Fresh 48s are my absolute favorite sessions to document! I absolutely love being able to come in to such a vulnerable time and share space for you. It means so much to me when a family chooses me to document a fresh48. It truly is such an honor! Fresh48 sessions are done wit in the first 48 hours of a babies life. Babes change SO MUCH in those first few days, so I love being able to capture that brand new adorableness for parents and families!
How to prep BABE:
Try and feed babe shortly before our Fresh 48 time that way they are happy with a full belly. If you would like any feeding/nursing pictures, hold off on this, let me know when I arrive and we absolutely can do this at the beginning of the session!
Turn up that heat! If you have access to room temperature! Fresh 48 sessions are usually quick (under an hour typically) and baby is soooooo much happier in a warm environment. This allows for babe to be comfortable as we switch outfits or get belly/stump photos.
What to wear?
This is totally up to you! I have some moms would just stay in their hospital gown, while others bring their own robe or outfit! Truly it’s up to you. I do encourage moms to wear something comfortable and flowy so as not constricting on their fresh postpartum body. I have had moms feel most comfortable doing their makeup prior and some who would rather look all natural, again this is up to you, but if you MAY want makeup, remember to pack it in your hospital bag, along with a neutral nail polish if thats your style. We will get some holding shots so you may want your nails painted. Baby can come at any time, if you don't get your nails done or have time to do them at home, you'll have this as a backup!
FOR BABY ... Embrace the hospital-ness! With this, I mean that it’s absolutely okay to get some pictures of you/baby in ‘hospital garb’ — so hospital gown on mom, hospital blankets and hat on babe, etc… I always love these very ‘hospitall-y’ shots and I try and sneak in a few at each Fresh 48. Along with ‘hospital garb’ pics, I absolutely encourage parents to pack their own swaddles, hats or headbands, and an outfit for babe as well. Outfit/blanket changes are absolutely okay and I love when we get some hospital-y pictures and then ones with babe’s personal items. Typically I will do one swaddle, & one outfit, and then the hospitaly images. Letter boards or announcement boards are always fun too!
What types of pictures will I take?
That’s totally up to you! I usually will take a variety of pictures to highlight babe’s newness: close ups on hands, feet, head all of their little perfect features. I then will take some of babe by themselves in the bassinet and bed, and then some with mom, dad, siblings — whoever is there for the session! If you have seen something specific you want, be sure to either send that to me prior to our session or text it to me :)
When will I get my pics?
I try and have a speedy turnaround time for my clients, especially when it comes to births and Fresh48s. I know how much you want to see your new babe’s pics! I always post a sneak peek that day. and then have your full gallery back to you via email within a week of your session.
What happens if my baby is in the NICU?
We can do one of two things: we can do a NICU Fresh 48 if hospital visitor policies allow, or we can switch to a lifestyle newborn session or welcome home when everyone is at home! NICU Fresh 48s are absolutely an option, as long as your hospital’s NICU allows for a visitor (other than mom/dad) and a photographer! Most corpus area hospitals allow this (in non-COVID times) and it’s no problem if you’d like NICU pics.
You can head HERE to see some more images and see the different Fresh48 session options I offer.
xx