Preparing for a Fresh 48 Session

Hello hello! I will take a guess that you’re here either because you’re expecting a little one or you’ve already booked a fresh 48 newborn session with me!

I wanted to take a little time to write a blog post about preparing for your fresh 48 newborn session.

Fresh 48 newborn sessions are one of my favorites because the first few days with your new baby fly by and I believe you deserve to have photos to remember those moments.

Related blog post:

• Fresh 48 Session at Home

Let’s take a look on how to prepare for a fresh 48 session!

feed your baby right before the session

Newborns typically eat whenever they feel like it so it’s likely you don’t have a feeding schedule yet. I recommend making sure the baby has eaten within the last 45 minutes of your session to ensure a happy baby. Of course we can take feeding breaks during the session if additional feeds are needed!

Have your baby already wearing the hospital shirt & blanket

This is another way to ensure a smooth start to your fresh 48 session. I would actually recommend changing your baby into the hospital shirt & wrap with the blanket either right before or after the feed. That way the baby is warm and cozy and this also means we can take a variety of images during your session without having to make the baby cold or uncomfortable.

Clear the bed and window area

Lifestyle family photography falls between documentary photography and traditional photography. I want you to have the most meaningful photos documenting family connection so I will take some time to make sure that the areas we are photographing are clean.

If there is something in the background/window area that doesn’t help tell the story of your new baby’s birth, let’s move it out of the way.

The focus of a fresh 48 session is the new baby & family connection!

Wear a robe or comfortable clothing

Mamas - you just went through one of the most challenging things of bringing your baby into this world. You might not feel beautiful or feel like you need photos, but let me tell you - YOU NEED PHOTOS OF YOUR NEW BABY AND YOUR FAMILY.

A robe is typically something I recommend because it’s easy to put on, take off, and it’s loose which helps to make you look super beautiful!

If a robe is not your thing, wear something else that makes you feel comfortable and doesn’t limit you moving around or breastfeeding for example.

Let your nurse know ahead of time

One last way to prepare for your fresh 48 session is to let the nursing or staff members know you will have a short photoshoot. The nursing staff come in and out of the room frequently so it will be a good idea to let them know the time of your session so they can expect to check on you before or after.

I can’t think of a time that I did a fresh 48 session and the nursing staff didn’t come in, however, if there is testing/updates/monitoring they can do before or after the session it will be less distracting to your family.

Thank you so much for reading this blog post and I hope you learned some ways to prepare for your fresh 48 session!

Did I leave anything out? Leave a comment below!

Fresh 48 Newborn Photography at Home | Arlington Virginia Newborn Photographer

With the COVID pandemic affecting so many parts of life over the last 2.5 years, it’s no surprise that the way people work and do business has changed. When this family reached out to me, the hospital was still limiting visitors which meant I wouldn’t be able to do their Fresh 48 at the hospital as planned.

The family wanted to make sure their sweet baby girl’s photos were still taken within a few days of birth so do you know what? We had to pivot to doing the Fresh 48 session at home! And the session was so beautiful!

Related Blog Posts:

10 Must Have photos to take at your Fresh 48 Session

Fresh 48 Session | Atlanta Hospital

Maternity Session at Brookside Gardens

So what does a Fresh 48 session at home look like?

It looks like parents soaking in every moment they can with their baby within a few days of being born.

She was a sleepy baby and we got the family all together, had her held delicately by mom and dad, and we had to make sure to get her in the hospital blanket & hat. This was actually the first time I did an in-home Fresh 48 and I’m so lucky I got to do this!

I loved how natural this session was and because baby girl was so laid back, we were able to get a variety of photos of her. I knew that I was going to see the family for a lifestyle newborn session in a few weeks so I wanted to keep this session focused more in the living room and nursery area.

Fresh 48 sessions are the perfect way to remember the first couple of days of being born and all that comes with it.

They can be very simple and one of my favorite ways is to include diaper shots and hospital items.

I seriously loved this session and it was such a pleasure to work with this family. I hope you enjoy these!

Do you have any questions about booking a Fresh 48 newborn session? Please reach out to me and I’m happy to share more information with you!

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Atlanta Family Photographers

This blog post may have caught your eye because it features an adorable fresh new baby! In these days of COVID-19, restrictions are in place that do not allow hospital photographers to help document these special new moments for a family as they welcome their little one. I was looking through photos from previous sessions and I wanted to share photos from a Fresh 48 newborn session that I did about a year and a half ago. Even though these photos aren’t super recent, the photos are still meaningful, as this Mom and Dad welcomed their baby girl.

So What is a Fresh 48 Newborn session?

A Fresh 48 Session, also known as a Birth Place Session or Hospital Newborn Session, is a photo session that takes place where you welcome your baby within the first 48 hours of your baby’s life. These are typically done in a hospital once you are in the recovery room, but can also take place in your home if you have had a home birth. It’s a special time that allows you to soak up every second of welcoming your baby, holding her, changing her, and taking in all that parenthood has to offer, while having a photographer to document these moments.

Fresh 48 Sessions are a little different than Lifestyle Newborn Sessions, in that there are key elements included within the first couple of days of welcoming your baby. These are a mix between lifestyle and documentary, where there isn’t much posing, but rather me moving around the room photographing hospital elements such as the hospital bed, the hospital bassinet, the hospital shirt and blanket, and more elements that help to tell the story if your baby’s first few moments.

Typically, I like to take a photo of your family, as you may have not yet taken a photo of your new, growing family. I take portraits of Mom alone with baby, Dad alone with baby, and of course portraits of baby. Many times the families include images from the Fresh 48 session to use in the birth announcement of their baby. Fresh 48 Sessions are also a great time to document the siblings meeting for the first time.

These sessions can range between 30 and 60 minutes, considering ensuring you have enough of a variety to tell the story of baby’s first few hours. I like to include the typical hospital clothing, as this is the only time baby will probably be in this clothing. I also enjoy incorporating adorable outfits like this matching robe and swaddle for Mama and baby.

Send me a message if you’d like to chat more about booking a Fresh 48 session! I offer a bundle when booking with a maternity or newborn sessions so please mention that so we can find a way to offer you several images to welcome your baby!

related blog posts

10 Must-Have Photos to take During your Fresh 48 Newborn Session | Silver Spring Newborn Photographers

If you happen to be looking for a newborn photographer in the Washington DC area, I’m happy to say that I not only offer lifestyle newborn sessions, but also birth place sessions - known as Fresh 48 newborn sessions. Fresh 48 sessions take place at your baby’s place of birth within the first 48 hours. Fresh 48 sessions are a little more documentary in nature, and I’m there to document things that are naturally happening.

Fresh 48 Session and Lifestyle Newborn Sessions are both pretty similar, and I have families that tend to choose both. The birth place sessions take place within your baby’s first 48 hours when you all are still in the hospital, and lifestyle newborn sessions can take place any time after you get home, up until your baby is one month old. In this blog post I have focused more on must-have photos from your fresh 48 session that you can cherish from your baby’s first few hours.

1. baby in bassinet

During your fresh 48 newborn session, there will be moments that your baby will lay beautifully in the hospital bassinet. This is the perfect time to take an overhead shot of the baby in the bassinet, wrapped beautifully in the hospital blanket and hospital hat.

2. portrait of baby

while your baby is laying they will either be asleep or awake and it will be a great time to focus on that portrait! This little guy was getting some great sleep being just two days new and I took a few moments to document his first few hours!

3. baby nursing

We know that babies eat. They eat a lot! During your fresh 48 newborn session I can almost guarantee that your baby will get hungry. When baby nurses, I will be there to photograph those intimate moments where Mama and baby are connected.

4. belly button clip/cord

This is a sweet moment to photograph because before you know it, the belly button clip will no longer be there. I think of this as a special reminder of how you brought your sweet child into this world. You provided for him for 9 months and he is now here because of you. Why not photograph and document this memory?

5. baby crying or making faces

Let’s face it - babies cry! Sometimes they really make the cutest faces when they aren’t happy and I tend to click through those moments. These moments of being upset don’t last very long until they’re held or fed so I snap a few of these quickly!

6. baby’s toes/feet

If your baby is laying content I usually spend a few moments documenting those little details. I always always always photograph baby feet during your lifestyle newborn session. The toes. The feet. The rolls. The hospital bracelets and anklets. All of it!

7. action shots

During your fresh 48 newborn session I use a documentary approach to photograph what’s already happening. When your baby needs to be fed or changed, those are great opportunities to get some of those candid moments! When you need to change and dress baby, feel free to take your time and soak in taking the new role of being your baby’s caregiver. I love taking action shots because they help tell the story of your baby’s arrival and can show a perspective of the size of your sweet tiny baby.

8. an interesting perspective

I love taking a pull-back photos of your baby because it helps to tell the perspective of how tiny he was! I take a few of the baby on the bed as long as he or she is comfortable and I love the way it shows their size!

9. hands

One way to describe my lifestyle work is connection. During your newborn or family session I am looking for ways to capture connection. The way I usually capture connection during a fresh 48 newborn session is photographing hands. By including hands, it helps to create that connection as well as the perspective of holding your new tiny baby.

10. family portrait

Yay for being a new family! Whether you are welcoming your first baby or your second, third, or fourth - your family dynamics will change. During your fresh 48 newborn session make sure to get a family portrait that can include all family members!

What do you think? Are you expecting an addition to your family and would like to book a fresh 48 and/or lifestyle newborn session in the DC area? Send me a message!

3 reasons to hire a fresh 48 photographer | atlanta family photographers

If you aren’t yet familiar about hiring a Fresh 48 Photographer, I am glad you’re here!

A Fresh 48 Session, also called a birth place session, is an opportunity to have a photographer come to your baby’s place of birth and document the first 48 hours after the baby is born.

A Fresh 48 Session is a little different than a Lifestyle Newborn Session because these freshie sessions typically take place at the hospital, rather than your home. For those of you that have home births, I come to your home! That actually brings me to my first reason why you should hire a fresh 48 photographer:

 3 reasons to hire a fresh 48 photographer

1. there is no need to travel

After having a baby I’m sure the last thing you want to do is get in the car and drive to a session. The great thing about Fresh 48 Sessions is that I come to you! Whether you are in a hospital or at home, there is no need for you to travel! Part of these storytelling sessions is documenting all of the chaos going on once your baby arrives.

If you are in the hospital, I will incorporate all of those hospital bracelets, baby blankets, hats, and even the gown to really tell the story. We will use different areas of the hospital room (yes, that’s possible!) mainly with window light to make sure there is enough available light for you and your family to be photographed. The hospital room, windows, and even the hallways will all be perfect for your Fresh 48 backdrop. There is no need for you to travel and all of these will help to tell the story of your baby’s arrival.

 If you plan on having your baby at home, I would love to incorporate your bedroom and other environmental elements from your very own home.

 2. remembering the details

Your baby is growing so fast! She will look so different in the first few hours and days and you might forget the way she looked laying in her bassinet, or how little those bracelets were that she wore on her wrist and ankles! There will be so much going on, so I want you to relax and be in the moment and I’m there to be a fly on the wall to get those details that will mean a lot to you down the road.

3. take photos as a new family

You and your family will be completely in love with your baby as soon as he or she is born. One thing I love about Fresh 48 Sessions is being able to take a photo and include all of the family members. Many family photos that I take during Fresh 48 sessions are candid and documentary, however, I always aim to get a family portrait with everyone looking at the camera. We do live in the age of cell phones and selfies, which are great for those snapshots but sometimes it can be tricky to get a good family photo when you are taking it yourself! Relax and let me do the work for you. I really want these photos to be special for you to remember your baby’s first few hours.

Convinced that you would love to have these first few moments captured? Please fill out my contact form and send me a message and we will get your family scheduled!

{adalyn brooke} | one day new | atlanta fresh 48 photographer

Mom and Dad reached out to me when they were a little over 20 weeks pregnant and knew they wanted a Fresh 48 Session. A Fresh 48 Session takes place anytime from birth to 48 hours. Typically these sessions take place in the hospital but can also take place at home, after a home birth. I was so excited about this session, Mom and I chatted a little bit about to expect during this session and how to document the natural moments of the time short after a new baby being welcomed into the world.

During this Fresh 48 session I really enjoyed getting to know Mom and Dad. They are first time parents and we talked a little bit about the pregnancy, cravings, and how things had been waiting for their beautiful baby girl! How healthy that Mom craved fruit during her pregnancy, which is not bad at all! We had a fun conversation about Chik-fil-a and I immediately hit it off with them when I realized we are all obsessed with their Cookies and Cream milkshakes. I mean really, why make another flavor? 

Adalyn was born at 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. Although she will probably be tall, it was fun to try her into her new clothes and hats that were actually a little too big for her during this session. She's just so fresh and new! Adalyn is such a sweet baby girl, with a great temperament! We would put her down to briefly change her, and she showed that she trusted us and she loved the camera so I had to get some photos of her with her eyes open! Adalyn was born with cleft palate and she is as beautiful as can be. Mom expressed to me how much she loved this session and I am so glad they will treasure these images of their sweet girl. 

Adalyn was such a natural model and worked the camera! How sweet that I was able to get some images of her with her beautiful eyes open, which can sometimes be hard to do during newborn sessions! After a couple of minutes of course when she realized she was cold, she didn't hesitate to let us know how she felt and let out that adorable, high pitched cry that was just the sweetest thing.  

I had so much fun during this session and I hope Mom and Dad enjoy these images as much as I did! If you are expecting a new little bundle of joy and are interested in a fresh 48 or lifestyle newborn session, I'd love to meet you! You can fill out a couple of questions on my contact page and we will chat! 

{hollis} | fresh 48 | northside hospital | fresh 48 atlanta

One thing I love about Fresh 48 newborn sessions is that I get to document the in-between moments, the snuggles, the comfort, the naps, hugs, and everything in between. Typically during Fresh 48 sessions, the photos are taken in a documentary and story telling way anytime during the first 48 hours of the baby's life.

During this hospital session, I spent some time with Mom and Dad while they admired their new baby girl. This family was previously a family of three, and it was so fun to help them welcome a new baby girl, to their now family of four. 

I got to meet big brother and he couldn't have been more excited. He would tell friends and family, "she's here!" and enjoyed holding his new baby sister. He was also really excited to help soothe her with her pacifier. I let him borrow a toy turtle and he seemed over the moon to show her the little toy.

Baby Hollis slept so well for us during our session, which made photographing her quite easy. She might have missed out from some love, hugs, and kisses from her big brother, but I'm sure there are many more moments to come in this family when big brother gets to love on baby sister. 

If you would prefer to have a lifestyle newborn session in the comfort of your home, check out the blog to see this Family of Three and this in home Newborn Session. Head on over to my contact page if there are any questions I can answer for you!

{maddie} | piedmont hospital | atlanta fresh 48 photographer

Welcome to the world, Maddie! I arrived to this hospital session being really excited to document this family's Fresh 48 session. For those of you not familiar with a Fresh 48, it's a session that takes place during the first 48 hours of the baby's life. These First 48 or Fresh 48 sessions can take place in the hospital or in the home, wherever the baby spends his or her first 48 hours. 

I arrived when Maddie was about 24 hours old. Mom and Dad had so much love for her and I was happy to arrive the next morning as they were still getting acclimated to being new parents. Most of the images from this Fresh 48 session are documentary style, so I am there to document the cuddles, nursing, adoring, fussing, and everything else that takes place in a newborn's life. 

During the Fresh 48 sessions, you also can't forget about taking images of the newborn baby in his or her bassinet, the diaper changes, hospital bands, and getting a good image of the hospital room. The hospital room might not be the prettiest, but the image of the environment helps to tell the story of the Fresh 48. 

If you aren't sure if a Fresh 48 session is for you, I also offer in home lifestyle newborn sessions. Check out my last couple of blog posts to see how your home can be such a natural backdrop here and here!