This mama had never thought about getting Fresh 48 photos for her first two. Something about this third one made her want to document the experience. Having had an in-home lifestyle family session in her home, she knew the unposed and natural style of my photography, and was ready for the even more documentary nature of a Fresh 48 session.
We timed the photo session to have some time with mama and baby first. I like to give mama some time to take care of herself a little first, so while I photograph baby all swaddled up, she can quietly focus on her clothes and makeup – as much or as little as she wants.
With the documentary nature of the session, it’s ok if baby needs to feed, needs a diaper change, or even cries. Those things are life. If a nurse comes in to check something, and she is willing to be in the photos, I just keep on photographing. At this session, though, the nurses were conspicuously absent for the hour we photographed. Mama had let them know her photographer was coming and they were super welcoming and accommodating.
StoneSprings Hospital was a wonderful place to photograph in. The rooms were beautifully lit and minimalist. No extraneous clutter and there was plenty of space to stash personal items. It was remarkably stress-free to drive to, park, and navigate once inside. I have literally gotten lost in other hospitals trying to find patients, incredulous that I was allowed to wander around corridors and patient room hallways looking for the person I was visiting. And if you add construction, you might have to walk a mile from a temporary entrance to get to the wing you need. At StoneSprings, it was bright, airy, quiet, peaceful, and easy to navigate. I have no personal experience with the actual care there, but my gut feeling was if I needed hospital care, I’d come here.
I always love photographing siblings, whether it is in my school fine art portraits or at family sessions. So capturing the first meeting with Baby Eli’s older two siblings was so fun. Well-timed texts between Mama and Dad meant we were ready to capture those first glimpses when siblings arrived.
Here was another opportunity to make sure parents have photos together. So many couples (including me!!) have such few photos of themselves together, showing their love and affection for each other. Mama has just completed an incredible feat, they are both embarking on a new chapter of their lives, which will be filled with ups and downs, and they need to work together even more than ever.
These are the words I use to describe my Fresh 48 session with Baby Eli. I am obviously there, but trying hard not to be obvious. Instead of trying to get siblings to pose, I am enjoying big brother showing more interest in the fancy bed and controller than in this little being. I am rejoicing with the family at this incredible gift. And I am so keenly thankful that I get to document it.
Fresh 48 sessions are now custom add-ons to Family Holiday Sessions.
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