What to Expect

If you are interested in a Fresh 48 session, the first thing to know is not a short process. A fresh 48 session can take longer than the scheduled time for several reasons and patience is key when attempting to get those precious shots. Doctors, nurses, and general hospital staff will be in and out of your room during our session and it is ok to pause our time. A newborn baby is not on a schedule yet, so we may be interrupted by feeds or diaper changes as well. All of these instances are expected and normal; please feel comfortable in knowing I do not mind to wait.

beauty in the details


It is important for the parents to know that in order to get some of the "iconic" newborn images, the baby will need to be unswaddled for a short amount of time during this session. Feet, hands, and full face are an important part of this session. A gown, onesie, or a tightly fitted outfit is best for these images.

a room full of light


Ideally, the hospital room will have multiple windows for natural light. However, if there is only one we will make magic happen! The chaos of labor and a new baby may be overwhelming, so take this advice with a grain of salt and no judgement. A clean room is the best environment for a fresh 48 session. Take a few moments before the session to move items away from the window, remove any trash that is laying around, and move bags and larger items in the bathroom. This is just a suggestion, but it truly does help the images have a clean background.

Packing List

When creating your list of things to pack for the hospital, it is important to remember that you are having professional photos made while there! Here are some ideas of things to bring to enhance your images and experience:


  • Matching mommy and me outfits
  • Wrap with matching hat
  • Crib sign (with date, weight, and height)
  • Door sign (with baby's name)
  • Brother and sister shirts (if there are any siblings)
  • Blanket or crib sheet with name on it
  • Hat or bows depending on gender and preference
  • Booties or socks
  • Stuffed animals from the nursery
  • Sentimental items

Posing Options

There are essentially 3 different areas we will cover when it comes to posing: by the window, on the bed, and baby in the crib. Using the information given above and instructional posing, this session will be a breeze. I always encourage my parents to look at my work or search around on Pinterest for the poses they love most to ensure we get those in our session. I will guide you, of course, but having some inspiration that is geared towards your personal interests is amazing as well.