tacoma fresh 48 photography
How to Prepare for a Fresh 48 Session at the Hospital
Lifestyle
Storyteller
The first 48 hours after your baby arrives is nothing short of a whirlwind. These hours are filled with raw, unfiltered moments — tiny yawns, soft stretches, and the way they curl up against your chest as if they’ve known you forever. This is what Fresh 48 sessions are all about: capturing the beauty of your baby’s first hours, right there in the hospital.
Preparing for a Fresh 48 session doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even in those emotional, sleep-deprived early hours. Here’s what to expect and how to make the most of this experience, so we can capture these once-in-a-lifetime memories that you’ll cherish forever.
What to Expect During Your Fresh 48 Session
A Fresh 48 session is designed to be relaxed, natural, and completely focused on the connection between you, your baby, and your family in those first precious hours. I don’t come with big lights, props, or elaborate setups. Instead, I’m there to document the moments as they are — the soft, intimate exchanges, the details of those tiny fingers and toes, and the joy, awe, and love in the room.
You can expect this session to be gentle and unobtrusive. I’ll spend some time capturing a variety of images: baby’s first stretches and yawns, close-ups of their delicate features, and of course, those beautiful bonding moments between you and your little one. The session is typically 45 minutes to an hour, allowing us to capture a range of candid moments without overwhelming you during this tender time of postpartum.
Remember, Fresh 48 photos aren’t about perfection. They’re about preserving the honesty and beauty of this fleeting moment in your family’s journey.
What to Pack and How to Prepare
When you’re preparing for a Fresh 48 session, a little planning can go a long way. Here are a few ideas for what to pack and how to get ready:
- Comfortable Clothing: Choose soft, comfortable clothing that feels like you. Neutral colors or gentle tones work beautifully, but the most important thing is that you feel good in whatever you’re wearing. Many moms choose cozy robes or loose tops, and dads can go with a simple, comfortable shirt. The focus will be on you and your baby, so there’s no need to stress over outfits!
- Special Blankets or Swaddles: If you have a blanket, swaddle, or hat that holds sentimental value, bring it along. These items not only add a personal touch to your photos but also bring comfort to your baby. Plus, they make the session feel even more uniquely yours.
- Simple Accessories for Baby: If you’d like, you can pack a special hat, headband, or onesie for your baby to wear. However, many parents opt to keep baby in a basic swaddle or hospital onesie to keep the session feeling as natural as possible. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable is the right choice.
- A Few Comfort Items for You: Remember, you’re in the early stages of recovery, and comfort is key. Having snacks, water, and personal items nearby can help you feel a bit more settled, so you can be fully present for this experience.
- Family Members or Siblings: If you want older siblings or close family members included in the session, coordinate their arrival so we can capture those first interactions. The look on a sibling’s face when they meet their baby brother or sister for the first time is priceless, and it adds an extra layer of emotion to the session.
Capturing Your Baby’s Earliest Expressions and Features
There’s something indescribably special about seeing your baby’s first expressions. In these early hours, they’re discovering the world—and you—through sleepy eyes, tiny frowns, and soft coos. Those are the moments that can feel so fleeting, and they’re exactly what we’ll capture during a Fresh 48 session.
Newborns change quickly, even in the span of a few days. By the time you’re home, their features might already look different, which is why these Fresh 48 photos are so valuable. We’ll document all those beautiful little details: their wrinkly feet, the tiny fingernails, their soft cheeks, and the way they fit so perfectly in your arms. These images capture your baby just as they are in the first days of life, preserving the memory of how small and delicate they were when you first met them.
When you look back on these photos, they’ll take you right back to this moment. You’ll remember the way they looked at you, the feel of their warm, tiny body against your chest, and the rush of love that filled your heart. These are the memories that Fresh 48 sessions hold for a lifetime.
A Fresh 48 session at the hospital is more than just a photo session; it’s an opportunity to capture the raw beauty and emotion of your baby’s very first hours in the world.
By preparing a few key items and keeping an open heart, you’ll be ready to create memories that will stay with you forever.
These early moments are precious, intimate, and unlike any other time in your life. Investing in a Fresh 48 session is about preserving the love, joy, and wonder of your family’s beginning, so you can hold onto it long after your baby has grown.
If you’re ready to capture these beautiful first moments, let’s plan your Fresh 48 session together. I’ll be there to document the story of your family as it unfolds, one heartfelt moment at a time.
