Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Bryant Scott

August 23, 2020 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

B R Y A N T S C O T T

Fresh 48 | In home lifestyle Newborn photo | Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

I’m so excited to share this beautiful in home Fresh 48 session! Oh my goodness, sweet Bryant was an absolute DREAM to photograph! He was soo sleepy and relaxed throughout the session- but I also captured some first portraits of him with his eyes wide open! (For more photos and video clips from his Fresh 48 session, catch the video at the end of this blog post!)

One of my favorite parts of Bryant’s Fresh 48 story was his furry big sister, Annie! I’ve never seen a dog so loving and protective! Annie followed us around during the session and was never far from Bryant’s side. I especially love one of the video clips of her giving him kisses!

I LOVED getting to meet and work with this amazing family. Tap the video below to view more from Bryant’s Fresh 48 session!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Griffin Hayes

August 05, 2020 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

G R I F F I N H A Y E S

I was on a flight home to Oregon from a California vacation last Fall, when I received a text from one of my birth clients that read “Heyyyy, sooo, any chance you have a birth photography slot open in April? :)” *Cue me instantly getting choked up* I scrambled to pull up my calendar to double check dates and was SO excited to see that I would be able to work with them again! We ended up doing a beautiful lifestyle Fresh 48 at their home a while after sweet Griffin was born (due to everything going on in the world right now.) It was such a joy getting to work with them again, and to meet big brother who I photographed coming into the world!

In Home Fresh 48 | Mother and Baby Portraits at home | Lifestyle photo session | Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

After being their birth photographer, and working with them for this Fresh 48 session, I have gotten to know this family so well, and both of these sessions we had together were SO them- fun, loving, and organic. My heart was bursting while I captured big brother and Dad playing playing around in the living room, while Mama was getting a snack together for them in the kitchen.. I photographed some quiet reading time and snuggles between Mama and Harrison, and then baby Griffin’s first portraits! We even got some super fun shots of everyone cuddled up on Mom and Dad’s bed- complete with a tickle war!

In Home Fresh 48 | Lifestyle photo session | Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

We wrapped up their Fresh 48 session with some family photos outside their home.. (You’ll get a peek of those in the video below!) This gorgeous family also moved out of Oregon after our session together- so I feel like these photos and their Fresh 48 video will be even more meaningful as the years go by.

Don’t forget to watch the highlight of their in home lifestyle session- Griffin’s Fresh 48 video!

Thank you so much Lauren and Josh for letting me capture + share such a momentous time in your lives once again!

((If you want to check out big brother’s Birth Story Video- tap HERE!))

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Huxley Oliver

June 24, 2020 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

H U X L E Y O L I V E R

Fresh 48 | Newborn swaddled in crib for an in home lifestyle photo session | Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Due to recent world events, we weren’t able to do this sweet boy’s Fresh 48 session until he was over a month old.. So I am absolutely overjoyed to share this beautiful family’s lifestyle Fresh 48 session, done at home with their precious newborn!

Fresh 48 | In home lifestyle family session | Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

It was so fun capturing Mom, Dad, and their boys relaxing at home; cuddling, playing, and living life as a new family of four! I love when client’s choose to do Fresh 48 sessions at home, it just adds such an intimate, unique feel to their portraits. I always think about as the kiddos get older- how fun that will be for them to have a little glimpse into their very first childhood home, their nursery, and hopefully they will feel all the love that I saw when I was there that day. Such a gift!

Fresh 48 | In home lifestyle photo session | Salem, Oregon Fresh 48 Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

And the absolute BEST part of Fresh 48 sessions: The family’s slideshow with all of my favorite photographs and video clips from their session.. Enjoy!

Welcome to the World, sweet one!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Kinsley Grace

April 22, 2020 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

I’m so happy I get to share this Fresh 48 session today. We are going on week 1.4 million of quarantine and having the opportunity to post something as uplifting as this is such a joy!

I LOVED everything about how Lea (Mama) planned her Fresh 48 session. It was so unique to their family and really focused around big brother feeling included and knowing how important his new role is! EVERY Fresh 48 photo session I do is soo different. Sometimes I walk into a hospital room and Mama says with a sleepy smile “I had every intention of getting ready- but it just didn’t happen, so I’m just going to keep it real.” Then there are the Mom’s that open their front door and I can just feel how raw and fresh everything still is; and we take the session at a gentle, slow pace. There are also the Moms that have every detail planned down to a “T” with the floral matching robe/swaddler etc.

I’ll let you in on a little secret though..

No matter what “style” of Fresh 48 session you have.. The love is there, and it’s going to shine through your photos. The first few days following meeting your little love for the first time are an adjustment period, and there isn’t a “correct” way to do it. This is one of my favorite things about doing Fresh 48 photography~ NO ONE has the same journey, the same story, the same feelings.. But every Mother I have worked with has touched my heart in some way; getting to photograph how they are navigating motherhood is such an honor.

OKAY! Back to this sweet little angel girl!!

When Lea and I discussed her hopes for their Fresh 48, it was totally centered around their little family and especially making sure big brother Carter felt included and knew how awesome his new role was going to be! Lea told me about how she takes Carter on “Mommy dates” and how special that time is for them. She had the super cute idea to actually create a “Mommy date” while he came to meet his little sister! I absolutely LOVED that idea. It can be so difficult for kiddos to adjust to having a new baby in the house- the more we can prepare them helps the whole family in the long run!

Carter was SOOOOOO excited to meet Kinsley and truly had an immediate bond and sense of protection over her. It was PRECIOUS to witness and capture! (I can’t wait to share their Fresh 48 video slideshow below so you can see what I’m talking about!) I keep in contact with Mama, and she says he is still totally in love with her and even calls her and Lea his “beautiful beauties.” ((Dad Jeremy has trained him well! :)) NOW, without further story time from me- here is Kinsley’s Fresh 48 story!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Landry Jo

January 28, 2020 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

I had the honor of spending a little bit of time Christmas Eve morning for this beautiful family’s Fresh 48 session at Salem Hospital. It was so fun getting to see the girls excitement for both meeting their new sister AND getting to tell her who would be visiting them that night! Santa brought this family the best gift~ getting to take their new addition home <3

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Fresh 48 video | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

While these hospital newborn photos give you all the feels- you HAVE to check out the Fresh 48 slideshow below including video clips from the very first moments they were together as a family of 6.

Oregon Fresh 48 Photographer | Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Welcome to the World, sweet Landry!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Harrison Grey

December 21, 2019 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

I had so much fun working with this family for their in-home Fresh 48 session. This was another Fresh 48 with an older sibling and she was so tickled to be a big sister! You’ll see the sweetest clips in their video of her loving on him.

This little lovebug literally slept through his whole entire Fresh 48!

I got to capture them cuddling in their living room, little A playing outside with her Daddy, some precious quiet moments between Mommy and Harrison, and more cuddles at the end! Thank you so much to Mom and Dad for letting me share their Fresh 48 story- I already can’t wait for our next session together in 2020!

Welcome to the World, darling Harrison Grey!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Piper Grace

October 26, 2019 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

I have a huge love for in-home Fresh 48 sessions! This one was especially meaningful since this gorgeous babe was born AT HOME just outside of Salem <3 She was the fourth girl added to their sweet family, and as you’ll see in their video, these little dolls were SOO excited to have another little sister!

Salem, Oregon Fresh 48 Photographer | In home lifestyle Fresh 48 session |

Having video clips added to these Fresh 48 slideshow’s is something I adore giving to my clients!! I imagine they will be even more meaningful to each family as the years go by. When you watch this video, I hope that it takes you back to that precious time with your own children! I think we can all agree that the newborn stage goes by much too quickly :) (ALTHOUGH- I DO love getting a little more sleep these days having older kiddos ;)) A huge thank you to this family for letting me share a little glimpse into their lives <3

Here is the Fresh 48 story of Piper Grace:

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 Photography | Arianna

September 11, 2019 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

Seriously one of my favorite parts about Fresh 48 sessions is when Mom & Dad wait until I’m there for their photography appointment to have big brother or big sister meet the newest babe. I totally got teary eyed watching these clips play back when I got them together in the Fresh 48 video. Baby Arianna will ALWAYS know how loved she is, from the moment she arrived! <3

We had our session at the Salem Hospital (in downtown Salem, Oregon) and this was the first one that I’ve done there in a while as my last several clients were out of Corvallis, Silverton, Portland etc! The time of day was perfect~ working with that fabulous window light, we got some beautiful photos and video clips (in the Fresh 48 slideshow below!!) of the family together, big sister and big brothers, Mama and baby, Daddy and baby etc! As we all know, this newborn stage passes by SO quickly and I was honored to capture these first precious moments! Take a peek at their keepsake video below!

Welcome, Arianna!

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Fresh 48 video | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 | Lily

July 13, 2018 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

There's something absolutely precious about Fresh 48's. Capturing those first moments in the hospital somewhere between first meeting your little one, to right before you begin your new life together at home. I LOVE it.

This sweet little lady was born September.3rd, 2017 here in Salem, Oregon. When you watch the video, you'll get a peek into her last moments at the hospital before she gets to go home!

As a Mama of two little ones, I KNOW how quickly this all goes by. And I remember the excitement of introducing our daughter to her new baby brother. These are such sweet memories that I will cherish, and I LOVE that I get to help my clients preserve that moment for themselves.

It is my hope that when Mama watches this years from now, that she will remember the very first time she and her daughters bonded over "this little piggy" in the hospital. I hope that she smiles when she sees the photo of her older daughter coming into the hospital dressed as Bat Girl (SERIOUSLY, SO CUTE.) And I hope that when Lily gets older that she will get to see this video and see ALL THE LOVE in that room. Her Grandparents absolutely spoiling her with love, and her Daddy holding her close, admiring her precious little face.

Welcome to the World, sweet Lily!

P.S. As always, I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to the incredible nurses at Salem Hospital. They are always SO kind and a pleasure to work around!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 | Finnley's Story

July 28, 2016 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48

"Family is not defined by our genes, it is built and maintained through love."

-Amalia G., Independent Adoption Center

Yesterday was an incredibly emotional day for me. I had the incredible honor of photographing a very special Fresh 48. I'll give you a little bit of a back story!

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Finnley Thomas

I am a part of a Mom's group on Facebook, and a few months ago, a woman made a post in the group about how after three YEARS of waiting, she and her husband had been matched with a an AMAZING birth Mom for an Open Adoption. *They were FINALLY getting their little one!* (But what they ended up getting was SO much more than that!) Anyway, it just struck a chord in my heart. I choked up a little bit just reading her post about how excited she was. I thought about contacting her to see if she may be interested in a Fresh 48 session, but I didn't want to sound like a weirdo! Haha!! It was one of those moments in life where you think to yourself, "should I reach out..? No..? Too forward?" Hahah! I have a lot of moments like that ;) I put the idea to the back of my mind and went on with my life. Sometime after that, the woman made another post or commented on something, and I recognized her name. All my thoughts came flooding back, and I just felt so compelled to contact her. At the risk of sounding like a crazy person, I reached out and told her how moved I was by their journey and how I would be soo honored if I could capture some memories for them at the hospital. To my surprise, she wrote back and said that she would talk to the Birth Mom and see what she thought about all of it! I got another message later saying they were TOTALLY on board, and wanted to hire me. AHHHHHH!!! <3 We spoke the next day on the phone, and she said something that I'll never forget! She told me that just the day before, her and her husband were talking about how it would be really amazing if they had someone photograph some of these moments for them. UMMMM GOOSEBUMPS!! (THAT totally sealed the deal for me. This was MEANT to be.)

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | John, Britt & Kayla with sweet little Finnley

As I got to know Kayla, she shared with me how incredibly close she was to the Birth Mom, Britt + her two sweet kiddos and how they LITERALLY had become a family throughout all this. (Seriously, cue all the tears.) She sent me some photos of them cooking breakfast together on Mother's Day, and just hanging out at the house together! She also shared some BEAUTIFUL maternity photos they had done. I was so moved. To be honest with you, I didn't know very much about open adoptions. But I will tell you one of the reasons I wanted to be there to photograph them that day. I wanted them to be able to see themselves in that moment. For Britt to see herself holding little Finnley (SUCH A CUTE NAME!) I wanted Kayla & John to be able to see themselves becoming PARENTS, cuddling with their little man, and most importantly, I wanted Finnley to be able to see these photos someday. It is my prayer that he will be able to look at these photos when he is older, and see three ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE adults, that LOVE him more than anything in the World. Three beautiful people, that worked together, to create this precious life for him. You guys.. He is SOOOOOOO loved already.

Here are some of my favorites from my time with them.

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story |  Finnley with his precious big brother + sister — Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Finnley with his precious big brother + sister

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Mommy taking a moment with her sweet boy <3

When Kayla and I were first talking, she told me how long they had prayed that a birth mother would pick them that also wanted an Open Adoption. And it was Britt's desire to find the perfect family very early on in her pregnancy so that they could experience the pregnancy with her. So Kayla and John were able to go to appointments, to hear his sweet little heartbeat, and share in the joys of pregnancy with her! She told me they talked every day, and saw each other AT LEAST once a week. Britt gave them the gift of parenthood in the most beautiful way, and they have truly become a family. (They call themselves "The Tribe!") As you can imagine, I cried as I read through her e-mails. Finnley will grow up knowing Britt, and his big brother and sister, and get to experience ALL of their love. I am so in awe of this family!

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | The beautiful Mama's <3 — Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | The beautiful Mama's <3

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Mama Britt & Finnley <3 — Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Mama Britt & Finnley <3

Salem, Oregon Photographer | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Fresh 48- An Open Adoption Story | Their Tribe <3

Aren't they amazing? Sweet little Finnley is so blessed. I wanted to give Kayla, John, and Britt the biggest THANK YOU for letting me get a glimpse into your beautiful, precious journey. I know my life has been changed just knowing you all. You are an inspiration, and an image of HOPE for so many people. XO

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 | Braxton

June 25, 2016 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48, Birth Photography

OH the sweetness. I did this Fresh 48 Session right after this Birth, and I'm so happy I could be there to capture these first moments! I'll take you through some of my favorites <3

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

One super special thing about Fresh 48 photography, is that you are able to photograph family members meeting the sweet new addition! In this case, little man had his two big sisters come meet him! Along with his Grandparents & Aunties : ) He was a little celebrity!

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | big sisters meeting their newborn baby brother! | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | big sisters meeting their newborn baby brother! | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

I love the ones of proud Grandma & Grandpa! : )

After things calmed down a little, I focused on getting those first portraits of Mommy & baby, and of course baby and Daddy. I'm obsessed with this one!

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Hi Daddy!  Newborn looking up at Daddy | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Hi Daddy! Newborn looking up at Daddy | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Annnnnnd, these two pictures below make my heart swell. I know that I always talk about remembering going through these emotions & moments myself with my kids- but I truly think that is what makes a great lifestyle photographer. When you have experienced these moments in life, it makes it so much easier to know the tiny, fleeting moments to capture.

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Mommy & her new baby | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Mommy & her new baby | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

I see so much beauty in the photo of Mama and her baby. I think that EVERY Mother remembers those first few hours with her newborn. Gazing down at their teeny tiny features, tracing along their perfect little face and wondering how on Earth you created something so BEAUTIFUL. SOMEONE so beautiful. This precious little gift. There are truly no other feelings like it in this World. I took these pictures about a minute between eachother, because when I saw the way Mama was looking at him, I knew that the *moment* was happening. So, so sweet. Like I said, there's nothing like it.

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Flowers from visitors//Details (I love that painted mason jar vase!!!) | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Flowers from visitors//Details (I love that painted mason jar vase!!!) | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | newborn first footprints | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | newborn first footprints | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Mama & her new baby boy | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Mama & her new baby boy | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

I looove Mama's first portraits with her newborn! Real, raw, beautiful, unposed moments. And of course we have the very first bath below. He was such a sweet peaceful little guy during his bath- he was loving the warm water.

Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Baby's first bath | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Fresh 48 Hospital Session | Baby's first bath | Hospital Birth + Fresh 48 Photography | Salem, Oregon | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

It was such a wonderful session! I just love Fresh 48's!

* A special Thank you to the Salem Hospital (Salem Health Family Birth Center) for being so kind and accommodating! As I said before, it is always such an honor to be in the room with the incredible Doctors & Nurses there!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Fresh 48 | Baby M

June 06, 2016 by Shelby Blanton in Fresh 48, Lifestyle

YOU GUYS, I AM SO BAD AT BLOGGING! Oh man, I am the worst! I'm going to be working on getting a few posts up from sessions I did back in Jan/Feb, just because there are too many beautiful babies/families for me NOT to share! Proof:

Look at that sweet little face cuddled up with Mama <3 Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Look at that sweet little face cuddled up with Mama <3
Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

SEEEEEE!? He is just precious! This was a Fresh 48 Session at the Salem Hospital. He is the first little one for these two, and he is SO loved. Here's a few more from our session together:

TINY TOES <3Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  | Salem, Oregon Hospital Newborn Photography Session | Hospital Newborn Photos — TINY TOES <3
Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Salem, Oregon Hospital Newborn Photography Session | Hospital Newborn Photos

I think one of my favorite things about Fresh 48 sessions, is the unposed/lifestyle feel to them. I always have a lifestyle/documentary photographer approach when I do portraits. It is important for me to few traditional poses in, but the photos that tug on my heartstrings are natural interactions between the families I am photographing, and the sweet little details.

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com — Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com

These two photos below were a couple of my favorites. His tiny fingers! <3 As a Mama myself, that picture below of baby next to the hospital bed is so sweet to me, because it brings back memories. I can remember that feeling of being in my hospital bed, and looking over at my own precious baby in the bassinet next to me. THESE are the types of memories that I LOVE preserving for my clients.

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  | Salem, Oregon Hospital Newborn Photography Session | The tiny newborn details | Hospital Newborn Photos | Lifestyle Newborn Session | Portland Oregon Hospital Newb… — Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Salem, Oregon Hospital Newborn Photography Session | The tiny newborn details | Hospital Newborn Photos | Lifestyle Newborn Session | Portland Oregon Hospital Newborn Photographer

And of course, Daddy and baby photos are just the sweetest.

Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com  | Daddy holding newborn at hospital | Hospital Newborn Photography Session | Oregon Hospital Newborn Photographer | Mastin Labs — Salem, Oregon Photographer | Fresh 48 | www.shelbyblantonphotography.com | Daddy holding newborn at hospital | Hospital Newborn Photography Session | Oregon Hospital Newborn Photographer | Mastin Labs

Okay I'm out of here to go enjoy some of this gorgeous sunshine we are having! I promise it won't be long until my next post! : ) Enjoy your Monday, friends!