Houston Hospital NICU Fresh 48 Newborn Session

This Fresh 48 newborn session at a Houston hospital was special on so many levels. It was my first time photographing in a hospital again since COVID shut everything down, my first time in a NICU, and my first rainbow baby in that setting. To top it all off, it all happened on my 30th birthday. There was so much to celebrate about this little life, and I was incredibly thankful to document it.

What is a Fresh 48 Session?

A Fresh 48 Session takes place within the first 48 hours of your baby’s life, typically in a Houston hospital (or at home if the family is planning an alternate birth outside of a traditional hospital setting). These sessions are the definition of real-life, unfiltered storytelling. We don’t focus on things like tidying spaces, dressing up, or staging for the session. With a Fresh 48, the focus is just your family, exactly as you are, in one of the most memorable moments you’ll ever live. 

This session was extra unique because it took place in the NICU. There were cords, monitors, beeping machines, open wipes, and nurses coming in and out — and I loved every second of capturing this season honestly.

Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Fresh 48

This particular session was held inside the Memorial Hermann Houston NICU. The room was shared with another family, we all wore masks, and visitation was still restricted. Nothing about it felt like the “ideal” conditions for hiring a photographer,  but look at these images. They’re proof that documenting the vulnerable, emotional, in-between moments is absolutely worth it. 

Life in the NICU carries a swirl of emotions: endless beeping monitors, interrupted sleep, constant updates, and the stress of waiting for the day you can finally go home. When I had my own NICU baby, I remember wishing I could just skip ahead and forget that season altogether. But looking back, these are the images that matter. They tell the truth of what you walked through — and how strong you were during it.

Houston TX Hospital Fresh 48 vs. In-Home Sessions

The difference between a Fresh48 Session and an in-home newborn session is subtle but meaningful. In a Fresh48 session, every element tells the story of right now. I’ll capture things like the hospital bracelets, the clear bassinet, all of the medical cords, and the unmistakable look of a baby who is just hours old. Alternatively, an in-home session is more curated and polished.

Regarding poses, these may be some of the same shots I take during an in-home newborn session, but the environment completely changes the emotion and context. Nothing else captures that “brand new” feeling in quite the same way. When these photos were taken back in 2022, we were all tired of masks. But the one Mom is holding in her left hand is a huge part of this baby’s birth story. Years from now, that tiny detail will feel so specific to this moment in time. (Even now, just three years after the session.)

People sometimes ask whether I photoshop out the NICU cords. My answer: absolutely not! The cords tell half the story, and removing them would erase some of the truth of what makes these images powerful.

Houston TX Newborn Photographer

Hey, I’m Mel, a Fresh 48 and newborn photographer based in Tomball, Cypress, and The Woodlands, TX. Whether you want to capture your baby hours after birth or once you’re home and settled, my goal as your photographer is to photograph your family in a way that endures the tests of time. You can explore the details of my newborn packages here.  If you’re looking for a Houston newborn photographer who keeps things simple and flexible, you can contact me to book your session!