york pa photographer Archives - Alexis Delaughter Photography

Mechanicsburg, PA Newborn Photographer | Bryson’s Newborn Session

Alexis Delaughter — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 18:27:45 +0000

Meet Bryson!

He was so perfect for his newborn session! I loved getting to meet him since I’ve taken numerous photos of his mom & dad already, including their engagement, wedding, and maternity photos!

I am now booking 2024 newborns! To learn more about my newborn session experience, click here!

www.alexisdelaughterphotography.com | York, PA Newborn Photographer

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Hershey, PA Newborn Photographer | Chet’s Newborn Session

Alexis Delaughter — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 17:52:22 +0000

Meet Chet!

Chet’s momma & I used to work together and I was SO happy for her when I heard she was expecting her second little one! Big sister, Kassidy, was such a sweetheart and was so in love with her new little brother. Mom & Dad are big hunters so we had to include some of dad’s duck calls in the session!

I am starting to book 2024 newborns! To learn more about my newborn session experience, click here!

www.alexisdelaughterphotography.com | Hershey, PA Newborn Photographer

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York, PA Cake Smash Photographer | Creed’s First Birthday

Alexis Delaughter — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:04:30 +0000

Happy first birthday, Creed!
I loved getting to do this baseball cake smash – dad is a big baseball fan so it was the perfect theme for this handsome little birthday boy! His party theme was Notorious ONE so we had to take one in his crown & bling! So funny!

I could have squeezed those chunky thighs and arm rolls all day but my goodness, when I picked him up, he was a LOAD! Mom’s poor back has to be hurting from lugging him around, haha!

Creed’s big brothers tagged along for some family photos and even mom & dad jumped in for a few! Such a gorgeous family!

To learn more about my cake smash experience, click here.

www.alexisdelaughterphotography.com | York, PA Cake Smash Photographer

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York, PA Newborn Photographer | Rhett’s Newborn Session

Alexis Delaughter — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:13:06 +0000

Meet Rhett! He was the sweetest little guy & brought along his beautiful big sister, Harper. You could just tell she was the best big sister, she would talk to him when he got a little fussy and was so careful when she held him!

Mom requested neutrals (which of course is my absolute favorite!) so I loved putting together all of these custom setups for him. Dad was a big fan of Texas Tech so we had to get a photo of him wrapped in his adorable Texas Tech blanket! So cute!

I have a few spots left for spring 2023 newborns! To learn more about my newborn session experience, click here!

www.alexisdelaughterphotography.com | York, PA Newborn Photographer

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What to pack in your hospital bag | York, PA Newborn Photographer

Alexis Delaughter — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 23:51:41 +0000

Preparing your hospital bag can seem like such a daunting task, especially for first time mommas! The first time I needed to pack one, I had zero idea what to pack and wished I had brought so many random things when I was in the hospital which resulted in my partner having to run home and grab things as I remembered them. After having baby #4 in April 2021, I feel like a hospital bag packing pro now!

Timing

I recommend having your hospital bag packed around weeks 32-34 of your pregnancy. You never know when your little one will make their grand entrance, so it’s always better to get this task out of the way sooner than later. I ended up putting mine right in the trunk of my car around 32 weeks so that I had it handy in case I went into labor at work. I have quick births so running home first to grab my bag would not have been an option if I went into labor while out and about.

If you’re like me and don’t want to buy doubles of certain things that you use often so you can have one in the bag, just write a checklist and tape it to the top of the bag! My checklist included my glasses/contact case, phone charger, hair straightener, and my wallet with ID/insurance cards. Although it wouldn’t help if I was at work or anywhere away from home, I thankfully started laboring at home and was able to grab everything from my checklist quickly before heading out the door to go to the hospital.

Packing for Momma

So what are some must-haves you may want to pack? Here’s a list of my favorites!

Comfy Clothes for you / comfortable outfit to leave the hospital in
Chapstick – I was never so happy to see chapstick in my life. My lips were so dry after labor!
Old underwear
Hairties – the last thing you want is your hair in your face while laboring.
Grippy socks or slippers
Flipflops for the shower
A light sweater or sweatshirt in case you get cold
Nursing bra
ID card / Insurance cards
Deodorant / face wash / small sample bottle of shampoo and conditioner (the hospital usually provides these, but they seem to make my hair feel more yucky and extra dry!)
Hair products/curling iron or straightener – this may seem weird, but it felt so good to straighten my hair after a fresh shower before heading home from the hospital. It helped to give me a feeling of normalicy during that crazy time of change!
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Pads – the hospital will provide you with pads or what I like to call women’s diapers (which are so amazing after birth, although they do take away a small bit of your dignity!), but I always pack a few extras of my own as well.
SNACKS & DRINKS! I can’t explain how good a snack that you love tastes after birth. SO GOOD!
Birth plan if you have one!
Phone charger – the longer, the better!
Glasses/contact case & solution
Boppy – I LOVE the boppy. Not only do I love it for breastfeeding, but I also may have stolen my daughter’s to use for myself. I sleep with one every night and it is so dang comfortable for belly sleeping. It will double as a comfy pillow to use while sleeping in the uncomfortable hospital bed, and also help aid you with breastfeeding positioning! That’s a win win if you ask me!

Packing for Baby

Two coming home outfits (incase one gets soiled prior to coming home!)
Hat, mittens, & socks to go home in
Any customized blankets or signs you may want to use to announce their birth
Carseat
Pediatrician’s phone number – you will usually set up the first visit while still in the hospital!

Packing for Dad

Comfy clothes
Socks & underwear
Deodorant
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Pillow & blanket – those hospital ones can be uncomfortable!
ID card
Phone Charger- the longer, the better!
Glasses/contact case & solution

Okay, okay. This may seem like a lot. But I promise that when you are in the moment and coming down from that post-birth high, you will be SO thankful for so many things on this list! Plus it will save your partner so many trips home or to the store to grab whatever you may have missed!

Do you have any other must-haves for your hospital bag? Feel free to comment below on what you couldn’t live without after birth!

www.AlexisDelaughterPhotography.com | York, PA Newborn Photographer | Dover, PA Newborn Photographer

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Newborn Session Prep Guide | York, PA Newborn Photographer Studio

Alexis Delaughter — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 18:01:37 +0000

Preparing for your newborn session is such an important part of the newborn photography process! This will help things go a little more smoothly during your session. My clients always receive a newborn session guide upon booking, as well as a last minute tip guide the day before their newborn session. I know that some photographers don’t provide their clients with similar guides so I thought it would be awesome to put up a post in case you are wondering how to prepare for your own session, or even if you are a photographer wondering what to put in your own session guide! So let’s get into it!

Timing

I love photographing newborns between 14 and 21 days old. They seem to be learning how to nurse/drink better and are slowly getting more used to being outside of the womb which helps the session flow a little better in my opinion. Since most photographer schedules tend to fill up fairly quick. I always recommend starting the process of looking for your newborn photographer around the second trimester of pregnancy. This will allow you plenty of time to ensure that you can get a spot on their schedule, be able to meet your photographer prior to your session, and be able to plan together what type of colors/themes/setups you’d like to incorporate.

Of course, no one knows when their little one will make their grand entrance, so your due date is used to hold your spot until they are born. Its always a great idea to let your photographer know ASAP once they do arrive so that a date can be selected within the next 2-3 weeks!

How to Prepare

+ Newborn sessions can sometimes take up to 4 hours to complete. So much patience is involved for these sessions and I can sometimes sit there for 30+ minutes trying to get baby to sleep in a pose before even taking a single photo. I think a lot of parent’s expect these sessions to go fairly quick, but it truly is an art (and one that takes a long time!) Safety is my first priority and some poses are just not completely safe unless they are fully in a deep sleep so they don’t startle and move.

+ Sleepy babies will help the session go smoothly. Try to keep your little one awake an hour prior to their session so they can arrive extra sleepy. Keeping your little one in their diaper to kick around for a little, giving them a bath, or talking and interacting with them are some ways to help keep them alert for a little extra longer!

+ Feed your newborn right before their session. A full, warm belly makes for a happy, sleepy baby. I always let parents feed their little ones before the session starts, especially if they have a longer car ride.

+ Avoid use of diaper rash ointments, creams, and oils the day of the session. They can make editing very difficult, make baby look shiny in certain spots, and can cause stains on props and blankets which results in them being ruined.

+ Remove bandaids prior to the day of the session so any red marks can go away before their modeling debut!

+ Dress your little one in a loose outfit that zips or snaps up the front and does not need pulled over their head. This makes it easier to undress them if they arrive to the session already sleeping. A loose diaper and no tight socks will also be helpful so that there are no weird indents on your newborn for their photos!

What to Bring

+ Bring at least one (two is better) bottles of pumped breastmilk or formula to the session. The goal is to get those sleepy, sweet newborn poses so extra milk is sometimes needed to get them extra sleepy. Parent’s are always surprised how much more their newborn eats during their session, but it makes sense since you’re usually letting the baby decide when they want to sleep. For your session, we are trying to do as many things as we can to convince your little one into sleeping soundly exactly when we want them to. It’s definitely not an easy task!

If you are used to breastfeeding, it still is a great idea to bring already expressed milk in bottles to try to use for the session. This will allow me to feed them as needed without them getting too used to snuggling against mom and then getting upset when I start to try to pose them again. They are professional mom sniffers and can always tell when mom is close by so the bottle really does help in this occasion!

+ Bring a pacifier (even if they don’t normally use one at home!) Sucking is a soothing mechanism and can really help with settling baby once I have them posed into place for their photos. I do have extras in the studio that are pre-sterilized and individually packaged, but sometimes they prefer what they are already used to so it helps to bring one from home!

+ Bring an extra change of clothes – for both you and baby! (Ever had your little one shoot out a volcano of poo right on your white shirt at a big event? I sure have and I now carry extra clothes in the car everywhere we go!)

+ Diapers & wipes – I have size newborn and size one diapers available in the studio but sometimes certain brands can cause irritation to little ones so its always best to bring along whatever they use at home.

+ Any medications you or baby may need. Sometimes parents aren’t aware of how long newborn sessions can take. Its always a good idea to bring any medications you may need to take over the course of a few hours in case you are at the studio a little longer than expected!

What to Wear

Parents – We want all of the focus of your photos to be on the connection you share with your newborn, rather than the clothing. I suggest simple neutral clothes to fit in with the boho/earthy vibes of my studio. Even black shirts/dresses/tank tops can be beautiful against my white wood backdrop. I do have a client closet for moms to choose from if interested. It consists of various dresses that fit perfectly with the design of my studio so be sure to ask if you are interested in trying anything on prior to your session!

Keep makeup and hair as natural looking as possible. Use neutral colored nail polish or no nail polish at all. Avoid long earrings or flashy necklaces. Dads: If your shirt is brand new, iron out the sleeve crease! We want all the focus to be on you and your little one!

Siblings – A simple neutral outfit or dress, plain shirt with jeans, or anything earthy colored works best for sibling photos. Avoid exactly matching all siblings – I love picking out one child’s outfit first and then basing the other outfits around that one. A helpful tip is to pick out a shirt or dress with a pattern, and then pick out the next child’s shirt or dress based off a color in that pattern, but avoid a pattern in that outfit so things don’t clash. Avoid flashy hair accessories unless they are small and neutral colored.

I love giving styling guidance so feel free to send photos of what you may be thinking of wearing and I can help with suggestions!

Siblings

I love having older siblings at newborn sessions! They sometimes don’t love it as much though. I like to try to keep a calm, quieter environment during the session to help your little one stay fast asleep & we all know toddlers can be anything but quiet! If possible, it’s always best to arrive to your session in 2 separate vehicles. If that’s not possible, it works really well to do the family photos first, then for dad to take big brother or sis to the park or for an adventure somewhere until we are done with the session.

If you’d rather them stay at the studio for the entire session, I do have some toys and books for older siblings to try and keep occupied while they wait. It’s always a good idea to bring some toys and snacks they are familiar with and love! In warmer months, siblings are more than welcome to play outside of my studio as well. We have a beautiful small creek that runs right through the property so bring some water shoes and a towel, and they’re set for hours of fun!

Safety

Safety truly is my number one priority. I have studied under some of the best newborn photographers in the industry to learn how to safely pose newborns. Some images will be done as composites, which means 2-3 images may be merged together while editing to remove hands holding the baby. I may even ask you as the parent to assist me with a certain pose to keep your little one as safe as possible. Please know that I have studied proper posing endlessly and am constantly partaking in continuing education to ensure I am providing the safest care possible.

I am also CPR and BLS certified in case an emergency would ever happen while you are at the studio.

During Our Session

The big day! I like to make your session as relaxing as possible because I know how exhausting those first few weeks with a newborn are. I have a parent waiting area with a large couch for you to kick back & relax on. Snacks are a must so I have a little snack bar in the waiting area as well with various drinks like water and body armor. I also have multiple types of phone chargers available so feel free to watch some netflix, tiktoks, or whatever you’d like without worrying about your phone battery getting low.

Throughout the session, I will take great care of your little one as we change poses, outfits, and sets. Patience really is key so sometimes we’ll just be hanging out for a little waiting for them to get extra sleepy again!

After Our Session

After your session, I will begin to go through the images to narrow down the selections and then start to hand edit each one to perfection. I then send the images off to my professional printing lab and have them printed and matted. We will schedule an ordering appointment approximately 7-14 days after your session date so you can come back to the studio and see your images for the first time in person, right in the palms of your hands. I love having my reveal wall because it truly is a special experience to see your photos in person, already printed. Tears may be shed and that’s perfectly okay!

From there, we will carefully look at each image and decide which you’d love to have displayed in your home. Digital images can also be purchased at this appointment so you are able to share your photos online to your friends and family.

Want to learn more about my newborn sessions? Click here to view my experience page.

York, PA Newborn Photographer | Dover, PA Newborn Photography Studio | Newborn Guide

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Dover, PA First Birthday Photographer | Collins’ First Birthday Photo Session

Alexis Delaughter — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 17:43:55 +0000

Meet Collins! This little cutie is absolutely obsessed with her pup and I can see why! They make the perfect pair! Mom requested a dog themed first birthday session to capture these best buds together. It took a lot of attempts (we were all absolutely exhausted by the end from trying to get a toddler and a dog to sit still) and a lot of photoshopping but I love that we were able to capture some super sweet memories for this family.

Also, can we talk about Collins’ hair? Those dark brown curls are so, so beautiful. Enjoy just a few of the photos from this special session below!

For more images from my first birthday and cake smash sessions, click here.

Dover, PA First Birthday Photographer | Dover, PA Cake Smash Photographer | York, PA Cake Smash Photographer

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York, PA Family Photography | Liska Family Photo Session

Alexis Delaughter — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 02:07:22 +0000

I may be a littttttle behind posting blogs (can’t you tell by the beautiful fall colors in these photos, haha!)

I loved getting to take the Liska’s fall photos last year. Adrienne works for the same company as me, although we work at different offices now. It’s been forever since I’ve seen her in person so it was so nice catching up with her again! Levi and Lucy are the cutest little blondies & are so sweet! You could just feel the love between everyone and the cheery, bright fall leaves just added to the magic!

I used this location quite a few years ago and then for some reason stopped. No clue why, because it is perfect! It became one of my favorite outdoor session spots last fall and I can’t wait to use it for more sessions this year!

www.AlexisDelaughterPhotography.com | Check out more of my family sessions here.

York, PA Family Photography | Dover, PA Photography Studio

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Harrisburg, PA Newborn Photographer | Brinley’s Newborn Session

Alexis Delaughter — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 02:00:07 +0000

Miss Emersyn was the first newborn I had in my brand new Dover, PA photo studio! She was the sweetest little thing, just look at her pouty lip and dark hair! So gorgeous!
Her momma, Kali, is absolutely stunning and looked so amazing in my client closet dresses! Can you believe she had NO makeup on in these photos? Like what?! So dang gorgeous!

I’m so in love with these images and can’t wait to have many more newborns in the new studio!

www.AlexisDelaughterPhotography.com | Check out more of my newborn portfolio here.

Dover, PA Newborn Photographer | Dover, PA Newborn Studio | York County PA Newborn Photography

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Dover, PA Newborn Photographer | Lifestyle Studio Update

Alexis Delaughter — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 18:49:26 +0000

Eeeek! I am so excited to announce that my brand new studio has been open for about a month now! So much time, effort, longgggg nights, sweat, and tears went into this building! My husband works for a lumber & construction company and built it from the ground up in all of his spare time, which was basically during the evening after he came home from a long day of work. So, so thankful for that man. I’ve been dying to have my own studio for about 10 years now and this is the absolute PERFECT space.

So let me give you all the details!

The studio is located behind my house in Dover, PA! We live on about 3 acres with a creek and woods taking up the majority of the property. When we bought the property, a partially built turkey pen was set across the creek in the woods. It had concrete posts already laid, and was pretty large in size. We ended up using the concreted posts as part of the base for the studio so it worked out perfectly!

The inside is heated so newborn and little ones stay cozy warm! My favorite area is the boho lifestyle setup. It has a queen sized bed, rattan baby bassinet, vintage peacock chair, and a beautiful pampas swag on the wall. Next to the lifestyle area is the parent waiting area. I love having a space for exhausted parents to just kick back, relax, and let me take care of the rest! This area also has a changing table fully stocked with the essentials like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, nursing pads, & extra pre-sterilized pacifiers. On the opposite side of the room are two large wooden backdrop areas, one dark stained and one white. I love natural backgrounds so there are no distractions and your little ones are the center of attention, so having simple, real wood backdrops was very important to me! We stained/painted them ourselves and they have so much character to them!

I also have a large storage system with all of my props/outfits/headbands/bonnets/blankets/wraps. I’ve invested so much into high quality items last year to really elevate the setups I provide.
I’ve also started my client closet in the last few months! I have about 10 dresses right now and will be adding more every few months. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any boho/neutral dresses you’d like to sell!

Last but not least, PRODUCTS! I am so excited to be offering products with my digital images this year. I’ve purchased many samples of products in order for my clients to be able to see and feel them before purchasing. All the products will be custom made just for you from the highest quality printers. We just installed some shelves in the studio to allow me to show you your images after your session in person. Your images will be printed & matted for you to hold in your hands while seeing them for the first time. I’m so excited to share this journey with you and to help guide you along the way so you can hang your precious memories in your home. Imagine gifting your children one of these heirlooms when they have their own kids down the road, I get chills just thinking about it! My job is more than just photographing people, it’s creating memories that you can hold in your hands, hang in your home, and gift to future generations of your loved ones.

Anywho, we still have some work to do in the spring time, like placing siding on the building, adding pavers to the pathway, encasing the beams with stained wood, and adding plants/lights outside. I’m hoping all of these things will be checked off the list before I hold my motherhood minis in the April! Once completed, I plan to have a grand opening party so you can come check out the studio for yourself!

Learn more about the unique experience that I offer here.

Dover, PA Newborn studio | Dover, PA Photographer | York, PA Photography studio | York, PA Newborn Photographer

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