Oftentimes, I have clients ask me what the difference is between a birth photography session, a fresh 48 session, or an in-home documentary newborn session. If you’re unsure which session is right for your family, you’re not alone. Each one of these photography types captures a different part of your baby’s story.

If you’re trying to figure out which type of session best fits your family, here’s a quick guide to help you understand the unique purpose of each one.

Birth Photography

Birth photography is not about birth itself, but about your story as a whole. Families who choose birth photography want to document their baby’s entire journey into the world. They don’t want to forget the details of one of the most pivotal human experiences. Birth photography starts when you are in active labor, around 4-6cm at your place of birth. As a birth photographer, I’m on call for you from 37 weeks onward at any time of day.

Birth photography captures:

• Labor and delivery

• Your emotional journey to meet your baby

• Golden hour: those first quiet, powerful moments as you settle in together as a family

Whether you’re birthing at home, in a hospital, or at a birth center, these images document a once-in-a-lifetime story that you’ll want to remember forever.

Fresh 48 Sessions

Fresh 48 photography is perfect for families who want to document the first few hours of their baby’s life, but aren’t sure if they are ready to invest in a birth photographer.  A Fresh 48 photo session takes place within the first 48 hours of your baby’s birth.

Fresh 48 sessions are more documentary in nature and take place at the hospital or your home (depending on where you delivered or when you are discharged). Many families use this time to capture baby’s tiny features, first feedings, hospital wristbands, and sibling/grandparent intros. As a fresh 48 photographer, I am on call for you and ready to move around my schedule to ensure I photograph all the newborn baby goodness before the 48 hour window is up. It’s raw, unscripted, and full of emotion — but less intimate than birth photography.

In-home Newborn Sessions

In-home, documentary newborn sessions are great for families who want a calm, natural approach to capturing life with a new baby. These are not as intimate as birth photography and don’t have the time pressure of a Fresh 48 session..

These sessions take place at your home, typically within the first few weeks of baby’s life. There’s no rush and you can schedule them when you’re feeling rested and ready. As a documentary newborn photographer, I capture real-life moments of your life with a tiny new human: feeding, diaper changes, snuggles on the couch, even bath time or sibling interactions. They are documentary in nature, so no posing is required. Just the love and chaos of real life with a newborn.

Pro Tip: When should you schedule a newborn photography session?
You can book your session anytime during pregnancy, but most families schedule for the first 2–4 weeks after birth. I’ll work with you to find a day when you’re feeling up for it.

Which Newborn Photography Session Is Right for You?

So that’s a quick outline of the differences between birth photography vs. fresh 48 vs. documentary newborn photography. If you’re still unsure, here’s a quick breakdown:

• Choose birth photography if you want to document the full story — labor, delivery, and those first breathtaking moments.

• Choose a Fresh 48 session if you want to capture the magic of the first two days without photographing your birth.

• Choose an in-home newborn session if you want to wait until you’re settled at home and ready for a slower-paced, real-life documentary session.

Want to see more examples of these types of sessions? Visit my family and birth portfolios.  

Whether you’re looking for a birth photographer, hoping to plan a Fresh 48 photography session, or thinking ahead to in-home newborn photography, I’d be honored to help you preserve these once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Still unsure? Reach out and we can talk through what feels right for your family.