Aloha Baby!
There is something so sweet about welcoming a baby into your family. A Fresh 48 session is a beautiful way to capture this special moment. Those tiny little feet, hands that can’t wrap around your finger just yet, and toes that you can just kiss all the days. That sweet new baby smell that you wish you could bottle up and savor forever! You can bet your bottom dollar your life will never be the same. These moments go by so fast and it’s such an honor for me to capture this milestone for you and your family to remember forever.
If you are already a parent you know how fast these moments pass by. In a blink of an eye they are pulling down things off the coffee table and you are running over to grab your freshly poured glass of wine. You want to keep them small and just sit and smell their sweet selves, you want to just cuddle that sweet baby forever. I am so glad that I can be there for you in the beginning to capture those little feet, hands, and beautiful tiny eyelashes in professional photographs that you will cherish for a lifetime.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Once your little one arrives, let me know with a phone call and we will set up their first photo session. Fresh 48 pictures are done in the hospital, birthing center, or your home (if home birth) within the first two days of life.
PREPARING OLDER SIBLINGS
If you have older children and would like them to be a part of the big day, preparing them for the session as much as possible is super helpful. Make sure you let them know that Miss Brooke is so excited to meet them as much as they are excited to meet their new best friend/friends. I want to get your family in your natural setting, meaning I want to capture you guys loving on the new baby and just sitting and talking. I am a photojournalist and I want to capture moments that aren’t scripted. If you want posed images I can totally help you with that, but my main focus is to get you just being a new family and not trying to make you feel awkward.
If you would rather just have images of the new bundle that is totally fine. We can make it work however you wish.
DADS
Mom, I am talking to you. Dad’s don’t like photos, I get that. I have a husband that thankfully doesn’t mind his photo taken so I asked him for his advice on this.
So, here is his best advice for you to tell your hubby. From Mr.Flanagan himself “For you dads out there that don’t like to have a photoshoot I get you bro, but let me just say these few words “Happy wife, happy life”. Just let it happen man, it’s only an hour. Then go grab a cold beer and turn on some sports.”
I love that man, Mr.Flanagan. He makes me laugh and helps me see the guys side of things.
MOM & DAD
Ok, so during your session, if you are not in the picture just go grab a seat and relax, I mean after all you just did have a little baby. I will be there to handle your little bundle of joy and I promise to not take to many snuggles. As you are focused on the baby don’t forget about your posture, as well as making sure you don’t pull your chin in. Those little things will help you achieve the most flattering images. Something else is to remember your expression. You don’t want to have a stank face and dad is all smiles.
Don’t stress too much, I’ll be watching you and making sure you are all set, but I like to offer that advice as well.
GENERAL TIPS
A fresh session is a lot different from a posed family or portrait session. I use a lot of natural light to capture all the little things, like babies toes, all the new wrinkles, sweet kisses from mom, dad, siblings….and all the first day experiences. These images are usually in black & white and tell a story of your little ones first day as a new member of your family. This session will normally last about 60 minutes depending on baby and the schedule they are on with the hospital.
To prepare for your session you don’t have to do much at all. Just be there and I will do everything else. I will come in and capture all these special moments when you are ready just let me know with a phone call or text. I do ask that you tell the extended family to wait until we have finished our session though.
***Please feed baby prior to my arrival so that we have that milk drunk sweet pea and miss Brooke can get all the snuggles and images.
PROPS & SPECIAL ACCESSORIES
Fresh 48 sessions don’t use props instead I am looking to capture the setting of the hospital and the new arrival. The tiny armbands, that pink and blue striped blanket and those tiny hats they always give your little one. It’s all about the “fresh” experience. If you have a special blanket, outfit or tiny hat that you want to be captured just let me know as soon as I arrive and I will do my best to get those images for you.
WHAT TO WEAR
Well, styling isn’t something that you have to worry with on this shoot. I want you to be yourself. If you want to shower, blow dry your hair and put a little eye makeup on that’s all up to you. I am not going to tell you that you have or don’t have to. This session is again all about those first few days and I know as a mom of two myself that we don’t really feel like getting all dolled up in those first few days.
I will say that if you need a little advice I can give you this. Think neutral, simple and comfortable. Some parents don’t even want to be in the pictures so this is totally up to you.
Color coordinate. As you think about your color palette, imagine your family being one complete piece of artwork. Each person/outfit will bring together a feeling of formality and coordination. Instead of everyone wearing the same shade of maroon – think about what accent colors might look nice with said maroon. Perhaps blue plaid shorts for your son with a solid t-shirt. Pull some of the colors of his plaid shorts to find a great skirt or dress for your little girl. Dad can wear some jeans and a shirt that coordinates with the plaid shorts and dress on your daughter. Mom will round the entire family out with some great leggings or a flowy dress that (again) coordinates with the family color story.
Remember I am here to help. I have vision boards that we can work together on creating on Pinterest. Don’t be afraid to shoot me a text and we can get it all worked out.
Here are some great sites for Maternity clothing. MAMA BUMP RENTALS PINKBLUSH MOM’S THE WORD
IT THE BIG DAY
On the day of the session, I will come to you about 10AM and the snuggling will begin, I mean photo session. Plan for me to be there for about 60 minutes.Just remember to be yourselves and relax. I am a professional baby snuggler so I promise to give you all rest while I am photographing your new little one.
3 WEEKS AFTER
After your session I will professionally edit the images and hand pick all the images that are to be sent to you in your proofing gallery. I will post a sneak peek of your session on my blog so be sure to follow my facebook business page to see when it is released.
6 WEEKS AFTER
Your fine art will be ready for pickup. I love a wall canvas to hang in the nursery and it is a daily reminder that my little one is the cutest in all the lands.
LAST THING
Each baby has their own personality. I will be holding your baby and moving, swaying and even touching their eyebrows to help calm them. I am doing this to create a calm relaxing environment and letting them know that I am a stranger but there to make them feel secure while this new smell is around. Your baby will cry and you must know that I am not afraid of a little crying….if I was boy oh boy I am in the wrong profession. Just think of me as your Au pier. I am there to keep your little one safe and never put them in danger in any way.
I am very hands on and I am super comfortable handling a newborn, again I have two babies of my own and I photograph newborns. So you have the very best Au Pier you could ask for, for an hour. If you need to take a break and feed baby then by all means feed your baby. I may even ask to grab a few intimate shots of that as well. Just remember to relax and don’t stress. This is a special time and not to be worrying about the perfect shot, because in my eyes they will all be perfect.
LET’S HAVE SOME FUN NOW……ARE WE THERE YET?!
Well glad that’s over….I know that is a lot to take in, but I want you to know what to expect and that’s unexpected. Babies are so unpredictable so let’s just have a snuggle session and you relax. I cannot wait to meet your little one and be welcomed into your space. Please know that this is a very special session and I am honored that you are choosing me to be a part of it!!
I’m a birth, newborn and maternity lifestyle photographer serving Washington DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Reston, Leesburg, Manassas, Gainesville, Haymarket, Stafford County, Prince William County, and Fredericksburg. I am located in Stafford, Virginia and I’m available for travel in the Virginia, Maryland and DC areas.
XOXO Miss Brooke