Newborn Photography Showdown: Lifestyle vs. Fresh 48 Sessions
Welcoming a new bundle of joy is one of the most cherished moments in a family's life. Capturing those moments in the most beautiful way is every parent's desire. That's where newborn photography comes into play. I have been offering in-home lifestyle newborn sessions and Fresh 48’s for a year now and I understand it can be challenging to choose the right one for your family.
I just love both types of sessions: the lifestyle and documentary style of each session allows me to capture details and connection, documenting the joys of adding a new member to your family. So similar but so different in nature. In this blog post, I’m going to discuss the differences between the two to help you make an informed decision for your family. And as a family photographer in Southwest Florida, I will be sharing insights about what you can expect from each session.
What is an in-home lifestyle newborn session?
An in-home lifestyle newborn session is a photography session that typically takes place in the comfort of your own home. The photographer brings all the necessary equipment, props, and accessories needed to create stunning and unique photographs of your newborn baby. The session usually takes place within the first two weeks after birth, when the baby is still sleepy and easy to pose.
What to expect during a in-home lifestyle newborn session in Southwest Florida?
When you book you lifestyle newborn session with me, I bring all the necessary things to capture your family perfectly. Baskets, blankets, wraps, headpieces, outfits. I utilize the nature lighting in your home to be best of our ability. Upon arrival, I usually will take a look around your home and we can plan out the session. Usually using the living room, master bedroom and nursery (if you have one, no shame if you don’t, neither of my boys had one).
This session typically lasts anywhere from an hour to 2 hours, allowing enough time for feeding and soothing the baby. I capture a variety of shots, including posed shots of the baby alone, with parents, and siblings (fur-siblings count, too). You can request more info about a lifestyle session here.
I understand that getting your home ready for a newborn session might feel daunting, especially postpartum. If you find that this may be you, don’t stress, there are studios available for rental that give you the homey feel you might want. My favorite rental studio is Love + Light Studio in Cape Coral.
An alterntive to having your newborn session in home or in a studio, would be a Fresh 48 session.
What is a Fresh 48 session?
A Fresh 48 session is a photography session that takes place within the first 48 hours after birth. It is a great option for parents who want to capture the first moments of their newborn's life but prefer not to have a full-blown newborn session. The session takes place in the hospital or birthing center, capturing the raw emotions and details of those first few hours.
What to expect during a Fresh 48 session?
A Fresh 48 session in Southwest Florida will usually take place in the hospital or birthing center. Booking is centered around your EDD and I am essentially on-call for when your baby is both. I come to you within the first 48 hours after birth to capture the first moments of your baby's life.
Lasting between an hour to an hour and a half, I capture a variety of candid shots, including the baby's first yawn, 10 tiny toes and little fingers, and first meeting with family members. I also capture details such as the hospital room, ID bands, and other keepsakes. Final galleries are turned around within 24 hours to allow for pro-photos to announce baby’s birth on social media or to order birth annoucements to send to friends and family.
Which one should you choose?
Choosing between a lifestyle newborn session and a Fresh 48 session depends on your preference and what you want to capture. If you want a more personalized and styled session that captures your family's unique personalities, a lifestyle newborn session is absolutely the way to go. If you prefer a more relaxed, documentary-style session that captures the raw emotions and details of those first few hours, a Fresh 48 session is going to be perfect for you.
As a family photographer in Southwest Florida, I offer both lifestyle newborn sessions and Fresh 48 sessions. I understand how important it is to capture these special moments for your family and will work with you to create beautiful images that you will treasure forever. In conclusion, both traditional newborn sessions and Fresh 48 sessions have their unique advantages. Whatever you choose, make sure to hire a professional photographer who understands your vision and can capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments in the most beautiful way possible. If you're looking for a family photographer in Southwest Florida, contact me today to request more info or the schedule.
Want to book maternity as well? Make sure to mention bundling services to save! Click here for more details!
