Ever blink and your brand-new baby is suddenly a full-blown toddler? The haze of newborn sleep deprivation hits hard—and before you know it, those tiny toes and sleepy stretches are just a blur in your camera roll. That’s what I love about Fresh 48 newborn sessions! Houston newborn photography is one of the main services I offer, but I wish parents were more informed about fresh 48 photos.
These sweet, no-stress hospital photo sessions are all about capturing the real moments of your baby’s first 48 hours. No staging, no props, no posing, and most importantly, no pressure! These are photos of how things actually are. As your Houston-area newborn photographer (serving Cypress and The Woodlands, too!), I’m here to make sure you don’t forget what those first hours felt like.
A Fresh 48 session is a documentary-style photo shoot that happens in the hospital before you’re discharged. The main difference in this and a traditional newborn session is the location, but there are some other key differences to mention. It’s less posed than what you’d expect with a typical newborn session and focuses instead on the little details of the very first days with your new little one. These photos are a glimpse into your baby’s earliest hours—peeling skin, hospital bands, milk-drunk snuggles and all. It’s raw, real, and incredibly meaningful. You’ve just done something amazing—now let’s document it, messy hair and all.
While I’m a Woodlands area newborn photographer by trade, I’m also a mother to three. I had Fresh 48 photos taken of my own newborns, which is why I’m so passionate about them. With these photos, the more the merrier as far as I’m concerned. Why? Because there are few moments in life more heartwarming than seeing your first babies holding their new sibling, completely in awe of them. In these early days, their lives are changing just as much as yours, and you should be part of the memories, not the one capturing them.
Unlike an in-home session, where you have time to tidy up, light candles, and coordinate outfits, Fresh 48s show life as it is. I don’t expect you or encourage you to hide the hospital tray or fluff your pillows. This is about capturing the reality of your stay on the maternity floor—and trust me, it’s beautiful. Yes, you’ll take a hundred iPhone pics in the first month of your newborn’s life. But these? These are different. These photos are the ones that capture your baby before their features start changing. The ones that include you, not just your point of view.
Another key difference: forget the prep checklist. This is one session where “just be there” is good enough. You’re welcome to bring a special swaddle or keepsake blanket if you’d like, but it’s totally optional. I handle everything else once I arrive with my gear and I try to do that when it isn’t interrupting mealtimes. What I do love to include, however, is family! Bringing a new baby into the world is a family affair, so big kids are more than welcome to be a part of the session. I love documenting the first time older kids get to hold their new sibling!
When it comes to mom, you can glam up or go makeup-free, wear your coziest robe or stay in that hospital gown. Truly—it’s whatever makes you feel comfortable. You’ve birthed human life, you’ve done enough already so don’t feel pressured to treat this like a typical photoshoot. Effortless is the theme here! However, open front robes do tend to make it easiest because it allows for movement. Several companies also offer matching robes & swaddle sets if you’d like to include them, but it’s not necessary.
For your big kids (because, again, YES they can absolutely be a part of this! ) and your husband, they don’t need to be overly coordinated or neutral. As long as you avoid bright colors (think neon or highlighter), character shirts or patterns that might otherwise distract from the session itself, you’re golden. Simplicity is key!
• Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
• Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
• St. Luke’s Health – The Woodlands Hospital
• Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital
• Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital
• Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
• Houston Methodist West Hospital
• Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
• Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center (I-10 & Beltway 8)
• Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women
• The Women’s Hospital of Texas
• Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center
Hey, I’m Melanie B of Mel B Photo. As a newborn, maternity, and family photographer serving the Tomball, Cypress, and Spring areas of Houston, TX, I’m here to capture every chapter of your young family’s story. Ready to invest in a stress-free experience and emotion-packed, authentic images to remember every detail of this stage of life? Check out my newborn packages here (ANY of them can be a Fresh 48!) and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest for tips & inspiration! Want to book your session or have more questions? Contact me here. Let’s create memories together!
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