What is a Fresh 48 Session?

What is a Fresh48 Session?

Fresh48 is a little bit of a buzzword in the photography world right now and many clients don’t know what it means, so I figured I would take just a minute to explain.

Fresh48 sessions or birth space sessions are photoshoots done within the first 48 hours after birth. These photo sessions are strictly documentary in nature, meaning they have almost no preparation and zero posing. These sessions are done in about 30 minutes, which is much shorter than any other photography session. Your photographer is there to be a fly on the wall to document the very quickly fleeting time of your family with the brand new baby. This early, early time is sacred and goes by so quickly.

Fresh48 sessions are not birth photos. Fresh48 happens after birth, not during. These sessions typically work best for families planning for a hospital birth. The reasoning is that within that 48 hour time period, you will likely still be in the hospital with the birth gown, hospital bassinet, wristlets and swaddles. No preparation needed, because there is no preparation to be done.

The reason most home birth families do not opt for fresh48 sessions and instead book newborn sessions is that the birth space is cleaned up very quickly by midwives and all of the birth space elements like the yoga balls and the birth tub are gone by 4 hours after birth. Homes get a bit extra messy during a home birth, so it’s usually best to plan newborn photos a few days after, because a little more prep may need to be done. Fresh48 sessions absolutely can be done for home births, don’t get me wrong here, but many families decide to book either both fresh48 and newborn or birth photography and a newborn session, because the midwives work so quickly to clean up and get out, that it just makes more sense to do newborn photos instead or with birth photography

Fresh48 sessions at the hospital or birth center can be booked with a newborn session to follow up. Again, fresh48 is strictly documentary, so the photographer is not there to make things look quite so perfect like they do with newborn photos, because the first 48 hours are extremely important to prioritize the newborn having close, close contact with mom and dad. Following up with newborn photos allows for other siblings to be included in the pictures which may not happen in a fresh48 session.

No matter if you decide to do fresh48 photos or newborn photos or both, you’ll likely want to book a maternity session to go with it with the same photographer. This will allow you to get comfortable with your photographer prior to inviting her into your birth space with your brand new baby. Every photographer has a different personality and offers different services, so be sure you jive with yours before you hire them for more intimate photos.

If you have questions about the different types of birth and pregnancy related photography, I’m always happy to chat. And as a reminder, I offer Fresh48, Newborn and Maternity photo sessions, but I do not offer birth photography at this time.

If you’re ready to book, tap the button below and I’d love to talk to you about which package options are right for you.

5 details not to miss in your newborn photos.

Newborns are so sweet and have so many little fresh details to be captured in pictures. While I wish pictures could capture the quickly fleeting, snorty little breaths and squeaks, that’s not the reality so soak those in as much as you can. Pictures can capture so many other special details that may be quickly forgotten otherwise. Here are 5 details that you don’t want your photographer to miss, when photographing your newborn.

The Umbilical Stump

I believe that the umbilical stump is a powerful reminder of where we come from. The stump typically falls off within the first 5 days after birth, so pictures usually have to be done early to catch it. If you can swing it, I highly recommend it. Make sure you tell your photographer that you want it photographed. I do take nearly nude photos of newborns, so I don’t usually miss it, but it’s always good to be clear. Some photographers only photograph dressed babies. I love biological details and sprinkling very primal elements into my photographs.

Skin Flakes

Skin flakes are a reminder of how new our baby is. The flakes leave quickly, usually by the end of the first month. I love to catch those fresh little details. Many parents forget that their babies skin ever had flakes, this is what is so special about hiring a newborn photographer for your baby. Preserved memories for a lifetime.

Mouth Bubbles

Sweet little mouth bubbles, another fresh detail not to miss. Bubbles come and go during the early days, so I think it’s a special thing to photograph if there’s an opportunity to do so. I still look back at pictures of my daughters lips covered in bubbles and think it is the sweetest thing. One more bonus thing to catch while we’re talking about lips is nursing blisters. While it is a sign that your latch may need some work, I also think it is a special reminder of the special breastfeeding bond and how the mother’s hard work is paying off in breastfeeding, especially during those early days when nursing can be painful.

Forehead Wrinkles

The forehead wrinkles are a very subtle newborn feature that so many people never even notice. I still remember the golden hour when my midwife was teaching me how to nurse my baby, she helped me latch my daughter and said “look at those happy baby forehead wrinkles”. Those little wrinkles quickly became my favorite thing to look at while I nursed my daughter.

Breastfeeding

One final thing to photograph is mom, breastfeeding her new baby. There is so much sweetness to photograph here. So if you are comfortable and a nursing mom, ask your photographer to take some photos while you nurse your baby. I know many of us have seen some not-so-flattering nursing photos circulating on social media, but the pictures truly do not have to be so National Geographic. I pride myself on my classy and discreet nursing photos. So if you desire to have some taken, please ask! So much work and effort and learning goes into breastfeeding, it is absolutely something to be honored and documented. I nursed my daughter for 17 months, so I can say I am not shy about breastfeeding and you shouldn’t be either.

Like what you read? I do my best to capture all of these details during newborn photo sessions and more. Reach out if you’re in the Spokane area and would like to learn more about my newborn photography.