What a scary and uncertain time to be pregnant right now! I can’t imagine how all of you mamas feel right now! Moms going to appointments alone, dads not getting to attend ultrasounds, baby showers cancelled, grandparents not getting to meet their new grandbabies at the hospital, maybe not for weeks and not getting the professional photos that you had your heart set on after the birth of your baby. It’s all just so much heartbreak and sadness during a time when you have so much to look forward to.
There isn’t a lot I can do for you all at this time, but what I can offer, are some professional tips and tricks to help you capture beautiful images of your babies to share with your family and friends who may not get to meet them for a while.
First and foremost, above anything else, lighting is most important when capturing images of your new baby. If you know a little about lighting your subject, you can take beautiful images even with your iPhone! Fortunately, most of the hospitals around here (especially Thibodaux Regional with those floor to ceiling walls of windows!), have big enough windows to help you photograph your newborn baby.
- Turn off all the lights in the room and use the natural light coming from the windows! Place baby in the bassinet and roll him close to the window. Baby should either be parallel with the window or baby’s head should be closest to the window so that the light falls down baby’s face and not up their nose. See the examples below for positioning:
2. Remove clutter and distractions, photograph baby with simple surroundings and try different angles. Shoot from the window side (just be careful not to block the light) and shoot from the room side, having the light from the window rimming baby’s features. Baby’s face should either be facing the window or the ceiling.
3. Don’t forget all of the details. Take close-up photos of all of baby’s features as well as their hands and feet. Incorporate mom and dad’s hands for scale.
4. Don’t forget photos of baby with mom and baby with dad! You’ll also want to use window light for these and can experiment with angles. Remember that baby’s head should be closest to the window so the light falls down her face and not up her nose! And if your nurse has an extra moment, ask if she can take one of the 3 of you together once you get yourselves in position.
5. Finally, don’t forget the details around you and the little in-between moments. The tiny hospital bracelet, the sign on the bassinet, baby’s footprints and all those precious firsts you’ll experience while still in the hospital – changing diapers, feedings, outfit changes and just quiet snuggles.
I hope that these tips help you capture some beautiful images of baby’s first few days so that you can share your joy with all of your loved ones who wish they could be there with you! Also, remember the video clips! You can apply these same lighting techniques to get beautiful, well-lit video clips to share with your family as well!
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and I pray you have a smooth and peaceful delivery!