Hospital Photography Maplewood with NICU Twin Baby Girls

A Gentle Glimpse Into NICU Life: St. John’s Hospital Photography for Twins

Sometimes, stories begin long before the first photo is taken. That was the case with these two sweet twin girls born at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood. Their mom had reached out to me while still on bedrest, hopeful and planning ahead, even though none of us knew what the timing would look like. NICU stays can be full of uncertainty, and this family’s story is one many can relate to — one rooted in strength, waiting, and a quiet kind of courage.

As a NICU photographer in Minnesota, I often work with families who are navigating these emotional early days. Whether it’s a scheduled Fresh 48 session in Minnesota or a complimentary NICU session like this one, my goal is always to offer families a little bit of peace in the middle of the storm — and tangible memories of their babies’ earliest milestones.

Let’s talk more about what these sessions look like, how they differ, and why documenting this time matters.

NICU Information

What It’s Like to Photograph in a NICU Setting

Photographing babies in the NICU is nothing like a traditional newborn session. And that’s the point.

Everything moves slower. The light is softer. The voices are gentler. There’s a rhythm to the NICU — monitors beeping, nurses moving purposefully, parents speaking in whispers, hands resting protectively on tiny swaddled bodies. When I arrive for a St. John’s Hospital photography session, I’m not coming in with a shot list or grand plans. I’m simply there to witness and document what’s already unfolding.

This session was no different. These twin girls were resting together in a shared crib. Their parents stood close, their hospital bands still on, hands gently cupping the babies’ heads and feet. The love was so present in the room — quiet, overwhelming, real.

Sessions like this aren't about props or posing. They’re about connection. About the small details — the feeding tubes, the hospital blankets, the whiteboards with weights and updates, the “We have our own clothes!” notes scrawled in red marker. These are the things you forget later, and the very things you’ll want to remember.

Why NICU Sessions Matter (Even If They Don’t Feel “Perfect”)

Let’s just say it: no one envisions their baby’s first photos being taken in the hospital, let alone in the NICU. But that doesn’t mean these moments aren’t worthy of being documented.

One of the most common things I hear from NICU parents is that they almost didn’t do photos because they didn’t feel ready. The room wasn’t perfect. The baby still had wires. They were tired. Overwhelmed. Not sure how it would all go.

But after the session? Every single one of them is so grateful they said yes.

That’s why I offer complimentary NICU sessions — because I believe every family deserves the chance to see their strength and love reflected back to them in photos. There’s no sales pitch, no pressure. Just a quiet gift, when it’s needed most.

I also offer Fresh 48 sessions in Minnesota — a more planned option for families who want to document their baby’s first 48 hours in the hospital. These are ideal if you’re not in the NICU but still want to preserve those sleepy, emotional, just-born moments without having to leave the hospital.

Both NICU and Fresh 48 sessions are part of what I love most about being a hospital photographer in Maplewood and the Twin Cities. It’s not always about the “perfect” photo — it’s about the ones that truly mean something.

Information on Fresh 48 Sessions

How I Approach Hospital Photography in Maplewood (and in the Twin Cities)

My goal during every hospital session is to blend in — to make myself invisible, in the best way possible. I’m not going to move your baby into fancy positions or ask anyone to do anything that doesn’t feel natural. I’ll work around the nurses, the doctors, and your baby’s needs.

For this St. John’s Hospital photography session, we worked entirely within the girls’ comfort level. One baby snoozed away while the other peeked up at the camera with the most curious eyes. They wore matching zip-up onesies, their wires tucked gently underneath. Parents’ hands made a perfect frame — one on each head, one set holding tiny toes. There was such tenderness in those moments, and I hope that’s what this family will remember when they look back.

I always say: I’ll come in as a guest. You don’t have to entertain me, look perfect, or clean up a thing. My only job is to help you hold onto this part of the journey — because someday, it’ll feel like a blur.

When to Book a NICU or Fresh 48 Session

For NICU sessions, you don’t have to book anything formal in advance. If you reach out while you’re still in the hospital — or even before, like this mama did while on bedrest — I’ll do my best to get you on my schedule as soon as it’s appropriate for your baby’s care plan. I coordinate with the family directly and only come in when the time is right.

Fresh 48 sessions, on the other hand, are usually scheduled during your third trimester. These are typically done within the first two days after birth, while you’re still in the hospital but everyone is relatively stable and resting. I’ll come to your room at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood (or another local hospital in the Twin Cities), usually mid-morning or early afternoon, and capture everything from snuggles to first yawns to those hospital name bands you’ll want to remember later.

If you’re not sure which session is the right fit — or you’re in the middle of a NICU stay and just want to ask questions — I’m always happy to chat.

Why These Moments Deserve to Be Documented

Babies change fast. And while the NICU might not be the setting you dreamed of, it’s still part of your story. It’s still the first chapter of your baby’s life.

Whether you're holding your baby for the first time, brushing their soft hair back, or just watching them sleep with the quiet intensity only a NICU parent understands — those are the things that matter. Those are the moments I aim to preserve.

Being a NICU photographer in Minnesota, especially for families at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, is something I’m deeply honored to do. Every session reminds me how strong families are, even in the most tender, uncertain times.

And if you’re wondering whether you’ll want these photos someday? You will. Not just for you, but for them — when they’re older and you can show them just how far they’ve come.

Whether you're expecting a stay in the NICU, planning a Fresh 48 session in Minnesota, or just wondering what hospital photography in Maplewood is all about, I’m here to help make the process feel easy and meaningful. You don’t need to have it all together. You don’t need to do anything but show up and love your baby.

Let me handle the rest.

Have questions about St. John’s Hospital photography, NICU sessions, or Fresh 48s? Leave a comment below or get in touch — I’d love to hear from you.

Michele is a Minneapolis-based newborn and family photographer with over 15 years of experience capturing the quiet beauty of early parenthood. She offers Fresh 48 sessions for families who want to preserve those first hours in the hospital and provides complimentary NICU photo sessions for families navigating longer stays. Known for her calm presence and timeless style, Michele brings warmth, empathy, and experience to every hospital room she enters. With two kids who recently graduated from high school, she knows just how quickly those early days fly by — and that one day, you’ll be reaching for those hospital photos to include in senior slideshows.

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