Capturing the Heart of Home: Why At-Home Newborn Sessions Celebrate Your Family’s Story

Your family is truly unique, really! You share those special knowing looks that only you understand, you know your dog’s favorite cozy spots to curl up in, and you fondly remember that quirky vase you received as a wedding gift that never fails to bring a smile. So when the magical time comes to welcome a newborn into your loving home, I want to beautifully document all of it for you.

At-home newborn sessions ensure that your photos authentically reflect your family’s vibrant personality and distinctive style. From the way you’ve thoughtfully styled your nursery to the cherished heirloom blanket lovingly gifted by your grandmother, your session transforms into a joyful celebration of the little details that make your life wonderfully yours. These personal touches elevate your photos into a heartfelt tribute to your family’s ongoing journey.

When I look back at pictures from 12 years ago, when I first brought my precious baby home, I vividly see the 50 butterfly stickers I carefully placed in the nursery. I can picture the brand-new BOB stroller that I stared at for endless weeks, eagerly waiting to use. I recall the rocking chair that became my haven, used for years to lovingly rock all three of my babies to sleep. I can pick out the farmhouse clock I picked up from Hobby Lobby, which I thought made such a bold statement in our home. (I cringe at it now, but you get it.) I see my sweet black lab, Bella, who I adopted back in college, now with a greying face but still full of love. All these little details transport me back to that precious time. I only have old iPhone pictures of our little family of three, nothing that I would frame and display.

So learn form me, having gorgeous, professionally captured images of this fleeting time is a true and treasured gift.

My Favorite Session Locations - Las Vegas Newborn and Family Photographer

Las Vegas Nevada Family Photographer. I’ve been in Las Vegas for exactly TWO years now! Therefore, I’m officially an expert in the BEST locations for your family session. I hope you sense a lot of sarcasm there. Scouting locations is a major part of being a photographer. There are places that I want to try but haven’t, and probably so many places I’ve never heard of, stumbled upon, or considered going to. However, I have done my fair share of scouting so far, these are simply my favs!

My first favorite place will always be your home. Please, please, please don’t be scared to do an in-home session. The focus is on your family, not your interior design skills. These images are for you and your kiddos to look back on. Decades from now, you’ll more than likely not be in the same home or even same city. However, you’ll look at the images and remember all the memories that a home can have. It really is sentimental. Personally, I haven’t had an in-home session, but I so wish I could go back in time and get one done at our home in Texas. It’s where we brought our babies home, where they crawled on the floors, where we held the most amazing impromptu parties with our neighbors, and so many other memories.

Let’s venture outside.

Symphony Park is in Downtown LV. I LOVE this place! So colorful, green grass (like real grass, not turf), room to run. It just really embodies my style. So perfect for a kiddo milestone or family sessions.

I absolutely love going to the Dry Lake Bed. This was new for me recently to try out. The place is so big and open, I was kind of intimidated by the whole location. Woah, was I missing out! It is the perfect backdrop for family sessions. The dry lake bed is basically a blank canvas. If you like to dress in bright colors and fun prints, this is the place to get your session done! And what can I say about the lighting? In a span of 20 minutes, you’ll get bright sun, golden hour (like golden 10 minutes) and then cool hues of sun behind the mountains. Just gorgeous!! If you hire me and want to go outside, let’s go here!

Downtown Las Vegas is such a fun spot, but I must admit I have only done senior sessions there. The sidewalks are colorful, new murals are always popping up, funky alley ways, and then I’ll make you go to the top of a parking garage for a few more pics. Trust me, parking garage pics are fun!

I started venturing to Mt. Charleston this fall for family sessions, and I fell in love. When the Aspen trees turn golden, it is a completely different world up there. October is definitely the month to book your session there. There were colorful flowers, pops of pink and purple, yellow flowering bushes everywhere, green and golden leaves, it was literally magical! That’s where I WAS going to have my own family’s pictures taken, until Little League changed our plans, I’m not over it. 😤

Of course, there are so many other places that are beautiful in and around Las Vegas, but when clients choose one of these, I do a happy dance. Want to have a session at one of these amazing locations and make me happy dance? Let’s chat!

Manifesting My Goals for 2023 - Las Vegas Newborn Photographer

According to Oprah, one of the ways to live your best life is to manifest it. To manifest your dreams, you need to speak your goal, write them down, and be specific. Normally, I only share goals with a few industry friends in The Round Table group, because if I fail to meet them, I don’t really want anyone to know. However, this year, I’m taking a leap and telling you all, typing them down, and putting them out into the universe.

Monthly milestone session Your kiddos are quickly changing, so I want to help you capture then as they are right now, since in a few months, they’ll be bigger and older. I want to offer these quick sessions monthly, they will be easy to book, sweet and simple, and will result in probably some of your favorite images to hang up at home.

Film Add Ons Y’all, I don’t even know how to load film into a camera. (divulging too much?) However, I am going to be taking a deep dive into film photography this year as well as heading to the Photo Native conference in Palm Springs next month, and learning from some of the best in the industry. In-home sessions are already so intimate and parents are really able slow down with your kiddos and document your connections. Film can just capture that on a another level artistically. My goal is to make this something to offer to my clients on a consistent basis. In the meantime, if I come to your home for a newborn or family session, know that you will be my guinea pig with film! Don’t worry, I will still capture the 99% of the session with my normal equipment.

Summer Pool Sessions I got this idea from a photographer friend and mentor, Sabrina Gebhardt. I already just play around with my own kiddos when it comes to taking pictures by the pool. They are really some of my favorite images of them. How fun would it be to jump in and capture the fun for another family? I will be looking for model call families for this come warmer weather to test it out. I image blue water, lots of splashing, bright bathing suits, goggles, jumping, flamingo floats, all of it. Sounds fun, right?!?!

There you have it, my 2023 business goal manifestation. All the while, I will continue documenting your newborns and families, improving my art and your client experience. Stay tuned for progress!! And if you want in on any model calls I’ll be offering for these goals, make sure to join my newsletter. Newsletter link on my home page 😉

Las Vegas Newborn Photographer - The Difference Between Newborn and Fresh 48 Sessions

Documenting the arrival of a new baby to your family is so important, and there are several ways to do that. In the last few months, I have started to offer Fresh 48 Sessions, and I have gotten this question several times, “ What is the difference between Newborn and Fresh 48 Sessions? Well, let me explain.

Fresh 48 Sessions are done in hospital, within the first 48 hours (typically) of baby being born. I will come to you, at the hospital, and just capture those first snuggles, the tiny baby details, and tell the very beginning story of baby. These are definitely more of a documentary style of images. Fresh 48 Sessions are especially sweet if there is an older sibling that gets to hold baby for the first time. These are just timeless memories that you will want to look back on for years and years. All images in this blog are from a Fresh 48 session.

Anecdotal story…I wish I had done these with my babies, especially when I had my youngest. We knew he would be our last baby. When he was born, I completely missed when he got to meet his sisters. I was in the bathroom, with numb legs, having a nurse help with bathroom stuff. The girls came in the room, saw baby brother, snuggled him, held him, and I missed it. Yes, it’s on a cell phone. Will I ever frame that? No. Do I wish I had been able to coordinate it and have a memory framed on my wall from it? Absolutely.

Newborn Sessions are in your home. These sessions document this new chapter in your life. I photograph baby in crib, mom rocking baby in the nursery, family snuggled together on parent’s bed, laughing in the kitchen, etc. I will do my best to tell your true authentic family story. These are done when baby is about 4-8 weeks old. At this timeframe, mom has had time to heal from birth. Baby is gaining back some weight and starting to fill out and look more like themselves. Fingers crossed cluster feeding has settled down. Parents and siblings have had a chance to adjust to a new baby in the home. Check out THIS BLOG for examples of an in home newborn session and what you can expect at your in home session.

Have you been told that you need to have newborn pictures done in the first 10 days? I was told that with my first and this is a myth. For posed newborn sessions, they run smoothly when baby is sleeping. I, however, don’t do posed newborn sessions. Since mine are lifestyle, there is no pressure to have a sleeping baby. If baby is crying and needs to be rocked? Great, I will capture that! It’s real life and it is beautiful!

So what session should you book? Of course I suggest both. Baby will change so much in those first few months and a newborn in the hospital and at home are both wonderful occasions to photograph. Both sessions will offer beautiful wall art and photo albums to be enjoyed for decades and generations. I hope this has helped you understand the difference between At-Home Newborn Sessions and Fresh 48 Sessions.

Las Vegas Expecting Moms- Top 5 Items to Pack in Your Hospital Bag- Alyssa Charboneau Photography

Mammas, I’ve been there. You’re about 30-35 weeks along, that belly is getting in the way, and you need a foot massage like no other. The due date is getting closer and it’s time to pack that all important hospital bag. Birthing three little humans myself, I consider myself an expert 😉! So here are my top 5 items you don’t want to leave home without.

First, a cute and comfortable nursing robe with a matching swaddle for baby. You will have given birth and you’ll want to feel like yourself again, and a hospital robe is not going to help. I recommend and love Milkmaid Goods. For my third baby I finally got a matching set, the black buffalo plaid. Y’all, I still use it four years later. Also, the swaddle will be a go to when you get home. Another reason to pack this, there will be pictures taken, and like I said before, you’ll want to feel a little like yourself and this helped me feel just a bit put together.

A few pics of my Milkmaid robe with baby Graham. Totally wish I would’ve done a Fresh 48 Session with him and his older sisters that day.

Second, you will need a few nursing bras. If this is your first baby, you are probably overwhelmed with what to buy, what’s the best, the most comfortable, etc. I got mine from Target, they lasted three babies. And since we are talking bras, grab a few nursing tanks and bring those to the hospital as well. If you choose to breastfeed, this is your new wardrobe 😑.

Third, all your own toiletries. Grab your own shampoo/conditioner, your own face wash, even grab a few packs of eye patches. The complimentary stuff is just not up to par. Also, pack your own hair dryer. The last thing you may want to do is get up and shower, but my goodness, you will absolutely feel like a brand new woman afterwards. Trust me on this.

Fourth, your own pillow! You will be exhausted and will sleep at any chance you can between checkups, feedings, and diaper changes. I had the hardest time getting comfortable and learned to bring my own pillow. It was a game changer, trust me on this!!

Fifth and lastly, a sweet going home outfit for your sweet little one. Here in Las Vegas, it’s obviously hot in the summer. You can’t go wrong with a simple white onesie. I also loved lightweight sleep and plays for my kiddos when they were babies. I love this one HERE from local baby boutique, LoveBug. Don’t forget those little newborn hand gloves, too. They really can help baby from scratching themselves with those sharp little nails.

I hope you found this useful! Some things to think about, the hospital will provide everything you will need for your recovery and for baby while you’re there. I wish all expecting mammas the safest and smoothest delivery!! What are your must have items?

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Are you interested in a Fresh 48 Session? These are in the hospital with parents, baby, and siblings if applicable. A prefect way to document this special time. Click here 😉.

My little Graham the morning after he was born. Those first 48 hours are just a whirlwind.

What to Expect at your Newborn Session

Not sure a newborn session is right for you? Here is what you need to know about newborn sessions and why you should schedule one for your family.

Nearly nine years ago, I was a second grade teacher living in San Antonio, TX. I was completely new to all things baby. So the morning of my daughter's newborn pictures was hectic to say the least. (sound familiar?) Besides trying to work around feedings and naps, I had so many worries. Would my baby sleep? Would she scream and cry the whole time? Would she pee or poop on the photographer or her blankets? Also, what do I wear? Will still look like I’m pregnant? Will my boobs leak? All. The. Worries. Well, in the end, baby slept, and stopped to eat, she did pee on a blanket, and my boobs did not leak. Success.

Now, after five years of shooting newborns, I’ve learned a thing or two or 2,907 things. As a photographer, my sessions are designed to be as easy as possible, and dare I say even fun!! Here are the five things you can expect at your newborn session.

1. I will come to you!! Yes, I shoot most of my newborn sessions at the client’s home. Your home is your happy place. It is comfortable, it is relaxed, it is familiar, and it is where you are making these most beautiful memories with your new babe. The rocking chair where you rock baby for countless hours and nights, that should be documented. The living room, where you first brought baby home, sat down, and said, “Now what do we do?” That should be documented. The baby laying in your pristinely decorated crib, that should be documented. And family pups sniffing new baby’s toes on parent’s bed, that should also be documented. These are the reasons I love to photograph baby at home. It’s all about connections and real life.

2. You will want to look back years later at your home, baby’s nursery, all the details. Your home does not have to be a magazine worthy home. TRUST ME! I will find the best room, the best nook, and the best window with beautiful light. Luckily, we live in Las Vegas, where sunshine is in abundance and most homes are filled with natural light.

3. If you have older kiddos, they will try to take the spotlight, and that is just fine! Yes, we are documenting baby, but part of that is this chapter of your family. That includes big brothers or sisters, and I guarantee that they will get a little special attention too!

4. Baby runs the show. This is their first photoshoot after all. We stop for eating, diaper changing, fussiness, anything that we need to. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had a session that we didn’t need to stop so baby could eat. That’s their job so I will always pause a session for a hungry baby.

5. You will be PREPARED, because I will prepare you. Before your session, you will receive a prep guide that will go way in depth with what to expect and other aspects on how to make the session run smoother. Just know, your baby will probably get hungry, will pee and poop during the session, and may even throw up on me…trust me, they ALL do! 

Overall, newborn session days can be the most stressful and tiring days. I am here to ease your nerves and give you a few less things to worry about. Your job is to snuggle your sweet baby and simply let me document this time in your life. Short and sweet.

Do you know of an expecting mom that may want to read this? Feel to forward this post!!