by Cynthia Kamealoha

Fresh 48 Prep Guide

$180

Fresh 48 sessions are among my favorites! I adore capturing these early moments, typically within the first 48 hours of life, because newborns change so quickly in those first few days. It’s such a joy to preserve that brand-new essence for parents and families

Congratulations on your new bundle of Joy!

Hospital lighting can be quite harsh and often casts unflattering colors, which can affect the consistency of your photos. To get the best results, we'll rely on the natural light in your postpartum room. So, let’s make the most of it by opening the window blinds and turning off those overhead lights. I’ll place the baby’s bassinet next to the window for those adorable close-ups and arrange family shots where the natural light is most flattering. If the natural light isn’t quite enough (which can happen in smaller or darker rooms), I’ll use a low-power flash bounced off the ceiling to gently brighten the space. This is rarely needed, but I like to mention it in case we encounter a particularly dim room.

Embrace the hospital setting! It’s perfectly okay to include some photos of you and your baby in their 'hospital garb'—such as the hospital gown on mom and the hospital blankets and hat on baby. I always enjoy capturing these authentic, hospital-themed moments and make sure to sneak in a few at each Fresh 48 session

Tips on how to prep your baby's first photoshoot

Try to feed your baby shortly before our Fresh 48 session. This helps ensure a full belly and a happy, cooperative baby for the photos! If you’d like to include any feeding or nursing shots, let’s plan to do those at the beginning of the session. So, if you’re interested in capturing those moments, hold off on feeding until I arrive, and we’ll make sure to get those special images first!

Turn up the heat! Fresh 48 sessions are usually brief (typically under an hour), and a warm environment helps keep your baby happy and comfortable. This is especially important for any photos featuring the baby without clothes, ensuring they’re cozy and content.

Mommy Prep

What to wear? It’s completely up to you! Some moms choose to stay in their hospital gown, while others opt for their own robe or outfit. I recommend wearing something comfortable and flowy to ensure you feel relaxed and at ease in your postpartum body. For inspiration, you can see below where a mom wore a lovely floral robe, which looked fantastic as she held her baby in a warm, cozy room.

What to expect

What types of pictures will I take? That’s entirely up to you! Typically, I capture a variety of shots to showcase your baby’s newness, including close-ups of their hands, feet, and head to highlight all their little features. I’ll also take photos of your baby alone in the bassinet and bed, as well as with mom, and anyone else present for the session.

How long do Fresh 48 sessions last? They typically last between 30 to 60 minutes. These are among my quicker sessions, as I understand how precious those first few days are, and I aim to be efficient without taking too much of your time. If you have specific shots in mind, providing me with a list can be very helpful! While you may have already included some in your Fresh 48 contract, feel free to email or message me with any additional ideas you have

When will I get my pics? I try and have a speedy turnaround time for my clients, especially when it comes to births and Fresh 48s cause I know how much you want to see your new babe’s pics! I try and have teasers up on my social media pages the same day as your session (if requested!), and then have your full gallery back to you via email within a day or two of your session.

NICU

What if my baby is in the NICU? We have two options: If the hospital’s visitor policies allow, we can do a NICU Fresh 48 session. If NICU visits aren't possible, we can switch to an in-home newborn session or a welcome-home shoot once everyone is back at home. NICU Fresh 48 sessions are definitely an option as long as the hospital permits visitors other than parents and allows photographers. Most hospitals in the CLT area do permit this. Just let me know what works best for you!

Lets Connect

When in doubt, just ask! With over 6 years of experience photographing babies, I’m here to guide you through any questions you might have about your Fresh 48 session, from what to expect to what to wear. I’m always happy to assist my wonderful clients.

Documenting babies is my passion—I love capturing those first stretches, yawns, and fleeting moments in our busy world. Depending on your preferences, I offer three unique documentary lifestyle sessions to capture your brand-new baby:

Fresh 48 Sessions: These take place within the first 48 hours after birth in the hospital. They focus on capturing the raw and intimate essence of those early moments with warmth and closeness.
Welcome Home Sessions: These document your baby’s arrival home from the hospital or birth center. This session often includes special moments with big siblings, grandparents, and even furry family members.
Lifestyle Newborn Sessions: Held within the first couple of weeks after birth, these sessions are all about capturing candid and real moments of life at home with your new baby.

Each session is designed to beautifully document these precious early days in a way that’s uniquely yours.