My mom is forever telling me that parents nowadays have all kinds of “new fangled” lingo for everything we do.
 
Like Fresh 48.
 
Have you ever heard of a Fresh 48?
 
It’s a newborn photo session done within the first 48 hours of the baby’s life. It usually takes place at the hospital or place of birth and captures those precious early days of getting to know your little one.
 
I know most of you are probably thinking, “Oh yeah… they have a photographer at the hospital that comes around and does those pictures.”
 
And you’re right. Most hospitals have a contracted photographer that randomly shows up at your door at some point during your stay to ask if you would like photos of your baby.
 
But did you know that you can hire a photographer in advance to do a Fresh 48 session?
 
There are some major perks to hiring your own photographer.
 
Just think about it:
 
-You will work with the photographer to choose what time would be best for your session. When you know in advance, you can take a little time to shower or freshen up before your session begins.
 
-You can discuss your preferences beforehand and what photos you would really like to have.
 
-You can arrange to have older siblings or any other special family members you want included present at the time of the planned photo session.
 
It’s a win all around.
 
Those first days with your baby are so precious, but they’re also a blur of nurses and visitors and feedings and vitals checks and paperwork…
 
Hiring a photographer to come and capture photos as you take time to really soak in those moments as a new family will give you memories you can look back on long after your baby is grown.

There is a relatively new trend in the baby photography world called a Fresh 48 session, and it happens to be one of my favorites. Simply put, a Fresh 48 is a session photographed within your baby's first 48 hours of life when they are still wrinkly and new. Ideally this session is done while you are still in the hospital if that is where you choose to deliver.

A Fresh 48 is different from a traditional newborn session in that it is shorter and less posed. Although I use more of a lifestyle/documentary approach in my newborn sessions, I still use some props and suggest poses and activities in order to capture the relationships in your family. Also, a newborn session is scheduled sometime in the first 2 weeks after birth in the comfort of your own home.

With a Fresh 48 session, my main goal is to preserve the little details of those earliest moments. Any mom will tell you that babies change so much in those first couple of weeks, and remembering your baby fresh out of the womb becomes harder as time passes.

Leading up to your baby's birth, I am essentially "on call" for the weeks surrounding your due date. I have two children of my own, so I always make sure I have babysitters and back up plans ready at any time. Since I have such a short window of time in which to complete the session, it is important that I am prepared to go at a moment's notice. You will notify me as soon as you are able after your baby is born, so that we can decide on a time for me to come.

When I arrive at the hospital, I usually take pictures of the hospital itself and the details around the room. I will usually chat with you while I take pictures - ask how you're feeling, hear about your birth, gush over your baby (because I LOVE babies).

If baby is sleeping or content, I will have you put baby in the bassinet, so I can take all of the sweet detail pictures. I usually leave baby swaddled during this portion and just unwrap one body part or feature at a time to photograph.

It is not uncommon for the session to be interrupted in some way. If your little one needs to eat during the session (because newborns eat FREQUENTLY), I can continue taking photos if you are comfortable and want nursing photos. If not, I can give you privacy and continue taking photos when you are finished. Often, the interruptions come from medical personnel. In the example below, the pediatrician came to check the baby while I was in a session, and I took the opportunity to take pictures of all his sweet hair!

I like to include the new parents in these sessions when possible and siblings, grandparents, or other family members if they are present as well! However, the baby boy highlighted in this particular post was born just before 4 am and mom and dad had still not had a chance to rest when I came by for the session after noon. Because they were both exhausted, we chose to focus on just baby. Although, mom and baby were snuggling in to take a nap as I was packing up to leave, and I was able to snag a sweet picture of some skin to skin time.

I am currently accepting Fresh 48 clients through February 2018. I only take a limited number of these sessions per month to ensure my availability when your baby arrives. Contact me today to book your Fresh 48 session!