A Guide : Birth and Newborn Photography Compared

Find out what is best for you.

Birth, Golden Hour, Fresh 48, and Lifestyle Newborn Photography, what are the differences? As a mama, welcoming a baby is one of the most life-changing experiences. Between the excitement of pregnancy and the whirlwind of birth planning, most mamas don’t stop to consider if they want to capture this journey. That’s where I come in. Being a Birth and Newborn Photographer, I’m here to guide you in choosing the photography style that best fits your vision.

In this guide, I’ll discuss the types of newborn photography, including birth photography, so you can confidently choose the perfect way to tell your baby’s story.

What is Birth Photography?

Birth photography is all about documenting the raw, emotional moments of labor, birth, and the first precious minutes after. This session takes place at your hospital, birth center, or home and tells the full story of your baby’s arrival.
What it captures
• The miracle, strength and beauty of labor and birth
• Emotional support from your spouse, doula, or birth team
• Your baby’s first breath, first cry, and first moments in your arms
• The immediate bond, skin-to-skin contact, first latch, and golden hour

Why you will love it
• Captures the full journey of bringing your baby into the world
• Completely documentary-style, raw, real, and powerful
• No posing, just pure storytelling

Things to consider
• You will need to be comfortable with a photographer being present during labor
• Timing is unpredictable, so your photographer will be on-call
• It is a bigger investment due to the on-call nature and time commitment

What is Golden Hour Photography?

Golden Hour sessions take place during the first few hours after your baby is born—right in that magical window when emotions are raw, light is soft, and love feels overwhelmingly fresh. It’s a beautiful in-between option for families who want something more intimate than a Fresh 48 but less immersive than full birth photography.

What it captures
• Your baby’s very first moments earthside, still fresh and beautifully raw
• The golden connection between you and your baby in those first quiet hours
• First feedings, skin-to-skin snuggles, and the natural high of meeting your little one
• The emotion in the room—tears, awe, joy, peace

Why you’ll love it
• A deeply meaningful way to remember the exact glow of the moment you met your baby
• Captures the early magic without photographing labor or birth itself
• Soft, storytelling imagery that feels honest and reverent
• Perfect for families who want early documentation in a quiet, connected way

Things to consider
• Timing is sensitive—your photographer will be on-call and arrive within a few hours of delivery
• These sessions are fast-paced and gentle, focusing on presence, not posing
• Lighting and environment (hospital or birth center) may be variable, but the emotion always shines through

What is a Fresh 48 Photography?

Fresh 48 sessions take place within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, capturing those first snuggles and newborn details. It is a great option if you want to document your baby’s earliest moments without having a photographer present for labor and birth.

What it captures
• Your baby’s first hours of life in a natural, relaxed way
• Sibling introductions and first family moments
• Sweet details like bassinet snuggles, and first yawns

Why you will love it
• A beautiful way to document brand-new newborn details
• No pressure, just natural, intimate moments
• Less invasive than birth photography but still captures early memories

Things to consider
• While not like Birth Photography, timing is still unpredictable, so your photographer will be on-call to ensure arriving within the 48 hours
• If done in the hospital, the setting may feel less personal

What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

Lifestyle Newborn sessions are flexible and documentary in style. They capture your baby’s early days in the comfort of your home or outdoors. No props, no forced poses, just your love, your connection, and your family as you are.

What it captures
• Documentary-style images capturing snuggles, sibling interactions, and quiet moments of bonding

Why you will love it
• No rush, schedule it when you feel ready
• No pressure to look perfect, just real, meaningful moments
• Your baby is more alert, allowing for more family interactions

Things to consider
• It will not capture those just-born, first-day moments like a Fresh 48
• Less about birth and more about settling into parenthood

Birth vs Newborn Photography. Which One is Right for You?

Which Session Is Right for You?

Birth Photography is for you if:
• You want to document the full journey of your baby’s arrival
• You love raw, emotional, and completely unscripted storytelling
• You are comfortable with a photographer being present during labor

Golden Hour is for you if:
• You want to capture the tender, intimate first hours after birth
• You want a session that feels deeply emotional, but without documenting the labor itself
• You love the glow and warmth of natural, early light and unposed moments

Fresh 48 is for you if:
• You want those brand-new, first-day moments but do not want labor and birth captured
• You are open to the session taking place at the hospital, birth center, or your home
• You want to remember all the tiny newborn details before they change

Lifestyle Documentary Newborn is for you if:
• You prefer a more relaxed at-home session with your newborn
• You want to focus on family interactions and real-life moments
• You love the idea of capturing the everyday beauty of newborn life

Capturing Your Baby’s Story, Your Way

No matter which style you choose, these intimate photography sessions allow you to relive the magic of your baby’s arrival.

Before making a decision, think about what moments matter most to you—whether it’s the raw emotion of birth, the first 48 hours, or the beauty of everyday newborn life. Ultimately, choose the session that speaks to your heart.

A Personal Note

I have two kiddos, and their births were completely different—one a gentle cesarean, the other an incredible hospital water VBAC. At the time, I wanted birth photography but hesitated, worrying about how I’d look and the cost.

Looking back now, I deeply regret not capturing their full birth stories. While I’ll always remember giving birth to them, I’ve come to realize these memories aren’t just for me—they’re for them too. They deserve to see the love, strength, and support that surrounded their arrival into the world.

Thankfully, I have a few cherished cell phone photos. Even now, my six-year-old loves looking at his birth pictures, asking about the day he was born. It’s a powerful reminder that these moments matter—not just today, but for a lifetime.

If you are looking for birth, Fresh 48, or lifestyle newborn photography in Metro Detroit, let’s connect and create the perfect session for your family.