Photograph Your Own Fresh 48 at the Hospital | 8 DIY Tips for Parents
Are you expecting soon? Did you dream of a Fresh 48, but it’s not allowed yet due to COVID or your not sure how you will feel after your baby is born? I want to share tips on how you can capture your own amazing photos while still in the hospital with your brand new baby. But first, let’s discuss what a Fresh 48 session is! These are photo sessions that take place within the first 48 hours after your baby is born. If you hire a photographer, you’ll coordinate a time before discharge and the photographer will come to you to document these most special and early memories together (if the hospital where you deliver is again allowing more than 1 visitor at a time). And if a Fresh 48 doesn’t work for you, but you still want some amazing photos, read below for helpful tips so that you can capture your own photos to treasure forever!
Find the Best Light
Light is key for any good photo. If you don’t have adequate daylight then none of your photos will turn out the way you want. Though it sounds counterintuitive, start by turning off all lights to focus on natural light. Artificial light can cause discoloration in photos and background lights can be distracting. Focus on natural light. Most hospital rooms have a decent-sized window, so capitalize on this natural light and move close to the window. I often move the furniture around during my sessions, but let partners do this. New moms shouldn’t be moving anything around. I do this all of the time during my hospital sessions and just move it back before I leave.
I love side light, which is when the subject is sitting/standing parallel to a window. You can either stand by the window or can move the sleeper couch this way and take turns sitting and taking photos of each of other holding, kissing, and snuggling your little one. The light will fall on the side facing the window with beautiful shadows falling on the opposite side.
If you take photos with someone standing directly in front of the window with you standing and facing the window, you’ll have backlight. Backlight creates a lot of shadows on subjects, so this type of light can be trickier. It works well for silhouette shots, however!
Most of my Fresh 48 shots revolve around this main window, so if you stay here you should have adequate light!
2. Prepare the Room
This is simple! Just put away things you don’t need in cabinets or move them away from the window where you’ll take most photos. It always looks best when there is less clutter in photos, so the focus is just on your subject! For bassinet shots, I’d move it right by the window so there is plenty of natural light on your sweet baby. Again, this might mean adjusting the furniture a bit.
3. Think about Composition
How do you want your photo to look? Do you want to center your subject or do you want to place them off-center to capture more of the environment? This is up to the eye of the beholder, but I have a few tips. Think about centering your subject vs. the rule of thirds in which you think of the frame as a grid and place your subject at the intersection of those invisible dividing lines. Just think about the space and your subject within it. Do you want to focus on a portrait or do you want to focus on some of the environment to help tell a story? Do you want to move in close for details? You can still consider centering or using the rule of thirds to help boost your composition. I also love centering subjects in windows with backlight for silhouette shots and for interesting framing.
4. Remember the Details
I think this is where my heart really melts during Fresh 48s. I love detail shots. If you’ve had a baby before, you know just how quickly they change so the details really matter! If you haven't, trust me. Within days, a week, a month, you’ll see just how much your baby will change. They grow so quickly at that age, so move in close and capture all of the little details - the tiny feet and toes, little fingers holding yours, the little clamp on the belly button to come, the fuzz covering their bodies, facial details and expressions, the way they snuggle in when you’re trying to figure out breastfeeding, the way your baby snuggles into your arms, the size of your baby’s head in comparison to your partner’s hands, diaper changes, etc. All the little moments matter.
5. Capture Connection
You may just be meeting your little one, but the connection is real and has been brewing for 9 months. Snuggle, kiss, and love your little one and document these precious moments of you and your partner. It might be hard to capture a family photo, though you can always ask a nurse and I bet they would oblige! Regardless, the mom and baby and partner and baby photos will be treasured.
6. What to Wear
Keep it simple! Clearly, my motto. For moms, I recommend wearing a comfortable gown and robe. You won’t know how you’ll feel after delivering so plan ahead and pack a few options. Also keep in mind what will be easy to nurse in, if you can and choose to go that route. You may also want to wear the hospital gown and document the full experience and that works too! The most important part is that you are comfortable and that moms are in the photos too.
For partners, I recommend clothes with no logos and that are generally neutral. Let the emphasis be on your baby and being together. Keeping things simple will keep your photos timeless.
For babies, white onesies from the hospital are perfect! Keep the focus on that sweet baby of yours! If you decide to change it out, I recommend keeping it minimal and simple. I also find large bows can be distracting and take away from the moment. And I try to get some shots in just a diaper. This makes it easier to capture little feet, hands, and other details.
Swaddles! You can choose the hospital blanket supplied or you can create your own vision by bringing your own. During Fresh 48s, I sometimes cover the bassinet mattress with one swaddle blanket that compliments the other wrapped around the baby for interest. All you have to do is just tuck it around the mattress! And you don’t have to be a master of swaddles either. If you are having a hard time, generally the nurses are very happy to help. And a good swaddle will often help your baby sleep better!
7. Consider Your Perspective & Angles
Think about different angles for more variety in your shots. I shoot from the side, from above, climb on the couch, windowsills, etc. I certainly don’t recommend being this active right after having a baby, but don’t be afraid to shift around to capture different angles. You’ll find what you like most and what works best in the situation.
8. What Camera to Use
Honestly, a decent camera phone is sufficient. They are so good these days and any photo is better than no photo. Of course, if you have a nice camera be sure to pack it in your hospital bag, but you can still capture amazing photos on your phone. I have an iPhone, so less familiar with other phone cameras, but I can shoot in RAW through the Lighroom App on my phone and still edit photos mostly as I normally would. I have it set to directly send them to my Lightroom Desktop. These are settings you have to change, but shooting in RAW through the Ligthroom App (there is a FREE version) allows for more flexibility in your final images if you choose to edit them.
While you may have been dreaming about a professional Fresh 48, this is the next best option! Embrace the perfectly imperfect — these photos will mean everything to you down the road. I promise! And if you’re interested in something more, feel reach out to me to learn more about in-home newborn sessions.
