Welcoming a new baby into your family is one of the most extraordinary experiences in life. Those first hours with your newborn are filled with love, wonder, and a whirlwind of emotions. Amidst the excitement, there's a special kind of photography designed to capture these precious moments: Fresh 48 photography.

Mother cuddles newborn baby in maternity ward at Riley's hospital during Indianapolis fresh 48 photo session.

WHAT IS FRESH 48 PHOTOGRAPHY?


Fresh 48 photography is a type of newborn photography session that takes place within the first 48 hours of your baby's birth, typically in the hospital, birth center, or at home. These sessions capture the early moments and raw emotions of the baby's arrival. This style of photography aims to document the baby's first hours, interactions with family, and the details of the newborn's early life. The focus is on natural shots that capture the authenticity of the newborn experience.

Father smiles at newborn baby in Riley hospital room during fresh 48 photo session in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WHY CHOOSE FRESH 48 PHOTOGRAPHY?


A Fresh 48 session is perfect for those who want to remember every detail of their baby’s early arrival and the emotions that come with it.



  1. Capture Early Moments: The first 48 hours are filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments—your baby's first yawns, tiny fingers and toes, meeting siblings or grandparents for the first time. Fresh 48 sessions preserve these fleeting memories.
  2. Authentic Emotions: These sessions focus on the genuine emotions of the moment, from the awe and wonder of parents seeing their baby to the joy of family members welcoming the new arrival.
  3. Hospital Environment: The hospital or birthing center setting provides a unique backdrop, documenting the experience of birth and the immediate hours after. It’s a way to remember the environment where your baby was born, which might include shots of the hospital bassinet, wristbands, and other personal details.
  4. Complement to Newborn Sessions: Fresh 48 photos can beautifully complement a lifestyle newborn session that might occur later. Together they tell a complete story of your baby’s early days.
  5. Timeless Keepsake: These images become a treasured keepsake that you can look back on to remember how tiny your baby was and the overwhelming love you felt in those first hours.
Baby boy cries in bassinet at Riley's Children's hospital during fresh 48 newborn photoshoot in Indianapolis.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A FRESH 48 SESSION


During a Fresh 48 photography session, you can expect a relaxed, natural, and intimate experience that focuses on capturing the essence of your baby’s first hours. Here’s what typically happens:


  • Timing: The session will take place within the first 24-48 hours after birth. I will be on standby to come to you once your baby has arrived.
  • Location: The session is typically held in the room where you are recovering, capturing the natural surroundings of your baby's first environment.
  • Duration: A Fresh 48 session typically lasts about an hour, allowing time to capture a variety of moments without overwhelming the new parents or baby.
  • Moments: Expect to capture moments like baby in the bassinet, first family photos, and all the little details like tiny fingers and toes.
  • Parents and Siblings: The session will often include shots of parents and siblings holding, cuddling, and interacting with the baby. These first family moments are precious and become some of the most cherished images.
  • Grandparents or Visitors: If there are other visitors, we can capture these special introductions as well.
  • Baby-Led: The session is entirely baby-led, meaning that if the baby is sleeping, feeding, or crying, we will adapt and capture the moments as they happen.
Black and white photo of baby's feet in Riley Hospital bassinet during fresh 48 newborn photoshoot in Indianapolis.

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FRESH 48 SESSION


  • Communicate: Keep your photographer informed about your birth plan and expected delivery date. Once your baby arrives, have someone notify the photographer as soon as possible.
  • Stay Natural: There's no need to dress up or stage anything. Comfortable clothing and natural interactions make for the best photos.
  • Involve Everyone: Encourage family members to participate. These photos will be cherished memories for everyone involved.
Little girl looks at baby brother in bassinet at Riley hospital during Indianapolis fresh 48 newborn photo session.

WHY FRESH 48 PHOTOGRAPHY IS WORTH IT


The first 48 hours of your baby's life are filled with moments you'll want to remember forever. Fresh 48 photography allows you to preserve these fleeting memories in a way that is genuine and heartfelt. It's a beautiful way to document the beginning of your baby's journey and the start of your new chapter as a family.

If you're expecting a new addition to your family and want to capture those first precious moments, consider booking a Fresh 48 session. You'll be grateful to have these timeless memories to look back on and share with your child as they grow.