When you’re expecting a new baby, there’s so much to plan, and one of the things to consider is how you’ll remember these early days with your new baby forever.
If you’re considering hiring a professional photographer to photograph your new baby, there are two popular options for capturing those first moments: a Fresh 48 session, done in the hospital within the first two days after birth, or an in-home newborn session, typically done within the first few weeks after you’ve settled in at home.
Both types of sessions offer something special, but if you can only pick one and you’re unsure which is right for your family, this post will walk you through the pros and cons of each and why, for most families, an at-home newborn session tends to be the better option.
What Is a Fresh 48 Session?
Fresh 48 sessions are held in the hospital within the first 24–48 hours after your baby is born. These sessions are all about documenting those very first moments that capture all of the details of your very fresh and new baby. The photographer will capture details like their tiny fingers and toes, moments of parents adoring their new baby, and maybe even a sibling and/or grandparents meeting the baby for the first time.
Pros of Fresh 48:
- Captures your baby’s very first hours
- Highlights meaningful hospital details like bassinets, swaddles, and name cards
- Emotionally raw and real: especially if family members are meeting the baby for the first time
- No need to prep your home or space
Things to Consider:
- There’s a very small window of time to work with
- Not an option if you’re discharged early, having a home birth, or delivering at a local birth center
- You most likely will not feel photo-ready so soon after giving birth (especially if you had a difficult or long labor and delivery, and especially if the baby was born via C-section)
- Sessions can be interrupted by nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff. (Often staff will need to come check mom and or baby, or even have to take baby away for a procedure like a hearing test, circumcision, etc.)
- Hospital rooms often have poor lighting and tight spaces, which make it difficult if you want siblings and/or Grandparents to be there
- Although it can be a great time to capture siblings meeting the baby for the first time, this can be a very overwhelming time for younger kids, and may not go as planned
Although I genuinely love photographing Fresh 48 sessions and have captured so many over the past 15 years, I’ve also seen firsthand how unpredictable they can be. Many times when I arrive at the hospital, there are a few challenges that are completely normal and expected, but I believe it’s important for my clients to know what they might encounter when booking a Fresh 48 session.
I’ve seen toddlers have meltdowns in the hospital room (and understandably so! It’s an overwhelming mix of emotions and confusion for little ones). I’ve worked with moms facing challenges with breastfeeding, navigating waves of emotions, all while dealing with constant interruptions from hospital staff for checkups and procedures. Sometimes, babies need to spend time in the NICU instead of staying with their parents, which means we may miss the opportunity for those first photos together. And most often, both parents are simply exhausted…and for good reason!
That said, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a parent regret booking a Fresh 48 session. But especially for first-time parents, it’s important to know that the day after having a baby can be an emotional blur. You’re deeply in love with your new little human, but you might also need time to rest, adjust, and just breathe, and you may wonder if having a photographer come to the hospital for photos was the best idea!
What is an In-Home Newborn Session?
In-home newborn sessions take place in the comfort of your own home, on your couch and/or bed, in the nursery, or wherever your family naturally spends time together. These sessions are lifestyle-focused and designed to feel calm, cozy, and completely you. In-home newborn sessions typically take place when baby is 2-6 weeks old and are scheduled when you feel rested and ready.
What Makes Them So Special:
- You’re in your element; no hospital gowns or harsh lighting
- Everyone has had time to rest, recover, and feel more comfortable
- The session flows with your baby’s needs; feeding, changing, and snuggles are all welcome
- Your home becomes the backdrop, telling the story of this season of life
- Older siblings have had more time to adjust and to get to know the new baby
- You’re on your own schedule, not the hospital’s
- We can include your fur-babies!
Things to Consider:
- You may want to do a light tidy-up, but perfection is never expected
- We won’t capture hospital details, but we will capture genuine connection
So, Which Should You Choose?
Both Fresh 48 and in-home newborn photos offer something beautiful. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed pace, more flexibility, and the chance to include your full home and family in a meaningful way, an in-home newborn session is often the best fit.
It allows you time to rest and recover after the birth and to fully settle into your new rhythm with a new baby, while still capturing all the love and tiny details you never want to forget.
As a photographer who offers both Fresh 48 and in-home newborn sessions, I am always happy to book you for either one (or both!), but in my professional opinion, I truly believe an at-home session is best for most families. However, I know an at-home session is not right for everyone, and you may still want those in-hospital photos. Either way, I am happy to discuss both sessions with you!
If you’re looking for a newborn or baby photographer in Pittsburgh, please get in touch to inquire about a session! I’d love to plan a photo session for your new baby!
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All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography
Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in family and newborn photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over fourteen years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in Pittsburgh including the South Side, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, the North Shore and Northside. Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!
