Rose Garden Sibling & Family Portrait Session with Schenectady Family Photographer

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

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

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

brother and sister hug in front of rose bushes in the Central Park rose garden photographed by Schenectady family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
brother and sister sit hugging in front of rose bushes in the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
young boy in white shirt and jeans sits in front of rose bushes in the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents swing two children walking down row of rose bushes in the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
girl in white flower dress hugs mom in pink linen dress standing in the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in pink gown kneels down to hug son by pink roses inside the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
girl in white flower dress hugs mom in pink linen dress standing in the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad kneels down to hug toddler son on brick pathway between pink roses at the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents stand hugging two children on brick pathway between pink roses at the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad runs through the grass carrying his two children while they laugh at the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
girl sits in white linen dress with pink and green flowers at the Central Park Rose Garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in pink dress holds son on her hip while hugging her daughter inside rose garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
blond girl in white dress with pink flowers sits on the edge of a fountain with pink roses behind her in the rose garden in Schenectady photographed by NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Rose Garden Sibling & Family Portrait Session with Schenectady Family Photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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

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

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

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

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

parents hug two children standing on brick walkway outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
young girl twirls in white linen dress on walkway outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
blonde boy laughs sitting on brick walkway outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents hug two children standing on brick walkway outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents swing son between them and walk with daughter on the other side of them outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom sits on bench hugging two children outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Brother and sister hug sitting on bench outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mother in blue dress hugs daughter sitting on bench outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
Bother leans to give sister a kiss on the cheek sitting on bench outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad holds kids running outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad hugs daughter outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in blue dress hugs son standing outside the Surrey-Williamson Inn during family portraits photographed by Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
husband and wife hug kissing on stone patio outside the Surrey Williamson Inn photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom twirls daughter on stone patio outside the Surrey Williamson Inn photographed by Saratoga Springs family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Playful Family Portraits at the Surrey-Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs photographed by New York family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Family portraits at Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Springs

I’ve been photographing this beautiful family for several years now. In fact, I can’t believe Ari just turned 3! This has to be one of our most silly and smile-filled sessions to date. Each year, they plan a special family portrait session in the late-summer/early-fall to celebrate Ari’s birthday. It’s always so special to see these three and I truly can’t believe how big Ari already is!

For this year’s session, we met at the beautiful Yaddo Gardens here in Saratoga Springs! This was our first time at Yaddo Gardens, which had been closed since March 2020. I was so happy that they reopened, and it was wonderful to see the beautiful gardens in bloom and return to some of my favorite spots for family portraits. I can’t wait to be back here more now that it’s open again!!

This was Ari's happiest, most smiley portrait session to date! He surprised all of us with his good mood, and he loved being in front of the camera. He could not stop smiling and giggling, and he absolutely adored loving on his mama. It was special to capture all of these beautiful moments for them. I can’t wait until next year!!

toddler sits on wooden stool in Yaddo Gardens during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler claps hands during family photos in Yaddo Gardens with Saratoga Springs NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
three year old in tan button up shirt claps hands during family portraits in Yaddo Gardens with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad holds three year old during NY family portrait session at Yaddo Gardens with Nicole Starr Photography
parents laugh with son during NY family portraits in Yaddo Gardens with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mother in blue and white floral dress kneels with toddler and husband during family portraits at Yaddo Gardens with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom and dad in blue outfits pose with toddler sitting on mom’s knee on pathway in Yaddo Gardens during family photos with Nicole Starr Photography
couple holds hands walking down path with son on mom’s hip during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom in blue and white floral dress holds three year old on hip during family portraits in Saratoga Springs with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
mom and son hug together during NY family portraits in Yaddo Gardens with Nicole Starr Photography
dad laughs holding son up during family photos in Yaddo Gardens photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
dad hugs son from behind during family photos in Yaddo Gardens photographed by Nicole Starr Photography
son hugs mother’s leg during family photos in Yaddo Gardens with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents swing toddler under pathway in Yaddo Gardens during portraits by Nicole Starr Photography
toddler waves in walkway at Yaddo Gardens during family photos with Nicole Starr Photography
parents hug together in walkway at Yaddo Gardens between columns photographed by New York family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

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Family portraits at Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Springs with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography

Family portraits at Empire Plaza in Albany

When your baby turns one, it’s definitely time for updated family portraits - and that’s exactly what Luke’s family planned! Luke recently turned one and he and his parents celebrated with family portraits at the same spot his parents were married at a few years earlier: Empire Plaza in Albany, NY. It was a beautiful spot for their portraits! We had a gorgeous sunset the day of their session that worked in our favor. The sunset gave us beautiful light, and the light color of the building reflected so much of it back on these three. It made my job so easy!

Luke started walking just a few weeks before our session and he was so excited to be showing off all over the New York State museum grounds. I can’t believe how big he his now - I still picture him as that little baby in his newborn portraits a year ago!! He’s such a fun handful now and I know his parents are excited to be watching him grow and change.

I love that the Underwood family wanted their portraits at the place they were married - it’s such a special way to see how your family changes over time, and honor a place that means a lot to you. I’m always open to sentimental locations for your portraits, especially if they’re as beautiful as this spot in Albany!

family of three walks through Empire Plaza in Albany NY during family photos with NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
toddler walks around in white button up and khaki pants during family portraits at Empire Plaza in Albany NY with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler sits in white button up and khaki pants during family portraits at Empire Plaza in Albany NY with Nicole Starr Photography
mom and toddler play together at Empire Plaza during Albany family portraits with Nicole Starr Photography
dad lifts up toddler son during family photos in Albany NY at the New York State Museum with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler crawls around New York State museum in Albany New York with family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
parents sit on steps at Empire Plaza with one year old during family photos in Albany NY with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler climbs steps at Empire Plaza in white button up shirt and khaki pants in New York with Nicole Starr Photography
mom holds toddler son on lap during family photos in Empire Plaza with Albany NY family photographer Nicole Starr Photography
dad and one year old son play on steps during family photos in Albany NY at Empire Plaza with Nicole Starr Photography
parents hug toddler standing together in Albany NY during family photos with Nicole Starr Photography
toddler plays on steps at Empire Plaza in Albany NY with Nicole Starr Photography during family photos

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family portraits in Albany NY at Empire Plaza for family with one year old photographed by New York family photographer Nicole Starr Photography