Classic newborn & family portraits in our saratoga springs portrait studio

Welcome to the neighborhood, Kiran! Another beautiful baby was born in our neighborhood this year. We’re now up to SIX babies born within the neighborhood in the last year. I love that these little ones are going to grow up together. This newborn session was also special to me because I photographed Kiran’s big brother’s newborn portraits in 2019, too.

I loved seeing Ravi as a big brother. He was soooo excited and 100% into cuddling up with Kiran and taking pictures of the two of them together. We got the cutest sibling portraits! Amy and Raj also loved watching their boys together. I had a wonderful time catching up and hearing how the adjustment from three to four has been going for this sweet family.

For Kiran’s newborn portraits, we chose a classic setup and color palette featuring white and ivory setups and blue accents. Kiran looked so sweet nestled into all of the blankets and wraps during our portraits. He’s so precious and I adored the chance to meet him in my studio! Congratulations to this sweet family. I can’t wait to watch Kiran (and Ravi!) grow up!

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Why Most Newborn Portraits are of Sleeping Babies

Have you ever wondered why most newborn portraits are of sleeping babies? It's not just because photographers are pros at getting babies to sleep. There's actually a whole science and reasoning behind it!

When they babies are sleepy, they are:

-more relaxed

-easier to pose

-safer to pose

Sleeping babies make our job easier and safer. As you know, a baby’s safety is always my priority in the studio or at home, so any time we can allow baby to sleep during our portraits, everyone feels a bit better! (Of course, it’s okay if your little one doesn’t sleep, too!!).

Newborn babies tend to sleep more than they’re awake.

All babies are different, but most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake -- even though sometimes it doesn't seem that way to new parents! Most often in those first few weeks, the only times they are awake are when they are eating or getting changed, and it's rare to have many moments when they are awake and relaxed at the same time. This means that in order to find those moments of peace for our session, we want baby will be asleep and therefore relaxed during our session!

Some poses just aren’t safe to do if baby isn’t sleeping.

The first priority in every newborn session is the baby's safety, and some poses are just not safe to do with a newborn while they are awake. For example, tummy poses are not safe for an awake baby because they can kick their legs and wiggle off the posing bed or prop. In other poses, the babies have their heads carefully balanced on their arms or hands, and even though this is done in a very safe manner to distribute their weight evenly and keep their bodies balanced, an awake baby is too wiggly to attempt this safely.

We work to create a relaxing atmosphere for your baby!

Since we want your baby to sleep (so they’re relaxed and even safer), newborn photographers work hard to get babies to relax during their session. That is why we crank up the heat in the studio, swaddle and rock the babies, use white noise, and use gentle repetitive motions such as patting and stroking to soothe them. Our goal is to get babies as relaxed as possible so that they will fall asleep and be easy and safe to pose for their portraits. Plus we are able to capture the most variety in images and poses while they are sleeping, too!

But what happens when a baby just won't sleep?

Honestly, this happens fairly often, so if your baby is one of those ones that just won't settle, don't stress! Usually it's a digestive issue. Some babies have upset tummies and they're trying to work out some gas or a BM. Others are affected by caffeine in breastmilk, or maybe a new formula just doesn't sit well in their tummies. Some had a stellar night's sleep last night and they're just not tired right now (but you know the second you leave they're going to drift off to dreamland!).

Newborn portraits are about photographing your baby!

No matter what happens (or doesn’t), we'll figure it out and work around it to capture beautiful portraits while you're in the studio. Typically newborn sessions last 2-3 hours, and most babies would struggle to stay awake for such a long period of time in those early weeks. We keep their tummies full and use all of the tricks to help them relax and stay happy. While they're awake, we swaddle them up and capture those big bright eyes and funny little expressions. I looooove photographing awake babies because they are so expressive, and those wide-eyed shots always make it onto the front of their birth announcement cards. Eventually they all fall asleep and they give in to the heat and the white noise, but some babies just take a little longer than others.

When should you schedule newborn portraits?

For the traditional posed newborn session, we usually schedule those for between 7-15 days old. The ideal time to reserve your newborn session is before the baby is born to ensure a spot on the calendar. After the two week mark babies are often much more alert and wiggly.

I love photographing older newborns, too, but the type of images we create in those sessions is more about interactions and expressions while they are relaxed and awake. Older newborn sessions are less posed and they are usually done with babies 4-8 weeks old.

Ready to get your session on the calendar?

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Beautiful Newborn Portraits at our Saratoga Springs Baby Photography Studio

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

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

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

Can you find the hidden hearts in the portrait below?

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Inspired by this sweet newborn session? Pin this image or any from the post above!

Product Showcase - A Lavender Linen Album for a Studio Newborn Session

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

Sleepy little babies are the best!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About Nicole Starr Photography 

Nicole Starr specializes in newborn, baby & family photography and has been serving families in New York and Massachusetts since 2012.  She has a portrait studio in Saratoga Springs, NY for families in the Capital Region.  Nicole also works with families year round at her Attleboro, MA portrait studio, and on location May through October in Boston and on Cape Cod.  Nicole has a clean and classic style, and the studio is filled with neutrals and luxe fabrics.  We use very minimal props to keep the focus on your perfect little baby.  Our sessions are relaxed and fun, and we’ll enjoy an hour together (or up to 3 hours for a newborn session!) laughing, cuddling, and capturing authentic smiles and belly laughs with your little ones.  

Pretty Florals for Amelia's Studio Newborn Session

Spring has sprung here in the studio, and flowers are EVERYWHERE! I absolutely love getting to incorporate beautiful blooms into our sessions, and I was thrilled to welcome Amelia to the studio for some cute portraits with peonies.

But first, check out her adorable family portraits! This sibling pic melts my heart. What an incredible big brother!

This little miss was wide awake for part of her session, so we captured those beautiful, sparkling eyes of hers!

Gorgeous Mama and Baby Portraits in our Saratoga Springs Studio

I am 100% head over heels in love with this session! We did some stunning mama and baby portraits in the studio to celebrate Sebastian’s arrival, and new mama Kate wore a few of the gowns in our studio closet. (By the way, have you seen the new Mama Wardrobe yet? Go check it out and borrow a dress or two for your session!)

I love how peaceful and serene these portraits are, and she looks so elegant in these gowns! My favorite thing about the studio wardrobe is how classic the styles are, and how flattering they are on all body types — even postpartum bodies! Trust me, all mamas feel GORGEOUS when they step into these dresses!

Not to be left out, Sebastian even slipped into one of our newborn outfits from the Baby Wardrobe at the studio. I love these blue stripes!

Whether you’re planning a maternity session, newborn session, family portraits, or a cake smash — mamas, if you don’t know what to wear and you’re worried that nothing in your closet looks just right, then come ask me what we can do with the outfits here at the studio. I would love to help you pick out the perfect one for your session!

Newborn Portraits for Penelope James

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

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

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

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

Holden's Newborn Session with his Big Brothers

Our newest Baby Planner baby is here! Holden Patrick joined me at the Attleboro studio for his newborn session, and I had such a wonderful time celebrating his arrival with this sweet family! Holden’s big brothers are both so excited and helpful with their newest sibling, and they did an amazing job during the session.

Funny story…. when the big brothers were getting dressed at the beginning of the session, one of the boys slid his arms into his button-down shirt and his thumbs got caught on the button at the cuff. He exclaimed, “Cool! Thumb holes!” and immediately loved the shirt because he thought it was like those athletic shirts that have the slits for the thumbs. His mom and I couldn’t stop laughing and then we had to break it to him that he wouldn’t be using the “thumb holes” during portraits. We convinced him that rolled cuffs were way cooler, and he was excited to wear his fancy shirt. Too funny!

Aren’t they the best big brothers you’ve ever seen?!?!

He doesn’t seem to mind giving up his title as the baby of the family one bit!

Both big brothers had nautical inspired newborn portraits done when they were born, and it was really important to the family to do a matching portrait with white starfish and white layers. I love what we came up with, and it will look perfect as a canvas on the wall with the boys’ portraits!

And of course, the nautical-inspired session wouldn’t be complete without some blue and white stripes!

Baby Starr | Grayson's First Month

Sweet little Grayson is one month old!

How did that happen so quickly?!?!  If you missed his newborn portraits, check them out here.  And you can enjoy a peek into his nursery here on the blog, too!

This adorable little guy has truly brought so much joy to our lives over the past month, and I can't even begin to imagine how amazing the next year (and all of those after that!) are going to be.  Jeff and I keep saying over and over again how lucky we are to have such a perfect, happy, healthy, and mellow little baby. 

He  truly has a very chill personality, and we adore his alert time because it really showcases his relaxed mood.  It happens 2-3 times a day right now, and he spends it looking around, taking everything in with those great big eyes of his.  He's very quiet when he's studying everything around him, and he lights up with the sweetest smiles and these really cute "o" faces when he purses his lips.  

Of course, like all babies, Grayson can get a little fussy at times.  We've discovered that he calms right down with music, and we're always saying, "Alexa, play Top Pop radio."  (Which, by the way, we bought an Alexa right before he was born and it's been so amazing to have something hands-free when our hands are filled with a baby!)  Ten seconds in to a song with a good beat, he is as happy as can be!  I'm attributing that to the countless hours I spent in the car with the radio on driving back and forth between Boston & Saratoga during the pregnancy -- we have a music lover on our hands!

These photos below were taken at 10 days old, and Grayson looked so tiny in his "coming home outfit" on our bed.  It's hard to believe that just a few weeks later, he's now outgrown that adorable sweater and I'll be packing it up in a box along with his hospital bracelet and footprints!  

This month was filled with firsts for Grayson! 

His first photoshoot was a Fresh 48 session in the hospital with Lauren Kirkham Photography.  He rocked it, and we've already shown his album off to all of our family members and found a special place for it on the shelf with our other albums.  I can't stop looking at it though!

With the weather warming up, he enjoyed his first visit to an ice cream shop.  We took him to Martha's Dandee Creme in Queensbury, our favorite! 

He finally discovered that he LOVES bathtime.  We put on some lullabies and he just zones out while laying in the water.

His first trip to Target was for more diapers.  Of course. 

He slept through his first walk through Spa State Park with a new baby friend. 

To celebrate Daddy going back to work at the end of the month, G-man slept 6 hours at night for the very first time!  We're hoping that continues and becomes a nightly tradition... eventually!

And he spent lots of time with the grandparents, and his aunt and little cousin who also came over to visit! 
 

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Because our phones are now filled with baby photos, and because the very best camera you can have is whichever one is in your hand right this moment, here are a few favorite cell phone shots from Grayson's first month!  We're pretty much obsessed with his smiles, his cuddles, and all of his funny little expressions that melt our hearts when he's awake!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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

Is a Studio Newborn Session the Right Fit for You? - Studio Newborn Photographer

With so many options in the newborn photography world, how do you know which is the right fit for you?  Today we're talking all about studio newborn portrait sessions, and how to know if that's the right style for your family.

I offer three types of newborn sessions -- studio sessions, lifestyle sessions in your home, and Fresh 48 sessions at the hospital.  Each one tells a different story, and gives you a different style of images.  Some families choose to do just one session, others do a combination of two (typically Fresh 48 and then either lifestyle or studio), and still others do all three!

Fresh 48 sessions are natural, raw, and filled with emotion.  They are a peek into your first hours meeting your newborn baby, and they are filled with some of the most magical moments I ever have the pleasure of photographing.  Sure, the hospital decorating choices might leave a little to be desired, and you're going to be exhausted because you just delivered a baby the day before, but these are moments you will never get back and you will always cherish.  Check out our blog post about why you might want to consider hiring a Fresh 48 photographer.

Lifestyle sessions are a relaxed, intimate peek into your lives at home in the first few weeks of bringing home your baby.  They are unposed, and we capture you just as you are in your home.  We also take care to capture all of the details of the nursery that you carefully planned for 9 months, and give you portraits that you'll be able to show your child as they grow and tell them all about the house they came home to when they were born.  Check out our blog post about lifestyle sessions to see if this might be the best fit for you!

But today, it's all about the studio sessions!  How do you know if they are the right fit for you? I get asked this question all the time by expecting parents, and here are a few things to keep in mind.  If these facts resonate with you, then a studio session is probably the best fit for you!  

1.  You love those classic family portraits against a clean background, where everyone is looking at the camera.  

In the studio we capture shots with mom & dad, siblings, and everyone alone with the baby.  If you love the more "posed" style of family portraits, book your studio session!

2.  You can't get enough of those adorable little bowls, baskets, and crates that we pose babies in!

The studio is stocked with simple, classic props that won't detract from your baby's beauty.  All of my props are natural wood, driftwood, or painted white.  Wraps and other items are all natural materials that are perfectly soft against baby's delicate skin.  If you love those shots of baby wrapped and curled up in bowls and baskets, a studio session is the right fit for you!

3.  You love those newborn poses of babies on a blanket, with their head on their hands.

Newborn photographers are trained in newborn safety, and they know how to safely position your little one in those sweet little poses that melt every parent's heart.  We use a posing beanbag in the studio covered in blankets to give your baby a safe cushion, and we know just how to prop them up and support them to get them into those curly little positions.  If you adore clean & uncluttered backgrounds, this is perfect for you too since these poses are not something that can be achieved at home on your bed.

4.  Your heart skips a beat when you see those tiny little headbands and hand-knit newborn outfits, and you love a perfectly coordinated set.

We have headbands, bonnets, basket stuffers, and perfectly sized outfits that are 1,000,000 times cuter and more classic than anything you'll find at Target.  Trust me on this one: use the cute little accents that your photographer has in the studio because they are created to be photographed, and they will look so classic on your newborn baby.

5.  You have a prop that you'd like to use.

If you have a special item that is sentimental or a family heirloom, please bring that to your session!  We typically only have time to incorporate 1-2 additional items into your baby's setups, and it's nice to not let your little one be overpowered by too many props.  But if you have something small that is related to your family (your grandmother's quilt, a bracelet you wore as a baby, an item related to mom or dad's career or how you first met), let's incorporate it into your session!  It is always so much fun to breathe a little personality into your portraits, and they're guaranteed to be images that you love for years to come.

But what would I recommend not bringing?  

Well, you know those little crocheted outfits of animals sold on Etsy?  They're typically made with low-quality yarn and the baby's skin gets irritated when rubbing up against them, plus the baby almost always overheats in those hats and diaper covers.  A sweaty baby is an unhappy baby, and we won't be able to soothe them to get the shot.  

I also wouldn't recommend bringing a shot list from Pinterest -- discuss any inspiration with your photographer ahead of time, but remember that you hired them because you trust their style and their artistic vision.  

Leave the fluffy flower headbands from the baby store at home, as well as all of those cute little newborn onesies and shoes -- they're often too large on the baby anyways, so they're swimming in sleeves that don't fit and shoes that keep falling off.  (Baby toes are adorable -- let's showcase them!)  Plus when your baby is all curled up and sleepy you can't see the text/design on the onesies very well.  Save them for visits with family and cute cell phone pictures of them in their car seat.

6.  Finally, if you love those sleepy newborn shots of the baby perfectly posed or wrapped up to show how small they are, the studio is the perfect place to capture that!  

I have dozens of wraps, blankets, and faux furs in the studio to pose your baby on, and I love finding new combinations to keep every session fresh.  At the studio it's easier to get the baby to sleep because we keep it a toasty 80 degrees with white noise in the background, allowing us to pose your baby naked, or wrapped up snugly in a swaddle to get them to sleep.  If you love those sleepy shots, a studio session is for you!

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So, a studio newborn session feels like the right fit for you!  What's next?

Get in touch with your photographer while you're still pregnant to schedule your newborn session.  Most moms reach out during the second trimester.  Newborn sessions are penciled in on the calendar based on your due date, and photographers only accept a certain number of due dates each month to give each family the flexibility in scheduling that they deserve.  

Then as soon as your baby arrives, tell your photographer so that they can set a date for your session!  It's important that studio sessions take place (ideally) within the first two weeks of the baby's arrival, so don't delay!

Welcome Lola! A Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session at Home | Boston Lifestyle Photographer

Honestly, I feel so lucky every time I walk into a new house for a lifestyle session!  My clients have the most beautiful homes and such unique styles, and I adore all of our lifestyle newborn sessions where we get to take a peek into their lives at home!

Meet Lola.

This little sweetheart is already so, so loved.  Her mama & daddy waited a long time for her arrival, and her big sister is over the moon excited!  Big sister Stella loved showing me the nursery, and snuggling up close to Lola in her crib.  She told me how it used to be her room when she was a baby, and her mama showed me all of the sweet little details that went into the decorations -- including a teddy bear that was hers more than 30 years ago when she was born!

When we do our lifestyle sessions, I look for beautiful pockets of natural light in your home.  This settee was in the hallway, and it was the perfect spot for this family of four to cuddle up together with their new baby girl.

Lola fit perfectly in her mama's arms, and she enjoyed so many snuggles from all of her family.  She slept through almost the entire session, but when she did open those sparkling eyes it was pure magic!

Did you love this lifestyle newborn session?  Check out a few more favorites on the blog!

Connor's Light & Airy Lifestyle Newborn Session

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: A Dreamy Nursery

Harrison's Coastal Lifestyle Session

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!

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.  

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew's White & Cream Studio Session

Brynley's Newborn Session with Tulips

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

Bring me all of your baby girls, pretty please?  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sleepy Newborn Photos - Saratoga Springs & Boston Newborn Photographer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connor's Lifestyle Newborn Session - Boston South Shore Lifestyle Photographer

World, meet Connor.

This sweet little boy has the most soulful eyes I have ever seen on a newborn. He was wide awake during his lifestyle newborn session at home, and his curiosity got the best of him as he wanted to see everything that was going on around him.  I'm so glad, because it allowed us to capture so many beautiful wide-eyed shots of this handsome baby boy!

Baby toes are my favorite!  Especially when framed by a white crib in a nursery with such delicious & airy light streaming in.  

The family's fur baby, Mack, joined in on the fun.  I always love when we can incorporate pets into our lifestyle sessions at home because they are such an important member of your family.  While most dogs take some time to adjust to a new baby at home, we always try a little extra hard to get a few shots of the two together.  Those will definitely be the images you are so happy to have many years from now when your baby and your dog are the best of friends.

Decor & style is such a huge part of our lifestyle sessions, though they of course take a back seat to the emotions that are bubbling over as your family grows from 2 to 3 (or from 3 to 4!).  I love that these sessions take place right in your home, and they show so much of your family's personality as we capture the space that you first brought your baby home to.  The banister on the staircase in this family's home made the perfect frame to shoot through for a few cozy moments in the living room.  

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - A Lifestyle Newborn Session in the South End, Boston Baby Photographer

Can we please fill all of the nurseries with twinkling stars?  Pretty please?

I just loved visiting Baby Chance's family at home for a lifestyle session to celebrate their little boy's arrival.  Their South End apartment in Boston was the perfect mix of industrial and modern, with sweet little touches like the wooden doves on the wall and the light-up stars in the nursery.  We had so much fun together capturing some quiet moments at home as the new mom & dad cuddled up with their baby boy.  

Older babies may not be as easy to pose, but they sure are expressive!  Chance is the happiest baby, and he had so many smiles and giggles for us!  Just look at how joyful and handsome he is!  Even their dog, Tessie, was curious about this little baby that had come into their home.

I always love parent shots like this one when we are doing a lifestyle session at home.  Pure & simple, it shows what your life is like as a new mom.  These are true, everyday moments that you will live thousands of times, and look back on them to show your child one day how you used to cuddle him in the chair by the window, giving him gentle face massages to help him relax.  

One happy family -- though their dog is still trying to figure out if she's happy about this new addition!  

We have enjoyed so many lifestyle sessions lately!  Be sure to check out a few of our favorites on the blog for inspiration for your own newborn session at home.  

Harrison: A Lifestyle Family Session with Blogger of A Modest Life

Catherine: A Lifestyle Session in Charlestown, Boston

Charlie: A Lifestyle Session in the South End