Fresh 48 - prep guide

Thank you for choosing me to be your photographer

Hello, mama!

Hello, and congratulations! I'm so honoured to be capturing this incredibly special chapter meeting your new baby. This guide covers everything from booking your date through to session day itself. Have a read through, fill in your questionnaire (if you haven't already) and let me know if anything comes to mind — I'm always happy to chat it through.

Fresh 48 session

Session date

Your fresh 48 session is pencilled into my calendar for your due date just to hold your space. As we all know, babies love to keep us guessing! Some arrive early, some take their time. To take the pressure off, we officially lock in your session date once baby has actually arrived.

As soon as you're in labour please let me know via email, DM or text message and I will have a better idea to keep my schedule flexible. Fresh 48 sessions are typically held within baby's first 48 hours. This could be in home or hospital depending when and where you birth. Once baby is born please let me know and I will reply with my soonest availability options for you to choose from.

Outfits

Pre plan so you know exactly what everyone's wearing ahead of time — clean, ready, and set aside so there's no decision fatigue or last-minute stress. Something comfortable, breast feeding friendly (if this is your plan) and that you're happy to be photographed in. Natural/neutral colours work best.

How to prepare baby on the day

This is entirely up to you! Most often what happens is baby is just wearing a nappy already on mums chest wrapped in just a blanket this way we get to photograph their freshness and all their little details. We can dress them for the second half of the session as you might have a cute outfit already pre planned that you would like them photographed in. We just capture them as they are and stop to offer a feed or a nappy change should they need it.

I can't wait to meet your little one!

Common thoughts:

Siblings?

Can I have my children & partner there?

The answer is always yes, you can have all members of your immediate family there. However remember that this session is really focused on the new baby and mum, siblings and your parter are absolutely welcome and I will do my best to keep everyone included. Please bear in mind if your having this session in hospital that the rooms are small, sometimes the lighting isn't the best and the surroundings like the posters and blue walls don't make for the most aesthetic backdrop. If any of the siblings are being too disruptive your partner can always take them out for a walk up and down the hallway.

What If i can't move around much?

I hear you!

Birth is such a wild experience and different for everyone so I always just assume you can't move much, your likely in some pain/discomfort so as long as your comfortable I can position baby on you. If you do feel like standing we can get you holding baby next to the window but just be assured if you need to stay sitting on the hospital bed the whole time thats absolutely ok!

I don't feel photo ready

You won't regret it

It's ok to look like you have just had a baby, remember it took you 9 months to grow them so your body needs to take lots of time to recover. Be kind to yourself. This session does not require you to have your hair and make up done it is so much more about capturing this raw and intimate moments of your baby in your arms.

How long does this session take?

About an hour

Generally an hour is plenty of time for this type of session, it is also an incredibly vulnerable time for you after birth so I don't want to be in your bubble longer than needed. However if you need time and the midwife to help with feeding or the doctor arrives to assist you with something I can always step out and come back in. Ultimately the health of you and baby is the most important and I will do my best to support you during the time I'm there.

Nails

Your hands will feature a lot holding your baby, so give them a little love beforehand — smooth, chip-free nails go a long way in photos.

Hair & make up

It is not a requirement for this session just so long as you're feeling good. Most mums go natural and don't wear any make up and just have their hair tied back. I'd suggest possibly some lip balm — dry lips show up more than you'd think on camera!

FAQ

What happens if baby or I need more time to recover?

That is so understandable! Depending on how long you need there is two options. We can postpone for fresh 48 session as long as it's within the first week of baby's birth as the session remains very similar. Option two you can opt to transfer to a newborn or family session should you need a lot more time you may just need to top up the price difference.

What happens if I birth on a weekend you're away?

From time to time my family does go away. If you birth on the weekend when I am already out of town and if I have my family with me and can't get home sooner I will simply let you know the soonest availability I can make.

Can you send me a sneak peek image so I can announce the arrival of my baby?

This is not something that is included but certainly if I have capacity to do so and this is requested I will do my best to accommodate.

I would like to keep my images/announcement private

I totally understand, I want you to know that I won't tell anyone your news. That's for you to share. In your questionnaire you also have the option to tick if you prefer me not to share any of your images online.

Prep guide

Session location

Hospital

Wairau hospital

Please confirm with me the room number you are in and the time/day that you are happy for me to come after you have received my availability via email, text or DM.

I generally do fresh 48 sessions around 10am in hospital as this seems to work well but this can be flexible if needed. I would ask you just check with your midwife if I am attending out of the hospitals visiting hours that they are happy with that.

I simply arrive with my camera in hand.

Home proerty

Your address

Please know there is no need to deep clean your whole house! Just tidy the specific spaces we'll use — bedrooms, lounge, nursery anywhere with a lovely natural window light and a place comfortable for you to sit. I can always help move things about on the day if need be.

Good to know

Rescheduling

We can't plan the weather, so here's how we handle it:

Overcast/cloudy/low light: At the hospital or at your home if the lighting is too low (dark) we will need to postpone and get a better day with that gorgeous natural light for your photos.

I'll always be in touch directly if I have concerns please keep your phone on you so we can make any decisions together.

Questions? I'm Here.

My inbox is always open — hello@augustluxe.com

On the day of your session, you can reach me directly on my cell: 0273585265

What happens next?!

step 01

Enjoy the session

The more you relax and enjoy the session by going with the flow the better the results will be! Remember gentle movement is key, I will guide the whole session so if you're feeling a little nervous about what to do please do not worry, I'm here to help.

STEP 02

4 weeks

Within 4 weeks after your session you will receive your online preview gallery to view and favourite your chosen images. (this is also when you can upgrade your package if you'd like). I will send full instruction on this process with your gallery.

STEP 03

Download, save & share

Once your final private online gallery is sent with a pin you have access to download, save and share. Please download and save to at least two places for safe keeping. Your gallery is online for 1 month and can be sent to your friends and family and has unlimited downloads.

STEP 04

Thank you

If you enjoyed your session with me, here are a couple of ways to support my business.

+ Leave me a google review

+ Recommend me to your friends

+ Tag me in any images shared online

Once again a massive thank you for choosing me to be your photographer.