Is a Fresh 48 Session Right for You? {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I’m so excited that after a two year hiatus, Fresh 48 sessions are coming back. They are some of my very favorite sessions and I absolutely love photographing this special time in your lives. Fresh 48 sessions are a relatively new concept. They are designed to document that very beautiful but fleeting time in the hospital over the first day or two after your baby’s birth. Fresh 48 sessions are raw, intimate and cozy and will serve as a beautiful memory of what life was like when your baby was fresh.

What is needed for a Fresh 48 session?

I honestly don’t think you need anything special. I love to use the gear the hospital provides. They use that little hat, blanket, and bassinet for such a short time and I think it’s important to document it. You can always bring you own swaddles or outfit if you wish but with so much already going on, I don’t want you to stress about extra stuff.

How long to Fresh 48 sessions last?

I try to keep Fresh 48 sessions as quick as possible. There is so many people coming and going from your hospital room and I never want to get in the way of anyone. I keep sessions to about half and hour and we always end up with a varied and full gallery in this short amount of time.

How do you book a Fresh 48 if baby’s arrival is unpredictable?

I book Fresh 48 sessions the same way I book newborn sessions. By paying the retainer, you are guaranteeing a spot on my schedule. Since most mamas only get 24-48 hours in the hospital, I ask that you send me a quick text or email with any updates (induction dates, c section dates, once you’re headed to the hospital etc). Once baby arrives you, or your support person should reach out to me as soon as possible and we will then decide on a time for me to come to the hospital.

What I’m doing to keep baby safe:

I am fully vaccinated and up to date on all vaccines including:

Covid 19

Influenza

TDaP

I will be wearing a mask to all Fresh 48 and in home newborn sessions. My oldest child caught RSV as an infant and I believe it’s so important to do what I can to prevent spreading any germs.
I will use hand sanitizer when entering your room and I won’t handle your baby.

What’s happening with visitors in hospitals?

Most hospitals in the greater Seattle area are now open to visitors. You will want to double check with your hospital to make sure visitors are allowed.

What is included with a Fresh 48 session?

Fresh 48 sessions include forty digital images for you to share and print as you wish. If you want a Fresh 48 session on it’s own, the price is $650 with a $150 retainer required at the time of booking. If you wish to book a newborn session too, the package deal is $1,175 with $300 due at booking. You will also receive high quality 4x6 prints of every image in your gallery as a gift.

Are you ready to schedule your Fresh 48 session? Please reach out to me so we can get you on the calendar!

Tips for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

Must Take Images Before Your Baby Leaves the Hospital

I think we can all agree that this year has been a tough one. While it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, missing out on a Fresh 48 session that you were excited about, can be a bit of a downer. I know it can vary by where you live, but in the Seattle area, photographers are still not able to photograph Fresh 48 sessions. Today, I’m going to share some tips for you to take those image yourself in the hospital while photographers aren’t allowed in. I hope these will help you with photographing those early days until we can have your at home newborn session.

Tip One for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

Photograph the hospital items that you only see in those first couple of days. The little newborn hat and the hospital bracelets are only used for such a short time so make sure you get images of them while you can.

Tip Two for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

Make sure you photograph them in the little plastic bassinet that they sleep in. This is so unique to your hospital stay so this is an image you’ll want to capture.

Tip Three for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

As most hospitals are only allowing one guest, take turns photographing them in each other’s arms.

Tip Four for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

Use natural light. Turn off the hospital lights. They are never flattering and natural light will take your pictures to a different level. Shoot during the daylight and either shoot with the window behind your subject, or with the baby positioned so the light is hitting them from the side.

Tip Five for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

Don’t forget a close up of that sweet face and other little details like the tiny flakey feet.

Tip Six for Photographing Your Own Fresh 48

Make sure you explore different angles. You don’t need to take a traditional portrait. Move all around the baby. You might surprise yourself with what you get.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions. I’m happy to help!

Welcoming Baby Number Three {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Why I love Fresh 48 Sessions

Do you remember those early days in the hospital, when the whole world seems to stop and everything is focused on you and your new baby? Do you remember the flaky feet, umbilical cord stump, the hospital bracelets, the hats and blankets that are so unique to the hospital and the only time in your little one’s life that you’ll use them? Do you remember other people bringing you food, with all that time to sit back and enjoy that little babe? These few short hours in the hospital go by so quickly and before you know it, you’re packing up that sweet baby and heading home, and that first milestone has already passed. I don’t know about anyone else, but I would give anything to have that time back. That is why I love Fresh 48 sessions so much. Photographs are the perfect memory of such a fleeting time. A time when you’re exhausted and little things like the way that looked so tiny in the bassinet may be forgotten. When you start to forget, your photographs can always take you back to that time.

Meet Benji. This sweet little boy joins two big sisters who are equally as adorable. If you haven’t seen their family session from before Benji was around, you may want to go check it out. It’s one of my all time favorites. Benji, you are going to be so adored by your big sisters, and I know you’ll think the world of them too. Welcome to the world sweet boy.

Ezra's Fresh 48 {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

This sweet little boy was born at home so his Fresh 48 session looks a little different to most of my other hospital sessions. We did the session at his home, on his parents bed. His proud big brother jumped in for a few images. It is always so sweet to see the first born become a big sibling. It’s crazy to see how much he had changed from his birth just a couple of days earlier. I can’t wait to complete his newborn session with the whole family this weekend. Welcome to the world Ezra!

Welcoming Baby Number Three {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I adore Fresh 48 sessions. There is no time quite like the first couple of days of your new baby’s life. Baby is still squishy and new, flakey feet, umbilical cord stump and all, and time seems to stop still while everything and everyone is focused on you and your new little being. Items that are only used for two short days such as the hospital blanket and hat, as well as the bracelets around the ankles should be photographed so you never forget the newness of them. I realized that I never blogged my own baby’s Fresh 48 session so I’m doing it now. Here’s my third little boy at the very start of his time with us.