DIY Newborn Photography: Pictures to Take in the Hospital
When newborn photographers take pictures in the hospital room with a new mom and baby, we call these sessions “Fresh 48’s.” Honestly, I love that name. Those babies, they’re extra fresh (and sweet, and squishy!)
The time spent in a postpartum hospital wing is often filled with blood pressure checks, hospital gowns, uninviting sofas, and lactation consultants. And yet, I can’t think of a 48-hour (wish) stretch more packed with significance and promise. “Life changing” doesn’t begin to describe it.
If you’re having a Spring 2020 baby, a professional Fresh 48 session is most likely not in the cards for you. If your heart was set on it, I’m truly sorry.
But here’s the thing: You can take awesome pictures of your newborn, and even with a smart phone, no less. And there are a few “must have” shots I try and get every time I photograph a Fresh 48 session.
Psst…. A newbie to photography? Check out my recent DIY Newborn Photography post, which covers all kinds of helpful details about taking your own baby’s pictures . Planning to shoot on a smart phone? Click over to 5 Tips for Better iPhone Pictures.
Newborn Hospital Pictures: The Shots You Don't Want to Miss
When I head into a Fresh 48 session, I always have in mind the “must have” shots I know I want to accomplish. When you go to take your own pictures in the hospital, having a loose “photography plan” will really help you too. In the hazy craze of diaper changes and nurse visits, it’s easy to forget what types of pictures you want to take, and you’ll be headed home before you know it.
With this list of go-to hospital pictures, you’ll be able to easily snag a few sweet and simple images to document and commemorate your time there.
But first, a couple of pointers:
Turn off the overhead light (hospitals have awful lighting for pictures!)
Try to take the pictures during daytime hours when you get nice (not harsh) light coming into the room.
Do a quick tidy-up the space near the window (throwing everything into overflowing pile in a hidden corner is A-OK!)
Light direction matters, as does where you stand. (much more on that in separate post)
If you’re using a smart phone, wipe off that lens and turn off portrait mode
On the fence about professional newborn pictures vs. DIY? Enter your email here and I’ll send you my Newborn Welcome Guide.
Mom & Baby
I know, moms. You feel ginormous and you’re in an unflattering gown and everything hurts. Pictures? They sound so unappealing, don’t they? But, I promise, you’ll always, always be glad you have those pictures, even if they never see the light of day.
Here’s how you do it:
Stand at a 90 degree angle to the window and snuggle your baby. Ask your partner to shoot the picture pretty close-up, where it’s cropped just to include mama’s face and the baby. The photographer should hold the camera at an angle slightly above your eye level.
Dad & Baby
Oooh, some of my favorites! I love having a dad sit down on those hard little bench/beds and take pictures of them marveling at their tiny kiddos. Take a couple of overhead shots, off-to-the-side shots, and a couple that mirror the mom/baby pictures I mentioned above.
Baby in the Bassinet
Those clear plastic rolling baby beds SCREAM newborn baby, don’t they? A sleeping baby in their hospital-issued bassinet is a must-have shot.
I like to take a mix of overhead and from-the-side angles.
I especially like to wheel the bed up to the window in a parallel position and take the image this way:
On the Hospital Bed
It’s just classic, right? You’ve got cords and buttons and drop-down sides. It’s also a spot to try and get some family shots with mom, dad, and baby (and siblings, if they’re allowed).
The tricky part about these shots is that you generally can’t take them right next to the window, where the light is best. You may have to settle for a darker, grainier shot, but it’s still worth trying! Snag a passing nurse and get some pictures like this: Straight-on, from the side, and from above.
Details, details, details. Including the mess.
Your pictures tell a story, so consider what parts of the story you want to tell! Think about the dry-erase board on the wall of your room, the flowers on the window sill, the baby’s chubby cheeks, and even the regular mess of meal trays of burp cloths. Remember hands, feet, and hospital bracelets too!
