Make Your First Photos Simple, Stress-Free, and Beautiful

Your Fresh 48 session should feel calm, emotional, and effortless — not stressful or rushed. Packing a few intentional items will help your hospital photos feel clean, timeless, and cohesive.

Here’s your easy Finch & Mae–approved packing list.

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What to Pack for Your Fresh 48 Photos

1. A Neutral Swaddle

Soft creams, whites, oat, or warm neutrals photograph best. Hospitals often provide colorful blankets, but neutral swaddles help keep the focus on your baby.

2. A Simple Onesie or Gown

Avoid patterns or bright colors. A plain white or cream onesie creates a soft, classic look that matches your newborn gallery.

3. A Knot Hat or Bonnet (Optional)

These add a sweet, timeless touch and are perfect for those tiny detail photos.

4. A Backup Swaddle or Blanket

Babies spit up — having a second option ensures you stay calm and prepared.

5. A Neutral Outfit for Mom

Choose:
• A soft robe
• A light sweater with leggings
• A neutral nursing tank
Stick with creams, taupe, beige, or soft tones that blend beautifully with baby.

6. Comfortable Clothes for Dad

Simple solids work best — white, gray, or tan.

7. Anything Meaningful

Some parents bring:
• A special handmade blanket
• Memorial items
• A letterboard with baby’s name
• A family heirloom

Only if it fits your style — minimal is always best for Finch & Mae.

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What You Don’t Need to Bring

❌ Props
❌ Outfits with text
❌ Hospital clutter (I’ll help clear the space)
❌ Anything elaborate — Fresh 48 is about emotion, not styling

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Make Your First Hours Unforgettable

Your Fresh 48 session will be full of soft light, tiny details, and raw emotion — everything you’ll want to remember years from now.

📸 Book your Fresh 48 session

Learn about the Baby Plan
Serving Madison, Sun Prairie, Rio, McFarland, Columbus, and surrounding Wisconsin areas.

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.

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.

Why You Should Order Birth Announcement Cards from Your Photographer

1. Professional Quality

Photographers use high-quality printing services, ensuring your birth announcement cards look polished and professional. The images will be printed in true color and sharp detail, perfect for creating keepsakes and sharing with family and friends.

2. Customization Options

Photographers often offer a variety of customizable templates or design options.

3. Seamless Integration

Ordering directly from your photographer ensures they use high-resolution photos from your session. This eliminates the risk of blurry or distorted images often associated with third-party photo card services.

4. Time-Saving Convenience

With a newborn to care for, ordering personalized announcement cards from your photographer saves you time. They handle the design and printing process, making it easier to get your baby announcement cards ready without added stress.

5. Expert Presentation

Photographers are experienced in showcasing their work. They know how to arrange newborn photos and text to create balanced, visually appealing designs that stand out.

6. Cohesive Style

When you order your cards through your photographer, the birth announcements can match the theme and style of your newborn photo session, creating a cohesive look across all your keepsakes and prints.

7. Support for Local Business

By choosing your photographer for your custom birth announcements, you support their small business, helping them continue to provide exceptional photography services and products.

8. Stress-Free Process

The first weeks with a newborn can be overwhelming. Letting your photographer handle your baby photo announcements reduces stress, giving you peace of mind while still delivering beautiful cards to your loved ones.

Proudly serving families in Sun Prairie, Madison, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Poynette, Portage