fresh 48 or lifestyle newborn session
Heyyyy ready for a new blog post? I wanna talk today about fresh 48’s + lifestyle newborn sessions and help you narrow down which is the best fit for your family. If it helps you see me as a neutral party: with my first I did just a fresh 48, with my second I did both (lifestyle session was in studio) + as I write this I am 13 weeks with my third and also plan on doing both because I cannot decide. While both document your baby’s earliest days, they do it in a completely different way.
Let’s start with what is a fresh 48. A Fresh 48 session takes place within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, either at the hospital or birth center. These sessions focus on the raw, emotional, and short moments right after your baby arrives. Think the tiny details, first cuddles, and the overwhelming love of those early hours.
Some things I love specifically about fresh 48s: tiny details in a little time capsule– Peeling skin, wrinkly feet, hospital bracelets + fresh newborn features that disappear quickly, Low pressure: No need to clean your house, dress up, or worry about baby doing ‘good’. Some things families may not like about a fresh 48 are Hospital environment: Medical equipment and hospital lighting are part of the story, parents are recovering: You may feel tired, sore, or emotional (which is sooo completely normal), limited styling: I usually do hospital swaddle, bare baby (well, plus a diaper) + them in their going home outfit.
A lifestyle newborn session typically happens within the first 14 days after birth, either in your home or a studio (I usually work out of Elizabeth Marie Collective). These sessions are gently guided and focus on connection, comfort, and your baby settling into life with the people who love them most.
Things I like most out of a lifestyle newborn session are definitely more rest and recovery, you may feel more comfortable and confident, documenting life with a new member in your home: I love the idea of baby being able to see what their home looked like when they joined it, and you may know your baby’s cues and routine a little better so when they get a little unhappy (they will but that’s ok, we have time for that) it might feel more manageable. A couple ‘cons’ could be missing the “brand new” phase: that first days face tends to change around 10-14 days. There’s a little more preparation involved home tidying, outfit choices, + scheduling are involved.
There’s no right or wrong choice, only what feels right for your family. Whether you’re drawn to the emotional intensity of a Fresh 48 session or the cozy comfort of a lifestyle newborn session, both options honor this season in meaningful ways.
