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

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

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

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

boy hugs mother’s leg during Saratoga Springs family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom kneels down to hug son during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom holds toddler on hip smiling during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom holds toddler on hip smiling during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom holds toddler on hip and holds older son’s hand smiling during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four hugs and laughs on brick pathway during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad runs holding sons as they play in park during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
brothers hug sitting together on bench during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler boy in white shirt laughs on bench during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
boy in white shirt laughs on bench during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents walk with two sons next to them on pathway during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents and two sons laugh hugging on pathway during family portraits in Congress Park with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Saratoga Springs family portraits with two young brothers in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park

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

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

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

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

mother in orange dress holds toddler son in knit grey sweater during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mother in orange dress holds toddler son in knit grey sweater during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in cream knit sweater holds toddler son in matching cream sweater during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in cream knit sweater and jeans reaches for boots sitting on bench during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in cream knit sweater and jeans sits on blanket during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mother in orange dress holds toddler in cream knit sweater and jeans with dad in matching sweater and jeans standing nearby during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr P
dad in cream sweet and jeans lifts up toddler in matching cream knit sweater and jeans during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in cream sweet and jeans plays airplane with toddler in matching cream knit sweater and jeans during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in cream knit sweater and jeans leans over reaching for feet in boots during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in cream knit sweater and jeans leans sits up on sidewalk during fall family portraits with baby in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Fall family portraits with 6 month old baby boy in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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

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

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

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

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

parents sit on bench with son in cable knit sweater on bench in Congress Park during family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in ivory cable knit sweater holds son in matching cable knit sweater in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in ivory cable knit sweater holds son in matching cable knit sweater in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad in ivory cable knit sweater holds son in matching cable knit sweater while mom in fall dress stands by them both in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler boy in white knit sweater lays on personalized blanket in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in navy floral fall dress holds toddler son in white knit sweater in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hug toddler son in white knit sweater standing in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in navy floral fall dress holds toddler son in white knit sweater in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
woman in navy floral fall dress hugs husband in white cable knit sweater and jeans standing in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
woman in navy floral fall dress carrying son in knit sweater walks with husband in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
woman in navy floral fall leans to kiss husband in Congress Park during fall family and anniversary portraits with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
married couple laughs together standing in Congress Park during family and anniversary portraits with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Fall family portraits in Congress Park to celebrate 5th anniversary photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Cake Smash with White and Gold Backdrop

Sofia is one! We celebrated this sweet girl’s first birthday with a gorgeous cake smash in my Saratoga Springs studio this year. I’ve done Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star setups before but they’re always fun to create and I love to find new ways to make them unique to each baby in the studio. For Sofia’s session, we focused on a light and airy feeling in her setup. I’m a huge sucker for any setup with gold stars, and that was a great place to start for her backdrop! The end results are so timeless and just perfect for this little birthday star! 

Before we dove into her cake though, Sofia and her family met with me in Congress Park – one of my favorite Saratoga Springs parks. We managed to find the last flowering bush in the park. It wound up being the perfect spot for their new family portraits! Sofia and her big sister Ella were fantastic for me. We had a blast! Mom and dad played along with the girls, and everyone looked absolutely amazing. It was the best way to kick off their session. 

When the portraits were done, we headed to the studio and Sofia got to get into her cake. She looked adorable with a simple headband and ivory outfit for the smash. This little girl loved when she got to play with the wooden spoon and cake. It was adorable! Our session ended with her little bubble bath – a favorite among the babies in the studio. She was so cute and happy the entire time for us. It was truly a dream cake smash session!

toddler in white tutu eats cake during twinkle twinkle little star cake smash with white and gold backdrop photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays in white tub with yellow duck during cake smash photographed by Saratoga Springs NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography
sisters in pastel gowns hold hands on sidewalk during family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold daughters during family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hold daughters during family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad holds one year old daughter out playing during family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
family of four holds hands in blue and tan outfits during family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in yellow dress sits in the grass during spring family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler in yellow dress stands in the grass during spring family portraits in Congress Park photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Cake Smash with White and Gold Backdrop photographed by NY cake smash photographer Nicole Starr Photography