Welcome, Kona - A Neutral and Minimalist Studio Newborn Session - Boston Newborn Photographer

Many years ago, I remember thinking that white, cream, and beige were "boring."  I lived in an apartment with all white walls, and I couldn't wait to get out of there so that I could paint all of my rooms different colors.

Flash forward, and nowadays there is nothing I love more than neutrals.  Give me all of the whites, creams, and grays, and my heart is happy.  Especially with our newborn sessions -- these babies are so fresh & pure, and these soft neutral colors are the perfect complement to truly showcase how beautiful these new little ones are on their own.  There is nothing to distract from their perfection!

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

Kona visited me at our Attleboro studio with her big sister Kailani.  Her mom requested all neutrals, because just like me, her heart goes all pitter-patter when she sees those whites & creams together.  Kona's skin was so creamy and beautiful, and her dark hair perfectly framed her face, making her pop against our simple backdrops.

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

This sleepy little girl wanted to see what was going on, and while she resisted sleep for awhile, she eventually gave in and closed those beautiful sparkling eyes of hers.  Not before we got some great wide-eyed shots first, though!

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

It's always unpredictable with toddlers and newborns, and Kailani took awhile to warm up to the idea of being in a portrait with her baby sister.  Later in the session, she decided now would be the perfect time and she walked on over and kissed Kona right on her forehead without prompting.  She's already becoming such a good big sister!

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

Love what you see?  Check out these neutral newborn sessions at our studio, too!
 

Abigail's Newborn Session at our Attleboro Portrait Studio | Boston Newborn Photographer

Oh, little miss Abigail.  I don't think they come any sweeter than you!

Abigail joined me at the studio for her newborn session, and we used all of the classic girly details to complement her Victorian-style nursery -- pearls, lace, silk, blush pink, the softest fabrics, and flowing wraps.  The end result?  I am in love with the beautiful images we captured of this sweet little girl!

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

Abigail's big brother, Oliver, was so excited to hold his baby sister.  He did a phenomenal job, cuddling her in close, singing her a song, and giving her lots of kisses on her forehead.  

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

I love the soft blues in their family portraits.  They live in a coastal town in Massachusetts, and these will look amazing up on the walls of their living room!  Seriously, this family portrait of the four of them can't get any more perfect -- Ollie just has the most adorable expression here!  So, so in love with this sweet family's session!

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

Sleepy Newborn Photos - Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

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

Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer
Nicole Starr Photography | Saratoga Springs Newborn Photographer | Boston Newborn Photographer | Upstate NY Newborn Photographer | Newborn Photographer

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

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

Sweet Dreams: A Peaceful Newborn Session with Baby Joey (Saratoga Springs Newborn Baby Photographer)

There is something so magical about a brand new baby that is heavy with sleep and curled up in your arms.  Their tiny fingers wrap around your own, their lashes flutter over their eyes, and the soft sighs that they give as they drift in and out of sleep are just so peaceful.  

Our newborn sessions are always relaxed and calm to focus on the baby's needs, and this dreamy session with Joey's family was no exception.  We kept the colors nice & simple with just a few neutral wraps and minimal props, keeping the focus exactly where it should be: on that beautiful, brand new baby boy.

I always encourage parents to step in front of the camera for a few photos of their new family all together.  Twenty years from now, you will treasure these images as you look back on your first days as a new mom, reliving the moments your husband held your baby in his arms.  And just look at the love shining on their faces in these photos!  These are the moments that I love capturing.  

Baby Joey was an absolute dream to photograph.  Once he fell asleep, he was as happy as can be and moved easily from one pose to the next.  A few of my favorite images, though, are the unposed ones.  The ones where he tosses his arms overhead, stretches out, and relaxes into a deep, deep sleep.