The first days after welcoming a new baby unfold quickly. There are the quiet hours in the hospital, and then the early days at home as a family begins settling into a different rhythm — when older siblings slowly begin getting to know their new baby brother or sister.
For this family, both sessions were part of the plan.
As an East Bay newborn photographer, I documented both — beginning with a Fresh 48 session at Alta Bates in Berkeley, capturing their time together before leaving the hospital. A couple of months later, once they had time to settle in, I joined them again for an in-home newborn session in Alameda, documenting life at home as they adjusted to their new routine.
Together, the two sessions document distinct moments from the beginning of their baby’s life.
The Fresh 48 at Alta Bates, Berkeley
Fresh 48 sessions take place within the first few days after birth, while families are still in the hospital. Alta Bates doesn’t have specific photography restrictions, which makes coordinating straightforward. I reach out to families once their baby has arrived and we find a time that works before they’re discharged.
One thing I recommend is letting your nurses know a photographer is coming. There are no requirements around this, but it tends to mean the nurses give you more uninterrupted time. During this session, the nurses stayed out for most of it, which allowed things to unfold at their own pace.
During this session in Berkeley, the room felt calm and quiet. Parents held their baby close, taking in the details that pass quickly in those first days. There’s a simplicity to these moments. The photographs reflect the atmosphere of the room just as it was.
Bringing Their Toddler into the Fresh 48
Toward the end of the session, their toddler arrived with grandma. This is something I recommend when there are older siblings — rather than having them wait around while we focus on the baby, they come at the end when we can really focus on them. The introduction felt unhurried. There was no pressure to perform or sit still. Just a toddler meeting their new sibling for the first time, which unfolded in a way that felt natural for them. Grandma was there too, which made it feel even more like a family moment.
The In-Home Newborn Session in Alameda
A couple of months later, I visited the family at their home in Alameda.
In-home newborn sessions allow families to move through the session in a way that feels natural and unhurried. We spent time in the bedrooms, on the couch, and in the spaces where the family naturally gathers. Their dog was part of the session too — which is always a good sign that things are going to feel relaxed.
By this point, the baby was more alert, which allows for more interaction and eye contact. The toddler had also had time to adjust, and that showed. There’s a photo of the two of them looking at a book together that captures exactly what that stage of a sibling relationship looks like — not performed, just happening.
The photographs reflect that slower, more familiar rhythm at home — everyone finding their place in the new configuration of the family.
Why Some Families Choose Both a Fresh 48 and an In-Home Newborn Session
Fresh 48 sessions and in-home newborn sessions document different moments in those first weeks — one right after birth, and one once the family has had time to settle in. Together, they offer a fuller record of those early days.
Waiting a couple of months for the in-home session worked well for this family. There’s no rule that says a newborn session has to happen in the first two weeks. The early weeks are often the hardest, and some families feel more ready — and more themselves — once they’ve had a little time to settle in.
Newborn Photography in the Bay Area
I photograph Fresh 48 and in-home newborn sessions throughout Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area. These sessions are relaxed and unscripted, giving families space to simply be together while I document the moments that naturally unfold.
If you’re expecting and considering a Fresh 48 at Alta Bates or an in-home newborn session in the East Bay, I’d love to hear about your family. Learn more about my newborn and Fresh 48 sessions or get in touch to get started.
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