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!

{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!