session!

But, wait… what if your kid melts down?  What if he loses it and you don’t capture a single smile?  What if your kids start fighting halfway through the session?  

That’s every mom’s worry, right?  I’ve never met a mother who didn’t have those same panicked thoughts running through her head before a portrait session with her little ones.  

Lucky for you, I’ve worked with hundreds of families and getting kids to laugh, listen, and smile comes pretty naturally to me!  My teaching background plus a solid 20 years of working with kids has made that pretty easy for me, and it sure comes in handy during our family portrait sessions!

Here I’m sharing a few tips to help your family portrait session go more smoothly.  But the most important thing that I want every parent to remember is that I never expect to show up to a portrait session and have the kids be little angels.  I expect them to act like kids, and kids like to run, jump, spin, be loud, get silly, sing, show off, say no, and assert their independence.  When they are free to do all of those things, that is when we capture the best portraits that showcase their beautiful personalities.  That is when we have fun and create memories that your family will laugh about twenty years from now.  

So please, mama.  Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or on your kids, and let’s just have fun together! 

The most important thing to remember is that your kids will feed off of your energy.  Stay calm, happy, and relaxed, and your kids will, too!  

Give your kids a snack before the session.  With a full belly, they’ll be able to run and play without getting distracted by hunger.

Healthy babies are happy babies!  If your child is sick, please reach out to postpone!  I promise you we’ll capture better smiles when your little one is feeling 100% like themselves.

Plan the session around nap times, and if it’s a sunset session, sneak in a late afternoon nap.

Talk with your photographer and let your photographer know what interests your child.  Tell them about your child’s personality, songs that they love, characters that they like.  Your photographer will use this information to help your child feel comfortable and open up in front of the camera!

For little ones, bring a favorite toy or have a song queued up on your phone ready to go in case they need a little extra familiarity and motivation.

If you have older children who are in the “awkward smile” phase, spend some time encouraging them to smile naturally in the week leading up to your session.  Help them see and feel what their natural smile feels like versus what their “forced” smile feels like.

If you have a baby and we’ll be doing a family session on grass or sand, be aware of possible sensory issues that the baby may have of the grass or sand against their bare legs.  Have you seen those funny videos of a mom or dad putting the baby in the grass, and the baby holds their legs straight up into the air so it doesn’t touch their skin?  Cute on video, but it can be stressful during your portrait session, especially if baby bursts into tears and won’t stop!  Ease the baby into it by letting them play in grass or sand in the weeks leading up to your session, and bring a neutral blanket (or swaddle, or scarf) to sit them on top of. 

Finally, don’t feel awkward about doing a small bribe to get everyone through the session!  It’s amazing what kids will do when they know they have a treat to look forward to!

I hope you’ve found these tips helpful!  I can’t wait to see your family to capture some beautiful memories for you!

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Studio Family Portraits with Toddler & Baby

Life is busy with a newborn, and I have a lot of families reach out about portraits when their baby is a little older looking for baby & family portraits. When baby is a few months old, it’s very unlikely that we’ll capture them sleeping in those curled up poses that we do in our newborn sessions (those are always done in the first two weeks when baby is sleepy and flexible).

But that doesn’t mean families need to miss out on portraits with their “older” baby! Actually, these portraits can be even more fun because we’re capturing their wide open eyes, their sparkling personality, tummy time, and real connections with the whole family. Plus mom and dad are sleeping ***a little*** bit better than they are on Day 7 with a newborn, so everyone looks a bit more rested. ;o)

This family planned ahead to do a 3 month session for their baby, and I love the portraits that we captured in our Saratoga Springs family portrait studio! Baby Clara was only 12 weeks old, and her big sister Hannah was absolutely obsessed with her little baby sister. They were so cute together, and it was so special to be able to capture that loving and comfortable bond between them on camera!

We do all of our family portraits on neutral white and cream backdrops so that they will match the decor in any home. Plus it allows the subjects to pop without a lot of colorful or prop distractions!

Hannah rocked her individual portraits and was all smiles and giggles. I love how playful these ones are of her on the studio couch!

Sweet baby cuddles in mama’s arms. You never want to forget this feeling of looking down at your baby and the weight of them in your arms, head resting on your elbow. It’s my favorite angle to capture of mamas and their babies.

Of course we did some individual portraits of Clara, too. We used a few outfits from the studio wardrobe, and they fit her perfectly! Plus, how adorable is she with these little pops of color?!?!

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Best of 2019 Family Sessions

Whew, what a year! We do most of our family sessions outdoors from May through October, and it’s always so much fun scouting out new locations, bringing clients to my favorite picture-perfect spots, and watching magical moments unfold with the sweetest families and their little ones.

Today on the blog we’re sharing a peek into some of our favorite family portraits from 2019! From the beaches of Cape Cod and foliage-lined sidewalks in Boston, to gardens, park & neighborhoods in Saratoga Springs. Enjoy a look at some of the most beautiful moments that we captured on camera last year, and then start dreaming up your own family’s next portrait session!

In the cooler months we headed indoors for some lifestyle family sessions! I love light-filled homes for these cozy family sessions!

It really was such an AMAZING summer on the Cape! Definitely filled with some of my most memorable family sessions on so many gorgeous beaches.

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Fall Mini Sessions with Boston & Saratoga Springs Family Photographer Nicole Starr Photography

The beautiful fall colors were on full display for our mini sessions in New York & Massachusetts this fall! I absolutely loved working with so many gorgeous families and capturing these fall memories for them.

This is always one of my favorite times of year to head outside for portrait sessions, and I love how the foliage gives us one last golden wave before the winter arrives. This year was no exception, and our mini sessions were filled with vibrant colors, lots of cuddles, and the most adorable smiles.

Enjoy a peek at some of our fall family portraits from our mini session events!

This golden tree-lined path turned out to by one of my favorite new locations in the Saratoga area this fall!

We did our Boston mini session event at a brand new location this year, and I loved every second of it! After spending years at a park that had become all-too-popular with other photographers for family portraits, we found the perfect spot right in the heart of the city. It was quiet, colorful, and easy to find! We’ll definitely be heading back here next year!

How do I luck out with so many adorable families every single year?!?! Love, love, love this job!

I truly enjoy welcoming our returning clients like old friends, and meeting new families for the very first time! Can’t wait to see all of you again in the new year!

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Three Generations - An Extended Family Session with Boston Family Photographer

Want to hear about two awesome grandparents?

These grandparents live just miles from all of their kids and grandkids. Their house and yard are literally designed to welcome everyone there to spend time together. From kid-sized coat hooks on the wall, a snack drawer filled with all of the kids’ favorite things, a custom “tree house” in the back yard with bunk beds for each grandchild, a zipline through the trees, a giant tree swing, and so many more fun things, these kids are going to treasure these memories of hanging out at their grandparents’ house.

We got together for an extended family portrait session in their own back yard, a place that is so special to all of them and that the grandparents have meticulously maintained with gorgeous landscaping. There were so many beautiful spots for portraits, and plenty of vibrant colors from all of the flowering plants.

Everyone had a blast!

Our extended family sessions are relaxed but fast-paced (because kids are fast-paced!). They are filled with games, tickles, lots of running around, and so many hugs.

This is their tree house. Amazing, right?!

This was such a fun family session, and I’m so grateful that we were able to capture these memories for them in their favorite spot!

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Stop Putting Off Your Family Photo Session | 10 Excuses to Stop Making Right Now

Read on for the top excuses to stop making about putting off your family portrait session, and why I think now is the best time you’ll ever find for scheduling your family portraits.

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1. I’m worried my kids will act crazy.

I’ve never met a parent who DIDN’T worry about how their children would behave during a portrait session, but I’m going to tell you the same thing I tell every single family that I work with. I fully expect your kids to act like kids, and your baby to act like a baby. Even if that means running around, asserting their independence, needing a snack break, needing a cuddle, pinching their sister — I get it! I would be shocked if every child came to me and was polite and quiet and posed with great big smiles and did exactly what I asked them to do. Can you even imagine?! That’s why we play games, let the kids run around, tickle each other, and sing songs. I want them to act like kids, and I want to capture their big personalities and this season of life that you’re in.

2. I’m not photogenic. I’m so awkward in front of the camera and I hate photos of myself.

Me too! That’s why I’m usually on the other side of the camera, BUT I do make it a point to get in front of the camera a lot more often since we had our son. (Check out this fun session I did with him to celebrate one year as his mama!)

This might be your first time being in family portraits, but I promise you that it’s definitely not my first time making moms and dads look amazing! I promise to give you guidance to look and feel your best, and to photograph you at the most flattering angles so that you look back at these photos and go, “WOW! Why did I wait so long to do this?!”

3. I need to lose 10 pounds first.

Oh gosh, I hear this one all the time. Sometimes dads reach out to plan a session with me (which I love!), but it’s usually the mamas so I’m going speak to the moms on this one.

So many moms are putting off family photos because they don’t want to step in front of the camera when they’re not feeling like the best version of themselves right now. But you know what? There is never going to be a more perfect time than RIGHT NOW. To your child, you are perfect. You are the center of their world. You are their safe place, the one that kisses them when they fall and cuddles them when they’re sad. They start and end their day with you. You are the most important thing in their entire world.

So you have a few extra pounds around your midsection — who doesn’t? Let me help you find a flattering, flowy top or dress and you can squeeze your babies tight and capture all of the cuddles and kisses on camera without worrying about how you look. Leave that part to me, and I will create portraits for you that show the true love and adoration, and all of the fun that you have with your kids.

Thirty years from now, your kids will have children of their own, and they are going to want to look back at old photographs and see their mom when she was in this stage of life, too. So step in front of the camera, love on your kids, and please stop worrying. You are perfect and you’re going to treasure these photos with your babies.

4. My husband won’t cooperate, and he hates photos.

So does mine. ;o) But you know what? He married a photographer so he knows how important photos are to me and he agrees to go with the flow for a quick one-hour session once a year. Explain to him how important it is for you to step out from behind the camera and see yourself in your family portraits, too. With him, with the kids, having fun and doing what you love together.

I keep our sessions very relaxed and playful. At the beginning of every session I tell the families exactly what to expect and what the plan is so that they don’t feel like we’re wandering aimlessly with no end in sight. This is always especially helpful for dads when they know that we have three spots we’ll go to and then we’re done, helping them “count down” in their heads if they want to.

But it always makes me smile when so many dads finish the sessions and they go, “Wow, that’s it? That was actually fun! Honey, did you want any others? This was a lot easier than I thought it would be!” Seriously, that happens ALL THE TIME.

5. Planning what to wear is too stressful.

Leave that to me, then! My goal is to make your session stress-free and fun, and I have outfit guides, Pinterest boards filled with examples, and tools to help you find the perfect outfits. I’ve even had moms ask me to figure out what everyone should wear, and I’m happy to do that, too!

If you don’t want to find anything new, that’s why we have a studio closet filled with gorgeous gowns for mom and cute little outfits for baby. Please don’t let outfits stand in the way of you not getting in the picture with your children. I know it sounds cheesy, but whatever you wear will take a backseat to the smiles and the love in your photos.

6. I can just take pictures on my iPhone. Come on, have you seen the portrait mode feature?

If you’re like me, you have thousands of photos of your kids sitting on your iPhone. But maybe they’re blurry or dark, and there are 23 similar shots that you have to sort through to find one good one of the baby with his beach bucket. And if you’re like me, you never quite get around to organizing them, printing them, or creating an album because life just gets in the way and it is a very big and daunting task.

That’s why you want to hire a professional photographer to capture your family portraits. You’re hiring someone who knows all the best locations and who knows how to find the best light to make your family portraits dreamy and magical. Someone who will put everyone at ease and help them feel relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. And you’ll finally be in your family’s portraits without your selfie arm on the side of each picture! ;o)

I will do all the work for you, and you just have to show up, have fun, and kiss your babies! I’ll take the photos, choose the very best ones to edit, design and print the most gorgeous linen album, create all of your wall art and gifts for the grandparents, and more! You just have to show up. It’s that easy.

7. It’s too early for holiday cards.

It’s never too early to cross that task off of your (very long) to do list! November and December are busy enough, so why would you wait until then to take photos, choose your favorites, create your cards, address the envelopes, and mail them? That’s stressful!

Personally, I love when families use their spring & summer portraits on their holiday cards, and not just their fall foliage portraits. Unless you have a very young baby that changes from month to month, you can send out family portraits from earlier in the year and no one will know the difference! Actually, they’ll probably see them and ask about your fun beach vacation or compliment your springy dress because they’ll want to use it next spring in their portrait session!

When you plan a portrait session with a professional photographer, your photographer is also a graphic designer and she will create and print gorgeous cards for your family. Ours even come with the envelopes preprinted with your return address! No more struggling with clunky design software at the photo kiosk or on a website, and no more return labels to keep track of for your envelopes!

8. I’m waiting until our family is complete before we do a family session.

I hear this excuse sometimes, and it makes me a little bit sad because that means your older children won’t have any beautiful portraits that show what life was like they they were the center of your world. There won’t be any photographs of you and your partner as new parents, or of just the three (or four!) of you when your children were very young. By the time you get around to portraits with your whole family, you’ll honestly feel a bit more stressed and tired trying to coordinate 2+ kids, their outfits, their nap schedules, their snacks…. so take the time now and do a fun & calm session with your single child. Celebrate this special season that you’re in, and put those memories up on the walls of your home. Then when your final baby is here, let’s plan a session with your entire family and update that family portrait over the couch!

9. It’s probably too expensive, and I’m worried that I won’t love the portraits.

I have been working with families since 2012, and I’m proud to offer them the very best experience and gorgeous heirloom products that they will enjoy for years.

Family portraits are an investment, but all of the families I work with say that they are worth every single penny. I promise to listen to what it is you want from your session, learn about your children and your family, make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, create a fun & memorable hour together, and help you discover the very best ways to display and enjoy your artwork at home. I promise to give you only the most high quality products that you’ll be able to look at and share with your children for years & years to come. I promise that you’ll be looking forward to your next session as soon as these portraits are hanging up on your wall, and I promise to do everything possible so that you love the experience.

10. Life is too busy, and I just don’t have time right now.

There is never going to be a perfect time to do your family’s portraits, but I can assure you that life will only get busier as the years go by and that now is as good a time as any.

Let’s capture your baby as they’re learning to walk. Let’s capture those little ringlets in your toddler’s hair. Let’s capture your son’s wiggly first tooth and your daughter’s proud smile when she lands the perfect cartwheel. Let’s capture the way your kids fit perfectly in your arms when they’re all curled up on your lap.

Now is the perfect time. What are you waiting for?

What's the difference between a mini session and a regular session? | 2019 Fall Mini Sessions with Saratoga Springs & Boston Family Photographer

Summer & fall are our most popular seasons for family portraits, and every fall my inbox is flooded with families looking for family portraits for their holiday cards and gifts. Trust me, I get it! It’s such a beautiful time of year in the Northeast, and everyone adores the fall foliage and the vibrant colors that we’re lucky enough to enjoy for just a couple of weeks a year. It’s the perfect season for your family portrait session!

One of the most frequently asked questions that I get from families is, “What is the difference between a mini session and a regular session?” So today, I want to clear that up for you and also give you the details about our availability this fall!

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Let’s start with what is included with each session.

Full Length Family Portrait Session
-client prep guide and wardrobe guide filled with inspiration for your session
-pre-session consultation and design appointment at the studio or on a video call
-complimentary use of studio wardrobe for mamas and babies
-location of your choice within 20 miles of 12866
-up to 1 hour of shooting time
-includes immediate family up to 5 people ($25 per additional person)
-gallery reveal appointment after the session to select your favorite images for holiday cards, wall art, gifts, albums, and digitals

Investment: $225 session fee plus your choice of products after the session.
Many different collections are available to fit all budgets.

Mini Family Session
-welcome email and wardrobe guide filled with inspiration for your session
-one specific location chosen by the photographer
-15-20 minutes of shooting time
-includes immediate family up to 5 people
-images delivered via online gallery within two weeks of the session
-5 digital images available for download, with the option to add on additional images, cards, artwork, gifts, and albums

Investment: $275 - $375 depending on location and session type

Mini sessions are perfect for families that are looking for just a couple of beautiful portraits for their holiday cards and gifts, and maybe one or two for the wall. These sessions are short & sweet, and do not require much of a time commitment.

Our regular (full length) portrait sessions are my personal favorite because I love the opportunity to really get to know the families before & during our session, and then visiting with them after the session for their gallery reveal appointment to plan how they want to enjoy their portraits at home and as gifts. These sessions are longer and allow for more variety in the location and in posing, and we also have plenty of time for the kids to warm up to me and the location when they arrive because we are not pressed for time. If the kids need a break for a snack or a quick cuddle, no problem!

The full length sessions also include more help with wardrobe, including access to the studio closet and my help with finding the perfect outfits for your whole family! So many moms (and sometimes dads!) worry about how to coordinate outfits for the whole family. This is probably your first or second time doing this, but me? I’ve done this literally hundreds of times with all of the families I photograph each year. I’m happy to help make this easier for you so that your session is stress-free and that you adore your family portraits!

Full length sessions are perfect if you’re including Grandma & Grandpa and all of the grandkids because we will capture plenty of variety with all of the different groupings of people.

You also want to consider your plans for your images after the session. Do you want one framed family portrait on the wall? Or a couple for your holiday cards and gifts? Maybe a mini session is right for you!

Are you looking for a gallery wall in the living room, a few more in the office, and a couple in the hallway? Do you dream of turning the pages of one of our gorgeous linen albums filled with beautiful portraits of your family having fun? Definitely go with the full length session.

Here’s a peek at a sampling of images from a mini session and from a full-length session. This is not the entire gallery, it’s just to give you an idea of the variety in images included with each type of session.

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Let’s talk about timing.

I’ve been photographing families since 2012, and every year I hear families tell me how they really want to take their portraits in the fall when the foliage is so pretty. REMEMBER, IT’S THE MOST POPULAR TIME OF YEAR FOR PORTRAITS. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!

I stop photographing outdoors before Halloween, so plan ahead! By November, most of the leaves have fallen down and been raked up, and the temperature is usually too cool for little ones to be comfortable outside in just a light sweater. This is why we plan our sessions early in the season.

You want to book your session for September or early October if…

September is when we enjoy the beautiful days of early fall. It’s still warm outside, the sunlight is perfectly golden, and the trees aren’t quite so vibrant yet. If you’re planning on decorating your home with your family portraits, think of the color scheme inside your home. If you have a more neutral style or lots of cool colors (gray, blue), then maybe vibrant orange and red won’t coordinate so well like you would get from a late October session. However, a September session lends itself to more neutral tones and would look perfect on your walls! September (and early October) is also perfect for families who have little ones under age 2 who might be too cold outside in late October when the weather has cooled off. If it’s a family with just the parents and a baby, I’d recommend planning for a session earlier in the fall so keep everyone happy!

And mid to late October might be a better fit for you if…

If color makes your heart do a little happy dance, then you definitely want to plan your family portraits for October! The trees are bursting with reds, oranges, and yellows, and the whole landscape looks like the sunset. These sessions are always some of my favorites every year, and I love when the leaves have fallen down and the kids can have fun throwing leaves in the air and jumping in piles of leaves to hear the ::crunch::. Mid to late October sessions are especially great for older kids, or very easy-going little ones who might not mind the slight chill in the air.

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We’re opening our 2019 fall calendar on Friday, August 23!!!

This is when we’ll begin filling the mini session dates as well as our full length session dates. Our newsletter subscribers will have first dibs on their date & time of choice, and our calendar is already halfway full with previous clients already!

If you’re not on our mailing list, be sure to join so that you can receive early access to our fall session dates! There’s one for our Massachusetts families, and one for our Saratoga Springs/Albany families!

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Did you find this blog post helpful? Then you are going to love this next one that is filled with tips on what to wear for your family portrait session this fall!

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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.  

Summer Lovin' - Adorable brother & sister photo session at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs

The Hall of Springs is less than two miles from the studio, and it is one of my favorite spots for quick family portrait sessions! The landscaping is always gorgeous, and the marble floors bounce so much light back up onto the subjects. Plus, there are lots of different areas to enjoy for great variety in the session!

I had so much fun with Austin & Avery during their sibling session at the Hall of Springs in SPAC this summer. They were all smiles and giggles, and we captured so many adorable portraits of this duo!

This one is my favorite! Such a cute little hug!

I love those two little teeth peeking through!

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Boston Family Portraits in Beacon Hill with Nicole Starr Photography

The thing I miss most about living in Boston is getting into the city and enjoying the streets as the backdrop for my photo sessions, but lucky for me I head back there all the time to work with clients and I still get to suggest the most beautiful spots in the city for their portraits!

I especially love Beacon Hill for family sessions. The sidewalks are adorable and they are always decorated with the most beautiful flower boxes, plus the brick buildings, colorful front doors, and quaint shutters are picture perfect! Even better? All of the cutest shops are in Beacon Hill, like this sweet flower shop!

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this adorable family in Boston. The flower stand was perfect for sibling portraits of the two sisters, and their yellow dresses simply popped against the floral background.

We always have so much fun during our family sessions while we play games, tickle, and fly the kids around like superheroes. Just look at those smiles!!

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A Mommy and Me Session in the Boston Public Garden

Meet Jack. The smiliest, most adorable little boy who I had the pleasure of photographing in the Boston Public Garden this spring with his mama. This sweet 4 year old is constantly on the go, and we spent a playful hour together filled with giggles, laughs, and bubbles for an extra special Mommy & Me portrait session.

Boston is such a beautiful city in the early spring, and tulip season is always breathtaking. The misty weather didn’t dampen our spirits, and Jack and his mama layered on their rain gear and enjoyed splashing in the puddles in the garden.

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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, and she also works with families at her Attleboro, MA studio and on location in Boston and on Cape Cod. 

Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

A Relaxed Family Session at Home

This lifestyle session in the S family’s new home in Saratoga Springs was so perfect! I absolutely loved capturing the four of them together in the space where they are most comfortable — at home!

We started off playing in big brother’s room, and he was so happy to show me his little tent and play peek-a-boo with his baby brother.

My favorite room in the house was the nursery. There was a wall of windows, and it was perfect for lots of family cuddles and kisses! Big brother Henry was so sweet with baby Charlie, and I loved watching these two adorable brothers together!

Like all of our in-home family sessions, we always love cozying up in the master bedroom and capturing the whole family together on the bed.

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Fall Family Portraits in Downtown Saratoga Springs, NY

2018 was the year I fell in love with shooting family sessions in downtown Saratoga Springs. I stepped away from the more traditional photo shoot locations and instead scouted out some new streets and corners with perfect patches of light to bring families, and it was such a joy!

We wrapped up the fall season with this sweet family session, and I loved getting to play with these brothers on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. We finished up at Congress Park for the fall foliage, and they had a blast playing in the leaves. This was truly such a fun session!

How sweet is this portrait with Alex & Ben and all of the beautiful foliage? We turned this one into a 24” wooden artwork for their walls, and I loooooove how it looks printed large for this family to enjoy!

Look at that great big grin! You wouldn’t ever believe he was shy when we started the session, would you? Ben had a BLAST! Especially when we told him he could throw leaves on his brother (keep scrolling and you’ll see it!).

At the time of our session, Alex was still learning to walk. A week later he was running all over the place. I love that we captured this shot of his whole family supporting him and cheering him on with his first steps!

2018 Holiday Sessions

It’s my favorite time of year! The studio has been filled with twinkly lights, Christmas trees, and plaid accents for weeks now, and holiday music has been playing nonstop on the Alexa. Santa gets mentioned at least once every session, a couple of jingle bells have been my go-to trick to get little ones to look at the camera.

That can only mean one thing…

It’s time to share a peek into our 2018 HOLIDAY SESSIONS!

We did sessions in both the Saratoga Springs & Attleboro studios, and so many families joined us for lots of festive portraits. As the years go by I tend to favor simpler backdrops that keep the focus on the family with just a touch of festive cheer. This year we had a bit of a farmhouse touch to our holiday backdrops inspired by some Joanna Gaines decor — boxwood wreaths, plaid throws, a rustic hand painted sign, and a wooden ladder, yes please!

All of the families brought their A-game in CUTENESS! So many Christmas cuddles and lots of adorable smiles!

Sweater Weather Sessions 2018

I love fall.

I love the leaves, the crisp air, the pumpkins, and the spices. I adore the chunky sweaters and leather boots, and it’s one of my favorite times to photograph families cuddling up on a quilt together and getting all cozy for their portraits.

Enjoy a peek at our Sweater Weather portraits from 2018! We did sessions in Boston at Larz Anderson Park, and in Saratoga Springs at Congress Park. Two beautiful days, and lots of amazing families.

Fall Family Portraits at Yaddo Gardens

Believe it or not, this was my first time shooting at Yaddo Gardens and I absolutely loved exploring this beautiful new location with the sweetest family.

When Matt contacted me this summer and asked about planning a surprise portrait session as a gift for his wife, I was all in! I love it when husbands reach out about planning portraits, and it’s always fun to coordinate this gift with them. Because you know what? Moms love photos, and they never, ever get to be in the frame. They deserve to celebrate this stage of motherhood they’re in and have it captured beautifully on camera! So we planned the perfect session for Rebecca and their girls.

Look at these sweet sister cuddles!

Oh my goodness. This one stops me in my tracks. It’s one of those photos that truly bring to life the saying, “If you think my arms are full, you should see my heart.” This is the photo that she’ll come back to thirty years from now and remember what it felt like in those days that flew by when her girls were small.

Discovering new areas of Yaddo was so much fun, and I love the variety in backdrops! The rose garden with this beautiful staircase was perfect for a few casual family portraits.

And of course, what child can resist running up and down the covered path?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best of 2017 Family Sessions with Saratoga Springs and Boston Family Photographer

Oh. My. Goodness!  This is one of the most fun blog posts I publish all year because it is FILLED with laughter, tickles, mama cuddles, splashing in the ocean, little kids flying in daddy’s arms, and all of my favorite moments that unfolded during our family portrait sessions in the past 12 months.  

Every year I love going back through our sessions and sharing a few favorites on the blog.  This year was unlike any other, and it was filled with more smiling families than I can even begin to count.  I had so much fun getting to know (and reuniting with some of my very favorite!) families in Saratoga Springs, Boston, and Cape Cod.  

Our family sessions are very popular during the warmer months from May through October, and we see a few families at the studio during the winter and spring, too.  I love spending time outside during our family photo shoots.  The best location is always somewhere where we have a lot of space to let the kids roam and play — a park, a field, or a beach are always a lot of fun and photograph beautifully.  You know that I’m a coastal girl at heart, so our sessions at the beach are always my favorites and I have so many beaches that I love on the Cape — if you’re looking for the perfect spot for your family’s photo session on Cape Cod, just ask! 
 

Enjoy a peek at a few of our most memorable family sessions from 2017, and be sure to check out our other “BEST OF 2017” blog posts!

Best of 2017 Cake Smash Sessions
Best of 2017 Lifestyle Sessions
Best of 2017 Studio Newborn Sessions
Best of 2017 Maternity Sessions
Best of 2017 Beach Sessions on Cape Cod
Best of 2017 Fresh 48 Sessions
Best of 2017 Brothers & Sisters: Candid and Fun Sibling Portraits