Newborn Photography for Preemie Babies | Pensacola Photographer
Kelly and Dan originally hired me for a Fresh 48 session—a photography shoot that takes place within the first 48 hours after birth. For medical reasons, baby Sean needed to be delivered prematurely and spend some time in the NICU. While our NICU will often make brief exceptions to the visitor policy for Fresh 48s, but with 4 other children to include, Kelly opted to wait until they were home and settled to do their shoot.
If you are considering a Fresh 48 or newborn session, it is always a good idea to consider how to navigate this in the event your baby needs some extra special care. When you’ve booked a Fresh 48 and your baby ends up in the NICU, the most important things to consider are timing and baby’s health. You’ll have a few options when it comes to how to proceed.
Proceed As Planned with a Fresh 48 in the NICU
For many parents of premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), this experience is marked by both incredible challenges and the hope of seeing their tiny warrior thrive. A photo shoot in the NICU or at home can be a meaningful way to capture these early moments. Once your baby is stable, it is usually possible to do a Fresh 48 on the unit. It may not happen within the first 48 hours, but that’s ok. Your baby’s health and safety is paramount.
The first step in planning a Fresh 48 session in the NICU is to discuss your wishes with the NICU charge nurse. NICUs have strict visitor policies to ensure the safety and well-being of all infants. However, many NICUs are open to making exceptions for photography, especially when it comes to capturing those fleeting first moments and including older siblings if you ask.
Another thing to consider is that once baby is doing well, discharge from the NICU can happen rapidly and unexpectedly. I’ve had many clients get discharged without warning just an hour or so before our planned session. It it important to keep an open mind and be ready to pivot if your little warrior is doing well.
Wait Until You Are Headed Home
Another option is to wait until your baby has been discharged from the NICU and is ready to go home. Often, I can arrange to meet you at home and document baby’s homecoming. While this isn’t guaranteed, covering such a momentous event is a great way to infuse originality and excitement into your session that will distinguish it from a typical newborn session. The key to making this work is communication. If I have an idea if when you will be heading home, I can try to adjust my schedule to accomodate.
Schedule a More Traditional Newborn Session
If you are overwhelmed by the idea of trying to incorporate a photoshoot into your plans for bringing your baby home, you can simply schedule your session once you are home. Your results will end up closer to a traditional newborn session. I recommend keeping hospital bands and other documents handy to help add some variety to your session. Keeping your wardrobe choices ultra relaxed can also help to emphasize that newly postpartum period. Why not lean way into it and go for some lovely pajamas.
Wait Until Baby Has Gained Some Weight
Premature babies may appear especially frail for a while. If you prefer to wait until your baby has gained a little weight and doesn’t look as skinny, this can be a good approach for capturing images that reflect a more robust and content appearance. You might want to consider pushing your session back until closer to your original due date (or even later).
Whatever option you choose, effective communication with your photographer is key to a successful session. Discuss your vision for the shoot, including any specific moments you want to capture and any concerns you have about your baby’s appearance or condition. We’re always here to guide you in deciding what best fits your needs and honor’s your family’s journey.