Sydney’s Fresh 48

I had the honor of photographing Sydney and her family for my first Fresh 48. Since starting this journey, I knew I wanted to pursue motherhood and all it’s beauty. Sydney reached out to me after her original photographer fell through. She reached out to me a few days before her scheduled c-section at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in San Diego, California and I was able to make it work to be there for her Fresh 48. Sydney kept her baby a secret for the entire pregnancy – you heard that right! Everything was a surprise from the baby, to the gender and the name. Baby Kamden arrived on May 15, 2024 and he was as sweet as can be. I got to photograph Sydney, her husband Nick, older son Krew, and baby Kamden. 

Fresh 48 photography sessions allow you to hold on to the earliest memories of your newborn’s life, preserving the raw beauty of those fleeting hours. When you look back at these photos, you’ll be transported to the very beginning of your child’s story—a gift that will grow in value over time. There is something so special and so intimate about those first few days with a new baby – babies change so quickly. Within days, their features shift, and their newborn look starts to fade. A Fresh 48 session freezes those fleeting details—their tiny fingers, wrinkled feet, and that fuzzy newborn hair. They don’t call it a “Fresh” 48 for nothing. Everything is so fresh, so new, so beautiful, so raw and untouched. It’s all about the details. The toes, the fingers, the sweet noises, that baby smell… it made me think back on the time when my son was that little. Oh how I miss it! It goes by WAY too fast and you truly don’t understand just how fast it goes until you watch your own children grow up. It makes every moment bittersweet.

When you schedule a Fresh 48, once you hit the 38-week mark, I put you “on-call.” Meaning, baby can come at any time so I’m on alert and I make sure to always keep my phone close to me. We don’t want to miss anything! Whether you’re giving birth in the hospital or at home, we want to capture those first few days. Depending on your labor, some hospital stays can be super short, and some can be longer. Communication is key with these sessions. Make sure to always keep me in the loop during your pregnancy and after every prenatal visit. Sometimes things change and if there is an induction or c-section that gets scheduled, I can be sure to schedule our session ahead of time to ensure we capture within the 48- to 72- hour window. 

During Fresh 48’s, they are as natural as possible. I am merely a spectator in the room and most of my photos are as candid as possible. While most of the session is about capturing organic moments, I guide you into gentle positions, such as snuggling the baby or holding hands, to enhance the storytelling. Don’t worry about looking perfect—Fresh 48 photography is about capturing the real you in this extraordinary moment. There’s no need to dress up or prepare elaborate outfits. These sessions embrace the reality of the moment, whether that means a swaddle and hospital bracelet or parents still in cozy, post-delivery outfits. I will ask for some poses during the session but none that are uncomfortable or harsh on momma freshly post-partum. I always offer my wraps and swaddles from my newborn closet, along with a basket for posing for any Fresh 48 session and will gladly bring them to the hospital to incorporate into your session.

I also love when momma’s feel comfortable enough to breastfeed for photos, they turn into some of mine, and the mom’s favorites! I, myself, had a challenging breastfeeding journey and am always in awe of the female body and all that it is capable of! Breastfeeding is truly beautiful in every way and if you do decide to breastfeed and want photos, don’t hesitate to feed your baby while I am there. Your breastfeeding journey, no matter how long, deserves to be honored. I will always ask for your permission before sharing any photos, so don’t hesitate to want to keep these intimate photos to yourself – I always respect my client’s boundaries!

These sessions provide families with authentic, emotion-filled memories of the earliest moments, long before they fade into the rush of life with a new baby. The beauty of these sessions lies in their simplicity and authenticity. There’s no need for props or elaborate setups; it’s all about documenting your baby’s first connections with family members and your initial moments together.

This is one session I wish I had done after my son was born and regret not having it done. If the thought of a traditional posed newborn session feels overwhelming, a Fresh 48 session offers a stress-free way to document your baby. It’s natural, relaxed, and focuses on meaningful interactions rather than picture-perfect poses.

Send me a message now to get your Fresh 48 on the books!