First Day Earthside - Fresh 48 Hospital Sessions

For the last two and a half years I have worked part-time providing Fresh 48 hospital photos for newborn babies. This is a dream job--photographing baby's first 48 hours Earthside as well as telling the story of the hospital setting. I rarely get to share about my experiences as a hospital photographer, but occasionally a friend will deliver a baby and grant me permission.

Having photographed nearly one thousand Fresh 48 sessions, I am able to move quickly throughout the room to capture all of parents' favorite poses. I like to start out with baby swaddled in the hospital bassinet to really show the hospital setting. Mom was admitted to Labor and Delivery a few days before her scheduled c-section and didn't have all of baby's items packed and ready to go. No worries though, because I was able to swaddle baby in Mom's knit cardigan.

After documenting different poses in the bassinet, I move on to the couch. At this time, I create a little nest for baby and lay a white sheet down on the couch. I never want to put a newborn directly on a surface without a barrier layer.

During this time, I like to document full-body shots of baby, close-ups, and even some macro shots of their little features. You never knew you'd want to see a photo of baby's umbilical code, right? Having a baby is a total blur, so my job as a Fresh 48 photographer is documenting all of those little things that parents wish they had, but totally forgot about due to hormones, sleep-deprivation, and general fatigue. I always include a shot of the newborn's feet. There is something so sweet about those little tootsies and the imprint they will leave on this earth. Newborns do not have good temperature regulation, so I am moving quickly ensuring I get all of the poses quickly and nail my focus. I do not want baby to be unswaddled for very long. Over shooters sometime struggle with Fresh 48's because of this. Take your pic and move on. I will rarely take more than 100 frames in a room.

I love ending a Fresh 48 session in parents' arms. I start with Dad, then move on to family poses, and end with Mom. This is where baby feels most calmed and comfortable with. Babies may be ready for a feeding at the end of our Fresh 48 session, so they want to be in Mom's arms anywhere.

I adore this family and I am so excited for their next adventure with two girls under the age of two. I have been honored to take their family photos multiple times and consider them dear friends. I love taking Fresh 48 Photos and documenting baby's first two days Earthside. Fresh 48 Photos are so different than a newborn studio session or even a lifestyle/in-home session.