At-Home Lifestyle Photography
Hi,
I'm Lauren!
Family Photographer
I am so excited to get to work with your family! Thank YOU for choosing me to capture the love and joy of your family in a true and honest way.
This guide will serve as a way to prepare you for your Fresh 48 session.
The Experience
Fresh 48 sessions are some of my absolute favorites! These sessions capture your baby’s first precious hours of life, typically within the first 48 hours. Babies change so quickly in those early days, and I love preserving that brand-new goodness for families.
timing
The best time for Fresh 48 sessions is during daylight hours, usually in the morning or early afternoon (starting between 9 AM and 3 PM, depending on the season). This timeframe offers the best natural light and often the happiest baby! While I understand that big siblings, family schedules, or delivery timing might make this tricky, I’ll work with your family to find the best time that fits your needs.
lighting
Hospital lighting can be harsh and unflattering, casting odd colors on you and baby. To avoid this, we’ll:
- Open up the window blinds to embrace natural light.
- Turn off overhead hospital lights.
- Position baby’s bassinet near the window for beautiful, well-lit photos.
what to wear
Wear what makes you feel good! Whether that’s your hospital gown, a cozy robe, or your own outfit, choose something comfortable and flowy to accommodate your postpartum body. Robes or soft fabrics photograph beautifully and pair well with the cozy, natural feel of these sessions.
Feeding Baby
Try to feed your baby shortly before our session to ensure they have a full belly and are content for photos. If you'd like nursing or feeding moments captured, just wait to feed until I arrive. We’ll start the session with those sweet, intimate shots before moving on.
Keep it cozy
A warm room makes all the difference! Babies are much happier and more comfortable in a toasty environment, especially for those adorable semi-naked or swaddled shots. Fresh 48 sessions are typically about 30 minutes, so turning up the heat is a quick and easy way to keep baby content.
Embrace the hospital-ness
It’s perfectly okay—and encouraged!—to capture the “hospital-ness” of these early moments. Shots of mom in a hospital gown, baby in hospital blankets and hat, and other details of the setting help tell the story of your baby’s first hours. I always include a few of these classic, raw moments in every session.
If you’d like, feel free to bring your own swaddles, hats, headbands, or outfits for baby. I love mixing “hospital” photos with more personal touches from home, and outfit or blanket changes are always welcome!
Types of photos
We’ll take a variety of shots, including:
- Close-ups of baby’s hands, feet, and tiny features.
- Baby alone in their bassinet or bed.
- Family moments with mom, dad, siblings, or whoever is present.
If you have specific photos in mind, let me know!
Session length
Fresh 48 sessions typically last around 30 minutes. They’re intentionally brief because I know how valuable those first hours are for rest and bonding.
photo delivery
I understand how eager you are to see these precious moments! Your full gallery will be ready within 1–2 days and delivered via email.
What if baby is in the nicu?
If your baby is in the NICU, we have options:
- NICU Fresh 48: If hospital visitor policies allow, I can document these moments in the NICU. Many hospitals permit this, provided I’m cleared as an additional visitor.
- In-Home Session: If NICU photos aren’t possible, we can plan an in-home newborn session or a "welcome home" session once baby is discharged.
