A Fresh 48 Session is a special kind of photo session that takes place in the first two days after your baby is born—usually in the hospital, birth center, or even at home if that’s where your story begins. It’s not a traditional newborn session. There are no props. No fancy setups. No need to dress your baby in anything but a swaddle and love. It’s not about making things look perfect. It’s about remembering them exactly as they were.

These sessions capture the little details that slip away faster than you realize. The tiny wrinkles on their feet. The way their hands still curl into fists. The way your partner looks at you like you just moved mountains (because you did). The way you can’t stop staring, even though you’re running on almost no sleep. These aren’t just pictures—they’re proof of what your heart felt like when everything changed.

Hi, I’m Megan, a Minneapolis-based newborn and family photographer who captures the real, love-filled moments that make your story yours. My sessions are relaxed, natural, and all about connection, so you can focus on your family, not the poses. If you’re dreaming of meaningful photos that feel like you, take a peek at my portfolio or reach out to start planning. I’d love to help you tell this beautiful chapter.

Why This Window of Time Matters

The first 48 hours after birth are unlike any other time. You’re tired, maybe a little overwhelmed, but also floating in that strange, beautiful bubble of “we just met you.” Everything feels new. Everything is new. Your body aches. The room feels both too quiet and too loud at the same time. And in the middle of it all, there’s this tiny person who somehow already feels like home.

Your baby is still brand new to the world—curled up, sleepy, with soft, fuzzy hair and tiny hands that instinctively wrap around your finger. Their skin is still wrinkled from the time they were in the womb. Their cries are small and unsure. They blink slowly like they’re still figuring out the light. They still have that just-born smell—the one you wish you could bottle up and keep forever.

That’s why a Fresh 48 Session is so powerful. It freezes this fragile, beautiful in-between moment after birth, but before life settles into patterns. Before diapers pile up and visitors slow down, and the world comes rushing back in.

You’ll never have this same version of them-or this version of you—again. That’s what makes it so meaningful. It’s not about perfect light or perfect outfits. It’s about capturing something real, something emotional, something worth remembering. The kind of photos that take you right back to that room, that feeling, that exact moment when everything changed.

The Feel of a Fresh 48 Session

Fresh 48 Sessions are soft, slow, and a little bit messy—in the best way. There’s no pressure to do anything but be present. I come to you (usually within the first day or two after birth), and I quietly capture what’s unfolding: the sleepy snuggles, the curious glances, the way your baby fits perfectly in your arms like they’ve always belonged there.

It’s not about posing or smiling on cue. It’s about the real stuff. The way you brush their hair back. The way your partner holds them with both hands is like something sacred. The little things you’re too tired to notice in the moment but will mean everything later.

And if there’s a big sibling meeting their baby brother or sister for the first time? That’s the kind of moment you’ll never forget. Maybe they’re shy. Maybe they’re curious or a little wild (let’s be honest—probably all three). However it happens, it’s always magic. And capturing that first connection is something truly special.

The magic in family photos isn’t just about lighting or location—it’s about trust. Want to know how a connection with your photographer shapes the entire experience? Head over to the blog to read How a Strong Connection with Your Photographer Creates Authentic Family Photos in Minneapolis. It’s all about creating space where your real moments can shine.

Why Families Choose This Session

There are so many reasons families say yes to a Fresh 48 Session. Here are just a few:

• It captures the realness. No prepping, no posing—just honest moments in the place where your baby’s story begins. The sleepy yawns, the wrinkled toes, the way you cradle them like you’ve known them forever (even though it’s only been hours).

• It freezes time. Your baby will change so fast. The way they curl up on your chest, the sounds they make, how tiny they feel in your hands—it all shifts before you’ve had a chance to catch your breath. These photos help you remember exactly what those first hours felt like.

• It’s about capturing everyone who matters. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and more. Some of the most unforgettable moments happen when a proud, curious big sibling reaches out to touch their new baby brother or sister for the very first time. That awe, that tenderness—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime connection. Whether it’s your partner cradling your newborn or a grandparent wiping away tears, these are the memories you’ll never want to forget.

• It’s low-stress. You don’t have to do anything to “get ready.” I come to you. No need to pack a bag, style your hair, or clean up your space. Just be in the moment. Be with your baby. Let the photos do the remembering.

• It tells your story, your way. Whether your birth was joyful, complicated, quiet, or chaotic, this session meets you right where you are. No expectations. No pressure. Just the truth of your beginning, however it looks.

Choosing a Fresh 48 Session means choosing to remember the beginning—not the polished version, but the real, beautiful, emotional one. The one where your heart grew in ways you didn’t even know it could. The one where love rushed in and settled deep. The one that, someday, you’ll show your child and say, This is the day we met you.

Thinking about newborn photos but not sure where to start? My blog post, The Benefits of Choosing a Minneapolis Family Photographer for Your Newborn Session, walks you through why working with someone local (who truly gets the beauty and chaos of this season) can make all the difference.

Fresh 48 Session: The First Hours Matter More Than You Think

A Fresh 48 Session isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about remembering what it felt like. The hush of the hospital room. The weight of your baby on your chest. The way your older child peeked over the bed to meet their sibling for the first time, unsure but curious. These are the moments that slip away fastest—and they’re the ones worth holding onto. If you want photos that tell the truth of your story, right from the very beginning, a Fresh 48 Session might just be the most meaningful choice you make.

If you’re feeling the pull to remember those raw, tender first hours—the sleepy snuggles, the wrinkly toes, the moment your family grew—I’d be so honored to help you hold onto that. Take a peek at my portfolio to see what these sessions can feel like, reach out if you’re ready to book, or come hang out on Instagram for a look at the everyday magic I get to witness through my lens.