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 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!!