Review of Orange Studios, Singapore: Fresh 48 Photography (Newborn Photoshoot)
“This is so heartwarming,” I thought. In one photo, two toddlers were running towards their mother in the hospital ward. *Swipe* The next photo captured the first moments of these elder siblings meeting the newborn. Sweetness oozing. How nice it is to have such photos taken, perhaps I can arrange for a friend or relative to capture such precious family moments. It didn’t occur to me to engage a professional photography for my own “after-birth”.
About Fresh 48 Photography
It was later I found out from Leila of Leila&Co. that this is actually a photography concept known as Fresh 48 Photography (“Fresh 48”). It is a special session for families who want to capture the first 24-48 hours of their newborn’s life, documenting precious first moments of your family meeting and holding your little one in your arms.
It’s more of a lifestyle/documentary style photoshoot done at the hospital instead of a traditional 2-week-old newborn session with poses, props or lighting done at the studio or home. Lifestyle photoshoot is what hubby and I prefer and have been doing so far with Baby EX. Along with the sweetness, the photoshoot also captures the realities of parenthood — of managing the elder child’s emotions and juggling with two.
Fresh 48 is more common in the US than in Singapore. In fact, I’ve never seen nor heard my friends doing such photography, not even strangers I follow on social media, except that one mother I mentioned in the opening paragraph. So when I googled, I wasn’t expecting to find any photographer doing Fresh 48 in Singapore. Thus I was pleasantly surprise to find Orange Studios!
In fact, Fresh 48 sessions are one of Orange Studios’s favourite sessions to photograph. “It’s because of how genuine and authentic these sessions are. The excitement, joy and smiles of the parents. The hesitation, curiosity and generosity of the elder siblings. All these captured on the camera – how beautiful.”
As we browsed through Orange Studios’s Fresh 48 Photography Gallery, we looked forward to our very own Fresh 48 session and photos.
About Orange Studios
Started in 2013, Orange Studios is a photography studio specialising in newborn, maternity, children and family photography. It is run by a husband and wife duo, with Ryan being the photographer, and Wini handling everything else. Most of the photography sessions take place in their studio at Ubi Road. You can also top up to arrange for home sessions.
They go to great lengths to make sure you get a picture perfect photo to print into a family heirloom. In fact, they can help you to produce a beautiful heirloom, such as fine art albums or wall portraits, to keep or to show off. More importantly, to document and preserve precious family moments in tangible forms to pass down to future generations. These moments begin right when the mummy is carrying her baby in her womb, to newborn, to one year old and beyond.
Orange Studios Pricing
Quote “JoogoStyle” for an exclusive S$100 discount on Fresh 48 photography or regular newborn portrait session. | Terms & Conditions: Valid for booking confirmation made by 30 Sep 2020. Not valid with other promotions or discounts.
Fine Art Canvas Prints starts from S$495.
Fresh 48 (Basic Digital Collection): S$600. The package includes
- up to 1.5 hours (documentary & lifestyle) photography session at the hospital,
- all digital files^ (5R resolution i.e. printable on your own up to 5″ x 7″ size), and
- photographer being on standby around the EDD.
^ The week following the photoshoot, we received all the digital photos in an USB. The USB and a sweet thank you congratulatory card were couriered to us.
If for some reason the baby is unfit for a photoshoot during the first 48 hours, Orange Studios allows you to convert the Fresh 48 session into a newborn photoshoot session. This is preferably done within the first 2 weeks of baby’s arrival. According to Wini, a newborn portrait session will last longer than a Fresh 48 session as the photography style is different. They also have to factor in the duration for feeding, soothing, and posing the baby.
Newborn Portraiture (Basic Digital Collection): S$650. The package includes
- 3-4 hours weekday studio session,
- 1 newborn baby and parents, and
- all digital files (5R resolution i.e. printable on your own up to 5″ x 7″ size).
Additional Charges
- S$50 for weekend/public holiday
- S$200 for home session
- S$50/pax for additional participants e.g. elder siblings, grandparents
I will opt for a home session because I find it tiring to travel out during the first month. Also, personally I find it more meaningful to capture family moments at home. Thus, a weekday home session with an elder sibling will cost S$900.
Orange Studios Info
- Email: [email protected]
- Tel: +65 8606 6950
- Address: 73 Ubi Road 1 #10-60 S408733
- Website: orangestudios.sg
- Social Media: www.facebook.com/orangestudios.sg; www.instagram.com/orangestudios
Review of Orange Studios’s Fresh 48 Photography
In light of the heightened vigilance related to Covid-19 virus, NUH’s visitor policy allowed only 1 visitor at a time. Moreover, children 12 years old and below were not allowed to visit.
My heart sunk.
Thankfully, Orange Studios was flexible to have our Fresh 48 photo session at our place instead. The most important thing, to capture the first moments when Baby EX met Baby JBL.
For Orange Studio’s Fresh 48 sessions, there’s a preparatory/consultation call about 2 weeks before the EDD. It is to discuss about the session — for Ryan to better understand our expectations and Baby EX. And once we were on the way to the hospital for labour, we could either call or WhatsApp Wini to inform them to be on standby.
Actual Session
“We’re on our way back home,” I WhatsApped Wini, and there they were, waiting by our door when we arrived. They waited for us while we put our bags down and quickly got changed into our white photoshoot outfits. At the same time, Ryan walked around our home to see what spots made good backdrop – our living room and master bedroom.
Thereafter, we had a few shots before the big sister came back from school. Both Ryan and Wini are friendly, striking conversations to make us comfortable throughout the photoshoot.
Just before baby EX stepped in, I had my hubby changed her. The logistics that go behind the picture perfect. Hur hur. With Ryan snapping away, Wini was kind enough to help us video the scene when baby EX met baby JBL.
Baby EX’s loud and excited voice boomed outside the main door. I was nervous about how she would react to her little sister. I told Ryan during the prep call, she would either stone with no reaction or be super excited. It depends. Thank God, she was in the latter mood.
She was full of kisses and hugs for the little sister, not forgetting to pose for the camera at the same time. Oh ya, we also prepped her about Uncle Ryan and Auntie Wini in the house photographing us.
Was initially upset that we couldn’t do the photoshoot in the hospital, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Having the session at our home gave the photos another measure of meaningfulness. The warmth of homeliness. Moreover, even though I stayed two nights, our photoshoot in the afternoon still made it within the first 48 hours of Baby JBL’s evening birth. Fresh 48, yo.
I love how the photos from Orange Studios turned out, capturing the beauty and realities of parenthood. Of how we were trying to settle the cranky, crying baby we so loved, managing the older child we hold dear to heart, and trying to settle back to home sweet home.
The heartwarming moments when the two sisters first met. The family love as we cuddled up on bed. Moments we want to capture in the stills for a lifetime of remembrance.
Read the perspective of Orange Studios on their blog: orangestudios.sg/welcoming-baby-sister-at-home-fresh-48-photography
*Mummy’s Outfit from Dear Collective: Zara Drop Sleeve Lace Dress White.
Disclosure: This is an editorial review. I was sponsored a portion of the photoshoot fee but was not paid for publishing my experience with this service. All opinions are of my own and are genuine.