Preparing for your Fresh 48 Newborn Photo Session at the Hospital

So you booked a Fresh 48 Session for your new baby and now you might be wondering, how do I prepare for my session!?

First, if you already do not know, a Fresh 48 session is when a photographer comes to the hospital to photograph your newborn within the first 48 hours after they are born.

Some hospitals are contracted with a 3rd party photography company and they have a photographer there daily to photograph the new babies and their families. However, as of July 2024, most of the birthing hospitals in the greater Pittsburgh area currently do not have in-hospital photographers.

I suggest checking with your hospital ahead of time to see if they have their own photographers. Even if they do, I highly recommend hiring your own professional Fresh 48 photographer! I have many years of experience photographing babies in the hospital, so be sure to choose a photographer with Fresh 48 experience.

If you hire me as your photographer, I consider myself “on-call” when you reach 37 weeks. This means I will do whatever I need to rearrange my schedule to get there for your Fresh 48 session before you are discharged from the hospital.

Your session will take place at the hospital when your baby is 18+ hours old. I like to give Mom and baby some time to rest and recover before I arrive for photos.   And there is a smaller chance of our session being interrupted by hospital staff. I usually schedule for the morning or early afternoon the day after you have your baby.

When I do a Fresh 48 session, I shoot a mix of photos of baby alone, with each parent, and all of you together.  I am more than happy to include siblings and I can even try to plan to be there when they arrive to meet the baby for the very first time!

The session will be totally relaxed and laid back. I prefer most of the images to have mom and dad snuggling baby and looking at baby rather than feeling like you have to pose or look into the camera the whole time.  (although I always get a few of those shots too!) 

Here are a few tips to prepare for your Fresh 48 Hospital Session:

• Pack a cute robe or nightgown to take to the hospital unless you want photos in the hospital gown. I think a robe or nightgown is more realistic for Mom, rather than choosing an actual outfit for the session.
  
• Pack a swaddle/blanket for baby unless you prefer to use the hospital receiving blanket and a onesie or sleeping gown for baby if you want something other than the white hospital onesie. 
  
• Pack anything else you want to have baby photographed with like a hat or headband. I suggest keeping the headband small to not take away attention from the baby. Some parents also like to have a little name tag (I can also use the one the hospital provides), etc.
  
• Pack a shirt/outfit for your partner.  Sometimes your partner may not get a chance to go home and only have the shirt they wore to the hospital. Avoid bold bright colors like red, orange, or green or bold patterns. 
  
  

When to contact me (or your photographer):

I ask that you please text when you are in early labor so I know that your baby is coming and I can clear my schedule.  Please text me again soon after your baby is born so we can schedule your session at the hospital. We will settle on a time that is best for you, baby, and the rest of the family.  

Otherwise, there is not much you have to worry about!  I promise your session will be easy and relaxing and we will take a break if baby needs fed or if a nurse pops into the room for something!

Have a look at my Fresh 48 gallery to get an idea of what your session will be like!

Have more questions? Concerns?
Please get in touch to ask me anything!

Are you on Instagram? I’d love to connect with you there!

~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~

Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in lifestyle and documentary family, newborn and Fresh 48 photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over ten years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in the Regent Square, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Greentree, Point Breeze and Highland Park.  Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!