Fresh 48 photos: Documenting your baby’s first hours

If you aren’t a family photographer, you may be asking yourself, “what are fresh 48 photos?” And it’s no surprise that many don’t know about them. Maternity or in-home newborn sessions are incredibly popular, but fresh 48 photos are a chance to document something entirely different. The first hours of your brand new, teeny tiny baby in this big, beautiful world.

As a mom, I know how much those first few hours pass by. So many big moments blur together as pure exhaustion and immense joy take over. Big moments, but also all of the little details. The euphoric 48 hours full of tiny fingers and toes, adorable yawns and coos, the first of so many swaddles and snuggles. Fresh 48 photos ensure that those moments will be clear and crisp, even when your baby is all of a sudden off to college or having babies of their own. 

Here’s from fresh 48 photo fast facts to help you decide whether this type of session is right for you and your family!

What are fresh 48 photos? It’s simply a photo session within the 12-48 hours of your newborn’s life. Whether that’s in the hospital, at home, or somewhere else, I come to your birthing facility!

What makes them different from a regular newborn session? Fresh 48 photography is not birthing photography, but it’s not a newborn session either. A true lifestyle session, it is unposed and in the moment. Many choose to have in-home newborn sessions or posed studio sessions after fresh 48 photos because they truly capture different things. It’s a chance to document every little detail before your baby starts rapidly growing and changing. It can also incorporate some of the big firsts, like meeting family members for the first time.

How do make sure you are available that soon after delivery? I’ll be on call! Yes, it’s my chance to live out my Meredith Grey moment and rush to the hospital when duty calls. Kinda cool, right?! You’ll keep me in the loop as your pregnancy progresses and I’ll have a good idea of when the baby will be born. You call me when you’re ready!

How do I prepare for the fresh 48 photos? Don’t worry too much, as we will be able to chat about all of the details! I’ll help you through the session so there really isn’t much preparation for the session. I will even walk you right through what to wear!

What locations are you available to shoot? Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll go! Any of the hospitals in the area, but also your home if you choose to have a home birth.

How do I know if this type of session is right for me? Every family and birth story is different! You can contact me here to get all of your burning questions answered. I’d love to help you choose which type of session is for you!

You know I couldn’t wrap up this blog without sharing some photography to back up my words! The Richardson family so kindly let me choose to shoot fresh 48 photos of their sweet babe, Vera. Their session was my first one since March 2020, when the pandemic shut down hospitals to visitors. I had been dying to get back into hospital shoots! I took their maternity photos as well, and as soon as hospitals in Maine allowed visitors to return, Vera was making her way into the world. Divine coincidence? I’ll let you decide.

Make sure to scroll through these stunning, intimate fresh 48 photos! Which one is your favorite? And if you’ve decided that fresh 48 photos are the right option for you, start with my contact form and we’ll get to planning!