I had the privilege of doing a Fresh 48 photography session for this beautiful family, mere hours after baby Carey joined us earth side.

My kids are tweens now, so the opportunity to say hi to a squishy, pink little bundle like this one is not to be passed by. I mean … just look at that scrunchy face!

But wait, I am getting ahead of myself. The journey to this little bundle starts outside – in this case, Royal Columbian Hospital.  Most moms who live in the Tri-Cities and New Westminster areas come to this hospital to give birth, myself included. The little details like the weather outside and your last name on the room door are easily overlooked when you are in the midst of labour, and it’s nice to look back and remember those halls where you spent your time pacing up and down!

This lucky little guy had a doting sister counting down the days to his arrival. And judging by how attentive she was to him in the hospital, Mama is going to have a great little helper when they go home.

When I arrived at the hospital, I found baby Carey safely snuggled in big sister Mable’s arms. And for the longest time, she wouldn’t let him go. Watch out, future girlfriends, this big sis has her brother’s back!

Even though baby Carey was not even 24 hours old, he couldn’t take his eyes off his parents. It was remarkable to see him focus on their faces at the sound of their voices. The connection between baby and parents was palpable – it seriously gave me chills, and these remain some of my very favourite photos of our Fresh 48 photography session.

Hospitals can be noisy and chaotic places in the best of times. But then in the midst of all that, a mom draws her newborn baby to her breast, and it feels like the world goes quiet and time stands still. There is a certain calm and ethereal quality that defines this magical time. And isn’t Mable holding her dad’s hand in the background just the sweetest thing!

Mom wanted to know whether we should change the green hospital blanket for something nicer.

Nope! That hospital blanket is so iconic for these fresh 48 photography sessions – it defines the context, the place, the time of this particular session. This is what a session at hospital is all about … the blanket, the crib, the arm and foot bands … all of it is part of the reality of these first 48 hours of life. And that green blanket ties you to every other family who have given birth in this hospital!

One of the major reasons to have a fresh 48 photography session is to record those small details of a newborn baby that literally disappears within days once you go home. Those wrinkly feet, loose skin, fluffy cheeks, clamped belly button and soft head won’t last long. Before you know it, you’ll be organizing their cake smash. It all happens so fast…

Dads are often so awkward with newborn babies. LOL, I think they are all a little afraid they make break them. But not this dad! Obviously all the baby handling skills from 3-year old Big Sis were still fresh in Dad’s memory, because he held and cuddled little Carey like he has been doing it for years.

He whispered “I got you, buddy” to his newborn son as he was cuddling him on a chair next to the window. I had to swallow away the lump in my throat. It was just such a special moment.

For 9 months, Mom carried this little man so close to her. She talked to him, sang to him, dreamt about him, and rocked him in her belly. Seeing these 2 come together after birth is like witnessing a reunion of two people who know each other intimately, but haven’t seen each other in a long time. She couldn’t stop looking at him. She is so in love. And who could blame her.

Baby Carey, you’re one lucky kiddo to be born into this special family! They love you so much. I can’t wait to see you grow up. But not too fast, ok.

What is a Fresh 48 Photography Session?

As the name indicates, the Fresh 48 photography session is scheduled within 48 hours of your little one’s birth, and take place at the place of delivery (hospital, home, or birthing center).

There are few (if any!) things more real, raw, and emotional than having a baby. But for most parents, those first few hours and days after delivery is simply a blur. The Fresh 48 session is special because it captures those precious first moments of your new family. It is a chance for you to remember the love in your eyes as you looked at your new baby. I want you remember how it felt to hold your precious little one and know how little they were in your arms. You get to remember every little detail … the wrinkled and flaky skin, the tiny toes, the wisps of hair … every little bit of freshness. There’s nothing like it.

To book your very own session, or if you have questions about Fresh 48 photography, get in touch!