preparing for your fresh 48 session


I looove Fresh 48 sessions... Baby changes and grows so much in those first few days- I adore capturing a snippet of that fresh, baby goodness for parents to cherish forever.


Worried that hospital photos are going to be overwhelming? Don’t be! Fresh 48 sessions are one of my fastest and most relaxed sessions. These sessions are purposefully low-pressure and quick- we work completely around you and your baby's needs. If you want to put on a robe and join in, great! If you’d rather stay out of the spotlight and just have me focus on those tiny toes and hospital bassinet details, that's also great! Believe me, I know that getting up and doing your hair is the last thing on a new mom's mind! (Or maybe that's just me? Say it's not just me. 😂)


Whatever your preference, these images are a guaranteed way to cherish your hospital stay forever. Check out the guide below for my tips and answers to FAQs!


Newborn baby in diaper lying on back in hospital bassinet, yawning with arms raised on footprint patterned blanket.
A sleeping newborn baby lies peacefully on dark fabric in a series of connected artistic photographs.

the process


Booking


When you contact me to book a Fresh 48 Session, I’ll ask for your due date. We’ll use this as a (very!) rough measure of when I’ll be taking baby’s pictures. Please notify me within 24 hours of delivery so I can prioritize getting to the hospital and snapping pics of your cute lil’ babe! We’ll set up an official time at this point.


  • I aim to take Fresh 48 pictures 24-48 hours after a vaginal delivery and 36-48 hours after a Caesarean.
  • Daylight hours (between 9 AM - 3 PM) are best, but I’ll work with whatever mom + baby need.
  • I’ll plan on arriving at our set time, but I understand that newborns and hospital staff don’t revolve around my schedule. Don’t stress if you have delays!! More on this below.


arrival


I’ll shoot you a text when I arrive. There’s no expectation to start our session at the exact scheduled time, so don’t stress if you need to feed your baby/feed yourself/meet with your doctor/whatever else before you’re ready to begin.


I’ll sit in the waiting room until you’re ready. Please have your significant other come grab me or give me the entry code/room number when you’re ready to go!


photo time!


Fresh 48 Sessions are simple and straightforward- I'll grab a couple 'look at the camera and smile' pictures, but most of this session will be documentary-style. I’ll begin by moving baby’s bassinet near the window and getting all the precious close-ups of your little one. From there, I’ll position parents/group where the best natural light is, and I’ll snap away.


And that's it! I try to be in and out in 30-45 minutes so you can return to those priceless newborn snuggles.


turnaround


I'll have your Fresh 48 Session gallery delivered to you within 72 hours (and often times even sooner!) No one wants to wait for their newborn gallery, and I’m eager to get these precious photos in your hands ASAP!


You'll also receive one fully edited image within 24 hours so you can spread your news to family and friends! Sneak Peeks can often be found on my social media stories, as well.

Newborn baby lying on white knit blanket with pacifier, wearing diaper and hospital bracelet, held by adult hands.
Black and white photo of a young mother tenderly cradling her sleeping newborn baby close to her chest.

Extra tips!


  • Hospital lighting is AWFUL. I’ll be turning off all of the overhead lighting to make the most of the natural light from the window. It may seem dark, but I promise your photos will be beautiful!
  • Try to feed baby shortly before our Fresh 48 time so they’re most likely to be happy and calm.
  • If it's possible to bathe your baby before our session, I recommend it! Close ups of their hair and ears turn out just a bit cuter if they're gunk-free.
  • Embrace the ‘hospital-ness’! It’s totally cool for mom to wear a hospital gown and for baby to use their hospital hat and blankets.
  • Along with hospital garb, I encourage moms to bring a couple of baby items from home (change of clothing, swaddle, hat, headband, etc.)
  • Hospital rooms are tiny and have virtually no storage... As difficult as this one is, I recommend cleaning your room as much as you possibly can. (or shove everything in the corner farthest away from the window so it looks clean for the pictures... I won't tell anyone! 😂) Also, making sure the sheets on your bed are crisply tucked will enhance how stunning your photos turn out!
  • If you have control over heating, I highly recommend cranking up the heat so baby is extra comfortable for any pictures in their diaper.
  • What to wear is totally up to you! I encourage moms to wear either a hospital gown or something loose/flowy so as not to constrict their postpartum body. Fresh 48 sessions are not meant to be picture-perfect... and yet they turn out gorgeous every time!
A series of six photos showing a newborn baby being held and examined during a medical checkup.
Newborn baby sleeping peacefully in parent's arms while another hand gently touches the infant's head.
A premature baby sleeps peacefully in a hospital bed while connected to medical monitoring equipment and tubes.

faqs


WHAT IF MY BABY IS IN THE NICU?


I have photographed NICU babies with great success! However, whether or not I am able to take pictures of your little one depends on your hospital’s policy and the intensity of your baby’s care. Many Level I and Level II NICUs in the state of Utah allow for visitors/photographers, but you’ll need to check with your care team to ensure this is allowed for your specific circumstance. If you’re not comfortable with/not able to have your infant photographed in the NICU, we can absolutely switch to an In-Home Newborn Session when your little one is discharged!


Are you up to date on your vaccinations?


This is a totally valid concern for parents of a newborn! I am up to date on all of my vaccinations, including COVID-19, Flu, DTaP, + MMR. I'll cancel a Fresh 48 Session if any sickness pops up in my family, and can absolutely wear a face mask if parents prefer.


Can my spouse and children participate in my fresh 48 session?


Certainly! Dad + newborn photos are some of my absolute favorite shots, and pictures of children meeting their newest sibling are precious! Just keep in mind that hospital rooms tend to be small and we’ll want to have enough space to comfortably take pictures.


Do you have any swaddles?


Of course I do! I always bring a selection of baby blankets for you to look through. If you'd rather use your blankets, that's totally cool, too!



Still have questions or concerns? I'm here for you! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

A sleeping newborn baby wrapped in a pink blanket rests peacefully in a hospital bassinet.