The Fresh.48 Experience With Leah Islinger Photography, Available In Appleton & Throughout Fox Valley, WI
About Fresh.48 Session Experiences
Fresh 48 sessions take place within the first 48 hours after your baby's birth - either in the hospital, a birthing center or in your home if you have a home birth. These sessions capture the real, raw, emotional first few hours/days of your brand-new family.
You will be presented with your final preview images in a private online gallery.
The Fresh.48 Experience is paid 50% at booking, with the balance being due within 1 week of your estimated due date.
This session includes on-call, in-hospital (or birthing center/home birth) coverage within the first 48 hours after birth. These sessions are roughly 45-60 minutes in length.
You will receive all of the final, professionally edited digital images in your gallery. Your high-resolution digital images will be delivered on a USB with a print release.
| Fresh.48 FAQ's |
WHAT DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH
First Family Moments - Newborn Details - Bonding with Parents - Sibling Interaction - Candid Moments - Hospital Setting - Visitors and Family
The goal of a Fresh 48 session is to capture the real, unposed moments that tell the story of your baby's early days. These photos serve as a timeless reminder of how small and precious your little one was in those first few hours.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK
Ideally, you should book your session as soon as possible during your pregnancy to allow me to reserve a spot in my schedule around your due date. Booking early gives you first dibs on my schedule since I will only book up to two Fresh 48 sessions in a month to ensure I will always be available when your little one arrives.
WHEN DO I CALL YOU
Give me a call or send a text once you’re in labor and heading to the hospital or birth center. Reaching out when you’re in the early stages of labor gives me time to prepare and plan for a session within the first 48 hours.
WHEN WILL YOU ARRIVE
The first 24 hours after your baby’s birth are particularly special, as your baby is still adjusting to the world outside the womb. However, some parents opt for the second day to allow for a bit of rest and for visitors to arrive. While it’s important to capture those early moments, it’s also crucial to consider how you’re feeling after birth. Fresh 48 sessions are meant to be relaxed and stress-free, so choose a time when you feel comfortable. I am flexible in working around your energy levels and creating a calm, low-pressure environment.
If your baby boy will be circumcised, keep that in mind when setting up a time for me to arrive. He may not be up for photos immediately after that. I also do not suggest scheduling on the day you are being discharged.
If siblings are joining for the session, I recommend having them come 15-20 minutes after I am set to arrive. This gives me time to get all those shots of your sweet baby by his or herself without big brother or big sister getting antsy. Arriving halfway through also makes for sweet photos of siblings seeing their new baby for the first time.
HOW LONG WILL YOU STAY
These sessions typically last 45 minutes to an hour, ensuring we capture all the key moments without overwhelming you or your baby.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR
I suggest keeping it simple and comfortable. Be sure mom's apparel is loose or flowy so as not to be too constricting on her fresh postpartum body. Many moms purchase pretty robes for themselves and a neutral outfit or swaddle for the baby. Dads can keep it simple & relaxed with a solid color t-shirt and jeans. Avoid heavy patterns, graphics, or bright colors - I suggest neutral, earth tones, or jewel tones.
WHAT IF I HAVE A C-SECTION OR OTHER COMPLICATIONS
Your health and comfort come first. We can adjust the timing or approach of the session based on your recovery and preferences. If baby is in the NICU you can check if hospital visitor policies allow for a photographer. If not, I can apply all monies paid to go toward your already scheduled newborn session order. Should you decide you no longer wish to document your session after your baby’s birth, all monies paid will again, be applied towards your newborn session.
CAN EXTENDED FAMILY BE INCLUDED
Yes, but I recommend keeping the group small and intimate to focus on immediate family connections during this special time. Also, most hospital rooms are not super roomy, and we don’t want the stress of a full crowd.
WILL YOU BRING PROPS
I don’t use props for Fresh 48 sessions. Instead, I focus on capturing the natural setting and the realness of this grand event. If you have one of those special little signs for baby's birth stats or a special blanket or lovie, we can definitely include those in some images.
HOW DO I BOOK MY SESSION
I am so excited that you want to hire me as your Fresh 48 photographer! I will send you a link to complete your booking process and to pay your 50% retainer. I’d also love to schedule a phone call to get a little more personal, and we can discuss any of your questions or concerns.
| Misc. Tips & Info |
Ideally, we will schedule a start time for your session for when the best natural sunlight comes into your room. Daylight hours, typically in the morning between 9am and 3pm, gives us the best light. Opening up the window blinds & turning off the room lights will be most flattering for these types of images. Sometimes, though, we have to work with whatever light we do have and embrace a little grain in the images.
Hospital visiting guidelines and photography rules can vary; please check with your hospital before scheduling for an understanding of these policies.
Notify the nursing staff that you will be doing a photo shoot for 45-60 minutes and ask if they can please keep interruptions to a minimum during this time.
Your room doesn't need to be immaculate, but it is helpful if it’s tidy. I will mostly be using an area by the window, baby's bassinet, the hospital bed, and a simple corner with window light if it is available.
Make sure everyone (including mom!) has had something to eat. Feeding baby for 30 - 45 minutes before the photographer's arrival will help ensure a content baby & hopefully any diaper blowouts already completed.
Be sure to let me know if there is anything last-minute that you would like captured. We will discuss preferences in our phone consultation & I will make notes of everything so that nothing is forgotten, but you may have some last-minute thoughts once baby arrives.
Please make sure you give yourself enough time to get ready so that when I arrive we can begin. Don’t stress too much though, you did just have a baby!
Please let me know if you want any images of your baby bottle or breastfeeding, and what your comfort level is.
Let me help with the other kiddos! Remember, this is a documentary session capturing just how everyone was at the time of meeting the newest addition.
Although these are not posed baby sessions, if you have a sentimental stuffie or blanket you’d like to use, I am fine with doing so.
If it is possible to adjust the heat in your room, that is always a good idea - a cozy baby is a happy baby! I’m talking a nice 75+ degrees.
While I will do everything I can to be at the hospital within 48-hours, there is always a slim chance that I won’t be able to make it due to a personal emergency, illness, etc. Life does happen & I am a human and a mom too. In this case, I do have several amazing photographer friends I can call to fill in for me.