Welcoming Colson Joseph: A Fresh 48 Session at Salina Regional Health Center
When I arrived at Salina Regional to meet Colson Joseph, he was less than twenty-four hours old. His parents were first-time mom and dad, brand new to all of it, and yet the room was the quietest, calmest, most grounded place. The afternoon light was coming through those big windows just perfectly, and I remember thinking I didn't want to leave. That's the thing about those first hours. There is a freshness and a newness that you truly cannot recreate, and getting to walk into a room full of it is one of the greatest privileges of what I do.
What is a Fresh 48 Session?
A Fresh 48 is a newborn session done right in your hospital room, within the first 48 hours of your baby's life, before you ever pack up and head home. There are no props, no posing, no studio setup. Just your family, your baby, and those very first moments exactly as they are. If you've ever looked back and wished you had more photos from those early hours, this session is for you.
Shooting at Salina Regional Health Center
Salina Regional Health Center is truly one of my favorite places to work. The staff is welcoming, the hospital is easy to navigate, and the rooms have the most beautiful big windows that let in so much natural light. I love shooting there in the mid-morning or late afternoon when that window light is at its best, but honestly, we can work with just about anything. Good light helps, but what we're really there to capture doesn't require perfect conditions.
For Colson's session, that late afternoon light was absolutely doing its job. The room felt warm and still, and it showed up in every single frame.
What the Session Looks Like
The number one thing I want families to know before I walk through that door is this: you don't have to do a single thing. Don't fix your hair. Don't sit up straighter. Just soak up that new little life in your arms and don't change a thing.
When I arrive, I take a few minutes to settle into the room, get a feel for the light, and just talk. With Colson's family, I asked mom how her birth went and we just got to know each other a little before I ever picked up my camera. That matters to me. I'm not coming in with a shot list and a schedule. I'm coming in as someone who genuinely wants to get it right for your family.
Colson was sound asleep when I arrived, so we let him stay that way and started with the details. Tiny hands, little feet, the way a newborn curls up like they still remember being tucked in tight. His family had a few specific things they wanted captured too, a blanket with his name on it, a sweet little hat, and a name announcement plaque. Those personal touches are so fun to include, and they do something really special for a photo. They timestamp it. Here he is. Here is his name, his birthday, his weight, his height. Less than a day old and already so fully himself.
A Few Tips to Prepare
Pack a swaddle, coming-home outfit, or any special item you want included in your photos, like a personalized blanket or keepsake.
Let your nurse know ahead of time that a photographer will be visiting. The staff at Salina Regional is so kind and accommodating.
If you have a scheduled induction or c-section, let me know in advance so we can plan around your timeline.
You do not need to look a certain way or feel ready. Tired and in love is one of my favorite things to photograph.
Book before baby arrives. I recommend reaching out by your third trimester so your due date is on my calendar and we are ready to go the moment you let me know baby is here.
Let's Capture Your First Hours
If you're expecting and on the fence about a Fresh 48, this is me telling you as both a photographer and a mom: you will not regret having these photos. You will only regret not having them. Those hours are fleeting in a way that is hard to describe until you're on the other side of them.
If you're planning to deliver at Salina Regional Health Center and want to talk about booking your Fresh 48 session, I'd love to hear from you. Head to my contact page and let's get your due date on the calendar.