Fresh 48 hospital photography in Edina at Fairview Southdale

This Fresh 48 hospital photography in Edina session brought me back to a family I had photographed before. I photographed their middle child’s Fresh 48 session, and I returned to Fairview Southdale to photograph their newest baby. After more than 15 years as a photographer, I’ve learned that hospital newborn sessions work best when we keep the plan simple and leave room for whatever the baby needs.

This family now has three children. However, both of their Fresh 48 sessions included only the parents and their new baby. That gave us time to create photographs of the baby alone, with each parent, and with both parents together.

I serve families throughout Edina, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities. For parents considering hospital newborn photographs, here is what a Fresh 48 session actually looks like and how I plan around a birth date that refuses to respect anyone’s calendar.

What does Fresh 48 hospital photography in Edina look like?

My Fresh 48 sessions take a documentary approach. I give simple direction when it helps, but I do not bring elaborate newborn poses or staged props into the hospital room.

For this Fairview Southdale session, the room’s bright window light became an important part of the photographs. I photographed their baby in the hospital bassinet, wrapped in soft green and later wearing a pale blue outfit. Then I photographed the baby with each parent and with both parents together.

I often start with the baby alone in the bassinet. From there, we move naturally into parent and family photographs. I use the available daylight, open the blinds when needed, and move a few distracting room items if they pull attention away from the family.

That simple approach also lets hospital details stay part of the story. A bassinet, the room itself, tiny hands, a parent’s hospital bracelet, or the way a newborn fits against a parent’s chest can help document what those hours actually looked like.

How does scheduling work when we do not know the birth date?

Newborns rarely consult calendars, which makes scheduling a Fresh 48 different from scheduling a family session six months in advance.

I plan around the due date and generally reserve weeks 38 through 41 as the possible window. That helps me prepare for an uncertain arrival date, although it does not guarantee unconditional availability for every possible timing scenario.

Then communication becomes important. I ask a support person to text, email, or call when the family heads to the hospital in labor. I also ask them to contact me again after the baby arrives.

I typically photograph Fresh 48 sessions within the first 24 hours after birth. Sessions happen during daylight hours, often the following morning. Since families and hospital schedules vary, we coordinate promptly once the baby arrives instead of relying on a preset calendar date.

If you are expecting and considering a Fresh 48 session, you can reach out during pregnancy so we can talk about your due date and hospital plans.

Do siblings need to be at a Fresh 48 session?

No. Parents and siblings can participate when hospital visitor rules allow it, but siblings do not have to attend.

This featured family has three children, yet only the parents and baby participated in both Fresh 48 sessions I photographed for them. I did not photograph a sibling introduction during this session.

Some families appreciate having the hospital session focus on the parents and new baby. Other families want older children included. Both approaches can work.

When siblings do participate, I usually recommend starting with the baby and parents first. Then a partner or grandparent can bring the older children into the room. Children naturally add movement and unpredictability, so this approach gives us room to work with their energy instead of expecting them to wait through the entire session.

Because hospital visitor requirements can change, parents should always check current rules directly with their hospital.

What happens if the baby needs to eat?

We make room for it.

A baby does not need to stay asleep for an entire Fresh 48 session. Feeding, changing, soothing, and settling can all happen as needed.

During a feeding, I can photograph other details around the hospital room. If a parent wants nursing photographs, I can also include them. Nursing photographs are always optional.

This flexibility matters because I do not expect a newborn to follow a photography schedule. The session stays focused, but the baby’s immediate needs still guide our pace.

What should we wear for Fresh 48 hospital photography in Edina?

Comfort comes first for Fresh 48 hospital photography in Edina. You do not need to shop for a completely new wardrobe or arrive looking polished.

For moms, a robe, nursing tank, comfortable pants, or another simple outfit can work well. For dads or partners, a neutral solid-color shirt with jeans or comfortable pants keeps the look clean and photographs beautifully without much planning.

I recommend avoiding bright colors, large logos, and busy patterns because they can pull attention away from the people in a small hospital room. For this Fairview Southdale session, the parents wore soft neutral tones, while the baby’s green wrap added a little color.

The baby does not need a special outfit for Fresh 48 photos either. A hospital shirt, diaper, and swaddle are more than enough. If you have a personal swaddle or hat you would like included, we can usually photograph it toward the end of the session.

Planning Fresh 48 photographs at Fairview Southdale

Fairview Southdale gave us a bright hospital setting for this family’s newest Fresh 48 gallery. Their photographs include the baby alone, individual parent photographs, close details, and photographs of all three together.

M Health Fairview’s official site lists The Birthplace at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. Because hospital information and visitor guidelines can change, I recommend checking the hospital directly for its current information.

View the official Southdale Birthplace information

If you are deciding between a Fresh 48 session and a newborn session after you return home, you can also explore my Minnesota newborn photography options. Each type of session documents something a little different.

For this family, returning to photograph another hospital newborn session created a direct connection between two chapters of their growing family. The photographs still stay specific to this baby, this hospital room, and these parents during those first hours together.

If you are expecting in Edina or elsewhere in the Twin Cities, contact me with your due date and the hospital where you plan to deliver. We can talk through whether a Fresh 48 session fits what you want to document.

Fresh 48 Photography FAQ