Kristen Swain Photography

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Boston, MA
Kristen Swain Photography

Photographer specializing in portraits and nature photography. Boston • Nantucket • Available for travel.

05/12/2026

When life got (a little) quieter earlier this year, some new creative whispers started to become audible. I spent most of the winter we just emerged from on Nantucket, caring for our senior dog who had two major surgeries — on each of his back legs. When Brody’s most acute recovery period had passed, Tim had to return to working in the office in Boston, but I stayed put on island with the dogs because Brody’s legs weren’t quite strong enough to handle the steep stairs at our Brookline apartment. In the relative calm and stillness of this period, inspiration became easier to recognize, and to explore with curiosity and intention.

What called to me during this time of semi-solitude (don’t get me wrong, our fur babies make truly fantastic company, but my human interaction was extremely minimal) was a vision that emphasized the connection between women and nature, and celebrated the power and freedom of a solitary moment in a peaceful and beautiful place. Once this dream started to materialize in my mind’s eye, I moved pretty quickly to bring it to life, wanting to take advantage of both the inspiration (lest it slip away in the inevitable chaos of everyday life) and the fleeting quiet season. .leah was the subject I pictured for these images more or less from the start, so I was absolutely giddy when she responded positively to the idea and agreed to travel to Nantucket to work with me.

Here are a few of the images we captured for this project. These photographs were all taken on island — some locations will be very recognizable, while others might be a bit harder to figure out (but still exude Nantucket). It brings me a lot of joy to share this work, not only because I love what we captured, but I’m equally proud of myself for following through on the inspiration to create something a bit different — art that actually melds the two aspects of my work (portraits and landscapes) that I usually keep separate.

Looking forward to creating more work in this vein, both for clients looking for something like this, and for my print shop. If you’ve made it this far, let me know in the comments which one(s) you think I should add!

05/10/2026

Unconditional love. Emotional wisdom. Intuitive guidance. Calm and steady strength and support. The anchor in so many families. Moms, what you share with the world every day is truly transformative—rippling outward in ways both visible and unseen. Today, may you be blessed with the same warmth, comfort, and joy you create for all of your loved ones every day. You are worthy of every ounce of appreciation and love you give so generously. Happy Mother’s Day.

05/06/2026

KSP Clients! Just a few days left to take advantage of 20% off prints, frames, and albums during our Mother’s Day sale. You’ll find the discount code in your online gallery, or feel free to email me directly if you know you want to order something but need some design (or decisionmaking!) help.

nantucketphotographer newenglandmotherhoodphotographer

05/04/2026

Seeing this family year after year is such a joy. Most recently, we met in August as they were about to welcome their third child. Each time we work together on Nantucket, we choose a new location, and it just gets better every year. By now the kids know me well, and they warm up more quickly, perhaps because they know that more than anything else, we’re just going to have a lot of fun together. Can’t wait to meet baby E later this year.

summeronnantucket nantucketartist

05/03/2026

A few early spring moments on Nantucket.

04/06/2026

This sweet New Canaan newborn session is up on the blog. Just a couple of days before Valentine's Day, I drove down to Connecticut to work with Emily and fam in their new home, where they were welcoming their new baby girl, just ten days old. For me, this session is a perfect example of just how unique and special in-home sessions truly are. They add unmatched character and allow your photos to feel deeply personal. (Side note: in-home sessions are not just for newborns! I highly encourage an in-home session for your entire family or your maternity session as well. It's an especially nice change of pace if you have regular photo sessions but usually hold them outdoors.) I loved spending a few minutes of our time together in the rooms in Emily's home that weren't quite done yet -- embracing the rich imperfection and preserving memories for the family of this exciting, liminal moment. Head to my Stories to see more from this session, and check out the blog too (linked in bio).

01/16/2026

Whew! We made it to Friday. Here’s a favorite family photo session from the summer to put a smile on your face as we ahead into the weekend. This was my first trip to Martha’s Vineyard and I can’t wait to go back. Check out my Stories for more!

01/13/2026

I always like to offer something new for my clients when we turn the page and move on to a new year. For 2026, I’ve created a couple of exciting new offerings for my portrait clients. One is a new type of photo session for families and couples, which I’m calling the Adventure Session. My journey last summer on the (organized by ) with and family was absolutely incredible in all the ways, and inspired me to make this an official offering, and to encourage more clients to book a session like this.

An Adventure Session is a longer outing where we will be focused on an experience, rather than spending an hour together at a single location. The one-hour session is my Classic Session, and will still be available, but for those who are looking for something more, I can’t recommend this new option enough.

In the summer on Nantucket, we could go out on the water together like I did with Nicole and fam, or perhaps we drive out to Great Point and capture photos both along the way and when we reach the destination. Or maybe it’s a bike ride to your favorite beach, where a picnic dinner and a bonfire await you. In spring or fall in Boston, this might look like a hike at the Fells or Blue Hills, or a walking session around the city where we stop in at a café and/or a museum to capture you and your family or partner doing the things you love most.

I can’t wait to see who’s up for a memorable adventure like this in 2026.

01/12/2026

You never know what photo day might bring for your kiddos. So many factors can influence their mood, and feelings can definitely get amplified with big events that everyone is excited (or nervous) about. I’ve come to realize, over the last nine years that I’ve been photographing families, that helping kids get comfortable in front of the camera might actually be a secret superpower of mine. This is not to say I’ve never failed. Of course I have. But even I can say that I think my track record is pretty good. I received the most beautiful comment from a client this fall, after she received her photos: “I love these. I cannot believe you got those smiles through the grumps.” I knew my client, a mom of three boys, was worried about her kids’ moods that day, and we only had 30 minutes to work with, so not a lot of time to turn the smiles upside down. But we did it and we were both thrilled with the final photos.

Here are a few tips to help when your kids are feeling a little bit shy or fussy heading into a session:

1. Don’t pressure them. Let your kids take a little time to get comfortable in the setting, and with my presence. If we give them freedom to roam, to sulk, to sit it out, they tend to come around more quickly. Plus, you will treasure the photos I take of your kids simply being themselves, in all their complexity.

2. Be active and playful. A great way to redirect some gloomy energy is with play — a game of tag or London Bridge, for example. I also bring lots of playful energy with me, and utilize it when I get the sense we’re just about to turn the corner on a bad mood. Some of my favorite photographs feature that moment of transition: a child with a single tear running down their cheek but a huge smile on their face because they cracked — and we caught the moment.

3. Embrace the emotion. What we really want to do during your family session anyway is to capture your connection. So wipe their tears, give them a hug, let them curl up in your lap while you whisper silliness into their ear. You, and they, will obsess over these photos years down the road.

01/09/2026

Sarah and Sky embody the kind of deep connection that you know will endure. You notice it in the way they look at each other. Their eyes communicate commitment, passion, and respect — no words needed. Yet when they do use their words, it somehow feels light ... effortless. Their loving ribbing of one another is heartwarming and entertaining, while also revealing a deep familiarity and alignment, and an unshakeable confidence in their shared future. They know. And when you’re with them, you know it too.

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Boston, MA

Website

http://www.kristenswainphotography.com/

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