There are few moments in life more emotional, raw, and unforgettable than those first hours after welcoming your baby into the world. A Fresh 48 session captures those fleeting memories in the hospital—tiny toes, first snuggles, and siblings meeting for the very first time. These photographs tell the story of a family’s earliest chapter together, one filled with tenderness, awe, and love.

This sweet session in a Madison-area hospital was filled with those unforgettable moments. Big brother’s curiosity and joy as he leaned in to meet his new sibling for the first time was absolutely heart-melting. The room was filled with quiet laughter, soft snuggles, and the kind of emotions that can only be felt in those first days of parenthood.

What is a Fresh 48 Session?

Unlike a posed newborn studio session, a Fresh 48 is documentary-style photography that takes place in the hospital (or birthing center) within the first 24–48 hours after delivery. These sessions focus on natural, unposed moments—the wrinkly newborn skin, hospital bracelets, the baby bassinet by the window, and the quiet joy of family bonding.

For parents who want to remember the raw and real details of those first hours, a Fresh 48 session is the perfect choice.

Why Families Love Fresh 48 Photography

• Authenticity: These sessions capture real, candid moments as they happen—siblings meeting, parents gazing in awe, or the baby’s first stretch.
• Emotion: Every image is full of raw, unfiltered love.
• Legacy: These are the photos you’ll cherish forever—the very beginning of your child’s story.

This family’s session was especially touching. Watching big brother hold his baby sibling with so much gentleness while mom and dad admired both of their little ones was a reminder of how powerful these first days are.

Fresh 48 Photography in Madison & Sun Prairie, WI

If you’re expecting and looking for a Fresh 48 photographer in Madison, Sun Prairie, or the surrounding Wisconsin area, Finch & Mae Photography would love to help you preserve these fleeting memories. I take care to document the quiet details and emotional connections in a way that feels natural, timeless, and true to your family.

Fresh 48 sessions are limited, as they require on-call availability around your due date. If this style of storytelling speaks to you, I recommend reaching out early so we can reserve your spot on my calendar.

Ready to Book Your Fresh 48 Session?

If you want to remember the very first days of your baby’s life in a natural and meaningful way, a Fresh 48 session is the perfect fit. These photographs will bring you back to the quiet hospital room, the sound of newborn cries, and the joy of introducing your baby to family for the first time.

📩 Contact me today to learn more about booking your Fresh 48 session in Madison or Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Let’s capture the story of your baby’s very first day.

There is something incredibly special about capturing maternity moments in the comfort of your home. This lifestyle maternity session in rural Wisconsin was the perfect reflection of love, connection and everyday life. Dogs, lounging on the couch, playing with dinosaurs and being barefoot was the perfect touch.

As a maternity photographer serving the Madison, and Sun Prairie, WI area- I love to offer families the option to stay home, where everyone feels comfortable and where the real story lives. This beautiful session was filled with all the good stuff. Joy, anticipation, freedom to play and a quiet kind of magic that only a home can bring.

From backyard swings and walks to visit the cows, watering flowers on the porch and finding ants- their gallery tells such a story. The kids laughed and ran, the dogs happily tagged along, and mama glowed in a soft floral dress that moved with ease as she played and snuggled.

What makes lifestyle maternity sessions so perfect and meaningful is how they reflect who you and your family are RIGHT NOW. This isn’t just the beauty of the bump but truly the entire dynamic of life before baby makes their arrival.

If you are expecting and want a maternity session that feels natural and deeply personal, consider an in-home lifestyle maternity session in the Madison or Sun Prairie area. These sessions aren’t about posing, it is about preserving the beauty of your everyday life.

Interested in booking your own lifestyle maternity session?

Let’s chat. I would love to help you document this beautiful chapter.

I was invited into this sweet family’s home to photograph them now as a family of three. During their in home newborn session, Millie was loved on the entire time. Millie’s parents were up for anything during the session and it gave me the creative freedom to truly capture their family as they are.

Many families have a nursery for their newborn and I absolutely love to see what they have come up with. In this case, Millie’s room was STUNNING. I truly loved the deep colors with gold accents throughout. The round mirror gave such a different vibe for a portion of their newborn gallery as I used it strictly for some wonderful candid moments.

When parents book an in home newborn session, I always ask them where in their homes they are thinking to have the session. Most families choose the nursery, the master bedroom and the living room. Occasionally families have beautiful kitchens that really bring a cozy and homely feeling to their gallery.

Millie was photographed in her crib- it is honestly one of my most favorite shots that I get. A crib is such a large space and when you add in a tiny baby, it truly helps you to remember years later just how small they once were.

Cozy living rooms are always such a huge part of in home newborn sessions. Many families find themselves spending lots of their time in the newborn stage on the couch or in their bedrooms. To be honest, there is no wrong place to do a part of your in home session. The session is not about aesthetics or fitting the same vibe as everyone else’s session. This is truly unique to your family.

These sessions are completely customizable to your family.

Of course many families ask if these sessions are posed and my answer is always that it is guided posing. So what does that mean? I will give guidance on where to sit, change how you are standing to allow more light or remove an odd shadow but for the most part- I just want you to be natural.

These moments with a newborn fly by so incredibly fast. I want you to feel the rawness and emotions when you look back one day. I am essentially just a fly on the wall capturing your family as they are.

Are you considering an in home newborn session? Let’s chat about it.

I first met Jess when she had come to my very first studio in Pardeeville for birthday portraits of her son. SInce then, I have had such the best time photographing their family during so many wonderful milestones. Birthdays, maternity, in home newborn, cake smash and more birthdays. It really is the biggest honor to be chosen so many times.

Summer maternity sessions are truly just a gem. Can the mosquitoes be difficult? Sure. Can the weather be super hot and humid in mid July? Absolutely? Should that stop you from documenting this beautiful time in your life? NO!

As a mama myself, I know that maternity sessions are truly so important. Out of my three children, I had only done one newborn session and that was with my last. As the years go by, all I have for pictures of me expecting my first two are cell phone pictures and to be honest… they aren’t very glamorous.

Are maternity sessions just for mom? Definitely not. Include your partner or children. Have a dog? Cows or horses? They can be included too. This time in your life is monumental. A woman’s body changes so much from conception to giving birth- you deserve to celebrate.

Many mamas that are expecting ask me, what do we wear? I always tell every mama to start with herself. Find an outfit that makes you feel beautiful. I do offer a Client Wardrobe for clients that has a variety of pieces. However, I have had clients wear overalls, long sweater dresses, bralettes with jeans, dresses, skirts and more. Dress how you feel beautiful and confident. Once you have it figured out on what you will wear is when you start planning everyone else’s wardrobe. I of course always recommend to stay away from words, logos, characters, pictures and so on as it can be visually over stimulating.

A common question is, can I book my newborn and maternity pictures together. Of course and many do that by booking The Baby Plan. The Baby Plan is a plan specially curated for those that want to document the entire first year of life for their baby. It doesn’t matter if this is your first baby or your fifth, this plan is just as special.

The Baby Plan offers so many perks on top of having the following sessions done:

-Maternity

-Newborn

-6 Month

-One Year Portraits + Cake Smash

Interested in learning about the perks of The Baby Plan? Check it out.

Through my experience with maternity sessions, I have found that between 28 and 32 weeks is typically best for the time to do your maternity session. Why?

-Mamas are usually with a round belly.

-Tend to be less swollen.

-Lesser chance of missing the window due to premature birth.

-Mamas are the most comfortable.

Locations. This is asked by so many and honestly the answer is so simple!

You can have your maternity session at your home, on your farm, at a location that I offer and in my Rio or Pardeeville studios. I have

Please do keep in mind thought that outdoor maternity sessions are held within the last two hours of golden hour to ensure that you get the most beautiful lighting possible.

What do I do with my gallery when I get it? There are so many options. Majority of my clients choose to place orders for wall art, heirloom boxes and albums. I really encourage families to consider what they want from their session when they receive their gallery. Do you want your pictures printed with less than ideal quality? Stored on your phone or computer to never be displayed in your home? Or do you want your beautiful family displayed on the walls of your home.

I promise you, you will want them on your walls. Children and adults all love to reminisce about the past, their memories and talk about the ones that they love.

Those that choose to book The Baby Plan receive 20% off of wall art, prints and products. This can be HUGE savings to help you decorate your walls with the best faces you know- your family!

Ready to book a maternity session or have questions? Fill out the contact form so we can get started.

Finch & Mae proudly serves clients all over the beautiful state of Wisconsin but not limited to Madison, Sun Prairie, Beaver Dam, Waunakee, Stoughton, Verona, Cross Plains, Columbus, Fond du Lac and more.