Wichita, KS Fresh 48 Sessions—Everything New Parents Need to Know

What is a Fresh 48 Session?

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an unforgettable experience, whether it’s your first or your fifth, and a Fresh 48 session captures the magic of those first precious hours with your baby. These intimate, in-hospital photography sessions focus on raw, emotional moments. Think about all of the details you’ll want to remember forever…your baby’s tiny fingers, their sweet sleepy yawns, and the overwhelming love shared between you and your baby. To ensure a smooth, relaxed experience, here’s everything you need to know when preparing for your Wichita, KS Fresh 48 session.

Choosing the Right Time for Your Fresh 48 Session

Fresh 48 sessions typically take place within the first 24-48 hours after birth, allowing you to capture the earliest moments of your baby’s life. Since birth can be unpredictable, just communicate with your photographer in advance and update them once your baby arrives. Be sure to check hospital policies regarding photography and visiting hours to plan accordingly. Ideally, we like to plan these sessions around noon the day after baby’s arrival, but we will be flexible in determining just what you and baby need. We’ll tentatively schedule you for your due date, and adjust as you let us know you’re in labor, and once baby makes their debut!

What to Wear

The focus of a Fresh 48 session is the genuine, heartfelt moments that naturally take place during your first few days with your new baby. Choosing soft, neutral-colored outfits helps maintain a timeless, natural feel. Here are a few outfit tips:

For Mom — A comfortable robe, solid-colored button-up pajama set, a soft dress in muted tones, or a neutral sweater.

Wear something soft and comfortable as you are healing and your comfort is SO important during this time.

For Dad — A neutral-colored t-shirt or henley paired with cozy pants.

For Baby — A simple swaddle, neutral onesie, or just a diaper for adorable skin-to-skin moments.

Avoid bold patterns and bright colors that might distract from the emotion and tenderness of the session.

Plan on just one, favorite outfit for baby as well as some pictures in just a diaper.

Documenting Tender Details

They’re only ever this little once. Hold onto the precious details that you’ll never want to forget.

Preparing Baby for the Session

To keep your baby comfortable and relaxed:

Try to feed baby shortly before the session to encourage sleepiness, but know that they can eat anytime during your session as well.

Have a cozy swaddle or blanket nearby. Babies love to stay warm and cozy.

Try to keep the room nice and warm (if you have thermostat control) to ensure they stay snug and content. You can also always ask your nurse for a warm blanket.

Allow for natural movements and avoid over-handling—we will guide you in capturing organic, heartfelt moments. Don’t worry about tears, babies cry and that is just part of the memories.

Packing List: Essentials for a Smooth Session

Having a few key items on hand can make your session more comfortable and stress-free:

For Mom & Dad: Comfortable clothing (listed above), a hairbrush brush, light makeup (if desired), and a cozy blanket from home. Your own pillows and blankets will make your entire hospital stay much more comfortable, and add to the coziness of your photo session as well.

For Baby: Swaddles, a soft hat, a special blanket or stuffed animal, and any sentimental items that you want to include.

Extras: A letterboard or name sign, baby’s hospital bracelet, and a neutral-colored blanket to enhance the background. We love to wrap a swaddle or thin blanket over the bassinet mattress to add to the coziness. If you forget anything, please reach out to see what we can bring along for you!

What to Expect During Your Fresh 48 Session

Fresh 48 sessions are relaxed and unposed, focusing on genuine interactions. You’ll be guided softly as to how to capture these details. They typically last 45 minutes to an hour and capture everything including:

Baby’s tiny features—fingers, toes, yawns, and sleepy stretches.

The emotional bond between parents and their new baby.

First sibling meetings and family moments. Your photographer will document these moments naturally, ensuring your session feels comfortable and authentic. Please let us know if siblings or other family will be attending the session so that we can plan accordingly.

You’ll also want to ensure that you know the hospitals visitors policy as the number of visitors allowed in a room changes throughout the year (during flu and RSV season the rules are stricter for example).

You can find all of the details for Wesley Medical Center Labor + Delivery here and Ascension Via Christi here. If you are working with a midwife in a birthing center, just make sure that they allow photographers shortly after giving birth!

Hospital Room Setup for the Best Photos

While hospital rooms aren’t always the most photogenic places, a little preparation can make a big difference. Here’s what we’ll do:

We will maximize natural light by positioning your baby near a window. We’ll take some pictures of everyone close to the window, some just of baby in their bassinet right in front of the window. The darker space is totally fine though, it adds coziness and intimacy to your photos.

Declutter unnecessary hospital items from the background. We’ll move everything out of the way as soon as we arrive. No need to worry about this beforehand…We’re here to help you!

Use soft, neutral blankets to keep the scene cozy and timeless. These small adjustments help create a warm, intimate feel for your photos. Simply adding your favorite, soft blanket to the end of the bed can add so much to your pictures.

Capturing Emotions—The Beauty of Imperfection

Fresh 48 sessions are about telling your story, not perfection. Embrace the sleepy eyes, messy hair, and raw emotions—these moments are what make the session so special. Don’t stress about looking perfect; just make sure to focus on soaking in the love and joy of your baby’s first hours.

Book Your Session Today

A Fresh 48 session is one of the most beautiful ways to document your baby’s earliest hours. By preparing in advance, you can create a relaxed, enjoyable experience that results in stunning, heartfelt photos.

If you're currently expecting (congrats!!), booking your session during your 2nd or beginning of your 3rd trimester is recommended. Let’s plan your uniquely curated Fresh 48 Session in Wichita today! I can’t wait to help capture these special moments with you and your family!